I found out my Fender Twin has a solid state rectifier.

[Akirasokawaii]

I just picked this Fender Protube Twin-Amp up off a gentleman on Facebook. I traded a guitar for it but only just realized the rectifier is solid state. Has anybody here owned one? Should I buy some castors for it so I can wheel it out to the dumpster?

 

[Quikstyl]

I just picked this Fender Protube Twin-Amp up off a gentleman on Facebook. I traded a guitar for it but only just realized the rectifier is solid state. Has anybody here owned one? Should I buy some castors for it so I can wheel it out to the dumpster? View attachment 622500 View attachment 622504

Is that the "Evil Twin" from 1998-ish?

 

[Akirasokawaii]

Is that the "Evil Twin" from 1998-ish?

That's what they told me but they said 2001.

 

[StratoMutt]

Not junk. It is still considered an all tube amp.

Solid state rectifiers are and have been commonplace for decades except on some specialty amps like the Mesa Dual Rectifier series. You can switch from tube to a diode based rectifier for the different tones each produces.

I'm fairly certain the rectifier simply converts AC to DC power.

A furniture dolly would be advisable to move that beast.

Oh, to S-T!

 

[Nate D]

I'm fairly certain the rectifier simply converts AC to DC power.

Correct. It’s not in the signal chain.

A solid state rectifier is more efficient (faster) at converting AC power to DC power. The debate is around the tonal effects of the more inefficient tube rectifiers.

Tube rectifiers have different sag and compression. It’s one of the components lots of people point to as the trademark characteristics of amps like the tweed deluxe and so on.

A solid state rectifier isn’t a bad thing, but I’m curious of a side by side test on an amp like a twin reverb which is designed to be a really big clean tone.

 

[StratUp]

All Twin Reverbs have solid state rectifiers, AFAIK. Hasn't stopped them from becoming Legend.

 

[Jimbo99]

No need to take it to the dumpster as long as it's functional.

 

[Nate D]

Ok here’s a good page with a good explanation and some side by sides of amps with and without SS rectifiers.

Tube Vs. Solid State Rectifiers

www.mojotone.com

 

[Nate D]

All Twin Reverbs have solid state rectifiers, AFAIK. Hasn't stopped them from becoming Legend.

Yeah because they’re 100w amps. Most amps after the 1950’s that were rated above like 50w had a solid state rectifier if I’m not wrong.

 

[Akirasokawaii]

Ok here’s a good page with a good explanation and some side by sides of amps with and without SS rectifiers.

Tube Vs. Solid State Rectifiers

www.mojotone.com

I have another question. How is gain achieved on the 2nd channel on these kinds of amps? Is it overdriven tubes or is it circuitry just like an overdrive pedal?

 

[Bladesg]

My TRRi, like all the ‘65 TRRi’s has a solid state rectifier too. Great amps imo.

I thought about putting casters on it and I might still do it but I have got one of these…

Lightweight Folding Hand Trolley - 90kg (FAR002)

Light As a Feather - Folds Flat In Seconds This Innovative light weight range of trolleys comes in 4 sizes and easily folds down for storing into small spaces such as car boots or cupboard shelves. Once folded, a single action lifts the handle, lowers the platform and locks the wheels into...

www.richmondau.com

I stumbled across these removal casters which is what I’ll use if I decide to go down that path.

Casters

The convinience of having removable casters on your guitar amplifier or speaker cabinet makes life that little bit easier. Buy our set to easily convert your cabinet for that ease of moveing your equipment.

www.achilliesamps.com

 

[Nate D]

I have another question. How is gain achieved on the 2nd channel on these kinds of amps? Is it overdriven tubes or is it circuitry just like an overdrive pedal?

I’m no amp tech or builder, but I think it’s tube driven. Certainly the circuitry will have a place in it too, but largely tube driven. At least how I understand it. I’ve been wrong before and I wouldn’t take my word as gospel on this topic.

 

[stratocarlster]

Tube rectifier would be pretty pointless in an amp with that much power. Rock it!

 

[Akirasokawaii]

Th

Ok here’s a good page with a good explanation and some side by sides of amps with and without SS rectifiers.

Tube Vs. Solid State Rectifiers

www.mojotone.com

Thank you so much for this! The videos really help and the difference is negligible to my ear.

 

[Bladesg]

Yeah because they’re 100w amps. Most amps after the 1950’s that were rated above like 50w had a solid state rectifier if I’m not wrong.

I think the reissues are 85W?

 

[Nate D]

I think the reissues are 85W?

Yeah you’re probably right. I think they didn’t get to 100w until the silver face era.

 

[Bladesg]

Yeah you’re probably right. I think they didn’t get to 100w until the silver face era.

And then there was a 135W version somewhere too.

 

[Akirasokawaii]

Tube rectifier would be pretty pointless in an amp with that much power. Rock it!

My landlord lives above me and say she will evict me if I play it loud again. I asked her how she expects me to get to the edge of breakup and she hung up the phone.

 

[Bladesg]

I have another question. How is gain achieved on the 2nd channel on these kinds of amps? Is it overdriven tubes or is it circuitry just like an overdrive pedal?

Pretty sure they’re still 12Ax7s like all 2 channel Blackface amps.

 

[Nate D]

And then there was a 135W version somewhere too.l

Yeah you’re right. There used to be a guy on the forum who would always say how his silver face twin was the greatest amp (which to some it is- it’s a good amp) and he insisted on gigging with it and playing it close to break up.

I mean talk about loud in a small room! Lol