The Electro-Harmonix #1 Echo is a digital delay pedal released by Electro-Harmonix in 2007 and discontinued in 20241. It offers up to two seconds of delay, and the maker describes its repeats as having "a warm analog style decay that sits beautifully in any track or performance"1. Premier Guitar called it about as simple as a delay gets, with just three knobs2.
The #1 Echo was discontinued by Electro-Harmonix in 20241. It is no longer in production, so it is now found only on the used market.
The controls: blend, delay time and feedback
The #1 Echo keeps its control set to three knobs, which Premier Guitar summed up plainly2:
"The #1 Echo is as basic as a delay gets: just blend, delay time, and feedback knobs."2
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Blend | Adjusts the balance of echo volume against the straight-through signal3 |
| Delay time | Sets the time between repeats, up to two seconds1 |
| Feedback | Sets the number of repeats and how fast they fade3 |
A single footswitch selects whether the pedal is engaged or in bypass mode, and an LED lights when the effect is on1. With true bypass switching, the dry signal passes through untouched when the pedal is off1.
Build and power
The #1 Echo sits in what the maker calls a tough and compact die-cast chassis, measuring 4.75 x 4 x 2.25 inches1. It runs on the included 9.6VDC 200mA power adapter, with an optional 9V battery that is not included1. Its listed current draw of 185mA1 is on the high side for a compact pedal, so players using a shared power supply will want to make sure the output can cover it.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar reviewed the #1 Echo in a digital delay roundup and found it well made, with one reservation about the character of the repeats2:
"this EH pedal is solidly constructed, and the digital sound quality is high enough that for some applications I wished"2
The review's point was that the digital repeats were clean enough that a treble roll-off option would have been welcome in some uses, a nod toward the darker, analog-style repeats players associate with Electro-Harmonix's Memory Man line2.
Where it came from
Electro-Harmonix has a long history in delay, from the original Memory Man and Deluxe Memory Man analog delays to later digital designs like the Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai and the Canyon. In a Premier Guitar interview, Electro-Harmonix founder Mike Matthews said of the #1 Echo4:
"For the #1 Echo, price was a consideration, we wanted to make that competitive"4
That positioning, a simple three-knob digital delay at a $99 street price2, placed it as an entry point into the company's delay lineup, below more feature-heavy pedals like the Memory Boy and Deluxe Memory Boy. Since its discontinuation in 2024, Electro-Harmonix's compact delay offerings have continued in the Pico series, including the Pico Canyon Echo and Pico Rerun Tape Delay.
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Questions
Is the Electro-Harmonix #1 Echo true bypass?
Yes. Electro-Harmonix lists the #1 Echo with true bypass switching, so with the effect off the signal passes through without the circuit coloring it. The single footswitch selects between engaged and bypass mode, and an LED lights when the effect is on.
Can the EHX #1 Echo run on a 9V battery?
Yes, a 9V battery is an option, though it is not included with the pedal. The #1 Echo ships with a 9.6VDC 200mA power adapter, and its listed current draw is 185mA, so most players will want to run it on the adapter rather than a battery.
Is the #1 Echo stereo?
No. Electro-Harmonix lists the #1 Echo as mono, with a single quarter-inch audio input jack and a single quarter-inch audio output jack. There is no stereo input or output on the pedal.
Is the Electro-Harmonix #1 Echo discontinued?
Yes. Electro-Harmonix discontinued the #1 Echo in 2024, according to the maker's own product page. It was released in 2007, so it stayed in the lineup for well over a decade before being retired.
How much did the #1 Echo cost new?
Premier Guitar listed the #1 Echo at a $99 street price when it reviewed the pedal. In a later interview, Electro-Harmonix founder Mike Matthews said price was a consideration for the #1 Echo and that the company wanted to make it competitive.
Sources (4)
- #1 Echo | DISCONTINUED 2024 | Digital Delay - Electro-Harmonix, Electro-Harmonix, 2024
- Top Digital Delays: DigiTech, Guyatone & EH Reviewed, Premier Guitar, 2009-05-20
- #1 Echo by Electro-Harmonix, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai: A Complete Guide, Premier Guitar (www.premierguitar.com), 2008-02-08
