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The Official Reeves Bass Amp Thread

#261
Incoming...!!!

Snap2013-08-06at211523_zps1c03d611.png
 
#263
My multitasking son was simultaneously sawing logs and studying the inside of his eyelids when Fedex tried to deliver to my door @ 9 a.m. Our driver knows that he can leave our stuff at my sister's place, so she got the honor of signing her Jane Henry...

Reeves know how to pack a tube amp. The amp was surrounded on all sides with expanded foam inside plastic film which conforms to the contours of the case to evenly distribute the energy of any shock. Bill told me that they ship with the smaller (9-pin) tubes mounted but they remove and package the output tubes separately. It didn't occur to me to ask "How do I get them back in their respective sockets?. After I got the amp out of the box, I spotted the 'power pack'. The (electro-harmonix) KT-88's were safely wrapped in two layers of bubble wrap, tucked inside the case. Mystery solved - as you can see in the pic, socket numbers are written on the blue paper tape and the tube boxes are numbered:

P1130826_zps61481fff.jpg


Build quality notes: There are threaded inserts for the three screws which secure the back panel (!). The two extra punches for power tube sockets have chrome covers mounted from the inside of the chassis and secured with two philips head screws. They responded to your observation re: 'leaving gaping holes in the chassis of a boutique amp', Tom. :cool: Off to pop those big bottles in, re-attach the back panel, plug it in, and warm it up...
 
#267
Maiden voyage was with a JBL E-130 equipped Showman cab and the input pad set for my 32" passive precision. Best initial descriptors: big, clear punch all across the spectrum. Plenty of highs without a mid or high frequency driver. When I plugged in my Super J/P and ran both pickups parallel, I had to cut the highs a bit. If you can't bust right through any mix with this amp, you need to give it up and switch to guitar. :eek: I boosted the mid and treble control a bit from Bill's test settings. The bass is sitting at 1 o'clock and sounding lush. This is just a beautiful sounding amp, folks. The tone of the precision pickup soloed on the Dingwall is (to use a hackneyed phrase) to die for. I played it with the input pad on the amp set to passive at first and it sounded fine and the level was about the same as with the (passive) precision. When I set the input pad for active, I had to bring up the gain quite a bit to get to the same level. It's ready to handle very hot signals without distortion. The only upcharge on my build was $40 for a NOS Sylvania in the V1 position. Synopsis - build quality: ten, tone: eleven! I'm happy and looking forward to lots of joy filled hours with this amp. It was a pleasant buying experience. Bill was personable, knowledgable, and easy to work with. Good company, good product, and I pray that I won't have much need of their good service/support. :)
 
#270
spiritbass said:
Maiden voyage was with a JBL E-130 equipped Showman cab and the input pad set for my 32" passive precision. Best initial descriptors: big, clear punch all across the spectrum. Plenty of highs without a mid or high frequency driver. When I plugged in my Super J/P and ran both pickups parallel, I had to cut the highs a bit. If you can't bust right through any mix with this amp, you need to give it up and switch to guitar. :eek: I boosted the mid and treble control a bit from Bill's test settings. The bass is sitting at 1 o'clock and sounding lush. This is just a beautiful sounding amp, folks. The tone of the precision pickup soloed on the Dingwall is (to use a hackneyed phrase) to die for. I played it with the input pad on the amp set to passive at first and it sounded fine and the level was about the same as with the (passive) precision. When I set the input pad for active, I had to bring up the gain quite a bit to get to the same level. It's ready to handle very hot signals without distortion. Synopsis - build quality: ten, tone: eleven! I'm happy and looking forward to lots of joy filled hours with this amp. It was a pleasant buying experience. Bill was personable, knowledgable, and easy to work with. Good company, good product, and I pray that I won't have much need of their good service/support. :)
Click to expand...

Did you notice anything lacking in the mids? I'm up next for delivery
 
#271
spiritbass said:
Maiden voyage was with a JBL E-130 equipped Showman cab and the input pad set for my 32" passive precision. Best initial descriptors: big, clear punch all across the spectrum. Plenty of highs without a mid or high frequency driver. When I plugged in my Super J/P and ran both pickups parallel, I had to cut the highs a bit. If you can't bust right through any mix with this amp, you need to give it up and switch to guitar. :eek: I boosted the mid and treble control a bit from Bill's test settings. The bass is sitting at 1 o'clock and sounding lush. This is just a beautiful sounding amp, folks. The tone of the precision pickup soloed on the Dingwall is (to use a hackneyed phrase) to die for. I played it with the input pad on the amp set to passive at first and it sounded fine and the level was about the same as with the (passive) precision. When I set the input pad for active, I had to bring up the gain quite a bit to get to the same level. It's ready to handle very hot signals without distortion. The only upcharge on my build was $40 for a NOS Sylvania in the V1 position. Synopsis - build quality: ten, tone: eleven! I'm happy and looking forward to lots of joy filled hours with this amp. It was a pleasant buying experience. Bill was personable, knowledgable, and easy to work with. Good company, good product, and I pray that I won't have much need of their good service/support. :)
Click to expand...

Sounds like maybe you like it, eh? That is awesome! Enjoy! :bassist: :bassist: :bassist: :cool:
 
#274
spiritbass said:
Maiden voyage was with a JBL E-130 equipped Showman cab and the input pad set for my 32" passive precision. Best initial descriptors: big, clear punch all across the spectrum. Plenty of highs without a mid or high frequency driver. When I plugged in my Super J/P and ran both pickups parallel, I had to cut the highs a bit. If you can't bust right through any mix with this amp, you need to give it up and switch to guitar. :eek: I boosted the mid and treble control a bit from Bill's test settings. The bass is sitting at 1 o'clock and sounding lush. This is just a beautiful sounding amp, folks. The tone of the precision pickup soloed on the Dingwall is (to use a hackneyed phrase) to die for. I played it with the input pad on the amp set to passive at first and it sounded fine and the level was about the same as with the (passive) precision. When I set the input pad for active, I had to bring up the gain quite a bit to get to the same level. It's ready to handle very hot signals without distortion. The only upcharge on my build was $40 for a NOS Sylvania in the V1 position. Synopsis - build quality: ten, tone: eleven! I'm happy and looking forward to lots of joy filled hours with this amp. It was a pleasant buying experience. Bill was personable, knowledgable, and easy to work with. Good company, good product, and I pray that I won't have much need of their good service/support. :)
Click to expand...
Sounds fantastic, man, congrats! Oh, the GAS.:D
 
#275
xsubs said:
Congrats... interesting that Bill changed to the EH 88s. Both mine came with JJs, as did all the others I've seen. Bill told me they were the only valves that could take the plate voltage (depending on wall voltage, mine are usually at ~715V).
Also noticed the dual carry handles... that was smart. This head is HEAVY.
Click to expand...

Time will tell as to how well the electro harmonix will hold up. I swapped out the Walkabout with the Reeves this morning. I had been running the ML-112 vertically to reduce the low end a bit, but had to go horizontal to get the Reeves to sit on its feet on the cab. It still hangs over about 1/2" on each side. I played the Walkabout a little with my passive precision before playing the Reeves. The mids are smoother on the Reeves. I have the bass tone control at noon - nice & solid, without boom. I expect smooth sailing with the group tomorrow. :cool:
 
#276
xsubs said:
Congrats... interesting that Bill changed to the EH 88s. Both mine came with JJs, as did all the others I've seen. Bill told me they were the only valves that could take the plate voltage (depending on wall voltage, mine are usually at ~715V).
Also noticed the dual carry handles... that was smart. This head is HEAVY.
Click to expand...

EH? EH tubes don't seem to be held in high regard from I've read.
 
#277
spiritbass said:
Time will tell as to how well the electro harmonix will hold up. I swapped out the Walkabout with the Reeves this morning. I had been running the ML-112 vertically to reduce the low end a bit, but had to go horizontal to get the Reeves to sit on its feet on the cab. It still hangs over about 1/2" on each side. I played the Walkabout a little with my passive precision before playing the Reeves. The mids are smoother on the Reeves. I have the bass tone control at noon - nice & solid, without boom. I expect smooth sailing with the group tomorrow. :cool:
Click to expand...

You could sit the Reeves on the floor and the ML on top.
 
#280
I forgot to look on the tube boxes before storing them to see what country EH tubes are manufactured in. I've been out of the 'tube loop' for a long time. I know Russia, China, Yugoslavia, and the Slovak Republic are manufacturing vacuum tubes for audio these days. Is one of these a leader as far as quality and reliablility?
 

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