68 Super Reverb: Normal vs Abnormal

[MikeVB]

I just got a 1968 Fender Super Reverb in trade. I was a little reluctant to take it, because frankly I've just never been into the whole reverb thing.

I plugged into the Verb/Trem channel and played around with it for awhile thinking it sounded ok...but given how much this joker weighs I'd likely move it on.

But then this evening I ran my tele through the Normal channel for awhile with the volume at about 5. And I've got to say it sounded just phenomenal.

Does greatly preferring the Normal channel on the Super make me abnormal?

I guess I don't understand why folks love reverb. When I put it on 3 I feel like I'm overdosing on it. I cannot imagine ever needing or wanting to turn it up to 10.

Are there other single-channel amps that are basically the same circuit as the SR's normal channel?

Finally, after moving this thing around the house for one day I'm already wondering about splitting this thing into a head/cab using some Mojo cabs. How hard would it be for a noob like me to do it?

 

[Analog Assassin]

Some people do prefer the normal channel on SR's. I'm not a big reverb guy so I don't use it myself. I think the reverb channel is hotter than the normal channel, especially if you disconnect the vibrato pot.

If you got a sound that you consider phenomenal, that's all that matters, right? But I'm not surprised. I consider SR's some of the greatest amps ever made, past or present, including the "boutiques."

As far as splitting up a cab, the easy part is the "head." a Phillips screwdriver is all you really need.
The speakers, you'll need a small socket set, and I don't know if the mojo cab comes with a wiring harness. You'll have to understand how to wire speakers in parallel. Basically wire all the (+) together and all the (-) together. Find a wiring diagram online and it'll make sense. Personally I solder my speaker connections, and I use at least 16 ga. cable. If you use the spade connectors get a good pair of crimping pliers.

I test my connection using a 9v battery. Touch the (+) terminal of the battery to the tip of the speaker cable plug. All speakers should jump forward (don't worry this is safe) if one doesn't, then it's out of phase.

 

[pfflam]

Well . . . if you want to do work on it and want to trade the SilverFace plate (if its in good condition) for a pristine Black Face plate (RI) and if you want to sell me the drip edge and/or corners, especially the unmolested corners, for not very much money do let me know . . .

 

[Bob Hawkins]

Yeah, those damned 60's Super Reverbs, pain in the ass. Must be tough. (Oh Daddy, this pony is boring...).

 

[GibsonLives]

I've got a SFPR, which is a single-channel, 1x10 speaker configuration, and although mine's got verb and vibe, they also make a reverbless "Princeton Amp", which I've heard sounds quite different than the reverb model, mainly in sofar as breakup; apparently, the non-reverb model doesn't hardly break up at all, from what I've read. There's also the 2x10 Vibrolux (not sure if they made that in both reverb and non-reverb models). One option might be to check out one of these, and if it sounds even somewhat comparable, yu could probably have the circuit altered a bit to mirror that normal channel you dig so much, only without all the weight and bulk.
Steve

 

[MikeVB]

Well . . . if you want to do work on it and want to trade the SilverFace plate (if its in good condition) for a pristine Black Face plate (RI) and if you want to sell me the drip edge and/or corners, especially the unmolested corners, for not very much money do let me know . . .

Don't think you'd want either one of those from mine. Fairly bent and ratty. Plus, I'd store all the original parts even if I did yank the chassis out and put it in a head.

 

[rmconner80]

I too don't use reverb. It's cool for 'that' sound, but 'that' sound is a novelty, at least to me, as I find reverb completely unusable on stage, unless you're in a surf band (I'm not).

When I had a '68 Super Reverb... I just turned the reverb all the way off but plugged into the Vibrato channel. That channel has that extra gain stage in the reverb recovery circuit. Definitely try that.

If you still prefer the Normal channel and/or find the SR is just too much weight / volume, look to a Bassman / Bandmaster / Tremolux head (ordered from most-to-least aggressive sounding). You can also jumper channels on these, which in my opinion makes up for the 'missing' extra gain stage in the reverb recovery circuit. They're all going to do that same basic Fender tone you are digging. Also I strongly recommend plugging them into a pair of 10s. Yeah!!

 

[Roe]

have you tried a blonde, blacface or silverface bassman?

 

[MikeVB]

I too don't use reverb. It's cool for 'that' sound, but 'that' sound is a novelty, at least to me, as I find reverb completely unusable on stage, unless you're in a surf band (I'm not).

When I had a '68 Super Reverb... I just turned the reverb all the way off but plugged into the Vibrato channel. That channel has that extra gain stage in the reverb recovery circuit. Definitely try that.

If you still prefer the Normal channel and/or find the SR is just too much weight / volume, look to a Bassman / Bandmaster / Tremolux head (ordered from most-to-least aggressive sounding). You can also jumper channels on these, which in my opinion makes up for the 'missing' extra gain stage in the reverb recovery circuit. They're all going to do that same basic Fender tone you are digging. Also I strongly recommend plugging them into a pair of 10s. Yeah!!

Yeah, reverb has always seemed kinda gimmicky to me.

Very curious about a Bassman...would love to try one.

have you tried a blonde, blacface or silverface bassman?

Honestly, this is the second legitimate vintage Fender I've played through in 25 yrs. I live in the cultural armpit of the US, so needless to say the pickin's is slim. Did think about trying to work a trade for a 1965 Vibrolux Reverb, but I'm really digging the huge bottom-end on this 4x10 configuration.

 

[riffmeister]

I like to use different preamp tubes to further differentiate the sound of reverb and non-reverb channels.

 

[billyguitar]

I've got a SFPR, which is a single-channel, 1x10 speaker configuration, and although mine's got verb and vibe, they also make a reverbless "Princeton Amp", which I've heard sounds quite different than the reverb model, mainly in sofar as breakup; apparently, the non-reverb model doesn't hardly break up at all, from what I've read. There's also the 2x10 Vibrolux (not sure if they made that in both reverb and non-reverb models). One option might be to check out one of these, and if it sounds even somewhat comparable, yu could probably have the circuit altered a bit to mirror that normal channel you dig so much, only without all the weight and bulk.
Steve

The reverbless model has one less gain stage so it doesn't break up much even on 10. The tone controls also don't seem to do as much. I have an old BF one that back in the 80s I bought cheap and did a bunch of mods to. Now it'sa quite an exceptional amp but stock it was a dog. I would not change the circuit from a reverb model to a non reverb, no way. There are very good reasons the reverb model is worth more money.