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Post subject: Twin Reverb is actually NOT LOUD! What?
Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:12 pm
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Hi to all!

I spent some money and time on finding the sound I like. Unfortunately, it wound up being the sound of the twin reverb. Why do I say "unfortunately" because of these things: I live in a townhome. I don't play out in bars or stadiums even! But.... I had to have it!

Anyway, short story long, I bought one, sight unseen, from ebay. Yeah, hate me. Then I dragged it down to my a local amp shop, not GC, and 400 bones later it's home. That got me new caps and some other electronics cleaned up and replaced, no mods really.

So. Not that I need it, in fact, maybe it's better this way, but.... My Twin doesn't "melt your face on 3" It also does not stun small children and pets. Not that I want that, but I just want it to be "right".

My question is: Is it right? Have I read too much into the massive volume that these things are know for? There is no breakup at all, and from what I know, I don't expect that from a Twin Reverb, but I can put the Master on ten and with the channel volume on 6 or 7 it's loud, but my windows are fine and the pets and children don't seem to mind.

Let me know what you know?


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Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:33 pm
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I won't "melt your face" on three. Have you had the power tubes and trannies checked? Around 5 I can't be in the same room with mine. Above that I use ear protection. Without knowing exactly what the tech did it's hard to tell. Then again your tolerance to volume may be higher than mine. Something just doesn't sound right. Even a 20 watt amp is really loud when you crank it up. $400 sounds like a lot for a cap job.


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Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:05 pm
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63Supro,

Thanks for the quick response!

400$ was a lot of money. More detail: It was a complete cap job, new power cord, about five other small caps or resistors, clean and some re-soldering, and a couple of tubes thrown in. Still, not cheap, but I'm willing to pay for what needs to be done.

What should I do?

Hmmm...d


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Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:06 pm
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Hi there, DS. I'm going to go with Supro on the power tubes and a bias check. IMO Fender always had very good transformers, throughout these years. The CBS corporate bean counters never downgraded these,Phew! That's not to say that years of heat doesn't take it's toll, it does. I'd go with new power tubes and a thorough voltage check of the amp.(this may have already been done) The tech can easily check the output wattage before and after the tube replacement. BTW I don't see much more then an hour bench time plus parts.(you can buy pre burned in tubes) Art

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Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:07 pm
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Aclempoppi,

Thanks as well for the reply.

Maybe I'm chasing that, if I find it, I'll be let down. It's just hard to deny. The amp still sounds amazing. But, you know... you just want things to be the way they were meant to be. Maybe I'm partially hearing impaired.

So, maybe some fresh power tubes? One of those was replaced.

Also, forgive my ignorance but what about the speakers? They are Utah's. Could that be a hindrance as well?

I forgot to mention, the tremolo "light bug" was also replaced. Tremolo and reverb work fine.

Oh yeah, as far as specs go. I think it's a 70 or 71. It has a master volume, no push pull. Tailed Fender logo. And from what I've researched on some of the internal serial numbers it points toward those years.


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Post subject: Re: Twin Reverb is actually NOT LOUD! What?
Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:57 pm
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dscrunchy wrote:
Hi to all!

... I can put the Master on ten and with the channel volume on 6 or 7 it's loud, but my windows are fine and the pets and children don't seem to mind.


Either you and your pets/children are deaf or there's something wrong with the amp; my money is on the latter.

Take it back to the tech who did the work and play it for him - for $400, it should be a free fix to get it back to ear-splitting/bleeding levels.

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Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 12:50 am
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Yeah DS, a full matched quad of power tubes should do it. The tech must have checked the bias, and found one tube that wasn't drawing the right current and replaced it. That's not so bad, but it kind of indicates that the tubes are wearing out. The Utah speakers are neat old vintage pieces, but IMO are not very efficent speakers. Don't get me wrong, coupled with a harsh amp they can really get a sweet tone, coupled with a sweet amp they seem to get into that tweed zone. Art

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Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:51 am
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Aclempoppi,

Thanks again for the info. I think everything was original on my amp. Even the tubes. I'm a home player and the tech knows that. He said if I were the touring type and really needed to count on it, he would replace all of the tubes. As is, he just said, if I'm ok with the way it sounds, just play it until it dies! Ha! Then replace tubes as necessary.

As far as the Utah's go, I know everybody usually replaces them. From what I've read, Weber's are very well liked. I was thinking about that, but to my untrained ears I suppose the Utah's sound ok. I'm still wondering if a speaker change is worth it (for me). hmmm...


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Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:07 am
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Did I understand that the tech put in only one new power tube? I know nothing about amps but I thought you needed to install a matched set of tubes and have them biased.


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Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 2:10 pm
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It needs a matched quad set. Don't use Groove Tubes. Get something nice for your amp and you'll be rewarded with tonal bliss. :wink:


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Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:57 pm
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So,

What tubes do you and the community recommend for tubes?

Thanks!


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Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:33 pm
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N.O.S. RCA Blackplates?

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hope you got a big wallet!!

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Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:57 pm
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Call/email Mike K at Kcanostubes.com. Tell him your playing style tone goals and budget.

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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 4:29 pm
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DS, I certainly wouldn't fault the tech. He probably went through his tube stash and found one that matched up to your old tubes. I've done the same for younger players, who can't afford a set(no labor or parts charge). When they have saved up for a good set, then I'll do the installation and charge $40 labor, and all is good. Even better is when a player calls on Saturday at 3PM," the amp just took a dump and I have a show at 7." That's when things get interesting. Art

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