Jim Dunlop EP101 Echoplex Preamp Pedal

£139.99

On the menu for January 2026 are the Jim Dunlop Guitar Pedals, freshly added and carefully selected. These New units are available to order online with fast, secure delivery from trusted UK retailers. Read on for full details, specifications, demos, videos, reviews, and the best places to buy the Jim Dunlop Guitar Pedals today.


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Description

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On the menu for January 2026 are the Jim Dunlop Guitar Pedals, freshly added and carefully selected. These New units are available to order online with fast, secure delivery from trusted UK retailers. Read on for full details, specifications, demos, videos, reviews, and the best places to buy the Jim Dunlop Guitar Pedals today.

Despite the Echoplex name, this is NOT a one knob delay pedal! Whilst based on the original Echoplex, this pedal is actually a preamp pedal with 11dB of boost that warms up and rounds out your tone. It's the kind of pedal that that you'll soon want to leave on as part of your essential tone.

Recreating the Echoplex Sound

Some of the most tone fanatical guitarist have discovered that there is something magical about plugging into an original Echoplex circuit. Whilst the echo itself was good, the real beauty of the pedal was how the circuit itself changed and shaped the guitar tone. Soon the EP-3 made its way onto the records of top players like Jimmy Page, Gary Moore, Eddie Van Halen and Eric Johnson. Dunlop have now taken that circuit to create a dedicated preamp drive in a compact pedal to fit onto your pedal board.

The EP 101 recreates the magical tone-shaping ability of the original echoplex by recreating the same signal path complete with a Field-effect Transistor (FET) so that you get the same response. The Pedal has a single gain control knob that offers up to +11dB of boost, with light asymmetrical clipping at higher settings for some natural grit when you push it hard.

Road Ready

The Echoplex Preamp runs on standard 9-volt power and contains power management circuitry to guarantee constant headroom performance throughout the normal life of a 9-volt battery. With a heavy-duty Phase 90-sized housing, a replica EP-3 knob, true bypass switching and a status LED, the Echoplex Preamp is built to take a beating on the road so you can leave your fragile vintage piece at home.

Lee "The Captain" Anderton describes the 103 as a "make it better" pedal. Whether it's smoothing out your cleans, or giving a bit of oomph to your drive tones, the EP101 makes a difference to your tone in any situation, bringing your notes into focus and giving that magical warmth you want.

Features

  • Preamp and gain boost pedal for electric guitar
  • Based on the input stage of the Echoplex EP-3, with the exact same signal path
  • Add up to 11dB of gain to your sound, with warm overdrive at higher settings
  • Powered via 9V battery or optional adapter (sold separately)
  • Keep your tone intact with True Bypass switching

Additional information

Weight 0.5 kg

Brand

Jim Dunlop

Jim Dunlop is a prominent American brand known for its production of musical accessories, particularly guitar pedals, tuners, strings, and picks. Established in 1965, Dunlop has built a strong reputation in the music industry, becoming one of the leading manufacturers of gear for guitarists, bassists, and other musicians. The company is especially famous for its iconic Wah pedals, such as the *Cry Baby*, which has been a staple in the rock and metal genres for decades.

In addition to their legendary Wah pedals, Jim Dunlop produces a wide range of other effects pedals, including distortion, overdrive, delay, reverb, and compression pedals, all known for their durability and high-quality performance. Dunlop’s products are used by musicians across various genres and are prized for their consistency, innovative features, and ease of use. Beyond pedals, Jim Dunlop is also well-regarded for its guitar strings, picks, and other accessories, making it a trusted name in the world of musical gear.

Category

Guitar Pedals

Preamp Pedals

Tags

Boost

Delay

A delay pedal records your signal and plays it back after a set time, creating echoes that can range from tight, slapback repeats to long, atmospheric trails. It’s one of the most versatile effects, used to thicken tones, add rhythmic depth, or build spacious, ambient layers. Analogue delays offer warm, decaying repeats that blend naturally with your tone, while digital units provide pristine echoes with precise control over time, feedback, and mix levels.

From classic rockabilly and tape-style echoes to modern looping and shimmer effects, delay pedals have become essential tools for shaping sound. They can make solos soar, rhythms pulse, or transform simple chord progressions into cinematic textures. Whether used subtly to add dimension or boldly to create soundscapes, a good delay pedal can completely redefine the feel and atmosphere of your music.

New

This is brand new, fresh in, and a UK warranty is included. New Gear always comes from trusted UK music retailers.

Overdrive

Like a golden layer of melted cheese — warm, gooey, and just put it all over. It adds just the right amount of richness and grit, turning a clean signal into something smooth and savoury. Designed to mimic the natural breakup of a tube amp pushed to its sweet spot, overdrive delivers the flavour of classic rock and blues in every bite. From creamy mid-gain warmth to crisp edge-of-breakup sparkle, it’s the comfort food of guitar tone — simple, satisfying, and endlessly versatile. Whether it’s a mild crunch or a full-bodied roar, overdrive is where good taste begins.

Preamp

A preamp pedal shapes and boosts your guitar’s signal before it reaches your amp or recording interface, giving you control over tone, gain, and headroom. It acts as the first stage of amplification, adding warmth, clarity, and character while preparing your signal for the next part of the chain. Some preamps emulate the response of classic valve circuits, while others offer clean, transparent tone shaping ideal for acoustic instruments or direct recording setups.

Used on its own, a preamp pedal can serve as the foundation of your tone, providing a consistent core sound wherever you play. When combined with other effects, it enhances dynamics and helps each pedal sound more defined and natural. Whether you’re looking to push your amp harder, bring life to a dull signal, or refine your sound for the studio, a good preamp pedal adds presence, punch, and musicality to any rig.

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