How do I get reverb into channel 1 of fender deluxe reverb reissue

[bacal]

My recent fender deluxe reverb reissue comes with reverb/tremolo in channel 2, but not in channel 1. How do I get reverb into channel 1? Is this an expensive mod? Can someone who knows how to do this give me clear instructions? The 1st channel input 2 gives the warmest tone, but is too dry sounding without reverb. It would be great to have reverb in this channel.

Thx

[John Phillips]

You can do it without modding the amp - which isn't too easy on the Reissues since they're PCB-built.

Plug the guitar into input 1 of the Normal channel; connect a short lead from input 2 of the Normal channel to input 1 of the Vibrato channel; turn the reverb up further than you normally would, and keep the volume of the Vibrato channel low - control the reverb depth more with the volume of the Vibrato channel.

The two channels on reverb Fenders are out of phase, so you don't want the two channel volumes to get close to each other really or it will start to make the overall tone a bit hollow, but if you use the Vibrato channel mostly as a reverb send, it won't (reverb phase doesn't matter). You should be able to control the tone of the reverb a bit as well like this, since the Vibrato tone controls will work too (on the send, not the return) - you can make it bright and splashy by turning up the treble, or smoother and deeper by turning up the bass. It's not as effective as a tone control on the reverb output, but you should be able to get some useful variation. Balancing the channel volume with the reverb level will give you different combinations of 'dwell' and 'mix' too.

[bacal]

Wow! Thanks muchly for that cool info! How do I make the 2 channels in phase with each other? That should allow use of an A/B/Y pedal for more tone variations.

[John Phillips]

You can get dedicated phase-reversal pedals, often combined with A/B/Y switchers, exactly for this sort of thing. I can't remember any right off the top of my head, but you'll get some good suggestions round here :).

[bacal]

Thx again! I thought I would have to do an amp mod, but what you are suggesting is pain free! One other question: Are you referring to 1 pedal that combines phase reversal with A/B/ capabilities or two separate pedals? I did a google search but did not find a pedal that just does phase reversal.

[John Phillips]

One pedal that does both will be fine - gives you more options anyway.

[bacal]

ok thx. I have a morley a/b/y, it does not do phase reversal. Either does Startouch a/b/y. I dunno of any a/b/y pedal that does phase reversal, except perhaps radial engineering but I owned their expensive a/b/y pedal and disliked it - it changed the tone dramatically, not in a good way. If you hear of any pedal that does both let me know, thx. Also, why do you think this is a better method (a pedal) than just modifying the amp so that both channels can be played together with no loss of tone and also offering reverb/tremolo in both channels?

[fullerplast]

ok thx. I have a morley a/b/y, it does not do phase reversal. Either does Startouch a/b/y. I dunno of any a/b/y pedal that does phase reversal, except perhaps radial engineering but I owned their expensive a/b/y pedal and disliked it - it changed the tone dramatically, not in a good way. If you hear of any pedal that does both let me know, thx. Also, why do you think this is a better method (a pedal) than just modifying the amp so that both channels can be played together with no loss of tone and also offering reverb/tremolo in both channels?

Barber Launch Pad, Tonebone switcher, or any of the passive switchers in conjuction with an Axess BS-1 buffer/splitter will do what you want.

On a real (non-reissue) DR, the mod for both channels reverb and in phase is very simple but like John said, on the reissue it's a PITA.

[bacal]

thx for the info. As I mentioned I owned the tonebone, it was lousy in the sense that it imparted a digital sheen onto the sonic landscape. Though Radial says it is "passive" , does not use batteries, the sound was anything but transparent. The Drift control did not change the sound in a good sense, it was useless. I know this pedal got Guitar Player pick, and I know many people rave about it, but there is no denying the fact that it is not a good pedal ($335 CAD) for achieving transparent tone. There are no dealers for Barber. I had emailed the company several times requesting info - I never got a reply - so I cannot vouch for this company in terms of customer service.

[John Phillips]

Hmmm... I thought there were some, but now I can't find any!

Roger Mayer does the Crossroads - although it's not on his website any more, so it may be discontinued - and Lehle do some, but although these both have a balanced output for one of the sides (to avoid ground loops when using two amps), they don't seem to do phase reversal - although it could certainly be done very easily with a transformer-balanced output.

I'm not sure about the Axess, I've never seen one - but if it does phase reversal it will work.

[deeval]

The Super Chile Picosso is very good as I use it with my BF fender amps,for Phase on both channels.

[bacal]

deeval: thx for the info. Does this pedal have 1 input for guitar and 2 outputs which I can use for both channels of my deluxe reverb reissue? And if so how does the pedal change the out of phase channels into in phase channels? Finally, where can I purchase this pedal? I did a google search but no stores came up with this product?

[bacal]

I wonder about articles that describe changing (modifying) the reissue deluxe reverb by putting the 2 channels in phase with each other, that by doing so will permit reverb in channel 1. Do you know anything about this?

[brad347]

Not enough to help you! :)

What I do know, however (and this is a point of mere technicality) is that we're talking about the polarity of the two channels, not the phase. Two channels of opposite polarity will produce signals 180 degrees out of phase with one another if the input signals are identical. But the two channels are not "out of phase." They are of opposite polarity. Carry on...

[Dave C]

I just sent you an email with a drawing on how to do this very mod on an older Deluxe Reverb. You'll have to hash it out relative to a newer pcb Deluxe , but your skills will determine your success , I expect the components to be similar even if the layout isn't. As always ....be careful , lethal voltage is only inches away .
Dave C

[Bikedude]

Another easy thing to do would be clip the bright cap in Ch2, then you can use that channel without the "ice-pick" highs associated with that channel. I relucted doing this for a while, but I had my tech do it for me when I had my amp in for service, and I couldn't be happier with the results.

[bacal]

John Phillips advised me plug my guitar into Input 1/Channel 1 and use a short cable from input 2/channel 1 => input 1/channel 2. This indeed does give reverb but the tone of the guitar is not as smooth as I would have liked. I varied this trick by plugging my guitar into input 2/channel 1 and using a short cable from input 1/channel 1 => either input 1 or 2 in channel 2. Using Input 1 of channel 1 gives a more pronounced reverb effect but the smoothest sound was using Input 2/Channel 1. By varying the reverb level control I have much more gradual reverb increase control, as though I had replaced the linear reverb pot with an audio pot. Very cool! I also am able to retain the natural warmest tone from the amp, which is using Input 2/channel 1. If I want more of "surf music" reverb, ie a sound bathed in reverb, then I switch the cable from input 2=>1 in channel 2, still plugging my guitar into input 2/channel 1. The reverb is stronger at lower levels, more alive perhaps, but not as subtle as using the 2nd input of channel 2 for the connection of the short cable. In either case though, I have more control of the reverb with the channel 2 volume, reverb, bass, treble controls all being active. Thanks again John Phillips. I now have a more versatible amp, with no extra cost involved. I can double this versatility up by buying either the Super Chile Picosso or the Axess BS-2 pedal, both having a phase reversal switch and 2 outs which can be used for both channels, enabling an amusing sound if I choose to pursue that direction. I already use an A/B/Y pedal to engage my main amp, an older Roland Jazz chorus 120 together with my fender deluxe reverb. Verrry interesting...

[Brian Scherzer]

I have edited some posts and deleted others to bring this thread back on topic.