Reverb tanks - what brands are the botique makers using?

[ATL Strat]

I ask because I just finished up a Vibroclone project, but I hate the reverb - it is very "tinny" and not very smooth. The amp is based around a '68 Super Reverb chassis that I picked up and blackfaced/modded, but I used a "MOD" brand tank in it and, IMHO, it doesn't sound good at all. When I hook up to my 1966 Pro Reverb tank, I love it. I know I could shell out and buy a used old tank, but are any of the new tanks good? What brands are Bruno, Carr, Allen, etc using in their amps?

[wahfreak]

Originally Posted by mhartman

I ask because I just finished up a Vibroclone project, but I hate the reverb - it is very "tinny" and not very smooth. The amp is based around a '68 Super Reverb chassis that I picked up and blackfaced/modded, but I used a "MOD" brand tank in it and, IMHO, it doesn't sound good at all. When I hook up to my 1966 Pro Reverb tank, I love it. I know I could shell out and buy a used old tank, but are any of the new tanks good? What brands are Bruno, Carr, Allen, etc using in their amps?

Try these....http://www.accutronicsreverb.com/

[WaltC]

do you know the accutronics codes on the '68 Super Reverb? What codes are there on the one (Mod) you have?

http://home.comcast.net/~machrone/bjr/reverbcodes.htm

the one you should use (I think) is probably the 9AB3C1B. Pretty much all reverb tanks now are made by Belton (Korea). that includes MOD, Accutronics, and Belton tanks.

[ATL Strat]

Thanks for the info guys. The MOD tank doesn't any codes that I can find. I'll have to open up my Pro Reverb and see what Accutronics tank it is when I get a moment. The Mod tank appears to be the correct size, but maybe I have an impedance mismatch going on or something.

Edit: Although I couldn't find a code, I ordered a 4AB3C1B, which should be right I believe.

[WaltC]

the 4AB is a two spring long unit and the 9AB is a three spring unit. The AB part is pretty standard for Fender, and the 3 is long decay, again pretty common for Fender. the C1B all have to do with the input and output shielding and tank mounting.

The MOD tanks I've seen were all labeled by Belton and the number starts with a BL then the accutronics stuff (e.g. BL4AB3C1B, etc.).

[ATL Strat]

Thanks again Walt. I may install a "dwell" trimpot to see if I can get it sounding better. If not, I'll try another one.

Here's an interesting article that I found on reverb tanks. It looks like the MOD tanks are now made in China:

http://www.tubesandmore.com/scripts/...ge=TECH_REVERB

Mike

[WaltC]

I'm not surprised. I've got recent examples of Beltons and the MOD and they appear pretty much identical in the guts. The outer shells have some differences in paint and material, but the suspended insides look (from the "outside") identical.

I tried a MOD and a Belton in a Vox AC30 CC2 recently and they sounded a little different but neither was obviously better than the other.

You can buy "vintage" style, MOD, or straight Belton from Antique Electronics, all at different prices, but I've not seen much difference between them. My experience is limited (one MOD, a couple of Beltons, and one "Vingage") and I've no idea how well they'll hold up over time.