echoplex vs Fulltone TTE for recording

[MAXRB]

Hello to everybody,

This is my first post. I hope you can help me.
I'm buying a tape echo. I'm looking for that 50s slapback echo. I want to use it for vocals and electric guitar. You know the sound: Sun Records, Jon Spencer, etc.
I'm planning to use it mainly for recording, as a processor with my DAW.
For playing gigs I've got an old analog Boss Delay which can do the job.

I've been reading all your threads on tape echos, and I think both the Fulltone and a tube Echoplex would suit me.
Somebody is selling me an Ep-2 Echoplex. He says it works 100%. He says that it can be noisy but in a "musical manner".
I like The Echoplex because it's the real thing, and it's cheaper (750 euros) than the Fulltone but I'm a bit worried about the reliability factor. I'm not an expert in vintage equipment and in my country there are no experts in this kind of old gear.

On the other hand, The Fulltone is reliable, probably less noisy, but i've read that it sounds cleaner and less agressive.
That's not sounds good to me, considering that I want to add (apart from the echo) some grittiness to my recordings.
Plus, the Echoplex is quite expensive in Europe (1200 €).

What do you think I should get?

Thanks in advance

Max

[rico52]

I have had an Ep-2 and 3 as well as a space Echo and I currently use a TTE. They all are noisy but the TTE is less so. You kind of dial it in to the edge of where the noise starts. I sold the others but kind of wish I did not as they all have their own magic. I use mine on guitar and have yet to use it on an effects send so I can't help you there. A 3 head tape recorder with variable speed gave up the best echo I ever heard and that IS the sound you desire.

[vernier]

Tube Echoplex runs like a cement mixer but sounds cool.

[dbbubba]

Just running through a tube Echoplex WITHOUT THE ECHO produces magic.