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Super Reverb?

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9/15/2000 10:07 AM

Super Reverb?

I just bought a 64 SR. The problem is that it kind of has a boiling static sound at the lower volumes and cleans out when the volume is dimed SSSSSSS with no gurgle. All the filter caps were replace before I got it and I have put in sprague orange drops throughout along with sprague 35v25uf in the bypass circuits and replaced all the 100k resistors. The pots have all been cleaned and appear to be functioning properly. Where can I look now. I'm stumped. The filter caps are a cheaper brand than I usually use...IC? Could it be them? Thanks in advance.

M/J

9/15/2000 3:37 PM
Bruce	I don't know if you got this far yet, but it sounds simple, like a bad preamp tube or faulty-dirty tube socket. I've heard nosiey 5AR4s do something like that too. Have you cleaned the switching jack contacts? I go through and resolder then entire board too. Bruce

9/15/2000 3:43 PM
Winnie Thomas	I agree with Bruce. I had a similar problem with my '65 Bassman. I ended up replacing two preamp sockets that just wouldn't clean up. That fixed the problem. Winnie

9/16/2000 4:18 AM

Thanks guys. I forgot to tell you in the first post that I replaced all the tubes and the problem is still there. I must admit that I usually tighten up all the tube contacts but havent done it on this amp yet. I have resoldered all the connections however. I found that it definitly isn't the filter caps either as the noise is only on the vibrato side. I'll tighten the tube sockets and clean the jack switches and let you know. All in all its a great sounding amp. I picked it up for about 375 after the trading but the guy had covered it in a puke green indoor/outdoor carpet and the speakers are the correct year but either have been reconed or aren't the correct speakers. They are cts ceramics 137 440. Did they use them in 64? I stripped off the carpet and have the cab ready to re-tolex as soon as I find a local guy to do it. Must admit it looks good in wood.

M/J

9/16/2000 7:01 PM

Speakers in you Super Reverb

Hello there,

This is one of the hardest era's in fender's era - Leo in Fender Era. Leo had some dismay with Jensen so in the early 60's he started trying different speakers - though he did still use some Jensens. He started using Oxfords and CTS's. 137 is a CTS prefex the date 440 would be correct for a 1964 that would be the 40th week of 1964 the first 4 being the year, you can also date the pots they would use the same dating system the 137 denoting CTS the next number would be the year and the 2 digits after that would be the week of the year though you may have pots from different years this is not uncommon one might be from 63 etc.. They could well be original I have a passion for Super Reverbs I have owned 10 over the years and some had ceramic jensen or cts (though I have never seen a pre-cbs one with cts's though I have read that some of them do ) I even had one with CTS alnicos - so I would say that they might well be original. The best way to tell is to look at the solder connections have they been tampered with ? Also the studs that you mount the speakers on and the nuts - do they looked like they were touched ? Either way Fender did use CTS ceramics at this time. If you would like jensens I think the reissues are awesome I think the correct model for your amp would be the CR10's but check this my memory is not what it used to be - I have one Super with them and I have also used the PR10's in my 1959 bassman. So I hope I helped you - good luck

9/17/2000 2:18 PM

First off, thanks Winnie and Bruce. I cleaned the jack inputs and the tube sockets, also tightened themand the noise is gone. What are you guys using for cleaning tube sockets? I tried something last night that worked really well. I used the tip cleaners from a welding torch. There was one socket v3 that looked a little bad but cleaned up nicely.

Next Michael, thanks for the info on the speakers. The solder joints looked original but if they were how could the cones be different in design? Also the mounting of these speakers was with 4 studs where usually Fender used 8. But there are only 4 holes in the frame of the CTS so it could have been done at the factory I guess. I have already changed the speakers out for a set of CTS alnicos that I had and the amp sounds great. I also have a set of the jensen reissue p10r's and a set of 66 Jensen c10Q's that I might try later. Right now I like the cts alnicos better than the cts ceramics. The main thing is that the amp has killer tone and is a definite keeper. Any more thoughts on the speakers that came with the amp? I am storing them in case they are original. They didn't sound bad but just didn't compress like the alnicos. Thanks again.

M/J

9/18/2000 1:29 PM

I got to check the stud thing I have 3 of them at home so I will see how many studs they have. It's funny you prefer the CTS-alnicos because I think they are superior to the jensen speakers not for every amp but for this particular model I have tried the P10r's ( reissue)also I thought these sounded better.( I might get a lot of greif for saying this - but - what can I do ?? :0) !! ) I don't know why they just fit into the sound of the amp better and they also take away the amps tendency to be a little to thick and overly bassy when you pluck the low E or A they seem to balance the amp out better. I have heard these amps with ceramic speakers sound like marshalls so they can be cool too. Well I will check the studs when I get home - it is possible that the baffle board was changed -- I will get to ya later - have a good day !!

michael

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