So I decided to join you folks and get myself a Fender reverb tank. A brand new ’63 reissue that arrived yesterday. Out of the box I don’t think it’s working properly. So any help is appreciated. It’s new so I can send it back if that’s needed. But I’ve never used a tank before, so it also could be my vast ignorance at play here.

When it arrived I noticed that one of the red RCA cables was disconnected. I felt around for somewhere to put it and found a plug on what I’m guessing is the left (when looking at the rear) top of the spring pan. So I reached in and plugged the red RCA cable into there. The connection felt pretty loose, like the cable never seated really solidly, but it was in. So I grabbed a thicker RCA cable from my stereo and used that, on both ends, in place of the red cable in the tank.

I hooked the tank in between my guitar and amp and wasn’t getting anything resembling a reverb sound, no echo or drip. It makes the guitar sound thinner. If I play loudly (like a hard strike on the strings) everything distorts or breaks up completely. Lots of hum (60 Hz). If I tapped on what I think is the spring pan nothing happened.

The new RCA cable I put in there has a longer plug end (the plastic part you hold with your fingers). And it was wedged in there a bit, possibly preventing the spring pan from moving. So I put the original red RCA cable back in. Now there is no influence on the guitar sound at all. The guitar sounds the same with the tank on or off (from the footswitch). But if I tapped on the spring pan I did hear some sproingy, reverby-like sounds.

I looked at the fuse and it seems fine (by eye). I unlocked the travel lever. Sound is getting through the tank to my amp. The exposed (power?) tube glows and the 2 other smaller tubes do get warm. I tried changing the position of all 3 knobs. I used the footswitch on and off. I’m using a lousy, small, old amp (Peavey about the size of the tank. I just picked up a black faced Bandmaster head and I’ll soon build the speaker cabinet for it.).

Doing a search here it looks like 2 common problems are foam dropping into the springs and bad solder joints. I didn’t yet open it up to look. Not sure if I want to if that will void the warranty. It’s brand new so I can send it back if there’s a real problem.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

-Jon

If it's a brand new tank....send it back. The RI tanks have really crappy input jacks and you may be dealing with that annoying issue. The tanks other that are pretty tough and reliable rascals. Heck, some of the wild men on this site kick 'em around for the hell of it........

ed

Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?

Make sure you check the fuse and that it is rated to the correct amprage. Another less common occurance is the transformer having issues.

At any rate, I would send it back if it is new.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the jacks on the reissue chassis are color coded. If you look up into them (given the angle, it's hard to see), you might see a red one and a white one. That will help. Meanwhile, "Input" on the chassis should go to "Input" on the tank, etc.

Since your tubes are all lighting up, I wouldn't bother with the fuse since that's obviously working. Set all the dials to 12:00 just for testing (to make sure everything is at least on). You can always dial back later.

If you're lucky enough to have another bare tank lying around or in another amp (like a Princeton Reverb, Deluxe Reverb, etc.), hook that tank up to your reverb unit using those long RCA connectors you have. Maybe you can isolate the problem that way. If the out board tank works, then the tank in your unit is the problem.

You've already loosened the locking mechanism... better make sure you've really done that. Is the lever completely away from the tank?

You can also remove the front panel to see if any foam got stuck in there. There should not be any foam touching the springs when the locking lever is disengaged....I'm guessing this is probably the problem.

Check your cables. Make sure they're working. Make sure you're using instrument cables and not speaker cables.

I've had a couple of the reissues. They've always worked fine.

This isn't the way you want to start your reverb life.

Just send it back and have them ship you a new one. As time goes on you'll start to pick up tips and tricks on how to "maintain and beautify" your reverb, but at this stage in the game get it replaced.

That being said, I'll add:

1. Make sure the brake/travel lever/locking lever inside is unlocked. It shouldn't be pushing against the spring tray.
   

2. Set the knobs on it to 6-6-6. This is a great Nebulas/Satan's Pilgrims/Fathoms-esque sound. It might not get you into the pew, but it will definitely get you into the church.
   

3. Set ALL knobs on your guitar to full. On a Fender that means that as you're wearing the guitar...why am I explaining this? You better be able to figure this part out.
   

Now, if you don't get a great, passable drippy surf sound, promptly repackage the thing and get an RMA number from the place you bought it from and ship it back. It's cooked.

Surfgitar just bought one with the same problem, you could hear the springs, but no guitar...he found a green wire had come unsoldered within the tank.

www.cutbacksurfband.com

PhatTele
I'm not 100% sure, but I think the jacks on the reissue chassis are color coded. If you look up into them (given the angle, it's hard to see), you might see a red one and a white one. That will help. Meanwhile, "Input" on the chassis should go to "Input" on the tank, etc.

Yup. There is a red RCA cable and a white one. I’ll check to make sure the input goes to the input, etc. As I recall, the white one was on the right side of the rear by the back of the cabinet. And the other end of the white one went to the right side of the spring pan. The red was on the left in both cases.

PhatTele
Since your tubes are all lighting up, I wouldn't bother with the fuse since that's obviously working. Set all the dials to 12:00 just for testing (to make sure everything is at least on). You can always dial back later.

I tried 9:00, 12:00, 3:00, etc. with no changes.

PhatTele
If you're lucky enough to have another bare tank lying around or in another amp (like a Princeton Reverb, Deluxe Reverb, etc.), hook that tank up to your reverb unit using those long RCA connectors you have. Maybe you can isolate the problem that way. If the out board tank works, then the tank in your unit is the problem.

Nope, this is my first reverb anything. I’m looking forward to trying it out. Sounds like lots of fun.

PhatTele
You've already loosened the locking mechanism... better make sure you've really done that. Is the lever completely away from the tank?

Right. The lever is not touching the pan at all.

PhatTele
You can also remove the front panel to see if any foam got stuck in there. There should not be any foam touching the springs when the locking lever is disengaged....I'm guessing this is probably the problem.

Makes sense from my reading of other people having trouble with the tanks. But I’m hesitant to open it up and then not being able to return it.

PhatTele
Check your cables. Make sure they're working. Make sure you're using instrument cables and not speaker cables.

Yup, I’ll check again. Thanks for all the ideas.

same happend to me , push each on of the small tubes ap and down to see if ur sound changes, if it does then one of the wires is probably not soldered right to the tube socket thing .

-Zanti

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I tried all the little things that were mentioned above, without opening up the cabinet. No luck as expected. So I just called MF to return the tank. The guy I spoke with was quite nice and helpful. After I told him that I wanted to return the tank, he asked what is wrong with it.

I said “It’s not reverbing.”

We both laughed and then he said “OK, I’ll use your verbage here in the comments box to explain what’s wrong.” Pretty funny.

They emailed me a UPS label, which makes the return very easy. And they’re even paying for the shipping. This is my first time having to return something to MF. Very nice customer service, I’d say. Thanks to you all for the help. I’ll post when the replacement tank arrives.

methodically switch parts with your other player's tank and see what happens.

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