Forum Replies Created

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • February 2, 2014 at 11:15 pm in reply to: History of Small Clones – identifying / categorizing, sonic differences, etc #119656
    bzuuuuu
    Participant
    Quote:
    Quote:
    From 1979 to early 1981, EH used either the MN3007 delay chip or the RETICON SAD1024 one (the rarest). Although subtle, there’s definitely sonic differences between both. However, the most sought after unit is the 1024 one, mostly because this was the version used by Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain on the “Nevermind” recording and tour, as well as during the “MTV Unplugged” sessions.

    I’d say the SAD1024 delay chip is more “watery” sounding and adds a slight “boost” to the signal, while the MN3007 allows higher levels and less noise without signal clipping. No version is “better” than the other and it all comes down to personal preference, IMO.

    Bullshit.

    Unless you are Earnie Bailey, Nirvana’s guitar tech, which you are not, then you have absolutely no idea what chip was in Kurt’s Small Clone. All you are doing is making an assumption, based on your own personal opinion, and perpetuating bad information on the internet.

    It’s simple: pix or it didn’t happen.

    For starters, your pathetic reply only demonstrates your poor knowledge about the subject. Secondly, you seem to ignore there’s actually a book about Nirvana published by a guitar magazine a few years ago where Earnie Bailey actually states he had a bit of a hard time “finding spare SAD1024 delay chips for Cobain’s chorus units”.

    That’s good enough for me! …And you should read more.

    April 29, 2013 at 12:30 am in reply to: History of Small Clones – identifying / categorizing, sonic differences, etc #118976
    bzuuuuu
    Participant
    Quote:
    I was just reading through this thread and wanted to post a follow up. At
    the moment there is a Small Clone on Ebay with original box and all of the
    papers etc. Time capsule condition. It has a 3mm clear LED and also has a
    dash in the “FULL-CHORUS,” so stating that the originals never had this
    appears to be false. Here’s your proof:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/1981-Electro-Harmonix-Small-Clone-w-box-/310658871618?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item4854b63142

    Your link points to a MINI-CHORUS unit, not a FULL CHORUS one. And as I (literally) stated in my previous post all MINI-CHORUS units are originals (since these have never been reissued) and all have the dash.

    There’s no such thing as an original FULL CHORUS unit with the dash and this is the most obvious way to tell an original from a reissue unit.

    June 6, 2012 at 11:52 pm in reply to: History of Small Clones – identifying / categorizing, sonic differences, etc #117700
    bzuuuuu
    Participant
    Quote:
    As I understand it, the Small Clones from the early `80’s have a clear status lamp and later ones have a red status lamp.

    I hear people mentioning a “re-issue” Small Clone and it appears to look exactly like the older ones. Does “re-issue” refer to all the ones with the red status lamp? Or…?

    Some early units have a smaller (3mm) red status lamp. I have one of those (1980/1981).

    The most obvious way to tell an original from a reissue unit (without opening it) is by the dash between the words “FULL” and “CHORUS” on the reissues. Reissues also don’t have a 3mm status lamp and the screening is of lower quality / less durable.

    All “MINI-CHORUS” units are vintage ones, as those have never been reissued.

    May 26, 2012 at 2:54 am in reply to: The EH Man’s EH collection #117627
    bzuuuuu
    Participant
    Quote:
    Big Muffs updated with versions.

    I’d be surprised if you didn’t have a V4 BMP (or even a V5) in your huge EHX collection. =)

    BTW, what’s the circuit version and pot codes in your V4 ? Mine is EH-3003B and pot codes 1976/48 and 1977/1.

    May 25, 2012 at 11:20 pm in reply to: History of Small Clones – identifying / categorizing, sonic differences, etc #117626
    bzuuuuu
    Participant
    Quote:
    Quote:
    Quote:
    Quote:
    All MINI-CHORUS Small Clones out there are vintage units and apparently, the earliest ones ever produced. The MINI and FULL versions also share the same circuit and components.

    That’s not true. My Mini-Chorus version has a pot date in late 1983, probably among the very last pedals made in the original era. It has the Reticon SAD1024 in it too. I’m pretty sure I remember Ron saying that he has one just like it too. I THINK I’ve actually seen vintage units with the “Full-Chorus” too, complete with the dash. I’m not 100% sure about that though.

    Well, I think Ron already sorted that out for you. =)

    I’m pretty sure you’ve never seen a vintage Small Clone “Full-Chorus” with the dash, because they do not exist. It’s the easiest way to tell a vintage unit from a RI one, actually.

    The “Mini-Chorus” however, had the dash separating the two words.

    Could have been original guts in a reissue enclosure, if nothing else. But I am pretty sure I’ve seen it.

    That was probably the case.

    I’ve seen and studied literally dozens of vintage Small Clone FC units in the last 20 or so years and none of them had the dash.

    May 25, 2012 at 10:12 pm in reply to: History of Small Clones – identifying / categorizing, sonic differences, etc #117624
    bzuuuuu
    Participant
    Quote:
    Quote:
    All MINI-CHORUS Small Clones out there are vintage units and apparently, the earliest ones ever produced. The MINI and FULL versions also share the same circuit and components.

    That’s not true. My Mini-Chorus version has a pot date in late 1983, probably among the very last pedals made in the original era. It has the Reticon SAD1024 in it too. I’m pretty sure I remember Ron saying that he has one just like it too. I THINK I’ve actually seen vintage units with the “Full-Chorus” too, complete with the dash. I’m not 100% sure about that though.

    Well, I think Ron already sorted that out for you. =)

    I’m pretty sure you’ve never seen a vintage Small Clone “Full-Chorus” with the dash, because they do not exist. It’s the easiest way to tell a vintage unit from a RI one, actually.

    The “Mini-Chorus” however, had the dash separating the two words.

    May 25, 2012 at 10:30 am in reply to: The EH Man’s EH collection #117606
    bzuuuuu
    Participant
    Quote:
    Quote:
    Where’s the V4 Big Muff Pi ? =)

    Probably in there somewhere. I haven’t sat down and figured out the versions of the Big Muffs yet.

    Ah ok.

    I’ve seen the doc and you have a “Triangle” Muff, a V2 and a V3 listed there. I couldn’t find a V4, though.

    Cheers. =)

    May 25, 2012 at 9:07 am in reply to: The EH Man’s EH collection #117603
    bzuuuuu
    Participant

    Where’s the V4 Big Muff Pi ? =)

    May 25, 2012 at 8:56 am in reply to: History of Small Clones – identifying / categorizing, sonic differences, etc #117602
    bzuuuuu
    Participant

    Hi BigStone,

    I’ve compiled a set of answers that should sort out the majority of your questions.

    The original Small Clone was manufactured from 1979 until 1983 (when the original EH brand went out of business).

    The vintage units have a clear and smaller (3mm) LED versus the red and larger (5mm) LED in the reissues. Also, the originals don’t have a dash mark (-) separating the words FULL and CHORUS.

    The reissues have FULL-CHORUS (with the dash) written on it.

    All MINI-CHORUS Small Clones out there are vintage units and apparently, the earliest ones ever produced. The MINI and FULL versions also share the same circuit and components.

    From 1979 to early 1981, EH used either the MN3007 delay chip or the RETICON SAD1024 one (the rarest). Although subtle, there’s definitely sonic differences between both. However, the most sought after unit is the 1024 one, mostly because this was the version used by Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain on the “Nevermind” recording and tour, as well as during the “MTV Unplugged” sessions.

    I’d say the SAD1024 delay chip is more “watery” sounding and adds a slight “boost” to the signal, while the MN3007 allows higher levels and less noise without signal clipping. No version is “better” than the other and it all comes down to personal preference, IMO.

    The reissue Small Clone sounds great, too. And it’s 100% true bypass (3PDT blue switch) unlike the originals which use a FET switch. I’ve heard about a few reissue units using the MN3207 chip but I’ve never come across one.

    I own 3 Small Clone units: A mid 1980, Full Chorus w/ RETICON SAD1024 chip, an early 1981 Full Chorus w/ MN3007 chip and a 2006 reissue w/ the MN3007 chip.

    Hope this helps! =)

  • Author
    Posts
Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)