Comments on: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Amp Repair Video Part 2

By: Gary

Gary — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 13:40:55 +0000

Hi,
Not sure what you mean by “lead”, I guess you’re saying cable? Anyway it’s hard to say. The easiest thing to do is run a guitar cable from the effects send to effects in and see if that is it.
Sometimes those jacks need cleaning. If not, could be something inside needs resoldering and it doesn’t separate until the amp is vibrating from playing.

Unless it’s something simple like a jack cleaning, probably time to take it to a shop. Shouldn’t be too bad, repairs like this are “usually” not that involved.

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 11:52:03 +0000

Hi My Fender Ultimate Chorus amp crackles when i play, thought it was a lead problem but have bought a new one and it still does it. The sound is as if its the input jack on my guitar is faulty but that has been checked and is ok. I do use foot peddles , but have tryed it with just the fender foot switch and it still does it. It a bit inconsistant, as in the past it cracked but then stopped, however now it seems to be getting worse and is constantly crackling. Have you any ideas, hope iv explained it well enough.

By: Gary

Gary — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:44:17 +0000

Hi,
Well it could be a tube, a cap in that area, a switching FET, an active component. So it might be time to take it to a tech if you’re not up on repairs. Seems like some people are having some cap failure right in that area. What I ran into was FET switching failure most often. Make sure it’s not the tube other than that it’s not an easy amp to work on.

By: Jeron

Jeron — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 03:16:10 +0000

Hi Gary,

I just stumbled across your site and would like to pick your brain a little. It sounds like I am having the EXACT same problem with my Hot Rod Deluxe that “Gus” outlined here (beginning on post #17). I have barely played the amp since new since it doesn’t really fit my style, so I have decided to sell it. The clean channel sounds okay, but breaks up MUCH earlier than normal, but the gain channel is doing the same buzzing thing. The only thing that seems to affect it is the bass knob when it’s on the gain channel. I tried to watch his video that he posted but it has been removed. Did you ever come up with a solution? I can’t imagine it would be anything serious. Like I said, I have BARELY played it an when it wasn’t being used it was kept in my climate controlled studio unplugged. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Jeron

By: Gary

Gary — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:32:48 +0000

Hi,

Before taking a look at the amp. Does it exhibit this symptom at different locations? Sometimes amps will do this if too much equipment is going to the same power source.

If that’s not the case, as far as the power light dimming, something could really be sucking the current but not enough to blow the fuse but it seems like over time it would go ahead and breakdown. Make sure you have the correct rated fuse for this amp.

It could be something intermittent, if it’s not a location problem and you have limited repair chops I would take it to a good repairman and have him/her locate and fix the problem before it blows and really cost some bucks.

By: Travis

Travis — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:20:55 +0000

Hey hey!

Sorry if you’ve been asked this question before, but I barely made it through my audiotronics course and am a moron when it comes to amps and circuitry…

My 1×12 Hot Rod Deluxe combo has a mind of its own at times and the sound drops out (usually after about 1 hour of playing above 4 which is pretty loud–I’ve never played at 10) but does not completely go out. I see that the pilot light gets very dim, and brightens only enough to coincide with how hard I am strumming my guitar. This is all with me going straight plugged into the amp. I’m thinking I need to replace the tubes since I bought it used, but could this be an issue with the fuse instead? AND how often is it recommended you change tubes/fuses?

Usually just as a temporary fix, I unplug the amp and plug it back in which seems to give it some juice enough to keep playing full blast for a little while. Is that normal?

I’d appreciate any advice. I just hope I don’t have to solder anything, hahaha. Thanks a bunch!

By: Gary

Gary — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:28:40 +0000

Hi,

In that case drop me a line at buckapple at gmail and I’ll give you some tips.

By: Lewin Barringer

Lewin Barringer — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:22:16 +0000

I’m a “Pro” with some amp building under my belt. I made the original Fender Champ years ago. So I have some decent tube amp knowledge. although I know that the deville is a printed circuit board… so my vintage knowledge is a little useless here! ahaha

I’ll try the 2 things you suggested and let you know.

Thanks for the quick response! I appreciate your time.

By: Gary

Gary — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:11:47 +0000

Hi,
Could be an input jack, tube or switching FET for starters. Make sure tubes are seated properly, like the 2nd one in (the small ones) You could switch input tubes but unless you know what you’re doing it could just cause more problems. Might be shop time.

By: Lewin Barringer

Lewin Barringer — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:57:59 +0000

Hey man,

I have a deville 4×10 and last night channel one pretty much died. At first I removed my pedal board from the signal path and went directly in but all I got was a crackly sound which eventually stopped all together. So I tried Channel 2 and made it through the night with it. But Channel 1 remains dead. Any ideas?