Blues Jr Reverb Tank

No Nice Guy · October 14, 2013, 07:24:49 PM

So the reverb on my Blues Jr busted, and I haven't a damned clue what's wrong with it. I left it off and under my bed like normal, and when I turned it on, the reverb didn't work. I tried doing the classic 'unplug it, replug it' stuff, but that didn't help. I'm too much of a wuss to go take it out because I keep hearing about how the caps in tube amps can kill you. If you wanna tell me what might be the problem, where I could find a replacement, or how irrational my fear is, please help me out.

Happyorange27 · October 14, 2013, 08:18:00 PM

It's probably super easy. Look at the RCA plugs that go into the reverb tank. Red and black. Make sure they are truly pushed in. This is all accessible from the bottom of the amp without taking off the cover. If that doesn't work, message me.

No Nice Guy · October 14, 2013, 10:43:08 PM

Quote from: Happyorange27 on October 14, 2013, 08:18:00 PM
It's probably super easy. Look at the RCA plugs that go into the reverb tank. Red and black. Make sure they are truly pushed in. This is all accessible from the bottom of the amp without taking off the cover. If that doesn't work, message me.

Tried it a lot of times. I'll probably just man up when I get some time and just take the thing apart, snap some pictures. Maybe that'll do something.

Happyorange27 · October 14, 2013, 10:49:47 PM

Do you have any other reverb tank available on another amp? If so try to patch into that one. Probably might not be possible but thought I would try.

No Nice Guy · October 15, 2013, 12:00:29 AM

Quote from: Happyorange27 on October 14, 2013, 10:49:47 PM
Do you have any other reverb tank available on another amp? If so try to patch into that one. Probably might not be possible but thought I would try.

It's the only amp I got. Worse comes to worse I'll buy a new one.

Happyorange27 · October 15, 2013, 09:40:02 AM

Pull that black wire from the reverb tank, turn your volume up half way and then touch the black wire with your finger. You won't get hurt. If you can hear a crackle or pop when you touch the black wire, then something is at or before the tank.

IamWILSON · October 16, 2013, 02:53:46 AM

Just a thought that perhaps one of your 12ax7's has gone bad? Do you have an extra you can try switching into each position, one at a time, and test each time to see if the reverb is working. If that's the case, it is probably the 2nd or 3rd tube. Or even just check and see if one of them has come loose, since you store the amp under your bed.

No Nice Guy · October 16, 2013, 02:55:24 AM

Quote from: IamWILSON on October 16, 2013, 02:53:46 AM
Just a thought that perhaps one of your 12ax7's has gone bad? Do you have an extra you can try switching into each position, one at a time, and test each time to see if the reverb is working. If that's the case, it is probably the 2nd or 3rd tube. Or even just check and see if one of them has come loose, since you store the amp under your bed.

I switched the 3 I got around and nothing, but I appreciate the suggestion. I'm about to sell the thing so I'm not trying to get too expensive with the fix.

Happyorange27 · October 16, 2013, 08:02:22 AM

Good try Wilson, however the BJ reverb loop is powered by transistors; not tubes. Same with the rectifier; it's solid state. Just wanted to inform.
Nice Guy, try this is you dare. Take the back cover off (like 6 screws) and just follow the reverb tank wire and see if they are still both fixed to the pcb board. Maybe you accidentally tugged on those wires and one came loose. You can just gently tug on the wires while the amp is on. Or get a wooden chopstick and poke carefully at those solder joints. I know that might be scary for you but if you just keep both hands away from actually touching any component, you should be fine. Let me know.

Also if you are going to sell the damn thing, keep me posted.

No Nice Guy · October 16, 2013, 01:19:47 PM

Quote from: Happyorange27 on October 16, 2013, 08:02:22 AM
Good try Wilson, however the BJ reverb loop is powered by transistors; not tubes. Same with the rectifier; it's solid state. Just wanted to inform.
Nice Guy, try this is you dare. Take the back cover off (like 6 screws) and just follow the reverb tank wire and see if they are still both fixed to the pcb board. Maybe you accidentally tugged on those wires and one came loose. You can just gently tug on the wires while the amp is on. Or get a wooden chopstick and poke carefully at those solder joints. I know that might be scary for you but if you just keep both hands away from actually touching any component, you should be fine. Let me know.

Also if you are going to sell the damn thing, keep me posted.

Yeah, I'll probably just do that. I've been pretty busy the past week, will get around to it in a day or two. I'll let ya'll know how it goes.

No Nice Guy · October 17, 2013, 11:18:28 PM

Quote from: Happyorange27 on October 16, 2013, 08:02:22 AM
Good try Wilson, however the BJ reverb loop is powered by transistors; not tubes. Same with the rectifier; it's solid state. Just wanted to inform.
Nice Guy, try this is you dare. Take the back cover off (like 6 screws) and just follow the reverb tank wire and see if they are still both fixed to the pcb board. Maybe you accidentally tugged on those wires and one came loose. You can just gently tug on the wires while the amp is on. Or get a wooden chopstick and poke carefully at those solder joints. I know that might be scary for you but if you just keep both hands away from actually touching any component, you should be fine. Let me know.

Also if you are going to sell the damn thing, keep me posted.

So I went in, solder joints are fine and it crackled when I tapped the RCA wire, it crackled. I'm gonna try and take the tank out in a couple days when my hands aren't numb and I have time.

Happyorange27 · October 18, 2013, 08:00:40 AM

Read this Nice Guy!
http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=46

No Nice Guy · October 21, 2013, 06:19:21 PM

So i opened the thing up and didn't see any problems... I thing I may just buy a new one.

http://imgur.com/ZKmJluV,ueVNPT9,Qs7lbhs,Ko6M0cv,Q25XysI,5d9Kuvd,uORXyF6

There's what it looked like, in case I missed anything.

Happyorange27 · October 21, 2013, 07:16:55 PM

Yeah I hope a new tank works. I heard Ruby Red tanks are good. Research it.

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No Nice Guy · October 28, 2013, 10:49:14 PM

Quote from: Happyorange27 on October 21, 2013, 07:16:55 PM
Yeah I hope a new tank works. I heard Ruby Red tanks are good. Research it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

Used one of these, it works like a charm.

http://www.amazon.com/MOD-Reverb-Tanks-8EB2C1B-Tank/dp/B003BGXW50/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383014812&sr=8-1&keywords=reverb+tank