Electra MPC Module 5 - Power Overdrive https://web.archive.org/web/20101103044517/http://www.rivercityamps...

The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20101103044517/http://www.rivercityamps.com:80/e…

Electra Electra MPC MPC
Catalogs Collections Links
Forums History Circuits Modules
This original version of the Electra Page is maintained for archival reference.
For the most complete information on Electra guitars, including new user-posted pictures, visit the new
Electra Guitar Page

ELECTRA MODELS:
LP style MPC
2242 Models MPC 5 - Power Overdrive
2244 X120
2249 X310 Electra Catalog Description
2252 X320
2254 X330 30% volume increase with the flick of a switch.
2256 X340 Lets you change from mild rhythm or soft lead to
2264 X350 pure power leads with rich harmonic overtones.
2264n X610
X110 X620
X210 X710
X220 X720
X230 X730
X240 X740
X810
ES-335 X910
style X930
2207 X940
2221 X950
2227 X960
2229
2266 Original
2267 designs:
2281
X410 Phoenix
X420 models
X420VS X110
X130 Above is a stock MPC 05 Power Overdrive module. Below are it's insides.
SG style X135
2247 X140
2259 X145
X149
Flying X150
Vee X155
2236 X160
X165
Strat X175
style X180
2263wc X185
2275b X189
2275c X190
2275n X195

1 of 3 7/7/2021, 11:15 AM
Electra MPC Module 5 - Power Overdrive https://web.archive.org/web/20101103044517/http://www.rivercityamps...

2275s X199
Phoenix
Tele basses
style X630
2238wc X635
2248wc X640
2253w X650
2253wc X695
2270c
Pointy
F-bass models
style XV2GR/
2271 XV3GR
2273 X1PW/
X2RD
XV1
G-bass
style Pointy
2250 basses
2261 X700
Power Overdrive sound file
R-bass Other
style original
2288 models: John Thornburg's modified Power Overdrive sound file
2289 X250
John Thornburg is offering a modification for the Power
X260
Overdrive module that I feel is really worthwhile. I recently
X270
picked up a modified MPC05 from John, and I love it! It has
X280
quite a bit more bite than the stock MPC05 in my opinion. I
X290
would liken John's modified module to be very much like the
X510
vintage Electro Harmonix LPB-1's I used to use in the 70's. Let's
X935
face it, the stock MPC05 Power Overdrive is an ok overdrive
X935CS
unit, but John's modification makes it a great overdrive unit. For
more info, email him directly at jthornburg@sigecom.net .

Review by Mike C

Most MPC models came with two standard modules, the Phase Shifter and Power
Overdrive. The Overdrive module provides some additional volume and sustain. It
is not as easily recognizable as say a Phaser, but it can help if you are playing against
stronger amps or other equipment, or if you just want more sustain.

Review by Webmaster

The Power Overdrive reminds me of an icon from the 70's, the Electro Harmonix
LPB-1. I loved the LPB-1 and I love the Power Overdrive. At the flick of the switch
you can overdrive your tube amp just a little bit more for some smooth distortion or
a little extra volume if needed. Simple, but very useful. I highly recommend John
Thornburgs mod to the MPC05, the improvement is amazing!

2 of 3 7/7/2021, 11:15 AM
Electra MPC Module 5 - Power Overdrive https://web.archive.org/web/20101103044517/http://www.rivercityamps...

Review by Steve H

I find this module to have neither power nor overdrive. The concept, as I
understand it, was to provide clean boost that you could use to overdrive an amp, or
boost a solo. The problem is that there just isn't much gain there. And there's often
quite a bit of noise. I know another MPC fan who has spent hours taking apart
MPC5 modules and attempting to modify them. He eventually came up with a nice
mod that gives much more gain, and yet keeps the tone beefy. Nice. Drop me an
email and I'll put you in contact with him. I've actually found some documentation
that suggests that there was two distinct versions of MPC5. The simple version looks
like the schematic linked on the MPC4 review page, except without the diodes on the
output. It is built using the MPC3 Treble/Bass Expander circuit board, with
different components in a modified layout. As a matter of fact, it is the exact same
circuit as the Dynamic Fuzz, leaving out a couple of diodes. They certainly were
keeping an eye on costs over there at SLM. There is a different version using two
transistors, also. I believe this to be the most common one.

Home

Electra, SLM, and their respective logos are trademarks of Saint Louis Music,
which has no affiliation or responsibility for this site. We thank SLM for bringing us some of the world's best
guitars.

3 of 3 7/7/2021, 11:15 AM