MEAZZI Emulation

[scotocaster]

Didier, i'd like to hear more of this with them playing one of the shads hits for a comparison. It certainly sounds like a meazzi. Congrats to Patrice on the modification as there was lots of work involved. Have a great day. Scott

[Didier]

Patrice's Meazzi clone unit was made from a heavily modified valve Binson unit. Here it is :



The only external difference is an added knob (just under the ECHOREC label), but inside a lot of modifications have been made. The unit was totally rewired according to Meazzi schematics, and the head spacing was modified to match the Meazzi's one.
As far as I know, no modifications about motor speed were required and made.

A few more details :
Patrice's Meazzi clone is based on the second model used by Hank (for Wonderful land, Kon-Tiki, etc.), an SEP/Vox Echo in fact.
The added knob adjust the level of the first three heads (the 4th is always at full volume) just as on the original unit.
The Binson head switchs are now unused, as there was none.

Didier

[dave robinson]

OK Didier I will humour you with a reply as there's nothing else to do for a while.

Firstly may I say that I watched and listened and I agree that is a very good authentic sound. I think most will agree that any test relies heavily on performance as well as the 'right' gear and this was very nice.
However, there was nothing there in the sound that I don't hear on a regular basis in my studio with the kit available to me, so there's no cigar at this time. I am however delighted that Patrice and yourself are enjoying his experiment and that it brings happiness for you, I have no problem with that.

My reason for the 'lack of interest' comment is based on the fact that this is not a Meazzi and even if one could find a similar model Binson, it would be a futile and expensive project to turn it into something that it can never be, so in my opinion it's not the road to go down for curiosity's sake, particularly when I know that Alan Jackson is bringing a real 'wheel' type Meazzi for me to try out when the refurbishment is complete. I have no desire to hear the tape model of the Meazzi, as I have been down that road with Roberto and satisfied myself that it isn't the key. That isn't to say that the tape model isn't good, but it's not the one. For me at this stage, it has to be 'what it is' ( in this case a Meazzi WHEEL type unit) as I'm well past needing to perfect something that can't possibly be achieved - for various reasons. I look forward to trying Alan's refurbished Meazzi.

I have no axe to grind as you seem to think and would appreciate you didn't hint as such. If I'm not interested or have nothing to say that could be constructive, I generally don't bother to add to a post. I hope you can now understand better why I posted the reply that you quoted.

[MeBHank]

Dave, although Patrice's echo was not originally a Meazzi it is certainly one in terms of sound. It has the correct circuit. The reason you weren't impressed by Roberto's machine is because he'd done nothing with the head spacings. As I said in a recent post, providing you play with the correct style you'll always get a good sound with an EF86 equipped amp used in conjunction with a standard echo, but the "magic" will simply not be present until a Meazzi circuit is in-line. Just ask Daniel Martin.

I was prompted to do an A/B test in a pub the other day after a gig (switching between a MagicStomp and my Meazzi) and members of the general public could tell the difference, even labelling the Yamaha "clicky" and "digital sounding", whilst using words such as "warmth" and "depth" to describe the Meazzi.

IMO you need to hear a good Meazzi up close, because then you'd hear and realise the difference. We should meet up next time I'm up north and you can hear mine. I promise you that you'll hear the magic then.

J

[AlanMcKillop]

It takes a good player to get the best out of the Magicstomp.

[Didier]

Firstly may I say that I watched and listened and I agree that is a very good authentic sound. I think most will agree that any test relies heavily on performance as well as the 'right' gear and this was very nice.
However, there was nothing there in the sound that I don't hear on a regular basis in my studio with the kit available to me, so there's no cigar at this time. I am however delighted that Patrice and yourself are enjoying his experiment and that it brings happiness for you, I have no problem with that.

Just too bad you didn't have the opportunity to listen to Patrice's unit live !
Keep in mind that there is no business involved. Patrice made this unit unit for his own use only, and is not looking forward to do it for others. The amount of required work is so high that the cost would be dissuasive.

My reason for the 'lack of interest' comment is based on the fact that this is not a Meazzi and even if one could find a similar model Binson, it would be a futile and expensive project to turn it into something that it can never be

Patrice's unit has been totally rewired according to the Meazzi drum unit schematics, and the head spacing modified accordingly, so it's not a Binson anymore.
The only question is : does the Binson drum has a magnetic response similar to the Meazzi drum ? The answer is : most likely, and certainly closer than tape.
The Meazzi circuits are very different from the Binson ones, and far less neutral.

Alan Jackson is bringing a real 'wheel' type Meazzi for me to try out when the refurbishment is complete.

I have been hearing about this unit for a long time, and like all Shadows' fans, I would be delighted to listen to it.
Is the completion of refurbishment work expected anytime soon ?

Patrice's unit is working, and he now uses it on stage on a regular basis.

Didier

[Didier]

Didier, i'd like to hear more of this with them playing one of the shads hits for a comparison. It certainly sounds like a meazzi. Congrats to Patrice on the modification as there was lots of work involved. Have a great day. Scott

I'll have to check if I have in my files some Shads' tunes with sufficient recording quality by Patrice using his Meazzi clone, but I can't do it now, as I am not at home this week. I am using a borrowed PC with no access to my files. I'll look at that next week.

Didier

[phil kelly]

It takes a good player to get a good sound out of a magicstomp ? Justin is a good player Alan, very good infact,
Phil.

[dave robinson]

I have just finished speaking with Alan Jackson and I'm informed that the work on his machine is ongoing, as parts are being hand made for the unit. I too look forward to hearing the finished product, until then I'll continue to enjoy my gigs using the Magicstomp, Copicat IC400 or the ESE - (although I have the urge to try a Binson) all sound wonderful and not a sign of 'digital clickiness' - it's down to the pilot guess.

[Brian Leary]

How true that statement is Didier