Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this video, we'll look at an amp from 1961 that was sent to be repaired and modified. We will replace power cord and caps, redesign the circuit, replace the speaker with a Signature Series Weber AlNiCo, add a zobel network (Boucherot Cell) across the output transformer, and finally test it out with my cheap Fesley FLP900. We end up with what I believe is one of the best guitar amplifiers I've ever modded.
FESLEY FLP900: amzn.to/49X0u2R
Coin Guitar Pick: coinguitarpicks.com/product/65-69-us-half-dollar-40-silver-u-choose
The Rickenbacker Electro M-8E was $79.50 in 1961, and was comparable in size and power to a Tweed Fender Champ or Princeton. The M-8E had a larger cabinet than the M-8 model. Together they sat at the bottom of a range of Rickenbacker amplifiers that, today, are relatively scarce. With stiff competition from companies like Fender, Gibson, Ampeg, and a host of other inexpensive brands like Silvertone and Valco, it seems Rickenbacker wasn't able to sell many of these at the time, and they are hardly seen today outside of music dealer inventory or private collections.
0:00 Opening the Box
1:20 Rickenbacker M-8E Electro First Look & History
8:06 Schematics
10:10 FIRST POWER UP...NO MODS OR REPAIRS
15:40 Transformer Straightening
19:09 Rewiring Power Section
27:56 Replacing Jensen w/ Weber Signature Series Speaker & Test
32:01 Installing a Zobel Network on the Amp's Output
38:09 Adding a Speaker Jack and Zobel Network Switch
41:21 FINAL DEMO / TONE TEST
*SHOW YOUR SUPPORT*
1: Become a Member on Locals: theguitologist.locals.com
2: Donate via Paypal: paypal.me/guitologist?locale.x=en_US
3: Buy Merch: bit.ly/GuitologistMerch
4: Send in Viewer Mail. (Contact Me for details at electrictoothsyndrome@gmail.com)
5: Purchase an ad! (Rate sheets available upon request at email above.)
6: Buy something from a sponsor and tell them I sent you.
7: Stand in the middle of the street naked screaming "LONG LIVE THE GUITOLOGIST!" Then when the cops arrive, tell them about my channel.
8: SUBSCRIBE TO THE FIXOLOGIST CHANNEL: youtube.com/@fixologist1
♠RECOMMENDED BOOKS
-RCA TUBE MANUAL amzn.to/2GOBVqS
-Designing Tube Preamps for Guitar and Bass: amzn.to/2DK5tmt
-DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF TUBE AMPLIFIERS: amzn.to/2HSNMne
#guitar #electronics #restoration
In this video, we'll look at an amp from 1961 that was sent to be repaired and modified. We will replace power cord and caps, redesign the circuit, replace the speaker with a Signature Series Weber AlNiCo, add a zobel network (Boucherot Cell) across the output transformer, and finally test it out with my cheap Fesley FLP900. We end up with what I believe is one of the best guitar amplifiers I've ever modded.
FESLEY FLP900: amzn.to/49X0u2R
Coin Guitar Pick: coinguitarpicks.com/product/65-69-us-half-dollar-40-silver-u-choose
The Rickenbacker Electro M-8E was $79.50 in 1961, and was comparable in size and power to a Tweed Fender Champ or Princeton. The M-8E had a larger cabinet than the M-8 model. Together they sat at the bottom of a range of Rickenbacker amplifiers that, today, are relatively scarce. With stiff competition from companies like Fender, Gibson, Ampeg, and a host of other inexpensive brands like Silvertone and Valco, it seems Rickenbacker wasn't able to sell many of these at the time, and they are hardly seen today outside of music dealer inventory or private collections.
0:00 Opening the Box
1:20 Rickenbacker M-8E Electro First Look & History
8:06 Schematics
10:10 FIRST POWER UP...NO MODS OR REPAIRS
15:40 Transformer Straightening
19:09 Rewiring Power Section
27:56 Replacing Jensen w/ Weber Signature Series Speaker & Test
32:01 Installing a Zobel Network on the Amp's Output
38:09 Adding a Speaker Jack and Zobel Network Switch
41:21 FINAL DEMO / TONE TEST
*SHOW YOUR SUPPORT*
1: Become a Member on Locals: theguitologist.locals.com
2: Donate via Paypal: paypal.me/guitologist?locale.x=en_US
3: Buy Merch: bit.ly/GuitologistMerch
4: Send in Viewer Mail. (Contact Me for details at electrictoothsyndrome@gmail.com)
5: Purchase an ad! (Rate sheets available upon request at email above.)
6: Buy something from a sponsor and tell them I sent you.
7: Stand in the middle of the street naked screaming "LONG LIVE THE GUITOLOGIST!" Then when the cops arrive, tell them about my channel.
8: SUBSCRIBE TO THE FIXOLOGIST CHANNEL: youtube.com/@fixologist1
♠RECOMMENDED BOOKS
-RCA TUBE MANUAL amzn.to/2GOBVqS
-Designing Tube Preamps for Guitar and Bass: amzn.to/2DK5tmt
-DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF TUBE AMPLIFIERS: amzn.to/2HSNMne
#guitar #electronics #restoration
