Catalinbread’s new Epoch Bias pedal offers a fresh interpretation of the famous Maestro EP-3 Echoplex preamp, prized for its iconic rock tones. Building on the success of the Epoch Boost, the Epoch Bias introduces key features for enhanced control.
Maestro EP-3 Echoplex, the inspiration
The Maestro EP-3 Echoplex is a legend among guitar effects, with a history dating back to the 1960s. Originally conceived as a tape delay device, the EP-3 quickly gained unrivalled renown for its distinctive tube preamp, which added a warm, distinctive color to guitar signals. This unique sound quality made it a popular choice among many iconic guitarists. Names such as Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, Eric Johnson, Eddie Van Halen and many others have been among the EP-3’s notable devotees, helping to forge its iconic status in rock music history.
Epoch Bias, the new pedal in the range
Derived from the Belle Epoch, undoubtedly the brand’s most successful and accomplished pedal, the Epoch Bias sets itself apart from its big sister, the Epoch Boost, by introducing new controls, including a versatile high-cut filter (for better management of high frequencies) and a Bias control (better gain adjustment).
Main features
- Bias: subtly adjusts the base gain, simulating the component variations that were common in the heyday of the EP-3.
- Filter: offers the possibility of adjusting the sound to reproduce the tonal characteristics of the earlier (early) or later (late) EP-3 model. In other words, it lets you adjust the pedal’s frequency response to obtain either the brighter sound characteristic of early EP-3 models, or the darker, warmer sound of later models.
- Preamp : is a control that allows the dry signal to be mixed with the preamp section (wet). When the Preamp control is set above noon, it begins to introduce subtle frequency enhancement, helping to shape the character of the pedal and adding a subtle touch of sparkle.
- Boost: adds gain and volume, simulating the original EP-3 circuit at its minimum setting.
Retail price: €168.66
More information on the Catalinbread website.
