So starting this thread and hoping for more 'tech-types' to join in and support the topic. As it stands, I know little about it other than the obvious aspect that Reverb tanks are generally sorted by 'part number'. In other words, you really need to know what you have so you can replace it with a proper unit. There are literally DOZENS of them out there, with all kinds of varying aspects, from input and output impedance, to number of springs, to 'rate' of decay, etc.
I'm currently facing a problem with an old amp I picked up and am trying to restore/refurbish. This being an old 'Crate Vintage Club 20 w/ Reverb', or VC-2110 w/ Reverb. I have a nice VC-210, the 'non-reverb' thing going now, as my amp is working, but the reverb isn't. I searched out a Schematic for the Reverb version, and unfortunately the part number for the tank as shown is what I believe to be a proprietary Crate number (79-220-01). This number doesn't match anything I can find, including any of the common Accutronics numbers out there. However, what the schematic also shows is that the 'drive' side of the reverb appears to be 1/2 of a 12AX7 tube, where as the 'return' side is a 2N5210 solid state device.
I'm NOT a 'solid state' guy!! Honestly, I know from 'nothing' about transistors, IC, 'chips' etc. So, I'm not going to pretend to be in the wheelhouse here! I need some help in trying to figure this one out.....and I suppose at some point someone else will read this and maybe be in a similar situation. What I DO know is that there are 'common' values for reverb tanks that are associated with either Tube or SS drive/return. I don't know what they are, but I did run into this once before what trying to fix an amp that had the wrong tank in it. In that case the schematic for that amp had an Accutronics part number listed on it, and the one in the amp didn't match. So, simply ordering the proper Accutronics part number unit fixed that problem. Unfortunately, the tank in this Crate amp has no markings on it at all, other than 'input' and 'output'. I think there might have been a paper label on it at one point, but that's long-gone now!!
Anyway, I'm attaching a schematic of my amp, and if anyone has any suggestions for me, great. If anyone can add some clarification to the 'tube' vs 'SS' send/return thing and the general values used, that would be helpful here as well. And, with that, I'm attaching the Schemo then hitting the sack! Adios, and 'Thanks!' WC
I'm currently facing a problem with an old amp I picked up and am trying to restore/refurbish. This being an old 'Crate Vintage Club 20 w/ Reverb', or VC-2110 w/ Reverb. I have a nice VC-210, the 'non-reverb' thing going now, as my amp is working, but the reverb isn't. I searched out a Schematic for the Reverb version, and unfortunately the part number for the tank as shown is what I believe to be a proprietary Crate number (79-220-01). This number doesn't match anything I can find, including any of the common Accutronics numbers out there. However, what the schematic also shows is that the 'drive' side of the reverb appears to be 1/2 of a 12AX7 tube, where as the 'return' side is a 2N5210 solid state device.
I'm NOT a 'solid state' guy!! Honestly, I know from 'nothing' about transistors, IC, 'chips' etc. So, I'm not going to pretend to be in the wheelhouse here! I need some help in trying to figure this one out.....and I suppose at some point someone else will read this and maybe be in a similar situation. What I DO know is that there are 'common' values for reverb tanks that are associated with either Tube or SS drive/return. I don't know what they are, but I did run into this once before what trying to fix an amp that had the wrong tank in it. In that case the schematic for that amp had an Accutronics part number listed on it, and the one in the amp didn't match. So, simply ordering the proper Accutronics part number unit fixed that problem. Unfortunately, the tank in this Crate amp has no markings on it at all, other than 'input' and 'output'. I think there might have been a paper label on it at one point, but that's long-gone now!!
Anyway, I'm attaching a schematic of my amp, and if anyone has any suggestions for me, great. If anyone can add some clarification to the 'tube' vs 'SS' send/return thing and the general values used, that would be helpful here as well. And, with that, I'm attaching the Schemo then hitting the sack! Adios, and 'Thanks!' WC