The Steel Guitar Forum

I bought a Peavey LTD 400.
Reverb doesn’t sound good..
I noticed it isn’t encased in a bag.
Not sure if it came from factory this way
or someone removed it.


Does it need to be in a bag?
What difference would a bag make?

Any suggestions on a replacement tank
would be appreciated!

The bag just keeps dirt etc. out of the tank. Most Fender amps don't screw the tank to the cabinet but the bag instead, leaving it floating in the bag.

All the reverb units I've worked with are in a bag, with the bag screwed to the bottom of the cabinet.
Erv

In addition to protection for the tank, the bag also offers a small degree of dampening (mechanical isolation). Depending on the amp cabinet, high degrees of mechanical coupling between the cabinet (which is constantly vibrated by the speaker) and the tank can cause annoying "ringing" reverb tails on some notes. I seem to notice this effect more on the smaller, lighter combo amps.

YMMV

What Donny said!
Even with the "insulating" washers!
I install mine with cardboard on the open end, and in a bag loosely screwed to the cab.

Just a thought on the bag...........

If you're making your own, you could always attach it to the cabinet with velcro instead of screws.

There maybe other reasons your reverb doesn't sound good.
I'd try removing he tank from the cabinet, resting it on something to isolate it from the cab and see if the sound improves.
If it doesn't PM me. I can walk you through trouble shooting a reverb tank. - just need a cheapo ohmeter.

Is that the older LTD 400?
If so I'm jealous.

Yep it’s the one with the silver knobs.
The reverb picks Up the smallest vibrations.

I sent the chassis to peavey. They checked everything,
but I didn’t send the reverb tank with it.

Dan

What's the brand name of the tank?


Is it a O.C. Electronics Folded Line?

Anybody have a picture of those beautiful girls in Milton, Wisconsin?

As Jim alludes, there could be a couple of reasons your reverb is unsatisfactory. Of course the tank is one, but there's also the reverb circuitry in the amp.

I wouldn't think the lack of a bag would cause problems. I've seen many an amp with no cover over the tank. Long as it's insulated and fastened down with good padding under it, it shouldn't crash excessively on a stable or carpeted surface with normal use.

One way to help troubleshoot the problem is just to swap out the tank and see what changes. The MOD line of tanks is being well received. Available for about 25 bucks or maybe less and probably easy enough to re-sell if no help. clickhere

Possibly a qualified amp tech can narrow it down if that's a feasible and economical option.

There's a couple of tubes involved in the reverb circuit also, you might check them out.
Erv

The original LTD400 and Session 400 did not have a reverb bag.

You might check and make sure the connections are cleaned. Check and make sure the reverb springs are clean. Some of the older tanks had some foam weather stripping above the springs to help dampen external vibrations. Often the foam rubber would rot and fall into the springs

Best bet then is a new reverb tank. The original was a 2 spring tanks, 4EB2C1B by Accutronics.

Also the tank's connection cables are often plugged in backwards at the amp chassis. Works but will add hum and not as good a reverb sound. Also tanks jacks face the speaker

The two RCA jacks up under the amp are not identified, thus making it difficult for someone to know which plug goes where

To identify easily just unplug the tank and lay the cable out the back of the amp. Turn the amp on and turn the reverb knob up a bit. Then ID which cable tip makes noise when you touch it. That cable goes to the reverb tank output side.

The reverb drive in the amp is a two push pull transistor circuit, not tubes

I never knew Peavey to have a great reverb tone.

The touchstone has always been Fender.

As mentioned the tank has little to do with it. It's the circuit.

Thanks for all the replies. Pretty sure this one is just worn out!
I’m going to replace the tank and order a new bag to put it in!

Dan

Cut a piece of heavy cardboard slightly larger
than the new tank and slip it in the bag under the tank.

Rick

www.rickjohnsoncabinets.com

Reverb tanks differ, some are open on top and some are open on the bottom.
Erv

Rick Johnson wrote:Cut a piece of heavy cardboard slightly larger
than the new tank and slip it in the bag under the tank.

Yeah Fender did that.

I'll give you $300.00 as is. Pm me. Don't replace the tank or anything else.

Thanks for the offer Jim.
I put a Neo speaker in it and the weight is great to
take on the road whenever we start back up!

Dan

Here's Brad Sarno's LTD400 upgrades, including mods to the reverb circuitry:

The Lemay mod for the original model 400 replaced all the electrolytic caps on the preamp board.

I did the Lemay mod on one for a friend. Quieted the amp.