Intro and an Obscure Amp?

Tube and solidstate amplifiers made by Rickenbacker

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mbl

Intro and an Obscure Amp?

Post by mbl »

Howdy all. My name is Tim. I am from Tampa and new to this board. I play in a rockabilly band and have become interested in gear of a different sort. I have yet to play through a Rickenbacker amp at this point and was searching for some tone references. I have seen the guitars used but the amps are sometimes in the backround and not easily seen. Would anyone know who used these say in the 50's or what recordings they can be found on?
On another note I am trying to get schematic info a patent # or something for the Rickenbacker M-30 Eko Sound amp. I am sure many on this board are familliar with this amp. It was designed by Ray Butts and originally called the Echo Sonic. Rickenbacker had licensed the schematic and made the same amp under thier name. Only a few were made. Would anyone know where I would be able to find this schematic or patent # info? Does anyone on this board have one of these amps?
Any help on this would be great.
Thanks for the great board!
Tim
MBL
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doctorwho
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Post by doctorwho »

From the USPTO site:

Word Mark ECHOSONIC
Goods and Services (EXPIRED) IC 009. US 021. G & S: CONTROLLABLE REVERBERATION EFFECT ELECTRONIC AMPLIFYING APPARATUS. FIRST USE: 19540510. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19540710
Mark Drawing Code (5) WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS IN STYLIZED FORM
Serial Number 72103834
Filing Date September 2, 1960
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Registration Number 0715369
Registration Date May 16, 1961
Owner (REGISTRANT) JOSEPH RAYMOND BUTTS DOING BUSINESS AS RAY BUTTS MUSIC COMPANY UNKNOWN CAIRO, ILL.
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD

Here's a blurb that includes the Rickenbacker connection:

http://www.scottymoore.net/Ray_Butts_interview.html

I can't find any patent data because the USPTO site allows only Patent Number and Current US Classification searches for patents prior to 1975.
It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing. - Seneca
mbl

Post by mbl »

Wow!? Thanks. Now those #'s...that you give...are those patents of related items? I may be able to get further with the dates and such...The search is still on!
Thanks
Tim
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doctorwho
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Post by doctorwho »

Tim, the numbers are not patent numbers, rather they are trademark registration numbers. If I had access to a complete patent database like Derwent, I'd be able to search the earlier patents for any connected to Echosonic and/or Ray Butts.

A number of years ago, IBM hosted a free searchable patent databsae, but they apparently realized they could make money from it and formed Delphion.
It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing. - Seneca
mbl

Post by mbl »

So the dates on the filing and registration would be for the trademark or the patent? If it is for the patent I could narrow the search to about 2 to 3 thousand #'s...and even smaller if that date of registration is for the granted patent.
Tim
MBL
mbl

Post by mbl »

I think I answered my own question...those are the filing dates and #'s for the Trademark. So assuming the trademark was granted at the same time or close to the same time as the patent we may be able to narrow the 3's.
Tim
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doctorwho
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Post by doctorwho »

Tim, next time at one of the local university libraries, I'll see whether thay have patent access, and if they do I'll see what I can find on this subject.
It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing. - Seneca
mbl

Post by mbl »

Cool thanks...If I had the patent # that would help immensely. I think we have the schematic on the way....but could use layout drawings.... or real close up pictures of all parts.
Tim
MBL
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Re: Intro and an Obscure Amp?

Post by TelecasterTech »

Hello everyone,

I am Frank Roy, perhaps you've seen some of my posts about my 1954 4x10 Fender Bassman, Serial # 0013, model 5D6. It sounds great but I yearn for the sound of the Rickenbacker M-30 Eko-Sound, better known as the Ray Butts EA-1 Echosonic.

I am in search of people who may be able to provide a complete or partial schematic or layout for this great instrument, and I don't paying for it at all. MLB, Lorenz S, PDL, etc.... where are you!? &:-)

I am interested in building one of these for my own personal use, to perpetually own. I can acquire quite a lot of old, rare hardware, and I have access to places that make custom metal machined parts, plexi silkscreening, upholstery, etc.

What I dont have is access to any tape equipment specialist, tape head bias information, etc. I am used to fixing tube radios/consoles, old tube TVs, etc. Love test equipment and high voltage, been doing it for some time too now. But 5 years ago I started to really get into tube guitar amps, and following the mentoring of Gerald Weber.

Any help from anyone would be greatly appeciated. I am currently working on a Standel 25L15 replica, as I have a real 1954 JBL 15" 16ohm speaker ready and waiting.

Please email me at frankroy at gmail dot com if you think you can help, or maybe just wanna chat.


Thank you to anyone and all in advance, and take care,

Frank Roy
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Re: Intro and an Obscure Amp?

Post by doctorwho »

Welcome, Frank!
It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing. - Seneca
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Re: Intro and an Obscure Amp?

Post by shamustwin »

There's a whole lot of talk and information in the "Grey Tolex" thread of this very forum!
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Re: Intro and an Obscure Amp?

Post by TelecasterTech »

Hi DoctorWho,

And thanks for the warm welcome.

Did you ever find the patent information for the Echosonic or the Ek-O-Sound?

I did manage to find the patent info for Ray Butts's 1954 pickup (later the Gretsch Filter'Tron)

I'm still lookin' to gather up the $6000 for one of Tim's replicas, if I pass the interview process (wish me luck!).

Lorenz S. from Germany built a replica as well, but he mentions he had to wind an oscillating coil himself by hand.....that can't possible be easy to learn how to do/build properly. And apparently Tim has to get parts custom-machined out of metal for his... sounds like amazing work.

I can't live without one of these.... I can wait for my Standel 25L15.

Cheers,
Frank
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Re: Intro and an Obscure Amp?

Post by TelecasterTech »

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The 1953-1956 Standel 25L15 schematic.
Attachments
STANDEL 25L15 SCHEMATIC.jpg
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ECHOSONIC SCHEMATIC AND INSTRUCTIONS

Post by TelecasterTech »

Hey all!!

I'm back - and this time I have some goodies for everyone from my latest online treks in the Quest For Tone.

The famous April 1953 Ray Butts Echosonic model EA-1 amplifier. I have a small diagram of it, a basic schematic with (unfortunately) no values (CAN ANYONE FILL THEM IN AND POST THEM PUHLEEZZ!).

I also have 3 pages of details instructions on how the tape echo functions as part of the amplifier - a very good read. I hae never seen these posted anywhere in online forums before until now!!

Let's all get some information together and maybe we can have a working schematic for all of us to enjoy.

Thank you,
Frank
Attachments
Echosonic_Diagram.JPG
Echosonic_Schematic.JPG
TelecasterTech
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ECHOSONIC INSTRUCTIONS

Post by TelecasterTech »

Instructions - multiple posts.
F
Attachments
Echosonic - Instructions_1.JPG
Echosonic - Instructions_2.JPG
Echosonic - Instructions_3.JPG
Echosonic - Instructions_4.JPG
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