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Topic: I fixed my reverb can - FINALLY |
Michael Garnett
From:
Seattle, WA
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Posted 17 Aug 2005 12:43 pm |
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After playing for 3 or so years on a NV400 with the reverb can out of the amp, I decided I'd try to put the thing back in and check it out. It was totally screwed up, and I was using my Peavey Deltafex set to spring reverb.
Well, I started troubleshooting, and after a phone conversation with Mike Brown over at Peavey (HE called ME an hour or so after I sent him an e-mail, great service!!!) I figured I'd fiddle with the thing just a little bit. I resoldered one ground wire that was almost broke off, and reshaped the female clips in the Molex plastic connector, so they'd fit the plugs better. There was something loose inside the reverb unit itself, so it would crackle at me and not sound like reverb at all. So, I took my Redneck Ingenuity and started figuring out what I could do to the unit to make it work well all the time. I found that if I held the spring bracket to one side or pulled it out, it sounded just fine.
My solution?
Styrofoam Packing Peanuts. 4 of them suckers. I just set them underneath the metal bracket that holds the springs, and they're held in place nicely by the mounting spring tension. And now that the springs are buffered away from the main housing, the amp doesn't hardly clang at all if I bump it.
So, what did I gain out of this simple little mod? I can now use my rack for my bass rig, and I'm down to hauling just my guitar, pak seat, and amp to gigs. (plus microphone stand and cables) Now, I only need 1 plug to make noise. I also prefer the fullness of the 3 spring reverb to its digital copycat, and it's definitely mellowed down my tone a lot. Gotta love analog. I'm not even running through the effects loop anymore, which I was having to do to cut down on effects/tuner noise.
So, that's one in the "W" column for me this week. And 50 bucks I didn't have to spend on another reverb can.
-MG
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Uva Uvam Videndo Varia Fit
Carter D-10, Deltafex, Nashville 400,
Dingwall Afterburner I 5 string
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Ernie Renn
From:
Brainerd, Minnesota USA
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Posted 17 Aug 2005 7:20 pm
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"resoldered one ground wire"
It was the green one in the reverb tank wasn't it? I've had several do that.
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My best,
Ernie
www.buddyemmons.com
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Michael Garnett
From:
Seattle, WA
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Posted 17 Aug 2005 7:26 pm
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That might be what I bandaid fixed. I didn't touch any wires inside... my fingers are too fat and clumsy  ... it was the thick ground wire on the exterior input BNC fitting that was wacky on mine. Some day if it starts acting up again, I'll pull it out and check those little plugs inside.
But for now, it sounds just great.
-MG |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 21 Aug 2005 4:06 pm
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| Quote: |
| And 50 bucks I didn't have to spend on another reverb can. |
For future reference (when your peanuts give out)...
Reverb tanks are about $17 from Antique Electronics. Shipping and handling...less than $3.  |
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Michael Garnett
From:
Seattle, WA
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Posted 21 Aug 2005 4:09 pm
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Oh, my friend, I've got peanuts out the proverbial ying-yang. And they don't biodegrade that fast either...
Thanks for the tip!
-MG |
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Mike Brown
From:
Meridian, Mississippi USA
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Posted 23 Aug 2005 5:56 am
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| Glad you got your amp repaired. |
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Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
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Posted 23 Aug 2005 7:25 am
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| I just love happy endings |
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Justin Griffith
From:
Taylor, Texas, USA
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Posted 24 Aug 2005 6:58 am
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Mike, Glad you got the reverb working again. The NV400 has always had my favorite reverb. Call me sometime when you are in town.
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Justin Griffith
D-10 Blanton 8X4, Gooodrich L-120, Matchbox, Small cab. Session 500, Evans FET 500LV And new Walker seat
[This message was edited by Justin Griffith on 24 August 2005 at 08:00 AM.] |
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Michael Garnett
From:
Seattle, WA
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Posted 27 Sep 2005 10:24 pm
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Heh... Remember me?
Well, the ol' reverb started acting up again, apparently my band-aid fix was just that. No reverb to speak of from the instrument, but when I banged on the can or shook the amp, it Jarbonzoed at me like all good reverbs should.
Ernie, you called it. The little green wire on the output side was just about broked off. I wiggled it and it came off in my hand. What's the best way to reattach it? That little plug has got a little factory crimp job going on, and I'm not so sure I can make it work. Maybe just solder directly onto the posts and forget the weak link of the plug?
Here's some wonderful picture goodness if anybody else is in a similar condition and too much of a cheapskate to spend $20 for a new one. Clicko for el biggo, and thanks www.imageshack.us for the image hosting.
I'll keep ya posted on how the fix goes, or if it goes. I'm knocking like hell on my wood desk right now.
-MG[This message was edited by Michael Garnett on 27 September 2005 at 11:25 PM.] |
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Michael Garnett
From:
Seattle, WA
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Posted 27 Sep 2005 10:58 pm
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Welp there it is. Fixed again, let's see how long this band-aid lasts, hopefully longer than 5 stinkin weeks. I pried the little piece of wire out of the factory splicing teeth, and shoved the end of the existing piece in there. Put me a cable tie on the end just so it won't put as much stress right there on that joint where the wire first enters the splice.
Picture goodness. Clicking pops to jumbo size.
-MG[This message was edited by Michael Garnett on 27 September 2005 at 11:59 PM.] |
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Larry Robinson
From:
Peachtree City, Georgia, USA
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Posted 28 Sep 2005 5:52 am
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I had the same problem with a Fender reverb pan, wire broke off at the transducer. I attempted soldering the wire. However, I was unable to get good solder connection. It worked, but was extremely noisy due to the cold solder connection. I finally replaced the pan and that fixed it.
Larry Robinson |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 28 Sep 2005 6:28 am
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The reverb unit wires can be repaired, but like a volume pedal pot that is "cleaned", ultimately it will need to be replaced.
I repaired the reverb pan in an old Peavey PA head. It lasted about a month and I repaired it again. It lasted about another month and I finally convinced the guy to buy a new reverb pan - that's been a year ago and obviously no more problems. |
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Michael Garnett
From:
Seattle, WA
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Posted 28 Sep 2005 9:31 am
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I agree with you Jack. I got so tired of changing volume pots, I got a Hilton pedal. But now I know how to change a volume pedal and troubleshoot it. I'll probably end up buying another reverb can someday. The money doesn't bother me as much as relying on somebody else to fix my gear for me, and charging a premium to fix something I could do myself with simple tools for free here at home. That way there's very little down-time, and if it breaks again, I get to work on my stuff some more!
For the same reason, I probably will build my own rather than buy one of those Jerry Rigs. I'm sure Jerry does good work, but I'd rather have the knowledge and confidence to build my own and really know the concepts rather than have a little box and hope it works.
-MG |
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Justin Griffith
From:
Taylor, Texas, USA
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Posted 29 Sep 2005 9:05 pm
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Mike,
E-mail me your mailing address and I will send you money for a reverb can. (I remember how much money I had in school) But you have to send me the old one so I can bury it.
Do you want to sell your Goodrich pedal? If its low profile I'd like to have it.
Justin
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Justin Griffith
D-10 Blanton 8X4, Gooodrich L-120, Matchbox, Small cab. Session 500, Evans FET 500LV And new Walker seat
[This message was edited by Justin Griffith on 29 September 2005 at 10:06 PM.] [This message was edited by Justin Griffith on 29 September 2005 at 10:09 PM.] |
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Michael Garnett
From:
Seattle, WA
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Posted 29 Sep 2005 11:43 pm
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Ha! I sent you an e-mail. I just don't see the point in throwing something away just because one wire got broke, especially if I can fix it myself pretty easy.
-MG |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 30 Sep 2005 2:53 am
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You use reverb?
Seriously, it looks like good fix. And no duct tape! |
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Michael Garnett
From:
Seattle, WA
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Posted 30 Sep 2005 7:30 am
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Yeah, and another thing. A reverb can is $20 some-odd plus shipping. A 30 pack of Miller Lite (cans, no less!) out here in Communist West Texas is $24.25 after tax. I'll keep fixing the reverb until I can move to someplace where I can afford beer and a new reverb can.
-mG |
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Justin Griffith
From:
Taylor, Texas, USA
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Posted 30 Sep 2005 8:21 am
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If you drink the beer first you wont miss the reverb.
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Justin Griffith
D-10 Blanton 8X4, Gooodrich L-10K, Matchbox, Small cab. Session 500, Evans FET 500LV And new Walker seat
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Ernie Renn
From:
Brainerd, Minnesota USA
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Posted 3 Oct 2005 7:52 pm
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Dang, those little green wires...
Glad you got it fixed again. Hope it lasts this time!
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My best,
Ernie
www.buddyemmons.com
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