Music Man Guitar Amp Reverb Tank...

[ghetto3jon]

hello. i have an old music man guitar amp (i'm not sure which model...it's got two 10 inch speakers, a drive channel and a normal channel, and reverb and tremelo). the problem is, their is no reverb tank in the back of the amp. i'd really like to use this amp, but i can't live without spring reverb...does anyone know where i can get a reverb tank for an old music man amp...and does anyone know how i would hook it up if i could find one?

thank you.
jon.

 

[Major Tom]

That's a good question...I believe that amp manufactures buy the reverb tanks from companies that make them, Hammond is a brand that I have heard makes a lot of them, I have seen amp mfrs put "Hammond Reverb Unit" in their list of features. I don't know if they are more or less standard or not (I would guess they are), but what they are is a transducer on each end with a spring in the middle. The in side would be like a speaker, turning the electric signal into physical vibrations, the out side would be like a microphone turning the vibrations into an electrical signal. The amp only sends a low level portion of its pre-amp signal to the tank, and mixes a portion of the tank's output back into the pre-amp stage. The ones I have looked at (as I remember) look like they employ the same transducer for both functions. I would think if you would do some internet searches for +amp +guitar +parts, or similiar, you can find 'em for sale. There are some DIY tube amp and lots of parts sites out there. If it were ME, I would get one, plug it in and try it with the reverb turned off ( no signal to the tank) gradually turning up the reverb level to test functionality. If there are more than one standard for tanks, I would bet that the Music Man would use the same type as Fender.

 

[Clive Hugh]

The major amp makers do not make their own tanks, it's far easier to buy from a specialised manufacturer.
The good news is they are not expensive, I got my replacement from www.antiqueaudio.com they sell the same as used in whatever amp you have, but call them if you have any doubts.
Clive

 

[64Firebird]

My old Fender Bassman doesn't have a reverb either. So, I use a really fast delay (about 90ms) with only 3 or 4 repeats. I think that analog delays sound better for this type of thing than digital. Digital delays can sound a little harsh while the analog is a little smoother sounding. Also, Danelectro (as well as a few others) makes a reverb stomp box.

 

[King Elvis]

Hey, so how do you like the amp?? I heard that Leo F. had something to do with Music Man after he sold to CBS. Is that true??

 

[eyeslikefire]

Hey, so how do you like the amp?? I heard that Leo F. had something to do with Music Man after he sold to CBS. Is that true??

Yes....

In 1971, Leo Fender, Forrest White and Tom Walker formed a new musical instrument company they called "Tri-Sonics, Inc.". Leo and Tom started to layout the scheme for the amplifiers while Forrest worked on a new design for their guitars and bases that would not be confused with the Fender instruments.

By 1973, the company name had been changed to "Musitek, Inc." (short for "Music Technology"). By January, 1974 the company underwent their final name change to "Music Man". All during this time, Leo Fender was being cautious not to take an active roll in the company because his 10-year "non-compete" clause with CBS (due to the sale of Fender Musical Instrument Company to CBS in 1965) hadn't yet legally expired. In 1975 Leo came out from behind the curtain and announced he had been elected president of Music Man, Inc.

In 1974, production of the amplifiers had started. These were the earliest versions of the "Sixty Five" series with the 12AX7 phase splitter and a pair of Sylvania 6CA7 output tubes. Production of these amps as well as their 130-watt bretheren continued into 1979 with few changes (except for the change to a solid-state phase splitter design). In August of 1979, Leo's wife of 45 years, Esther, passed away after a long illness. Esther was no doubt the "woman behind the man" that created the Fender music legend.

New models were introduced in late 1979 into 1980, mainly upgrades to the power output, the addition of the RD (Reverb/Distortion) and RP (Reverb/Phasor) models and a new corporate identity which consisted mainly of reversing the color scheme of the logo plates!

Throughout the early 80's, new models (including the smallest amps such as the RD/RP50 and the uprated RD/RP100 series) and cosmetics continued to be introduced. It was during this time period that the rare white tolex and white "pinwhal" (a sort of vinyl cordouroy) coverings were introduced. By 1982 the writing was on the wall, and Leo Fender formed his new guitar company... G&L guitars.

Due to internal mismanagement and ownership squabbles, the company went downhill financially. After considering several offers, Music Man was sold to Ernie Ball on March 7, 1984. Music Man's remaining physical assets were sold on June 1, 1984. A sad end to an amazing decade in musical instrument amplifiers!

 

[Clive Hugh]

I had one of those white tolex amps, it was good but then I changed the tubes to Mesa Boogie tubes and it was brilliant.

However being typical I then traded it in on a Vox AC30 and traded that on a Fender "The Twin". All great amps, love em all