Fronkensurf
Joined: Jul 29, 2014
Posts: 55
Cincinnati
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Posted on Oct 26 2019 12:13 PM
I recently picked up a '78 tube reverb unit for less than half what people are asking on Reverb.com
Before we devolve into a discussion about how horrible they are (for surf anyway), could I just check and see if anyone else out there a)Has one and b) has found a way to get more drip from it?
Mine works great, is super quiet and gives the amp a nice kick, but the reverb is dark. Even with the tone at 10. Darker than my Topanga pedal at least.
Again, not interested in hearing about lame it is. Just interested to know if anyone has had any luck getting drip without tearing the thing apart and rebuilding it from scratch. Any simple mods that can help?
Thanks hanks anks nks ks s...
Jay
Last edited: Oct 26, 2019 12:22:32
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DeathTide
Joined: Apr 13, 2018
Posts: 1378
New Orleans
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Posted on Oct 26 2019 04:53 PM
Have you tried the reverb output RCA into the normal channel? You use a cable that goes from RCA M to 1/4” M mono, and take the signal into input 1 of the normal channel. Then your reverb is dwell, the normal channel volume is the mix, and the tone controls are the tone! I hope I got that right.
Also, maybe you have a dark pan for whatever reason? Maybe a pan swap? I’ve read here than the Korean pans are the drippiest. Mod is the brand I think?
A few things that dramatically increased the drips for me was using super hard downstrokes, and not setting the treble too low.
But, if you really really want the drips you’ll end up with an outboard.
Dan Izen
— Daniel Deathtide
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djangodeadman
Joined: Jan 25, 2007
Posts: 1568
Brighton UK
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Posted on Oct 27 2019 02:29 AM
DeathTide wrote:
But, if you really really want the drips you’ll end up with an outboard.
I believe the poster is asking about an outboard unit, not an onboard reverb.
— Los Fantasticos
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DeathTide
Joined: Apr 13, 2018
Posts: 1378
New Orleans
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Posted on Oct 27 2019 03:52 PM
Oh my god. What a dumbass I am, I read SF and just hallucinated that word “tube” for “twin.” Shame of shames.
Okay, so what I meant to say is - don’t bother trying. That unit will never drip, never ever. I don’t know why.
— Daniel Deathtide
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19335
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Oct 27 2019 03:57 PM
There has been a few threads about these, here is one:
https://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/25141/
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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Fronkensurf
Joined: Jul 29, 2014
Posts: 55
Cincinnati
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Posted on Oct 27 2019 07:39 PM
I've checked the previous threads. This one above doesn't really help. Although that tank of Toddr513's looks suspiciously like mine. Modded at some point and missing some stuff...? I wonder if he sold it and it I ended up with it. Hmmm... 513 is the area code here in Cincinnati afterall...
The other thread is a lot of back and forth about how horrible these units are but not any really helpful specifics for how to get them dripping more.
Just wondering if anyone's had luck getting drip with some mods a reasonable capable person could do.
I already replace the tank with a new Mod med decay and swapped tube for a 6K6 from a 6V6. No real difference.
Jay
Last edited: Oct 27, 2019 19:40:57
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DeathTide
Joined: Apr 13, 2018
Posts: 1378
New Orleans
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Posted on Oct 27 2019 08:54 PM
I tried three pans in the ‘78 tank. Then tried the same pans in the ‘63 & 64 tanks. In the brownface two pans dripped, in the SF none came close. Also tried the 6K6. I would love to hear if you ever get yours to drip!
— Daniel Deathtide
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DaveMudgett
Joined: Mar 17, 2019
Posts: 162
Central PA
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Posted on Oct 28 2019 12:12 AM
The silverface standalone reverb circuit is quite different than the 6G15. Here's the schematic for the 6G15 - http://www.thevintagesound.com/ffg/schem/reverb_6g15_schem.gif - ane here's the schematic for the silverface - http://ampwares.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Fender-Silverface-Reverb-Unit.pdf
I had one of the silverface units in my guitar shop in the 90s, hoping I could make it function as a cheap 6G15 alternative with a couple of simple circuit changes. Changing pans and tubes made no big differences, the circuit is different. We made a few of the obvious component changes to hit the reverb pan harder, which helped but the overall sound was not raw like the original 6G15. We decided that it was a better investment to just sell it to someone who wanted that sound, which was much more smooth and hi-fi. I just got another blackface 6G15, which were still reasonable back then - the going rate was more like $300-500 and I had something like 200-250 in the silverface. I think that analysis would be quite different now.
This thread is the most useful discussion here I've seen on this topic - https://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/25940/?page=2 - IMO, it will take someone with good tube electronics design/repair skill AND someone with good playing skills and EARS to evaluate how various circuit changes sound, to get something good-sounding out of that original circuit. The other option is to just rewire it as a 6G15, which people do with the later reissue 6G15's all the time. I saw an Alessandro-rewired unit at a guitar show a few years ago for $450 - all hand-wired, I kicked myself later for not buying it. But I think the different circuit design and probably different transformers makes that a slightly trickier proposition for the silverface units. Doable, I think, but you better know what you're doing.
— The Delverados - surf, punk, trash, twang - Facebook
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19335
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Oct 28 2019 09:06 AM
Thanks Dave, I couldn't find that thread yesterday.
PrestonRice!
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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FritzCat
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Posts: 685
Sonoma, CA
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Posted on Oct 28 2019 10:04 AM
I have an unused Gomez circuit board somewhere, if you want to try your hand at modding the silverface.
Last edited: Oct 28, 2019 10:04:52
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Fronkensurf
Joined: Jul 29, 2014
Posts: 55
Cincinnati
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Posted on Oct 28 2019 10:22 AM
Thanks, Dave and Fritz. I was pretty sure the only hope was a total rebuild, but I just wanted to check. I listed it this morning on my local facebook musician's market. Going to see if I can sell it and put the cash toward a used reissue. I'm not desperate for reverb: my National Glenwood Amp drips like Dick Dale's swim trunks. And I also have a Topanga that I love.
We'll see. If anybody in surf101 land wants to buy this tank, or the Danelectro Spring King I'm selling, hit me up!
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