Pawn Shop: 1975 Blackfaced Twin Rev (Latest Upgrades)
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
- Travis Toy
- Posts: 571
- Joined: 29 Apr 2005 12:01 am
- Location: Nashville, TN, USA
- Contact:
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- Posts: 258
- Joined: 6 Mar 2018 10:29 am
- Location: Traverse City Michigan, USA
Don, would it be too much trouble to ask for a video of how that old girl sounds? I've been thinking of putting the Double T 12's in my Twin. I would really enjoy hearing it.
Respectfully,
Cody Stewart
Respectfully,
Cody Stewart
Bolt On’s: Red Belly, Brown Belly, 73 Sho~Bud Pro~II, Fender’s/Peavey’s. If it doesn't sound like 1968, then I probably won’t like it.
- Larry Dering
- Posts: 5076
- Joined: 17 May 2013 11:20 am
- Location: Missouri, USA
YouTube Video
Here is a YouTube video of the Twin with TT-12s. I made some playing mistakes, but hopefully you get the idea of what it sounds like with these fine speakers. Thanks Travis!
Thank you for watching...
Don
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TimtVgd4sCI
Thank you for watching...
Don
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TimtVgd4sCI
- Larry Dering
- Posts: 5076
- Joined: 17 May 2013 11:20 am
- Location: Missouri, USA
- Dave Hopping
- Posts: 2221
- Joined: 28 Jul 2008 4:18 pm
- Location: Aurora, Colorado
- Contact:
Sounds delicious! There's a reason why Fender has been making a high-powered 2-12 with the name "Twin" for 67 years.
Last edited by Dave Hopping on 13 Apr 2020 10:10 am, edited 2 times in total.
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- Posts: 258
- Joined: 6 Mar 2018 10:29 am
- Location: Traverse City Michigan, USA
Pro II
Cody,
Yes, I really like the Pro II. The big 3/4" body gives it a thick, fat sound. The single-single changer with aluminum fingers is also part of the sweet sound of the guitar!
Ricky Davis is a huge fan of this vintage.
If you can find one, buy it! You will love it! The wide, curved pedals take some getting use to.
I also think the TT-12s in the Twin is a winning combination. Hope this video helps you make a decision
Don
Yes, I really like the Pro II. The big 3/4" body gives it a thick, fat sound. The single-single changer with aluminum fingers is also part of the sweet sound of the guitar!
Ricky Davis is a huge fan of this vintage.
If you can find one, buy it! You will love it! The wide, curved pedals take some getting use to.
I also think the TT-12s in the Twin is a winning combination. Hope this video helps you make a decision
Don
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- Posts: 379
- Joined: 28 Jun 2013 1:10 pm
- Location: PADUCAH, KY, USA
Blackfacing Done Recently--Message from Scott
Here is a note from Scott detailing the blackfacing done to the amp recently...
Mar 7, 2020, 12:49 PM
Hi Don,
I have completed the Blackface modifications on your Fender Twin reverb. Along with this I replaced all the incorrect and substandard components installed from the previous work that was done. This caused the job to take longer because I did not start with a clean slate. All the metal film resistors that were installed were changed to carbon composition, all the cathode bypass capacitors were changed to Sprague Atoms and coupling or tone stack capacitors were changed, when needed to Sprague Orange Drop capacitors or Silver Mica capacitors. I also changed the way the two channels were routed thru the reverb and vibrato circuits to a design that works much better.
I retained, at your request the substitution of a 56K resistor for the original 100K resistor in the tone stack for the Normal channel. This mod increases mid and bass response, and also tends to increase the overall gain of that channel by allowing more bass and mid signal to pass. I do like this mod, and think for steel guitar it would be a benefit. The push pull pot is gone along with the mid boost circuit. That circuit was unsafe and I was glad you approved its removal. I don't think you'll miss it.
I also removed the original Fender boost circuit, and changed the master volume to a non push-pull 1 meg linear potentiometer. A linear pot tends to work better in this spot in the signal path providing a smoother taper and more accurate control over the master output.
The amp sounds very good now, but unfortunately there are still more issues that need to be addressed. First are the two filter capacitors in the negative bias power supply, they were changed in the earlier repair to a low quality cap that is not even the correct value. 47uf was used, the schematic specifies 80uf and I would replace them with 100uf@100V Sprague Atom ectrolytic capacitors. This would be an upgrade to that power supply.
Another issue are the screen resistors on the output tubes. The schematic specifies 470 ohm 1 watt resistors, carbon composition. They were changed at some point to 1K ohm, 3 watt metal oxide resistors. These should be put back to the original 470 ohm for proper output tube function. Fortunately I have some NOS 470 ohm 1 watt carbon composition resistors in stock.
I thank you in advance for your consideration.
Regards,
Scott
Vistalux Amplification
817-301-7291
Mar 7, 2020, 12:49 PM
Hi Don,
I have completed the Blackface modifications on your Fender Twin reverb. Along with this I replaced all the incorrect and substandard components installed from the previous work that was done. This caused the job to take longer because I did not start with a clean slate. All the metal film resistors that were installed were changed to carbon composition, all the cathode bypass capacitors were changed to Sprague Atoms and coupling or tone stack capacitors were changed, when needed to Sprague Orange Drop capacitors or Silver Mica capacitors. I also changed the way the two channels were routed thru the reverb and vibrato circuits to a design that works much better.
I retained, at your request the substitution of a 56K resistor for the original 100K resistor in the tone stack for the Normal channel. This mod increases mid and bass response, and also tends to increase the overall gain of that channel by allowing more bass and mid signal to pass. I do like this mod, and think for steel guitar it would be a benefit. The push pull pot is gone along with the mid boost circuit. That circuit was unsafe and I was glad you approved its removal. I don't think you'll miss it.
I also removed the original Fender boost circuit, and changed the master volume to a non push-pull 1 meg linear potentiometer. A linear pot tends to work better in this spot in the signal path providing a smoother taper and more accurate control over the master output.
The amp sounds very good now, but unfortunately there are still more issues that need to be addressed. First are the two filter capacitors in the negative bias power supply, they were changed in the earlier repair to a low quality cap that is not even the correct value. 47uf was used, the schematic specifies 80uf and I would replace them with 100uf@100V Sprague Atom ectrolytic capacitors. This would be an upgrade to that power supply.
Another issue are the screen resistors on the output tubes. The schematic specifies 470 ohm 1 watt resistors, carbon composition. They were changed at some point to 1K ohm, 3 watt metal oxide resistors. These should be put back to the original 470 ohm for proper output tube function. Fortunately I have some NOS 470 ohm 1 watt carbon composition resistors in stock.
I thank you in advance for your consideration.
Regards,
Scott
Vistalux Amplification
817-301-7291
Last edited by Don Mogle on 28 Aug 2023 5:41 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Continued Upgrades
Hey Forumites,
I wanted to post an update on my Pawn Shop Twin. I recently had some orange drop caps installed, other electrolytics tested, MVC removed,, and new blackface plate added. Looks and sounds great!
I wanted to post an update on my Pawn Shop Twin. I recently had some orange drop caps installed, other electrolytics tested, MVC removed,, and new blackface plate added. Looks and sounds great!