1968 Fender Twin Reverb... Questions? Speakers?

musiclover7 · Not So Newbie Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 5

Hi all,

I just purchased a 1968 Fender Twin Reverb, one of the last Silver Face Models made with the same Black face circuitry. I used to own a 68 Twin, in worse cosmetic shape, till it was taken from me this last year. My old Twin had older Jensen Speakers in it. The one I just bought has new Jenson C12K speakers in it. I know these newer speakers are supposed to be better, but I question this as it pertains to my style. These are definitely brighter!! I wind up turning the Trebs way down, and the Bass up to get the similar warm tone that I was used to, and it is still not the same, though I am still undecided as to which I prefer. These amps both sound great.

Couple issues.

First, this amp vibrates in certain lower registers, similar to the way a snare drum does, but it is the amp itself. It is Bad! There is definitely something loose inside the amp, was hoping for some direction as to where to look first.

Next, the amp puts off some smell when I play it, like a hot battery. Was told by a shop that this was normal, coming from the tubes, but I blew a fuse in the middle of a gig last week, so I question whether this is accurate.

I suppose I am also looking for some advice on speakers. I am after warm, silky, spongey tone. I am primarily a clean player, delve into some Jazz, Reggae, and Country Funk.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!!

Wink

MikeM · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:46 pm Post subject:

Congrats on finding your Twin!

The rattling may be the reverb tank? That would be the first place I would look.
As for the smell, check the bias. How old/what condition are the tubes in? That blown fuse was a warning IMO.
Speakers? I use Eminence Cannabis Rex's. Check out Eminence's website. I'd wager you'll find what you're looking for.

musiclover7 · Not So Newbie Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 5

You know, I have been looking all over online for some kind of easy to follow manual that will tell me what is what in this thing, and so far no luck. I am new to this, though eager to learn, and I don't even know where the reverb tank is. I have a wonderful Video that Kendrick put out on servicing amps, which I have watched, but he is working on a different amp in the video, though it is still a fender... Does anyone know where I can get a solid book on servicing my particular amp?

These tubes are supposed to be new, with less than 20 hours on them. In Kendricks video, he states that 9 times out of 10 if you blow a fuse, it is an issue with the Power/Output tubes, so I am starting to question the truth behind that.

Thanks for the advice on the speakers, I will check them out...

tw001_tw · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:43 am Post subject:

See that black bag with the 2 wires coming from it at the bottom of the
cabinet? the reverb tank is inside that bag.

As far as the vibrations, sometimes, on some amps, the cabinet has what
you might call a resonant frequency, when the speakers make the particular
tone at a sufficent volume, it vibrates. I think this is generally caused by
age, and the cab becoming a little bit loosy-goosy so to say. I'd tighten
everything down real good and see what happens. Or, it might go away or
dimish substationally if you get some different speakers as suggested that
suit your style more. (I second the idea of looking at Eminence. For the
sound you described, I'd take a look at the swamp thang speakers. very
nice for jazz.)

owwdatune · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:20 pm Post subject:

for your amp you can get an OWNER'S MANUAL & SCHEMATIC here --> http://www.fender.com/support/hardcopy_archives.php
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musiclover7 · Not So Newbie Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 5

Well, it turned out that the vibration was actually a blown speaker. I was coming up around the edge, and may well have been a factory defect, as the amp was supposedly sparsley played for the last few years. Speakers are from 05'. Going to use a little silacone to seal it down, and should be good then. The Reverb fluctuations are a bother. Sounds like some popping, springing when idle. Otherwise the amp is in great shape. Thanks for all the replies..

Herb · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:05 pm Post subject:

Don't use silicone! It will dampen the portion of the cone you use it on. Good old Elmer's glue and a piece of paper towel for a patch will work well.
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Herb
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