The Electra Forums

So my uncle has this MPC X810 and i have some questions about it. Does it have a Nitro or Poly finish? Is it safe to clean it with Dunlop 65? I don't notice much difference when using the "Power Overdrive" module, it gets louder but I wouldn't really call it distortion, am I just expecting to much from it? Its missing the pick guard, where can I find one of these? He bought it at a pawn shop about 20 years ago for a couple hundred bucks, based on these pictures what would you value it at? And it looks like the previous owner didn't like the strap button on back of the guitar so he screwed it on the side of the upper horn, I noticed a hairline crack, should i be worried?

Thanks

Awesome looking guitar - very desirable.

As far as the Power Overdrive -

I would recommend you check with member "Thorny" here and get him to modify it - if he is still doing that -

I have 2 modified by him - 1 for each of my Electra MPC's -

Once you play the modded PO you'll hear the difference.

Again - a really nice axe.

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RCSBlues

What does he charge? Would I be better off just finding a "Dynamic Fuzz" or "Tube Sound" module?

I have no idea -

Look up Thorny under the members tab -

Send a PM or email to him.

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RCSBlues

Hey Mortician...welcome to these here forums. Very nice Electra...that model is one of the best crafted of the bunch, I think. I've had a couple of them and still looking another, but I'm wanting the one in a natural finish now.

Problem with mounting strap buttons on the sides of semi or hollow body guitars is that if there isn't a supporting block beneath the wood at the chosen spot it'll do funny things....if the drilled hole is too small for the screw used, it cracks (like yours)...if the drilled hole is too big for the screw, the weight of the guitar causes the hole to wallow out, then gravity takes care of the rest of the guitar. Danged if you do and danged if you don't as far as which bit you use to mount a button there. Way best not to. Yours should be alright as long as the guitar isn't kept in a low humidity environment if you want to leave it there. I WOULD TAKE IT OFF just to be safe....and remove that stress at that point on the guitar.

My opinion on the guitar's value is around 800 on a good day. Quick sale at 600.

Again...welcome.

jd

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JD's Electras

Good assessment on the value, I think you are spot on.

I charge $50 for the overdrive mods, and yours is normal, they don't do much. But afterwards, it still has a similar sound just it boosts a LOT. So your guitar with the boost on today with the control set on about 8.5 is about the same volume as if the effect is turned off. So you only get a little over a 1 on your control that boosts at all, and it is almost nothing. After the mod, the control is the same volume at about 3. It actually boosts several times the value, but the more you boost the more overdrive you get and less headroom. But that is what you want out of an overdrive.

I have asked myself why they toned those overdrives down so much, and i would bet originally they kicked (because the electra pedal based overdrive pedal boosts a lot more). I bet that in testing someone turned it on and the unpotted pickups probably squealed like crazy - I bet then someone said to tone them down so the pickups won't feedback - and that was that. I would not bother with the tube sound because it is equally lame. As far as the tube sound modules, they are not really any better to me than the unmodded overdrive (equally lame sound wise, they are a bit rarer so you'd probably pay more for them so may be more valuable to a collector).

But the fuzz is another story. I really like those, and they vary a bit from module to modules (some sound better than others). But I do recommend the fuzz even if you have a modded overdrive. Different sound, and I like it. This is my opinion, but I think most others would agree. The modded overdrive and fuzz are some of my favorite modules. I really like the phaser, flanger, filter follower, and compressor too. The others, well, I collect them too but I won't go too far out of my way to get them (unless I needed one to top off a collection).

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Thorny

Thanks guys, very informative. Can anybody tell me if this is a Nitro or a Poly finish and if i can clean it with Dunlop 65? what else would you suggest? Any tips or further information i should know about this guitar?

I don't know which the finish is but I am pretty sure that the Dunlap cleaner is safe for both. Most cleaners are, just stay away from ones with silicon in them.

I use Dunlop 65 on all my Electra models and it works great no problems.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

thanks guys

I also use Dunlop 65 and it works fine. I can tell you for sure it is not a Nitro finish. My best guess is a Urethane. Whatever it is, it's tough as nails.

I agree with JD's price assessment and with REMOVE THAT STRAP PIN!

Like RCS, I also have 2 Thorny modded POD's and EVERYONE should have AT LEAST ONE!!! Am I shouting? I know I am in my head.....

I wouldn't bother with either DFuzz or Tube Sound modules although DFuzz is probably a lot close to what the PWR OD should have been.

As far as a pickguard goes, I'd leave it off anyway - but most any LP guard can be trimmed to fit. Most likely a stock LP guard will not quite match to the neck HB - but they are close.
Oh well... that's a sweet guitar and I'd love to have one.