Polytone Mini-Brute Reverb

**fvgpickr** · 06-27-2011, 04:17 PM

Hi all, I'm new to this forum. I'm mainly interested in mainstream jazz. I play a Gibson ES335-TD thru a Polytone Mini-Brute IV. Now here's my problem. I bought the amp second hand, and it did not come with the dusl-button foot switch. Do I need this to use Reverb? I'm asking because Reverb doesn't work.

I know you can buy replacements for the reverb tanks in various amps, but I'm not sure yet if I need to replace the one in the unit. Maybe I just need one of those foot switches to turn on the reverb?

Does anybody know?

Thanks in advance, fvgpickr

**mr. beaumont** · 06-27-2011, 04:22 PM

Better off just nabbing a decent reverb pedal or small rack unit.

Polytone reverb's are notorious for "giving up the ghost"-- but it's not really a loss--you still have a cool good sounding amp--and the reverb wasn't amazing to begin with.

**fvgpickr** · 06-27-2011, 04:28 PM

Yes, I love the sound of my Polytone amp. It's great for mellow jazz. As for reverb, I would just use it to "fill out" the sound and give it some extra depth. But, are you saying that one of those "electronic" reverb stompboxes can give as good reverb as the 3-spring elecromechanical unit that comes with the Polytone (it's an Accutronics). fvgpickr

**mr. beaumont** · 06-27-2011, 04:34 PM

Mabe even better.

I've used an alesis nanoverb for years to "openup" non-reverb amps at home and on small gigs in deader rooms...There's lots of options on the market, hopefully more folks will chime in with faves...

I've actually gone from using reverb to a short delay to augment the sound of a non-reverb amp...

**Billnc** · 06-27-2011, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by fvgpickr

Hi all, I'm new to this forum. I'm mainly interested in mainstream jazz. I play a Gibson ES335-TD thru a Polytone Mini-Brute IV. Now here's my problem. I bought the amp second hand, and it did not come with the dusl-button foot switch. Do I need this to use Reverb? I'm asking because Reverb doesn't work.

I know you can buy replacements for the reverb tanks in various amps, but I'm not sure yet if I need to replace the one in the unit. Maybe I just need one of those foot switches to turn on the reverb?

Does anybody know?

Thanks in advance, fvgpickr

I prefer the spring reverb in the amp, and it's all one unit. The reverb tank is pretty cheap and a do it yourself repair. I did have to replace one! But only once in about 15 years and the amp is moved every day, sometimes many times in a day.

But no time is better than now to try every available option to you. Buy what you like.

**pierre richard** · 06-27-2011, 08:41 PM

I have one...Mini Brute..since 1985..

Never use the reverb....

Old surfing days with my strat and twin reverb yea...but not now..

time on the instrument..pierre

**kawa** · 06-27-2011, 08:55 PM

Notice !!! : Side Handle Design !!! , Notice !!! : Side Handle Design !!! , Prevent for the reverb unit troubles,
As well as keeping the "Upright" (in the car etc) polytone.htm

Please replace to the new reverb tank.

Not necessarly the footswitch, the works reverb off.

**kawa** · 06-28-2011, 05:21 AM

have repaired the reverb in my Polytone MegaBrute before. As I recall, the springs connect to a lead. The connection is very fragile and can disconnect/break if the amp is bumped hard or dropped.

Take the back off and be very careful handling once the back is removed. Polytone uses fiberglass inside the amp and removing the back causes the fiberglass to become airborne.

As I recall, the reverb tank is towards the bottom of the amp. I believe you can remove the RCA jacks, and there should be a way (screws?) to release the tank from the amp. You might be able to remove the cover of the tank without removing the tank - I just can't remember...

Once you remove the cover of the tank, you can see where the leads connect to the springs. They used a very simple connector and the wires were not soldered; it was sort of crimped connection. I actually cut and stripped the wire to create a clean end and then soldered it to the connector.

I put everything back together and that resolved my reverb issue.

It's amazing to me that Polytone uses such a crummy connection.

Good luck with your repair and hope you get to the bottom of your reverb troubles.

**kawa** · 06-28-2011, 05:32 AM

(also fom the past post "Polytone Amp Quality")

Reverb Tank for Replace
8CB3C1C, 8AB3C1B Accutronics :: Reverb Tanks :: Amp Parts :: Musical Parts :: Banzai Music

Almost of the damege: one way strain from the vertical by side handle design, general amps are top handle design: reverb tank's always horizontal (balanced strain)

Handling: As well as keep the upright. (keep the top)

Also in Japan, many voices of polytone's reverb troubles, but half of users don't use and don't needs reverb also me for get the real guitar sounds.
__________________

**fvgpickr** · 06-28-2011, 09:22 AM

Some of the responses indicate that you don't need the footpedal for the reverb. Then, what the heck is the footpedal for if it isn't used to turn the reverb on and off? The specs on the Polytone web page indicate that it is used to turn on/off the reverb, and to switch channels.
fvgpickr

**woyvel** · 06-28-2011, 09:26 AM

My Polytone doesn't have reverb. I use a Line 6 M13, which has a number of reverb choices.

If I was going for 1 pedal I'd try one of the following: Line 6 Verbzilla or Electro Harmonix Cathdral. The Line 6 M5 would be something to consider because it has a huge array of modeled effects, and you'd have delays or reverbs available (as well as a ton of other choices).

**Soco** · 06-28-2011, 10:24 AM

I have given up on my polytone mega-brute's reverb, it has broken down twice.
You are better off using a reverb pedal. I have three at the moment, Eventide space, T.C electronic nova reverb and an old Boss RV-3. I have also owned a line 6 verbzilla. The space is very expensive but also amazing.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 06-28-2011, 10:52 AM

Anyone prefer delay over reverb? Especially in a group situation?

**Soco** · 06-28-2011, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

Anyone prefer delay over reverb? Especially in a group situation?

Hi, not really. I feel like delay is often getting in my way playing jazz. Also so many jazz-guitarists are using/over-using delay these days, so I try to stay away from it. I like using it on some delay on blues/rock solos, but always in combination with some reverb.

**mr. beaumont** · 06-28-2011, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

Anyone prefer delay over reverb? Especially in a group situation?

I have been...I like it really subtle...barely noticible with another instrument playing.

Sometimes reverb "blurs" things too much. Delay I can still hear the "attack."

However, in a "live" room I'm probably going with neither.

**medblues** · 06-28-2011, 09:49 PM

I have an MB II with a dead reverb, I have put a Digitech Hardwire RV-7 (with Lexicon algorithms in it) in the effect loop and I like it a lot.

Originally Posted by fvgpickr

Yes, I love the sound of my Polytone amp. It's great for mellow jazz. As for reverb, I would just use it to "fill out" the sound and give it some extra depth. But, are you saying that one of those "electronic" reverb stompboxes can give as good reverb as the 3-spring elecromechanical unit that comes with the Polytone (it's an Accutronics). fvgpickr

**Gitarguy** · 06-28-2011, 10:35 PM

I almost bought a used Polytone amp about a year ago, but the reverb was bad. Seems like a common problem, but it changed the deal from a good price, to good deal + unknown repair cost. I passed on it.

I don't understand why Polytone has so much trouble with their reverb when it's such a reliable circuit on every other amp. Leads me to think that there's a fundamental design or execution flaw.

**oldane** · 07-01-2011, 03:18 AM

Don't be put off by a defect reverb unit in an otherwise good amp. Just get a reverb pedal instead.

Almost any reverb pedal would work great at the low reverb levels one normally uses in jazz (not really a very audible reverb but just giving the tone a tad extra shine). There ARE quality differencies between reverb pedals, but I doubt anyone will notice at those low leves. If one wants to play with a lot of reverb, it's another matter. Personally, I use a Boss RV-5. It's not the best out there but not the worst either and it's reasonably priced. It's also very rugged. I have yet to have Boss gear break down, and I have a Boss equalizer which is still working fine after more than 30 years of service.

guitarguy77 · 07-02-2011, 01:28 AM

The 2 button Polytone pedal is just what it looks like its for, Reverb and that horrible distortion, is just a cool looking pedal that sits in my closet, because I have absolutely no use for it lol. And if your reverb doesn't work, find a good repair shop and take it in. I was curious about the TC Nova reverb, has anyone tried that ?

**jorgemg1984** · 07-02-2011, 08:38 AM

Repairing reverb its not very expensive usually even if you need a new one. I bought a Bandit 65 that also had a reverb problem and it was a cheap and easy fix - if you like the amp dont let that stop you from buying it

**Soco** · 07-02-2011, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by guitarguy77

The 2 button Polytone pedal is just what it looks like its for, Reverb and that horrible distortion, is just a cool looking pedal that sits in my closet, because I have absolutely no use for it lol. And if your reverb doesn't work, find a good repair shop and take it in. I was curious about the TC Nova reverb, has anyone tried that ?

I have used the T.C NOVA reverb for the last 3-4 years, often with the polytone and it works great. I am lending it out to a friend recently after I bought an Eventide space reverb pedal.

guitarguy77 · 07-02-2011, 01:27 PM

Nice SoCo, i was checking out some videos on youtube about the Nova Reverb, have been trying to research some pedals so I can put together a pedal board. I dont go into the realms of a Kurt Rosenwinkel with my reverb, but the Nova sounded like it had everything you would need. I was also considering the Line 6 DL4, delay or reverb, or both.

**jorgemg1984** · 07-02-2011, 01:31 PM

Hardwire RV 7 is great and much cheaper... For the price of the Nova Reverb I would buy a Nova System and get much more

**Soco** · 07-02-2011, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by guitarguy77

Nice SoCo, i was checking out some videos on youtube about the Nova Reverb, have been trying to research some pedals so I can put together a pedal board. I dont go into the realms of a Kurt Rosenwinkel with my reverb, but the Nova sounded like it had everything you would need. I was also considering the Line 6 DL4, delay or reverb, or both.

Here is a clip of my using the NOVA reverb as my only effect.