I just picked one of these up at an estate sale for $200. Needs a lot of love. The pots don’t seem to do much other than go from 0 to 8 at the slightest turn. Couldn’t tell if the reverb was working, although the reverb wires look exposed at the chassis connection. We’ll see. But this demo is very inspiring. Thank you.
Kris S. - Nice score. Proceed carefully and you'll be rewarded. If you don't feel confident about doing the work yourself seek out a qualified professional to make sure you get a positive outcome. It'll be worth it.
Do you think part of the reason for that hollow woody boxy sound is the old cathode bypass caps drifting up to "total bypass" territory? I used to think it was the tube rectifier sagging but that's obviously not happening below a high current draw/volume. Some of the old blackface twins exibit this same woody boxyness. I thought perhaps the pine cabinets but these CBS Fenders had already switched the particle board and larger cabs by then.. Any ideas?
I`m restoring a 68 Pro reverb black line drip edge to chassis (Close to) original specs. the Component Board neede replaceing, Cabinet is from a 1966. Power trafo is the sideways classic tone replacement, I will build a plywood baffle for the cabinet, With original 69 grille kloth and and aluminium trim.and install Jensen 2x12s from the 60s in it. Reverb is from a mid 70s twin reverb.
Thanks for the detailed review. From what I understand, the '69 is VERY similar to the '67/'68 blackface and perhaps more affordable because of the whole blackface nostalgia. Just curious... for the bias diode. Did you use an In4007 or something else?
Robert Herder - from Superior Music .com -"EIA numbers taken from the transformers may help you to determine the date of production on amps that fall between the different dating schemes. These numbers always begin with "606", and are followed by three or four digits in various combinations. If three digits are present, the first digit would refer to the year i.e. ("7" would mean 1967). If four digits are present, the first two digits refer to the year i.e. ("66" would mean 1966). The last two digits would refer to the week of the year i.e. ("26" would mean the 26th week or approximately June). An example would be: EIA 606-4-21 would mean the 21st week of 1964." If this is true, then the PT dates to 1950. Frankly, I'm confused about it now. Research continues...
Robert Herder - although somewhat less reliable the serial number on the chassis dates roughly to 1969. Pro Reverb AA1265, AB668, AA1069, AA270 (silverface) A10000 to A10500 - 1967 A10500 to A12000 - 1968 A12000 to A13300 - 1969 A13400 to A14500 - 1970 A14500 to A15000 - 1971 A15000 to A15600 - 1972 A15600 to A17200 - 1973 A17200 to A19700 - 1974 A19700 to A20000 - 1975 A20000 to A21500 - 1976
Robert Herder - the plots thickens further. The "CSA" designation means Canadian Safety Association. So, it was likely either replaced in Canada or shipped there from the factory. Investigation continues...
This will be interesting! I never knew about the CSA designation. I am sure your amp was made in 1969. It sounds great. I disagree that it doesn't have "mojo" - it has mojo written all over it. I very much enjoy your videos. Keep them coming!
Robert Herder - Well, it has more than enough mojo for me! So, I got that going for me. Glad you are enjoying my clips. Keep those comments coming. One of the best things about doing this is how much I learn along the way and you are a part of that. Thanks, very much!!
Have me a 73' currently trying to find all the little secret things these amps have to offer. Currently patching the normal channel to the Vibrato. Noticed that both channels fight for volume when you keep them close and you can get some cool tones that way. If you have any other tips or things you've found yourself, id love to hear them. Take care.
Well, if you are speaking of chaining the channels together it isn't really advisable with two channel Fenders that have tremolo and reverb. You can do it on the Bassman because it has no extra circuits to throw things out of phase. The effects put the channels out of phase with each other cancelling out many desirable frequencies. It makes the power section work harder to produce the same volume and in general doesn't sound good. You can use an AB box with impunity. As for tips you can play around with different input tubes (V1 & V2) and get different sounds. I like the JJ 12AY7 personally.
About what "setting" does the amp start to break up with humbuckers? I'm considering a trade with one and I need a breakup at a decently reasonable volume.
Eric Filsinger - Yes. They are fantastic amplifiers. Not all that different from what came before. If you turn the master volume all the way up it's essentially out of the circuit. If you'd like to remove it it's a fairly easy operation. Any competent technician could take care of it. By 1975 all pro reverb amplifiers had master volumes. What you're asking for doesn't exist.
@@GranvilleGuitars I meant ive found a 74 non master for $1000 total but really want a 40watt master vol version but harder to find and reverb listings dont want to ship them. It maybe a 73 or early 74 non master
