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Post subject: Rivera-era Concert amp hum
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 1:04 pm
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I haven't had a Fender tube amp in ages, so please forgive me my ignorance! I recently picked up a cool '80s 1x12 Concert combo. The previous owner had it checked over by a tech who pronounced it 'sound and fit'. I've read a number of things about these amps having some hum to them, but I'm trying to figure out if what I hear is normal.
I've done the hum balance adjustment and the buzzy-hum I hear gets louder if I crank the volume or the treble (or presence) pots. If I play quietly, the hum's not bad, but if I go to practice or show loud, the hum's pretty noticeable. This is all without the reverb up. Any tips?

Thanks!


Last edited by IMNoone on Thu May 15, 2014 7:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Riviera-era Concert amp hum
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 1:43 pm
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Welcome to the Forum! :D

Do you have the receipt from the tech who pronounced the amp "sound & fit?" Sounds like the main filter caps may need replacing.

Can you post any photos of the amp and it's circuitry (esp those main filter caps)? These and a sound clip may help.


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Post subject: Re: Riviera-era Concert amp hum
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 2:29 pm
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The guy is trying to find the service ticket. I'll see if I can post an mp3 of it later, but here are photos of its innards:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/89768457@N04/sets/72157644731475413/

Cheers!


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Post subject: Re: Riviera-era Concert amp hum
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 2:37 pm
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Do you have a photo of the main filter caps under the doghouse? Those are the ones that do most of the hum filtering off the rectifier.

What I see in your photos is a lot of coupling caps replaced with SBE Orange Drops. The aluminum colored Mallory electrolytic caps look original.


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Post subject: Re: Riviera-era Concert amp hum
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 2:42 pm
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Shoot, those were all I got. Are the orange drop replacements a bad thing? Still waiting on the ticket...guess I may've gotten ripped off. :cry:


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Post subject: Re: Riviera-era Concert amp hum
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 2:47 pm
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SBE Orange Drops are ok. I don't use many anymore. They add a kind of a harsh mid-to-high flavor to the tone. If you need more edge to the mid-to-high tone, SBE can help. They are good in Bass amps. Good ones last long.

But, why replace the coupling caps and not the 'lytics (Mallory caps)? Electrolytic caps are the ones with a limited life expectancy.

It'll tell more, if you can get a photo of those main filter caps. And a sound bite.

Good luck!


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Post subject: Re: Riviera-era Concert amp hum
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 3:23 pm
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As an owner of one of these Concerts (2x10 version) I can tell you they are very quiet when being cranked. I have owned mine since new ('84) and those orange drops on the board are original to the amp (mine are the same). When I took mine in for servicing (it was getting a bit noisy when cranked) I had the Main Filter Caps replaced with F&T's and it is now as quiet as the day I bought it. None of the caps on the board needed replacing either.

You have a fine amp, but it appears you need a new amp tech.

T2

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Post subject: Re: Riviera-era Concert amp hum
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 3:28 pm
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T2Stratman wrote:
You have a fine amp, but it appears you need a new amp tech.


+1

And mebbe an attorney as well!

:evil:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Riviera-era Concert amp hum
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 3:39 pm
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T2Stratman wrote:
As an owner of one of these Concerts (2x10 version) I can tell you they are very quiet when being cranked. I have owned mine since new ('84) and those orange drops on the board are original to the amp (mine are the same). When I took mine in for servicing (it was getting a bit noisy when cranked) I had the Main Filter Caps replaced with F&T's and it is now as quiet as the day I bought it. None of the caps on the board needed replacing either.

You have a fine amp, but it appears you need a new amp tech.

T2



Really? Sprague-SBE OD's? Let's see 1984. Yeah, they should be broken-in, by now. :mrgreen:

Never knew that Fender ever used OD, as OEM caps. Kinda $$$ for mass production.


Thanks! For the info. Learn something new everyday. :D


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Post subject: Re: Riviera-era Concert amp hum
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 4:44 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
T2Stratman wrote:
As an owner of one of these Concerts (2x10 version) I can tell you they are very quiet when being cranked. I have owned mine since new ('84) and those orange drops on the board are original to the amp (mine are the same). When I took mine in for servicing (it was getting a bit noisy when cranked) I had the Main Filter Caps replaced with F&T's and it is now as quiet as the day I bought it. None of the caps on the board needed replacing either.

You have a fine amp, but it appears you need a new amp tech.

T2



Really? Sprague-SBE OD's? Let's see 1984. Yeah, they should be broken-in, by now. :mrgreen:

Never knew that Fender ever used OD, as OEM caps. Kinda $$$ for mass production.


Thanks! For the info. Learn something new everyday. :D


Yep every day, I just wish someone had reminded Fender about their Lead Dressing on these amps...a bit of a plate o' Spaghetti!!! :wink: :wink:

T2

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Post subject: Re: Riviera-era Concert amp hum
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 4:55 pm
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" Yep every day, I just wish someone had reminded Fender about their Lead Dressing on these amps...a bit of a plate o' Spaghetti!!! :wink: :wink: "

Makes one appreciate cloth-covered, push-back wires even more.

:mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Riviera-era Concert amp hum
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 5:01 pm
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T2Stratman wrote:
Yep every day, I just wish someone had reminded Fender about their Lead Dressing on these amps...a bit of a plate o' Spaghetti!!! :wink: :wink:


Linguini anyone?

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Riviera-era Concert amp hum
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 6:49 pm
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OK, I put the new cap pics in the Flikr folder: https://www.flickr.com/photos/89768457@N04/sets/72157644731475413/

Also, here's an MP3 of the noise description: http://tinyurl.com/ltmxhw9

Thanks, guys!


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Post subject: Re: Riviera-era Concert amp hum
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 7:22 pm
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Thanks for the pics. That second from the left Cap looks like it might be leaking a bit or at very least seems to have popped open and needs replacement. The Caps are original and after 30 years need to go. The humming/buzzing sure sounds like caps gone bad.

T2

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Post subject: Re: Riviera-era Concert amp hum
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 7:31 pm
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Cool, thanks, man- that's what I was afraid of. My decent deal on a tube amp just went out the window, but I'll keep cranking away, ha.


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