Super Reverb: How Much Headroom

I'm thinking about getting a Twin Reverb, not for the volume, but for the clean headroom at gigging volumes.

However, I LOOOOVE 4x10's, especially with EV's or some other super efficient speaker that can handle a lot of bass.

Would a Super with 4 efficient speakers compete with the headroom of a Twin?

I think either one will do the trick. The difference is as you pointed out are the speaker configuration and wattage.

you can also tube it to inch up your headroom.

you can also tube it to inch up your headroom.

Quite True...some of those 12AX7s can be switched to 12AT7s...and a Pair of 6L6s designed for Headroom...I don't think you will have a Problem at all...and (4) efficient speakers would just be Icing on the Cake.

Headroom is hard to come by with tubes (assuming you're staying with 6L6GC--6550s could increas power close to double, but would require tranny upgrades, as well, to get full value) but easier to get with speakers. I seem to recall that most of those Jensens rate in the mid to upper 90s db in efficiency, and a 3dB increase presents a serious increase in volome. Eminence makes a handful of 10s and 12s in the 100+ db range, and I think Jensens' Neos are about 99db, drop some weight, too.

For what it's worth (I've never played one) I have never heard anyone complain of lack of volume, clean or otherwise, with Supers.

Good Luck.

Wes Mongomery used a BF twin in the studio if thats the pristine clean you want.

While a Super has head room its a different kind of clean I used both channels on mine, even the clean channel was edgy around 6 or & with original Jensons and early 60's NOS RCA Black plates. and a Mullard rectifier.

The BF Twin is very pristine and had to break up without knocking down walls

Of course, you can always go this route: Super Six Reverb (bit of a bear to lug around though!)

Seriously, good, efficient speakers will make all the difference in headroom. Webers if you've got the coin, or several Eminences will do the trick...

Franc Robert

Could someone school me? Take the watts from the BF era: the Super Reverb has 40 watts and the Twin Reverb 85. Why did they give the Super a 4x10 layout and the Twin a 2x12? The reverse seems to make more sense, because the bigger amp would get more total speaker area.

Supers have a fair amount of headroom, but not as much as a Twin.

IMO, the best sounding Supers are the BFs with those CTS alnico speakers. Not super loud but tone for days.

If you put in EVs or the like, the amp will be a nightmare to move because of weight, they're heavy enough as-is.

Say, how about those Weber speakers with then neo magnets that are fashioned after JBLs? Those should be clean and efficient, and not weigh a ton. Never heard one though.

Electrically, just get the thing in good shape and put in a stout pair of 6L6s.

I do have a Twin which basically never gets used. It's too heavy (has JBLs), and scary loud. In fact, I do not remember the last time I saw anyone bring a Twin to a gig around these parts. Everybody uses the 40-Watters (2 x 6L6), with a few exceptions who use transistors.

Just traded my 70's Vox AC30 (a great amp, but need only Fenders) for a pre-CBS 64-65 Super Reverb yesterday. Mine has four OEM Jensen C12Q's. It sounds super gritty (in a good way), very full.

Here's an Idea, why not get a Blackface Concert 4x10 non-reverb? They can be found for 600 dollars, have the headroom of a Twin, and the 4x10 speakers/watts of a Super Reverb. All you'd be missing is reverb and the new Boss 63' Reverb pedal looks like it might fill in pretty good.

Hope this helps