Model M8E (Electro) Amplifier

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri Sep 22, 2000 6:43 pm

I am wondering if you would look at the photos and description of the M8E (Electro) Amplifier and add or correct any of the information with regard to the specifications or date. Thank You.

tracy · Post by **tracy** » Fri Oct 06, 2000 6:13 pm

You've said it all. The holy grail, complete in a lightweight package. Don't spread this around or everybody will want one and then where will we be?!?

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Oct 08, 2000 6:18 am

Tracy: Do you have any idea how many of these "Holy Grails" were manufactured?

Raye_Boals · Post by **Raye_Boals** » Tue Nov 14, 2000 11:02 am

I have an Electro Model M8E and I found the following numbers on the amp. Small transformer # 44110 Large transformer #PT601 or PT801 can't tell for certain. On the bottom inside of amp is the #1785 or 17B5. Anyway this amp sure sounds good for the blues. Let me know if you can figure out its age.

Raye_Boals · Post by **Raye_Boals** » Sat Nov 18, 2000 3:20 pm

I did a little more digging. The speaker that is in the amp has a #220443. According to the experts on dating speakers it is a Jensen 220 which is the mfg code for Jensen. Of course, even I could figure that out since it has Jensen written on it. The rest of the the numbers 443 mean the speaker was manufactured the 43rd week of 1954. I wonder if my amp is that old? I will keep watching the Rickenbacker site to see if anyone else has an idea of my amps age. It sure is a sweet little screamer. Thanks again for your help and consideration.

anonymous · Post by **anonymous** » Mon Dec 18, 2000 4:48 am

Raye's amp is a 1964. Yes they made them that late and into the early seventies. Literally thousands of this model were made and distributed all over the world under the Rickenbacker, Electro and 'other' brand names as a companion to their extremely successful student guitar line.

anonymous · Post by **anonymous** » Mon Jan 22, 2001 10:13 am

Know how much these amps are worth?? I have a line on one for $300. I hope to talk them down to $200. It's missing the back panel and the tolex is worn in a couple of places.

anonymous · Post by **anonymous** » Mon Jan 22, 2001 10:22 am

Added to my last post: I found one of the amps you described on your website. The amp is covered in what seems like Gibson "Leatherette". The amp has one 6v6, a 5y3 and some preamp tube I couldn't really see. The output transformer was also in the chassis. The back baffle was shorter then the one in your picture and only along the bottom. Worth $300 or should I talk him down?

Jose

anonymous · Post by **anonymous** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 4:54 pm

The amplifier basically compares electrically to a Fender Champ. Fenders, in general, are at the top of the price structure in the vintage market with few exceptions.

As Fender Champs still show up often in the $200-$250 price range, $300 does seem a little over the top (i.e. $300 for a six watt amp?)!

anonymous · Post by **anonymous** » Sat Mar 02, 2002 6:42 am

As a newcomer to rickenbacker amps, I have a threshold question : did the company make the 1958 M8e amps or were they made by Supro/Valco or some other company for Rickenbacker? Also, is there a characteristic sound to compare the M8e to, e.g., Champ, Gibson GA5 etc?

Thanks,

Lamar

anonymous · Post by **anonymous** » Tue Apr 02, 2002 7:32 am

Although some amplifiers were made for Rickenbacker by National in the 30's and 40's, all of the M series amps were made at and by the Rickenbacker company. There is no apparent evidence to suggest otherwise.

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Fri Nov 28, 2003 2:59 pm

Looks to be MINT!

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Fri Nov 28, 2003 3:01 pm

Whoops! My post didnt go thru! I bought M-8E tonite on Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2577002727&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOAB:US:6