EHX Deluxe Memory Man questions....

[ian87]

hey y'all. a coupla quick questions, 1 technical and 1 completely subjective.

1. i've just recently started using my 1979 MM on bass, and i can't seem to dial in a good tone. when i set the input level to unity gain, i still get some distortion -- even when bypassed. i don't seem to get that kind of distortion when using it w/ regular 6-string guitar. i can keep it in a TB loop, so no big deal there, but it's still kind of a drag. here's the technical part of the question: a. would adjusting the input impedance address the distortion problem? and if so, then b. how would one achieve this? if yes to b., then c. is there a way to make this toggleable b/t 2 diff input impedances?

2. here's the completely subjective part: if you were in my shoes, would you start hacking up a perfect vintage pedal like this? might as well TB it and modify the LED to indicate bypass state while i'm in there.

cheers,
ian

[Mark Hammer]

Possible there is a 570 or 571 compander chip in there that needs some tweaking or a component replaced to suit bass more?

[aron]

I would sell it and buy a digital delay to replace it. The DMM ain't completely clean, but that's the charm.

I don't think it will ever clean up enough for you without modding it. I probably wouldn't mod it just because you could sell it and buy a new delay that's cleaner.

[Ed Rembold]

I think your Music Man bass is active,  if so, it's output is just too hot for an EH MM.
Build R.G.'s "adjusticator" . You'll be using it to "turn down" the signal  going into the delay,  and then using the other half of it, to turn the signal "back up".

Ed R.

[ian87]

thanks all for the reponses.

don't get me wrong -- i LOVE my DMM! i don't think i'd want to live without one. i dig the darkness and everything about the character of the delay. and i don't have this issue with guitar. i was just wondering if there was something about the bass signal that was overwhelming the circuit. it may be that it just isn't a good match for bass. that's fine too -- i have many, MANY other  delays to choose from.

it's a passive bass, btw -- i should have mentioned that as well.

i'll look into the adjusticator as well, cheers!

[jubjub]

I have made changes to several collectable bits of kit, and have always lived to regret it. If you play bass and have no use for it, then sell it and you will have enough to at least get something to replace it that suits your needs. Stuff with it and you could more than halve its value and it still might not do what you want it to. Unless of course you play guitar as well. Then just hold on to it cause it's a piece of kit worth having.

[ian87]

Unless of course you play guitar as well. Then just hold on to it cause it's a piece of kit worth having.

yep. that's the way i'm leaning.

thanks!