ruby reverb tank vs. accutronics

[pula58]

I was wondering what any of you think about the RUBY long spring Reverb tank, the one that is equivalent to a Accutronics 4AB3C1B.

Is it less boingy and more like the old fender in-amp reverbs?

Thanks,

P.

[s2amps]

Take out the reverb tank and put a Holy Grail down there :)

[pula58]

I like reverb a little later in the signal chain (after a couple of preamp tubes) ...so...the holy grail might not be the best for me...

Paul

[AdmiralB]

I think the Rubys are relabelled Beltons. In any case, the AC30CC family uses the three-spring medium-decay Ruby pans, and I think they're fine. I actually replaced one with the Accutronics cross-reference, and couldn't tell any difference.

They're made a little differently but IMO they're fine.

[s2amps]

I was kidding. But now that I think about it, why couldn't a guy modify the verb circuit to impedance match with a digital pedal instead of a reverb tank? That would create a sort of buffered FX loop and better sounding verb without all the ills of the tank. Hmmm...

[scottl]

Hi Paul,

I just received 3 Ruby tanks to try/compare. Off the bat, I only have one long tank, 4 spring Accutronics, long decay. The Ruby equivalent has twice the verb. The Accutronics was almost unuseable as its decay was not long and its output was low. I have had many pans such as this. Too long, too short, bad output.

Sorry I can't be more helpful just yet. One problem has been Accutronics lack of consistancy. Like my situation.

[pula58]

Hi Scott,
Where did you get the Ruby tanks..I am having trouble finding any

Thanks

P

[mr coffee]

there are several different delay/spring options...
I cant confirm that ruby's are relabeled beltons but Ruby doesnt manufacture anything.. they are just putting their seal of approval (or marketing profile) on tubes,components..tshirts etc

I've used the belton tanks and was satisfied.. they have the vintage grey of the 60's fender tank right
http://www.tubesandmore.com/cemirror/inv/P-RBL2AB3C1B.GIF

but they use colored plastic jacks...which puts it on another planet

[davidp158]

Using the reverb circuit as an effects loop for a reverb pedal or device. What would it take to make this work? For me, most reverb pans sound OK, but often get lost in the mix of a band. What would it take to tweak the in/out impedances of a reverb circuit to work with a pedal? Can it be done outside of the amp, without changing the amp if I wanted to go back to the reverb pan later?

Dave

I was kidding. But now that I think about it, why couldn't a guy modify the verb circuit to impedance match with a digital pedal instead of a reverb tank? That would create a sort of buffered FX loop and better sounding verb without all the ills of the tank. Hmmm...

[phsyconoodler]

I get my reverb tanks at www.mojotone.com (http://www.mojotone.com) .i find the Ruby tanks have too much reverb for the average fender amp.the accutronics are far better in terms of consistent reverb.The Ruby works superb if you have a Dwell control,but it requires mods to make it work well without one.

[Backstage Kent]

there are several different delay/spring options...
I cant confirm that ruby's are relabeled beltons but Ruby doesnt manufacture anything.. they are just putting their seal of approval (or marketing profile) on tubes,components..tshirts etc


Incorrect. The Ruby tanks may or may not be made in the Belton plant, but they spec and QC their Chinese built products very conscientiously. Tom goes to China several times a year to make sure that his specs are maintained across production runs, which has been a problem area for Chinese stuff.

[Suproman77]

Wanted to bring this back up because I just swapped out my Ruby tank for an Accutronics medium tank in my Vox AC15CC1. Ordered it through www.mojotone.com (http://www.mojotone.com/). Great retailer.

To be completely honest, the Accutronics is much more subtle...not nearly as loud in the mix as the Ruby was. The Accutronics maxed out is comparable to the Ruby at only half way. However, I do find the Accutronics to sound more authentic even if only slightly so.

Are the Accutronics supposed to be low in the mix like that or do I maybe have a bad one?

[davidp158]

I replaced a dead Accutronics reverb tank, and while researching these found that different tanks have different input/output values. My guess is that if you change tanks and the values are different, the tone and volume of reverb could be different. Compare the model number on your Accutronics reverb tank to the specs on their web site, and then see if the Ruby reverb tank has the same values. Its possible that the VOX spec'd Accutronics was intended to be more subtle, but the specs on the Ruby tank make it much louder. I don't know if there is any risk to the circuit to use tanks with different specs, but if it sounds good, you may be OK. If the VOX reverb is tube driven, you can also experiment with different reverb driver and recovery tubes to tweak the tone.

Wanted to bring this back up because I just swapped out my Ruby tank for an Accutronics medium tank in my Vox AC15CC1. Ordered it through www.mojotone.com (http://www.mojotone.com/). Great retailer.

To be completely honest, the Accutronics is much more subtle...not nearly as loud in the mix as the Ruby was. The Accutronics maxed out is comparable to the Ruby at only half way. However, I do find the Accutronics to sound more authentic even if only slightly so.

Are the Accutronics supposed to be low in the mix like that or do I maybe have a bad one?

[phsyconoodler]

There are a lot of different ideas here,but the truth is if you had an accutronics in a fender type amp and you go to the Ruby tank,you will have more verb happening.You will either like it or not.You can change the drive signal to the tank with a couple of mods or use a dwell control on the Ruby tank.
I know a local blues musician who won't play without reverb and his reverb is very noticeable and his band is loud,believe me.I built and set up his amp,my own called a V-Verb and the Ruby tank has so much verb it rings at anything above 3.The same with the ruby in any other Fender style amp I have tried them in.If something is not right in your amp and the Accutronics is weak,the Ruby will give you what you seek,but would it not be better to check the circuit first?

[pula58]

I didn't like the Ruby. too echo-ey sounding...unuseable for me.

[Suproman77]

I replaced a dead Accutronics reverb tank, and while researching these found that different tanks have different input/output values. My guess is that if you change tanks and the values are different, the tone and volume of reverb could be different. Compare the model number on your Accutronics reverb tank to the specs on their web site, and then see if the Ruby reverb tank has the same values. Its possible that the VOX spec'd Accutronics was intended to be more subtle, but the specs on the Ruby tank make it much louder. I don't know if there is any risk to the circuit to use tanks with different specs, but if it sounds good, you may be OK. If the VOX reverb is tube driven, you can also experiment with different reverb driver and recovery tubes to tweak the tone.

Well, I bought the matching tank from Accutronics which for my amp is the 8EB2C1B. Input at 800 ohms and Output at 2575 ohms. I've asked around and everyone told me this is the model to get and it fits inside the bag perfectly.

One thing I didn't do though is attach the wood base that's on the bottom of the Ruby to the Accutronics. I didn't think that would be necessary as it has it's own feet, but do you think that makes a difference?