The Echoplex EP-3 is considered the gold standard for authentic tape delay tone.
The EP-3's preamp sweetens the sound of guitar players' instruments and has a tone conditioning ability. It's been used by guitar players such as Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, and Eric Johnson. Eddie Van Halen used an EP-3 on some of his classic records, including "Ain't Talkin Bout Love" and "Eruption".
The EP-3 has an FET preamp and a nonlinear phase response that makes delayed harmonic content stand out in the mix. It's also more durable and affordable than older tube models. The EP-3 has a relatively simple set of controls compared to most digital delay pedals. It can deliver more than simple echo/delay repeats.
