Grateful Dead Music Forum

How does the Mutron Micro V stack up against the Mutron III? It's a cool looking little box and I've seen them come up now and again...but does it deliver?

I had both back in the early 80s. The short answer is, no, in my opinion; it doesn't really deliver ... there's not much adjustment available in the sound and it's out-of-the-box sound is not really Jerry's signature sound.

It's been years since I have played a III, so consider that. I currently have a V which I just got back from Richard Lingenberg who is the top Mutron tech around. My take is there may be more sounds in the III, but the few that the V get really nail some great tones and are plenty for the few times one would use an ECF. I am want for nothing in that regard.

The other huge pluses for me are that they are cheaper, have a smaller footprint and they work on 9 volts, not the bulky odd power supply required by the III. From all I can tell, the Mutron products were exceptional, but any of them at this point are going to need some work. The one I have now has new capacitors, all the connections resoldered, the pot and switch cleaned, was re-calibrated, was changed to hard wire bypass with an LED and the old weird DC pin connector was changed out to a Boss style.

I have played a number of other ECFs and other than the III, there isn't anything that can touch this for the sound most guys here would need it for.

I always thought it was designed for the bass.
Been here a few years and never seen anyone who used one for the Jerry sound.
If Playin' says it sucks it probably does.