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Forums :: Ask Amp Tech Expert Skip Simmons

amp

2 replies [Last post]
Thu, 07/13/2017 - 11:05
Dave Prez
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How are the pre-cbs Fender twin amps for harp?  I'm inheriting one and would like to know what kinds iof things I 

should do to improve sound for ampliflied harp.  I believe its all original stock.  I've never used one for harp before.

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Sat, 07/15/2017 - 12:40
#1
Expert Skip Simmons
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Fender Twin for harp? Sure!

Hello Dave- Thanks for writing. First of all, I'm going to assume you are refering to a Twin Reverb from 1963 to 1965. You may have an older "Twin Amp" from the early sixties without the reverb but they are rare.....

The blackface Twin Reverb while not as popular for harp as the Super Reverb is an excellent amp. They were used by Paul Butterfield extensively and I think you'll find he had a pretty good sound!

I believe that servicing is always the first step to take when you are optimizing a vintage amp for harp or guitar.  After that, the common preamp tube swaps (using lower-gain substitutes for the 12AX7s) will help with feedback, but I should mention that real pros can get a good sound even with all the stock tubes in it. It's a great amp, but getting a lot of volume without feedback will be challenging until you have had some experience with it.

 

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Mon, 07/17/2017 - 18:48
#2
Dave Prez
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Joined: 02/08/2017
Amp

Thanks for your reply.

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