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Post subject: My Mistreated Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 5:42 pm
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Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2015 10:21 pm
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Location: Sacramento, CA
I have a ’66 Deluxe Reverb that I purchased used in 1974. I used it pretty regularly for 10 years or so, then due to myriad circumstances, I quit playing. So… the amp has been sitting, quietly collecting dust for some 30 years.

Now I’m getting the bug again, so I started dusting off the gear and getting things ready to play again. I noticed (for the first time in 40 years) that it had no rectifier tube. Since the amp has been quiet for so long, I took it to a friend that makes boutique amps to give it a look, bring it up slowly & reform the caps. Turns out that the rectifier tube had been bypassed because the power transformer had been replaced with a 40W Bassman.

Somewhat of a disappointment as I’ve always thought I had a nice stock DR amp that just needed a bit of minor maintenance.

I’m now having him bring things as close to stock as we can get. NOS DR transformer, rectifier tube and power caps. We’ll throw in a grounded power cord for good measure.

He’s pretty optimistic that it’ll sound great… I remain hopeful. I'll post pics once she's out of the hospital.


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Post subject: Re: My Mistreated Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 6:25 pm
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Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
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Location: Tombstone Territory
An amp of that age sitting derelict for so long should be fully bench-checked and serviced before use. Plan on new electrolytic caps everywhere (filter stage, bias supply, cathode bypass) and power-rail resistors as may be required. Be sure to scour the contacts of all input and output jacks with some emery cloth to remove any corrosion, often the source of extraneous low-level hum.

And post some pics of your beauty once she's ready to rock again.

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 Mistreated Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 12:29 pm
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" Turns out that the rectifier tube had been bypassed because the power transformer had been replaced with a 40W Bassman. "

Are the output tubes 6L6GC's or 6V6GT's? Has the output tranny also been replaced?


Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: My Mistreated Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 5:58 pm
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Location: Sacramento, CA
Thanks guys... My tech is giving it a thorough overhaul & will be replacing caps as necessary. Still has the original 6V6s. In fact, everything is original except the power transformer ( and missing rectifier ).

I don't really know much about the electronics, but I'm learning now out of necessity. I'm now sorry I didn't have a clue what to look for when I bought it. I'm wondering why none of the other internals weren't changed to match the PT.

At any rate, I'm hoping for a much sweeter sound when it's done.


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Post subject: Re: My Mistreated Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 6:12 pm
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Hey Ted, you didn't happen to buy that amp at The Vox Room did you?

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 Mistreated Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 7:55 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Hey Ted, you didn't happen to buy that amp at The Vox Room did you?

Arjay


Nope.... bought it at the Sound Chamber on Del Paso Blvd. for $169.95. I did by my Strat at the Vox Room though.


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Post subject: Re: My Mistreated Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 10:19 pm
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Oh yeah, I remember the Sound Chamber. As I recollect, Neale's Speaker Service was over there in North Sacramento as well.

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 Mistreated Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 10:09 pm
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Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:40 pm
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Location: Eugene Or
I wouldn't call it mistreated. Back then it wasn't a collectors item it was a tool to make music. Like wrenches and ratchets and things it was modified and beefed up for more horsepower. My 72 bassman 10 was hot rodded for more power. Now these are vintage people want them the way they came from the factory. From what you described sounded like a good mod back in the day. In those days it was make it do what you need and get the most out of it. I would enjoy it when you get her home and post some pics


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