Catalinbread Belle Epoch (plus vs. Echoplex EP-3 & Strymon El Capistan)

2:07 - spiel
2:50 - slapback
3:23 - long delay
4:09 - preamp comparison with EP-3
5:14 - El Capistan compared to Belle Epoch
GEAR USED: EJ Strat, Gibson Custom Shop 355, Voodoo Lab Giggity, Arion SCH-1, Fuchs TDS, Marshall Super Lead 100w HW

[@Mayathetherian733]

I'm watching this video in 2020--6.5 years after it was published. I have to say, this is a pretty creative and cool pedal demo video. Normally don't see the creativity in the demos (video clips, camera work). Very cool! Oh yeah, and the playing and song choice weren't bad either!

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

I appreciate that, Chris. Cool to know dinosaurs like me still cool up in the algorithm too. Thanks!

[@Mayathetherian733]

Brendan Mowat-Smith no problem. I ordered this pedal-seems like a good one.

[@Glpdb]

@@BrendanMowatSmith I always come back to this- algorithm or not. Goat BE video if I may say so.

[@Mssrmikeone]

This is as good today as the day it was made. Fantastic playing and use of these effects.

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

@Mssrmikeone Thank you, Mike. Crazy how fast ten years goes by and crazier still this continues to be enjoyed. I appreciate you taking the time to relate that. Hope you have a great holiday.

[@venemataylor]

You obviously spent a lot of time on this. Very well done, great sounds, great playing.

Came for the pedal demo, stayed for the amazing playing! Good job man

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Thanks for taking the time to say that, Batı. Have a great one.

[@Glicksman1]

First of all, you are a very gifted player, the kind that makes me go right to my guitar and practice like hell. I bought the Belle Epoch a while ago but haven't had a chance to use it yet. This demo made me so glad i chose it. It just sparkles and adds so much more than just echo. Thank you for a great demo and for inspiring me to be a better guitarist.

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

+Glicksman1 Thanks a lot for the incredibly kind words. I guess I'd better go practice. 👍🏻

[@m00nchildblues]

whoa dude, this is by far my favorite demo of effect pedals;awesome pedals,tone,amps,guitars,technique and all in the style of EJ jazz and summers.good job!

[@edsinclair9459]

Easily one of the best and most useful demos I've ever seen on KZbin. Better than all the usual faces, and your playing was excellent! Nice filming too!

[@Zach-Rosicka]

Brendan, after way over a decade of being a subscriber and enjoying your content-I must say. Not only is your playing some of the best on KZbin-period, your videos are another level as far as building interesting, encompassing joyrides of cinematography and rich tones! Blessings man and all the best🙌🙏💪💙

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Man, Zach. That's incredibly kind and put a big smile on my face. I really appreciate it. Stay safe! 🙌

[@Georgio594]

Discovered your channel looking for a review but stayed and subscribed for the BEAUTIFUL playing. You sound amazing man. Can’t wait to watch all your videos.

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

That’s really kind. Thanks for saying, Steve. Very much appreciated.

[@seanbierman1212]

Dang man, your tone is amazing! And your playing is amazing! That Police rendition in the beggining was awesome too!

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Thanks, Sean!!! I really appreciate you taking the time to say that, whether I agree with you, or not. 😏

[@Softplayareaoftheapes]

Hey. I tried this out in your shop a few days ago and you mentioned this demo of it. Great video man.

[@jamessouleyrette3370]

well, seeing that EJ uses the belle epoch and this video showed how awesome it really is, it will be my next purchase.

[@mintlp]

Now I want the Belle Epoch. Great comparison video!! Excellent camera,editing and sound in your videos!

[@danpeabody5687]

Solid playing! You have a nice touch. Your tone is great and your use of effects is inspiring. I've watched lots of video on here and you are on of the better players. Well done.

[@samatkinsphotography]

Excellent demo. I have the El Capistan so probably don't this pedal but my GAS is well and truly fired up after watching your demonstration!

[@tractordirt]

Really nice vid, thanks for posting! Great variety of in-context as well as simply comparisons where you can hear the repeats.

[@tritonefascination]

OK, so i went and listened to Andy's version (i'm not sure how i hadn't heard that song... or remembered it). Let's be honest - You owned it! awesome arrangement! i have an even better appreciation for this vid now. my GF and i have watched it 3 times in a row, haha

[@dostacos1]

Blown away by your demo, man. Very well done.

[@stevelogan1699]

Am delighted to agree with several of the other commentators here: among pedal demos this still shines for it’s combination of playful inventiveness, interesting, relaxed interior shots, cool cats and excellent guitar-work. I’d be interested to know which of these pedals you’ve found yourself using most often in the years since the video was filmed. Thanks for a video that was specially good to watch and helpful to listen to.

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

That was a particularly feel-good comment to wake up to. Thank you for that, Steve. Of these, I was most fond of the original Belle, as I regretted parting with it no long after upgrading to the Deluxe. These days I am fanatical about the UAFX Starlight for delay needs; especially its Echoplex modes. I’ve been planning a comparison videos for eons. Thanks again for more motivation.

[@stevelogan1699]

@@BrendanMowatSmith Just seen your reply, Brendan-also early in the morning-and am grateful for the answer you’ve given. I very much hope your motivation will stay strong and that you’ll do that video! All of us need to feel the presence of appreciative viewers. You’ve got plenty, I’m happy to say!

[@tommallah4818]

Great demo Brendan! Sold me on the Belle Epoch! Keep up the great work!

[@ebeep]

Preamp comparison is KZbin gold! Of course your playing is also. I just have not seen the preamps compared elsewhere, and that is a significant factor. Leaning towards a Belle Epoch and not a BE Deluxe to possibly replace my '90s EHX DMM.

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Too kind! Thanks for watching. I find the extra modes on the Deluxe superfluous, truthfully. The original is dark, but worked for me for years. 👍🏻

[@dezionlion]

EBEEP don’t they both have the same preamp?

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

The first Belle and the Deluxe are significantly different, I think. The original is way darker and wasn’t running the same voltage. The second is closer to EP-3 specs, I think. 👍🏻

[@TheJesseMusic]

Great demo! The preamp comparison is brilliant! You are a great player as well. Keep it up!

[@Teleman76]

Brendan I really dig your videos man. Excellent job! 2 thumbs up!

[@jcshirke]

I want to know which pedal the cats prefer. Well done. Great playing. I hear EJ influence in your style, too.

[@kyle8442]

This was so good. Shame you aren't making more. Awesome channel I wish I knew about earlier.

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Appreciate that. What do you mean by making more?

[@kyle8442]

Brendan Mowat-Smith your page wasn't showing me your latest videos on my phone, but I just found your most recent videos in chronological order. I jumped the gun before I did some digging so I'm set with a week's worth new stuff to watch. You're doing it right man.

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Ha. All good. New video soon, too. Thanks for watching!

[@heliobluesrock]

Marvelous tone, awesome phrasing, splendid player!

[@OverdrivenMesa]

7 minutes went so quick, really enjoyed it! great demo!

[@gregcouch2525]

Killer demo! I've been considering one of these for a while and I think you just made my decision for me. I'm currently using an Xotic EP-Booster and a Wampler Faux Tape Echo. It looks like the Catlinbread Belle Epoch will replace both of those pedals.

[@TooMoLeft]

Your playing is everything I aspired to be. I think I liked the Belle Epoch best from the video btw. Subscribed!

[@Rgdonaire_07]

You’re insanely good. Keep up the good work!

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Wow, too kind! Thanks so much, dude. Very much appreciated.

[@the5chord]

Great video. Still having a hard time deciding between these two. The gritty repeats of the BE vs having more options like multi head on the El Cap.

[@RJRonquillo]

Yeah man, great stuff!

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Hey R.J. You're probably not gonna see this but just wanted to say a huge thanks. I missed a lot of cool comments from folks like you and Dweezil and everyone else for that matter back when I was too afraid of trolls to check this stuff. I'm a big fan and was stoked to discover your comment after it had been here for years. Cheers, apologies, and thanks again; hopefully better (very) late than never. :)

[@alexmurphy5289]

So inspiring and incredible playing, I need this pedal thank youuu

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Thanks, Alex!!

[@Tony-w5x]

You have always been one of the most impeccable players alive, Brendan. A tone giant with brilliant technique. What more can one ask for…

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Too kind, my fiend. But if get to choose, how about an apartment that isn’t the size of a closet and an end to living with chronic pain? And maybe world peace and an end to the opioid and housing and inequality crisises. Oh, and let’s stop climate change too. Otherwise, I’m all good. ❤️

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Amazing demo..so comprehensive, so well played...

[@october_swimmer]

Quality playing and good demo. I'd be intrigued to see you demo their Echorec.

[@kennycorso]

Awesome arrangement and playing. Very cool. Well done!

[@moshezarviv1252]

awesome demo Brendan ! very tasty tones and songs !

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Hey, thanks!

[@eljulogaming7515]

Such an amazing video and playing! Good stuff 👍

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Thanks so much, dude!

[@MrTartlet]

Badass demo! Thanks! Only problem: when I was searching KZbin for "belle epoch vs el capistan" I was unable to find your video. Maybe you should adjust your title or description slightly? I found this video through TDPRI thread - I am currently looking to buy digital tape-delay emu.

[@Cheguebuddha]

THIS is the video!!! Im looking at getting either the El Cap or Belle Epoch and not sure entirely which suits me better!

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Not to complicate your decision, but I'm preferring the UAFX Starlight lately. 🙂

[@youhavetogoback8449]

The Giggity is a great pedal, I'm for sure getting the Belle Epoch now.

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

I’d wait and check out the UAFX Starlight. Pretty sure it’s going to ruthlessly destroy this. Video soon. 👍 Edit: grammar

[@seanbierman1212]

If you were to release instrumentals like the one you did in the intro, I would totally listen to it all the time.

[@seanbierman1212]

Oh wait just realized you do! Sick

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

I’m curious to know what you think of them, Sean! Lemme know if you ever check any out.

[@EPV7th]

The preamp of the Catalinbread works even when the pedal is off? Nice sounds!! Congrats!

[@spacerockwizard]

Wow! "Tea In The Sahara" type tone on the last example.

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Thanks, John. Lots of attempts at Police references on this channel. 🙂

[@KelsterVonShredster]

That was awesome...I am loving my Belle Epoch! Also love my Cbread Echorech......but I think I still prefer my Belle Epoch a touch more for my style of playing.

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Hard to choose a fave between the two. And thanks!!

[@Dam-oH]

I have the belle epoch and I love it . Just got the echorec and enjoying it too. Great playing in the video. Have an el cap too. I like it but I prefer the catalinbread stuff. I find the feel nicer to play probably because of the pre amp.

[@KelsterVonShredster]

@@Dam-oH Totally agree. I recently got a Strymon Timeline and although it's great it doesn't have that organic bounce that Catalinbread stuff has. I also recently had the Echorec but got rid of it because I never knew what setting I was on LOL and no, I don't read manuals ;-) Thx for watching and thx for feedback!

[@Dam-oH]

Kelster Von Shredster it’s certainly more complex with the different modes and it’s hard to know which is which. So far I’ve mainly used the single head mode and a shortish slap back on mode 2. If I had to have one I’d choose the belle epoch.

[@PhilHeesen]

Really great video! Fantastic playing AND cats?! Subscribed!

[@jmichaelE68]

"Roaaaaaaaaxanne..." Awesome demo man.

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Ha. Thanks, dude!

[@manny1406eb]

Wow geat review! You covered a lot of questions!

[@davebertoletti]

Awesome playing, my man...

[@deadpope1]

Sweet!! GREAT demo!

[@alejandrovasquez7509]

so close, awsome! (nice gear dude)

[@nogoogleplus]

Nice playing bro

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Hey, thanks!!

[@mintlp]

Yeah! Very groovy Brendan!

[@garthvader8868]

Boy that sounds juicy!!

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

:)

[@robclapp3869]

Those harmonics !

[@bloodySunday77]

canIHasBelEpok? or El Catistan? Ok, enough with the kitteh jokes... :-P Great work!

[@MegaMarPaul]

Great video!!!

[@liorashermusic]

Well done!

[@tricko2286]

Belle Epoch sounds warmer and more pleasing - Belle Epoch Deluxe is even better (but comes with slight hiss due to the faithful reproduction of original ep circuit - still much quieter than an original ep).

[@TheJofrica]

Lol the El Capistan woke the cat up :D

[@deanwolfechannel]

Nice!

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Thanks!

[@paulweber9945]

Hah excellent cross 'tween Johnson & Summers!!

[@marcinzales9826]

Killer demo!!!! Do you remember how you set preamp trim pot inside???

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Hey, thanks! I *think* it was set to unity-ish, but honestly can’t remember. Sorry, dude.

[@johnsabourin4168]

Great playing of some great examples. Funny stuff, and it showed me just the kind of things i want to know ...except for the pedal pressing skill, lol, i don't think i could ever play the same tune for every pedal like you did. lol #keepitsmooth

[@rousejeremy]

Beast

[@hungariantankman4607]

Bought the Belle Epoch, then a EP3. the Belle epoch is literally 95% of the EP-3 without the Maintenance and hassle of sourcing parts.

[@FretJunkies]

Thats a Great Video buddy.. Respect :]

[@philkop]

Tight intro man.

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Hey, thanks dude!

[@avbsvideo]

Hey Brendan, such great playing. I'm just getting into the Lenny Breau harp harmonics. Can you share any insight into the chord voicings you used at the beginning for those harp harmonic rums.

[@robynegarvey3529]

Nice Bren so proud

[@zackeriah87]

Dope. You sold me on it..

[@VHrules78]

I agree with zach! That intro is pretty much a tone I'm going after! The punchy fat neck pickup, and chimey clean harmonics. So EJ to me! I'm buying one asap! Also what guitar and amp did you use? Ill be checking your page. I live the great quality demo also!

[@sargentppeper]

Great EP3 and Belle Epoch preamp comparison! What were your settings on the inside of the Epoch? Buffer or true bypass mode? :)

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

+sargentppeper Thanks. All stock settings. This was immediately after I got it. Still on my board in buffered mode.

[@crystallineanthology595]

Fuck yeah man! +1

[@ladysnowblood352]

You only compared the preamp of Belle Epoch and Echoplex, how about a serious comparison of repeats and decay like you didi with the El Capistan?

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

(for those still wondering, the Echoplex's repeat section was omitted because it was broken; see kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6m6XoqklMaFeM0 for a repeats comparison)

[@jamiejones7104]

Hey Brendon, what’s the name of the song at 3:05? Thanks

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Oh, dang. I actually don’t remember what that is. I think it’s a mashup of some Chet Atkins technique examples from maybe an old Eric Johnson video bastardized with something else? Sorry.

[@tuhlotteson]

~ Sweet !!!! Great Job !!!! ~

[@berumen_guitars]

Does your EP-3 have the compressor board circuit? Sounds great!

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Thanks, dude! Truthfully, I don’t know! Apologies.

[@berumen_guitars]

@BrendanMowatSmith that's cool, all good. I have two EP-3's already, a blacktop and silvertop. The silvertop (#18495) is instant EJ but with anything gear I always wonder if something can top that. I know EJ used to run a pair of silvertops but not sure if he has the later compressor board version. Great playing and demos man!

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

@fattone Weird, okay. I used to have three (!) of them and kept my favourite sounding of them years ago. I wonder if the compression aspect factored into that. Learn something every day, I guess. Thanks again for the kind words.

[@GuitarHouseLima]

Amazing!

[@thebetterdad]

Great video, What camera are you using?

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Thanks! This was shot on a t3i.

[@sega62s]

is the echo going into the marshall preamp? or effect loop?

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

All in front of the Marshall. This was when I used to run it clean and get dirt from pedals.

[@serginhoguitarra]

Love cat!

[@cyrus1357]

Is the echoplex worth bringing out to gigs or the Catalin bread will do the job just as good?

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

It’s worth bringing out to me. 😊

[@cyrus1357]

@@BrendanMowatSmith because of you Im gonna get one lol

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Maybe wait and check out the new UAFX Starlight Echostation. It looks super promising, preamp and all. 👍

[@cyrus1357]

@@BrendanMowatSmith Ill definitely take a look my friend!

[@dburns255]

Great demo and playing, that Sting/Police arrangement on the intro was excellent. Am I correct in guessing you're from the Philly, S. Jersey area? I detect an accent.

[@RegalitoDeDios2]

Wonderful! How do you play the part around 0:35? Seems like flageolet picking.

[@makkietakkie]

Those are called harp harmonics, and I believe Brendan actually has a video on his channel on how to perform those.

[@RegalitoDeDios2]

Thanx, Max, will have a try. Brendan performs it very well... I hope I'll learn it too. ;-)

[@robclapp3869]

Please transcribe walking on the moon into a tab. Its so good!

[@epv1]

You're a badass.

[@Zoso7227]

Did you put this through an effects loop or just do what they used to do any put it in front of the amp? Which do you recommend?

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Echoplex stuff is always best straight in, imho. I don’t think I’ve ever used an effects loop. 😬

[@Zoso7227]

Brendan Mowat-Smith Awesome! I get mine tomorrow and will do that. Thanks for the response!

[@joshua0226]

Which ones your fav?

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

I’ve been using the Belle Epoch Deluxe the last few years.

[@guytron]

At 3:28, your clean tone have verb on it? from amp or pedal? in loop or before input of amp?

[@dezionlion]

I hear the Eric Johnson influence, but he’s boring, however if he played police covers like you just did ...

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

Ha. Now there’s a compliment. Thanks, dude!

[@savanaviolenta]

Compare TC's Toneprint EP-3 from Andy from PGS to the belle epoch and the original ECHOPLEX

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

T.I.N Mateus Is that a question or a statement?

[@PeterPug]

Does anyone REALLY use the modulation on these pedals? It's fun at VERY mild settings but I can't see using it very much at all. That's why I decided against the TC Alter-Ego...can't even control the modulation or even shut it off on the EP setting.

[@shoestringplayer106]

Echoplex all the way

[@AuralDeviation]

The EP3 is not infamous.

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpOZkJyVmriaiJo

[@BrendanMowatSmith]

I will be more explicit in my Three Amigos references in the future. 👍🏻