'72 Super Reverb Modification Question

[zydeco_man]

I've got a '72 Super Reverb. I read somewhere that there was a mod to make the amp more like a sought after Black Face. Anybody know about this? What does it do to the amp?

Also - any recommendations on a tune up? This amp is still exactly the same as it was in 1972. Same tubes and everything. It sounds good but I think maybe it could sound better? : )

I'm wondering this because I need a louder amp to play with our band. Right now I am limping along miking a 5W '57 Gibson Skylark through the PA. The Super is indeed a beast but, for now, an amp in hand is better than buying a new amp.

Thanks.

[rjaneshek]

Hey Zydeco,

I think something like a Clark Beaufort would be perfect for you. Just a hunch.



But yeah, that Super could probably use a tune up. You'll most likely hear that it will need to have the electrolytics replaced at the very least since they are most likely reaching their end of life.

[Griz]

Originally Posted by zydeco_man

I've got a '72 Super Reverb. I read somewhere that there was a mod to make the amp more like a sought after Black Face. Anybody know about this? What does it do to the amp?

Also - any recommendations on a tune up? This amp is still exactly the same as it was in 1972. Same tubes and everything. It sounds good but I think maybe it could sound better? : )

I'm wondering this because I need a louder amp to play with our band. Right now I am limping along miking a 5W '57 Gibson Skylark through the PA. The Super is indeed a beast but, for now, an amp in hand is better than buying a new amp.

Thanks.

Whoa there, partner. Don't you be jumpin' into no fancy modificatin' just yet. Listen to rjaneshek. Get that SR to the local amp doctor for a re + re, rotate the tires, should be good to go.

I had a '73 non-master SR. Seriously, it kicked ass on many a blackface amp. Yours might need caps, probably needs new output tubes. Preamp tubes might still be okay. A good amp tech will know.

[zydeco_man]

Thanks guys. I'll get the Super in for a tune up and give it a whirl after that. In the meantime, I borrowed a Marshall 20W amp that should get me there.

[ReddRanger]

Yeah, I'd leave the '72 SR stock.

To me, the "blackfacing" changes aren't worth the ding in value (at least in my opinion) to a good vintage amp. I'd never buy a Silverface that's been messed with, but that's just me.

I have a stock '71 SR that is just killer. I'd challange anyone to come hear it live and tell me it doesn't have good tone.

[Morgan24]

Well at least change the bias section so you can do a proper biasing. Changing the driver section depends if you want to keep the cleaner sound with more headroom(silverface) or get a more dirty amp more bluesy(blackface tone). If the amp got the brown capacitors I would change them too they have a very cold and hard sound to them IMO. If it is noisy you could change the bypass caps. Here is a list with the changes... http://www.schematicheaven.com/mods/silver2blackmod.htm