Home › Forums › Vintage EHX › How to date an Electro Harmonix Pedal.
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May 28, 2009 at 4:14 pm #97085WatsonWoodMember
Maybe this picture can help for a start, if this model corresponds to the Memory Man you have. Otherwise you have to check the serial numbers on the pots.
The picture comes from:
http://www.rocknrollvintage.com/products.asp?cat=18&pg=2
More about the sound later…
May 28, 2009 at 8:51 pm #97098sekovaMemberThanks for the reply! The one I have is a Deluxe Memory man, 5-knob, and it looks just like today’s version (the classic chassis, not the new small one:). I checked the pots, and the serialnumbers start with 1377…. so I guess that means they’re made in the 70’s. The reason I’m asking is that I thought the ones from the 70’s and 80’s were all blue, while the reissue was black. So I’m wondering if someone knows when they switched to black color.
Now that I’ve tested it against a reissue I’ve borrowed from a friend of mine, I actually feel a bit disappointed. I’ve heard that the old pedals are so much better. Turns out it sucks alot more tone than the reissue, and even with the feedback turned all the way up the echo dies after a couple of seconds, while the reissue keeps on echoing forever. In addition it’s really noisy, but I was prepared for that:) The only good thing about the old pedal is that it can handle alot of input level without overloading, but then again I couldn’t get it to self-oscillate no matter what I did.
I actually like old equipment, so I’m wondering what’s wrong. Is my pedal from a bad year, eventhough it’s and original wintage thing, or is it just broken? It seems to work fine, so I wouldn’t have guessed it’s broken… but somethings not like it should.
Added a picture of the pedal, and one of the inside.
Long post, hope somebody bothers to read, and has a good answer:)
May 28, 2009 at 9:48 pm #97100Ned FlandersModerator137 is the company number (CTS) the 7xxxx is the year and week. So if its 137 7712 its the 12th week of 1977.
This only tells you when the pots were made by CTS, not when the pedal was made by EHX.May 28, 2009 at 9:56 pm #97101electro-melxModeratorQuote:Now that I’ve tested it against a reissue I’ve borrowed from a friend of mine, I actually feel a bit disappointed. I’ve heard that the old pedals are so much better. Turns out it sucks alot more tone than the reissue, and even with the feedback turned all the way up the echo dies after a couple of seconds, while the reissue keeps on echoing forever. In addition it’s really noisy, but I was prepared for that:) The only good thing about the old pedal is that it can handle alot of input level without overloading, but then again I couldn’t get it to self-oscillate no matter what I did.I actually like old equipment, so I’m wondering what’s wrong. Is my pedal from a bad year, eventhough it’s and original wintage thing, or is it just broken? It seems to work fine, so I wouldn’t have guessed it’s broken… but somethings not like it should.
It sounds to be that it might need re-calibrating, F&EHX4ever; will be the best person to answer that question though….. if he says yes, then he’ll be able to point you in the right direction….. I’m sure he’ll pop in soon.
May 28, 2009 at 10:14 pm #97102sekovaMemberQuote:137 is the company number (CTS) the 7xxxx is the year and week. So if its 137 7712 its the 12th week of 1977.
This only tells you when the pots were made by CTS, not when the pedal was made by EHX.I’m aware of this, but I read on this forum that only the older ehx pedals have pots with numbers on them. Is this wrong?
As for the recalibration, will this fix the problems I mentioned?
May 29, 2009 at 11:57 am #97131WatsonWoodMemberYes, re-calibrating the pedal will certainly put things to rights. I have owned three vintage MM’s and DMM’s, one of which, with blue and red offset, still survives today and is presently with my EHX repairs techie, Peter Schmidt, getting a complete inspection and refurbishment where necessary. The other two, one of which was with the black offset, were ground into the floorboards of various venues over years of intensive use before being given as well-deserved thank-yous to roadies. The DMM’s served me excellently and had regular inspections once or twice a year for re-calibration. In fact I used to re-calibrate one of them myself before every gig! This is because I was using them between six and ten hours a day on average and needed some very precise set-ups for my sound.So I would not worry at all. EHX pedals are sturdy and made to last and to-day there are highly competent techies capable of putting your DMM back on track, either through advice or, which I highly recommend, through their own craftsmanship.
First I would go to Howard Davis’ website (formerly Chief Design Engineer for Electro-Harmonix):
Howard’s website:
Home Page
http://howard.davis2.home.att.net/home.htmand then to Ron’s website:
Home Page
http://www.ronsound.comOnce you have satisfied yourself with the vast amount of knowledge and experience the website(s) show(s), send an email explaining the situation and Howard or Ron will surely resolve your issues with great mastery as they always do. You can deal with the utmost confidence and you will see that aspects such as weak repeats and noise as well as input calibration can and will be dealt with successfully.
I put Howard’s link first because I think Ron is a little swamped with work at the moment but do check out his site anyway, it is as fascinating as Howard’s!May 29, 2009 at 1:39 pm #97133Fender&EHX4everModeratorGo with WatsonWood’s advice.
I’ve used several old DMMs, and currently have 3; and the version you have is my favorite generation. It’s the one I use the most. It was never modified. I did the trimpot alignment myself, but I highly recommend letting Howard Davis do that for you. You will be rewarded.
June 8, 2009 at 12:37 am #97518devnulljpParticipantQuote:I have a number of ’70s and ’80s EHX pedals. Is there a sequence to the 137… pot code which makes it possible to date the pedals?Thanks
137YYww
137 = CTS
YY = year
ww = weekSo, 1377805 = CTS pot: 1978: 5th week (end Jan/beginning feb)
EDIT: Just noticed Ned Flanders already gave you this info.
June 8, 2009 at 9:24 am #97532sekovaMemberQuote:Go with WatsonWood’s advice.I’ve used several old DMMs, and currently have 3; and the version you have is my favorite generation. It’s the one I use the most. It was never modified. I did the trimpot alignment myself, but I highly recommend letting Howard Davis do that for you. You will be rewarded.
Great, thanks for good advice! The only problem is that I live in Norway… sending my pedal to the States and back again might get quite expensive. I do have some friends who are going over there this summer though.
Do you know anyone in Europe who can do this? Preferably in Norway, but I guess that’s a longshot
July 4, 2009 at 8:10 pm #98893devnulljpParticipantI’d like some info on what you actually do to calibrate the trimmers.
Other than hooking it up to an oscilloscope…then what? What do you look for? How do you know it’s right vs.wrong?
Anyone tried any of the software oscilloscopes like xoscope for this?July 8, 2009 at 2:41 pm #99027ampegParticipantJust got aboard ,and pulled out my gold colored Big Muff(triangle I think because the volume sustain and tone knobs form a triangle)The pots would indicate 1966, I know thats wrong, what year do you think it is?
July 8, 2009 at 4:59 pm #99019devnulljpParticipantQuote:Just got aboard ,and pulled out my gold colored Big Muff(triangle I think because the volume sustain and tone knobs form a triangle)The pots would indicate 1966, I know thats wrong, what year do you think it is?Gold? You sure it’s not a Sovtek/Civil War/Green (that’s faded)? Could you post pics please? What are the pot codes?
Triangle Big Muff looks like this:
If you have one that’s gold, that’d be pretty interesting.
July 8, 2009 at 7:29 pm #99046ampegParticipantThanks , I researched it today , I should know since I bought it new back in the 70’s. It’s a triangle ,the pots say 1966, I considered trading it for a boss rc 20 xl looper from a friend…..is that a good trade? thank you
July 8, 2009 at 7:44 pm #99047devnulljpParticipantQuote:Thanks , I researched it today , I should know since I bought it new back in the 70’s. It’s a triangle ,the pots say 1966, I considered trading it for a boss rc 20 xl looper from a friend…..is that a good trade? thank you -
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