Weak Reverb in Fender Super reverb

[JammyDodger]

Hey All,

I am working on a friends '64 Super Reverb amp. The reverb itself is very weak. I know the tank to be good and I've swapped out the reverb driver tube with another. If I shake the tanks it makes quite a bit of noise (like it should) so it seems the circuit on the output side of the reverb tank is good. If I turn the reverb up to 7-8 I get a little effect and it almost starts feeding back. Any other suggestions on what to look for here?

Cheers, Mike

[Blue Strat]

What Jade said. Also check the return tube, V4.

[TimmyP]

Also make sure the tank is the right type. It should be an xAByC1B (x=4 or 9, y = 2 or 3).

[tonesurfer]

Hey All,

I am working on a friends '64 Super Reverb amp. The reverb itself is very weak. I know the tank to be good and I've swapped out the reverb driver tube with another. If I shake the tanks it makes quite a bit of noise (like it should) so it seems the circuit on the output side of the reverb tank is good. If I turn the reverb up to 7-8 I get a little effect and it almost starts feeding back. Any other suggestions on what to look for here?

Cheers, Mike
Probably a loose wire that needs soldered in the tank, same happened to me once. Open it up.

[JammyDodger]

To All,

The tank is a replacement. Number is 4AB3C1B. I do get a little reverb, but not the long, lush reverb that I should be getting. And as I mentioned if I hit the tank I get the spring clatter loud and strong.

Thanks for all the suggestions and keep 'em coming.

Cheers, Mike

[davemccarthy707]

Have the cathode bypass caps been changed? (the electrolytics on the board)

[StratTone]

Have the cathode bypass caps been changed? (the electrolytics on the board)


Yeah sounds like with all the replys you got what you need. If I had to guess I would say poor solder joint but for sure check that return 12ax7 and the bipass caps.

[phsyconoodler]

Return tube,cables,grounds,especially near the pot,loose connections,the reverb pot itself.
When you have that reverb 'splash' when you shake the tank it means the signal is getting to the tank,but the return side is weak in boosting the signal back up.Check all the circuit associated with the return.V3 is the return tube.

[jawjatek]

Have to disagree with ya psycho: Hearing the crashing loud means the tank output and recovery tube is working. Also V3 (usually 12AT7) is the reverb driver, not the recovery tube V4 (7025/12AX7A). I've fixed a hundred of these...

[waltkh5]

I just acquired a '73 Super Reverb and also found that the reverb was very weak. I checked all the connections, tubes and finally found the problem was a broken spring in the tank.

[flyingdoll]

Hello all,

After doing some search on the net I found this thread and maybe you could help me.
I just got a used 63 Fender reverb tank. I tested it with my Mark V head, the reverb being in the effect loop. It worked fine.
A few hours later, no reverb effect anymore.... either in the effect loop nor when plugged in front of the amp.

Then it worked again for 1 or 2 minutes then...dead again.

I suspect the AT7 reverb driver. When I hit the spring i get a loud "squash" in the amp, which, if I understand correctly, means that the output tube (AX7) works.

The sound of the guitar gets in and out (I can hear the dry signal), but there is no effect to be heard.

[TimmyP]

To All,

The tank is a replacement. Number is 4AB3C1B. I do get a little reverb, but not the long, lush reverb that I should be getting. And as I mentioned if I hit the tank I get the spring clatter loud and strong.

Thanks for all the suggestions and keep 'em coming.

Cheers, Mike

Are you sure it's not connected backwards?

[recycledsound]

I would suspect the Reverb Transformer. In troubleshooting Fender Reverb circuits, I would
1. Check the tubes (using KNOWN good tubes at V3 & V4)
2. Check the cables - especially for good contact at the chassis connections. Clean the contacts and retension the RCA cable ends.
3. Check the pan - (which you have already done - they can give you the crash and still not work right....)
4. Check the Reverb tranny by taking a resistance measurement from the RED CT to the BLUE wire, then from RED to the GREEN wire. If that reading is significantly different (more than 20%) I'd change the tranny. Besides, like a new reverb pan, they're cheap.

www.recycledsound.net (http://www.recycledsound.net)