Anyone know anything about early EH Memory Man's (Men?)?

[arexjay]

I'm thinking about getting a broken one on eBay and having it fixed. But I don't want to bother with this all if it's not a good box. This is the first run of these, with a green background. Here's the link on a similar auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7401252853

 

Someone here said the chip used was a noisy chip? Anyways, if anyone has any info/reviews on this run of the pedal, it would be really appreciated.

[Seth Carmody]

From Ronsounds EH site:


The original Echo/Analog Delay Line and 4 knob Deluxe both used the Reticon SAD1024 delay IC. From my understanding, EH decided the chips were noisy and started using the Panasonic MN3005 delay IC instead. This was the reason the later models were quieter and had better delay effects. Most of the 4 knob Deluxes I've heard make a high-pitched whining noise in the background on the delayed signal. With proper setup, you can reduce this to a minimum, but it's difficult to remove it completely

From a Howard Davis interview:

What's the best product you came up with?

I'd say the most popular is the Memory Man. I didn't design the first delay stompbox with this name, but in 1977 I re-engineered it with such a substantial improvment in performance that it just took off - it was hard for the company to keep up with the demand.

http://www.harmony-central.com/Effects/Data/Electro_Harmonix/Memory_Man-2.html

Nearly every review talks about hiss and noise, even on units that supposedly use the quieter chips. The unit in the auction above is actually a third version notwithstanding what the seller is claiming.

[Howard Davis]

Originally posted by arexjay I'm thinking about getting a broken one on eBay and having it fixed. But I don't want to bother with this all if it's not a good box. This is the first run of these, with a green background. Here's the link on a similar auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7401252853 Someone here said the chip used was a noisy chip? Anyways, if anyone has any info/reviews on this run of the pedal, it would be really appreciated.

 

 

Yes, this is an early version that used the SAD1024 delay chips. It is considered by some to be a collector's item, but I wouldn't consider it very rare. Still, if you can pick it up at the current bid of $31, and it works, you're getting a bargain. If you wish I can align, recondition, and mod it to reduce the noise (a bit), increase the input impedance, and if necessary equalize the bypass and effect-on signal levels.

 

Guitar pedal design engineering, repairs, and custom mods:

http://howard.davis2.home.att.net/

 

To contact me: howard.davis2@att.net

[arexjay]

Originally posted by Howard Davis Yes, this is an early version that used the SAD1024 delay chips. It is considered by some to be a collector's item, but I wouldn't consider it very rare. Still, if you can pick it up at the current bid of $31, and it works, you're getting a bargain. If you wish I can align, recondition, and mod it to reduce the noise (a bit), increase the input impedance, and if necessary equalize the bypass and effect-on signal levels. Guitar pedal design engineering, repairs, and custom mods: http://howard.davis2.home.att.net/ To contact me: howard.davis2@att.net

 

 

 

Yup, already shot you an e-mail about this!

 

Is there an estimate price range that this would all cost?

 

 

BTW, here is the actual auction with the broken unit: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7401239144 . The other one is just a similar unit.