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Forums :: Ask Amp Tech Expert Skip Simmons

1970's Fender Twin Reverb

1 reply [Last post]
Sat, 09/24/2011 - 16:36
mcpat76
mcpat76's picture
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Joined: 05/06/2010

Hello Skip,

I've got an old Fender Twin Reverb (supposedly 1970). The tubes are dead and probably the speakers too. Which tubes and speakers should I buy?

Thanks,

Patrice

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Tue, 09/27/2011 - 06:54
#1
Expert Skip Simmons
Expert Skip Simmons's picture
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Joined: 01/18/2010
Should I buy new tubes and speakers?

Hello Patrice- I would say that at least some, and even perhaps all, of the tubes are just fine, and perhaps the speakers as well. It's always better (and cheaper) to spend a little money getting a vintage amp checked out by someone qualified before dropping $300 on new tubes and speakers that you may not need at all. Even if you DID buy new tubes and speakers, the odds are that the amp still won't perform like it should without some maintenance.

If it is time for tubes or speakers, it can be a little daunting to choose what's best for you, but that is only because there are so darn many choices these days!

If none of the tubes light up when the amp is turned on, there is almost certainly something wrong with the amp, not the tubes.

If you have another amp available, it would be fairly easy to connect that amp to the speakers in the Twin. That's the best way to tell if the speakers are good, and it's free.

Are you hoping to use the Twin for harmonica? That's a mighty loud amp for most people!

Skip Simmons

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