Tele295
Joined: Feb 16, 2012
Posts: 54
Rincon Beach, California, USA
|

Posted on May 13 2022 09:39 AM
So, how do I get this reissue unit to sound more like my old blackface 6G15? I replaced the driver tube with a NOS RCA 6K6. I can’t say I hear that much of a difference.
I’ve heard tales of replacing the circuit board for a more vintage accurate PTP board, but I don’t know where to find someone who rebuilds these darn things. Any tips?
What about the tank? Is the stock fender ok, or should I get a surfy bear spring tank for it?
— Jill Martini & The Shrunken Heads
Last edited: May 13, 2022 09:41:08
|
Tele295
Joined: Feb 16, 2012
Posts: 54
Rincon Beach, California, USA
|

Posted on May 13 2022 11:27 AM
And I know there have been previous threads on this, but most of that info is 10-15 years old. There may be new tricks and products that have come to light since then.
— Jill Martini & The Shrunken Heads
|
FritzCat
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Posts: 651
Sonoma, CA
|

Posted on May 13 2022 12:16 PM
I have an unused hand-wired circuit board from a Gomez G-Spring, a person could install that (or something similar) in place of the printed Fender board.
|
kick_the_reverb
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 1255
Escondido, CA
|

Posted on May 13 2022 03:11 PM
I had one of those installed in my reissue unit. It did improve the sound, made it less brittle.
Mind you, my reissue unit also had jacks replaced, pan replaced to vintage Gibbs, c10 cap mod with toggle switch for 3 values, NOS tubes. All of these were done separately, not at the same time. Two of the most effective changes were: the 12AT7 was replaced with an NOS RCA tube, and the pan replaced to a vintage Gibbs.
Still, after all these changes, it doesn't sound as good as my magic 1965 unit, nor my Texotica (with a Gibbs pan).
So, I suggest, start with the pan, then the 12AT7, and if still not happy, look for something else.
Good luck,
Ran
FritzCat wrote:
I have an unused hand-wired circuit board from a Gomez G-Spring, a person could install that (or something similar) in place of the printed Fender board.
— The Scimitars
|
DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 10795
Berkeley, CA
|

Posted on May 13 2022 06:27 PM
I agree with Ran. Look into the new surfypan, they're quite good.
— Danny Snyder
Latest project - Now That's What I Call SURF
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
|
Tele295
Joined: Feb 16, 2012
Posts: 54
Rincon Beach, California, USA
|

Posted on May 13 2022 07:45 PM
Surfypan, check
NOS 12AT7, check
what’s with the jacks?
— Jill Martini & The Shrunken Heads
|
kick_the_reverb
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 1255
Escondido, CA
|

Posted on May 13 2022 08:17 PM
The jacks are for reliability, not for tone.
My pan reccomendation was based on your original question.
Ran
— The Scimitars
|
beatcomber
Joined: Jun 30, 2019
Posts: 31
Lexington, MA
|

Posted on May 13 2022 08:40 PM
My '63 Reverb came with a USA Accutronics pan. It has good drip, but is kind of clangy/metallic.
I swapped in a a 2019 Accutronics (Korea) pan, and it sounded smooth and very lush/cavernous, but doesn't drip very well.
I recently scored a 1969 Gibbs pan, and it sounds head and shoulders better than either Accutronics pan. It has the lushness of the Korean pan, and tons of drip, and sounds wonderfully 3D.
If you want THEE sound as heard on the old records, you gotta find a Gibbs!
Last edited: May 16, 2022 14:11:10
|
Tele295
Joined: Feb 16, 2012
Posts: 54
Rincon Beach, California, USA
|

Posted on May 13 2022 11:14 PM
Was Gibbs the manufacturer of the original tanks Fender used?
— Jill Martini & The Shrunken Heads
|
kick_the_reverb
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 1255
Escondido, CA
|

Posted on May 14 2022 10:01 AM
|
derekirving
Joined: Nov 03, 2011
Posts: 642
|

Posted on May 14 2022 10:14 AM
Tele295 wrote:
So, how do I get this reissue unit to sound more like my old blackface 6G15? I replaced the driver tube with a NOS RCA 6K6. I can’t say I hear that much of a difference.
I've come to the conclusion you can't. I had an originally 64 Blackface reverb unit, it was GREAT. Foolishly sold it and tried at least 5 reissues chasing that sound. I never could, so I just went True Spring pedal at this point.
|
beatcomber
Joined: Jun 30, 2019
Posts: 31
Lexington, MA
|

Posted on May 16 2022 02:13 PM
Tele295 wrote:
Was Gibbs the manufacturer of the original tanks Fender used?
Be advised that you need to find a Gibbs pan with the correct input and output impedance, which can be a bit challenging.
See: https://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/32671/
|