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Super Reverb-Amp

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  • #1

    Super Reverb-Amp

    The elderly lady said it hadn't been moved from the spot on her back porch in years. Her grandson had listed it on CL for her. At first glance it looked pretty grim, but I couldn't pass it up for the price.


    It appears to be a '66 if I'm reading the date code correctly. It's been modded long ago. The rectifier tube has been replaced with a diode bridge similar to a twin reverb, and capacitors have been replaced. There's no 5v tap on the PT, so it's obviously been replaced. Is this a good mod for these amps, or should I consider replacing the transformer and going back to original? I'd prefer a tone that was more like a twin reverb.

    I don't have a reverb tank, and I'm not sure which one to get. Any recommendations?

    I've got some cleaning to do. It's a mess.



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  • #2
    Interesting project

    Accutronics is the reverb tank manufacturer. Looks like you have a little work on your hands for the cosmetics, but all of the parts are readily available on the internet and for a few hundred buck and some elbow grease you can have it looking great. I own a Super Reverb and a couple of Twin Reverb amplifiers. Give the Super Reverb sound a chance before you go for the Twin Reverb sound. You can always make it cleaner sounding later if you like, but to me the beauty of this amp is the way it breaks up as you push it harder and the way it responds to your playing dynamics. A Twin Reverb has to be pushed much harder to get the same effect.

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    • #3
      looks like a cat got at it.
      I agree with gibsonman, restore it to a BF super, they are a great sounding amp.

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      • #4
        Originally posted by John_H View Post
        . There's no 5v tap on the PT, so it's obviously been replaced. Is this a good mod for these amps, or should I consider replacing the transformer and going back to original?

        You can try a Weber Copper Cap if there's no 5V tap for a rectifier tube without having to change the PT.

        http://www.webervst.com/ccap.html

        Looks like you've got your work cut out for you cleaning the amp!
        "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is."
        - Yogi Berra

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        • #5
          Originally posted by JoeM View Post
          You can try a Weber Copper Cap if there's no 5V tap for a rectifier tube without having to change the PT.
          +1 for the copper cap. Just don't drill any new holes in the chassis. I would completely restore the wiring to original specs with the copper cap in the rectifier tube socket and the 5v filament pin disconnected. If you want to replace the transformer in the future it would just be a drop in then . Make sure that you spec the PT secondary voltages so that you know they are correct with the existing transformer. Great score. You could restore it to near mint condition with a little time and effort and not too much investment. Does it have the original speakers too?

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          • #6
            I cleaned it up a little

            It looks a little better without all of the crud on it. The amp sounds really nice. So far the only problem has been a bad grid resistor.

            From what I can tell the accutronics reverb tank I need is the 4AB3C1B. I'm eager to hear how it sounds.

            The rectifier in it works fine. I'm probably going to convert it back though.

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            • #7
              This thing sounds great. I'm amazed at how quiet it is. The only problem was the toasted resistor. I've cleaned the pots, switches, jacks, and tube sockets. I replaced the power tubes with some Sylvanias I had on hand, and put a NOS RCA in the PI. I'm going to order new capacitors for it along with an original style PT. For right now though it sounds too good to mess with. I'm going to get materials for the cabinet tomorrow. I'm planning to do it as a twin, but I might build a head cabinet as well while I'm at it. I hope the reverb tank gets here soon.

              Originally posted by olddawg View Post
              Make sure that you spec the PT secondary voltages so that you know they are correct with the existing transformer. Great score. You could restore it to near mint condition with a little time and effort and not too much investment. Does it have the original speakers too?
              I was worried about voltages being elevated with the SS rectifier, but every things ok... I'm not too concerned about making it look mint, but I'll do the best I can with what I have to work with... I wish I had the speakers, and the cabinet. There's a single 15 in the crappy plywood box that it's in. It sounds good, just too woofy for me. I also plugged it into the speakers on my MusicMan 410HD, but my favorite is running through a 2X10 cab that I have. I'm really liking this amp.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by John_H View Post
                ... I'm planning to do it as a twin, but I might build a head cabinet as well while I'm at it.
                You may already know this, but the Super Reverb OT is for 2 ohms (4X10 parallel), so if you want a Twin with 2 X12 you'll need 4 ohm speakers.

                How high is the B+ with the PT it has now?
                "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is."
                - Yogi Berra

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by JoeM View Post
                  You may already know this, but the Super Reverb OT is for 2 ohms (4X10 parallel), so if you want a Twin with 2 X12 you'll need 4 ohm speakers.

                  How high is the B+ with the PT it has now?
                  No foolin' wow I had it stuck in my head that they were 4 ohm out. Good thing to know.

                  With 117v on the primary It's got 665v at the mains, 438v at the plates.

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                  • #10
                    You might want to look on eBay for a Super cab. I've seen a few go for a reasonable price. Seriously, you will love a blackface Super as a Super, self contained, four 10s, 2 ohm load. It will also be much more valuable and desireable. Here's one for $129 right now: Fender Pro Super Bandmaster Reverb Bassman 4Ten Amp Cab - eBay (item 370261145249 end time Oct-16-09 05:20:41 PDT)

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by olddawg View Post
                      You might want to look on eBay for a Super cab. I've seen a few go for a reasonable price. Seriously, you will love a blackface Super as a Super, self contained, four 10s, 2 ohm load. It will also be much more valuable and desireable. Here's one for $129 right now: Fender Pro Super Bandmaster Reverb Bassman 4Ten Amp Cab - eBay (item 370261145249 end time Oct-16-09 05:20:41 PDT)
                      $129 isn't bad, but the $199 for shipping is brutal. I'm sure your right about doing it as a Super. I agree it would be nice. I'll have to give it some thought. I've already got a couple big combos.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by John_H View Post
                        $129 isn't bad, but the $199 for shipping is brutal. I'm sure your right about doing it as a Super. I agree it would be nice. I'll have to give it some thought. I've already got a couple big combos.
                        I didn't notice that. I think it is a typo. I would PM him and ask. You should be able to ship it for under $40.

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