Ibanez ES3

The Ibanez ES3 Echo Shifter is a delay pedal, part of Ibanez's Echo Shifter line. It is a revised version of the ES2 Echo Shifter, carrying over that pedal's delay and modulation approach while changing how some of the effects are accessed and controlled¹².

What it does

As a delay, the ES3 sits in the delay pedals family, repeating your signal with controls over the repeats. On the ES2, the feedback control sets the number of repeats⁴², and the line also includes a modulation feature: Guitar World's reviewer described it as able to "add subtle chorusing, vibrato-like flutters or slow groaning siren sweeps, depending on the depth control setting"⁴. MusicRadar's Michael Astley-Brown, reviewing the ES2, noted "Then there are the oscillation and modulation switches" as part of that pedal's control set⁵.

The ES3 keeps that formula and changes two things. First, the modulation can now be controlled more in depth thanks to a new Speed knob, as Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio put it when the pedal appeared⁶. Second, the oscillation function no longer needs to be engaged by hand using a mini toggle switch, as it did on the ES2².

ES3 compared with the ES2

Inputs and studio use

The ES3 can handle both Inst and Line level signals. Gearnews' Jef, covering the pedal's introduction, called this out as making it "perfect for studio use with guitars, synths and even vocals"³. That means the pedal can sit in an effects loop or take line level sources, not just a guitar straight into its input.

Power

The ES3 runs on 9V DC, center negative, and draws 200mA¹. That current draw is higher than many single pedals, so a low-output daisy chain supply may not be enough on its own; a supply rated for at least 200mA on that output is the safe assumption. Ibanez's English manual for the ES3 is available from Hoshino Gakki¹.

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