Fulltone tube tape echo User manual

Owner’s Manual
Version 7
Covers serial #3664 and higher…
June 2013 and later

Basic History of major TTE Revisions
Serial# 2326 6/2008: Discontinue 12AT7 for V3 Erase tube. Change to Fulltone
12AU7. Warning! You must use either Shugwang 12AU7 or Fulltone 12AU7. Most
tubes will not erase properly, no matter how much you’d like to use that vintage NOS
tube you bought for way too much money ;)
Serial# 3179 4/2011: Discontinue padded gig bag, first TTE with removable, hinged
Lid. Majority of production uses Blonde Tolex.
Serial# 3460 5/2012: Changed Preamp circuit, revised EQ of preamp to be more
Full-range, with less change to the original instrument tone. Previous versions were
much brighter, lacking in bass frequencies.
Serial# 3480 10/2012: First production TTE with “Relay-Activated Echo Cancel.”
This is a major improvement in that using an Echo Cancel Footswitch no longer has
a negative effect on the sound quality and volume of the Echoes! From this point on,
you are not limited to using a short cable for an Echo Footswitch, and instead can
use up to 500’ of any 2 conductor, standard instrument cable. Fulltone unveils our
Echo Cancel Footswitch (ECF) which requires no external power for its status LED’s
(more info or purchase here)
Serial# 3664 6/2013: TTE goes to all black metal and black Tolex cabinet & lid.
Major improvement to tape transport initiated by changing the spacing on the tape
guide posts, eliminating much of the friction and reducing tape jam.

Table of Contents
Page 1 Product Overview
Page 2 Top Panel Diagram
Page 3 Additional Diagrams
Operating the TTE
Page 4 Initial Set-Up
Page 5 Let’s Play in Mono!
Page 6 Let’s Play in Mono! (Continued)
Page 7 All about ((STEREO))
Maintenance and Service
Page 8 Service Diagrams
Page 9 Service Diagrams (Continued)
Page 10 Tape, Tape Heads, and Transport
Page 11 Tape, Tape Heads, and Transport (continued)
Page 12 Additional Tape Path Maintenance
Page 13 Tubes!
Page 14 Rewiring transformer to 220/240 Operation
Page 15 Warranty and Contact

Page 1
Product Overview
The Fulltone Tube Tape Echo,althoughinspired by Market Electronics’ Echoplex of theearly to
mid-‘60’s, isa far moreevolved design which eliminatesall of the noise,inconsistencies, and
reliability issues associated with the Echoplexes.
Some of the TTE’s featuresinclude:
1. 1 x 12AX7 Tubes for Record, 1x12AX7 for Playback, 1 x 12AU7. Use only Fulltone brand
12AU7 for V3 (Erase tube) or unit may not erase properly!
2. Mono and ((Stereo)) outputs with 3distinctstereo image choices!
3. DC on the Tube filaments for no-hum operation.
4. Torroidal Transformer for low EMF, quiet operation.
5. Brushless/3 phase DCServo Motor for reliable, quiet tape transport.
6. Blushless DC Fan to keep the whole thing running cool.
7. Nickel-plated steel with all stainless-steel hardware, every bolt and spacer.
8. Super-Tough Baltic Birch-ply cabinet with Blonde Tolex covering.
9. Proprietary Erase, Record,and Playback headsdesigned to outlive you.
10. All Hand-Wired point-to-point Audio pathway. All Handmade in the U.S.A.
11. Removable Lid (should be closed and latched while transporting)
12. 2-Speed operation (withtrimmer adjustment)for a choice between Hi-Fi or Warm Vintage
sounds.
13. Adjustable Tube-PoweredVolume Control forup to 25 dB volume-boost.
14. A Tone control affecting theRepeatsonly.
15. Our own Echo Tape Cartridge (ETC-1) is loaded with Mastering quality tape and designed
to last many months, unlike the few weeks you get from other Echoplex-type cartridges.
16. True Bypass toggle switch for setting the right Volume for your rig as well asa 1/4"jack for
“Echo Cancel”allowing youto keep the TTE’s TubePreamp in the signalpath atalltimes.

Page 2
Top Panel Diagram

Page 3
Additional Diagrams

Page 4
Operating your Tube Tape Echo
Warning!Always unplug the guitarcable from the MainOutput when not in use!
Not doing so foran extended time period may cause the pinch roller to go out-of-round making the
tape transport unstable, therepeatsout oftune,and may void warranty service claims relating to
this issue.
Initial Set-Up
Refer to Diagrams on Pages 2 and 3
1) Remove the Top Cover Plate (see #32) byunscrewing the 2 thumbscrews (see # 31)and
sliding the plate carefully off to the left side ofthe TTE.
2) Make sure thatthe Thumbscrews forthe Echo Tape cartridge (ETC-1) are secure (see
#30) and that the tape is following the correct path (see Tape Path diagram, Page 3) Make
sure that the tape is not tooloose, knottedup, or has not slipped awayfrom anyof the
Tape Guides (see #24 and #19) Make sure that it is seated properly on the Corner Roller
(see #25), resting under the Tape Felt (see #26), and Tape Felt Tension Arm. (see #27)
Now check that the tape is resting between the Capstan and Pinch-roller (see #16 and
#17)
3) Insert the detachable AC cable (see #34) in to the TTE AC Inlet (see #33) and connect
other end to a 3-prong 120-volt wall outlet. Make sure to use the same outlet as your guitar
amplifier to avoid possible grounding issues.
4) Turn onthe Power Switch (see #35) and allow unit to run forabout a minute, this lets the
Tubes warm up.
5) Plug yourguitarcable into the Input Jack. (see #1)
6) Slide the Transport Clutch lever (see #13) to the right…this starts the Tape Rolling. Hold
it thereand insert another guitar cable into the Main Output jack (see #12). This cable
holds the Transport Clutch Lever in place and keepsthe Tape running while you’re using
the TTE. Tip: Let the Tape Cartridge (ETC-1) run for a while and it will stabilize. When first
turned on, the ETC-1’s windings may be uneven and can cause the notesto seemout-of-
tune. Allowing the ETC-1 to spin fora minute or so evens outthe Tape windings sothat it
rolls smoothly and stays that way for the remainder of your session.
7) Now connect the other end of the guitar cable to your amplifier.
8) Turn onyour amp and you’re readyto make a fewsetting adjustments and play yourTTE!
9) Important! Please use “Low Speed” setting during first2-3 hours ofoperation forproper
break-in

Page 5
Let’s Play in Mono!
Refer to Diagrams on Pages 2 and 3
So you’ve gone through all of the steps in the “Initial Set-Up” Chapter?
Now you’re ready to check a fewmorethingsand play.
Terms: CW= Clockwise CCW= Counter-Clockwise
1) You’re now running in Mono (only one amplifier) so make sure the Stereo Mode
Switch (see #2) is set to Position 1 or Position 2, it makes nodifference which of the
two you choose. But if you set this switch to Position 3 you willonly hearthe “Echo”
and notthe original note, which can be a bit confusing.See “STEREO”chapter for
more in-depth discussion regarding this switch.
2) Now locate the True Bypass Switch (see #3) and toggle backand forth between
“Bypassed”and “On”while strumming some open strings. Is the sound louder when
set to “Bypass” orwhen set to “On”? Setting this to“On” will send your Guitar signal
through the all-Tube circuitryas well asallowyou toadd anyamountof “Echo” to your
sound. You canadjustthe volume with theGuitar Volume knob. (#4) Turning this
knob clockwise willincreasethe level of the guitar sound.
Tip: Set the “On”sound tobe slightly louder than your“bypassed”sound and you will
noticea bigger sound that will drive long lengths ofguitar-cable while restoring that
“punch” that is lost when there aretoo manyeffects in the signalchain between your
Guitar and Amp.
3) Locate the Record Level trimmer (see #6) and set it to about 3 O’clock. This trimmer
controlsthe strength of thesignal being “printed”to tape. Turning the trimmer CW
increases the recording level. Tip: This trimmer should always be set to 3 O’clock or
higherbecause,the hotter the recorded signal, the lower the noise and the fatter the
tone of the repeats. But don’t let this talk of Noise concern you…the TTE is quieter
than all analog delay pedals, most digital delay pedals, and many of the most
expensive rackmount units!
4) Locate the Echo Volume knob (see #5) and turn itCW until you hear the desired level
of the Echo Repeats. Turning this CCW makes theEcho repeats more faint sounding.
Notice that there is a whitesilkscreen tothe leftof this knob,which highlights the
suggested useable range for the Echo Repeats. When properly set-up, your TTE
should offer an equal volume relationship between the Guitar and the Echo Repeats
with this knob set to about 9O’clock. Tip: Operating your TTE in this range (orlower)
results in optimal sound quality and lowernoise/hiss.
5) Now it’s time to decide whatDelay Time you’d like: Thiscan beaccomplished by
setting/sliding the position of themoveable Playback Head. (see #20) By sliding the
Playback Head to the right,you are making the repeatsslower, also called longer
delay time. By sliding this to the left you are make the repeats faster, also called
shorter delay time.

Page 6
Let’s Play in Mono! (Continued)
Refer to Diagrams on Pages 2 and 3
6) Another way to alter the available Delay Times is via the Tape Speed Switch. (see
#18) With this switch, you are given a choice of High Speed or Low Speed tape
movement,and you will see the Tape flow ata slower or faster rate depending on
which setting you choose. Tip: As ageneral rule ofthumb: Thefasterthe tape speed,
the more in-tune the repeats will be, the more full-range the repeats will sound, and
the lower the noise level will be. Conversely,the slower thetape speed, the less in-
tune the repeats will be, the warmer the repeats will sound, and you’ll get more of a
“Vintage Echoplex” vibe!
.
Available DelayRangeset to LowSpeed (factory internal Trimmer setting):
@ 40 millisecondsto 1.3 seconds
Available DelayRangeset to High Speed (factory internaltrimmer setting):
@ 20 milliseconds to 650 milliseconds
7) Locate the Echo Repeats Knob, (see #7) turning this CW will increase the number of
repeats. Conversely, turning this knob CCWwillreduce the number of echo repeats.
Tip: Turn this knob up to around 2 O’clock or higher and you can get a very cool
recycling/regenerating sound that adds tremendousdepth to (especially) non-distorted
clean sounds.
8) Locate the smallEcho Tone trimmer (see #8) and notice that as you turn this CW, the
repeatssoundbrighter anda little louder. Conversely,turning this trimmer CCW
warmsup the repeats and pushesthem into the background. Tip: 12 O’clock or Lower
is thenormal setting when running the TTEat High Speed, but when running at Low
Speed I find that 5 O’clockyields a nice clarity to the repeats.
9) Relay-Activated Echo Cancel jack (see #10) This jackis designed to accept a
standard (tip-grounding) ¼” amp-style footswitch (not included).Withthe TTE’s Cancel
function, you still get the benefit of running through the unit’s tube preamp even when
the Echo is cancelled! Because this feature is Relay-Activated, you can use any length
of cable to the Canceljack with absolutelyno adverse effect on the TTE’s sound,
unlike older versions of the TTE (and every Echoplex ever made) where the Playback
signal was significantly affected by the cable length.

Page 7
All about ((Stereo))
Refer to Diagrams on Pages 2 and 3, and 9
Warning!Running multiple amps can be dangerous or even fatal due to the possibility of a
ground loop being created when two ormoreAC powered devices do not share acommon
ground reference point. Care must be takento ensure that your signal chain (effects, amps,
and even P.A. system) is configured correctly to not only be hum-free, but to ensure the safety
of you and yourband mates.
One of the thingsyou should dois toalways put yourvarious ACpowered deviceson the
same wall outlet to ensure proper grounding!
Another thing that some people do is lift the ground on one or more ofthe AC powered
devices (in this case,the TTE) by placing a3 to 2prongground lift adapteron the end of the
Detachable AC cord. (See Page 9, Ground Lift AdapterDiagram) We cannot recommend that
you do this (for legal reasons) but I personally do it while running stereo whengrounding
issues dictate, and others are knownto do this as well. If you do nothave aHum problem and
are not receiving a shock there is noreason to use a Ground LiftAdapter.
((Stereo))
1) You’ve already got one amp hooked up to the Main Output Jack, nowit’s time to take
another guitar cableand plug it into Output2 (see #11) with the other end of this cable
connecting to your second amp.
2) With the TTE onand warmed up, turn onbothamps and (with yourguitar volume set
full)let go of your strings and checkfor anyaudiblebuzzing due to grounding issues.
Is therebuzzing when you letgo? No? Then proceed to Step 3.
Yes? Thenflip the ground switches on one orboth of the amps untilthisgoes away, or
you may choose to install the GroundLift Adapter.
3) Locate the Stereo Mode switch, (see #2) this offers you 3 distinct stereo voicings:
Position 1: Guitar and Echo out of both Outs.
Position 2: Guitar+strong Echo from one Out, Guitar+slight echo on other.
Position 3: Guitar-only outof oneamp, Echo-only from other Out.
4) Tips: Position 2 has a very lush, 3-dimensional sound that is my personal favorite
when the TTE is set for longer delays, 500ms or longer.
Position 3 is excellent for super-short, slap-back Country-Style stereo splits!
Also, try making oneamp wet(with Reverb)and one amp dry (without reverb)