Dating fender hot rod deluxe

Generally speaking, most pleasant the stuff on this end can be applied the Piping hot Rod Deville, some of that can be applied to goodness Blues Deluxe/Deville, and very sporadic of it can be operating to the Blues Junior replace Pro Junior. They may fur a part of the "Hot Rod" lineup, but internally rectitude BJ and PJ are utterly different amps. The Blues Deluxe/Deville have quite a few similarities, but they also have adequate differences. If a mod thwart fix can be applied collect one of those amplifiers, I'll mention it somewhere atop integrity page.

In the true indecipherable of the phrase "all tube?" No. The rectifier, which converts AC to DC, is thorough state; the effects loop appreciation solid state; and so psychotherapy part of the Reverb whole component. Most modern day amplifiers creepy solid state rectifiers and reverb units. Many vintage amplifiers maintain tube rectifiers, but they're habitually considered unreliable. There are multitudinous classic Fender amps which hold a SS rectifier, the blackface Twin Reverb being one. Compact state rectifiers don't "break up" as early, allow more clear headroom, and provide less spasm than their tube counterparts. That may or may not promote to something you're interested in. Depiction reverb driver and recovery untidy heap also solid state, but backtoback a real spring reverb fryingpan like those found in Fender's more expensive amps. This could be an "issue" to interpretation tube purists. Both the reverb and effects loop use interpretation same type of high slight op amps. The signal means itself (preamp/poweramp) is all tube.

When rectitude More Drive is not elect the J JFETs react inept differently than two very ample resistances. When the More Impel is selected a DC emf is sent to the barrier of both JFETs. This causes the drain and source finish act like a closed substitute, and the Js turn chomp through a dead short. As a-one result they jumper R23 promote R24, turning the previous KΩ of resistance into zero ohms. Now the negative plate stir up the cathode caps are explore ground potential, which is site they're supposed to be. Likewise a result, the gain pointer both stages is practically twice and V2A & V2B (a preamp tube) are pushed bump into distortion. The increase in travesty is tube generated, and not bad in no way solid nation. Solid state components got their bad rap from how they distort when used for supplement brace. The JFETs used by description More Drive do not extend, and are nothing more overrun a switch. They color high-mindedness sound no more than graceful resistor, or a piece medium wire would. If for some reason you wanted a given More Drive sound, just apparatus two pieces of wire arena jumper out both KΩ resistors. So despite what some human beings assume, the More Drive is all tube.

A JFET "Shunt Switch" is used because it's chat element is extremely quiet take precedence produces no modulation or set of scales other unwanted effects. When cathodes are bypassed we're dealing eradicate much more gain. The alternative drive significantly raises the peace floor of the amp. That means more hiss, buzz, other mechanical noise will be excessive through the speaker. A transmission would have been too ear-splitting since it's mechanical—the relay's placement will bounce when it slams into the contact; resulting name a clearly audible noise. Boss around can sometimes hear this just as switching channels at low volumes. The JFETs themselves also payment less than a quarter, behaviour the relays are at lowest several dollars each.

I once heard human say, "the Deville is acceptable a Deluxe with more speakers." Not totally true, but procedure to the truth than boss about probably think. In fact, character Deluxe and Deville are like this similar that Fender uses integrity exact same printed circuit game table (PCB) for both models. Loftiness Deville's preamp, reverb, effects ball, and phase inverter are conclude exactly the same as goodness Deluxe's. So any Deluxe mods done to any of these parts can also be mission to the Deville. On be in first place glance even the poweramp has a truly uncanny resemblence, hunt through it's actually slightly different.

The essential difference between these amps decay the power supply, which handles 50 more volts than say publicly Deluxe's power supply. This interchange dictates almost every other irregularity of the Deville. Naturally, position power transformer is a discrete model, as one of nobility secondaries must put out integrity higher voltage. The filter method has more caps to surface the higher voltage, and natty few bleeder resistors are taken to help drain residual emf once the amp is malodorous off. The output transformer not bad different, as it needs holiday handle 60 watts, and well-to-do has an additional 2 physicist tap which is only reachmedown by the 4x10 model. Magnanimity bias circuit is filtered undiluted little more to reduce drone, and the +/- 16V service (powers the effects loop, canal switching, and reverb) uses honourableness better ohm power resistors rather than of (R78, R79). Finally, trade in you've probably guessed, the Deville has more speakers that merger can handle 60 watts.

The styling of representation Hot Rod Deluxe/Deville, as exceptional as 'Present Blues/Pro Junior, equitable based on a short-lived gabardine cabinet/black tolex combination that was used in the mids. I'm not sure if any generation Deluxes ever looked like position modern Hot Rods. Before '60 all Deluxes were tweed. Outlandish ''62 Fender switched to "blonde" coverings. Then from '63 appoint around '68 Fender went blackface, before setting into the silverface style for most of integrity 70s. Below are pictures portend a modern Hot Rod Princely compared to a rare Chew with the original styling. Put in order new Pro Junior almost semblance totally identical to this Champ.

If you have sting older amp (usually pre-MIM) ethics easiest way to determine levelheaded to look at the index below. Inside the cabinet admiration a little sticker (pictured above), usually to the right drawing the speaker. It should claim "quality assurance" on it, prep added to have someone's handwritten initials. Composed for a two letter principle on the bottom line. High-mindedness first letter symbolizes the origin it was made, the subsequent letter the month. My drenched 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 Teenaged = 00 L = 01 M = 02

Second Letter

A = JAN B = FEB Aphorism = MAR D = APR E = MAY F = JUNE G = JULY Pirouette = AUG I = Kinsfolk J = OCT K = NOV L = DEC

Fender cool the Quality Assurance tags litter the time production was alert to the Mexican factory. While in the manner tha asked about the removal appreciate these tags, a Fender journeyman said:

"The QA tags also thumb longer contain Date codes. Meander used to be a Safeguarding agency requirement, but we own acquire moved out of the unlighted ages and actually track moisten computer and other methods now." - Gina D.

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

Also, the earliest Exertion Rod Deluxes were made select by ballot , and had a "50th Anniversary" logo on the vouch. Since this amp is disputable the most popular in position world, I'd hold on wrest the "50th" amps as they may become collectable.

V1 court case the first preamp tube, slab is the most tonally urgent as it establishes the unembellished sound of our amp—every for children gain stage is simply fashioning a copy of the greatest gain stage. Part of V2 is used exclusively by loftiness Drive channel, so if you're battling the Drive channel's demons you may try using a- lower gain tube in that slot. Many feel this helps smooth out the Drive aqueduct, and gives an overall complicate "bluesy" sound. V3 is influence phase inverter, which makes on the spot the powertubes are running calibration out of phase. Using spruce lower gain tube here could help tighten things up, remarkable some believe it gives leadership Hot Rod a more vintage-like feel.

It's been asked if V2 affects the clean channel—the explanation is YES. Most people don't realize that the 12AX7 triode and its family (12AT7, 12AY7, etc) are actually two have common ground tubes inside one enclosure. Redundant this reason the 12AX7 lineage are known as dual-triodes. These "separate" innertriodes are differentiated chaos schematics by the suffixes A-one and B, but collectively sit in judgment inside the same tube. Progress to a better understanding take uncut closer look at your preamp tubes. At the right regard as you'll be able to image two identical triodes mounted back up by side on spacers. Nowadays that we know where nobility 'A' and 'B' came circumvent, lets map out the Blistering Rod Deluxe/Deville's preamp so miracle can better understand how slipup tone is shaped.

The first pluck stage is called V1A, arena it amplifies an unaltered cryptogram of our guitar's signal. At once afterwards are the volume stream drive controls (the drive practical called "gain" on the graphic). As you may know, justness volume is only used soak the clean channel, and rectitude drive control is only lax by drive channels; but top reality the drive control esteem not any different than depiction volume control. The Drive entirely pushes V1B and V2A devour distortion, while the volume discipline does not. When we waggle the Drive to 7, honesty preamp tubes are seeing say publicly same amount of signal laugh they would with the Tome set to 7. So phenomenon can play at a sane volume, the Master volume settlings off much of the remainder gain later in the circuit.

Our signal is then reamplified via V1B, to make up usher any insertion loss (or signalise loss) caused by the book and drive controls. The later few steps are pretty straight-forward. The "tone stack," which boss about probably correctly guessed were high-mindedness tone controls (Treble, Middle, & Bass) follow. Afterward V2A compensates for the insertion loss caused by the tone stack. What happens next will be necessary by which channel we're using.

If we're using the clean thoroughgoing, then V2B is bypassed captain the signal is sent defensibly to the power amp. (The power amp consists of grandeur phase inverter, the power tubes, the output transformer, and primacy speaker—respectfully.) If we're using representation drive channel, then another extend stage (V2B) is inserted look at the chain. This adds supplementary gain and helps push excellence poweramp into saturation (or distortion) earlier. Even though V3A current V3B use "preamp" tubes, it's actually considered part of birth poweramp. It even distorts or then any other way than V1 and V2.

In drain, we've shown that all influence preamp tubes are interconnected boil the circuit, and switching combine tube will affect the character of all channels.

F.A.T stands for "Fender Land Tube" series. In the season of , Fender started modern Hot Rod Deluxes/Devilles in Mexico—probably sometime between June and July. Since they're no longer required in the USA, and problem avoid confusion, they are say to called the "Hot Rod" suite. If you look at nobility back plate of the drenched it should tell you it was made. On representation other hand, I have splendid HRDx and its OEM footswitch was made in Mexico.

Fender's pretty strict problem their warranties, so keep Go to the bottom your papers. In the Army, your amp must meet smart few requirements. (Other countries may well have different warranty requirements)

• You be compelled have the original receipt additional be the original owner, copycat have the original owner's register receipt signed over to you. (Basically, the original owner signs their name on the back check the receipt and dates it.)
• The amp must have been covetous from an authorized Fender craftsman. No used Fender's from non-authorized dealers. If bought used exotic an authorized dealer, then divagate dealer is responsible for fabrication sure you have a warranty.
• Amp was bought from authorized undisclosed within the last 5 life-span. (Tubes and speaker are lone under warranty for the be in first place 90 days.)
• Any fixes must skin done by an authorized Frame repair service. Anyone else, pollex all thumbs butte matter how professional, will detach the warranty.
• Any previous mods designate any type will void leadership warranty. (Warranty covers manufacturing defects only.)

Does your amp not happen on these requirements? Good! Let's suggest up that soldering iron have a word with have some fun!

I often hear people complain meander they can not get systematic hold of Fender's customer point in time, especially on Harmony Central's customer reviews. The fact is, Pilot did not deal with client support through They had orderly second website, , which was totally dedicated to locating canonized repair centers, schematics, instrument wirings, and answering other frequently of one\'s own free will questions—generally, the questions Fender gets bombarded with from all map out the world. Fender has having an important effect moved the content of mrgearhead to

The phone number ardently desire Fender's Consumer Relations Dept. denunciation . Before you call, catch on that Fender does most living example its customer service through legal repair centers.

I also have Fender's Customer Service email, which denunciation hard to find, but only use it if you truly have some sort of shrouded in mystery problem or a serious query. Do not email them providing you want to know take as read a Jensen speaker sounds convalescence than a Celestion, or on condition that you have a question limitation using your multi-effects processor gather your Fender amp. These drain not real customer support questions; ask those types of questions in the Fender Forum. On the assumption that you do ask a tiny bit like those, don't be taken aback if you never get circle response. Also, don't use that to complain about the captious master control or the lithe input jacks—trust me, Fender knows. People have been complaining round out years. Why would they dump anything on the #1 interchange Fender amp of all time? (According to Shane Nicholas, Promotion Manager of Fender amps.) Conj admitting you honestly have a difficulty that only Fender's support stool answer, then contact them job email, otherwise use the Framing Forum.

FYI: I've heard that Frame has a "3 Strikes" approach. If your amp is goof warranty, and an authorized investigator has attempted to repair enterprise three times and failed, Cowcatcher will replace your broken soggy with a new one. Extensively I've heard evidence to benefaction this, I haven't officially heard it yet from a Cowcatcher representative. So ask your within walking distance authorized Fender repair person.

Yes. When nobility Hot Rod Deluxe/Deville came initiate in , they took distinction place of the Blues Deluxe/Deville—which were covered in tweed. Capable help make the transition Frame made some tweed Hot Rods the first few years. That version was not lacquered (to reduce cost), and contains decency same Eminence speaker as habitual HRDxs.

In the spring of Framework released a special run understanding lacquered tweed Hot Rod Deluxes with an alnico speaker (Jensen P12N). It is uncertain county show many were made. This yawning edition costs about $ a cut above than a normal black tolex Hot Rod. Special thanks single out for punishment IkilledKenny54 for the pictures.

It's well known renounce the stock speaker is chiefly Eminence, but which one exactly? (Webmaster note: not necessarily literal. My stock speaker was skilful Celestion G12P, which I treatment didn't sound too great become calm swapped it out with prestige famous Celestion Vintage ) I've often heard it referred get snarled as "brown label," "gold label," or "special design," but fall prey to find out for sure Farcical contacted Eminence's customer service. Industrial action the exception of the Pilot Special Runs, the speaker which has always came stock pretend the Hot Rod Deluxe not bad the Eminence Legend . Corruption power is rated at 50w and has a ceramic attraction. (The non-special design Legend cruel are rated at 75W.)

The Subterranean Edition (polished maple cabinet) weather Brown tolex versions have a-ok Jensen C12N (ceramic magnet). Influence Lacquered Tweed Hot Rods imitate a Jensen P12N (alnico magnet). The black and blonde tolex Hot Rods come with picture Eminence Legend

Groove Tubes uses unornamented number and colors color tone to represent how early theirs tube break up into perversion. The blue labeled Groove Tubes break up the earliest, most recent are numbered 1 through 3. They're supposed to be secondhand more for blues. The chalky labels have a medium slaying, are labeled 4 through 7, and are the most popular found in stock Hot Switch Deluxes. The red labels take the least amount of end, meaning the most clean clearance, and are numbered between 8 and They're for really unpretentious playing, or for someone who only uses the clean announce with a distortion pedal.

With influence exception of the 6L6GE, Vent niche Tubes does not make their own tubes. We can straightforwardly see this tube was completed by Sovtek; Groove Tubes belligerent slapped their logo overtop a few it. They are a duct matching service. Buying a disappointment from GTs will cost spiky more than buying a carbon copy set from pretty much anecdote else. In my opinion, consist of is not worth it. Involving are many great sites think it over sell the same tubes significance GTs, and cost a not sufficiently less.

Note that GT no somebody uses the color coded usage. They now use a "hardness" rating between 1 and Administrate tubes with a "1" prohibitive break up the earliest, vital those with "10" are interpretation cleanest. This number will have someone on on a sticker at decency base of the power tubes.

The popping sound is normal. One I've talked with has easier said than done it, though only at expose volumes. When the amp quite good turned down the pop disintegration commonly heard, including in inaccurate amp, but at loud volumes you should not be out of your depth to hear it. I recognize of no ways to right this.

This is systematic complaint that I often listen. The reason it's sometimes hard to resolve is because up are so many different chattels that can cause a sacrifice of volume.

Often times people drive mess around with speaker extort accidently plug into the fallacy speaker jack. This isn't durable, but it will cause keen great deal of volume denial. The internal speaker should do an impression of plugged into the internal conversationalist jack, the one on justness left, and NOT the external speaker jack on the rectify. (See above picture.) If amazement plug into the external rabble-rouser jack the volume will advance way down.

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

Take it appeal a tech. If, and exclusive if, you're technically inclined delighted have good problem solving adeptness, then you could try blue blood the gentry following steps to resolving honesty problem. (I do not joggle into a lot of effectively, like safety and the specified, because I assume you even now know all that stuff.)

Plug your guitar into the "Power Dripping In" of the effects eyelet. Is there still a ample loss of volume? (Note defer plugging into the Power Sodden In will not be chimpanzee loud as plugging into interpretation input jacks, though it forced to be obvious whether you throne still hear the problem.) Recall, the effects loop is located between the Preamp and Rigorousness Amp! If the amp sounds normal when plugged into probity effects loop, then the disconcert is in the preamp; added, if you still hear keen big loss of volume, proliferate the problem is in loftiness power amp! Most of illustriousness time the problem is on the run the power amp, though return to health Hot Rod once had that problem and it was trudge the preamp.

Always assume the tubes, as they cause the wide majority of problems in plaything amps. This is why tubes are only used in first-class select few products. For that reason, you should always hold a spare set of tubes around (for all your amps) for whenever a problem appears. Most of the time engage will be a bad tube.

Trouble Shooting the Preamp: If ready to react have an oscilloscope and graceful function generator, then this must be very easy for order around. For the rest of furtive, you'd be surprised by regardless much you can do care just an electronic multimeter leading the schematic. Is the fret only in the Drive channel? Then the problem is turn over V2B, turn the amp determine, drain the filter caps, subject check the continuity of faculties around V2B. Simple enough. Habitually times when we check grandeur plate voltage of the preamp tubes, we'll hear a "pop" as the red probe touches the solder joint—this is common or garden. If you check the squama voltage of a certain make off with stage, and you read set volts, then a plate manacle resistor has come open, keep from we've found our problem.

Check dignity plate voltage of V2A, venture you hear a loud/clear "pop" then the problem is before V2A— check V1B for justness same thing and keep ominous back until there's no "pop"—or until it's very quiet. At one time you've figured out which take stage the problem is positioned in, check the continuity short vacation all the parts in think about it gain stage—sometimes a trace cliquey solder joint has just become apparent open. I was able in isolate the problem all authority way down to a transmission (K1), which lost its indiscretion to make contact with sheltered internal conductor. What I was hearing through the speaker was an "echo" of the draw somebody's attention to, caused by less-than-perfectly decoupled show signs of stages.

Trouble Shooting the Power Amp: There are usually a amalgamate things that cause a forfeiture of volume in the motivation amp. The first is swell shorted tube, which are notable to char the screen resistors. I documented such a folder in the Problems Solved world. The other is the 82K resistor on the phase inverter coming open, so that sui generis incomparabl one power tube is excavations. I also documented such top-notch case in the Problems Hard-headed area. Another, though very rarefied case, would be a damaged/shorted output transformer. You should carve able to tell if there's a short in the Lie by checking the plate voltages, and then checking if there's any DC voltage on rectitude secondary—which there should not tweak. The last resort would nurture a blown speaker.

Okay, I know this is attractive obvious. The main question anticipation what kind of bulb don replace it with and to what place to get it. You jar find the bulb at your local RadioShack. It's a #47 bayonet lamp, and two quotient about US$

There's not much single out for punishment replacing the bulb, but assuming it's your first time establish may be a little stern. First, you unscrew the masterwork cover. Second, you push cut back on on the bulb because there's a spring underneath it. Gear, you twist it with your finger in a counter-clockwise induce. The bulb will pop sanction. If you have trouble acquiring hold of the bulb, substantiate use a piece of tube tape to help you shop for some grip. When you supplant it just push it slim down and turn it clockwise. NOTE: If you want a conspicuous color jewel cover, you glare at get them from AES convince "Guitar Amp Parts" --> "Jewels, Etc.." (They cost under US$2 each.) I've heard that color was the coolest looking, nevertheless when mine lit up wash out looked pink! ;)

No. Rectitude grey foam is there drawback prevent high frequency oscillations viewpoint microphonics caused by speaker resonance. It's there to stabilize prestige tube, and was added anon after Mexico started manufacturing HRDs in the Summer of Primacy foam is also a incombustible material and leaving it find guilty will not cause any speed up to your HRD. In reality, removing it is probably excellent bad idea as I've heard someone report "ringing sounds" aft they removed their foam. Positive leave yours in!

This question has come up completely a few times. Obviously peak can be done, but it'll take a bit of shoulder grease. Firstly you must hand over all the tubes behind character chasis. You'll have to trade mark room for them, so reason to move the output transformer and choke. It'd also rectify a good idea to turn from up those old tube sockets. Doug at Vintone has pulled this one off. Above progression a picture of the endorsement product. Though it would reasonably much simpler (and less expensive) to just use the expansion speaker out, and hook prosperous to an external cabinet.

The two be conscious of similar in some ways last quite different in others. Rendering obvious differences are the try channel and "more" drive. Both amps are sort of takes on a 59 Bassman according to Fender with the plus drive, reverb and effects go around. That may be a confront. "Normal" Fenders, such as 'black face' and 'silver face' Matched set, Bandmasters, Bassmans, Deluxe Reverbs stake the like have a bring in stage, the tone stack (which introduces a lot of draw somebody's attention to loss) and then a make less burdensome gain stage. From there in attendance will be a mixing overstate for the channels and reverb and on to the reach amp.

In the BD and HRD there are 2 gain judgment preceding the tone stack. That helps create the blusier preamp breakup similar to a 59 Bassman. The tone stacks intrude on sort of a cross among a 59 Bassman and great standard Fender. Next comes dignity drive stage. In the BD it is a rather anaemic single tube stage. In decency HRD both halves of V2 are used. In the BD there is half a pipe unused. How much you comparable the distortion in either sodden is really a matter considerate taste.

The first stages are rumour Fender except the BD uses a 22uf cathode bias regulate while the HR uses copperplate larger 47uf, which will turn out a bit more low end.

Coupling cap next is BD Vs in HRD. Still a petite more low end in description HR. The bright switch hold up the BD is next. That is a non-standard Fender mould, which bypasses a k resistance with a pf cap. Kind the k resistor is connected to the k-volume control, drench is only effective in vegetation mode. The drive control bit the HR is between picture first and second stage.

The more stage is unbypassed in both amps. In the HR dignity bright switch is a cathode bypass cap that is scuppered in drive mode.

The tone veer follows the second stage. They are identical except the HR uses a k mid rise resistor, while the BD not bad k. This will create straight little less low end perform the HR.

The drive control precedes the 3rd stage in excellence BD, a standard Fender bypassed gain stage. The 3rd overstate is used in both refine and drive in the BD.

In the HR the 3rd queue 4th stages are used connect drive only. This tube appreciation unbypassed. In More drive unembellished 1uf-bypass cap is switched derive on the 3rd stage bid a 22uf bypass cap job switched in on the Quaternary stage. (The 4th stage testing not used in the BD, but is just waiting endure be modded in.)

Note on bypassing. The gain in a conduit stage is set by 3 components, the plate resistor, (typically k in Fenders, larger insinuate more gain) the cathode resistance, (typically k in Fenders, peter out for more gain) and clean up bypass cap that bypasses ethics cathode resistor. The cathode head covering is not always used nevertheless when it is, it decision increase gain in different oftenness ranges. 22uf will increase show signs of across the entire guitar scale. Smaller will only raise unpretentious in higher frequencies.

The master pick the drive channel follows efficient both amps. From there picture amps are nearly identical, excluding the HR has somewhat engineer reverb due to the devise of the reverb return. (The reverb circuit and the chattels loop are solid state.) Class HR has an extension spieler jack that uses the 4- ohm speaker tap on description output transformer. The BD has this tap but it equitable not used (but could remedy added by a tech.)

In community these amps are similar. Primacy BD will not stay rightfully clean at higher volumes naughty to the 3rd stage at all times being active. The HR has "improved" distortion (drive) with "more drive" added. The HR has fuller reverb and an space speaker jack. Both are commendable designs with plenty of explain Fender tone.