jackburtonpce
Joined: May 10, 2018
Posts: 4
New Mexico/Spain
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Posted on May 23 2018 11:55 AM
Hello all,
Did a quick search through the site but couldn't find any recommendations for diy reverb unit kits. Apologies if this has already been addressed (which, on a site like this I'm sure it has).
Anyway, quickly, I've gotta Bassman 100 into a Bassman 2x15 cab (both from the 70s) and I NEED to get some reverb on that mf. I can't afford a 60s Fender 6G15 and the reissues just don't do it for me, sound-wise. I've been scopin' out two diy kits - the MOD Wave and the Mojotone blackface reverb kit.
Just wondered if anyone had a recommendation one direction or another? Of course, I'd lean more toward a 6G15 replica but also wanted to know what you folks thought of the MOD? This is going to be a summer project as I'm also building the enclosure.
Other than that, I've seen some silverface Fender units floating around for decent prices if anyone catches wind of one of those up for grabs OR has any thoughts to share about them.
Thanks for your help!
— Everybody relax, I'm here.
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FritzCat
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Posts: 685
Sonoma, CA
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Posted on May 23 2018 12:14 PM
Unless you absolutely have to have a tube unit, the SurfyBear is the easiest/cheapest way to go. They also sell a premade unit, still probably cheaper than a tube kit and it sounds just as good.
Last edited: May 23, 2018 15:53:12
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crumble
Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 3158
Guildford England
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Posted on May 23 2018 12:16 PM
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Tailrocker
Joined: May 09, 2018
Posts: 63
Tacoma, WA
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Posted on May 23 2018 01:37 PM
If you do choose to go with a 6G15 kit, I recommend Triode Electronics. I gutted and rebuilt my RI 63 with their stripped down kit (just board, pots, components, tube sockets, etc) and it's rock solid now.
Last edited: May 23, 2018 13:39:47
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Tailrocker
Joined: May 09, 2018
Posts: 63
Tacoma, WA
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Posted on May 23 2018 01:41 PM
Here's a photo of that project about halfway through.
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Tqi
Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
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Posted on May 23 2018 04:24 PM
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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 13:57:20
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Roy69
Joined: Apr 20, 2012
Posts: 57
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Posted on May 24 2018 03:55 AM
I'm sorry if I chime in only once every 100 years, without much of an introduction.
Tube Town in Germany stocks the transformers you mentioned; their website is https://www.tube-town.net (I'm in no way affiliated to them).
They also occasionally have NOS 6K6 tubes. When I built my own 6G15 unit I got all my parts there, but used a toroid transformer, because the Hammond replacements weren't available then and the instructions I followed suggested using a particular toroid PT.
— Of course it's alive, you cannot make music with dead Muppahones! -- Marvin Suggs
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Tqi
Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
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Posted on May 24 2018 08:46 AM
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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 13:56:38
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jackburtonpce
Joined: May 10, 2018
Posts: 4
New Mexico/Spain
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Posted on May 24 2018 01:00 PM
Wow, thanks to everyone for replying, and so quickly!
To Fritz and crumble, I've checked into the Surfy Bear stuff and am frankly blown away by the sound/product/price. As for now that'll be a plan b as I must admit, I'm looking forward to the challenge of building a tube-driven unit. I'll also be building the enclosure with some buddies in Austin who build speaker cabinets and house amplifiers. It'll be a bit of a "vacation" for me. Thanks for the forum links and suggestion though. Much obliged.
To Roy, Tqi, and Tailrocker, thank you dudes for pointing me toward TAD, Triode, and Tube Town. I was unaware of all three and it's helping me nail down the specs on how I want to pull this project together. Tailrocker, the unit is looking sharp thus far! I'll be sure to check in as you progress. If anyone thinks they might be interested, I'll do the same when I get this project up and running this summer.
Thanks again to everyone! I appreciate it!
— Everybody relax, I'm here.
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Tailrocker
Joined: May 09, 2018
Posts: 63
Tacoma, WA
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Posted on May 24 2018 01:37 PM
JBP, sounds good man!
Sorry I didn't make it clear but that was the shot I had lying around. It's all done and working great. The only thing I think it needs is a thermistor to slow the application of plate voltage until the heaters warm up. No rectifier tube in the Fender tube reverb, alas. Champs don't have a standby but do have a rectifier tube to slow things down.
Otherwise I'm not a purist when it comes to having a rectifier tube vs. SS.
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Tqi
Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
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Posted on May 24 2018 03:47 PM
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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 13:56:32
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Roy69
Joined: Apr 20, 2012
Posts: 57
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Posted on May 24 2018 04:33 PM
Tqi wrote:
I happened across that thread last night. Forgive me, was yours the 30VA build or the 50VA build? 
That must have been Torsten's build-thread, I never posted one (slightly ashamed of my messy build). IIRC he used a Tube Town 30VA like I did.
— Of course it's alive, you cannot make music with dead Muppahones! -- Marvin Suggs
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Tailrocker
Joined: May 09, 2018
Posts: 63
Tacoma, WA
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Posted on May 24 2018 06:18 PM
That's an interesting idea. I'll try to read up more on it.
If I could find a spot for a rectifier tube it would be possible to use a Weber copper cap w no resistance (but has a thermistor). I mounted the filter caps inside, so that took up some room.
The problem with that is the reissue PT is set up for a bridge rectifier, so I had to modify the Triode board for that.
Cheers.
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Tqi
Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
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Posted on May 24 2018 08:54 PM
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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 13:56:25
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LHR
Joined: Aug 23, 2006
Posts: 2123
The jungle
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Posted on May 26 2018 01:52 AM
Tqi wrote:
Any reason why you couldn't add a rectifier tube to the design if you wanted to? I guess you'd need a slightly over-spec PT for the extra voltage.
My Hoffman kit has a tube rectifier, ostensibly for this reason. I've switched it out with a diode thingy that inserts in the tube socket but didn't dig it. I've often wondered why the Reverb Unit never had a standby switch. A holdover from the smaller tweed amps, I guess. Not an expert. Oh, and +1 on the transformer.
— SSIV
Last edited: May 26, 2018 02:27:25
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