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Topic: Reverb Dwell vs Tone |
Karl Paulsen
From:
Chicago
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Posted 5 Feb 2022 8:21 pm |
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I've got a relatively early model Milkman Half and Half. It has Reverb (Mix I assume) and Tone controls. Current models have Mix and Dwell.
The grass is always greener and all that and I love the tone of the Reverb I have, but the idea of being able to control the decay length is very intriguing. Also I don't use the Reverb Tone control much.
Here's the questions...
-Anyone have experience with both versions of the Half and Half (or similar amps) and can compare the merits of both configurations.
-Some interweb research indicates that it might be possible to add dwell control by replacing a resistor with a Pot. Any experience or advice on this?
_________________
Nickel and Steel. Sad Songs and Steel Guitar.
https://www.facebook.com/NickelandSteel
Chicago Valley Railroad. Trainspotting and Bargain Hunting...
https://chicagovalleyrailroad.blogspot.com/ |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 6 Feb 2022 5:21 am
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Your specific question re: Milkman I can't answer.
But re: specific functions, I have or had reverb pedals with dwell and/or tone and I consider dwell to be a far more valuable tool.
I've used a couple of amps where I couldn't even use the reverb specifically because of the long dwells (Steel King and Nashville 112).
And on pedals, I can get far more mileage out of a dwell knob than a tone knob, assuming that it is a good sounding pedal to begin with (and there are a lot of those out there). |
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Bob Womack
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 6 Feb 2022 1:56 pm
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In strictly technical terms, the reverb dwell control typically regulates the amount of signal going into the unit. In electro-mechanical units, the more signal that is applied to the plate/foil/spring, the more it was stimulated and the longer it reverberated. You then used the blend control to set the ratio of reverb to clean signal.
Most tube amplifiers use half of a 12AX7 preamp tube to drive the reverb at a fixed level and use the other half to recover the signal from the tank. I've got a 1973 Traynor amp that uses an EL-84 power amp tube to drive the reverb tank and half of a 12AX7 to recover. Due to the strength of the EL-84 it has got an incredibly long dwell.
Bob
_________________
"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' "
Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring
THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM (My Little Website) |
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Karl Paulsen
From:
Chicago
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Posted 6 Feb 2022 4:59 pm
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Thanks folks,
It really does sound like a dwell control is something I'd like to have I'm pretty sure my amp uses half a 12ax7 or 12at7 to drive the reverb.
Could a pot be introduced in that circuit to control the dwell?
_________________
Nickel and Steel. Sad Songs and Steel Guitar.
https://www.facebook.com/NickelandSteel
Chicago Valley Railroad. Trainspotting and Bargain Hunting...
https://chicagovalleyrailroad.blogspot.com/ |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 7 Feb 2022 12:01 pm
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I see a dwell control on a standard tank reverb as being the same as a regular reverb control, or "depth" control. It's somewhat different than an actual dwell change, which is normally accomplished by changing tanks. In short, a "dwell" control doesn't really work on mechanical (spring) units. It reduces the amount of regeneration, but not the actual signal dwell. (I've put long-dwell tanks in different amps, but have always been disappointed with the results.)
Of course, all this doesn't apply to electronic reverbs.
As far as tone controls, they're easy enough to add to a tank reverb circuit. But standard reverb circuits work mostly on the higher frequency ranges. Bassy tones through a mechanical reverb circuit can get "muddy" very quickly. |
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Steve Lipsey
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2022 12:56 pm
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On my half and half, (or maybe it was a mini, it was a while ago), Tim Marcus added a Dwell knob on the back panel...finding a place for the pot on the chassis was the issue...why not chat with him, he is great at email...
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Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham Resos, 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor |
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