Smart_Patrol
Joined: Feb 14, 2016
Posts: 103
Brighton
|
Posted on May 28 2017 12:24 PM
A few weeks ago I managed to pick myself up a used Fender Reverb tank re-issue, and have been absolutely loving it, sounds fantastic when paired with a Vibro Champ!
However, when I arrived at rehearsal today, I got everything set up, switched it on, and nothing. Well, almost nothing, the dry guitar signal was coming through no problem, but there was no sign of any actual reverb! Playing with the controls did nothing, and being not very technical minded, I'm kind of at a loss. Google didn't turn up anything useful, so I'm hoping someone here will be able to help me out!
(Note: usually I'd just drop it straight into my local amp tech, but he's away for a month and I'd rather have it sorted out sooner rather than later as we have a gig coming up)
Cheers!
— Earth. Atomizer. Let's go.
The Atom Jacks
The Tridents
|
psychonaut
Joined: Dec 08, 2007
Posts: 1308
|
Posted on May 28 2017 12:28 PM
|
Smart_Patrol
Joined: Feb 14, 2016
Posts: 103
Brighton
|
Posted on May 29 2017 05:11 AM
psychonaut wrote:
Check the rca cable from the unit to the pan. They sometimes go bad.
Had a play around with the RCA cables but no dice, still regular old guitar sound. Cheers though!
— Earth. Atomizer. Let's go.
The Atom Jacks
The Tridents
|
derekirving
Joined: Nov 03, 2011
Posts: 660
|
Posted on May 29 2017 08:12 AM
I had a similar experience with a few of my reissues. One turned out to be a bad reverb transformer. The other was a bad capacitor. Do the basics, check tubes, cables and if you have a diff reverb pan to try that too. If you remove the pan look at the transducers in the pan - there are small thin wires that sometimes break.
|
DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11079
Berkeley, CA
|
Posted on May 29 2017 09:16 AM
Smart_Patrol wrote:
psychonaut wrote:
Check the rca cable from the unit to the pan. They sometimes go bad.
Had a play around with the RCA cables but no dice, still regular old guitar sound. Cheers though!
I may be stating the obvious, but did you try reversing the cables, sometimes they fall out and when plugged back in they get reversed. If not that, then follow Derek's advice and A/B it with a known working pan. If you have an old Fender combo with built in reverb, try that pan.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
|
shake_n_stomp
Joined: Jan 09, 2014
Posts: 625
Vancouver BC
|
Posted on May 29 2017 01:27 PM
Two mechanical-type things to look for:
Is the Transport Bracket (L bracket) locked into place? If so, the reverb springs cannot freely wobble, therefore no (or very little) reverb is created
The foam block glued to the inside of the front panel may have detached and is still resting against the pan springs preventing them from freely wobbling, therefore no (or very little) reverb is created.
The easiest way to access the reverb pan to investigate any mechanical issues is to remove the 4 Phillips screws from the front panel (i.e. where the Fender logo plate is attached). If you firmly press the panel from the rear you can pop it out forward. You may find that disconnecting the RCA connectors on the pan will make things easier but label them for re-connection later on.
— Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada
|
Smart_Patrol
Joined: Feb 14, 2016
Posts: 103
Brighton
|
Posted on May 29 2017 03:43 PM
Thanks for the advice all! Took the front panel off and plugged a MOD tank in, and the unit worked fan, so now at least I know it's the pan that's the problem. The little wires going from the red RCA jack and connecting to the springs have come loose, and are free from the little white connector, so no signal!
I've tried wrigging them back in but can't get them to stay. Are they meant to be soldered on the inside, or can I just slot them back in place?
Picture for context
EDIT
Managed to get the wires back into the connector all snug, put the unit back together and it's working semi-fine. The wet signal was very quiet the first time I switched it back on, but now after a couple of times being switched on and off it seems like it's working fine! Probably well enough until I can get another Accutronics pan, anyway.
Thanks guys!
— Earth. Atomizer. Let's go.
The Atom Jacks
The Tridents
Last edited: May 29, 2017 16:46:07
|
Gilette
Joined: May 04, 2014
Posts: 734
|
Posted on May 30 2017 12:25 PM
Smart_Patrol wrote:
Thanks for the advice all! Took the front panel off and plugged a MOD tank in, and the unit worked fan, so now at least I know it's the pan that's the problem. The little wires going from the red RCA jack and connecting to the springs have come loose, and are free from the little white connector, so no signal!
I've tried wrigging them back in but can't get them to stay. Are they meant to be soldered on the inside, or can I just slot them back in place?
Picture for context
EDIT
Managed to get the wires back into the connector all snug, put the unit back together and it's working semi-fine. The wet signal was very quiet the first time I switched it back on, but now after a couple of times being switched on and off it seems like it's working fine! Probably well enough until I can get another Accutronics pan, anyway.
Thanks guys!
It can be repaired easily, so don't throw it away yet. You can always find someone who can help you with it. It's always the same with these wires; they come of eventually, and then you solder em back on.
|
derekirving
Joined: Nov 03, 2011
Posts: 660
|
Posted on May 30 2017 12:41 PM
One trick once they are back on and everything is working correctly is to cover the area (wires connecting to the white connector) with a glob silicon. This will help hold them together and give a bit more shock absorbance.
|
Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4538
Wisconsin
|
Posted on May 31 2017 07:00 AM
derekirving wrote:
One trick once they are back on and everything is working correctly is to cover the area (wires connecting to the white connector) with a glob silicon. This will help hold them together and give a bit more shock absorbance.
 That's a great tip. One other thing I'd mention since the RCA cables themselves are often the culprit: I've seen several of these where the cables were "just" long enough to do the job & no more - like 6" of wire would break the production accounting staff. Investing in a quality pair of cables that are slightly longer will keep the plug/socket angle good & avoid violating the bend-radius of the whimpy wire inside if one has to mess around with things.
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
|
Gilette
Joined: May 04, 2014
Posts: 734
|
Posted on May 31 2017 08:27 AM
It would make sense if the wires in the tank where more flexible, like the tinsel wires which are connected to the voice coil of speakers.
|
Smart_Patrol
Joined: Feb 14, 2016
Posts: 103
Brighton
|
Posted on May 31 2017 01:25 PM
Thanks for the extra tips,I've coated the wires and they seem to be staying in place just fine. And yes Gilette, it would make a lot more sense if the wires could flex a little, not sure why they don't, maybe cost?
— Earth. Atomizer. Let's go.
The Atom Jacks
The Tridents
|
June Birthdays 
