Howdy! Brand new to the forum. I never used to think about surf as "a thing". Grew up in the 60s, loved all that music, but never paid enough attention to categorize it.

Well, over the last few years, my use of reverb (and treble) has steadily grown. You know you've got a problem when...

1. The verb on your Princeton is never less than 5.
2. On top of that, you use a Boss FRV-1 to get the attack, and more shimmer. Nearly always.

Add in that I was already addicted to tremolo (Leo's vibrato)... All kinds: Harmonic, Bias Mod, and even brute force opto-clicky-thump-thump.

I doubt anyone ever plans to end up this way, but there you have it.

I don't usually care for Boss pedals. The FRV isn't bad, though. And no other pedal I've found comes close to an outboard unit.

I looked at vintage Fender units, needing god knows what kind of work, for $XXX. Looked at current Fender PCB units, for $XX. Almost pulled the trigger on a used one for $X.

But I love building things (Heathkits then, an amp or two now), and love point-to-point construction. Enter the Weber. They had me at "outboard", but then they said "harmonic". All for $X ($465 shipped, no tubes). In a tweed cab!

That's a 15% discount off listed prices. In typical Weber fashion, they're having a sale, but not telling anyone Apparently.

Now I'm sitting out at the end of the driveway, waiting for the mailman.

Never one to do things in order, I'm soliciting opinions on this kit I've already bought. Anyone build one? How's the tone? Gotchas to be aware of?

This is my first Weber kit. How's the component selection? Should I be preparing to source a few NOS bits to slot in place of present day stuff? I'm an amp circuit ... well not noob, but close. Not sure what might most affect tone, and getting it to sound like it's 1965 again.

Cheers.

Last edited: May 24, 2014 22:48:14

I've been considering a build of one of those revibes for some time, but have been hesitant after hearing they're one of the most difficult builds available. How do you get the discount? I still may do it...

I do wish I'd read the threads linked above first. I did order without tubes, but I'd have gone more ala carte and bought some of my own hardware/switches/jacks/pots. Oh well, next time.

Welcome to the forum and good luck with the build. Start gathering some 6K6 tubes and some pans. They all sound different.

Thx. So, another illness with no cure, eh?

Which revibe are you going to do? (The harmonic vibrato one? or the bias-vary trem one?)

He who dies with the most tubes... wins

Surf Daddies

Which revibe are you going to do? (The harmonic vibrato one? or the bias-vary trem one?)

Harmonic. I already have bias and opto trems on various Fender amps. I've got harmonic only on the Catalinbread Pareidolia pedal, which I hope this unit will blow away.

Besides, the harmonic circuit looks more difficult. Should be fun!

I'm sure you are aware Weber sells kits at very attractive prices. They don't always use the best components available.

I am now. I wasn't when I ordered. One way or the other, it'll work out. I could've done things more efficiently had I known.

Testing values on parts... How do I test a capacitor?

Thanks.

3rd and probably the most telling test for an electrolytic cap is the ESR test, equivilent series resistance. An ESR meter will set you back $99 plus shipping but one of these belongs on every kit builder's and tech's bench. Check out a google search for "blue ESR Meter Assembled". AnaTek sells them all put together. You can test caps in circuit with one of these babies.

Antique Electronics Supply sells a capacitance meter for a reasonable price that will get you by. About $50 if I remember correctly.

Checking caps for leakage can be tricky as you have to have a fairly high DC voltage supply. I agree with tubeswell but I would not go this far for your purposes. Test electrolytics for ESR and value and check value on the rest and you should be good. A decent DVOM is all you need for resistors.

If you test caps for leakage via the methods tubeswell mentioned, make sure to discharge the caps prior to handling the leads or you are in for a shocking experience!

Keep it Drippy Brothers and Sisters!

Last edited: May 28, 2014 22:50:15

A 9V battery won't even get you close to testing caps with 400-600V ratings. You need a pretty substantial regulated DC power supply with hopefully adjustable output voltage say 0-600 VDC to test this way.

To me a bench leakage test is "tech only" stuff that should not be attempted at home unless you really understand it. The cost of doing it right outways the value for your kit building purposes. A cap meter & DVOM for sure, an ESR meter if you have the budget, then go melt some solder and have fun!

You can test any tone/coupling caps for leakage in circuit with your DVOM once the chassis is built. Much safer.

Keep it Drippy Brothers and Sisters!

A cap meter & DVOM for sure, an ESR meter if you have the budget, then go melt some solder and have fun!

Yup. Our posts crossed. This sounds better to me.