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Topic: 66 BF Showman vs 68 SF Showman Reverb? |
Tom Gorr
From:
Three Hills, Alberta
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Posted 23 May 2019 8:51 pm |
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| Which one would you buy for steel guitar (and/or six string) and why? |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 23 May 2019 10:12 pm
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The reverb circuit adds an extra gain stage. I have a 68 Dual Showman without reverb, and a 1970 Twin Reverb, both silverface. The addition of the reverb makes a noticeable difference to me. The Twin is somewhat louder, but the Showman gets plenty loud. I guess I really like the sound of the spring reverb in the Twin. It's my favorite amp, except when it needs new tubes, like now.
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It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing. |
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Peter Leavenworth
From:
Madbury, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 24 May 2019 3:28 am Dual Showman
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I agree with Paul, I have a 1970 Dual Showman head that’s been black-faced, I.e. returned to BF specs which, among other alterations, involves changing the master volume function to something approximating a presence adjustment. The spring reverb is the richest I’ve ever heard in a tube amp I’ve owned.
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2008 Zum D-10, 1996 Mullens PRP D-10, 1974 Emmons D-10, 1976 Emmons D-10, early 70s Emmons GS-10, Milkman Sideman head w/Telonics 15" speaker, 1966 Fender Super Reverb, 1970 Fender Dual Showman head, Wechter/Scheerhorn and Beard Dobros, 1962 Supro lap steels, Gibson 1939 RB-11 banjo, Gibson 1978 RB-250
banjo......and way too much more |
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Mike Vallandigham
From:
Martinez, CA
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Posted 24 May 2019 8:35 am
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I have both amps, literally exactly the same.
The Silverface Dual Showman Reverb blows the black-face away. Especially for steel.
I'd sell the BF, but I'd rather keep it instead of sell if for a piddly sum. It's nice and original. |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 24 May 2019 8:59 am
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To add to the conversation: The Twin (any Showman with reverb circuitry) will have more noise at idle. A non-reverb Showman with a good reverb pedal (like a Wet Reverb) is significantly quieter at idle.
The extra gain stage of the Twin or Showman Reverb will have more low end thump which I really like. The non-reverb Showman sounds a bit thin on the low end by comparison.
The non-reverb Showman is a bit lighter and smaller.
The non-reverb Showman does not have a middle control on the Normal Channel.
The non-reverb showman allows you to jump channels, which is something I sometimes do. It does make for a bit fatter signal. You can't do this with a Reverb equipped Showman or Twin Reverb.
_________________
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing. |
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Tom Gorr
From:
Three Hills, Alberta
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Posted 24 May 2019 10:18 am
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| Interesting responses! |
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Len Amaral
From:
Rehoboth,MA 02769
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Posted 24 May 2019 2:16 pm
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This is my mid 70’s Duel Showman with a single Weber Neo Mag 4 ohm speaker.Very nice vibe with a beautiful Reverb.
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I survived the sixties! |
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Tom Gorr
From:
Three Hills, Alberta
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Posted 24 May 2019 3:53 pm
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Len Lovely rig. Nice job on the cab. Good size. Looks perfect.
What do ypu think of the Master Vol.. what balance of preamp gain vs master vokume is the sweetspot? |
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Ken Pippus
From:
Langford, BC, Canada
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Posted 24 May 2019 4:41 pm
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| Dime the master volume and forget it’s there. |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 24 May 2019 6:03 pm
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Most people say the non-master volume Twins and Showmans are better, at least for steel. I don't know why. Both my Fenders mentioned above are non-master volume amps.
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It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing. |
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Len Amaral
From:
Rehoboth,MA 02769
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Posted 24 May 2019 6:23 pm
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I had the Showman recapped, new tubes and biased. The master volume has a push/pull to bypass the vibrato circuit. Seriously, the master volume is a non issue with this amp.
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I survived the sixties! |
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John Goux
From:
California, USA
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Posted 24 May 2019 8:45 pm
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I recently played steel and electric through a real blonde Dual Showman/non reverb, 15†JBL in a closed back cabinet.
Wow!
I asked the owner if the Dual Showman Reverb sounds this good. He turned up his nose...â€different circuitâ€, he said.
J |
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Michael Brebes
From:
Northridge CA
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Posted 25 May 2019 8:37 am
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The tone circuit on the Blonde-era amps is quite different from Blackface and Silverface.
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Michael Brebes
Instrument/amp/ pickup repair
MSA D10 Classic/Rickenbacher B6/
Dickerson MOTS/Dobro D32 Hawaiian/
Goldtone Paul Beard Reso
Mesa Boogie Studio Pre/Hafler 3000
RP1/MPX100 |
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