Electra X330

Late 70's Japan made LP copy. Fiveway roto switch for chaging the tones up (does phase, out of phase, and normal wirings) no 3 way switch for normal switching (But those options are within the 5 way roto) and then you got a master volume and tone, then two other pots matched with two way on/off switches that control the MPC's. Super light, 7.2lbs when I weighed it yesterday.

Mine has a Phaser! :)

Definatly a unique sounding guitar. With the effects off the rotary knob gave me lots of sonic versatility. I really fell in love with the bridge pickup. Lots of highs without really overshadowing the mids. The neck pickup I found way to bassy.

The phaser sound I got out of the onboard MPC was great! I found it very close to a block logo MXR Phase 90. And when you throw the 'color' switch it just warms everything up nicely! Definatly better than my Boss foot stomp.

However with the effects on, the pickups just start to sound like ass. But the guitar still sounds good in a diffrent way...

I tried out the fuzz one as well...yea...that was garbage

Mine is really beat all to hell ont he back and sides, but the laminated maple top is still very beautiful. Definatly better than any current Epi flame top finish. (same kind of poly laquer I believe.)

The guitar did need a bit of adjustment, and there was a burr in the brass nut, but other than that the guitar was fine. And when setup to my preference the thing played georgeously!

Can't jump around with it. But that might be a simple resolder, or cleaning of the electronics. When I tap on the top of the gutiar behind the tailpiece I get a loud electronics sriek, with the effects on or off. Gonna look into that in the near future.

To gig withou a backup with this one would be iffy... But I always have my Es-335 on hand anyways.

Since it does rely on batteries, and it's a very electronic guitar I will have to give a lower rating. But if it we're just a Les Paul copy, it would recieve a 9.

company don't exist. But my local shop is doing everything they can for me.

been playing for almost a decade now, have had many vintage and newer gutiars come and go, but this one is a favorite of mine. Will probably keep for a few years to come. Definatly something you don't see everyday!

Elactra x330 made in japan 1981 MPC model with set neck. mahogany? I doubt it, probably basswood, Laminated top, guitar is light, not heavy like a real les paul. maple neck , rosewood fretboard, active and passive depending on whether you use the modules or not. Nice grover tuners, sunburst color, with the electra peace sign on the headsrock in MOP.

This is where this guitar failed, the guitar was unplayable because the neck was bent to concave or downward as you look down the neck.
The truss rod adjustment did nothing to help. The guitar is good for firewood only, not going to spend any money to try and straighten it up.

It has the worst fir and finish on any guitar i have ever owned, the fret ends are so sharp they will cut you and snag your shirt etc. frets are very uneven as you eyeball the lenghth of the fretboard, and some are sticking up higher than others. Hardware seems fine, only light pitting on tail piece, tuners were all loose though, and had to tighten them up. Pickups look ok, though never got to hear them due to neck problem. Also fret inlays are uneven and stick up on the fretboard, terrible craftsmanship. Over zealous on the Nitro at the edges of the neck where the binding is, you will have to sand it off, to have it feel right.

Will not playm hardware ok, fisish mediocre at best, strap buttons fine, cannot depend on this junk.

N/A

been playing 8 years, but palyed in the early seventies for a few years also. own a peavey horizon II Us made, the finest guitar made in the U.S period. I have owned fender strats U.S. made, teles, and les pauls, I would own any peavey guitar over any of them any day especially these silly japanese les paul copies, they are absolute junk, good for firewood on a cold night. I do not understand the high ratings some are giving this lousy crappy made guitar, I hate it.
Instead get a quality peavey us made tracer, vandenberg or horizon, and you will see what quality craftsmanship is all about. If it were stolen, the person who spent his energy stealing it would be pissed at this junk, I wish someone would steal it, or it will become firewood this winter.

Electra, greco, ibanez, orville, burny and others are all similar les paul copies from japan's 70s and 80s period, and they all differ in quality, but none of them are worth a flip as far as I'm concernbed.

X-330 model (late 70's or even 1980), made in Japan. Cherry Sunburst Les Paul Stylewith a killer flame top

The sustain and feel are awesome! I find the original pickups a bit harsh, I'm considering Duncans. With the MPC modules (12 available but HARD to find) the sounds are unlimited...I particularly like the phaser (tried 4 different ones, loved 3, just liked one :-)

Remarkably well put together guitar with fit and finish that puts 70's Gibsons to shame.

Takes a knocking and keeps on rocking!

St.Louis Music originally imported and marketed these Electra MPC guitars. That company evolved into Westone then into Crate...so there's no Customer support for this guitar.

I've been playing since about 1974. I've owned about 30 guitars including a 1969 Gibson Goldtop Les Paul and a 1975 Gibson LP Deluxe. I've also owned 2 other Electra Les Pauls...this one is the best of the bunch and a keeper!

The Electra MPC Guitar Page is BACK!!!
check it out at;
<p><a href="http://www.herons.ca/electra">www.herons.ca/electra</a></p>

Early 70's Les Paul look-alike. Two internal modules work off a 9 volt battery. (unplug the battery when not playing, it goes through batteries like water otherwise) Solid body, firm neck. finsh is high gloss and well painted(deep tones)

Crisp sound with reasonable pressure on the neck. High end notes are clear. Bass strings are deeper tone than Fender strat/tele. My two modules are wah-wah and vibrato. Nice touch but a late model pedal does much more

No production flaws. well built. Factory setup unknown.

Very durable. Has survived some bangs without any change in tone and very little body damage. Rather heavy. A wide strap helps with shoulder strain. Never failed to play well even after long periods of inactivity.

The company has been out of business for some time. I've never needed significant repairs!

Very dependable yet heavy 6-string. Newer lesser quality guitars are not as good as this old knock off!

Lots of neat controls, just like a space ship. But I dunno what they do.

I don't have the effect board things, and have never had them, so it sounds just like a normal guitar, except when playing clean, it is muffled and distorted. Maybe thats just from stuff spilled on it or something.

There are some imperfections under the clear coat, but other than that is has a very very good paint job. The pickups are a little odd though. Oh well. And the hardware is oxidized pretty bad. Oh well to that too

I bought this guitar in 1995 for $250. Since then, it has been dropped, got stuff spilled on it and been stepped on many times. I also bought a brand new telecaster a few years ago. It got dropped and then broke. I guess this means that they don't make them like they used.

I don't think they are around anymore

I've been playing for 6 years, this guitar is better than any new ones I have bought, but just as good as other old ones.

This is an Electra, Model X330, Serial No. 09881. Generally, guitar people refer to this model as an Electra MPC. It contains active electronics powered by a 9 volt battery for overdrive and phase shifting. Made approximately 1979 in Japan. I believe that at that time, a few of the Japanese makers made the best solid body electrics. Features: Headstock has Electra peace sign style logo in abalone; has the word "Electra" spelled out as well in abalone; 22 frets, rosewood fretboard with 10 abalone inlays; Les Paul style neck, body and bridge; Electra tuners; neck and bridge humbuckers; five way selection switch for different pickup configurations; volume, tone, overdrive and phase shifter controls; one toggle switch to turn on overdrive; one toggle switch to turn on phase shifter.

My music style is anything I feel like playing. It can cover metal, straight rock, blues, jazz, fusion and country. I use this guitar with a Music Man HD-150 head and 412-GS cabinet. The guitar can be noisy with the overdrive engaged. I generally do not use it as the pickups are generally hot enough for me. There are times that I am not satisfied with the bridge pickup sound, which can get colored in sort of a saccharin way. I've thought about changing the pickup, changing pots, etc. If anyone knows what I'm talking about and you got some ideas for a good mod, then contact me. This has been an ongoing situation every since my mom bought me this guitar in 1979. I love the phase shifter sound. If you like the hard rocking Neil Young sort of vibe, then you would probably love the sound of this guitar.

As I said, my mom bought me this guitar in 1979. She spent too much money on it at a guitar store in Fayetteville, AR, where she paid retail. I saw a pretty good example of one of these in late 1999 in Oklahoma City, OK, for about $350.00 used. Still, in 1979, I played every guitar in the shop. It was much, much better than any new Gibson or Fender in the shop. This shop had a 25th anniversay Stratocaster and the seventh Peavey guitar ever made. They did not come close in fit and finish of the Electra. In terms of 1979 standards, I'd give this guitar a 10. In terms of 1999 standards, I'd give it a 7-8. The neck is glued on.

This is a solid guitar. I've used it for live gig playing without a backup many times. It has very good craftsmanship. The finish is very good. However, this guitar contains electronic modules for distortion and for phase shifting. They are plug ins. I've put cotton around the modules to make sure they stay firmly in place. They can come loose if you jump around and don't make this modification. Still, this guitar has taken heavy drops, one or two onto bricks. It still looks very good even though it's got some unique chips in a couple places. It plays better than ever. I think some girl accidentally poured huge glass of some alcohol all over it once. I'd rate it a 9 for 1979. For 1999, I'd rate it an 8. Warning, this is a heavy guitar. Very heavy. I think other modules types were made but I do not know what they were.

Never needed so don't know. I don't think St. Louis Music, which had these made in Japan, is in business.

I've been playing for about 30 years. I've studied at North Texas State and with Eldon Shamblin (If you don't know who he is then go get one of those history of Fender books and you'll see his picture in there holding a gold Stratocaster.). Eldon has played my Electra. I don't think I played his gold Stratocaster. I own other guitars/basses made by Music Man, Tacoma and Hirade. If this guitar were stolen or lost, then I might not replace it with another Electra. First, it is heavy. Second, there are other guitars to experience. On the used market, these guitars can represent just about the best value for money as players. BE WARNED: THERE ARE OTHER GUITARS CALLED ELECTRA FLOATING AROUND THAT ARE CRAP. I would look for the double E Electra peace sign logo and a lot of abalone in the neck and headstock. I'd be weary if you don't see the peace sign logo and the abalone. If they aren't there, then you most likely got a cheap imitation. You should be able to find one of these in good to near mint condition for under $500. What I love about this guitar is the quality of construction and quality of materials used. What I don't like all the time is the sound of the bridge pickup. Sometimes, I want to replace it. Sometimes, I'm happy with it. What I don't like is how heavy it is. But, I love the versatility. I love how it plays. Honestly, I have not played a Les Paul that I would consider a better guitar. I've played a 1956 Fender Stratocaster that I consider a better guitar. I played a recent issue George Fullerton G&L that may be better (which I think I'm gonna buy in the next couple of days). No solid body electric is perfect to my mind. I'd rate these other two guitars as 8-9, so I'll rate my Electra overall as a 7-8. As a value for money, I'd easily rate it a 10 if you can get a good one under $500. I wish that the company in Japan that made these and St. Louis Music continued on up until now as a happy and profitable enterprise. But, that did not occur for whatever reasons. I think St. Louis Music dropped the Electra name due to others using it and went to another brand name that fizzled with crazy new wave looking guitars. So, the Electra brand is an historical oddity. Today, I saw some shop here in town selling a late 1970s Stratocaster for around $800, which is a ridiculous amount of money for a dark age CBS Fender. But, people will line up to pay it. As an historical oddity, an Electra OF THE SAME PERIOD could never fetch that kind of money even though it is considerably better all the way around. So, I would only buy as a player rather than as a collector.