Question:
Hi, I went and got a SF PR today, and it sounds fantastic to me. It actually starts to break up at about 4 or 5 on the dial, so it’s not ear-blistering clean all the way up the dial, like it’s big bother would be! I do have a couple of questions though, and would appreciate any help. Also, I will be taking it in for a checkup, and had factored that into the purchase price. First off: The amp sounds great, and it did at the guy’s house I bought it at. I was there for about an hour, and had no problems with any sound, other than one dirty pot, but that’s manageable. But when I got it home (here we go) and started playing it for a while, I noticed that a strange and rather loud hum started to get noticeable. Actually, it’s not a hum, but some kind of harmonic oscillation (sp). What’s weird is if I apply pressure to the top of the amp (in essence, the top of the chassis) the sound will go away. Sometimes it will even stay away after I stop applying pressure. But it’s beginning to just make itself present as soon as I lift the weight off the top. The frequency is tuned to a low A, if that matters. WTF might that be? Could I have jostled and moved some parts around on the drive home? I did go over one speed bump before remembering the amp was back there (duh). The power tubes are burning perfectly, and aren’t the cause. Also, it came with the Fender Special speakers in it. I’m not terribly familiar with those speakers. Where are they on the Fender speaker chain of command? I’m thinking of either installing two Reverend Alltones, or possibly some Webers. Any users of this amp that can make a recommendation. I am looking for a tight clean and bass, without having to resort to extreme high EQ levels to get it. Can the master volume be done away with? I know it is impractical to BF this amp, but would eliminating the MV totally help at all in the sound quality? Thanks for any input. I do love the tone but am looking for minor improvements.
Response:
Cool, I love my 65 Pro Reverb. It was a rescue job as it was brutally hack-butchered in the early 80’s. You’re amp probably needs a cap job and a check up. The weird low-frequency oscillation sound might be weak caps or a 100 ohm feedback resistor that is notorious for coming loose from it’s solder points in most ever Fender. The master volume is a PITA. It can be done away with if you choose, or just left alone. My 65 Pro Reverb has a pair of Alltone 1250’s in it and I’m very happy with the sound. It also has a 50 watt bassman output transformer (genuine Fender, from the early 70’s for the bassman head – it’s a direct swap and has a good deal more iron in the core). — Dr. Nuketopia Sorry, no e-Mail. Spam forgeries have resulted in thousands of faked bounces to my address.
Response:
> Hi, > I went and got a SF PR today, and it sounds fantastic to me. It actually > starts to break up at about 4 or 5 on the dial, so it’s not ear-blistering > clean all the way up the dial, like it’s big bother would be!
I did forget to mention that this is a 70w ultraliear version amp.
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