Dunlop Echoplex Preamp review

Pushing an old method forward

  • £139
  • €129
  • $120
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MusicRadar Verdict

A prime candidate for an always-on pedal, this delivers tonal sweetening with boost if you need it.

Pros

  • +

    Faithful Echoplex preamp tones.

Cons

  • -

    Not as compact as Xotic's EP Booster. Not as much dB as other boost pedals.

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Before boost was readily available in stompbox form, some guitarists used other equipment to give a little extra lift 
to their amp. 

The Rangemaster treble boost was one favourite, while another option was to use an Echoplex EP-3 tape echo before your amp - but not necessarily with the echo effect engaged, as the EP-3’s FET-based preamp had a tonal mojo of its own that attracted the likes of Jimmy Page and Eddie Van Halen. 

This pedal aims to recreate that, manifesting itself, to our ears, as a positive shift in the tonal perspective, making guitar tone more focused and present, with a little grit thrown in, too. 

Boost takes place from about 1 o’clock on the knob and there’s 11dB available, so while it’s not going to turn a clean amp dirty, it still offers a juicy lift. While it’s a practical tool for kicking in extra whoomph for solos, you might just want this pedal on permanently as a tonal enhancer. 

Trevor Curwen

Trevor Curwen has played guitar for several decades – he's also mimed it on the UK's Top of the Pops. Much of his working life, though, has been spent behind the mixing desk, during which time he has built up a solid collection of the guitars, amps and pedals needed to cover just about any studio session. He writes pedal reviews for Guitarist and has contributed to Total Guitar, MusicRadar and Future Music among others.