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Post subject: Hot Rod Deluxe random static and popping
Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:30 am
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Hi all. I have a 10 year old Hot Rod Deluxe. About a year ago, it started making a static/popping sound once in a while. It has gotten progressively worse. I have narrowed down the issue to one of the 6L6 sockets. If it's making it's noise and I wiggle the tube, the static/pop sounds go away for a while. And, by wiggling the tube, I can recreate the pops. Figuring it was a cold solder joint, I resoldered the socket to no affect. I then cleaned the contacts inside the tube socket itself and again no affect. I have swapped with different tubes and again no affect. The problem *seems* to definitely be the socket. Where can I buy a replacement socket for a 6L6? Guitar Center and Musicians Friend doesn't carry them, or at least I couldn't find them. Ideas?

Thanks!


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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:48 am
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If you wiggle the tube and look closely, you may find either a joint didn't flow properly or maybe a damaged trace or possibly like you said, a bad tube socket itself. You can try re-tensioning the sockets.


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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:43 pm
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I will definitely take a look now.

How do you retension the socket?

Thanks! I hope this fixes it, because I otherwise enjoy the amp.


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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:48 pm
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Amazing what a quick search will do! I found a topic on this forum about retensioning sockets. I'll give that a shot and let you know how I make out.

Thanks again!


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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 1:21 pm
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Make sure you drain the filter caps. I have a HRDlx and it's a constant challenge. I believe yours was made in the US.


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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 5:11 pm
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Yep! Definitely drained the caps. I measured them with my multimeter. Took the thing about 2 hours to completely drain. I learned the hard way once when I tried cleaning the contacts with a pipe cleaner and some contact cleaner and got a nice jolt.

Also, it says Made in Mexico on the back.

I went in with a small screw driver and tightened up the sockets. I still have the issue, but it definitely seems quieter. I guess that will do.

Thanks for the help!


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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 6:02 pm
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What year is it? Are you sure the tubes are okay?

I was thinking about trying to get new, normal sockets a while back and hard wiring them to the board. When I saw how thin the traces were and how cheesy the board is, I bagged the idea. At least you got ten years out of it. I blew out filter caps and the 5 watt resistors in two months. My solder joints went south soon after. One of my input jacks had an internal failure too.
It's a shame, I really like the way it sounds.

I'm pretty sure I'll dump it for the Egnater Rebel 20 ASAP.


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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:55 am
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Static and pop is generally tubes, but could also be a cap or two. Did you try changing the preamp tubes as well? I would do tubes and caps and seewhat happens, you are at the right time where those things geneally need replacement anyway.

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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 11:17 am
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Not sure exactly what year I bought it, but approx 10 years ago, maybe a bit less.

At first, I thought for sure it was the power tubes (6L6's). I went out and bought a new pair first thing, but I accidentally got the reds and I should have purchased the blues. I figured that out when I couldn't bias the amp and realized the colors meant something (whoops). Anyway, even with the reds in, the noise was there.

Speaking of the red tubes, does anyone need a set of Fender red 6L6 GT tubes with about 2 hours use on them? I'd be willing to sell them as Guitar Center wouldn't take them back.

Thanks!


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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 11:56 am
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I never had any luck at all with GT's. Why couldn't you bias them? If it is too low, It's could be a socket problem. Mine was so bad one tube wouldn't glow. Now that I think about it, I was getting a static sound as well and low power to boot. I'd look for leaking caps too. The caps they use are really cheap. I had one actually rupture after a few months.


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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:16 pm
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As I understand it, there are 3 ratings/colors for GT tubes...

Blue is "low" rating 1-3
White is "medium" rating 4-7
Red is "high" rating 8-10

Blue is what is in my HRD now and the tubes bias fine. When I put the reds in, even on the lowest bias setting, I was in the 80's instead of 65-70 range.

I'll try the reds again, just for laughs now that I've retensioned the sockets.

And as a side note, I have even tried replacing the 12ax7's with some ancient backups and that didn't help either.

Thanks!


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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:58 pm
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Maybe you have some electrical interference. Try another room

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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 3:21 pm
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A cell phone can make some funky noises, but it sounds like he has it isolated to the 6l6 sockets.


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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:54 am
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I believe HRDx was made in US until 2003. Your amp is probably not 10 years old.

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