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Redplating Fender Super Twin Reverb.

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  • Redplating Fender Super Twin Reverb.

    Hi,

    New here, but have had success in the past with other forums!! I have a '78 Fender Super Twin Reverb (blackface) that has a power tube redplating. I know it's a beast, and some say to put it out on the curb. But it's loud if not heavy. The first tube from the power side is redplating. I pulled the chassis, and the 2 resistors on # 3 are burned to a crips. Everything I've read pertain to 4 power tube amps, this has 6. So I want to replace the resistors and see what happens, maybe still redplating. I quess my question is where can I find replacement resistors?. RadioShack? Thanks, Mark.

  • #2
    Antique Electronics Supply for all your amp needs https://www.tubesandmore.com/

    Or Mouser when you need to go a little deeper https://www.mouser.com/

    Consider replacing that tube.
    It's weird, because it WAS working fine.....

    Comment


    • #3
      Thanks Randall, is it weird that the tube with the bad resistors isn't redplating? I've 2 new tubes!

      Comment


      • #4
        Just an FYI, don't let the cosmetics fool you: this thing is about as far from a BlackFace amp as you can get. It's not a Super "Twin Reverb." It's a "Super Twin" WITH Reverb. The first gain stage is different, the Tone Stacks are different, the output is different, etc. About the only thing it has in common with a Twin Reverb is the 2x12" speakers.

        This thing is more akin to the 400PS, 300PS, & PA160.

        Justin
        Last edited by tboy; 12-01-2017, 06:25 AM. Reason: typo
        "Wow it's red! That doesn't look like the standard Marshall red. It's more like hooker lipstick/clown nose/poodle pecker red." - Chuck H. -
        "Of course that means playing **LOUD** , best but useless solution to modern sissy snowflake players." - J.M. Fahey -
        "All I ever managed to do with that amp was... kill small rodents within a 50 yard radius of my practice building." - Tone Meister -

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        • #5
          Here are a few sites using Google Shopping:
          https://www.google.com/search?q=1500...w=1360&bih=689

          https://www.google.com/search?q=470+...&bih=689&dpr=1

          And the schematic: Fender-Super-Twin-Reverb-180W-Schematic.pdf

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Mljbone View Post
            Thanks Randall, is it weird that the tube with the bad resistors isn't redplating? I've 2 new tubes!
            If the 470 ohm screen resistor is open, then the tube will not conduct.
            Hence, no red plating.

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            • #7
              I never thought of the first gain stage cap making all that much difference; whenever i work on any of those amps I end up diode biasing that stage and making them all sound the same.

              I can't hang my hat on that treble cap in the tonestack making all that much difference either. Yeah, it's different, but not like it's night and day.

              I always thought that the additional gain stage is what made the preamp different, in a way that isn't particularly that appealing. What else is different? Perhaps most significant to me is that the STR is a single channel amp that lacks tremolo, while the TR is a conventional Fender dual channel tremolo amp. That tremolo difference is HUGE!

              The STR is an amp that appeals to an entirely different kind of player than a BFTR, IMO.
              "Stand back, I'm holding a calculator." - chinrest

              "I happen to have an original 1955 Stratocaster! The neck and body have been replaced with top quality Warmoth parts, I upgraded the hardware and put in custom, hand wound pickups. It's fabulous. There's nothing like that vintage tone or owning an original." - Chuck H

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              • #8
                Thanks for the input! I picked up 470 ohm and 1500 resistors to replace on that power tube socket. But they are 2 watt , I'm not sure if that makes a difference I think they need to be 1 Watt. Also is there a way to tighten up the power tube connections inside the socket, some of them look like they're open. I was told loose ones could cause my red plating problem. THANKS!

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                • #9
                  When you look down the tube socket insets, are they wrap-around or fork-style terminals? The wrap-around type are easy to re-tension, using a very tiny bladed screwdriver to somewhat close down the opening without preventing pin insertion in the process. The forked terminals require a much smaller but stiff tool that can enter in the narrow slot that keeps them captive and aligned for mating with the tube pin. They're a bit tricky to bend in a bit in the attempt to make a tighter fit again.

                  With regards to the wattage on the screen resistors, I normally use Metal Oxide power resistors. There are two sizes available for each wattage up to 5W. MO2 is the larger 2W body size, and MO2S is a smaller 2W body. A MO2S looks like a MO1 in size. The real difference is surface temperature under load. A MO2S will run hotter than a MO2
                  Logic is an organized way of going wrong with confidence

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                  • #10
                    Thanks nevetslab, they're wrap around.

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                    • #11
                      With regards to your resistor wattage question, you can always go up in wattage with resistors. A 1 watt is built to withstand 1 watt of power, where a 2 watt will withstand 2 watts of power, so in your case, not a bad thing to go to 2 watts.
                      It's weird, because it WAS working fine.....

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                      • #12
                        Thanks Randall!

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                        • #13
                          So I replaced the resistors on the 3rd power tube socket. Plugged the head in to check output on pin number 5 on all sockets. Started with the first 3 with -53.6v the others at -49.1v. Waited a minute or two and went back to check output. They climbed up to -59.1v and -53.4. Then the resistors on first socket zorched and the fuse burned out. This socket is the one with red plating issues. Any ideas?

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                          • #14
                            You have an obvious arc, if there were no tubes. The resistor has no circuit, it goes to a socket pin and stops. Even with a tube in the socket, it goes to a grid, which is a wire hanging in space. To get that resistor to burn up, it has to have current from somewher, and most likely is pin 4 next to is, several hundred volts different. I'd replace that socket.
                            Education is what you're left with after you have forgotten what you have learned.

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                            • #15
                              Thanks for the information Enzo!

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