Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
PastFX releases 3 more elevated takes on Classic Vintage Analog EHX Pedals - the Deluxe Elastic Mattress Flanger, Gallstone Phase-Shifter, and Echo 600 Slider Analog Delay
The purpose of this article is just a quick overview of the 3 new PastFX pedals - where I will review each one in full individually - one per week over the following weeks - in order of appearance here :
- Elastic Mattress Deluxe Flanger [EHX Electric Mistress+] - $209
- Gallstone Phase-Shifter (EHX Small Stone V2+] - $209
- Echo 600 3 x MN3005 Analog Echo w/ Chorus & Vibrato [EHX Echo 600] - $349
Each of those 3 has a similarity of look with a mostly shiny polished enclosure and mostly minimal graphics!
I believe the Deluxe Elastic Mattress is the 4th major iteration of said PastFX circuit - it’s the 3rd Elastic Mattress I’ve acquired to-date - where I own V2, V3 and Deluxe (V4) Editions. The Deluxe one is the most full-featured to-date - with a slew of additional internal secondary controls, albeit it makes do without the 2n Stereo Output Port of its predecessor.
I feel the Gallstone is Verlie’s first take on the V2 Small Stone Phase-Shifter - of course with a slew of additional controls and in that small 1590-B style enclosure. It’s the 4th flagship PastFX Phaser Circuit.
Finally we have an incredible shrunken take on the EHX Echo 600 Slider Delay - which is a highly unique variation of the classic EHX Memory Man Modulated Analog Delay. Which has 7 Sliders in place of the usual knobs - along with a Shor/Long Delay Time Switch.
As mentioned - I will be reviewing each one individual in depth - this is just a brief overview - covering the core functionality and controls of each pedal.
I will then be following those article up with a further updated take on the ’Queen of Modulation’ feature - now with a full grid of 12 - as pictured below!
Elastic Mattress Deluxe Matsushita MN3007 BBD Analog Flanger [EHX Electric Mistress+] - $209
Note that there is no official demo yet for the Deluxe edition - so we rely on the previous version demo instead!
External Controls - Rate, Filter Matrix Switch : Static LFO Bypass, Range, Blend, Mini Level, Color, NEW +/- Negative feedback pushbutton (In : Negative), NEW Voicing pushbutton : 70's / 80's (In : 80's).
Internal Controls - Mod / Stock Switch, Cancel Trimmer, Gain Trimmer, Color Trimmer, Impedance Switch : High / Low.
As mentioned the 3rd of my Elastic Mattresses - really excel at the high end sparkle. Verlie makes some of the greatest Flangers in the world - no one has an as potent collection of legendary Flangers - utilising rare NOS BBD Chips in the main!
Each of the Flangers renders somewhat differently - but if you're going for that high-end sparkle - this is one of the very best circuits for that!
Gallstone Phase-Shifter (EHX Small Stone V2+] - $209
External Controls - Mix, ↑ Stock (faster) / ↓ Slow LFO Sweeps, Feedback, Mini Level, 8-way Width Rotary Control : Position #8 is 'Color', Voice : Feedback Network A/B variant, Stages : 2 / 4, Expand : High 'Q' All-Pass Filter.
Ports : TS In, TS Out, 9V DC [-] 80mA.
Internal Controls - Max Feedback Trimmer.
I occasionally get confused between the EHX Small Clone (Chorus), and the Small Stone (Phase Shifter) - where this is very much the latter, and is Verlie's first take on a classic EHX Phaser - off course with numerous extra controls compared to the original!
I have tended to lean more in the MXR Phase 45 and 90 over the years - and associated the Phaser format with the colour orange, while EHX actually rolled out its phaser well before MXR unleashed those visually more iconic varieties. The EHX Phasers are every bit as good - in fact some prefer them!
Here we have no less than a 9-controls Phaser, with an additional internal timer under the lid! Both EHX and MXR released shiny gold 50th Anniversary editions of their legendary Phasers / Phase Shifter pedals recently - where both celebrated 50 Years!
Echo 600 3 x MN3005 Analog BBD Echo w/ Chorus & Vibrato [EHX Echo 600+] - $349
Controls - LEVEL } Input, Blend, Output, CHORUS / VIBRATO } Depth, Rate, ECHO } Feedback, Delay Time (>600ms), Short / Long Delay Time Switch.
Ports - 18V DC [-], TS Input, TS Direct Out, TS Effect Out.
Internal Controls - Gain 1 and Gain 2 Trimmers.
A really cool shrunken take of the unique Echo 600 Slider format of an essentially Deluxe Memory Man Delay circuit. Here it uses 3 x Xvive MN3005 BBD chips to deliver 600ms of delay - where usually only 2 are required for that timing (300ms each). Having more BBD's with a lower threshold - results in a more richly textured sound.
The Memory Man had a very unique Modulated Delay tone - and the 80's Echo 600 just spun out the Deluxe edition in a more handy - slider format. And here Verily has taken and hones that variety - and made is less than half its original size!
All 3 of these are quite superb - whether or not you know or rate those 3 legendary source devices!
