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Topic: 68 or 72 Super Reverb..which to buy? |
Joe E
From:
Houston Texas
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Posted 5 Jan 2004 10:44 am |
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I have an opportunity to buy either a 1968 or 1972 Super reverb. BOth from the same guy and both in good condition.
Which would be better for 6 string playing?
Why?
Joe |
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Roger Kelly
From:
Bristol,Tennessee
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Posted 5 Jan 2004 11:07 am
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FWIW....All things being equal, I would take the '72, since it has 45 Watts to the '68's 40 Watts. Either one would be good to me.  |
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Joe E
From:
Houston Texas
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Posted 5 Jan 2004 11:20 am
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| Is $700 about right? |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 5 Jan 2004 11:30 am
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700.00 is a decent price, for anything with tubes and a Fender logo! I'd go for the'68, just 'cause it'd break up a little sooner, but either amp is great for lead guitar!
(PSSSST--See if the guy will take 600.00!) |
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JERRY THURMOND
From:
sullivan mo u.s.a.
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Posted 5 Jan 2004 12:59 pm
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| If 68 is a black face it is worth more money then the 72. |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 5 Jan 2004 1:13 pm
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Here is a response I made under aniother post, hope it helps a bit:
In early 1968 the the first major change was made by CBS to the Super Reverb amp. Some changes included a 5U4GB rectifier, cathode resistors with cathode bypass caps at the power tubes. Also suppression caps were added to the grids of the power tubes and also in the reverb area. This is, I believe, the AB568 (May 1968) schematic. The bias was also changed to a bias balance control. I have seen many of these amps boasting the Blackface tube chart (AB563). But in fact the circuit was an AB568, with a 5U4GB rectifier, not a GZ34.
It did not last long before changes were made again. The next revision was the AA1069(Oct 1969). Realizing what a disaster the cathode bias was, this was removed. The rectifier tube is still a 5U4GB, bias balance was again revised and the output of the inverter section was changed, just to name a few changes.
The AA270 was next (Feb 1970). And the story goes on right up the the late seventies, when the Ultrlineear transformer was used.
All great amps, the amps thru mid 70's (non-ultrasliners) are easily Blackfaced. |
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Karl Oberlander
From:
Austin, Texas, USA
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Posted 5 Jan 2004 2:10 pm
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... The blackface circuit for the Super Reverb was AA-763 and AB-763 not AB-563. I have two very early '67 models that are actually black face heads with the earliest silver face fronts. Both are AB-763. I'd get the 1968 model if I was going to choose.
Just an opinion.
Kobe
------------------
Gibson D-8 Console Grande - Stringmaster T-8 - Alkire EHarp D-10
Fender Super Reverb
kobe@austin.rr.com
http://home.austin.rr.com/kobeco
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Larry Robbins
From:
Fort Edward, New York
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Posted 5 Jan 2004 2:18 pm
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Buy Both,Im sure the wife wont mind  |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 5 Jan 2004 3:57 pm
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Yes, you are right. Typo on my part. I just had a 1968 with the tube chart stating it was an AB763. It was in fact an AB568, with the cathode bypass resistors on the power tubes. It was not unusal to see this in the 1968 amps. I coverted it to Blackface specs.
The only way to tell is to pull the chassis out and check the circuit. Also check the date codes on the transformers and choke. The AB568 is the easiest to convert back to a true Blackface amp. The 1972 is also easily done, I have one and did converted it just recently. I also have a 1964 Super Reverb. The 1972 sounds just as good after being converted.
$700.00 is a good price for a nice clean Super Reverb and is also an excellent price for a 1968! Try them both and let your ear be the judge.[This message was edited by Ken Fox on 05 January 2004 at 03:58 PM.] |
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Joe E
From:
Houston Texas
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Posted 5 Jan 2004 5:57 pm
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Ken, Thanks for the details. That was my other post as well.
Everyone else..thank too for your valuable input. I will try them both out asap.
My thought was the 68, until Ken stated that Fender screwed up and it was fixed the next year. (My interpitation) Anyway, the only real way for me to know is to crank it up with my Les Paul or Strat.
Joe E |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 6 Jan 2004 4:48 am
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both great..get the one the weighs less 
t |
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