Fender Super Twin distortion circuit

[drewl]

So, does this distortion circuit in the 180w Super Twin sound like crap, or there a problem with this amp?

[g1]

Like the pull distortion on the SF twins?

[Justin Thomas]

I'm sure I'll be in the minority here, but, it's OKAY if you're playing it loud. REALLY loud. It's also a very dated distortion sound, and great for the kinds of music by the people who played the amps. I think The Nuge is the only one I know of. It's definitely good at ONE thing, and only that one thing. But yes, the general consensus is that if it sounds like Butt-Ass-Crap, the distortion circuit is working just fine. Is it otherwise loud and clean? And the active tone controls are definitely an "acquired taste." Seriously, if you play it CRAP-THAT-HURTS loud, it's an okay amp!

There are actually two different versions of that distortion circuit, one using an inductors, and two different versions of schematic to prove it. But good luck finding both!

Justin

@ g1: no, this one is definitely worse. I tried the "bypass the Reverb tank a la the pull switch" on a Dual Showman Reverb... I thought it sounded pretty good, but I'm a straight-up punk rocker, so I would. DEFINITELY better than the Super Twin. I had both at the same time to compare.

[drewl]

Yes, this version V3 and the distortion is wired totally different from the schematic I have.

I'll see if I can find the correct one.

This has a boost circuit which is not on the schematic.
That and the EQ sound good, but the distortion is worse than any I've seen or heard in a Fender.

[olddawg]

If it's a "closet classic" the 6 RCA output tubes might be worth more than the amp. I second the opinion that the distortion in these amps sounds like ass no matter what you do to it or what version it is. It's a decent pedal platform set up clean. But... it sure is a beast to lug around and I doubt that you will ever turn it up much unless you are playing an arena.

[drewl]

It's a player, only original tubes are the AU/AT.

Seems I asked this question ten years ago, my how time flies.

I love how this forum gives you those similar links down the bottom.
Went on a journey and even found a circuit description.

[g1]

If you're seeing one of these every ten years you must be the resident expert. Do you have a forklift?

[Justin Thomas]

The one i had - it wasn't THAT loud, so I didn't think 2W/lb was really that efficient. But, I got it for $100, put in a power switch, power tubes, and a Volume pot, and replaced one of the tone control chokes with a 5W wirewound resostor (by measuring the resistances of the other 4 chokes, and following the trend) (and it actually sorta-worked!) and sold it for $400 to a guy who played in a loud metal band and wanted the cleanest all-tube amp he could get. Perfect fit! I had fun in the month I owned it. And yes, it WAS a great pedal amp!

Justin

[drewl]

It sounds pretty good when dialed in and with eq and boost you have three gain/volume boosts.

The distortion pot is open except for the two far extremes of rotation, so I wasn't going to replace it if it's never used and sounds horrible.
I did sub one in to see if that was why it sounded bad-nope.

So I hard wired the clean side, and when you crank the distortion up you get a better mix of the two and sounds better!

I think I worked on this same amp ten years ago.

[Justin Thomas]

Dang it, now everyone is going to mod them and make them better and famous people will use them again and I won't be able to get them on the cheap anymore.

Justin

[drewl]

Ha, it's not that much better.

But it is heavier in the flight case.
As heavy as the SVT & case also in this week.

There goes my back.