Tube Works RT-921 Real Tube Stereo Reverb - School me!

[Bad Juju]

Found one of these last night and am picking it up today after work. I plan to put it in the rack I use for my 101B and control it using an RG-16.

I was thinking I could use one side for the clean channel, set to a little more wet reverb sound, and the other side for the dirty channels, set for a more subtle reverb.

Anyone have any experience using one of these and can offer any tips, tricks, etc.?

 

[James]

This is my all-time favorite reverb. Sounds incredible. Very warm and natural. I don't have any tips or tricks. It's very flexible. I'd say just use your ears and set input, output, mix and EQ to taste. It's very easy to get a great sound. They're quite obscure, but definitely seem to have a cult following, judging by the prices that they bring on the ebay internet.

Congrats!

James

 

[Bad Juju]

Thanks for the info James...good to hear another good review. Can't wait to put it through its paces!

 

[Bad Juju]

So I picked it up but the power supply self-destructed. I plugged it in and the unit came on for a minute, then an awful smell came from the power supply. After that the unit doesn't power on.

I'm having a heck of a time trying to find one that meets the specs:

Input: 110VAC 60Hz
Output: 30VAC 600mA

I understand I can go higher on the mA rating, but it's the 30VAC that's the kicker. Plenty of 30VDC supplies, but I can't use that.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[James]

Gah! Sorry to hear about that. That power supply does have rather unique specs. I'm not very technical with power specs myself. But I believe the designer B.K. Butler has a website. That may be a good place to start. Or perhaps some of the places that build custom rigs (LA Sound Design, Custom Audio Electronics, etc) may have experience in building custom power supplies for stuff like that. Tube Works also made a tube direct box called the "Real Tube Direct" that uses the same power supply. I happen to know that there's one for sale on ebay right now (I've no affiliation with the seller at all; I'm just a vintage Tube Works geek ).

Good luck!

James

 

[Canon]

With any luck, maybe the only damage to the unit is the internal fuse. Also look for shorts in the supply jack/wires
I've never seen that value supply advertised, if you find something make sure its regulated, let us know.

 

[Bad Juju]

Thanks for the info - I'll keep you informed. I hope it's just the internal fuse too - it's a 1994 unit in near mint condition.

 

[Bad Juju]

Bob Bradshaw was going to build me a custom power supply (much thanks Bob!) and then I got an email from Scott Andres at Genz Benz who came through with a power supply for it.

Genz Benz (I'm guessing) bought the Tube Works line before they discontinued it - they have the manuals in their discontinued product line section. I've not dealt with Genz Benz before, but I think it's pretty stand-up to provide a power supply (at a small cost) for something that's been discontinued for more than 10 years.

Should be here tomorrow or Monday...can't wait!

 

[James]

Oh that's good to know.

 

[Bad Juju]

The power supply arrived today. Hooked everything up and it works perfectly fine. My initial impression after a quick demo is that this is an outstanding reverb unit, much better than the reissue Fender stand alone unit I had years ago.

Even though it lacks an overall reverb tone control, the adjustable in/out levels, mix, and low/mid/high eq really work extremely well. It definitely adds a lot of warmth, and sounds equally well on clean and dirty settings.

 

[GratefulHops]

It's been a decade... Maybe you're ready to sell it? .