fender reverb tank, eats signal. How can I change it?

[kjello]

Just bought a reverb tank and I really like the sound of it. I don?t like the way it eats the signal though. I use an es-330 on a 1958 deluxe and and I love the direct sound of them together.
Some say that changing the tubes to NOS will make it sound better, but will it still eat the signal?
Are there any rewiring I can do?

[Rob Mercure]

If I understand your post you're adding an complete external reverb unit to your setup? Around these parts a "reverb tank" refers to the electromechanical setup within the unit that creates the delay - also called a "pan" - and not the complete unit. Thus my confusion.

Now if the problem is as I assume then NOS tubes won't make a significant difference unless the tubes in current use are defective and then any good tube would help.

You told us what the guitar and amp are, how about providing the same on the reverb unit then someone would probably know if that particular model was bad for "eating" signal (which I presume to mean dropping signal level, as opposed to changing the tone, etc. - again , better terminology gets better results) and we'll do out best.

Cheers

Rob

[kjello]

Yes, sorry about that. Off course it?s a RI fender 63?reverb unit. This particular one is a limited edition with a tweed finnish, but I belive it?s the same unit on the inside.
My problem is that the more I open the mix pot, the softer and less direct the sound becomes.....!
I read on harmony central that some have had the same problems, but no one seems to know what to do about it.
I dont know if the original ones had the same problem.

thanks!

kjello

[mac1amps]

It sounds to me like there may be something wrong with your "stand alone" reverb head. I also own a RI reverb unit, which I use with various amps (4 different Bassman heads, a 2x10 Super Amp, a Pro Jr., just to name a few), and I've never experienced any signal "loading" (i.e. reduced gain) with any of them. Like everything else, the old ones DO tend to have a particular "sweetness" mojo about them, but with respect to "loading" the signal, I've never run into that with the old ones OR the re-issues (FWIW, in addition to being a player, I've also serviced gear for 35+ years, so I've seen a number of them over the years).
Maybe mine sounds better because of the brown tolex

[broadway]

I just bought a '70s silverface reverb unit, slightly different circuit but quite similar.
I also find that it loads the signal significantly. Changing out the tubes had little to no effect on this phenom.
Anyone else care to weigh in on this?
Cheers

[Enzo]

Loads the signal? Or has low output?

[broadway]

Has low output, that is, the rig is noticeably less loud with the unit in the chain. This is w/ or w/o other effects.
other-wise the unit sounds good, if a tad thin/metallic.
I've tried it in front of a 1484 and a gibson ga40.
Any suggestions?
I'm fairly sure that the unit is capable of sounding awesome.
cheers

[loudthud]

There is bound to be some attenuation of the dry signal as the mix control is rotated to the wet side. This will be much worse if the amp's #2 input is used. With the reverb muted by the footswitch, does the unit still eat the signal at all positions of the Mix control? Can you get some signal back by reducing the mix control and turning up the Dwell?

[broadway]

there is attenuation in all scenarios (scenaria?).
There is, as you said, more so as the wet signal is dialed in.
But yes, the unit eats some signal w/ footswitch on or off, disengaged,
what have you. Sounds generally good though. Would like it to sound its best.
Any thoughts?
Thanks loads for your reply(ies)/input.
Broadway