It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:03 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 17 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Supersonic Twin 100 Combo Reverb Tank Connection
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 3:50 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2014 3:33 pm
Posts: 12
Direct to the point my questions is this: Is the RCA cable connecting the main board to the reverb tank a normal RCA left right sort of cable? The factory cable has some thing in the middle of the cable with the cord wrapping around it several times and it is covered by some sort of shrink tube. That cable is broken. Can I use a normal RCA cable as replacement?

I recently acquired a 'condition 1' SS Twin 100 combo from musicians friend. While trying hard to love this amp, the amp has been a challenge. I've been having hiss issues and discovered that the RCA cables connected to the Reverb tank are broken. The center pin on the red connector is broken and both cables rca crimp were so loose basically the reverb didn't work at all. I think I have found this reverb tank issue to be the major source of my hiss issues. I am really close to having the love affair with this amp that I should be having.

Thanks in advance for assistance provided.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Supersonic Twin 100 Combo Reverb Tank Connection
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 4:23 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:37 pm
Posts: 8708
Location: Natural Bridge, Virginia
If the amp came with a warranty, you should contact Musician's Friend first to give them a chance to make this right. I have found their customer service to be quite good.

_________________
Bill

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Supersonic Twin 100 Combo Reverb Tank Connection
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 9:17 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:33 pm
Posts: 457
Location: Bushnell, FL
Agreed, use your warranty or give seller a chance to make it right.

_________________
Charlie P 5E3 Build 6-14
2x12 cab Build 16, 5e3 Built 3-4-16
6G3 Head Build 3,3,18
Fend HSS Am DLX Strat 08
Fend MIM Telebot Dlx 11 Tronical Tuner
Fend SupSonic 60 2010
Gibson Robot 08, Gib. Faded Ch LP 07
Gret. G5420 16, Peavey VK112 08,


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Supersonic Twin 100 Combo Reverb Tank Connection
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 9:37 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2014 3:33 pm
Posts: 12
The cable from the main board to the reverb tank is a normal rca cable. The thing that was wrapped in some sort of shrink was a plastic circle used to shorten the cable length. I kept the shrink from the original cable and made my best buy replacement rca cable look the same using the plastic circle, then reused cut off shrink and some good old electrical tape in case the cable was actually being shielded from something.

All my hiss problems solved. Fender has a packing issue. I suspect my amp was returned because of the faulty reverb tank broken cable. I fault musicians friend for only turning the amp on and seeing it passed post test and then calling it a condition 1 return. This amp required repairs most users would not have trouble shot or made correct and under normal circumstances would have resulted in warranty repair. Hoo ya for me. I fault FMIC because they should package things so the reverb tank can't toss around on the inside of the amp during shipping causing the damage I saw in the first place. By the time I got this amp the reverb simply did not work and the hiss, oh my god, the hiss when trying to use the reverb...

In the beginning I was very angry at myself for buying this amp and not listening to the complaints about noise and other QC issues. Now that all my problems are corrected I feel like I got a 2K amp for 650 bux... not a bad deal. this amp is like having a twin reverb + a bassman and both with a gain channel. 3 amps in 1, way cool...

I wish I knew how to post pictures of the before and after. In my opinion this amp has an undeserved bad reputation. The only two things that are absolute truth about this amp are: 1. it is heavier than anything. 2). It is the loudest amp I have ever heard.

Glad I have one. Has anyone swapped out and tried different tubes in it yet?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Supersonic Twin 100 Combo Reverb Tank Connection
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 9:54 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2014 3:33 pm
Posts: 12
I am all for warranty service AFTER I have determined I can not fix it myself without voiding any warranties. The idea of I have a problem call for warranty service and pay money for shipping or waist time taking or packing your amp to be sent someplace for repairs. The people who suggest this have never been about to perform with a broken anything! Sorry folks I was going to play but now I have to prepare for warranty service... lol...

If we both had two different amps with the same problem and you did what you do and I did what I do, I would be performing with my amp, you would be without yours for 6 to 8 weeks...

FMIC or Musicians Friend owes me 8 bucks for a 6 foot RCA cable... lol...


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Supersonic Twin 100 Combo Reverb Tank Connection
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 10:11 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
OttoMatick wrote:
The only two things that are absolute truth about this amp are: 1. it is heavier than anything. 2). It is the loudest amp I have ever heard.


You're obviously unfamiliar with Fender's late '70s-era ultra-linear Twin Reverb equipped with JBL's......

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Supersonic Twin 100 Combo Reverb Tank Connection
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 10:25 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 2:49 am
Posts: 560
Location: Perth, Australia
The Reverb cable is a standard CHEAP RCA Left/Right, and in the middle it wraps through a large ferrite core to try and reduce high frequency noise. That ferrite core is what is covered in the heat-shrink. I tossed that cable out and got high quality shielded ones made to length for my SSTwin, (No ferrite core needed).

Yeah I have swapped out most of my pre-amp tubes, and have found a very good sound that I like, you can try it and see if you hear any differences that you like, no harm done.

Yeah the amp is heavy, those 2 x 12's and that large export power transformer add some weight on mine, but its sounding good none the less.

_________________
GUITAR: Fender USA JazzMaster.
BASS: Fender USA 58'AVRI
AMP: Fender USA SuperSonicTwin - Blonde.
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Supersonic Twin 100 Combo Reverb Tank Connection
Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 12:58 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2014 3:33 pm
Posts: 12
AaronK it would be nice to hear which preamp tubes you've tried and settled on. Did you change them all or just the input and gain stages(V1-3?? schematic downstairs). What about your power tubes? I'm considering a matched quad of T-6L6GC-WC.

Now that the reverb tank works I hear a phone ringing and found a microphonic 12at7 i think it is the v6 one(closest to the back next to power tubes), so I have to replace at least that one.

I also love EL84 based amps and having recently re-tubed my Ampeg J12-T and Peavey Classic 50 head I tried the Mullard reissues and love both the EL84 and 12ax7 tubes. The Mullard 12ax7's are a tad chubby so I am not sure they will fit in the SS with the tube socket caps they have.

Right now the Mullards are my fave tone 12ax7 tube.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Supersonic Twin 100 Combo Reverb Tank Connection
Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 1:49 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 2:49 am
Posts: 560
Location: Perth, Australia
Here is my substitutions:

Image

The stock tubes are labeled on the diagram, and my installed are labelled under "Valve Substitutions".

_________________
GUITAR: Fender USA JazzMaster.
BASS: Fender USA 58'AVRI
AMP: Fender USA SuperSonicTwin - Blonde.
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Supersonic Twin 100 Combo Reverb Tank Connection
Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 11:28 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2014 3:33 pm
Posts: 12
Aaron your diagram absolutely rocks. Thanks very much for that. I see on your diagram the Mullard preamp tubes fit. That is very good news for me. You put them where I wanted too.

I like how you used a JJ in V3 to smooth out the gain stage. I think we have different mother boards because my reverb driver 12at7 tube is V6, OR before I got this amp someone swapped V5/V6 tubes...

you seem to be at the place I am headed. I did notice on your diagram that you replaced the 12at7/ecc081 tube in v5 with a 12ax7 mullard, why? did you do this yourself or take it to a tech?

nicely done...


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Supersonic Twin 100 Combo Reverb Tank Connection
Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 11:58 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
V5 is the reverb driver, and should be a 12AT7 (ECC81), V6 is the reverb recovery, a 12AX7. Check AaronK's diagram again, he used an ECC81 (12AT7) in V5.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Supersonic Twin 100 Combo Reverb Tank Connection
Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 12:50 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:37 pm
Posts: 8708
Location: Natural Bridge, Virginia
OttoMatick wrote:
I am all for warranty service AFTER I have determined I can not fix it myself without voiding any warranties. The idea of I have a problem call for warranty service and pay money for shipping or waist time taking or packing your amp to be sent someplace for repairs. The people who suggest this have never been about to perform with a broken anything! Sorry folks I was going to play but now I have to prepare for warranty service... lol...

If we both had two different amps with the same problem and you did what you do and I did what I do, I would be performing with my amp, you would be without yours for 6 to 8 weeks...

FMIC or Musicians Friend owes me 8 bucks for a 6 foot RCA cable... lol...


Your original post made no mention that you needed the amp to gig with nor did it indicate your level of knowledge with regard to amp repair. Based on that (lack of) information, I recommended a warranty repair in case the problems were deeper than what you described. FWIW, I repair and build my own amps.

_________________
Bill

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Supersonic Twin 100 Combo Reverb Tank Connection
Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 1:23 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2014 3:33 pm
Posts: 12
bluesky636 wrote:
Your original post made no mention that you needed the amp to gig with nor did it indicate your level of knowledge with regard to amp repair. Based on that (lack of) information, I recommended a warranty repair in case the problems were deeper than what you described. FWIW, I repair and build my own amps.


I meant no offense to you or anyone else and I can tell offense was taken. I apologize if my response was hurtful, disparaging or demeaning to you in anyway and I sincerely thank you for taking the time to read my post and your response.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Supersonic Twin 100 Combo Reverb Tank Connection
Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 1:48 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:37 pm
Posts: 8708
Location: Natural Bridge, Virginia
OttoMatick wrote:
bluesky636 wrote:
Your original post made no mention that you needed the amp to gig with nor did it indicate your level of knowledge with regard to amp repair. Based on that (lack of) information, I recommended a warranty repair in case the problems were deeper than what you described. FWIW, I repair and build my own amps.


I meant no offense to you or anyone else and I can tell offense was taken. I apologize if my response was hurtful, disparaging or demeaning to you in anyway and I sincerely thank you for taking the time to read my post and your response.


No offense taken, merely explaining why I recommended what I did.

_________________
Bill

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Supersonic Twin 100 Combo Reverb Tank Connection
Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 5:18 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2014 3:33 pm
Posts: 12
All is well in Fender Supersonic land.

Following bluesky's advice I contacted Musicians Friend and they have listened to my tale of woe and agreed they sold me a condition one return that was in need of repair, thanked me for fixing the amp and not returning it and agreed to replace the micro phonic 12at7 tube and to my surprise sent me two of them(JJ 12AT7) and they should be here next week. Musicians Friend is sofa king good.

Aaron I used a lot of your tube chart layout. I put my 4 remaining Mullards in V1-V3 and V8. I used JJ ruby tubes for all the other 12AX7 spots. The amp is happily silent now with zero hiss. I can hardly wait for the new ecc081 tubes to get here so the phone will stop ringing.

I have exhausted myself with this project but this has become my fave amp over my renegade and classic 50 heads. This amp is second only to my absolute fave class A Ampeg J12-T Jet II. but that is a hand wired heavily modified amp now...

well thanks everyone. my band the sofa kings thank you. and like my band my fender supersonic twin 100 combo is sofa king good! :lol:


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 17 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: