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Post subject: 1978 (I believe) fender twin reverb ultralinear 135w
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2017 9:29 am
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Hello, I'm on the hunt for my first tube amp. At a local shop there's what I believe is a 78 twin reverb ultralinear 135w amplifier for $600. Now I understand that this thing goes from loud to louder, which I'm not 100% sure I need yet, as I'm not gigging at the moment. But if one day I start, I suppose this could be a nice pick up. I don't know exactly what parts have been replaced and what's still stock, I do know it was recently retubed. I'll try to find out more about it, but in the meantime, I'd like to hear from previous and current owners of the amp, is this a good price? Also what type of maintenence and repairs will I be in store for and how long do you think the amp will hold up? Thanks a lot!


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Post subject: Re: 1978 (I believe) fender twin reverb ultralinear 135w
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2017 2:36 am
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1978 Twin is a 180 watts or it is not a 1978 ? Picture will help
All Twins here;
http://ampwares.com/page/2/?brand=fender&line=twin

Without seeing inside ( by a qualified amp tech ) and knowing if tubes are good or almost new I'would not buy it.
Just one thing ; this amp use 6 power tubes $$$$ and may need a filter caps jobs.
Toooo heavy to carry and too powerfull.

Schematic;
http://ampwares.com/schematics/super_tw ... b_180w.pdf

Image


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Post subject: Re: 1978 (I believe) fender twin reverb ultralinear 135w
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2017 10:17 am
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No the one I'm looking at is a sliverface


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Post subject: Re: 1978 (I believe) fender twin reverb ultralinear 135w
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2017 11:23 am
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Silver Face amps are better than the one I talk about.

1979 SF are not very sough after amps If I'm right.
All Twin reverb are very heavy and loud.
These are vey well build amps, point to point amp no PC board.

It may require to see a tech to give you many years of good service. You may have to spend few hundred dollars for.
Same with any vintage amps with do not see a qualified tech.

With no picture from outside/ inside the amp I can't say more


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Post subject: Re: 1978 (I believe) fender twin reverb ultralinear 135w
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2017 11:40 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Silver Face amps are better than the one I talk about.

1979 SF are not very sough after amps If I'm right.
All Twin reverb are very heavy and loud.
These are vey well build amps, point to point amp no PC board.

It may require to see a tech to give you many years of good service. You may have to spend few hundred dollars for.
Same with any vintage amps with do not see a qualified tech.

With no picture from outside/ inside the amp I can't say more


The gentleman asked specifically for comments from people who have actually owned a '78 Twin Reverb.

Have you owned one?

Played one??

Even seen one???

Congratulations, you win this week's trophy......

Image

:roll:

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: 1978 (I believe) fender twin reverb ultralinear 135w
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2017 11:51 am
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The gentleman ask ;
..is this a good price? Also what type of maintenence and repairs will I be in store for and how long do you think the amp will hold up? Thanks a lot!


Welcome to the club Retro :lol:


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Post subject: Re: 1978 (I believe) fender twin reverb ultralinear 135w
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2017 12:01 pm
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Well really any info at all and all opinions are welcome. I'd just prefer to hear from people.who have owned one


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Post subject: Re: 1978 (I believe) fender twin reverb ultralinear 135w
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2017 12:10 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
Silver Face amps are better than the one I talk about.

1979 SF are not very sough after amps If I'm right.
All Twin reverb are very heavy and loud.
These are vey well build amps, point to point amp no PC board.

It may require to see a tech to give you many years of good service. You may have to spend few hundred dollars for.
Same with any vintage amps with do not see a qualified tech.

With no picture from outside/ inside the amp I can't say more


The gentleman asked specifically for comments from people who have actually owned a '78 Twin Reverb.

Have you owned one?
No

Played one??
Yes ,

Even seen one???

I fix few of them


Arjay


I hope this answer to your question


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Post subject: Re: 1978 (I believe) fender twin reverb ultralinear 135w
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2017 4:53 pm
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Breid94 wrote:
Well really any info at all and all opinions are welcome. I'd just prefer to hear from people.who have owned one


I've presented objective anecdotal testimony based on nearly forty years of ownership (near constant use for more than twenty-three of them) so ignore the worthless weenie-wagging and clueless chatter elsewhere then draw your own conclusions.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: 1978 (I believe) fender twin reverb ultralinear 135w
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 9:50 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Breid94 wrote:
Well really any info at all and all opinions are welcome. I'd just prefer to hear from people.who have owned one


I've presented objective anecdotal testimony based on nearly forty years of ownership (near constant use for more than twenty-three of them) so ignore the worthless weenie-wagging and clueless chatter elsewhere then draw your own conclusions.

Arjay


You really didn't give any info on the amp itself at all though. What was the objective anecdotal testimony?


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Post subject: Re: 1978 (I believe) fender twin reverb ultralinear 135w
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 11:10 am
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Quote:
I have a one-owner 1978 Twin Reverb and the amp has performed beyond reasonable expectations since I bought it. It was my only amp for over 23 years and only then did it require servicing when a power tube finally bit the dust and I opened it up for an inspection. A full re-tube and bias adjustment were all that were required to return it to full function. On the debit side, these amps are heavy......doubly so if premium speakers such as JBL's, EV's, or Cetec-Gauss are installed. They're also quite powerful and quite clean. Loudness can be controlled of course but for any expectation of organic OD or compression, forget about it. It requires pedals to make it growl. And forget about the master volume and the push-pull boost control -- totally worthless. A weak part of all Fender amps made after 1970 is the cabinet. It's a rabbet-joined box with a glued-in speaker baffle. The grill cloth is attached to a removable frame held fast with velcro strips. This frame is made of MDF and does not age gracefully, especially if it's been removed too often. Warping and cracks are very common. Six to seven bills is the average price for one of these brutes, perhaps another 20% for an example with upgraded speakers (the stock original drivers would be Rola's, Pyle's, or Oxford's). And despite the 135 watts advertised, I've never seen one of these amps put out more than 122 watts. It's still plenty loud though.

Arjay


Quote:
You really didn't give any info on the amp itself at all though. What was the objective anecdotal testimony?
:idea: That's what he said!!!!


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Post subject: Re: 1978 (I believe) fender twin reverb ultralinear 135w
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 6:10 pm
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sfceric64 wrote:
Quote:
I have a one-owner 1978 Twin Reverb and the amp has performed beyond reasonable expectations since I bought it. It was my only amp for over 23 years and only then did it require servicing when a power tube finally bit the dust and I opened it up for an inspection. A full re-tube and bias adjustment were all that were required to return it to full function. On the debit side, these amps are heavy......doubly so if premium speakers such as JBL's, EV's, or Cetec-Gauss are installed. They're also quite powerful and quite clean. Loudness can be controlled of course but for any expectation of organic OD or compression, forget about it. It requires pedals to make it growl. And forget about the master volume and the push-pull boost control -- totally worthless. A weak part of all Fender amps made after 1970 is the cabinet. It's a rabbet-joined box with a glued-in speaker baffle. The grill cloth is attached to a removable frame held fast with velcro strips. This frame is made of MDF and does not age gracefully, especially if it's been removed too often. Warping and cracks are very common. Six to seven bills is the average price for one of these brutes, perhaps another 20% for an example with upgraded speakers (the stock original drivers would be Rola's, Pyle's, or Oxford's). And despite the 135 watts advertised, I've never seen one of these amps put out more than 122 watts. It's still plenty loud though.

Arjay


Oh right I was confused as I posted to topics with the same question. I'm kinda new to forums


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