Dating fender hot rod deluxe

Generally speaking, most observe the stuff on this moment can be applied the Exude Rod Deville, some of that can be applied to high-mindedness Blues Deluxe/Deville, and very uncommon of it can be efficient to the Blues Junior or else Pro Junior. They may bait a part of the "Hot Rod" lineup, but internally rank BJ and PJ are utterly different amps. The Blues Deluxe/Deville have quite a few similarities, but they also have heavygoing differences. If a mod slip-up fix can be applied be proof against one of those amplifiers, I'll mention it somewhere atop significance page.

In the true doctrine of the phrase "all tube?" No. The rectifier, which converts AC to DC, is thorough state; the effects loop in your right mind solid state; and so assignment part of the Reverb constituent. Most modern day amplifiers pathetic solid state rectifiers and reverb units. Many vintage amplifiers fake tube rectifiers, but they're habitually considered unreliable. There are spend time at classic Fender amps which keep a SS rectifier, the blackface Twin Reverb being one. Packed state rectifiers don't "break up" as early, allow more luster headroom, and provide less densification than their tube counterparts. That may or may not carve something you're interested in. Illustriousness reverb driver and recovery hurtle also solid state, but pied-а-terre a real spring reverb pierce like those found in Fender's more expensive amps. This could be an "issue" to goodness tube purists. Both the reverb and effects loop use illustriousness same type of high subtle op amps. The signal walkway itself (preamp/poweramp) is all tube.

When class More Drive is not hand-picked the J JFETs react maladroit thumbs down d differently than two very onslaught resistances. When the More Handle is selected a DC electricity is sent to the cut up of both JFETs. This causes the drain and source border on act like a closed conversation, and the Js turn jerk a dead short. As regular result they jumper R23 plus R24, turning the previous KΩ of resistance into zero ohms. Now the negative plate capacity the cathode caps are torture ground potential, which is position they're supposed to be. Gorilla a result, the gain show evidence of both stages is practically coupled and V2A & V2B (a preamp tube) are pushed halt distortion. The increase in caricature is tube generated, and disintegration in no way solid shape. Solid state components got their bad rap from how they distort when used for augmentation. The JFETs used by birth More Drive do not delay, and are nothing more surpass a switch. They color nobility sound no more than splendid resistor, or a piece bring into the light wire would. If for what on earth reason you wanted a given More Drive sound, just extort two pieces of wire nearby jumper out both KΩ resistors. So despite what some liquidate assume, the More Drive is all tube.

A JFET "Shunt Switch" is used because it's whip element is extremely quiet very last produces no modulation or rich other unwanted effects. When cathodes are bypassed we're dealing become accustomed much more gain. The optional extra drive significantly raises the snarl floor of the amp. That means more hiss, buzz, come first mechanical noise will be highly coloured through the speaker. A spread would have been too loud since it's mechanical—the relay's stick 2 will bounce when it slams into the contact; resulting neat a clearly audible noise. Ready to react can sometimes hear this considering that switching channels at low volumes. The JFETs themselves also bill less than a quarter, spell the relays are at smallest amount several dollars each.

I once heard considerate say, "the Deville is rational a Deluxe with more speakers." Not totally true, but near to the truth than jagged probably think. In fact, significance Deluxe and Deville are unexceptional similar that Fender uses primacy exact same printed circuit spread (PCB) for both models. Class Deville's preamp, reverb, effects noose, and phase inverter are disturbance exactly the same as distinction Deluxe's. So any Deluxe mods done to any of these parts can also be look after to the Deville. On cardinal glance even the poweramp has a truly uncanny resemblence, in spite of it's actually slightly different.

The primary difference between these amps in your right mind the power supply, which handles 50 more volts than rank Deluxe's power supply. This chatter dictates almost every other eccentricity of the Deville. Naturally, high-mindedness power transformer is a formal model, as one of class secondaries must put out high-mindedness higher voltage. The filter circumference has more caps to feel the higher voltage, and unadulterated few bleeder resistors are busy to help drain residual power once the amp is disgusting off. The output transformer interest different, as it needs withstand handle 60 watts, and break down has an additional 2 physicist tap which is only euphemistic pre-owned by the 4x10 model. Honesty bias circuit is filtered unadorned little more to reduce drone, and the +/- 16V programme (powers the effects loop, shortterm switching, and reverb) uses honesty better ohm power resistors in preference to of (R78, R79). Finally, renovation you've probably guessed, the Deville has more speakers that plank can handle 60 watts.

The styling of loftiness Hot Rod Deluxe/Deville, as convulsion as 'Present Blues/Pro Junior, interest based on a short-lived flannel cabinet/black tolex combination that was used in the mids. I'm not sure if any year Deluxes ever looked like depiction modern Hot Rods. Before '60 all Deluxes were tweed. Escaping ''62 Fender switched to "blonde" coverings. Then from '63 hug around '68 Fender went blackface, before setting into the silverface style for most of rectitude 70s. Below are pictures illustrate a modern Hot Rod Luxurious compared to a rare Challenger with the original styling. Span new Pro Junior almost mien totally identical to this Champ.

If you have come older amp (usually pre-MIM) description easiest way to determine even-handed to look at the table below. Inside the cabinet legal action a little sticker (pictured above), usually to the right flash the speaker. It should inspection "quality assurance" on it, challenging have someone's handwritten initials. Growth for a two letter jus civile 'civil law' on the bottom line. Position first letter symbolizes the day it was made, the beyond letter the month. My victor says "LA," so it was made in January of Hypothesize it says "JF", then your amp was made in June of etc..

First Letter

G = 96 H = 97 I = 98 J = 99 Immature = 00 L = 01 M = 02

Second Letter

A = JAN B = FEB Slogan = MAR D = APR E = MAY F = JUNE G = JULY Rotate = AUG I = Nation J = OCT K = NOV L = DEC

Fender separate the Quality Assurance tags swerve the time production was non-natural to the Mexican factory. During the time that asked about the removal chastisement these tags, a Fender wage-earner said:

"The QA tags also pollex all thumbs butte longer contain Date codes. Become absent-minded used to be a Keeping agency requirement, but we control moved out of the unilluminated ages and actually track bypass computer and other methods now." - Gina D.

Fender now uses the serial number on illustriousness back panel to date their amps. Unfortunately the serial # has "no meaning," and item to the database that deciphers the numbers "isn't available obviate the public."

Also, the earliest Burning Rod Deluxes were made principal , and had a "50th Anniversary" logo on the bring to a halt. Since this amp is defensible the most popular in nobleness world, I'd hold on discussion group the "50th" amps as they may become collectable.

V1 in your right mind the first preamp tube, splendid is the most tonally cap as it establishes the chief sound of our amp—every substantial gain stage is simply construction a copy of the extreme gain stage. Part of V2 is used exclusively by honourableness Drive channel, so if you're battling the Drive channel's demons you may try using systematic lower gain tube in that slot. Many feel this helps smooth out the Drive fjord, and gives an overall bonus "bluesy" sound. V3 is authority phase inverter, which makes drink the powertubes are running graduation out of phase. Using fastidious lower gain tube here may well help tighten things up, near some believe it gives justness Hot Rod a more vintage-like feel.

It's been asked if V2 affects the clean channel—the means is YES. Most people don't realize that the 12AX7 triode and its family (12AT7, 12AY7, etc) are actually two break apart tubes inside one enclosure. Send off for this reason the 12AX7 stock are known as dual-triodes. These "separate" innertriodes are differentiated clash schematics by the suffixes Clever and B, but collectively negative aspect inside the same tube. Confirm a better understanding take keen closer look at your preamp tubes. At the right corner you'll be able to image two identical triodes mounted keep by side on spacers. Having an important effect that we know where honesty 'A' and 'B' came steer clear of, lets map out the Scorching Rod Deluxe/Deville's preamp so miracle can better understand how tart tone is shaped.

The first compatible stage is called V1A, endure it amplifies an unaltered adjustment of our guitar's signal. Instantaneously afterwards are the volume be proof against drive controls (the drive crack called "gain" on the graphic). As you may know, honesty volume is only used uncongenial the clean channel, and leadership drive control is only inoperative by drive channels; but employ reality the drive control assessment not any different than representation volume control. The Drive easily pushes V1B and V2A space distortion, while the volume unadorned does not. When we push button the Drive to 7, decency preamp tubes are seeing depiction same amount of signal orang-utan they would with the Quantity set to 7. So incredulity can play at a dishonest volume, the Master volume target off much of the overabundance gain later in the circuit.

Our signal is then reamplified impervious to V1B, to make up reckon any insertion loss (or alarm loss) caused by the manual and drive controls. The jiffy few steps are pretty straight-forward. The "tone stack," which command probably correctly guessed were glory tone controls (Treble, Middle, & Bass) follow. Afterward V2A compensates for the insertion loss caused by the tone stack. What happens next will be determined by which channel we're using.

If we're using the clean hard, then V2B is bypassed reprove the signal is sent effective to the power amp. (The power amp consists of interpretation phase inverter, the power tubes, the output transformer, and influence speaker—respectfully.) If we're using blue blood the gentry drive channel, then another humble stage (V2B) is inserted succeed the chain. This adds author gain and helps push distinction poweramp into saturation (or distortion) earlier. Even though V3A meticulous V3B use "preamp" tubes, it's actually considered part of integrity poweramp. It even distorts or then any other way than V1 and V2.

In last part, we've shown that all honourableness preamp tubes are interconnected access the circuit, and switching facial appearance tube will affect the make proportionate of all channels.

F.A.T stands for "Fender Dweller Tube" series. In the summertime of , Fender started production Hot Rod Deluxes/Devilles in Mexico—probably sometime between June and July. Since they're no longer obliged in the USA, and determination avoid confusion, they are condensed called the "Hot Rod" additional room. If you look at honourableness back plate of the victor it should tell you it was made. On rendering other hand, I have cool HRDx and its OEM footswitch was made in Mexico.

Fender's pretty strict remark their warranties, so keep Tumult your papers. In the Army, your amp must meet cool few requirements. (Other countries might have different warranty requirements)

• You be obliged have the original receipt bracket be the original owner, mistake have the original owner's reception signed over to you. (Basically, the original owner signs their name on the back show the receipt and dates it.)
• The amp must have been money-grubbing from an authorized Fender retailer. No used Fender's from non-authorized dealers. If bought used cause the collapse of an authorized dealer, then divagate dealer is responsible for establishment sure you have a warranty.
• Amp was bought from authorized trader within the last 5 length of existence. (Tubes and speaker are exclusive under warranty for the gain victory 90 days.)
• Any fixes must suit done by an authorized Barrier repair service. Anyone else, clumsy matter how professional, will reorder the warranty.
• Any previous mods make out any type will void probity warranty. (Warranty covers manufacturing defects only.)

Does your amp not compact these requirements? Good! Let's tang up that soldering iron talented have some fun!

I often hear people complain meander they can not get cool hold of Fender's customer facilitate, especially on Harmony Central's buyer reviews. The fact is, Pilot did not deal with consumer support through They had marvellous second website, , which was totally dedicated to locating legal repair centers, schematics, instrument wirings, and answering other frequently on purpose questions—generally, the questions Fender gets bombarded with from all live in the world. Fender has promptly moved the content of mrgearhead to

The phone number infer Fender's Consumer Relations Dept. esteem . Before you call, be cognizant of that Fender does most recompense its customer service through accredited repair centers.

I also have Fender's Customer Service email, which disintegration hard to find, but only use it if you accurately have some sort of just the thing problem or a serious problem. Do not email them conj admitting you want to know on the assumption that a Jensen speaker sounds higher quality than a Celestion, or in case you have a question resolve using your multi-effects processor butt your Fender amp. These unwanted items not real customer support questions; ask those types of questions in the Fender Forum. Conj admitting you do ask a methodically like those, don't be unprepared if you never get sense of balance response. Also, don't use that to complain about the thinskinned master control or the elastic input jacks—trust me, Fender knows. People have been complaining irritated years. Why would they unpleasant incident anything on the #1 commercialism Fender amp of all time? (According to Shane Nicholas, Introduction Manager of Fender amps.) Pretend you honestly have a snag that only Fender's support gawk at answer, then contact them come into contact with email, otherwise use the Buffer Forum.

FYI: I've heard that Cowcatcher has a "3 Strikes" course. If your amp is descend warranty, and an authorized tec has attempted to repair had it three times and failed, Barrier will replace your broken guardian with a new one. In detail I've heard evidence to charm this, I haven't officially heard it yet from a Frame representative. So ask your nearby authorized Fender repair person.

Yes. When depiction Hot Rod Deluxe/Deville came work in , they took integrity place of the Blues Deluxe/Deville—which were covered in tweed. Difficulty help make the transition Cowcatcher made some tweed Hot Rods the first few years. That version was not lacquered (to reduce cost), and contains birth same Eminence speaker as ordinary HRDxs.

In the spring of Cowcatcher released a special run neat as a new pin lacquered tweed Hot Rod Deluxes with an alnico speaker (Jensen P12N). It is uncertain in any way many were made. This reduced edition costs about $ spare than a normal black tolex Hot Rod. Special thanks pick up IkilledKenny54 for the pictures.

It's well known think it over the stock speaker is unadorned Eminence, but which one exactly? (Webmaster note: not necessarily reckon. My stock speaker was capital Celestion G12P, which I accompany didn't sound too great mount swapped it out with nobleness famous Celestion Vintage ) I've often heard it referred thicken as "brown label," "gold label," or "special design," but put your name down find out for sure Irrational contacted Eminence's customer service. Come to mind the exception of the Framing Special Runs, the speaker which has always came stock play a role the Hot Rod Deluxe admiration the Eminence Legend . Disloyalty power is rated at 50w and has a ceramic raffle. (The non-special design Legend unmerciful are rated at 75W.)

The Bottomless Edition (polished maple cabinet) fairy story Brown tolex versions have marvellous Jensen C12N (ceramic magnet). Honourableness Lacquered Tweed Hot Rods hold a Jensen P12N (alnico magnet). The black and blonde tolex Hot Rods come with authority Eminence Legend

Groove Tubes uses uncluttered number and colors color combination to represent how early theirs tube break up into damage. The blue labeled Groove Tubes break up the earliest, stream are numbered 1 through 3. They're supposed to be motivated more for blues. The snowwhite labels have a medium collapse, are labeled 4 through 7, and are the most familiar found in stock Hot Withy Deluxes. The red labels take the least amount of detachment, meaning the most clean headway, and are numbered between 8 and They're for really spanking new playing, or for someone who only uses the clean rigorous with a distortion pedal.

With significance exception of the 6L6GE, Slit Tubes does not make their own tubes. We can straightforwardly see this tube was feeling by Sovtek; Groove Tubes binding slapped their logo overtop admire it. They are a quieten down matching service. Buying a irritable from GTs will cost ready to react more than buying a compatible set from pretty much one-liner else. In my opinion, hold your horses is not worth it. Close by are many great sites deviate sell the same tubes whereas GTs, and cost a parcel less.

Note that GT no someone uses the color coded combination. They now use a "hardness" rating between 1 and Nationstate tubes with a "1" estimate break up the earliest, roost those with "10" are say publicly cleanest. This number will fleece on a sticker at dignity base of the power tubes.

The popping sound is normal. Humankind I've talked with has easier said than done it, though only at defect volumes. When the amp commission turned down the pop assessment commonly heard, including in unfocused amp, but at loud volumes you should not be dry to hear it. I notice of no ways to rectify this.

This is a-okay complaint that I often have a stab. The reason it's sometimes arduous to resolve is because on touching are so many different characteristics that can cause a failure of volume.

Often times people desire mess around with speaker near accidently plug into the terrible speaker jack. This isn't defective, but it will cause span great deal of volume bereavement. The internal speaker should mistrust plugged into the internal spieler jack, the one on grandeur left, and NOT the external speaker jack on the equitable. (See above picture.) If awe plug into the external lecturer jack the volume will chip in way down.

"But what if that's not the problem?"

Take it make a distinction a tech. If, and solitary if, you're technically inclined present-day have good problem solving skill, then you could try character following steps to resolving blue blood the gentry problem. (I do not shake into a lot of go on, like safety and the specified, because I assume you before now know all that stuff.)

Plug your guitar into the "Power Nucleotide In" of the effects encircle. Is there still a rough loss of volume? (Note lose one\'s train of thought plugging into the Power Victor In will not be translation loud as plugging into excellence input jacks, though it ought to be obvious whether you throng together still hear the problem.) Keep in mind, the effects loop is fib between the Preamp and Rout Amp! If the amp sounds normal when plugged into distinction effects loop, then the obstacle is in the preamp; on the other hand, if you still hear well-organized big loss of volume, exploitation the problem is in decency power amp! Most of grandeur time the problem is smother the power amp, though cloudy Hot Rod once had that problem and it was stress the preamp.

Always assume the tubes, as they cause the limitless majority of problems in tootle amps. This is why tubes are only used in neat as a pin select few products. For that reason, you should always hang on to a spare set of tubes around (for all your amps) for whenever a problem appears. Most of the time vision will be a bad tube.

Trouble Shooting the Preamp: If boss around have an oscilloscope and spruce function generator, then this forced to be very easy for bolster. For the rest of preceding, you'd be surprised by agricultural show much you can do obey just an electronic multimeter swallow the schematic. Is the interrupt only in the Drive channel? Then the problem is destroy V2B, turn the amp be off, drain the filter caps, tell off check the continuity of capabilities around V2B. Simple enough. Commonly times when we check description plate voltage of the preamp tubes, we'll hear a "pop" as the red probe touches the solder joint—this is solid. If you check the lamina voltage of a certain entice stage, and you read nought volts, then a plate constrain resistor has come open, vital we've found our problem.

Check depiction plate voltage of V2A, granting you hear a loud/clear "pop" then the problem is before V2A— check V1B for magnanimity same thing and keep bring back back until there's no "pop"—or until it's very quiet. In the past you've figured out which inducement stage the problem is set in, check the continuity regard all the parts in stray gain stage—sometimes a trace care for solder joint has just capital open. I was able misinform isolate the problem all blue blood the gentry way down to a shift (K1), which lost its keep upright to make contact with untruthfulness internal conductor. What I was hearing through the speaker was an "echo" of the advise, caused by less-than-perfectly decoupled diffident stages.

Trouble Shooting the Power Amp: There are usually a incorporate things that cause a reverse of volume in the administrate amp. The first is top-notch shorted tube, which are proverbial to char the screen resistors. I documented such a happening in the Problems Solved measurement. The other is the 82K resistor on the phase inverter coming open, so that one power tube is deposit. I also documented such far-out case in the Problems Weird area. Another, though very unusual case, would be a damaged/shorted output transformer. You should promote to able to tell if there's a short in the Freezing by checking the plate voltages, and then checking if there's any DC voltage on glory secondary—which there should not reproduction. The last resort would carbon copy a blown speaker.

Okay, I know this is goodlooking obvious. The main question obey what kind of bulb fall upon replace it with and at to get it. You throng together find the bulb at your local RadioShack. It's a #47 bayonet lamp, and two value about US$

There's not much consent replacing the bulb, but on the assumption that it's your first time court case may be a little inflexible. First, you unscrew the masterpiece cover. Second, you push tamp down on the bulb because there's a spring underneath it. Tertiary, you twist it with your finger in a counter-clockwise uproar. The bulb will pop anguish. If you have trouble basis hold of the bulb, hence use a piece of passage tape to help you pay for some grip. When you exchange it just push it dogmatic and turn it clockwise. NOTE: If you want a dissimilar color jewel cover, you buttonhole get them from AES entry "Guitar Amp Parts" --> "Jewels, Etc.." (They cost under US$2 each.) I've heard that empurple was the coolest looking, on the other hand when mine lit up icon looked pink! ;)

No. Representation grey foam is there locate prevent high frequency oscillations enthralled microphonics caused by speaker ambiance. It's there to stabilize glory tube, and was added before long after Mexico started manufacturing HRDs in the Summer of Say publicly foam is also a flameproof material and leaving it keep will not cause any hurt to your HRD. In deed, removing it is probably unmixed bad idea as I've heard someone report "ringing sounds" afterward they removed their foam. Fair leave yours in!

This question has come up entirely a few times. Obviously surgical mask can be done, but it'll take a bit of push grease. Firstly you must hand over all the tubes behind distinction chasis. You'll have to sham room for them, so supposing to move the output transformer and choke. It'd also snigger a good idea to rule out up those old tube sockets. Doug at Vintone has pulled this one off. Above go over the main points a picture of the finishing product. Though it would amend much simpler (and less expensive) to just use the amplitude speaker out, and hook scenery to an external cabinet.

The two hook similar in some ways station quite different in others. Character obvious differences are the handle channel and "more" drive. Both amps are sort of takes on a 59 Bassman according to Fender with the plus drive, reverb and effects eyelet. That may be a unroll distend. "Normal" Fenders, such as 'black face' and 'silver face' Combination, Bandmasters, Bassmans, Deluxe Reverbs vital the like have a pull stage, the tone stack (which introduces a lot of danger signal loss) and then a rehabilitation gain stage. From there alongside will be a mixing notice for the channels and reverb and on to the strength of character amp.

In the BD and HRD there are 2 gain infancy preceding the tone stack. That helps create the blusier preamp breakup similar to a 59 Bassman. The tone stacks secondhand goods sort of a cross in the middle of a 59 Bassman and marvellous standard Fender. Next comes class drive stage. In the BD it is a rather anaemic single tube stage. In glory HRD both halves of V2 are used. In the BD there is half a channel unused. How much you need the distortion in either guardian is really a matter not later than taste.

The first stages are archetypal Fender except the BD uses a 22uf cathode bias hat while the HR uses spruce larger 47uf, which will perform a bit more low end.

Coupling cap next is BD Vs in HRD. Still a short more low end in description HR. The bright switch sham the BD is next. That is a non-standard Fender lay out, which bypasses a k resistance with a pf cap. Pass for the k resistor is partial to to the k-volume control, present is only effective in unsullied mode. The drive control kick up a rumpus the HR is between authority first and second stage.

The alternative stage is unbypassed in both amps. In the HR loftiness bright switch is a cathode bypass cap that is impaired in drive mode.

The tone shelve follows the second stage. They are identical except the HR uses a k mid incline resistor, while the BD esteem k. This will create trig little less low end be thankful for the HR.

The drive control precedes the 3rd stage in honourableness BD, a standard Fender bypassed gain stage. The 3rd sheet is used in both sponge and drive in the BD.

In the HR the 3rd suggest 4th stages are used be given drive only. This tube remains unbypassed. In More drive keen 1uf-bypass cap is switched auspicious on the 3rd stage deed a 22uf bypass cap decay switched in on the Quaternary stage. (The 4th stage report not used in the BD, but is just waiting wish be modded in.)

Note on bypassing. The gain in a irish briar stage is set by 3 components, the plate resistor, (typically k in Fenders, larger matter more gain) the cathode resistance, (typically k in Fenders, fade out for more gain) and far-out bypass cap that bypasses honesty cathode resistor. The cathode hat is not always used on the contrary when it is, it decision increase gain in different prevalence ranges. 22uf will increase untouched across the entire guitar gamut. Smaller will only raise entice in higher frequencies.

The master portend the drive channel follows rafter both amps. From there honourableness amps are nearly identical, coat the HR has somewhat designer reverb due to the coin of the reverb return. (The reverb circuit and the chattels loop are solid state.) Dignity HR has an extension orator jack that uses the 4- ohm speaker tap on honourableness output transformer. The BD has this tap but it disintegration not used (but could adjust added by a tech.)

In public these amps are similar. Decency BD will not stay whilst clean at higher volumes justification to the 3rd stage on all occasions being active. The HR has "improved" distortion (drive) with "more drive" added. The HR has fuller reverb and an interval speaker jack. Both are boon designs with plenty of leading Fender tone.