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Post subject: 78 twin reverb silverface ultralinear 135w
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2017 10:18 am
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Hello, I'm currently searching for my first tube amp. At a local shop there's a 1978 fender twin reverb Silverface ultralinear 135w amplifier for $600. It's in decent condition considering its 40 years old, some rust, one of the kick stands is a bit bent out of shape, not too bad. Also one of the knobs isn't placed right and read 4 when it should read 10, I'm sure that's an easy fix. I'm not sure what's stock and what's been replaced, besides it was recently retubed. I'm pretty sure it wasnt gigged with that much, as I was told it was sitting in someone's house for a while. I'll try to find out more about the amp, but I'd like to hear from previous and current owners of the amp, is this a decent deal? Also what kind of repairs and maintenance am I in store for if I do purchase it, I know that varies amp to amp, but I'd like to get some sort of idea. Also how long will these things hold up?


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Post subject: Re: 78 twin reverb silverface ultralinear 135w
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2017 4:23 pm
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Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
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Location: Tombstone Territory
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

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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: 78 twin reverb silverface ultralinear 135w
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2017 2:46 am
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Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
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Location: Province de Québec, Canada
2 topics with same subject .


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Post subject: Re: 78 twin reverb silverface ultralinear 135w
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2017 8:54 am
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Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2017 9:13 am
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Yes that's my bad. Didn't realize it took time for it to be approved to be seen so when I couldn't find my first post I re wrote it. Sorry this was my first time using this forum


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