Shoutbox

dp: dude
376 days ago

Bango_Rilla: Shout Bananas!!
331 days ago

BillyBlastOff: See you kiddies at the Convention!
315 days ago

GDW: showman
266 days ago

Emilien03: https://losg...
188 days ago

Pyronauts: Happy Tanks-Kicking!!!
181 days ago

glennmagi: CLAM SHACK guitar
167 days ago

Hothorseraddish: surf music is amazing
147 days ago

dp: get reverberated!
97 days ago

Clint: “A Day at the Beach” podcast #237 is TWO HOURS of NEW surf music releases. https://link...
31 days ago

Please login or register to shout.

IRC Status
  • racc

Join them in the #ShallowEnd!

Need help getting started?

Current Polls

No polls at this time. Check out our past polls.

Current Contests

No contests at this time. Check out our past contests.

Donations

Help us meet our monthly goal:

100%

100%

Donate Now

Cake May Birthdays Cake
SG101 Banner

SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink 63 RE-ISSUE REVERB help....troubleshoot?

New Topic
Goto Page: 1 2 Next

Hi folks, a few months ago I finally picked up an EU230v reissue. Everything works but it just doesn't sound as deep as it should. My belton brick reverb blows it away so I know thats not right. It sounds nice, but lacks depth and has a bit of distortion as the mixer goes above 6-7. [that might be normal]
The first thing I did was replace ALL the electrolytic caps. No improvement. I've tried several accutronics tanks and while some are better than others it still doesnt sound right.Replaced the RCA cables and have swapped tubes with old stock glass.
I've googled gut shot images and my transformer wires seem to go to different terminals than other similar images I've seen. Maybe somebody monkeyed with it at one point. Anyway, I'll post an image of my wiring and another similar unit. The other one has more empty terminals than mine? Maybe thats the 110v v 230v wiring? Anyway, I'm at a loss as to whats wrong with mine.As I said all controls work but its just kind of un-inspiring.
Another thing I noticed is when the unit is in line with my amp, the amp output is padded down noticably, when plugged straight in the amp is louder. [This also might be normal,but I thought I'd mention it.]
image
image

Last edited: Sep 29, 2015 07:16:50

Have you tried new tubes?

Another shot of mine
image

Yes, I've got a stash of tubes and tube swaps havn't helped.
Its wierd cause everything works...so maybe I just got a lemon.
I've:
1]tried tube swaps
2]changed electros
3]changed rca wires
4] did the trebel cap silver mica mod
5]tried 3 different tanks
6] refreshed tube socket solder joints, inspected all wires for loose connections

Last edited: Sep 29, 2015 07:35:29

I've experienced this once with a Tweed Deluxe. Turned out to be a cold solder joint. Some part just got isolated from ground. It still worked but no excitement or whatsoever in the sound. Hope you get it fixed soon.

Hi Czech-One, I had a very similar problem with my RI unit. It turned out to be a blown diode at the power tube. I made a thread about this issue on OSG:
http://offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=52236

If you're comfortable inside a tube-amp you can check the voltage at the cathode of the power tube. See thread above for details.

Hope this helps!
cheers, irv

image

Everything works, but you don't like the tone? What dos that mean? How far is it off? Did it ever sound different (acceptable)?

great post Irv78!
Here are my 6k6 readings,these were measured with the tubes in.
pin 3 - 298v [schematic 285v]
pin 4 - 303v [s 295v]
pin 8 - 17.5v [schem 24v]

I cant measure the preamp tubes cause there are no pin numbers on them?

Last edited: Sep 29, 2015 11:38:24

dboomer, its hard to explain, but my reverb pedals [belton brick rub-a-dub/Boss RV-6] sound WAY deeper/wetter
So something is amiss I think..

Irv78, my diode CR7 seems to be functioning with a reading of .9v on the + leg and infinite on the negative leg.

Last edited: Sep 29, 2015 11:30:58

image

Test point readings
A 305v [schematic 294v]
B 303v [sch 289v]
C 254v [sch 244v]

Last edited: Sep 29, 2015 11:14:00

Hmmm ... the voltages don't seem to be that far off. The voltage on the cathode of the power tube is a tad low. You could try and measure the DC resistance of the cathode resistor (R10) it should read 1KOhm.

image

Its right around 1k

Then everything seems to be in order around the power tube. Are you using a 6K6 tube? I experienced a sound improvement over the stock 6V6. You wrote that you've changed the C10 capacitor to silver mica, did you also increase the value of the capacitor? Basically your whole reverb signal has to go through this capacitor - this capacitor is really a fun place to experiment with. If you increase it beyond 1000pf you can get a totally sick drip ... but I'd say the sensible maximum value is around 500pf.

Do you have access to another reverb unit to compare the sound? Maybe you could describe your signal chain / guitar / pedals / amp and what settings you use on the reverb unit.

image

I believe I used 390pf. Also, I'm using a 6k6.

Last edited: Sep 29, 2015 15:42:59

I'm trying to determine if there is an electrical problem or you simply have a unit that doesn't meet your expectations. Have you ever tried and been happy with the same model but a different unit?

Maybe too obvious but you have the pan unlocked right? Last guy I bought a reverb unit from had it locked the whole time...

The Del-Vipers

dboomer wrote:

I'm trying to determine if there is an electrical problem or you simply have a unit that doesn't meet your expectations. Have you ever tried and been happy with the same model but a different unit?

You know, it is possible. I did own a reissue in the 90's and remember it being drippy-er.The belton brick verb has been on my board a few years and its great.
The volume drop when the tank is in line bugs me,as does the hint of un pleasant distortion. Maybe I'll just move it on,build a surfy bear and get a Fender musicmaster bass amp [something I missed since selling mine awile back]

oh, the tank was un-locked... Laughing

irv78 wrote:

Hmmm ... the voltages don't seem to be that far off. The voltage on the cathode of the power tube is a tad low. You could try and measure the DC resistance of the cathode resistor (R10) it should read 1KOhm.

Just curious at this point, what would bring the voltage up to spec on the cathode,a smaller resistor value?

Last edited: Sep 30, 2015 02:04:30

irv78 wrote:

Do you have access to another reverb unit to compare the sound? Maybe you could describe your signal chain / guitar / pedals / amp and what settings you use on the reverb unit.

I wish I could just A/B it with another reissue!
I'm not playing surf but like to get that drippy,surf/spy+ tremolo thing going on occasion.
Chain-
Partscaster strat w/ EMG S pickups
MXR Dyna Comp-MXR envelope filter-crybaby-Boss PH-2-EA Tremolo- Tech 21 Tri-AC-Ibanez 60's fuzz- Boss LM-2 [as a boost] analog Sound City delay-Boss DD-20-Belton brick verb-Fender 63 tank
home amp- Fender champion 600
Gig amp - JC-120

Last edited: Sep 30, 2015 02:15:40

Goto Page: 1 2 Next
Top