Echoplex Distortion

[babeonion]

The echo playback on my Maestro Echoplex sounds distorted, like running through a fuzz box. The instrument comes through clean. Tape is new. Any ideas why the distortion, and the fix? Thanks.

[Enzo]

Either that playback circuit is distorting, or the record circuit is not working right.

Do you have an old tape that was maybe worn out, but at least was not full of distorted sound? Mount it, set the machine for sound on sound and see if it will play back whatever is on the tape clearly. If so, the playback works, if it sounds distorted too, then playback needs help.

Adjust the bias trap.

In the record side, chek that the bias oscillator is running and at reasonable levels per the drawings.