WEM WATKINS COPICAT IC400 Vari Speed

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"Offered for sale here is one of the rarer and more sought-after models: the IC400 Vari Speed Copicat - complete with seventies 'space age' lettering: probably the most versatile of all the Copicats, with three echo replay heads and the all-important variable speed motor for accurate tempo-matched repeats (or crazy dive-bombing feedback dub effects).

It is in excellent working order and has just had an overhaul to ensure it's working as it should. It has an IEC socket fitted for 240v mains supply, the heads have been demagnetised and a new tape fitted. The case is quite scruffy (see photos below for details), but operationally it's a very good example indeed - appearances can be deceiving with these machines. This one sounds excellent: very inspiring to play. All knobs are crackle-free (some crackle may develop over time through lack of use - this is easily rectified by a few turns or in excessive cases, a squirt of Caig Deoxit switch cleaner).

The echoes are even in level/tone across all heads, and self-oscillate raucously when the sustain knob is turned up. The repeats have that pleasing analogue warmth that comes from tape and which sits so well behind whatever you're playing: this is not a crisp digital delay unit...

It has had a socket fitted for footswitch use which makes for a very studio-friendly unit: the footswitch socket carries the wet-only signal so it's perfect for use as an effects send when mixing, and great for dub-style feedback delays which sound wonderful - it's very easy to get lost creating hypnotic feedback rhythms when 'playing' this machine.

It comes with the original footswitch (a bit battered and missing the logo, but working fine).

It's fitted with a new WEM tape - because Copicats only use a short length of tape (compared to Echoplexes or Space Echoes) the tape should be changed regularly for optimum performance. We can supply quantities of tape loops if required. We use and supply both genuine WEM loops (still manufactured/supplied by Charlie Watkins) and loops from MyTape Echo..."