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Highway_61 · May 11th, 2009, 09:17 PM

I've been guilty of clogging the board--well, creating two threads--about the merits, or lack of same, of the Frontman 25R.

I've been, thinking, though, that maybe I should look at the Rivera era Fender SS amps.

I came across a clip by you, Refin, playing through a Yale Reverb, and thought the playing and tone was exceptional.

So, what are the opinions regarding the Harvard Reverb II?

Highway_61 · May 12th, 2009, 10:18 PM

If there's anything that I know for (almost) certain, someone here has owned and/or played through a Harvard Reverb II.

I would appreciate hearing your thoughts, if you do, in fact, have some hands-on with this amp.

Warm Gums · May 12th, 2009, 10:27 PM

I have been to alot of music stores, & seen (& played) played alot of amps, Fender II series amps, just don't turn up that much. Could be a long wait.

Highway_61 · May 12th, 2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warm Gums

I have been to alot of music stores, & seen (& played) played alot of amps, Fender II series amps, just don't turn up that much. Could be a long wait.

Do you think the II Series' lack of visibility comes from people holding on to them because they like them?

Wally · May 13th, 2009, 11:25 AM

"Rivera-era" is usually applied to the hand-wired, all-tube amps that were designed by Paul Rivera and which were produced from late-'82 through late '84-'85. The only things this SS Harvard II had in common with the Rivera-designed amps would be the 'II' designation and the time frame.
That said, I have never seen or heard a SS HArvard II amp.

Dan German · May 13th, 2009, 07:28 PM

It was a long time ago (and I knew little about amps) but I found a store that had a new Yale Reverb, a new Harvard Reverb II, and a used Princeton Reverb II. Since at the time I was Jonesin' for a Fender amp, I test drove all of 'em. As I recall, I liked them all, but since the PRII was used, it was cheaper per pound than the others so I bought it. Seriously, though, I did prefer the PRII, but the others were good enough that I didn't realize they were SS until I had made a decision. Again, I was young and inexperienced, but I was also unbiased. I guess a 25 year old memory isn't much use to you, but as has been noted you may get very few people who are familiar with 'em. Though there was a Yale Reverb thread a while back, so who knows?

Wally · May 13th, 2009, 07:31 PM

Good choice, Dan.

Jack Knife · May 13th, 2009, 09:16 PM

I've got a Yale Reverb, just used it for the first time at band practice tonight. It took me a couple songs to dial it into the mix, but after I did it sounded great. Sorry I can't help with your Harvard question though.

Highway_61 · May 14th, 2009, 01:42 AM

Do know that I sincerely appreciate all the responses, thus far.

soulman969 · March 27th, 2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highway_61

I've been guilty of clogging the board--well, creating two threads--about the merits, or lack of same, of the Frontman 25R.

I've been, thinking, though, that maybe I should look at the Rivera era Fender SS amps.

I came across a clip by you, Refin, playing through a Yale Reverb, and thought the playing and tone was exceptional.

So, what are the opinions regarding the Harvard Reverb II?

Hope you got your answers a while back but for those still shopping for one I have one. Great little amp, nice clean sound, excellent reverb. Bought mine in a pawn shop for $70.00. A little worn but sounds fine. Should be able to find ones with some use for $100.00 or less. Worth it at that price.

pberry · November 3rd, 2011, 11:06 PM

I have a Harvard Reverb II. It looks brand new. I got it for $40 at a pawn shop. It sounds pretty decent. Nice, balanced clean sound. It's no Super Champ.

mrbassman · March 19th, 2012, 02:30 AM

An even later reply!
I am about to sell my mk1 Harvard Reverb 1x10" combo and was looking for info on the net and this came up.

The mk1 is much narrower than the mk2. The mark 1 has Volume, Treble, Bass, Reverb, Master control pots. There is a boost switch on the Master pot which changes the amount of negative feedback in the power amp. Makes a big difference too.
A big difference as well is the mk1 has no ICs in the pre-amp signal path (only for the reverb), they are are discrete FETs (J231) with their more valve/tube like qualities.
The reverb is a small tank 3 spring and works quite well.
Overall it is a nice little amp and quite loud. Great for practising as it is very compact and can give a nice distortion at low levels.

Note to moderator, I hope you don't see this as an ad as I'm in Australia! I'll be using Gumtree. :)

shackleton1 · September 14th, 2012, 08:05 PM

How do you tell the difference? Eric

May 11th, 2009, 09:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Highway_61 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Phoenix Posts: 217	Your opinions on Rivera SS Fender Harvard Reverb II ? I've been guilty of clogging the board--well, creating two threads--about the merits, or lack of same, of the Frontman 25R. I've been, thinking, though, that maybe I should look at the Rivera era Fender SS amps. I came across a clip by you, Refin, playing through a Yale Reverb, and thought the playing and tone was exceptional. So, what are the opinions regarding the Harvard Reverb II? __________________ http://www.wix.com/azrhart/richardhart Last edited by Highway_61; May 12th, 2009 at 01:14 AM.

May 12th, 2009, 10:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Highway_61 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Phoenix Posts: 217	If there's anything that I know for (almost) certain, someone here has owned and/or played through a Harvard Reverb II. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts, if you do, in fact, have some hands-on with this amp. __________________ http://www.wix.com/azrhart/richardhart

May 13th, 2009, 07:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dan German Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rupert's Land Age: 52 Posts: 7,537	It was a long time ago (and I knew little about amps) but I found a store that had a new Yale Reverb, a new Harvard Reverb II, and a used Princeton Reverb II. Since at the time I was Jonesin' for a Fender amp, I test drove all of 'em. As I recall, I liked them all, but since the PRII was used, it was cheaper per pound than the others so I bought it. Seriously, though, I did prefer the PRII, but the others were good enough that I didn't realize they were SS until I had made a decision. Again, I was young and inexperienced, but I was also unbiased. I guess a 25 year old memory isn't much use to you, but as has been noted you may get very few people who are familiar with 'em. Though there was a Yale Reverb thread a while back, so who knows? __________________ "Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you walk into an open sewer and die." --Mel Brooks

May 14th, 2009, 01:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
Highway_61 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Phoenix Posts: 217	Do know that I sincerely appreciate all the responses, thus far. __________________ http://www.wix.com/azrhart/richardhart

November 3rd, 2011, 11:06 PM	#11 (permalink)
pberry TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Rathdrum, Id Age: 65 Posts: 85	I have a Harvard Reverb II. It looks brand new. I got it for $40 at a pawn shop. It sounds pretty decent. Nice, balanced clean sound. It's no Super Champ. __________________ *5 Watt Phil* Last edited by pberry; November 3rd, 2011 at 11:08 PM. Reason: dumb stupid little android keypad.

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May 12th, 2009, 10:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
Warm Gums Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,111 10 Photos	I have been to alot of music stores, & seen (& played) played alot of amps, Fender II series amps, just don't turn up that much. Could be a long wait.

May 13th, 2009, 11:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
Wally Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 13,737	"Rivera-era" is usually applied to the hand-wired, all-tube amps that were designed by Paul Rivera and which were produced from late-'82 through late '84-'85. The only things this SS Harvard II had in common with the Rivera-designed amps would be the 'II' designation and the time frame. That said, I have never seen or heard a SS HArvard II amp.

May 13th, 2009, 07:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
Wally Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 13,737	Good choice, Dan.

May 13th, 2009, 09:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
Jack Knife Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Magdalena, NM, US Age: 57 Posts: 1,965	I've got a Yale Reverb, just used it for the first time at band practice tonight. It took me a couple songs to dial it into the mix, but after I did it sounded great. Sorry I can't help with your Harvard question though.

March 19th, 2012, 02:30 AM	#12 (permalink)
mrbassman TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 62 Posts: 12	An even later reply! I am about to sell my mk1 Harvard Reverb 1x10" combo and was looking for info on the net and this came up. The mk1 is much narrower than the mk2. The mark 1 has Volume, Treble, Bass, Reverb, Master control pots. There is a boost switch on the Master pot which changes the amount of negative feedback in the power amp. Makes a big difference too. A big difference as well is the mk1 has no ICs in the pre-amp signal path (only for the reverb), they are are discrete FETs (J231) with their more valve/tube like qualities. The reverb is a small tank 3 spring and works quite well. Overall it is a nice little amp and quite loud. Great for practising as it is very compact and can give a nice distortion at low levels. Note to moderator, I hope you don't see this as an ad as I'm in Australia! I'll be using Gumtree. :)

September 14th, 2012, 08:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
shackleton1 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: temecula, ca. Age: 46 Posts: 6	Havard mk1 vs mk2 How do you tell the difference? Eric

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