Fender Tube Reverb Unit Versus Digital Options

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Wed May 16, 2007 4:27 pm

Yow...a penny for your thoughts...makes no cents

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Wed May 16, 2007 6:32 pm

What's that pounding in my ears? ... now, if we became lira-cal, it'd leave a mark ... but I don't have a yen for currency puns!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed May 16, 2007 7:16 pm

Zlo-ty. Zlo-ty. Zlo-ty.

Huh?

I'm not sure if I've got a yen to continue.

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu May 17, 2007 2:58 am

I have had the opportunity to evaluate the '63 Fender Reverb Reissue last evening and my first impressions regarding its great tone are confirmed.

I am using this reverb unit with my Vox AC30 Reissue with Celestion Blues. After my modifications to the "Normal" channel (500pf) of the AC 30 I am using it almost exclusively. The old muddy tone of the standard wiring heard on the normal channel is history after the cap mod.

There is no harshness of tone after the retube and I will need some convincing to put in the 390 mfd capacitor at this point. Besides, the tone pot on the unit handles this aspect already, it would seem. If you have done the cap mod, I would be interested in your opinion.

While it is possible to get too much digital reverb effect, the tube reverb cranked is great.

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Thu May 17, 2007 6:10 am

Long story re: my RI reverb unit Peter.. sounded decent out of the box ..first I retubed and did the cap mod..sounded better,,started to run into some problems with some cold solder connections and sent the unit to Charlie Kittelson..he fixed and did some tweeking including installing a set of hexfreds.(fast recovery diodes)..sounded real good..later ran into a the same problem so took to my current tech and he reversed a couple of the previous mods and has worked great ever sense. My original '65 unit has an overall smoother more musical tone but the reissue after the mods has more gain which is good for me. Glad ya like yours!

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu May 17, 2007 7:33 am

George: I just love a long story so thank you for your comments.

My wife knows this so well she often says, please just give me the short story.

So help me out here. What's not to like about a long detailed discussion about guitars and amplifiers?

.

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Fri May 18, 2007 5:14 pm

Hey Peter...maybe it's been done but a fun thread might be one about a guitar/amp buy adventure yarn..like most all of us have done for better or worse...how far traveled...how good a deal etc...

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu May 24, 2007 2:15 am

Good idea, George. While I have you on the line, how do I tell what year my '63 Fender Reverb was manufactured? I cannot find a serial number chart online for these units.

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Thu May 24, 2007 6:52 pm

Let me see if I can find some info on that Peter...

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri May 25, 2007 9:45 am

For George and Paul. If you get the chance, I would like to have a couple of close up photos of the inside of your Fender Reverb Reissue units. You can feel free to send them to [email protected].

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon May 28, 2007 8:22 am

Here is a question for Greg or other amplifier techs.

With the help of a knowledgeable friend, I am having the tube and cap mod done that many have suggested for the '63 Fender Reverb Reissue.

I see that the '63 Fender Reverb Reissue unit calls for a 4AB3C1C Accutronics Reverb Tank (low impedence type), 2 Spring, Long Delay, 16 3/4" Long (Fender, Marshall, Ampeg F-type).

Of interest to me is the fact that my unit (second hand) has an Accutronics pan code of 4FB3D1B. This actually is a high impedance (1900 ohm) input model which surprises me as most transformer driven units are 8 ohm (2 spring) or 10 ohm (3 spring).

This unit sounds wonderful but I am worried that the pan may have been replaced. The pan I have seems to have been used for Music Man and Ampeg amplifiers. Is it going to cause me electronic or tonal grief to be using the 4FB3D1B pan, that is, is there any good reason to get a 4AB3C1C at this point?

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 8:36 am

OK, the 4AB3C1B tank is on the way.

An additional question, did any of the Fender Reverb Units have their pans horizontally mounted on the bottom of the unit instead of being suspended by the springs in the vertical position.

Is the uniqueness of the sound, at least in part, due to the suspended vertical mounting of the reverb pan? Would a more stable horizontal mount alter the sound of the reverb?

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:24 am

George: Can you tell me the thickness of the foam padding between the pan and the front edge of your Fender Reverb Unit?

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:29 pm

Peter..looks to be 3/4 of an inch...just pressed the button on this one on ebay..sorry not sure how to post link..closed auction 230140102440

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:55 pm

Thanks George.