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Topic: My "new" 1977, 135-watt silverface twin |
Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 7 May 2008 3:03 pm |
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"Faith rewarded"
Ever since I got back into steel three years ago after a 20+ year lay off, I've been longing to pick up a silverface twin reverb, which is what I played steel and tele through in my mis-spent youth.
When George King posted one for sale last week I scooped it up immediately, sight unseen. So quickly, in fact, that I didn't even bother to ask him about its vintage, provenance, etc. Just decided to have faith in a familiar name from the forum.
The amp arrived today (after transferring through no fewer than six UPS hubs in five days; talk about faith!) safe and sound. Turns out it's a later 135 watt version (Serial #A766763; according to the web site I checked that puts it in '77). Sounds sweet! I might not even use my podxt for effects for a while, just to enjoy the pure tone and nice reverb on this amp.
The cabinet has been heavily used but not abused; although someone along the way had to put some screws into the joint where the left side meets the top. These are notriously weak cabinets, right?
One thing I had not expected to recall from my old 70s twin was...the smell! Probably some beer and cigarette smoke mixed in here, but there is a distinctive smell to these amps. I'd forgotten.
The power tubes in here are a little mis-matched (I haven't even pulled the cans to look at the preamp tubes). Three are quite old looking GE 6L6s: are those likely stock tubes?? I'll be getting it in for its 200,000 mile tune up pronto.
Also, how does the line out function on this amp? My old twin was a pre-master version and didn't have one.
Dan
_________________
Durham, NH
dbmCk mUSIC |
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Dennis Wallis
From:
Arkansas
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Posted 7 May 2008 6:05 pm
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| I have a '78 model in very good cond also. Only 2 minor scuffs on the backside of the tolex. I used it on a job this past Sat. It Sounded great. I am the second owner.I've had it since about '85. A friend of mine bought it new.I have used it briefly in clubs. The line out works fine. They are HEAVY tho as you know,I'm sure. |
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Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 7 May 2008 6:15 pm
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Ah yes, the weight issue.
I have an old Dual Showman head cabinet. The chasis from the twin will go in there. I use a BW 1501 or 2 in a separate cab for a speaker.
Dan |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 7 May 2008 7:17 pm
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Better be careful, Dan, or it might start looking like this. (Compliments from Rick Johnson cabinets)
Or this:
It's addictive. |
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Dennis Wallis
From:
Arkansas
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Posted 7 May 2008 9:42 pm
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| I bought a HEAD CABINET for the Twin a couple of years ago but never used it so far. It's around here somewhere. Good idea tho. I did split the Fender Steel King like that. |
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Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 8 May 2008 1:45 am
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Sometime I carry my guitar player's twin in and out of the gig just to remind me why I split mine into a head and cab.
Dan |
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