Home Forums Vintage EHX Mike Matthews Dirt Road Special Amps

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  • #77390
    Fender&EHX4ever
    Moderator

    I just won one of these on eBay for a great price. The tolex is pretty beat up, there’s a small square hole in the rear panel that was cut for air movement, and the original speaker was replaced; but the seller claimed that it is fully functioning. I went for it because the seller was reputable, and because EHman’s article made it so darn hard to refuse. I’m so excited to try it out! Does anyone have any other stories or info about it in addition to EHman’s article?

    Also, what speaker size, type, and brand would you replace with?

    http://electroharmonix.ronsound.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=45

    [img]http://i.ebayimg.com/22/!BI4-so!BWk~$(KGrHgoH-DgEjlLl0b,6BJP-QoL!Qw~~_1.JPG[/img]

    #89029
    The EH Man
    Moderator

    I’d have to check to make sure, but I believe the hole in the back panel is original.

    #89035
    electro-melx
    Moderator

    Awesome!!!

    that’s just so cool…. :D

    #89064
    Stephengiles
    Member

    The speaker quoted on the circuit diagram is Celestion Motel G12M. I built the preamp and used it with a 100 watt power amp I bought. I bought a Session 2 x 10 cabinet and it was a fine amp with plenty of poke – still sitting under my printer no more than 3 feet fromwhere I am sitting.

    #89065
    electro-melx
    Moderator

    G12M? that’s what people call a ‘greenback’ it should be pretty easy to pick one of those up F&EHX;.

    #89066
    electro-melx
    Moderator
    #89070
    Fender&EHX4ever
    Moderator

    Fantastic, mate! You’re the best!

    I’ll keep my eye on that one today. It would be nice to keep the MMDRS as stock as possible.

    I’ve been Googling as much info as I can find about this amp, and the reviews on it have been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone says that it’s surprisingly loud for its size. Most are saying that the tone is great, and that this amp is a real overlooked gem. Seriously, how could you not love an amp with a built in vintage Small Stone phaser? :love:

    #89071
    electro-melx
    Moderator

    sweet, I just had a thought…I’m presuming it’s an 8ohm speaker you need??

    #89689
    Woets
    Member

    I also bought one of these a few weeks ago. But in my opinion, the speaker is quite essential for the sound. So, try to get that greenback! What speaker does your amp hold now?

    #89697
    Fender&EHX4ever
    Moderator
    Quote:
    I also bought one of these a few weeks ago. But in my opinion, the speaker is quite essential for the sound. So, try to get that greenback! What speaker does your amp hold now?

    When it arrived in the mail, I immediately had to leave town for the holidays, so I haven’t had a chance to even open the box yet. I’ll let you know when I get back in the New Year.

    #89974
    Fender&EHX4ever
    Moderator

    I finally got back to test this amp tonight, after much anticipation.

    It’s definitely a fixer-upper, which doesn’t bother me much because I’m pretty sure I can fix it up, and I got this thing for a really low price.

    First problem is that it rattled like a baby toy. I removed the back panel, and in the process a wood piece of frame reinforcement fell out. Simple fix, it just needs to be nailed in again. I also noticed that the white wire was loose from the power switch, which might explain why the power LED doesn’t light up. I tightened the screws that hold the electronics in, hoping that might reduce some rattle.

    The big question is the speaker. First of all, it’s some kind of generic speaker without any identifying text or label on it at all. Not sure if it’s the original speaker, but somehow I doubt it. I’ve been looking at the greenbacks, but those suckers are pricey. I guess that’s the route I should take though.

    #89982
    electro-melx
    Moderator

    you could always put an ehx speaker in it, that would be pretty cool and they are pretty inexpensive….is the speaker 12 or 10 inch?

    #89991
    Fender&EHX4ever
    Moderator
    Quote:
    you could always put an ehx speaker in it, that would be pretty cool and they are pretty inexpensive….is the speaker 12 or 10 inch?

    12″

    This would be the closest match: http://www.newsensor.com/ProductHighLight.aspx?ProId=412

    But it’s rated for 75 watts. Will that have any effect?

    #89992
    electro-melx
    Moderator

    no that won’t matter at all…..it’s just what the speaker can handle, and long as the ohms is the same it’s all good. it might (and that’s only might) sound a little cleaner because the speaker won’t be pushed as hard as one with a lower rating. My 30w Marshall SS had a 100w rated speaker in it!!

    #89996
    Fender&EHX4ever
    Moderator
    Quote:
    no that won’t matter at all…..it’s just what the speaker can handle, and long as the ohms is the same it’s all good. it might (and that’s only might) sound a little cleaner because the speaker won’t be pushed as hard as one with a lower rating. My 30w Marshall SS had a 100w rated speaker in it!!

    Cleaner might be good, because I’m thinking about using it for recording bass guitar. I’ve already tried running my bass through it, and it sounded pretty good, especially with the Small Stone on; but the speaker rattled too much at higher volumes.

    I’ll report back after I try out the 12VR8.

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