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Post subject: intro and a Tremolux question
Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 4:08 pm
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hi, new here but I've owned my '64 Tremolux for 20 years. only amp I've needed for the past 20 years too :)

I've never really thought about modifying it before, but now I'm considering getting a smaller amp for home practice since this one is a bit much for a small room with wood floors.

just wondering, are there any power-lowering mods out there that I should try first? I'm using 2 12s(Peavey Scorpions) in a mostly open-back enclosure with poly filling in the bottom...

are there any other mods that might be recommended? I thought about doing the conversion to a 3 prong plug... but idk if I'd get any value out of that


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Post subject: Re: intro and a Tremolux question
Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 4:34 pm
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Rhust wrote:
I thought about doing the conversion to a 3 prong plug... but idk if I'd get any value out of that


How much "value" do you place on your physical safety......in other words, what is your azz worth?

:roll:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: intro and a Tremolux question
Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 4:41 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Rhust wrote:
I thought about doing the conversion to a 3 prong plug... but idk if I'd get any value out of that


How much "value" do you place on your physical safety......in other words, what is your azz worth?

:roll:

Arjay

I've used it for 20 years with no issues... but I thought about doing it anyway.... how hard is it to do?


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Post subject: Re: intro and a Tremolux question
Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 5:52 pm
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Yep Rhust, it's a good idea and pretty non-intrusive. You can take a look at this link(if I can do this right), and get the idea. http://www.theguitarfiles.com/guitarfile644.html. HTH Art

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Post subject: Re: intro and a Tremolux question
Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 8:43 pm
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Rhust wrote:
I've used it for 20 years with no issues...


No, you have been lucky for 20 years. Make the mod. Its never to late to get electrocuted. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: intro and a Tremolux question
Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 10:16 am
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thanks. I'll bite the bullet..

is there anything else I should consider for this amp?

it's a great amp, very clean sounding...

I know it would be blasphemy, but would changing the tremelo effect to reverb be impossible? in such a way it could be reversed of course...


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Post subject: Re: intro and a Tremolux question
Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 3:10 pm
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Rhust wrote:
I know it would be blasphemy, but would changing the tremelo effect to reverb be impossible? in such a way it could be reversed of course...


Blasphemy is right!

It takes two tubes to make Fender's standard reverb circuit. If you shuck your tremolo, you only free up only one. Reverb also requires an additional transformer. As well, the interior of the amp's cab is not tall enough to accommodate a reverb tank. Buy a stand-alone 6G15 or a stompbox if reverb is vital to you.

If the amp hasn't been re-capped with new electrolytics within the last ten years, now's the time......before the entire power supply melts down, leaving your chassis a "crispy critter".

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: intro and a Tremolux question
Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 3:35 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Rhust wrote:
I know it would be blasphemy, but would changing the tremelo effect to reverb be impossible? in such a way it could be reversed of course...


Blasphemy is right!

It takes two tubes to make Fender's standard reverb circuit. If you shuck your tremolo, you only free up only one. Reverb also requires an additional transformer. As well, the interior of the amp's cab is not tall enough to accommodate a reverb tank. Buy a stand-alone 6G15 or a stompbox if reverb is vital to you.

If the amp hasn't been re-capped with new electrolytics within the last ten years, now's the time......before the entire power supply melts down, leaving your chassis a "crispy critter".

Arjay


Until I build a Weber 6G15 reverb unit, I am using one of these. Actually sounds quite realisitic:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FRV1/

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Post subject: Re: intro and a Tremolux question
Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:03 pm
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bluesky636 wrote:
Retroverbial wrote:
Rhust wrote:
I know it would be blasphemy, but would changing the tremelo effect to reverb be impossible? in such a way it could be reversed of course...


Blasphemy is right!

It takes two tubes to make Fender's standard reverb circuit. If you shuck your tremolo, you only free up only one. Reverb also requires an additional transformer. As well, the interior of the amp's cab is not tall enough to accommodate a reverb tank. Buy a stand-alone 6G15 or a stompbox if reverb is vital to you.

If the amp hasn't been re-capped with new electrolytics within the last ten years, now's the time......before the entire power supply melts down, leaving your chassis a "crispy critter".

Arjay


Until I build a Weber 6G15 reverb unit, I am using one of these. Actually sounds quite realisitic:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FRV1/



I like this idea much better.. I've tried a few stomp boxes and never found a reverb I liked...

I'm a total n00b about the "electrolytics "... I had the amp refurbed when I bought it, and a pro go through it in about '97 since then I've replaced the tubes twice, and really haven't used it much...

what all should I look to have done to make sure it lasts? is this something I can do myself? or does it absolutely take a pro?

I've rewired guitars a lot, but my amps have always been, plug in, turn on, and be awesome... have I just been that lucky? I gigged with this thing in the 90s, music got put on hold when I got married/started a family. but now I tinker and play around the house more, as I try to learn the instrument again/better...

if it's something that only a pro should attempt, I have no problem with that. this amp was kinda a gift from the guitar gods to me... I was in a music store in 93, and this amp was on consignment "as-is" the owner didn't know, or care if it worked... marked $100

I put new tubes in it, had the pots cleaned(one replaced, IIRC) and everything checked... then had a pro go through it about a 2 years later... he found nothing that I recall needing fixed at that time... I think he mainly did a cleaning... I replaced the tubes again in 03, but those didn't last for some reason, or at least one didn't... I called up tubestore.com and told them what I had and they sent me a great matched set that has been great ever since.

I plug into each channel but never use the trem effect.


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Post subject: Re: intro and a Tremolux question
Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:28 am
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Rhust, IMHO it would be best to have a pro-tech re-cap and do the basic maintenance. No sense in messin' around with a great amp. I too have had good experience with Tubestore.com for NOS tubes. They really back-up their service and are very communicative! For reverb, I'd consider a rackmount unit then a stand alone unit. But it really comes down to your tastes and the available funds. And don't forget to mess with that tremelo! Art

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Post subject: Re: intro and a Tremolux question
Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 9:42 am
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aclempoppi wrote:
Rhust, IMHO it would be best to have a pro-tech re-cap and do the basic maintenance. No sense in messin' around with a great amp. I too have had good experience with Tubestore.com for NOS tubes. They really back-up their service and are very communicative! For reverb, I'd consider a rackmount unit then a stand alone unit. But it really comes down to your tastes and the available funds. And don't forget to mess with that tremelo! Art



yea, I called around to a couple of "pros" yesterday... 1 wouldn't touch it, the other didn't answer or call back... search continues today...

I'm really pretty basic when it comes to effects... I like a slight reverb sometimes, but mostly it's an Overdrive pedal(one of 3), a crybaby wah and nothing else.


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Post subject: Re: intro and a Tremolux question
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 1:05 am
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Yeah Rhust, I'm a touch of reverb guy(no pedals) and seldom use the trem. Any way, I don't see your geographical area, if you're near a reasonably large city in the US, you might want to check an upscale amp shop for tech services. Shouldn't be to hard to find a qualified person looking for work. Art

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Post subject: Re: intro and a Tremolux question
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 4:52 pm
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Sorry, I'm in Dallas.

I found a place, seems like they know their stuff...

http://www.dallasvintageguitars.com/amps.htm

I'll take it over in a week or so, I'm shopping around for a small bedroom practice amp so I can have something while this is in the shop.


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Post subject: Re: intro and a Tremolux question
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 5:05 pm
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Rhust wrote:
I'm shopping around for a small bedroom practice amp so I can have something while this is in the shop.


There's no finer porch weasel than a Princeton Reverb.

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: intro and a Tremolux question
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 6:28 pm
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Yeah Man, That shop looks like a good pick. I see they have a Gibson Scout. That was my first amp, coupled with a SG JR ( neither of which I fully appreciated at 15 yrs old, in "surf city"). That would make a great practice amp, reverb and tremelo! But they might turn your amp around in few days. Good Luck ! Art

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