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Post subject: My 73 Dual Showman Reverb is coming along
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 2:09 pm
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I recently bought a non working 1973 Dual Showman Reverb for next to nothing. The head cabinet was ruined and the amp wouldn't turn on. First thing I did was recap and retube. Now it not only works but sounds great. I also cleaned the tube sockets, pots and connections. Now no more pops and crackles. Sounds fantastic. I went to a local guitar store yesterday and they had an empty Fender 2x12 combo cabinet in decent shape so I bought it at what I thought was a good price. I just put the Showman in the combo cabinet and it fit perfect. I have been reading reviews on speakers and plan on ordering two as soon as I decide which speakers to get. In the mean time I have been using a spare Marshall 1960A cab with four Celestion G12T-75s. Sounds ok after messing with the amp EQ but no where near the vintage sound I am after. I also have two Celestion G12T-100 Hot speakers that were just sitting in my closet so I decide what the heck. Until I buy some speakers I will give these a try. Surprisingly they sound better than the 75s. Maybe its because the Marshall is a closed back and the combo isn't. Anyway I now have a nice working Dual Showman Reverb Combo and it will be a great sounding one when I get the right speakers. Also the Master Volume was converted to a presence control and I think its awesome. I may at some point have it converted to black face specs but as it sits it sounds pretty darn good.

[img][IMG]http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a615/alex_white5/2_zpslke4czjw.jpg[/img][/img]


[img][IMG]http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a615/alex_white5/3_zpswzklau7y.jpg[/img][/img]

[img][IMG]http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a615/alex_white5/4_zpsqluv1epz.jpg[/img][/img]


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Post subject: Re: My 73 Dual Showman Reverb is coming along
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 3:34 pm
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It's not surprising that you were able to install your DSR into a combo cabinet since it shares its chassis dimensions with the Twin Reverb. And TR enclosures are relatively prolific (many players actually swing the other way and prefer their TR as a stand-alone head for ease of logistics).

There was never a "blackface" version of the DSR so you may find that reconfiguring the circuit to pseudo-AB763 specs is a challenge in its own right.

Welcome to the forum.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: My 73 Dual Showman Reverb is coming along
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 3:56 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
It's not surprising that you were able to install your DSR into a combo cabinet since it shares its chassis dimensions with the Twin Reverb. And TR enclosures are relatively prolific (many players actually swing the other way and prefer their TR as a stand-alone head for ease of logistics).

There was never a "blackface" version of the DSR so you may find that reconfiguring the circuit to pseudo-AB763 specs is a challenge in its own right.

Welcome to the forum.

Arjay


I agree. At my age I would much rather carry the head in one arm and the cab in another rather than risk dislocating a shoulder or herniating a disk carrying it all at once in a combo cab. :lol:

I agree about looking for the right speakers. I think a set of American flavored speakers would compliment the showman nicely.

Wish you luck and congrats on
A. Your dual showman acquisition
B. Your successful repairs on the amp.

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Post subject: Re: My 73 Dual Showman Reverb is coming along
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 4:53 pm
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A couple of Emi Texas Heat's should do nicely......

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: My 73 Dual Showman Reverb is coming along
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 5:00 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
A couple of Emi Texas Heat's should do nicely......

Arjay



Thanks guys. So do you think the Texas Heats would be better for a Twin or in my case a DSR than the Legends 1258s? Arjay if you think so that is probably what I will buy. While searching for technical know how and expertise I have come across your post quite a bit and I know you know your stuff when it comes to these older Fender amps. You have been a big help in the past and for that I thank you.


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Post subject: Re: My 73 Dual Showman Reverb is coming along
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 6:24 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
There was never a "blackface" version of the DSR so you may find that reconfiguring the circuit to pseudo-AB763 specs is a challenge in its own right.

Welcome to the forum.

Arjay



Welcome, lovehifi!

Arjay is correct. There never was a Dual Showman Reverb version with AB763 blackface style phase inverter anode loading and bias controlled pot. I recently redid a Showman Reverb from AA769 (balance pot) to AB763 (bias pot and BF anode loading).

-----


Showman reverb with AA769 style balance pot (coupling caps from PI to 6L6GC pulled for clarity):


Image



Modified to bias pot and anode loading (ala: AB763-style):

Image


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Post subject: Re: My 73 Dual Showman Reverb is coming along
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 6:35 pm
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The Legends would also be a worthy option, hifi. The salient sonic difference between the two is, the Legend will likely sound a bit more organic (ie: "vintage") while the TH produces a somewhat more contemporary rock/blues tone. Truth told, there are dozens of quality speakers that will get the job done. Just be certain to buy something with sufficient power-handling capability. Your DSR makes 100 real watts -- not like the chintzy-a$$ed nonsense you'd see from a Frontman 212. A 75-watt rating (for each of the two speakers) should be ample for the task at hand.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: My 73 Dual Showman Reverb is coming along
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 3:04 pm
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Well someone locally was selling a 2 x 12 cabinet with two Legend 1258s so I bought it. It was the same price as buying two Legends new so I figured why not. Anyway sounds much better (to me) than the G12-75s. Now my Fender sounds like a Fender:) I was worried the 1258s might be ear piercing on the highs but my worries did not come true. Another plus is these being used they are already broke in.


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Post subject: Re: My 73 Dual Showman Reverb is coming along
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 4:02 pm
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A wise choice, weed-hoppah......congratulations!

8)

Arjay

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