Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: rustyadams on August 15, 2024, 01:50:18 pm

Title: 1974 Fender Twin Reverb Silverface Tremolo not working
Post by: rustyadams on August 15, 2024, 01:50:18 pm
Help! Tremolo is not working. I replaced the opto coupler (roach) and still nothing.
I have swapped tubes V1 with V5 no change. Could bad capacitors cause this to no longer work?
I've attached the schematic for this circuit. Any suggestions?
Title: Re: 1974 Fender Twin Reverb Silverface Tremolo not working
Post by: shooter on August 15, 2024, 02:37:19 pm
how close are V5s VDC readings to those on the schematic?
Title: Re: 1974 Fender Twin Reverb Silverface Tremolo not working
Post by: mresistor on August 15, 2024, 03:42:15 pm
Oops  was thinking reverb  LOL   ok   have you tried a footswitch?

Title: Re: 1974 Fender Twin Reverb Silverface Tremolo not working
Post by: rustyadams on August 15, 2024, 03:59:23 pm
using a digital voltmeter V5 voltages : Pin 1 275-284 VDC    Pin 6 : just flashing OL not getting a reading

Have checked out the footswitch and it is good, also tried another cable with leads shorter just to be sure

Does tremolo rely on the reverb tank?  I have the reverb with the red dot going into the reverb input

Title: Re: 1974 Fender Twin Reverb Silverface Tremolo not working
Post by: mresistor on August 15, 2024, 04:01:04 pm
sorry Rusty  read my post again..      old person here..  sorry  I've never seen the tremolo capacitors go bad 


what model twin is it? probably doesn't matter concerning the trem circuit    here's schematic for 100w twin   https://el34world.com/charts/Schematics/files/Fender/Fender_twin_reverb_sf_100_schem.pdf
Title: Re: 1974 Fender Twin Reverb Silverface Tremolo not working
Post by: shooter on August 15, 2024, 05:37:43 pm
the oscillator caps can be problematic, how many tubes have you rolled through?  Trem needs a solid tube
Title: Re: 1974 Fender Twin Reverb Silverface Tremolo not working
Post by: stratomaster on August 15, 2024, 05:58:53 pm
using a digital voltmeter V5 voltages : Pin 1 275-284 VDC    Pin 6 : just flashing OL not getting a reading

How about the cathodes?
Title: Re: 1974 Fender Twin Reverb Silverface Tremolo not working
Post by: rustyadams on August 15, 2024, 06:21:58 pm
not good... cathodes are at 0 V
Title: Re: 1974 Fender Twin Reverb Silverface Tremolo not working
Post by: stratomaster on August 15, 2024, 06:44:45 pm
That means a short. Lift the caps and remeasure.  The trem won't work, but it'll rule them out.
Title: Re: 1974 Fender Twin Reverb Silverface Tremolo not working
Post by: rustyadams on August 16, 2024, 04:32:07 pm
Thanks for all the replies. I had a 12AX7 from another amp, I replaced it with that and it works. Noticed that the tube that was in there is a ECC83S.. not sure if that is the same as a 12AX7.
Anyway I took out the 12AX7 and put the original  ECC83S back in. And it works! Could it be dirty contacts in the socket? should I replace socket or try to clean it?
Title: Re: 1974 Fender Twin Reverb Silverface Tremolo not working
Post by: mresistor on August 16, 2024, 09:38:40 pm
clean it