deluxe reverb voltage USA-europe

del · August 5th, 2007, 06:20 AM

hi, i' thinking about buying a deluxe reverb, here in europe. I found a used deluxe reverb, usa model so it's propably 110 V ?With a good transformer to 220 V, will i be running into problems or will is just be fine, soundwise and technical ? sorry if this is a stupid question

aussie52 · August 5th, 2007, 07:03 AM

That should be fine - I'm assuming you mean a 220V to 110V step-down converter?

del · August 5th, 2007, 07:26 AM

yup sry that was what i ment

jhundt · August 5th, 2007, 08:51 AM

A warning about polarity of autotransformers

I have several step-down transformers so I can use my US amps here in Holland. Mine are "autotransformers". Instead of a true isolating transformer, these tap the 120 VAC off of the 220-240 VAC input (this is a simplified explanation). So your 120 V output has 0 and 120 VAC with respect to ground (meaning your house ground, radiator, water pipe, microphone or other guitar player). Or if you reverse the plug that supplies the autotransformer from the wall, the amp gets 120V on ground and 240V on the "hot" input. So your strings are now no longer grounded, but at 120V above ground. This is very much lethal potential. You must check that you plug the autotransformer in correctly. Some countries have wall plugs similar to the US, they can only go in one way. That helps, but always check with a meter before using in a new location. Here in Holland the wall plugs are reversible, so it's very dangerous. If you can, find a true isolating step-down transformer.

RomanS · August 5th, 2007, 09:08 AM

Make sure the step-down transformer is useable with tube-amps - those cheapo transformers you can get at hardware stores or electronics shops are usually intended only for small stuff you need when travelling (like hairdriers, razors, etc.).
TAD has a selection of appropriate transformers:

http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/index.php?cPath=27_47

marshman · August 6th, 2007, 06:21 PM

If it's a newer RI, I'd say just go ahead and see if your local Fender dealer can get you a proper PT for it and be done with it. If no Fender dealer, and the TAD guys don't have what you want handy, these folks might be able to help...

http://www.shinrock.com/index.php?index

When I moved to Asia a few years back and we had 220/240, I bought the proper PT from Rivera and had it installed when we arrived. I knew NOTHING about working on electronics then. Now I know how to drain caps and I can name a few components. When we returned stateside, I replaced the original PT myself in about 10 minutes...4 nuts/bolts and a few spade connectors. Do you really wanna carry around an EXTRA 10 pounds of tranny?

A vintage DR would be a different story alltogether.

RomanS · August 6th, 2007, 06:58 PM

Shinrock is currently not doing business - Ingo's daughter has a brain tumor, understandably, he has other things on his mind right now...

August 5th, 2007, 06:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
del Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: antwerp, belgium Age: 28 Posts: 103	deluxe reverb voltage USA-europe hi, i' thinking about buying a deluxe reverb, here in europe. I found a used deluxe reverb, usa model so it's propably 110 V ?With a good transformer to 220 V, will i be running into problems or will is just be fine, soundwise and technical ? sorry if this is a stupid question

August 5th, 2007, 09:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
RomanS Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vienna, Austria Age: 36 Posts: 2,710 14 Photos	Make sure the step-down transformer is useable with tube-amps - those cheapo transformers you can get at hardware stores or electronics shops are usually intended only for small stuff you need when travelling (like hairdriers, razors, etc.). TAD has a selection of appropriate transformers: http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/index.php?cPath=27_47 __________________ http://www.pbase.com/romans http://www.myspace.com/romans212

August 6th, 2007, 06:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
RomanS Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vienna, Austria Age: 36 Posts: 2,710 14 Photos	Shinrock is currently not doing business - Ingo's daughter has a brain tumor, understandably, he has other things on his mind right now... __________________ http://www.pbase.com/romans http://www.myspace.com/romans212

August 5th, 2007, 07:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
aussie52 Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 101 5 Photos	That should be fine - I'm assuming you mean a 220V to 110V step-down converter?

August 5th, 2007, 07:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
del Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: antwerp, belgium Age: 28 Posts: 103	yup sry that was what i ment

August 5th, 2007, 08:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
jhundt Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Netherlands Age: 54 Posts: 2,876 9 Photos	A warning about polarity of autotransformers I have several step-down transformers so I can use my US amps here in Holland. Mine are "autotransformers". Instead of a true isolating transformer, these tap the 120 VAC off of the 220-240 VAC input (this is a simplified explanation). So your 120 V output has 0 and 120 VAC with respect to ground (meaning your house ground, radiator, water pipe, microphone or other guitar player). Or if you reverse the plug that supplies the autotransformer from the wall, the amp gets 120V on ground and 240V on the "hot" input. So your strings are now no longer grounded, but at 120V above ground. This is very much lethal potential. You must check that you plug the autotransformer in correctly. Some countries have wall plugs similar to the US, they can only go in one way. That helps, but always check with a meter before using in a new location. Here in Holland the wall plugs are reversible, so it's very dangerous. If you can, find a true isolating step-down transformer.

August 6th, 2007, 06:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
marshman Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SE PA Posts: 716	If it's a newer RI, I'd say just go ahead and see if your local Fender dealer can get you a proper PT for it and be done with it. If no Fender dealer, and the TAD guys don't have what you want handy, these folks might be able to help... http://www.shinrock.com/index.php?index When I moved to Asia a few years back and we had 220/240, I bought the proper PT from Rivera and had it installed when we arrived. I knew NOTHING about working on electronics then. Now I know how to drain caps and I can name a few components. When we returned stateside, I replaced the original PT myself in about 10 minutes...4 nuts/bolts and a few spade connectors. Do you really wanna carry around an EXTRA 10 pounds of tranny? A vintage DR would be a different story alltogether.