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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 4:12 pm
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sohara1111 wrote:
Do you agree it makes sense to have the 3 prong plus installed?


Absolutely!

Unless you'd prefer that your widow make the decision for you.

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 5:51 pm
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Sohara1111...I am digging your taste in Amps! A BFSR and BFP (no reverb) :?: :?: :!: :!: ...If you start wanting a Bantam Bass Amp, we might just be long lost brothers!!!
Image
That is a nice looking SR you picked up! I am torn about the speakers though...those CTS Alnicos are some great sounding speakers and I had a set in a 72 SFSR I had but my '65 SR came with CTS "Swiss Cheese" Ceramics and I really like these too! I guess CTS just like Jensen, just knew how to make great sounding speakers! 8)

As for tubes...try to find some NOS ones...especially that rectifier!

Enjoy the amp!

T2

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 6:15 pm
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I have a modest selection of blackface reverb combos as well......

Image

When the *right* Super Reverb comes along......

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 7:47 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
I have a modest selection of blackface reverb combos as well......

Image

When the *right* Super Reverb comes along......

:mrgreen:

Arjay


Always love your photos Arjay...and since you have just about every great sounding Fender amp, it is just a shame you don't own a SR. Glad to see if the "Right" one comes along you will pull that trigger.

T2

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 4:55 pm
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I can't compete with those collections, very sweet!

So I ordered a full set of new tubes, thanks for the lead Art. I should get the tubes next week and then I will take it in to my tech to put the 3 prong on, bias the tubes and do a general inspection of the rest of the electronics.

A little bad, news, upon closer inspection today I found that the output transformer is not original and has been replaced with a non original part (assume that is it behind the speaker plug), you can see how much newer the output transformer looks compared to the power transformer. Do you guys know any dealers that sell original transformers from relics? I'd like to keep it as close to original as possible. Thanks.

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 6:41 pm
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Are there numbers stamped on that replacement tranny's housing?

If so, post them and we'll try to decipher just what it is.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 12:06 pm
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Arjay, there are no numbers on it but I found a sticker with information on it. It's a Mercury Magnetics Tone Clone, model FBFS O40, dated 4/09. From their website it was listed under Fender, Super, Blackface Reverb 2ohm tap - 125A9A

For completeness, from the back of the amp going right to left I documented the following:

Power Transformer - black - 606618, 022798
?? - gray - 606 6 30, 022699
Output Transformer - black - Mercury Magnetics Tone Clone (details above)
Reverb Transformer ? - gray - 606621, 022921

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 12:48 pm
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Seems the iron was made around May 1966 (20th week). PT and reverb trannies are Schumacher (606). This is good. Merc Mags output trannes tend to be more stout than OEM ones. Boy, I'd look for a GOOD tube rectifier for this amp. Remember to rebias the output tubes anytime you alter the output stage components.

A tube rectifier is a big part of what makes my SR and Vibrolux Reverb such great tone generators. Despite offending those that have seen this post NUMEROUS times -- that Philips ECG mil spec 5AR4 mislabeled as a 5V4GA is a good deal (my opinion). It is made from machinery and material of the famous 1960-70 Sylvania big bottle 5AR4. Which good unused ones are getting as hard to find as the near unobtanium NOS Mullard or Philips GZ34.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/5AR4-Rectifier- ... 5889ea818b


If you don't want to spring for this tube. Keep the Weber Copper Cap. One thing that I've heard that helps amps that use this or other solid-state, plug-in subs in a heftier first filter cap(s). Many folks go to 100mfd/450VDC rated caps by F&T replacing the OEM 70mfd/350VDC ones--- in these Fender amps.

http://www.tubedepot.com/cp-ft-100-450v.html

The final capacitance of 50mfd will give you a little better filtering. But, the resultant 900VDC rating of the two caps in series, should increase the overall PS circuit's life. And yes, they fit under the doghouse.

If you do up the mfd/VDC of the first stage this way and decide to use a tube rectifier --- you SHOULD go NOS. Whether Mullard, Philips (Dutch-made metal based), Sylvania or Philips big bottles. They are the ones that are known to handle high VDC transient peaks without issues.

And I suggest good wire-wound 220k-ohm, 2 or 5 watt resistors to distribute the voltage across the two 100/450 caps.

Good luck! Great amp. Solid performer. (PS... if you get the tone dialed in and it's reliable --- don't sell it. Like I did nearly 20 years ago with my first BFSR. You'll spend the rest of your days looking for another one. :D


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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 2:28 pm
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That "606 6 30, 022699" tranny is the choke.

Everything seems to be in order save for the MercMac OT.

If there are no sonic issues, I'd leave everything in situ and concentrate on the basic maintenance and servicing requirements.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 4:08 pm
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Thanks guys. Would you recommend I try to find a "original" OT and replace the MercMac?

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 5:03 pm
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No, if it sounds ok, to you --- keep it. The tone is stiffer, though. You might want to try a SR with OEM iron. Just to hear the difference. Then decide.

Merc Mags are pretty nice units. So, your amp will not suffer any electrical issues --- in the meantime.

I built up a SFVC with Merc Mags. It has a different tone than the stock. But, not bad. Almost in between a stock VC and a Princeton tone.

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb
Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 12:03 am
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Hey Scott, I can't come close to any of these collections. That doesn't mean that we can't find the groove, and play the best we can!!! Pickin' and Grinnin' is all good!!! Art

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 6:27 pm
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Hey guys, haven't posted an update recently. I wanted to get rid of the Weber Copper Cap rectifier and decided on a full NOS tubes replacement (thanks Art for the lead on Hi-Test) as follows:

V1 - Rogers/Philips 12AX7 (1959 large ring)
V2 - Tung-Sol 7025
V3 - Westinghouse 12AT7 BP
V4 - GE 12AX7
V5 - Motorola/GE 12AX7
V6 - GE 6201 12AX7
GE 6L6GC
GE 5881/6L6GC
RCA/Sylvania 5AR4/GZ34

Gregg at Hi-Test also had a friend that's an amp tech who had an original 1966 week 43 OT so I bought that and replaced the Mercury Mag. OT that was in it

Image

I also cleaned up the grill cloth, took a suggestion from another thread (thanks Arjay), used Windex and it cleaned up a little.

Image

And while I was waiting, got a little GAS and picked up another member of the herd (first MIM)

Image

Thanks again guys for all your help and suggestions. Enjoy the amp/guitar porn!

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 7:26 pm
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sohara1111 wrote:
Hey guys, haven't posted an update recently. I wanted to get rid of the Weber Copper Cap rectifier and decided on a full NOS tubes replacement (thanks Art for the lead on Hi-Test) as follows:

V1 - Rogers/Philips 12AX7 (1959 large ring)
V2 - Tung-Sol 7025
V3 - Westinghouse 12AT7 BP
V4 - GE 12AX7
V5 - Motorola/GE 12AX7
V6 - GE 6201 12AX7
GE 6L6GC
GE 5881/6L6GC
RCA/Sylvania 5AR4/GZ34

Gregg at Hi-Test also had a friend that's an amp tech who had an original 1966 week 43 OT so I bought that and replaced the Mercury Mag. OT that was in it

Image

I also cleaned up the grill cloth, took a suggestion from another thread (thanks Arjay), used Windex and it cleaned up a little.

Image

And while I was waiting, got a little GAS and picked up another member of the herd (first MIM)

Image

Thanks again guys for all your help and suggestions. Enjoy the amp/guitar porn!


Sohara1111...Yep, you got some downright fine taste in guitars and amps! Thanks for the amp/guitar porn...and if you start jonesing for a refurbed Bantam anytime soon...you know all you got to do is call your "Brother". Oh and nice choice of tubes for that beauty!

Enjoy some more amp/guitar porn!
Image

T2

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 8:33 pm
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Excellent, Sohara!!! Nice Strat, too...... That's one nice collection, T2!!!! Art

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