NO INTERNAL SPEAKER JACK ON '57 TWIN?!?!?!

SinnerBoy61 · February 28th, 2005, 05:18 PM

:x

Well...

Just got an e-mail back from fender stating:

"We’d advise against using an attenuator with one of our amps. We don’t test them for use with attenuators, so we don’t know what to expect when using one. The ’57 Twin is designed to operate at 4ohms, but it can drive a 4ohm extension speaker in addition to its internal 4ohm load, for a 2ohm total speaker impedance. There’s not a jack for disconnecting the internal speaker. Also, remember that it’s not safe to operate a tube amplifier without any speakers attached.

Thanks again for choosing Fender."

Man oh man...I hope they're kidding.

TheGoodTexan · February 28th, 2005, 05:56 PM

Are you talking about the tweed 57' Twin RI?

I'm running into a similar problem with my '59 Bassman RI. The speaker leads are hardwired directly into the chassis....so I can't use my Vibratone without some soldering work.

Not that big a deal though....just make a break in the speaker wire (where it comes out of the chassis), and solder on a male 1/4" speaker jack onto one end, and a female 1/4" speaker jack onto the other end. Keep'em plugged together when you're not using the attenuator, then disconnect them when you are.

If you're properly using the proper attenuator, you shouldn't damage the amp. I'm sure that's just something Fender Customer Service has to say. I can't imagine that they would openly endorse the use of an attenuator. That opens the door for all sorts of warranty claims.

SinnerBoy61 · February 28th, 2005, 06:06 PM

Word to that...And yeah, it is a tweed 57 RI

I figured they didn't want me using something like that...
And I do figure I'm going to have to make a solder connection like that you're talking about...I don't suspect it'll be too difficult, but, we'll just have to find out I'm afraid...

Cross your fingers..and thanks

SB

Jammin'John · February 28th, 2005, 08:33 PM

I have a Weber Load Dump on my Vic. LP Twin !

JJ

SinnerBoy61 · February 28th, 2005, 10:01 PM

Any idea on what the specs of these 1/4" speaker jacks should be? mono, stereo, goldplated???

Jammin'John · February 28th, 2005, 10:06 PM

Mono

JJ

SinnerBoy61 · February 28th, 2005, 10:09 PM

thanks :D

hope all goes well...

Mik · March 1st, 2005, 12:25 PM

I'd give that amp a run at standing and delivering on its own before slapping it around with an attenuator, slicing speaker cables, invalidating its warranty...

Fender is not kidding.

Just a GUESS (haven't played or seen a '57 Twin-I'd love to): I don't think a 40 watt vintage style tweed amp is too much amp for playing rock and blues in a band. If it is too much, a lower power amp may be a better fit-tone and volume-than an attenuated/modded higher power amp.

All JMHO.

Mik

SinnerBoy61 · March 1st, 2005, 02:02 PM

Well, I'm def. going to try it before any modding goes down...and I hope you're right...

SB

1612112 · March 1st, 2005, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinnerBoy61

Well, I'm def. going to try it before any modding goes down...and I hope you're right...

SB

What about using a baffle in front of the amp?

pjb

p.s. I have found the Fender warrantee worth little to nothing anyways. Problem being that most certified Fender Repair men around here are actually more interested in washing machines and would happily swap out an Orange Drop for a ceramic disc.

SinnerBoy61 · March 1st, 2005, 09:41 PM

a baffle?? Please explain...

SB

1612112 · March 2nd, 2005, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinnerBoy61

a baffle?? Please explain...

SB

Well if the objective in using a Hot Plate or Power Soak is to get the amp to break up - power tube saturation - the easy way is to put a baffle board in front of the amp on stage. It will take the sting out of the volume and is easy to experiment with. You could experiment with different materials for example plywood with foam stapled to it, Acrylic sheet, foam-core (laminated cardboard basically) they all sound different. The person I've seen use this method to best effect is Tommy Castro who runs a Twin flat out, but buries his amp under flight cases. And of course it was a must for SRV.
On the other hand I use one of these, pricy but it sounds great in front of my Vibroverbs:

http://www.badcatamps.com/images/twotone_big.jpg

pjb

lastima · March 2nd, 2005, 12:57 PM

Could you disconnect one of the speakers? They might be able to handle the power. The website should say.

SinnerBoy61 · March 2nd, 2005, 02:43 PM

I honestly have no clue...

I'm using the hotplate to get all the overdrive, with less volume.

SinnerBoy61 · March 3rd, 2005, 06:34 PM

Well...I looked today in Fender's new Frontline at the chassis of the 57 twin*, and it looks like there is a speaker jack between the 12AX7's and the 6L6's...What a relief...I just hope now the thing will work.

SB

TheGoodTexan · March 3rd, 2005, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinnerBoy61

Well...I looked today in Fender's new Frontline at the chassis of the 57 bassman, and it looks like there is a speaker jack between the 12AX7's and the 6L6's...What a relief...I just hope now the thing will work.

SB

You mean 57 Twin?

SinnerBoy61 · March 3rd, 2005, 06:38 PM

haha yes yes. twin.

*hangs head in shame*

SB

gil · March 3rd, 2005, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinnerBoy61

Well...I looked today in Fender's new Frontline at the chassis of the 57 twin*, and it looks like there is a speaker jack between the 12AX7's and the 6L6's...What a relief...I just hope now the thing will work.

Based on what Fender told you, i.e., "The ’57 Twin is designed to operate at 4ohms, but it can drive a 4ohm extension speaker in addition to its internal 4ohm load, for a 2ohm total speaker impedance," I'd say that you're looking at an extension speaker jack in that pic in Frontline. Sorry.

gil

SinnerBoy61 · March 3rd, 2005, 09:16 PM

well...the speakers in the unit are plugged into the jack so...?

gil · March 3rd, 2005, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinnerBoy61

well...the speakers in the unit are plugged into the jack so...?

I can't see where the speaker wires are going, as they're hidden by the rear panel. However, I did some snooping at fender.com and found this:
http://www.fender.com/support/amp_sc...Schematics.pdf

It shows only one speaker output (with a jack) and a plug at the end of the speaker wires. I guess the guy at Fender didn't know what he was talking about . Looks like you're in luck!

gil

SinnerBoy61 · March 3rd, 2005, 11:37 PM

Suh-weeeeeet!

Thanks a bunch..you've eased my worried mind. Peace

SB

PeterUK · March 4th, 2005, 07:35 AM

I'm keen to hear a report on the 57 Twin and I too would wish to use an attentuator with such an amp.

:D Peter

bluescube · March 4th, 2005, 09:02 AM

Absorber panels from Clearsonics normally used for drum shields work great in front of a guitar amp. You can turn it up and put the panels in front and it will no tear the face off the people in the front. Slap your favorite mic on it and let the PA do the rest.

gil · March 4th, 2005, 02:43 PM

I like to use the removable lid from my small pedal board (13x28") as a baffle when needed. It has an foam egg crate lining. If my amp is mic'ed (and in the monitors), I have no problem placing the "baffle" right up to my combo. I can still feel the vibration behind me. Moving the baffle away from the amp allows me to vary my stage volume, but alway protects the audience. I wish I would have know this trick a long time ago. BTW, I also have a Hot Plate, but I only like to use it at minimal attenuation settings. Either way, I often use the Hot Plate with the baffle. The Hot Plate is mainly for stage volume. The baffle helps with the audience's sound mix and hearing protection, and my stage volume.

gil

Brother Chub · March 4th, 2005, 04:26 PM

I have one of the 57 RI twins. Very loud amp. I play in a Chicago blues type of band so I needed less vol. I took the amp to local fender repair shop and the guy said I could convert to 6v6. I did and it sounds great

SinnerBoy61 · March 4th, 2005, 04:45 PM

would the 6v6 convert it to less volume?

Jammin'John · March 5th, 2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinnerBoy61

would the 6v6 convert it to less volume?

Yes.....

.....you can set it up for JJ 6v6's !

I just gotta ask though !
Why did you buy a powerful,big sounding amp if most of the time you don't need the headroom.......... :?
You would be much better off with a smaller one that you can turn up..... :P .....'cause that's where the mojo st

February 28th, 2005, 05:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
SinnerBoy61 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere too far away Posts: 617 29 Photos	NO INTERNAL SPEAKER JACK ON '57 TWIN?!?!?! :x Well... Just got an e-mail back from fender stating: "We’d advise against using an attenuator with one of our amps. We don’t test them for use with attenuators, so we don’t know what to expect when using one. The ’57 Twin is designed to operate at 4ohms, but it can drive a 4ohm extension speaker in addition to its internal 4ohm load, for a 2ohm total speaker impedance. There’s not a jack for disconnecting the internal speaker. Also, remember that it’s not safe to operate a tube amplifier without any speakers attached. Thanks again for choosing Fender." Man oh man...I hope they're kidding.

February 28th, 2005, 08:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jammin'John Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tug Hill Plateau Posts: 312	Load Dump ! I have a Weber Load Dump on my Vic. LP Twin ! JJ __________________ Tele's and tubes....an accident?......I don't think so... http://www.tughillregion.com/

February 28th, 2005, 10:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jammin'John Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tug Hill Plateau Posts: 312	jacks Mono JJ __________________ Tele's and tubes....an accident?......I don't think so... http://www.tughillregion.com/

March 1st, 2005, 12:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mik Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,416	I'd give that amp a run at standing and delivering on its own before slapping it around with an attenuator, slicing speaker cables, invalidating its warranty... Fender is not kidding. Just a GUESS (haven't played or seen a '57 Twin-I'd love to): I don't think a 40 watt vintage style tweed amp is too much amp for playing rock and blues in a band. If it is too much, a lower power amp may be a better fit-tone and volume-than an attenuated/modded higher power amp. All JMHO. Mik __________________ a "motor-bike with a touch of blood in it is better than all the riding animals on earth, because of its logical extension of our faculties, and the hint, the provocations, to excess."-T.E. Lawrence

March 4th, 2005, 07:35 AM	#22 (permalink)
PeterUK Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: . Posts: 2,828	Let us know how this turns out I'm keen to hear a report on the 57 Twin and I too would wish to use an attentuator with such an amp. :D Peter __________________ .

February 28th, 2005, 06:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
SinnerBoy61 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere too far away Posts: 617 29 Photos	Word to that...And yeah, it is a tweed 57 RI I figured they didn't want me using something like that... And I do figure I'm going to have to make a solder connection like that you're talking about...I don't suspect it'll be too difficult, but, we'll just have to find out I'm afraid... Cross your fingers..and thanks SB

February 28th, 2005, 10:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
SinnerBoy61 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere too far away Posts: 617 29 Photos	Any idea on what the specs of these 1/4" speaker jacks should be? mono, stereo, goldplated???

February 28th, 2005, 10:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
SinnerBoy61 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere too far away Posts: 617 29 Photos	thanks :D hope all goes well...

March 1st, 2005, 02:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
SinnerBoy61 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere too far away Posts: 617 29 Photos	Well, I'm def. going to try it before any modding goes down...and I hope you're right... SB

March 1st, 2005, 09:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
SinnerBoy61 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere too far away Posts: 617 29 Photos	a baffle?? Please explain... SB

March 2nd, 2005, 12:57 PM	#13 (permalink)
lastima TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 18	Could you disconnect one of the speakers? They might be able to handle the power. The website should say.

March 2nd, 2005, 02:43 PM	#14 (permalink)
SinnerBoy61 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere too far away Posts: 617 29 Photos	I honestly have no clue... I'm using the hotplate to get all the overdrive, with less volume.

March 3rd, 2005, 06:34 PM	#15 (permalink)
SinnerBoy61 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere too far away Posts: 617 29 Photos	Well...I looked today in Fender's new Frontline at the chassis of the 57 twin*, and it looks like there is a speaker jack between the 12AX7's and the 6L6's...What a relief...I just hope now the thing will work. SB

March 3rd, 2005, 06:38 PM	#17 (permalink)
SinnerBoy61 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere too far away Posts: 617 29 Photos	haha yes yes. twin. hangs head in shame SB

March 3rd, 2005, 09:16 PM	#19 (permalink)
SinnerBoy61 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere too far away Posts: 617 29 Photos	well...the speakers in the unit are plugged into the jack so...?

March 3rd, 2005, 11:37 PM	#21 (permalink)
SinnerBoy61 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere too far away Posts: 617 29 Photos	Suh-weeeeeet! Thanks a bunch..you've eased my worried mind. Peace SB

March 4th, 2005, 09:02 AM	#23 (permalink)
bluescube Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Greensboro NC Age: 41 Posts: 1,070 6 Photos	Absorber panels from Clearsonics normally used for drum shields work great in front of a guitar amp. You can turn it up and put the panels in front and it will no tear the face off the people in the front. Slap your favorite mic on it and let the PA do the rest.

March 4th, 2005, 02:43 PM	#24 (permalink)
gil TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 19	I like to use the removable lid from my small pedal board (13x28") as a baffle when needed. It has an foam egg crate lining. If my amp is mic'ed (and in the monitors), I have no problem placing the "baffle" right up to my combo. I can still feel the vibration behind me. Moving the baffle away from the amp allows me to vary my stage volume, but alway protects the audience. I wish I would have know this trick a long time ago. BTW, I also have a Hot Plate, but I only like to use it at minimal attenuation settings. Either way, I often use the Hot Plate with the baffle. The Hot Plate is mainly for stage volume. The baffle helps with the audience's sound mix and hearing protection, and my stage volume. gil

March 4th, 2005, 04:26 PM	#25 (permalink)
Brother Chub TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Georgetown Indiana Posts: 62	I have one of the 57 RI twins. Very loud amp. I play in a Chicago blues type of band so I needed less vol. I took the amp to local fender repair shop and the guy said I could convert to 6v6. I did and it sounds great

March 4th, 2005, 04:45 PM	#26 (permalink)
SinnerBoy61 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere too far away Posts: 617 29 Photos	would the 6v6 convert it to less volume?