Fender Harvard Reverb II

[EvilTwin]

Hi,
Anyone knowledgeable or own a Harvard Reverb II? I'm looking to buy one used but need some advise on what to look for and what to listen to while checking it out. I looked at it and the pots are scratchy, the volume cut in and out (low to high/owner said it was the cable that was attached, it did stay at the same volume after he adjusted it), and the case is a little ruff looking. I talked the owner into selling it for $65.00. Any comments? Thanks.


Note: This will be my first amp and I don't have a lot of cash.




EvilTwin

[rudutch]

if it works, $65 seems rather reasonable to me

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...le+Reverb/10/1

[EvilTwin]

Rudutch,
Thanks for the reply. No offense but your post doesn't really help. The link you provided was for a different amp. I found the amp I'm looking at, at the HC website and that doesn't really help either. Any other info would be appreciated. Thanks anyway.


EvilTwin

[rudutch]

oops

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...Reverb+II/10/1

for what ever reason there is not much info out there on the older solid state stuff, yours is kinda rare making it touger to find info on, HC is not the definative site but thats all I came up with.

Listen to it, play it. It it works properly and YOU like how it sounds, do it

[EvilTwin]

Rudutch,
Thanks. I'm going to get it right now. At least I won't be out an arm and a leg if there is a problem with it latter on. Thanks.

[EvilTwin]

Well, it looks like I screwed myself. I paid the guy, took the amp home, then did some more research on this amp (looking for owners manuals, pics, ect...) and found out there is supposed to be an external speaker jack on it. Hmmm, no external speaker jack, looks like a completely different chassis. Contacted the seller via e-mail requesting a full refund since it is late. This sucks, but it's my fault for not fully researching and getting caught up in the moment of getting my first amp. You live and learn, hope I can get a refund.



EvilTwin

[javlib]

Let's see a couple pics, you're not necessarily screwed, maybe you got something better. If it works and sounds acceptable, then it's worth something.

[EvilTwin]

Here is the link to a picture of the amp I just purchased, read the posted comment ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/22818657@N08/2188767482/ ). Also here is a link to what the amp should look like ( http://www.trademe.co.nz/Music-instr...p-57432443.htm ). Thanks.

I see your point but I was under the impression that I was buying a complete Fender Amp, not somebody's project. I even asked the guy if anything had been replaced and if the amp was in its original state. I should have suspected something when I saw a VOX torn apart in his living-room.


EvilTwin

[hippiebob01]

Look on the underside of the chassis.

[EvilTwin]

Nope, only the power cable, transformer, and two plugs connecting the spring reverb unit.



EvilTwin

[hippiebob01]

Where is the speaker out jack?

[EvilTwin]

There isn't one.

[hippiebob01]

So how does it produce sound?

[EvilTwin]

Ok, I understand. The onboard speaker is sent directly through the underside of the chassis and into the PC Board. No plug in connector.

[hippiebob01]

Oh ok. Gotcha. Lemme research and get back to you.

[EvilTwin]

Thanks for the help.

[hippiebob01]

http://cgi.ebay.fr/tres-rare-FENDER-...QQcmdZViewItem

[EvilTwin]

Yep, thats what I have except what looks like a ground wire attached to the upper right side of the chassis. Is this an export model that fender made for the Harvard? Thanks.

[hippiebob01]

nope. yours and the one i just posted are both 120v models.

[EvilTwin]

Then the amp on the link and my amp are modified versions? Not getting the overall picture here. Did Fender make two different versions of the same USA Harvard?

[hippiebob01]

I believe the difference is the year models. Can you post a picture of the underside of the chassis?

[EvilTwin]

Not right now, my pic limit was reached when I posted the image I have up now. I also noticed that the fuse values are different from my amp and the one pictured from the "Trade Me" link. Thanks.


I can describe it to you.

[hippiebob01]

The trademe amp is a Euro import amp.

Also, it looks like it's been modded to have the external speaker jacks. Those aren't stock jacks.

[EvilTwin]

Yep, just noticed the 240 V on the back plate. According the Harmony Central's reviews of this amp it has an external speaker jack like the TradeMe links, thats what has me confused here. Maybe there are three models, two USA models (one with and one without ext speaker jack depending on the year made) and one export model with ext speaker jack. I am too confused here. This really wouldn't be a problem if there was some documentation on this amp. I can't seem to find any on the internet. I might call Fender and ask them.

[hippiebob01]

What kills me is the serious lack of online information about these amps. I'll keep looking though.

That just doesn't look like a stock jack job to me. It's got the bare chassis with 2 jacks, no labeling or anything. Just my opinion.

[EvilTwin]

I just copied the pic from TradeMe and I'm going to check it out in Photoshop. Maybe the labeling is blown out and we can't see it.

[hippiebob01]

Well, in my experience, I've never seen a stock Fender with the bare chassis on the back with a jack attached with no label or anything.

Even on the stock SF amps, the jacks and everything (except the utility plug terminal) had a faceplate.

[EvilTwin]

I'll take your word for it since I don't have a clue or experience. i bumped up the contrast and all I see is rust on the jack, no label. Maybe these are after-market modifications done to the amps. No info on that either.

[hippiebob01]

Just wait a while and the real experts will chime in with their opinions (most likely a lot better than mine because they were alive when this amp was made )

I'm off to bed. Peace. Hope I helped a bit.

[EvilTwin]

hippiebob01,
Thanks man, you did.



EvilTwin

[EvilTwin]

Any one else have an opinion on this amp?

[JAM]

EvilTwin,

Someplace around here I have a Fender brochure that lists these amps. IIRC, they were produced the same time as some of the "Rivera" Fenders. I knew a guy who had a SS amp from this era - I think it was called a London Reverb (?). He seemed pleased with it. I'll look for the brochure, and if I can find it will post any information it has regarding that model.

[EvilTwin]

JAM,
Thanks. It's tuff finding any info on this amp, all help will be appreciated.


EvilTwin

[EvilTwin]

Well, after I was unable to get any information from anyone here on the board (I am surprised no one has this amp) I was forced to buy a Owners Manual and Data Sheet/Schematic from some obscure company in Maryland (Fender has the schematic for sale on their web-site but not the owners manual, strange). Thanks to all that tried to get me some information about this amplifier.



Note: My next amp will be the Fender Twin PRO Tube 100 watt once I have the money.





EvilTwin

[Rickenjangle]

Speaking of SS Fender amps - one of the amps that I still wish I had was a Fender Sidekick 30R. That lil' amp sounded really, really nice for the money. 10 or 12-inch speaker (I never measured it - I was a kid who didn't know from gear) and IIRC footswitchable clean/overdrive with 2 knobs (gain and level) to sculpt the overdrive. Decent reverb. Shoot, for what I paid for it, looking back on it, it was a great deal.
Blackface cosmetics, and a line out.

This may seem like heresy but I actually like some of the older SS amps almost as much as I like my tube amps.

[EvilTwin]

It's funny that you mention that about the older Fender SS amps. Owners of this amp said the same thing from the the nine reviews I did find on this amp. Unfortunately I don't have a clue (Tonality Speaking) between SS and Tube, since this is my first amp (I just started playing again after 22 years). When I was younger I modified a cable and plugged it into my stereo and used that as an amp (didn't have money back then). I have a new Fender Deluxe Strat that I bought 8 years ago, it was just sitting in the closet and decided to start playing again. I've been taking lessons for the past month and I'm glad I started again.




EvilTwin

[hippiebob01]

Let us know what you find out when you get the manual. I definately want to know what the specs are.

[EvilTwin]

I'll post the specs in about a week. That should be enough time for my manual to arrive. Since Fender doesn't have the manual, maybe I'll sell it to them .




EvilTwin

[NeoFauve]

I didn't notice any "missing" jacks in the photo.
The presence of that "speaker on-off" switch might mean there'd be no need for a speaker jack. You flick the switch and plug phones in. There should be a wire coming out of the chassis somewhere, going to the speaker.
If the jacks were "missing" there'd be empty holes, rather than bare aluminum.
It's unlikely, to say the least, that someone filled two holes that well on this amp. People only do stuff like that to return previously modded "collectable" amps to original appearance.

For $65 SS Fender, as long as it's functioning, you probably did okay, and I wouldn't sweat these suspected "missing" jacks too much.
It's not the type of Fender you'll find a wealth of info on.

How do we know that second amp isn't modded?
It looks like 2 "extras" on the right side of the back of the chassis.

[EvilTwin]

NeoFauve,
Thanks for the reply. I am leaning towards your thoughts on this but I'm still not 100% convinced because; all of the reviews on Harmony Central say that there is an external speaker jack, unless all the owners of these amps have modified amp's. I'll just have to wait and see what the manual says when it gets here. Thanks.



EvilTwin