I bought this guitar used off of eBay in Summer 2003 for only $232 delivered (I just couldn't pass up a set-neck Electra MPC for such a low price). It was ultimately somewhat less of a bargain (see below), but it should satisfy any urge to buy a Les Paul in the forseeable future. Electra guitars of the '70s and early '80s were known for a high level of craftsmanship (especially relative to the Gibsons and Fenders of the day). Several MPC models were produced, which featured controls for 2 built-in, interchangeable effects modules. These modules were powered by an internal 9 Volt battery, although the pickups themselves were passive. Mine came with MPC01 and MPC03 (phase shifter and treble/bass expander, respectively). I subsequently bought one of John Thornburg's modded MPC05 Power Overdrive modules. (For more Electra MPC info, check The Electra MPC Page.)
Although Electra had several endorsees in the 1970s, the only person I had ever seen playing one was Todd of Memphis hardcore stalwarts His Hero is Gone. Until it fell apart on him while on tour in Europe in 1998, his main guitar (the one stickered "INFEST" on the headstock) was a bolt-neck non-MPC Electra, probably a X-280 Workingman. Although they tuned down very low, he always got a great sound out of his Electra. My Ultima guitar has the same basic body shape, similar to a slab-bodied Les Paul, but with a somewhat Telecaster-like upper bout on the bass side (and slightly easier access to the highest frets on the treble side). Its neck is slightly skinnier (across the fretboard) than a real 'Paul, and it has a Fender-width string spacing (2.07" instead of 1.925") at its stock all-brass bridge. Alas, its tune-o-matic bridge/stop tailpiece has the same sloppy fit of all Gibsons ever made, and its odd string spacing makes it unlikely TonePros will ever offer locking replacement parts.
[ back view | lying in its case ]
[ body, front and back | "fan" headstock ]
Upon receiving this guitar, there were many more dings in the body than I'd thought there would be, plus some checking in the lacquer (did they use nitro lacquer?), but you really have to expect that with anything used bought off eBay. (Besides, it also means I can have fun playing it without worrying about scuff marks.) In addition, the finish looks more brown than red; that and a couple of sloppily-finished areas of the guitar make me think it could be a refin. Anyway, I wasn't looking to modify this guitar (honest!), but there were several problems that had to be addressed before it was playable. Relative to the neck pickup, the stock bridge pickup had very little output (indicating a short or break in the windings on the "hot" side, otherwise it would not make any sound?), with a DC resistance of over 250 kOhms on my multimeter. The pole pieces and pickup mounting screws were corroded (by sweat?) and a small amount of iron filings had congregated around the base of the pickup, either of which may explain the problem. Because the bridge pickup's pole pieces did not line up under the strings anyway, I was already thinking about replacing the bridge pickup even before I had plugged it in. Fortunately, I was able to find my first choice for a replacement locally (Duncan JB model, with Trembucker spacing). The other mods were cosmetic; I replaced the loose (non-stock?) jack plate with an Allparts rectangular jack plate and also replaced several screws. I also swapped out the (stock?) enormous fluted strap buttons with normal sized ones and re-glued the stock brass nut. In late 2003 I finally found a 1970s hard case [ front | interior, with case candy! ] that fits it perfectly, but is not specifically badged "Electra". I may also replace the neck pickup at some point in the future, and if I feel lucky I may upgrade the wiring for "true bypass" of the MPC effects.
I've now rocked out with this guitar many times, and even though it occasionally draws blood, my Ultima consistently puts a smile on my face. Even without its MPC effects, this guitar is one of the best high-gain/distorted-tone guitars I've ever played. The frets were a little low but level, making chording easy but bending notes somewhat difficult. I would have liked to have heard what the stock bridge pickup sounded like, but the replacement Duncan JB bridge pickup just screams. Tone-wise, this Electra has a pronounced emphasis on the low end (or the least emphasis on the high end?), more so than any guitar I've owned. I may someday dedicate it to C# tuning (all strings tuned one and half steps below standard). The stock neck pickup is also great; instead of farting out at high gain, it still retains note definition. Overall, this guitar is the closest to a Gibson Les Paul that I've ever owned, especially in terms of sustain; now I'd kind of like to hear how an Electra Invicta (same body shape and set neck, but non MPC) would sound. I'd bet the extra wood and mass due to the absence of the MPC effects rout would make it even more 'Paul-like.
Vital statistics:
- Serial number: 004093 (made in Japan)
- Body: ash
- Neck/fingerboard: 5-piece maple neck/rosewood 'board, with "bayonet" fixed neck joint
Scale length: 24 3/4"
Neck width:
- at nut: 1 11/16"
- at 12th fret: 1 15/16"
String spacing 2.07" at bridge
Neck radius: 10"
- String gauges (standard tuning):
GHS Nickel Rockers rollerwound strings, set R+RL (.046-.010)
- Electronics:
Pickups (polarity/DC resistance):
Neck: stock Electra Super Magnaflux (south/10.4 kOhms)
Bridge: Seymour Duncan SHTB-4 JB Trembucker (south/15.9 kOhms)
Controls:
3-way pickup toggle switch, coil tap switch, master volume, master tone; level and on/off toggle for two onboard effects MPC modules. Currently have MPC01 (phase shifter), MPC03 (treble/bass expander), and MPC05 (power overdrive, modded by John Thornburg).
