Should I buy these reverb tanks?

[Leevibe]

5 old reverb tanks for $25. I haven't contacted the seller, so I don't know if they work. I've never messed with a real spring reverb before and don't know much about them. It would be fun to build a standalone reverb though.


http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/msg/4561298656.html

[timbo_93631]

Those with the brackets are definitely Hammond organ reverb tanks from spinet models, Gibbs manufacture, and it looks like there might be two there that are later ones from a T series organ they will be Accutronics, the gold anodized finished ones.  I'd guess they are all from Hammonds.  They are all gonna be 2 spring.  I can check the numbers on my tanks a little later to see if I can grab the impedances, if you like.

[Leevibe]

Thanks Tim. Would these be worth the $25? My thinking would be that if there was a good one in the lot, it could be worth the price.

[jubal81]

For my money, I'd just spend it on the exact tank I needed for the project.

[Leevibe]

For my money, I'd just spend it on the exact tank I needed for the project.

And not having a project in mind, I should probably stay away. I can see myself a year from now with a bag full of reverbs sitting in the corner.

[timbo_93631]

The code on the Accutronics tank I have from a Hammond T-233 is 4BB2B3C
So that means:
4: Long Tanks 2 spring
B: 150 ohm input
B: 2250 ohm output
2: Medium Decay
B: Input Grounded, Output Insulated
3: Spring Lock for transport
C: Vertical mount, jacks up

The Hammond code for the tank is 1122, and I think all the Spinets used that part number. 

What this means is the output is the same as you'd find on a "'63 Fender Reverb" unit, but the input is 150 ohms instead of 8 ohms.  I think using the signal limiter circuit in the Hammond M-100 schematic would make the tank adaptable to the classic Fender circuit as the reverb tank is driven off the mains speakers which are 8 ohm.
Schematic: