Fender Quad head on EBay

David Doggett · Posted 5 Aug 2005 3:35 pm

FYI. This could be a cool deal for a steeler looking for a Twin family head. Even looks kind of cool.
http://cgi.ebay.com/FENDER-QUAD-REVERB-twin-re verb-head_W0QQitemZ7340572359QQcategoryZ38074QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You can check out the specs on the Fender Amp Field Guide here:
http://www.ampwares.com/ffg/

[This message was edited by David Doggett on 05 August 2005 at 04:41 PM.]

David Doggett · Posted 6 Aug 2005 10:57 am

Dan Salini · From: SLC UTAH USA

Thanks for the heads up.

I have looking for my first steel rig with some head room.

Dan salini

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

Run away from that thing far and fast.

The reverb is going to be subject to all sorts of weird feedback and oscillations. Ever notice the Showman Reverb and Bandmaster Reverb heads were really TALL? That was to keep the reverb spring pan far away from the transformers and the rest of the circuit.

Same reason the Reverb pan is mounted in the *bottom* of Fender amps.

Some other amp companies' heads have the pan in a short cabinet, but the amps are designed differently.

Turn up the reverb, or turn up the volume with a little reverb, and this amp is going to sound like crap.

These kinds of hack jobs show up all the time - put together by people with woodworking skills that don't know squat about Fender amp design. It's simply a butchered amp, and it won't work right. Another note - you have to modify or use a different reverb pan to mount it in an upright position like it is on this amp. I'd bet a nickel that one has the stock pan - meant for "bottom down" mounting orientation.

The only concievable thing to do with this is buy it cheap and have a Twin Reverb cabinet built for it. But by the time you get done with cabinet, covering, grill cloth, speakers, hardware, PLUS thhe chassis...you'd likel;y exceed what it would cost for a decent Twin.

*If* you had a spare Twin cabinet it'd be worth considering. Otherwise, it's a complete waste of money IMO.

[This message was edited by Jim Sliff on 06 August 2005 at 11:25 PM.]

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Amen Jim.. That tank is WAY too close to the transformers.. I've dealt with that problem before... It NEEDS a deeper cab..

Whoever designed that otherwise attractive cabinet did not take the tank placement into consideration.... bob

David Doggett · Posted 7 Aug 2005 10:22 am

Um, I'm a little skeptical of this alleged reverb-too-close-to-the-transformer problem. The original Dual Showman heads all had the reverb mounted sideways on the front panel very close to the transformer, because there were screws in the bottom for attaching to speaker cabinets. The reasons the cabinets were designed tall was to make room for the sideways mounted reverb in the front panel. I was not aware that those sideways mounted reverbs were any different than regular Twin reverbs. If they were, what's the evidence for that? I'm not saying the above posts are wrong, I'd just like to find out a little more about this rather than take someones opinion without a little more detailed explanation.

Even if the reverb is a problem, that is not a deal killer. If this thing goes for a good price it will be way cheaper than buying a Twin and then buying a custom made head cabinet for the chassis. There would be plenty of money left over to buy an outboard digital reverb/delay unit - these things are very good these days. A head cabinet alone could cost $300, which is enough to buy a POD XT, which has something like 15 different reverb models, all very good. Of course, if you want a regular Twin combo unit, it makes no sense to buy a Twin chassis in a head cabinet and convert it to a combo - combo units are much more common and easy to find. Dual Showman heads are hard to find. If you want a Twin type amp in a head, this amp is a potential solution.

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Some observations---reverb tanks do have designations for mounting orientation but I don't know how important that actually is; I have wondered in the past about proximity of the tank to vital organs and I have been told that it can be ok (but I have heard of problems too); that chassis has to be pulled to remove the power tubes;
I have been watching this and I have been interested in this but it is verging on its top reasonable price, IMO. Still watching. But I've got my eyes on something else.................

Denny Turner · From: Oahu, Hawaii USA

If I particularly wanted the Fender reverb pan, I'd build it's own "cabinet" and set it on the floor behind the amp; But I'm quite sure I would pull the pan and use it's in/out circuit as an effects loop , line-out, separate pre-amp, etc.

If I KNEW FOR SURE that amp to be in VG original-like operational condition, then under around $700 could be a bargain. Notice it's 100wRMS. In not knowing it's condition, One must assume a reasonable "worst case" repair scenario in rolling the dice; Putting it's value in about the $300-350 range IMHO.

-------

OOPS, there it goes for $362 +s/h!

Aloha,
DT~

David Doggett · Posted 7 Aug 2005 2:22 pm

It went for $362.99. Silver face Dual Showman heads are selling for $400 to $600. A new empty head cabinet alone costs $300. So I'd say this was a bargain, even with the potential reverb problem. I'm going to experiment with moving around the reverb tank in my Dual Showman Reverb to see if it makes any difference.

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Although I acknowledge that you are in the musical gear bidniz, Denny, I disagree with your numbers. Which doesn't much matter. Bottom line is what I was willing to spend for this and my top dollar was right in the ballpark of the winning bid--a bit less, actually but a Fender Twin Chassis....... And since I had a hunch that the high bidder was in for more than his showing $$, rather than run up the price on him I laid out. Good chance he got himself a nice chassis for a fair price.

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Take it from soemone who JUST had to move a reverb unit on a "re cabbed" Fender 100 watt tube head.. If the tank is close to the transformer FORGET about using much reverb.. It hums,oscillates, howls etc....UNTIL you move it..

I have owned Showman reverb heads , several PA 100 heads[BEST buy in Tube heads out there}...The tank is mounted sideways in some of them, but its NOWHERE NEAR the transformer.. Fender reverb units DO NOT want to be close to the transformers,,, been there, done that... bob

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

I don't think this was way overpriced, since excellent-condition Dual Showman Reverbs are running $600-700 these days (VG price guide), but it's no bargain, IMO. I agree with others who argue that getting the reverb pan too close to the chassis/transformers is a big problem. One should also expect some typical electronic repairs are needed, with a high probability. Also been there, done that, have the t-shirt. The good news is that someone like Rick Johnson can make a nice cab for it, everything should be hunky-dunky with some work and $$$, but this one doesn't look like a bargain to me.

I've got a buddy who still hauls his whole Quad Reverb around for guitar. He's young and strappin', don't bother him a bit, but it's way over my weight/size limit. But it sure does sound good, with those 4-12" speakers.

Personally, I'd prefer of course to just get a raw Twin/Quad/DualShowman-Reverb chassis for even cheaper. Or I like Bob C.'s idea of the PA 100/135 heads, put a mid-control on the rear of the chassis, done deal.

[This message was edited by Dave Mudgett on 09 August 2005 at 04:48 PM.]

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