Danelectro, of Neptune City, NJ manufactured a tube powered outboard spring REVERB unit for use with guitars in the early 1960's.

I own one that has a problem. I'm hoping for an answer. The reverb spring is actuated at either end by a small packet of Crystals. As everyone (except me, appearantly) knows...these ceramic crystals lose their electrical properties when exposed to extremes of temperature. My was stored in the attic for a season and has not worked since. The crystal drivers need to be replaced. Obviously. I lifted the edge of one of the little driver packets to look inside. Basically, it appears to consist of a 1/4 inch wide piece of fabric with a conductor wire entering at one side and the spring on the other side, with what might be perhaps a 16th tsp of finely ground crystals inside, neatly sealed with some kind of light epoxy or glue. I had very little trouble peaking into the packet. But I stopped short, because I didn't want make things worse.

The question is: Can the 'salts' be replaced? Can the driver packet be rebuilt or re-activated? It's foregone that replacement parts are long since not available.

ANYONE? I'm desperate!

THANKS,
David Higginbotham

Hi David

You might try West-Tech Services 941-471-0922. They rebuild phonograph cartridges and may be able to help.

Norm

: Danelectro, of Neptune City, NJ manufactured a tube powered outboard spring REVERB unit for use with guitars in the early 1960's.

: I own one that has a problem. I'm hoping for an answer. The reverb spring is actuated at either end by a small packet of Crystals. As everyone (except me, appearantly) knows...these ceramic crystals lose their electrical properties when exposed to extremes of temperature. My was stored in the attic for a season and has not worked since. The crystal drivers need to be replaced. Obviously. I lifted the edge of one of the little driver packets to look inside. Basically, it appears to consist of a 1/4 inch wide piece of fabric with a conductor wire entering at one side and the spring on the other side, with what might be perhaps a 16th tsp of finely ground crystals inside, neatly sealed with some kind of light epoxy or glue. I had very little trouble peaking into the packet. But I stopped short, because I didn't want make things worse.

: The question is: Can the 'salts' be replaced? Can the driver packet be rebuilt or re-activated? It's foregone that replacement parts are long since not available.

: ANYONE? I'm desperate!

: THANKS,
: David Higginbotham

THANKS ~ NORM!
I appreciate it very much.

:
:Try the book,Crystals and Crystal Growing, by
Holden & Morrison - MIT Press.ISBN 0-262-58050-0
A formula is on pg.111 . Haven't tried it yet.

Also article in Radio Age, from MAARC (Mid-Atlntc)
which uses piezo discs cut to shape to repl. xtal.

Good luck.. Wayne