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Post subject: Re: Recommend a versatile amp please?
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2017 10:35 am
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arth1 wrote:
Regarding amps that produce a noticeable hiss when idle, but the his disappears when you play something, I wonder whether adding a signal with a constant voltage would help.
The noise I hear on my SS22 does not go away when I play, but rather becomes imperceptible relative to the sound of my guitar because the noise is so much quieter than the guitar signal. I suspect not every copy of the SS22 is the same, and everyone's ears are different, so "try before you buy" (or buy with a good return policy) appears to be the best advice.


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Post subject: Re: Recommend a versatile amp please?
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2017 4:09 pm
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There are several threads here that deal with the specific topic of the SS22's lousy S/N ratio and IIRC, there are a few relatively easy and inexpensive work-arounds that are effective at taming the hiss. For those truly interested, use the forum search function to find these posts -- I believe it is well worth the effort.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Recommend a versatile amp please?
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 5:48 pm
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What's the easiest way to tell the DR is pre 2006?


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Post subject: Re: Recommend a versatile amp please?
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 6:17 pm
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The pre-2006 models will have a "polarity/ground" switch on the rear panel, just like the original blackface Deluxe Reverb's. However, the switch is a dummy -- totally inoperative and not even connected to the amp's primary power circuit. The presence of the switch (or lack thereof) is of no import whatsoever. But coincident with the time of its deletion, Fender also adopted RoHS-compliant solder for all of its electronic products. This solder is NFG. It's caused nothing but major headaches for many owners of newer Fender amps because it is prone to breaking and fracturing on a routine basis, resulting in aggravating intermittent chassis problems that can be a challenge to isolate and repair. The dummy polarity switch is merely a quick method of identifying an amp that's been assembled with this notoriously-substandard solder.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Recommend a versatile amp please?
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 6:52 pm
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I see. Thank you

Arjay, do you have any thoughts on these Alessandro DRs?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alessandro-Hand ... Sw3ydVgjSP

Quote:
wire the circuit using audio grade silver eutectic solder,


Sorry for Hijacking the thread.


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Post subject: Re: Recommend a versatile amp please?
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 8:58 pm
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The hand-wired Alessandro's are nice amps, fine upgrades to near-Leo specifications. You could do a lot worse. As for the "silver eutectic" solder, that's gilding the lily a bit. All that's really required for proper electronic assembly is industry-standard 60/40 tin/lead alloy. That stuff got us to the moon (and back).

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Post subject: Re: Recommend a versatile amp please?
Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2017 10:05 am
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I am shocked no one has said Bassbreaker yet. Either 15W or 18/30W should be under a grand in the US.

Nice vintage clean and gain that ranges from classic rock and blues to mdern rock. Very versitile.

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Post subject: Re: Recommend a versatile amp please?
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2017 12:55 am
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Hot Rod Deluxe. 2 channels, one clean, one drive, and the drive channel adds a "more drive" function. Around $800 US. You can really tailor the sound by changing a preamp and/or PI tube to lower gain tubes.

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Post subject: Re: Recommend a versatile amp please?
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2017 1:32 am
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shimmilou wrote:
You can really tailor the sound by changing a preamp and/or PI tube to lower gain tubes.


......As well as upgrading to a better speaker.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Recommend a versatile amp please?
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2017 5:41 pm
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Yes. The stock speaker is OK, kind of a plain-jane that worked for me for many years, but not the best. After trying a few different speakers, I settled on a Swamp Thang, a great speaker that really allowed the amp to shine. I liked it so much, I also put one in the ext cab. 8)

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Post subject: Re: Recommend a versatile amp please?
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2017 8:06 pm
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Look at the Fender 68 Custom Vibrolux reverb. 35 watts 2x10's 42 pounds. I just purchased one brand new in the box for under a grand.


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Post subject: Re: Recommend a versatile amp please?
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:13 am
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So I have had some time to look into these suggestions in terms of sound, quality, and price. Some of these are actually beyond my price range depending on condition etc. I am in Canada so my $1000 is much less than U.S $1000!!! Of the ones that are affordable and have the flexibility I am looking for I think the Hot Rod Deluxe 3, bassbreaker 18 / 30 and maybe slightly used ss22 sound pretty good. Really like the ss22 and HR D3. Lots of comments out there about the ss22. What are your thoughts on the HRD 3?


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Post subject: Re: Recommend a versatile amp please?
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:24 am
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One more question about the Hot Rod Deluxe 3. Seems as though quality may be an issue. I am not one to have to change a bunch of stuff or do mods to make something work. I would rather buy something and not have to worry about it.


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Post subject: Re: Recommend a versatile amp please?
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:47 am
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bluesguy996 wrote:
Seems as though quality may be an issue......I would rather buy something and not have to worry about it.


If that be the case then you may wish to look elsewhere rather than Fender. The odds are good that if you buy a new one, you'll be back here posting a sob story and asking for help.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Recommend a versatile amp please?
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 11:25 am
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A used 65' DRRI can be had for the money you want to spend, mine has been faultless for the first four years going. Has good clean headroom on both channels, a good reverb and will breakup at higher levels. I would recommend a few tube swaps and a speaker swap if buying new or used/original condition.

There in the US$500-800 used ballpark. If you can find an earlier version as Arjay recommended, you would be better off w/o the RoHS compliance and its issues. IMO, if the amp isn't moved about a lot RoHS isn't as big an issue.


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