| Author |
Topic: Just Got a Fender Quad Reverb |
Jim Kennedy
From:
Brentwood California, USA
|
Posted 18 Jul 2008 11:51 pm |
|
I know it's a beast to lug around, but the price was to good to pass up. Figured I could go the head/cab route if it gets to heavy.
My tele sounds great through it, but the PSG sound is not quite what I want. It has 4 16 ohm Fender instrument 12 inch speakers, not Jensen's, wired in parallel for a 4 ohm load. The previous owner re-tubed with Ruby tubes. Reverb and Tremolo work.
I think, as does my wife, that the normal channel sounds pretty good with PSG, but the reverb channel does not sound as good--either to much treble or not enough. can't seem to find that happy medium. Seems to be there in the normal channel.
Some questions:
Are these speakers good for PSG?? I know that to some degree this is subjective. I am open to all opinions and suggestions.
The normal and reverb channels do not eq out the same using the Treble, mid, and bass controls. I thought they would both eq the same. Does having the reverb and tremolo on that channel effect the tone?? Reverb and tremolo on or off, the tone seems to be the same.
I have read that these style amps--Twin, Quad, Showman--can be voiced for PSG. Is this necessary??
I have found the Forum to be a wealth of information. Your opinions, suggestions, and advice, are greatly appreciated.
_________________
ShoBud Pro 1, 75 Tele, 85 Yamaha SA 2000, Fender Cybertwin, |
|
|
 |
Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
|
Posted 19 Jul 2008 3:20 am
|
|
Jim,
the normal channel should be voiced the same as the reverb channel. Are you hearing a difference even with the reverb turned all the way off? Sometimes a little reverb can have a big impact on tone and eq. If there is indeed a difference between the channels with no reverb on, then I would guess there is something in the tonal circuit (capacitor etc.) that has degraded over time and needs to be replaced.
Those sepakers might also be less than optimal. You might try going through the speakers you have been using with anther amp you like (if they equal a 4 ohm load) and see how it sounds.
Dan
_________________
Durham, NH
dbmCk mUSIC |
|
|
|
James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
|
Posted 19 Jul 2008 4:44 pm
|
|
| Actually, Channel 1 shares some of channel 2's componets, which may or may not mean much. My channel one does not sound as good and rich as channel 2 with my steel, but My tele sounds better on channel 1. And yes, a stock twin sounds real good for guitar, but not that great for steel, unless it's set up for steel guitar application. MPO. They sound ok stock, but can be made to sound much sweeter for steel. it really all boils down to setup. And yes, try some other speakers for steel. YMMV |
|
|
|
Rick Johnson
From:
Wheelwright, Ky USA
|
Posted 21 Jul 2008 3:50 am
|
|
Jim
This is what a old Quad Reverb
could be. I had the Master Volume
circuit removed and rewired back
the '65 Twin Rev Circuit.
Its heavy but it sounds so sweet.
Rick
www.rickjohnsoncabs.com
 |
|
|
|
Jonathan Lam
From:
Brooklyn, NY
|
Posted 21 Jul 2008 9:42 am
|
|
Is the next thread going to be "I just herniated a disc!" ? heheh.
Gratz on the purchase! Those things are monstrous!! |
|
|
|
Jim Kennedy
From:
Brentwood California, USA
|
Posted 22 Jul 2008 7:35 am
|
|
Yeah, it is heavy, but I got it for way less than a Twin Reverb for just that reason. A lot of guys don't know that the 100 watt Twins, Quads, Showmans and Super Six's are the same amp with different speaker and cabinet configurations. It's easier to move around than a Twin because it's taller, and on wheels. I just push it up to the truck--Toyota, tip it over and away I go.
Actually, I was thinking of doing a how to post for rebuilding, restoring, or whatever you want to call it. Years ago I was an electronics tech in the Navy. I worked mostly on radio transmitters, which at that time were tube based, so I have some knowledge in this area. Also have a buddy who is a retired Ford Aerospace R&D tech. A wealth of knowledge, he did Q&A and repairs for Jimmy Webb on the Webb amps in his Antioch CA store.
I have been researching and it appears these are not that hard to work on. I am planning on going the two cab head and speaker route to make it easier to move. If there is interest, I will post pictures and instructions as this project progresses.
Thanks everyone for their input.
_________________
ShoBud Pro 1, 75 Tele, 85 Yamaha SA 2000, Fender Cybertwin, |
|
|
|
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 22 Jul 2008 8:51 am
|
|
My Quad Reverb, err,,, not Eggs Ackley. But it was born one. Thanks to Bill Kahle for the electronic work, and to Rick Johnson for the beautiful cabs.
 |
|
|
|
Jim Kennedy
From:
Brentwood California, USA
|
Posted 22 Jul 2008 11:29 am
|
|
What type of speakers are you and others who have posted using?? Black widow 15's seem to be very popular. Mine has original Fender Insrument speakers, not the originals, but period correct. I am curious as to what others are using. So many choices to make.
_________________
ShoBud Pro 1, 75 Tele, 85 Yamaha SA 2000, Fender Cybertwin, |
|
|
|
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 22 Jul 2008 11:37 am
|
|
JBL 4 ohm in mine
 |
|
|
|
Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
|
Posted 22 Jul 2008 6:04 pm
|
|
If I had Quad R/V, I'd keep the stock Fender speakers (which are actually pretty good for steel), or swap them out for 4 lightweight neo speakers.
IMHO, the biggest asset of that amp is the 4 twelves and the big cabinet. They give it a HUGE sound that's far superior to a Twin with a single 15" speaker. |
|
|
|
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 22 Jul 2008 6:43 pm
|
|
Donny,
Played it both ways, and I disagree. The 15 has a much bigger, all around sound. IMO. |
|
|
|
James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
|
Posted 23 Jul 2008 5:42 am
|
|
This works great for me. It started out as a '76 mastervolume twin reverb. I have since switched from Altec 418B's(pictured) to jbl D-130F's. This amp is recapped and voiced for steel, per Brad Sarno's suggestions. Thanx Brad, and thanx Rick Johnson for making these wonderful cabs.
 |
|
|
|
Jim Kennedy
From:
Brentwood California, USA
|
Posted 24 Jul 2008 8:26 am
|
|
Thanks again guys for your posts. This place is a wealth of information. I found Brad Sarno's post in the old forum section on modding the EQ of these old amps, as well as how to Blackface them and why or why not this is a good thing. I've been searching on the internet for the last week trying to find this info. I should have looked here first. Once I start this project I will post my progress.
_________________
ShoBud Pro 1, 75 Tele, 85 Yamaha SA 2000, Fender Cybertwin, |
|
|
|
Jonathan Lam
From:
Brooklyn, NY
|
Posted 24 Jul 2008 10:37 am
|
|
| Hey John, does your amp have a drip trim on it? Kinda looks like it... |
|
|
|
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 24 Jul 2008 10:47 am
|
|
The white piping around the baffleboard and around the head cab was put on to match one of my Doc Z amps. Is that what you're referring to? The grill cloth came from Dr Z also.
 |
|
|
|
