Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Need Help with Fender Twin Reverb

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Need Help with Fender Twin Reverb

    Just unpacked a used 65 Twin Reissue. Reverb not working. Have verified the footswitch is Okay. Pulled the tank and the output side (white RCA) can be heard through the speakers when tapped. The input side (red RCA) on the tank does nothing when tapped and the springs don't crash when rattled or shaken. the 12AT7 tubes and 12AX7 tubes all light up and warm up although not all the same. I am a guitarist not an electrician so a cap is what keeps the sun out of my eyes. Any suggestions before I take this to the shop? Bit of a bummer since I just got this. I could send it (ship it) back but I bought it right, very right and could not replace it. If I cannot fix this myself, any idea what the best and worse case cost might be?
    Thanks -
    Last edited by Fiveguitars; 02-19-2010, 11:06 PM. Reason: Spelling

  • #2
    When you pulled the tank did you look in it? Are the springs still all connected? It is not uncommon for the cores to get broken in shipping. (The cores attach to the spring ends). Sounds like the tank is bad as the output cable is giving you sound so the return circuit should be ok. With the return circuit working you should definitely hear a crashing sound when you shake the tank.
    Originally posted by Enzo
    I have a sign in my shop that says, "Never think up reasons not to check something."


    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by g-one View Post
      When you pulled the tank did you look in it? Are the springs still all connected? It is not uncommon for the cores to get broken in shipping. (The cores attach to the spring ends). Sounds like the tank is bad as the output cable is giving you sound so the return circuit should be ok. With the return circuit working you should definitely hear a crashing sound when you shake the tank.
      I took the tank out of the case and turned it over to check the connections. I did not check it for continuity but nothing looked broken or loose. The springs do not make a sound when shaken. When the Reverb is engaged (dial turn up) both with and without the footswith the tone of the amp clearly changes as if a signal is being sent. There are 2 12AT7 tubes so I swapped them to see if anything changed, no change. I also changed the phono patch cords with new ones I had to eliminate that as the possible problem. I frankly don't know exactly how the electrical side of the tank reverb works so I am fairly clueless. I just don't want to spend a lot of money chasing parts when I think this should be a fairly inexpensive fix once the problem is isolated.

      Comment


      • #4
        When you disconnect the cable at the tank marked "out" and touch it you get sound, and the sound is affected by turning the reverb control up or down, correct? If this is the case and the sound of touching the rca jack is a decent volume, then with the tank connected you will hear sound when shaking or touching the springs. If not the tank is bad.
        Originally posted by Enzo
        I have a sign in my shop that says, "Never think up reasons not to check something."


        Comment


        • #5
          I did not check it for continuity
          Well go back and do so. Pull the plugs from the jacks on the reverb pan, and check if either end shows an open transducer coil.
          Education is what you're left with after you have forgotten what you have learned.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Enzo View Post
            Well go back and do so. Pull the plugs from the jacks on the reverb pan, and check if either end shows an open transducer coil.
            Yesterday I took the Amp over to a friend who has the very same 65 Twin, even the same year and we connected his reverb tank to my amp and Voila, a fully functional reverb. Now this a good friend because he said go ahead and keep the tank and bring it back when your new one comes in. Thanks to everyone who helped me get this resolved. I guess you all can imagine what a bummer it is to get a new amp on a Friday afternoon that is not working properly. We'll I might be sellng it now because I plugged in my Strat, cranked it up to 6 or 7 and started knocking stuff off the shelves and tables in the house. My wife is not a happy camper. Somewhere I had read that you should not operate this amp at low volumes but can pull 2 of the power tubes to cut the wattage in half so you can crank up the volume and not destroy the house but also protect the amp. Responses to this???
            Thanks -

            Comment


            • #7
              Fender 65 Twin Reissue

              The twin amp is made to be clean.
              You do not have to turn it "up".
              There is no benefit.
              If you want "dirt", plug in an effects pedal.
              Simple. huh?

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Fiveguitars View Post
                Yesterday I took the Amp over to a friend who has the very same 65 Twin, even the same year and we connected his reverb tank to my amp and Voila, a fully functional reverb. Now this a good friend because he said go ahead and keep the tank and bring it back when your new one comes in. Thanks to everyone who helped me get this resolved. I guess you all can imagine what a bummer it is to get a new amp on a Friday afternoon that is not working properly. We'll I might be sellng it now because I plugged in my Strat, cranked it up to 6 or 7 and started knocking stuff off the shelves and tables in the house. My wife is not a happy camper. Somewhere I had read that you should not operate this amp at low volumes but can pull 2 of the power tubes to cut the wattage in half so you can crank up the volume and not destroy the house but also protect the amp. Responses to this???
                Thanks -
                Check to see if one of the green or black wires in the tank is cut right at the transducer or mostly likely, the little metal tab that is folded over on the wires to keep them in place.
                Sometimes you can barely see it is cut or shorted there.
                Bruce

                Mission Amps
                Denver, CO. 80022
                www.missionamps.com
                303-955-2412

                Comment

                Working...
                X