What delay unit for doing Chet stuff

[RandeDager]

Hi David,

I do remember seeing your unit but I've never used one. The fact that reputable people on this board recommend it
has me very curious about how it would sound.

Rande

[gmoseley]

I think its unique sound is partially derived from having some sort of "limiter" in the front end of the electronics (thats what I've heard Paul say many times). It was Lexicon's own special design. I will have to agree, nothing I've ever heard, new or old, compares with it. While on this subject I might add that Chet also used and loved the PCM-70 for his stage and sometimes recording reverb unit - - it also has a unique sound, a GREAT reverb unit and simple to set.
I well remember seeing both the 42 and the 70 in his 'rack' for many years. I own the 42 but never had a 70, always wanted one! If you find a nice one, you will pay a BIG price for it (either unit).

Gayle Moseley

[gmoseley]

OOPS ! I misspoke - - that was a Lexicon PCM-60 Chet used for reverb (not a 70).
See what happens when you get over 65 ~~ !!

Gayle Moseley

[David Elliott]

I will have to agree, nothing I've ever heard, new or old, compares with it. While on this subject I might add that Chet also used and loved the PCM-70 for his stage and sometimes recording reverb unit - - it also has a unique sound, a GREAT reverb unit and simple to set. I well remember seeing both the 42 and the 70 in his 'rack' for many years. I own the 42 but never had a 70, always wanted one! If you find a nice one, you will pay a BIG price for it (either unit).

Gayle Moseley

Hi Gayle,

That's correct, and I believe the full page color picture of Chet's basement studio (in MAMG), shows his '42 AND his '60 sitting on the rack!

Paul was very helpful to me in explaining a lot of the adjustments on the PCM-42, to help me get "that sound", as the unit did take a little practice before I could "dial it in!"

David

[Norm]

I think its unique sound is partially derived from having some sort of "limiter" in the front end of the electronics (thats what I've heard Paul say many times). Gayle Moseley

In my book I'm working on Paul talks about he and Chet both liking limiters when they recorded. It prevented audio spikes but also fattened the tone a little.

A year or so ago I remember someone had one of the Lexicon units and it had gone sour. Couldn't find anyone who could work on them..

Something to keep in mind as you shop...

[gmoseley]

Norm, there used to be a fellow who could fix 'em and he did excellent work; I think he was a retired Lexicon tech. I believe his name was Jim Fabiano, HOWEVER, someone on this forum stated recently that Jim had now retired. I sent him my PCM-42 several years ago, just to have him go thru it and tweak it....Paul did the same thing, I remember giving him my shipping box to use because the unit fit it perfectly.

With all this talk again about Lexicon, I'm getting the urge for a PCM-60 reverb unit as i never had one. I've got a two-space padded rack unit with the 42 on top and an "empty slot" on the bottom - - that old 60 would look/sound good in there, huh? If anyone reading this post has a nice one for sale, shoot me a PM and we'll discuss it.

Gayle Moseley

[David Elliott]

A year or so ago I remember someone had one of the Lexicon units and it had gone sour. Couldn't find anyone who could work on them.. Something to keep in mind as you shop...

Yeah, I think that was a problem for some time, as there was only one guy in the country knew how to work on them (a former Lexicon technician/employee), but I believe that's changed, what with the accessibility of schematics of the unit now.

At one time it was even difficult to obtain an 'owner's manual' for the things (fortunately mine came with one)
without paying an arm and a leg for it, but now you can even download those!

David

[craigdobbins]

I've got a couple of PCM60's, and I use them all the time. I had Jim Fabiano (former Lexicon employee) rework one of them a few years ago. Took a while, but he did great work.

Craig

[JeffS]

Does anyone have any experience with the new Lexicon MX series? They are obviously much less expensive than the PCM series, so you have to assume there is a sigificant difference in features, quality, etc. How are they compared to the old units that are no longer made - PCM 60 and PCM 42? Also, how are they compared to a comparably priced pedal such as a Boss?

I presently use a Boss digital reverb pedal and the DD-3 delay pedal. I think the digital reverb pedal sounds better than the spring reverb typical on most combo amps. I've never had the opportunity to play with a Lexicon unit, but always wondered how it would compare. I'm especially curious how the Lexicon MX400 would sound compared to the Boss units.

Thanks,
Jeff Stovall

[gmoseley]

Jeff, I have the DD-5 and an RV-5. They are both quality units, and you are right, that reverb unit sounds better than the spring reverb in most stock amps (except for the 65 reissue Fender Deluxe which IMHO has the best sounding "on-board" reverb I ever heard - Paul Yandell thought the same thing in later years) There's just something special about the sound of those old PCM Lexicon products, I suppose that's why they command premium prices, even today! They sound more "real", more balanced, and more lush than most of today's effects units. I've never used any of the newer MX products from Lexicon, but I'll bet they are great also. I like simplicity so I shy away from those units that have a zillion different parameters to set - - so in my book, that's another plus for the old PCMs - - super easy to set up, pick a room size or a plate style and adjust the balance and volumn, that's about it.

All these big companies keep "updating" their design formats, trying to entice us to buy the very latest model,,,
I understand they have to do that to attract the younger generation who wants more advanced technology.
However, from my viewpoint as a fingerstyle guitar player, I am saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" ! What sounds better than a Standel amp with a volumn, bass and treble knob? Simplicity at its finest!

Gayle Moseley