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Post subject: Let's Play Stump the Tech!
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 6:00 pm
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I have a 3 year old Hot Rod Deville (4 x 10) that's never been out of my home studio (used as practice amp). One day, I turned it on, and heard only a barely audible, distorted tone regardless of how high I turned the volume control. An authorized local tech here in San Diego claims they have
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tested every tube, every capacitor, every circuit and they all check A-OK.
Yet the problem remains. I don't understand how it could meltdown sitting in the same spot of my studio UNMOVED for 3 years and one day blow its mind.

Tech suggested I contact Fender to see where he might look next. Anybody out there have any suggestions? $800 for what is supposed to be a durable road warrior and I'm dead in the water using it in a home studio. I appreciate any input someone can offer.
Peace,
Bill


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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:25 am
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If the tubes check ok, look at the solder joints where the tube sockets are soldered to the board. Wiggle the tubes while the amp is off and look for cracks. The Hot Rod series amps are notorious for bad solder joints and problems with the 5 watt cement resistors, lifted traces etc. At least you got 3 years out of it. I only got 3 months out of my Hot Rod Deluxe before it gave me a ton of problems. I'm glad I have a really good tech.


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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:00 am
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Suggest you get another opinion. Part of the troubleshooting process is to trace the signal through the amplifier. You start at the input and then somewhere the signal dies. Then you check the components or wiring in that particular stage. Also initial voltage checks should verify whether the power supply is working if there is no signal at all. Tube audio amplifiers should not be that hard to isolate a constant problem.


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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:26 am
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I agree. But PCB's make them a bit tougher to service especially when heat can open a bad trace that makes contact when it's cold. I would look for another tech too.


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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:37 pm
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Input jacks !!!

I had to replace both of mine a few months ago.

sounds very much like what mine was doing, and yes both of mine shorted out at the same time.

of coarse mine is a 1993 blues deville, but same jacks, probably the same problem.

and if nothing it gets the tech looking at the start instead of the middle of the signal path.

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