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Post subject: Need some advice, with a fender Super reverb.
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:28 pm
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Hello,
I just picked up a 1981 Super Reverb. I know that this one isnt the holy grail or anything but I like it. It's a bit beat up and I might have more than its worth. But money oh well. I will admit that I am no noob when it comes to tube amps I am a noob with vintage stuff.
I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. For anyone out there who cares to chime in, I would greatly appreciate it.

1. just gotta ask this on an amp that's 30 years old. Because I wasn't shocked or anything while playing my guitar through it. Can I assume it's safe to play with other high voltage gear. I don't want to get seriously hurt while singing through a separate PA system.

2. I get a low hum from the amp is this just normal? It doesn't matter if a guitar is connected or not. but the hum is not super loud but noticeable. "I realize I should try swapping out tube." I just got this thing about 5 hours ago. Tubes are on my "to do list". Any how back to the hum. It doesn't get louder with the volume. its just there.

3. The foot switch doesn't seem to want to play nice. It was tested and is a good pedal "Not original Fender... I know I Know" but when hit hooks up either you get reverb and no tremolo, I can swap the cables and get Tremolo but no reverb. And when I do hit the pedal for reverb it gives me reverb but it also sounds like I just turned on a high gain distortion pedal? that hum does increase with volume.

4. And where can I get the manual for it. This Fender Website only has the manual for the '65 super reverb.

Thanks evey one who cared to continue reading.

Oh, and my wife asks, "How do you get that musky old smell out of it?!"


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Post subject: Re: Need some advice, with a fender Super reverb.
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 3:40 am
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1- Yes it is safe, if it have the 3 prong AC wire working. 1981 is not a stone age ; )

2- Same hum at any volume; probably a filter capacitor need to be replaced. If the amp is stay without playing since may years, try to power "ON" many hours . This could reform the filter capacitors. And this will remove damp from resistor too and other components.

3- Your pedal switch must have shield wires ,like guitare cable. Is it your problem ? hard to say for me.
The musky old smell ? clean tolex and grill cloth maybe.


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Post subject: Re: Need some advice, with a fender Super reverb.
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:33 am
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Man i hope its nothing serious. The hum i mean. Its doesnt hum on stand by just when you take it off stand by. No matter im taking it in the the amp shop in a week for a check up and tune up if needed.


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Post subject: Re: Need some advice, with a fender Super reverb.
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 2:53 pm
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Be sure to see a good tech ,somebody you are shure will do good job on tubes amps. Otherwise you can wast ( a lot ? ) your money.

It is normal no hum when in standby ; tubes amps's circuit in standby is almost off.


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Post subject: Re: Need some advice, with a fender Super reverb.
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:23 pm
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1972 Super Reverb/Pro Reverb Owner's Manual.

Go to this site:

http://www.thevintagesound.com/ffg/

Click onto: "Owner's Manual" new

Then, go about 3/4rd the way down the page and you'll see the links to each page of the original Fender 1972 Super Reverb/Pro Reverb owner's manual.

HTH!


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Post subject: Re: Need some advice, with a fender Super reverb.
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:02 am
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Im taking it to a repair man some time this week to give him a chance to look it over real quick, but mainly hes going to take down some part numbers in order to replace the elecrolytic capacitors. But shouldnt the can caps be replaced also or is that implied? I asked if replacing the electrolytic capacitors is equal to an amp over haul and he said "yes, there were caps on the bottom and a few on top". Is this to assume its a full cap job? hes going to replace for cheap and explainded that i wouldnt have to pay for parts only labor, of course he hasnt seen the amp yet but when i ask him to give me a ball park figure, he just says he will do it for a real reasonable price. i trust the man, he works on all my amps. How much does a cap job run i just dont want to get charged 500 for job that averages at 200 because i know yhe parts dont cost that much.
I asked if this was something i can do. Im a fast learner and understand electronics and dangers of caps, i know how to discharge them. But he says that with these old amps the soldering jobs have to be near perfect or ill fry something. I just laughed a little inside my standards are a bit high and personaly prefer to do a job perfectly. I was just wondering, i fix and mod my own guitars and pedals i just never worked in an amp, and this amp just looks too simple compared to modern stuff.


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Post subject: Re: Need some advice, with a fender Super reverb.
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:55 am
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Price for cap jobs could vary with the quality ( price ) of the capacitors.

Good quality caps could cost $50 and low budget capacitors , the half. Your Super reverb need 5 main filter capacitor plus one for bias circuit.
On a good amp like your's , Il suggest good ones like Sprague or F & T capacitor.
Often labor is the same money than the parts .

You are good for less than $100 for the complete capacitors replacement.

Ask him to check the output tubes and their bias . A unmatched set could make hum too.


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Post subject: Re: Need some advice, with a fender Super reverb.
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:24 am
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Oh yes im getting the goods in this amp. New tubes are a given im looking for a decent pair of tubes to put in it. Whats a good brand of tubes, i ve been using russian tubes how ever the amp tech i take it to swears by chinese tubes. I did see some though i was attracted to the price. But has any one here ever use tube amp doctor tubes? I think they are suppose to mimic rca tubes. Or so they say.


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Post subject: Re: Need some advice, with a fender Super reverb.
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:13 am
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Tube Amp Doctor are good , JJ's too , Winged C to name few


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Post subject: Re: Need some advice, with a fender Super reverb.
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 12:47 pm
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Here are some pics

Image


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Post subject: Re: Need some advice, with a fender Super reverb.
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 3:50 pm
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I got these RCA 6L6GC (part of my NOS stash) in my SFSR. But, I bought a hig testing pair off EBay for $85. To tell you the truth... for this amp, 1990's Svetlana (=C=) SV-6L6GC and RCA's are the way to go. For some odd reason (maybe the output impedance or the four 10-inchers or Karma or my imagination)--- nothing beats these two types of tubes in this amp. This not true in all Fender dual 6L6GC amps.

Oh yeah... those Weber speakers are GREAT. As good as new CTS. A bit more efficient. Great bass and depth to the tone. OD is a bit later (prolly due to old brittle paper of the OEM CTS).

Image

Image


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Post subject: Re: Need some advice, with a fender Super reverb.
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:10 pm
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Are those alnico speakers. Looks nice the is very clean. Mine looks like it fell off a tour bus. Any one know where i can get a list of capacitors in order to start placing them in my carts. Bmw, i read these tad tubes replicate rca tubes. I have a pair of chinese off brands but this is gonna be my new baby. Only the best. Ya know.


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Post subject: Re: Need some advice, with a fender Super reverb.
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:07 pm
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I get the 'lytics (whether Sprague Atoms or F&T) from Antique Electronics:

Look under Capacitors and Electrolytics.

Both brands have very good longtime reputation.

For coupling caps (if you need) them... go with SBE 716P. Takes a bit to break-in, but last and last.


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Post subject: Re: Need some advice, with a fender Super reverb.
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:54 pm
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You know looking at this thing I think it might be a franken-amp. I read that the Fender Super reverb went back to the black face in the late 80's. But Mine has silver face. and with the serial number stamped on the chassis its - F112672, I'm pretty sure that the F11 means it was a 1981 model. And looking at it closer the screen doesn't look like silver sparkle but it could just be faded.


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Post subject: Re: Need some advice, with a fender Super reverb.
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:47 pm
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Me so Sordy for the horrible recording, I did it in a hurry.
Any how this a vid with the super reverb amp. You have to crank your volume in the beginning. In the first 5-8 sec, you get to hear the hum that emitted. But IF you turn down a bit and fast forward to 4:20 (not planned) its the better feel for the amp tone.
It was recorded with a Condenser mic so you can hear the hum but it didnt transfer from digi recorder to computer well.

any here is the link

Image


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