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Post subject: SRRI mods: opinions please.
Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 5:45 pm
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I used to use a 66 Twin (with OD pedals) with my band. I prefer the natural breakup of an amp to pedals so I got an SRRI.
It sounds perfect with the volume on 8. Unfortunately, that's a bit too loud. Plus I prefer the punch of 12" speakers to 10"ers.

So I'm thinking of doing the following to my amp:
1. Replace the output tranny with a Mercury Magnetics with a 4 ohm tap.
2. Replacing the baffle with a 2x12 and running 2 8 ohm speakers wired in parallel.
3. Adding a Dr. Z Brake Lite to cut the volume a bit.

As far a what speakers, I'm undecided between Weber F150s, Celestion G12H30s, or Celestion G12-65s.

Any thought appreciated.


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Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 6:06 pm
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I've used Mercury Magnetic trannies and they are good. But, for a 1966 Twin or a DRRI. You may lose orchange sme of the tone. I'd keep the original PT and OPT if they are ok. I replaced an OPT in 1966 Princeton Reverb that was bad with a Mercury Mag. And it gave the amp a much different tone compared to my 1965 Princeton Reverb. More in your face, almost a Deluxe Reverb tone.

FWIW...


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Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 6:54 pm
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I don't know much about these Mercury Maggots, never used one, doubt I ever will. My feeling is swapping the original OT for an expensive after market is money poorly spent. I think the original works just fine at 4 ohms. BTW most dual speaker amps run parallel. Often mods don't come out as well as planned and you're talking expensive mods and lots of work, better spent improving your playing skills.

Do what you will.

I wouldn't swap speakers in a Super Reverb for a pair of 12'. It just goes against my grain modding a vintage amp. It always reduces the value.

My feeling is you're better off to find an amp you like. Maybe a Pro Reverb a Twin or something else with 12' speakers.


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Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 8:00 pm
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The mods are for my Super Reverb RI. My 66 Twin is all stock (except the power chord, a few caps & tubes of course) and will stay that way.

More "in your face" isn't necessarily a bad thing IMO. I don't mind if it doesn't sound necessarily exactly like a Super Reverb when I'm done.
Running a 4 ohm load with the stock OT wont hurt anything? The main reason for the OT change is for the Brake Lite which isn't recommended for 2 ohm loads.
I'm pretty set on the 12" speakers though. Not only will it give the amp a little tighter low end but will also make getting to the bias adjust much easier.

I wish they made a RI of the Pro Reverb. Although I agree it would probably be perfect I'm not really interested in having another vintage amp. The Twin is for the collection, the SRRI is for playing out and I don't mind modding a reissue (even if it hurts the resale value).

Thanks for your input guys and keep 'em coming.


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Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 8:10 pm
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slowpokerhino wrote:
The mods are for my Super Reverb RI. My 66 Twin is all stock (except the power chord, a few caps & tubes of course) and will stay that way.

More "in your face" isn't necessarily a bad thing IMO. I don't mind if it doesn't sound necessarily exactly like a Super Reverb when I'm done.
Running a 4 ohm load with the stock OT wont hurt anything? The main reason for the OT change is for the Brake Lite which isn't recommended for 2 ohm loads.
I'm pretty set on the 12" speakers though. Not only will it give the amp a little tighter low end but will also make getting to the bias adjust much easier.

Thanks for your input guys and keep 'em coming.


My Bad, I was thinking it was a true vintage amp. "I Your Face" it already is, I don't think 12's will make it louder or sound any better than 4 10's. But it's your money and your ears.

Think of it this way would you rather have some one ask you to turn up or turn down?

FWIW Quality playing is better than loud, skill is better than any effect.

Leave the bias alone. It doesn't need your help.


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Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 8:32 pm
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The goal with the 2 12s isn't to make the amp louder. Quite the opposite. I've just been using a 2x12 amp for many years and prefer that sound to 4x10s. There is a definite difference.
While I'll have the tranformer professionally installed, I do all my own amp maintenance and that includes occasionally changing power tubes which does require a re-bias so not having to remove the chassis or remove one of the speakers to get at the screw is a big plus.

Why do you keep assuming I can't play? I've been playing for over 20 years and I can certainly hold my own.


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Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 9:51 pm
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Why don't you simply grab a vintage Bandmaster head and mate it to a 2 x 12 cab? This rig cost me less than eight bills to put together......

Image

Forty vintage watts of all tube power through a pair of Celestion V30s and a stage footprint no larger than a Deluxe Reverb.

Arjay

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Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 10:31 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Why don't you simply grab a vintage Bandmaster head and mate it to a 2 x 12 cab? This rig cost me less than eight bills to put together......

Image

Forty vintage watts of all tube power through a pair of Celestion V30s and a stage footprint no larger than a Deluxe Reverb.

Arjay


Hey Arjay,
Aren't you the one with the biggest amp collection on the fender forum?


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Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 10:37 pm
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Twinhit wrote:
Hey Arjay,
Aren't you the one with the biggest amp collection on the fender forum?


LOL. Honestly I have no idea. Maybe. I dunno......

Arjay

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Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 12:37 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Twinhit wrote:
Hey Arjay,
Aren't you the one with the biggest amp collection on the fender forum?


LOL. Honestly I have no idea. Maybe. I dunno......

Arjay


You wouldn't happen to own a peculiar amp formerly lovingly embraced by 63supro, would ya?
:wink:


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Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 1:13 am
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Twinhit wrote:
You wouldn't happen to own a peculiar amp formerly lovingly embraced by 63supro, would ya?
:wink:


No, but I had one just like it, with similar "issues" and ultimate outcome.

And after I ditched that miserable POFS I used the proceeds from the sale to fund my Spankmaster Reverb......which is what I should've bought in the first place.

:mrgreen:

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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Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 4:43 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Twinhit wrote:
You wouldn't happen to own a peculiar amp formerly lovingly embraced by 63supro, would ya?
:wink:


No, but I had one just like it, with similar "issues" and ultimate outcome.

And after I ditched that miserable POFS I used the proceeds from the sale to fund my Spankmaster Reverb......which is what I should've bought in the first place.

:mrgreen:

Arjay


What exactly is the problem with the amp?
Poor solder joints, PCB etc seem to be what I have read.
Also, the quality of circuit components have been mentioned.
so far I haven't had any problems with my BDRI.


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Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 6:37 am
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Twinhit wrote:
What exactly is the problem with the amp?
Poor solder joints, PCB etc seem to be what I have read.
Also, the quality of circuit components have been mentioned.
so far I haven't had any problems with my BDRI.


I think it's a case where so many are manufactured, that a small difference in quality makes a big difference to the overall perception. I would imagine that DRRIs sell very well also, but one hears far fewer complaints about those. There are lots of people that get many years of great service out of their HRDLXs. I know a number of gigging, touring musicians who swear by them. Only a small percentage have the epic failures that you hear about here.


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Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:07 am
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prolog wrote:
I think it's a case where so many are manufactured, that a small difference in quality makes a big difference to the overall perception. I would imagine that DRRIs sell very well also, but one hears far fewer complaints about those. There are lots of people that get many years of great service out of their HRDLXs. I know a number of gigging, touring musicians who swear by them. Only a small percentage have the epic failures that you hear about here.


You are correct, sir.

My best friend and former band mate (now deceased) had a 2 x 12 HR Deville that he used exclusively without incident for some ten years. In fact, I bought my HR Deluxe based on his experiences. His was a '96 model (back when these amps were cataloged and hyped as "All-American Tube Models") and the only failure he ever had was when the strap handle broke unexpectly one day while unloading for a gig. The amp hit hard and got its Tolex a bit scuffed but was otherwise unaffected. Later after we parted ways, he formed a new band and decided he wanted a complete change of equipment. His LP Standard became a wall-hanger in favor of a PRS "Santana" edition and he traded the Deville in on a new 4 x 10 tweed Blues Deville re-issue. That amp developed issues virtually from day one and Mike ultimately returned to the store to try and buy his old Deville back. Alas, it had been sold only a day beforehand. Several trips to the Fender-authorized repair tech later, he finally got the problems with the tweed version sorted out but it was an aggravating six-month nightmare. I ended up loaning him one of my Twin Reverbs so he could fulfill his gig commitments. My situation was more fortuitous -- after failure of the reverb, the footswitch, the channel-switching relays, and a speaker replacement over a sixteen-month period (all addressed under warranty) I was able to unload mine for $45 more than I paid for it when new. I have neither the time nor the inclination to abide such machinations -- like most working musicians.

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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Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 1:28 pm
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I don't know why you couldn't put a 4ohm OT in that amp. You might have to drill a couple holes in the chassis or make some type of mounting adapter, for the new OT. Don't know about the baffle board. If it's not glued into the cab, you might be able to get 2X12 diagonal set-up to work. Art

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