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Post subject: Super Reverb Amp - Silverface
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 8:35 pm
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Hey y'all, so I have this in my basement collecting dust:

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Somebody put these speakers in along the way: :roll:
Image

And did an expert job turning it into a speaker cabinet: :shock:
Image

I'm a total newb working with amps, especially tube amps. Is this something I should try to restore on my own? Or should I seek out professional help? Is it even worth it considering it looks pretty shabby? I'd just love to hear what the original electronics sound like, I believe this is from '68? I just don't really know where to start with something like this....

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Last edited by strings10927 on Thu Feb 07, 2013 10:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb Amp - Silverface AB763
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 10:30 pm
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strings10927 wrote:
I'm a total newb working with amps, especially tube amps. .... I just don't really know where to start with something like this....


Sounds to me like you've answered your own question. Take the amp to someone that knows what they are doing.

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb Amp - Silverface AB763
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 11:08 pm
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From the cosmetics (the panel ID reading "SUPER REVERB AMP", the drip-edge molding, and the non-snowman knobs), I'd opine that the amp dates to the 1969 model year. As such, it's likely the AC568 circuit.

It's certainly restorable though it may require a professional with both the proper resources and technical competence. I've brought much worse than yours back to near-showroom condition -- it's merely a question of time and money.

Is a restoration worth it?

Well as someone once said, "They're not making these anymore."

HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb Amp - Silverface AB763
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 12:34 am
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Agree with Arjay. Take it to a competent amp tech who works on older Fenders to look it over and see what's needed to get it back to spec. Great sounding amp, but the oxidation on the knobs and the jerry-rigged speaker cable may signal other transgressions/mods that were done. The amp tech can tell you the question of how much.

given that amps have lethal voltages inside, I'd say leave that work to the amp tech.

Super Reverbs are considered one of Fender's best; I've made a habit of buying Fenders down on their luck and restoring them, but as Arjay mentioned, it's merely a question of time and money...

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb Amp - Silverface AB763
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 1:14 am
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nedorama wrote:
Agree with Arjay. Take it to a competent amp tech who works on older Fenders to look it over and see what's needed to get it back to spec. Great sounding amp, but the oxidation on the knobs and the jerry-rigged speaker cable may signal other transgressions/mods that were done. The amp tech can tell you the question of how much.

given that amps have lethal voltages inside, I'd say leave that work to the amp tech.

Super Reverbs are considered one of Fender's best; I've made a habit of buying Fenders down on their luck and restoring them, but as Arjay mentioned, it's merely a question of time and money...


+1

It might be advantageous to segregate the work into two phases: that needed to return the amp to full electronic function, and whatever's required to restore the cosmetics. Not all amp techs are equipped to work with Tolex, grill cloth, etc and by the same token, many restoration specialists lack the necessary expertise for diagnosing and repairing a chassis.

HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb Amp - Silverface AB763
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 7:21 am
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OK guys thanks, I'm still on the fence with this one. I don't really have the cash to invest in a professional restoration; I could see it collecting dust for another decade down there. It's kind of a shame to keep it locked up. :cry:

Retroverbial wrote:
From the cosmetics (the panel ID reading "SUPER REVERB AMP", the drip-edge molding, and the non-snowman knobs), I'd opine that the amp dates to the 1969 model year. As such, it's likely the AC568 circuit.

I assumed AB763 because of the sticker inside... not correct?

strings10927 wrote:
Image

Some info I found online:

Production years:

1964 -1967 “blackface” circuits AA763, AB763
1967 -1969 “silverface” circuits AB763, AB568
1969 -1978 ”silverface” circuits AA1069, AA270, cbs 45w MstrVol, cbs 70w MstrVol

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb Amp - Silverface AB763
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:23 am
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If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times......

Never......EVER......trust the tube chart when trying to ID the circuit revision for a silverface-era amp.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb Amp - Silverface AB763
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:51 am
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thanks for the clarification Arjay. I don't know, maybe I should just sell it so someone else can restore and enjoy it. Do you think I could get a few hundred dollars for it as-is?

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb Amp - Silverface AB763
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:41 am
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Mmore pictures would help to see how much work is needed for the 2 aspects (electrical and cosmetic) and that would give people a better idea what the ballpark for this would be.

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb Amp - Silverface AB763
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 5:05 pm
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nedorama wrote:
More pictures would help to see how much work is needed for the 2 aspects (electrical and cosmetic) and that would give people a better idea what the ballpark for this would be.


+1

We'd need more documentation for a credible assessment.

HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb Amp - Silverface AB763
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:12 pm
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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb Amp - Silverface
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 10:45 pm
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It seems like the lion's share of the chassis remains intact and the cabinet appears to be structurally sound. This would be an ideal candidate for a full restoration I think. Any conceivable electronic component that the amp might need is readily available and vintage CTS alnico speakers remain plentiful. New Tolex, grill cloth, and some "sweat equity" would result in a genuine heirloom-grade piece of gear that your grandson would probably enjoy playing.

JMOOC

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb Amp - Silverface
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 3:30 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
It seems like the lion's share of the chassis remains intact and the cabinet appears to be structurally sound. This would be an ideal candidate for a full restoration I think. Any conceivable electronic component that the amp might need is readily available and vintage CTS alnico speakers remain plentiful. New Tolex, grill cloth, and some "sweat equity" would result in a genuine heirloom-grade piece of gear that your grandson would probably enjoy playing.

JMOOC

Arjay


+1K...These are some great amps once they are up and running. Would be a shame for this one not to be refurbbed!

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb Amp - Silverface
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 3:49 pm
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T2Stratman wrote:
+1K...These are some great amps once they are up and running. Would be a shame for this one not to be refurbbed!


I'm certain that it will be -- eventually.

My concern is that whomever does the work actually knows WTF they're doing. I've seen dozens of "hatchet jobs" for sale in Ebay.

:(

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Super Reverb Amp - Silverface
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 6:52 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
T2Stratman wrote:
+1K...These are some great amps once they are up and running. Would be a shame for this one not to be refurbbed!


I'm certain that it will be -- eventually.

My concern is that whomever does the work actually knows WTF they're doing. I've seen dozens of "hatchet jobs" for sale in Ebay.

:(

Arjay


Funny you should mention that, saw a SFSR this past weekend that was turned into a head unit and the cab looked like some one armed, blind long lost drunk from Crate made it!! Man it was UGLY...amp needed some clean up and a new cabinet...but they wanted WAY too much for it. But it made me laugh!

T2

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