uncle fester Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 (edited) Folks - I've got a blues jr that the reverb doesn't seem as strong as it once did. This is an amp I've had for 20 yrs, and sat for several years at a time. Do these amps need tune ups, and does it make sense the reverb may be going? Edited November 13, 2020 by uncle fester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 (edited) The tank can go bad. Edited November 13, 2020 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 1 hour ago, Sgt. Pepper said: The tanks can go bad. I was going to say that, but use more words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvi Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 tube? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 (edited) 27 minutes ago, jvi said: tube? No the Reverb Tank can go bad. The long springy thing in the bottom or side of an amp. Edited November 13, 2020 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, merciful-evans said: I was going to say that, but use more words. Sometimes you gotta learn to economize. Edited November 13, 2020 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvi Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 2 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said: No the Reverb Tank can go bad. tubes can as well, internet diagnostics are hit and miss...dirt can get in as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 Just now, jvi said: tubes can as well, internet diagnostics are hit and miss...dirt can get in as well... Yes but a tube is gonna affect everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twang Gang Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 I don't know enough about how a reverb tank works to know what might wear out. But there are some springs in there, and I suppose after years they could get a little slack. You need Bad Blues Player to weigh in - he repairs and refurbishes those things (Blues Juniors) all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 Can be as simple as the connections oxidizing over all that time. Disconnect it, vigorously put the little things on and off, make sure they are clean. Can be the driver for the reverb. I don't remember if that one is tube driven or not, but that pre tube, a 12ax or other, may be slacking up on you. If it's been that long in the same state it is probably a good time to re-tube it anyway. rct 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 A Reverb Tank is an inexpensive & easy DIY repair. You can usually do it in less than a half hour... While drinking your Coffee... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 10 minutes ago, Might Be said: Imo the most likely culprit will be the valve/tube driving the reverb send and return. Probably a 12ax7 without googling it. yea that's usually the thing. I can't remember how the B Jrs. run those.,. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted November 14, 2020 Share Posted November 14, 2020 (edited) From what I have read one of the most common culprits is oxidation on the RCA connectors on the tank, cleaning them may help. The connector cables are soldered directly to the main circuit board and are driven by a Microchip, not tube powered. If this is the problem a repairman would be needed. Also if the amp has been sitting for a long time the springs running the length of the tank could be sagging, test by turning the amp on its side to see if reverb response improves. If it does improve you may have sagging springs or foreign material in the tank. The reverb tank is normally mounted with 4 screws on bushings and usually has enough cable to remove it without disconnecting for testing or inspection. If the springs are sagging you may get it to work by adding shims under the mounting points. Its not that difficult to find a new tank to replace it with. badbluesplayer would be an excellent resource on this.. Edited November 14, 2020 by mihcmac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted November 14, 2020 Share Posted November 14, 2020 (edited) MF'in Reverb Tank. Fender clean - good. Fender reverb - never cared for it. Seems like it has 2 settings, barely there or playing 4000 feet inside a cave. My Blues Jr, Deluxe and Deville all were dogs. Edited November 14, 2020 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted November 14, 2020 Share Posted November 14, 2020 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said: MF'in Reverb Tank. Fender clean - good. Fender reverb - never cared for it. Seems like it has 2 settings, barely there or playing 4000 feet inside a cave. My Blues Jr, HR Deluxe and Deville all were dogs. In the reverb department. The DeVille was punishing loud. Edited November 14, 2020 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted November 14, 2020 Share Posted November 14, 2020 I had a De Ville & absolutely hated it... It was louder than I needed & it didn't have a good Sound.. Some of the Fender FSR Tweed Blues Jr. with certain Speakers sound quite good.. Tubes usually outlast Fender Reverb Tanks.... At least in my experience with several Fender Amps.. I learned the hard way.. Took one of my Twin Amps to the local Amp Repair because the Reverb was making funny noise.. They replaced a couple Tubes.. Cost about $50-$60.. It seemed ok until I got it home... I researched Forums & it was suggested it was the Reverb Tank. Which cost $26.00... So I ordered a new one.. Took about a half hour to swap out the old & install the new one.. It's been perfect ever since... The old Tubes were fine but the new ones weren't returnable... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle fester Posted November 14, 2020 Author Share Posted November 14, 2020 Thanks all, really appreciate all the input. With everything posted above I should be able to figure this thing out. I'm away at the moment but once get back and can tackle this will post an update. FWIW... I never really used much reverb, it's more the fact it's not there that's urking me. Once I can get it fixed, I'll be able to decide I don't like to use it again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparquelito Posted November 14, 2020 Share Posted November 14, 2020 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxson50 Posted November 14, 2020 Share Posted November 14, 2020 I bought a Blues Jr. Years ago, kept it for three days and returned it to GC. Didn't like the tone, it was heavy, and sounded rather muddy to my ears. The volume control went from whisper to too damn loud by the time you turned it to three, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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