Fender super twin modification

[FSTwin]

I have this Fender super twin,it's a monster I was wondering if I take it to a tech can the rectifier circuit be changed from solid state to tube and is there a way to put in a switch to use either 2,4,or6 of the power tubes at a time limiting the power used and possibly getting a little more out of it distortion wise? HELP!!!!

[Jazz P Bass]

The Super Twin amplifiers are the holy grail of clean.
If the amp is not what you like, sell it.
Seriously.
Or put pedals in front of it for distortion.
You cannot "add" a tube rectifier.
The power transformer is not the same as the one in your amp.
As to dropping out tubes, it can be done but there are issues that are raised in the process.
Mainly, the output impedance changes when you do that.

[olddawg]

Not really. Not without spending a lot of money and ending up with a worthless monstrosity anyway. Just buy a smaller amp or a couple of smaller amps of different output wattages. You would still come out ahead.

[FSTwin]

thanks for the advice,regarding the rectifier iwasn't asking if I could "add"a rectifier I was asking if the rectifier could be changed from solid state to tube. I'm not too educated in electrical circuitry,I'm merely a musician. I quite like this amp but rather than buy another amp I was considering if it was possible to make this one a little more versatile.Thanks for your input.

[olddawg]

thanks for the advice,regarding the rectifier iwasn't asking if I could "add"a rectifier I was asking if the rectifier could be changed from solid state to tube. I'm not too educated in electrical circuitry,I'm merely a musician. I quite like this amp but rather than buy another amp I was considering if it was possible to make this one a little more versatile.Thanks for your input.

You cold always pull a couple of tubes and use a power soak. But really, a smaller amp like a Deluxe Reverb or something would do you well and probably also save your back in the long run.

[FSTwin]

yeah it's pretty heavy, I'm not a big fan of all these re-issues and the original gear is pretty costly!! I just saw an old fender deluxe ser.# 12 sell for 30K,but great tone.Anyways thanks for the advice I'll keep looking.

[olddawg]

yeah it's pretty heavy, I'm not a big fan of all these re-issues and the original gear is pretty costly!! I just saw an old fender deluxe ser.# 12 sell for 30K,but great tone.Anyways thanks for the advice I'll keep looking.

That price is from some psycho collector. You can find a gigable oldish (silver face for sure, maybe a black fack) DR from $750 to $1500 if you look around. It may not be cosmetically perfect or #12 but it will do the job. There are also a lot of boutique clones availble which are nice generally. I saw a 70s silverface DR in GC the other day for $850. They're around.

[Jazz P Bass]

thanks for the advice,regarding the rectifier iwasn't asking if I could "add"a rectifier I was asking if the rectifier could be changed from solid state to tube.

By changing the rectifier from solid state (ie: diodes) to a tube recifier, you are literally "adding" a tube to the circuit.
#1: there most likely is not a cutout in the chassis for the tube.
#2: as stated, the power transformer is different.

[Enzo]

Agreed, you'd be adding a tube rectifier circuit. Not only is there not likely a hole for it, there probably isn;t space for a new socket either. And yes, you'd need to add a 5v transformer. Not worth the effort.

[wagdog]

I have a super twin reverb. Stock, it was loud. loud. loud. and clean, and not super toneful.

I bought it to have something to tinker on, and ultimately built a ab763 twin inside of it. It's still loud, but it sounds really good.

That amp, in its stock form, just isn't going to sound that great. Sorry. And it doesn't sound good with pedals in front of it either (my opinion). Seriously, sell it if you can - I had a blast and learned a ton tearing mine apart and building something inside of it, but if that's not what you want to do, you will probably never love that amp. That "distortion" circuit.... wow.