‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

[JB_From_Hell]

‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

If I were going to get in the amp to disconnect the non-working vibrato (this mod adds more preamp gain, Caesar Diaz did it to Stevie’s amps), would it be worth going the whole 9 and swapping it over to BF spec?

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: ‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

Re: ‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

sure why not?
It is only a few caps etc.
I reckon the best mod money spent is on cool speakers.
Check out the eminence 1028k. They are sweet and warm and not very efficient so you can push the anp a little harder for the same volume of ceramic speakers. Alternatively, have a look at the new 10 inch cannabis rex if you want fat lows
You can also pull out v1 if you dont use the first channel. That adds a little oomph too.
Speaking of vibrato tho...if you can get the vibrato working, try unplugging the footswitch lead for the reverb, and swapping it into the hole for the trem. Leave the actual trem lead unplugged. The reverb is a shielded lead so you wont pick up the hum that the lead to the switch normally picks up. You wont be able to turn your reverb on and off from the floor anymore, but i usually just leave mine on anyways. Then you use the reverb switch to turn on the vibrato when you need it without the buzz.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: ‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

Re: ‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

I’d fix the Tremolo circuit. Has it been recapped yet? Did it get converted to 3-prong?

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: ‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

Re: ‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

also, it is amazing what a simple set of fresh tubes and rebais can accomplish rather than doing invasive mods. A 71 is a great sounding amp in its own right and a vintage one at that.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: ‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

Re: ‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

Always get a smile when I think Stevie used his Fender for gain and his Marshall for clean

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: ‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

Re: ‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

If the amp needs repairs I’d first do that.

Does it have a master volume?

If it does that’s unfortunate.

If it doesn’t, I’d make it as close to a blackface Super Reverb as possible...including fixing the vibrato.

As for speakers, I’ve never liked the CTS 10” Alnico speakers in most Super Reverbs. Very edgy and bright.

Unfortunately, I’ve never found any that I liked a whole bunch better either!

Some kind of Jensen P10R or P10Q clone would be where I’d start though. Wouldn’t have to be Jensen’s...just based on Jensen’s.

Weber’s are pretty good. Even the reissue Jensen’s are pretty good.

I’d keep them Alnico and not switch to ceramic.

 

[Securb]

Re: ‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

Re: ‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

Too bad the Celestion A-Type doesn't come in a '10. They are great Fender replacement speakers.

 

[jeremy]

Re: ‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

Re: ‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

id go through and clean it up and bf it. id also put an on/off pot in the trem circuit so when its off, its out of the circuit and you dont get the loss involved with that circuit. i dont use the footswitch for reverb or trem, reverb stays on all the time (on the vibrato channel) and if im using trem, i use it for the whole song so not a big deal for me to reach back and click it on or off. for speakers... weber alnico

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: ‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

Re: ‘71 Super Reverb: To blackface or not?

Great suggestions, thanks everybody.

No master volume. Currently, V1 is pulled, and I stuck that 12AX7 in V6(PI). However, I saw a trick where you run the reverb output into channel 1, allowing greater control over the ‘verb. Seems like that may be neat, so I need another 12AX7.

The speakers have no identifying marks, and may not be original. I’ll take some pics tonight.

As far as I know, the vibrato has never worked, at least since the 90’s when I started playing. The amp went to a tech about 20 years ago, but sat unused until the last two years.

Now, how do I discharge the caps without killing myself?