Fender Electronic Echo Chamber

[Enzo]

And if that doesn't do it for you, then DO measure your spindle. I have a lot of rubber rollers, and might well have one to fit yours. I wouldn't be surprised if it were the same size as the Echoplex roller, and I still have some of those.

[jsdspif]

New to the forum and thought I'd resurrect this topic. I too have a fender 501 "electronic echo chamber" and I'm seeking any documentation for it. Manual,schem. etc. a guy from Fender just sent me stuff for the FE1000 and he stated he sent everything he had for the echo chamber but I replied back to him asking if he had anything for the 501 so maybe something will show up from him. I did find some photos and in those photos are a couple scans of schematics but by the time you enlarge them enough to see them they are unreadable.
As for rubber pinch rollers, Terry has done some for me and they turned out great. I also did a comparison between his rebuilt pinch roller and an original rolller in a early 80's sireko cartridge. I thought the original was in pretty good shape, still felt "rubbery', wasn't deformed or cracked etc. seemed as though it was working good. Then I installed the rebuilt roller into the cartridge and there was quite an improvement. Once trying the rebuilt roller I realized the old roller was slipping occasionally although I didn't realize it while I was first testing it, but after trying the new roller it was evident the old one was slipping. terry had noted the older pinch rollers are kind of like pencil erasers. Looking at it you may think and say "the eraser has never been used, it looks and feels ok, but then you try to erase with it and it doesn't work". yeah it costs $45 by the time you ship it and pay to ship it back ($35 to rebuild the roller $5 there and $5 back), but to me it is money well spent. If you were to sell the echo chamber it makes a great selling point, helps make the player work properly and I think whom ever was selling the unit would get back the investment thru the selling price.
Anyway, if anyone has info for the 501 I'd appreciate it. Thanks , James

[52 Bill]

Welcome to the place.

Anyway, if anyone has info for the 501 I'd appreciate it. Thanks , James

I know that I have a paper copy of the schematic. I'll dig it up and try and scan it for you. Give me a few days.

One thing that I seem to remember is that there are a few mistakes and a few differences from the actual circuit on the schematic. But it is close enough to get it working. What is wrong with yours?

[jsdspif]

I took another look at the stuff Fender sent me and there is a schematic for the 501. The schematic is titled (the actual title block of the schematic drawing) 01D. It's on "D" size paper so I was thinking that's where the "D" comes from but who knows why it's titled 01 ?? So I have the schematic I'd kind of like to see the parts diagram. I also found that online but again somewhat hard to view. I haven't got mine yet. The description was "motor runs and tape moves thru it's path". I do notice the playback head is not mounted where it's supposed to be, it's just dangling on top of the unit. The cover that goes over the tape reel/ cartridge (whatever) is not there. Other than that it looks complete. Thanks.

[52 Bill]

The schematic is titled (the actual title block of the schematic drawing) 01D. It's on "D" size paper so I was thinking that's where the "D" comes from but who knows why it's titled 01 ??

That's the same one that I have. I think that the title is "OLD".

Something to note is that the main filter cap is marked wrong, the positive side should go to ground.

[jsdspif]

I'm assuming it's c14 1000 50 volt? I'll make a note of that in bold and check it out. I will probably replace that cap and possibly check the others visually and I also have one of those cheap in circuit testers. They don't give super accurate in circuit but do a pretty good job of letting you know if there's a problem. I found a couple bad caps with it in on old radio shack shortwave receiver. I might buy into the "old" although there is a space "Ol D" . I figured the O and D are capital letters and the other figure is a 1 (one??) who knows, seems like it would be "501"

[jsdspif]

just quick glancing at the FE1000 schematic (which is just about the same circuit) it also shows that C14 the wrong direction. I've made a note to check it.

[52 Bill]

For anyone that might need this, here's the copy of the schematic that I have.

Please note that the main filter cap is marked incorrectly, the positive side should be connected to ground.

[drewl]

Wow, these are weird.

Guy had two of these for me to "fix"

Mechanically looks okay, puts out clean sound.

I'll check heads and bias, I know the tape is wound wrong, too short and shot.

Guess I'll buy an old 8 track for tape.