Mod Ideas for an old Fender

Mojoe01

Mojoe01

New member
I've had a Fender Dual Showman Reverb that I got off ebay for about 6 years now. It's a silverface, the guy said he thought it was from somewhere in the early 70's. It had some issues, most prominently a very noticeable clicking noise, as well as it being cosmetically beat to heck. The tolex is in very rough shape, and the face plate has that extremely oxidized rusty look.

I've decided it's time to finally do an overhaul. First, have a tech work on it and fix everything up to bring it up to good standards. Then comes the part I have questions about.

First, rather than keep it in head form, I'd like to convert it into a combo. Take the chassis out and have it installed in a combo cabinet from Weber. Are there any reasons why this can't happen? ie, is there anything about the way the chassis is set up that would cause problems with the speakers so close, etc?

Second, the Vibrato. I've never used it, and have no intentions of ever using it. Since I'm doing the overhaul, I thought this might be the time to address it. What would it take to remove it from the circuit? I know I can just pull the tubes, but I'd just as soon have it completely out of there. Would there be any benefit to not having it in the circuit?

Third, faceplate. I love the look of blackface fenders, but I can't find any plates for a Dual Showman Reverb. I'm assuming the Dual Showman didn't come in Reverb form until after they'd changed over to silverfaces. Is this the case? Also, for amp guys, how complicated is it to change the electronics to a new chassis? Is it an easy switch, or is it basically just like starting from scratch?
 
Re: Mod Ideas for an old Fender

It's gonna cost you more than the amp is worth to do those mods bro.

I would just fix it to stock, sell it (most likely at a profit) and get an amp that you like.

There has got to be somebody out there who is actively searching for that amp in it's original form. Sell yours to them.

A Dual Showman Reverb is a Twin Reverb in head form. Twin Reverbs are ****ing everywhere and can be had for cheap.

I'm not tryin to hate, i'm hoping you don't waste your money. Rock on bro.
 
Re: Mod Ideas for an old Fender

A repro blackface Twin Reverb faceplate might fit, but it would say "Twin Reverb" instead of "Dual Showman Reverb".

Yeah, if you want a combo, buy a Silverface Twin. But, I think the heads are cool. I'd restore it to stock. Remember, a Twin is one heavy beast. Having the head and cab separate can only make it easier to move.

As for the vibrato, watch a couple of Firefly episode, and listen to the guitar at the end of the theme music. Then, tell me you'll never have a use for vibrato. Fender vibrato is one of those classic wonder-of-world sounds. Keep it turned down, but keep it.
 
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Re: Mod Ideas for an old Fender

Here is what you do...ship the amp to Bruce Collins at Mission Amps (I know shipping amps sucks but Bruce is one of the best out there and knows Fenders like the back of his hand!) and have him get it up to proper specs, then have him blackface it on the inside...while he's got it have him do his standard BF Fender mods which will include making it far more useable and give you a wider range of tones then ask him to install an off/on pot on one of the vibrato control which will let you bypass the vibrato circiut...this will leave the vibrato in the amp should you ever want it but if you click it off at the swith you'll get more gain and a slightly bigger fatter sound.

When you get the amp back from Bruce it'll be a MUCH better sounding amp than it is in stock form plus it'll have reverb and vibrato on both channel and the channels will be set up differently giving you more tonal options plus the channels will be in phase allowing you to run both channels together with an A/B/Y pedal to blend and get evemn more tonal options...I had these mods done to my 69 Twin Reverb (which is the SAME as a Dual Showman Reverb but in a 2x12 combo) and it is just amazing!

As for a cab a Twin Reverb cab will work just fine...look up JD Newell and order a cab from him, they are better quality than Weber cabs and less money plus you can order it anyway you want it...just tell JD you have a Dual Showman reverb chassis and want it in a 1x12, 2x12, 4x12, 1x15, 3x10, 4x10, 6x10...whatever you want and he'll do it.

As for the face plate the only blackface plates you'll find for a Dual Showman will be non reverb plates...
 
Re: Mod Ideas for an old Fender

There are people out there who make BF faceplates for just about anything...but a TR faceplate would prolly work. You can get a repro TR cab from Mojo and lots of other places, install the chassis, and away ya go...I believe the dimensions are the same, but measure twice before ordering anything. A cool rig might be a 3x10 cab...like a monster Bandmaster.

The clicking may be a leaky cap in the vibrato circuit; an easy fix. As far as mods, Bruce (or any other competent tech) can do the vibrato switch mod, a midrange mod, a 'raw' control ala Allen amps, adjustable NFB, 1/2 power mod, etc etc etc. It's a good reliable amp that can do more than surf music with a few minor tweaks.
 
Re: Mod Ideas for an old Fender

One thing to note...if it is a 85 or 100 watt model, the BF conversion is an easy task. However, if it is a 140 watt model, it isn't. Those had ultra linear output transformers, no choke and higher plate voltages. All this can be compensated for but it takes more time and more parts which equal more $$$$$.
 
Re: Mod Ideas for an old Fender

I'd opt for keeping it bone stock and in spec, but the Mission mods sound pretty good, too. Keep the vibrato, in any case.

Bill
 
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