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Post subject: Hot Rod Deluxe Loose Pre amp tubes
Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:53 am
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I have a 2002 HRD USA made, the thing is in mint condition. I bought used about 5 months ago.
When playing a gig, at the end of the night, it started breaking up and then went out. I thought I blew the speaker, although I didn't have it very loud (volume on 3 1/2 to 4) with a little overdrive. To test it, I hooked up an external speaker and it sounded fine. So, I replaced the speaker with a Celestion and replaced all the tubes. The HRD sounded great. A few days later, same thing happened. I push the pre amp tubes up as tight as I could get them and then it's ok for a few songs, then it happens again. I keep wiggling and pushing the pre amp tubes up as tight as I can, but they keep loosening up, sometimes I can't even get through one song. I tried spreading the pins a bit on the tubes to see if that will keep them in, only works for a short time. Is it the sockets? I don't know what to do, the amp sounds fantastic when the tubes stay in!
Any help would be very much appreciated.


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Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 12:41 pm
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Easiest may be to take it in to a tech to have the tube sockets replaced or tightened up if possible. May not be with the plastic that was used in the HotRod amps.

Lot of moment and pushing on the tubes may cause the thin PCB traces to eventually let go

Also some tube sockets can take retaining clips to hold on to the tubes, not sure about the ones used in the hdr's

Question does the amp say "Made in USA" ? 2002 is the year the HotRod lines manufacture was moved to Mexico.

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Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 1:10 pm
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Yes, this is "Made in USA" HRD. It also has the quality assurance sticker that includes the month and year it was made. I realize that they began moving the manufacturing of these amps in 2000 or so to Mexico, but this one is USA built.
I love the amp, it sounds awesome, I just can't keep the darn pre amp tubes in. I even tried new tubes. I have TAD power tubes with JJ pre amp tubes in her right now.
I must say it is a strange design with the tubes hanging right behind the speaker. I don't want a tech messing with this amp, but if that's what I have to do. Maybe have them install new sockets with spring holders if you can even put those into this amp. I don't know. I really want to fix it, it seems like a simple problem. Everything else about this amp I love.


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Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 1:31 pm
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Nice, hard to find USA made things anymore.
I agree, the HDR amp do sounds good when working.

These are the spring clips I mentioned, the wire spring goes around the tube and holds it in place.
Just don't know how they could be mounted into the HDR amp.
http://store.triodestore.com/9pintaltubre.html

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Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 3:52 pm
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My USA Blues Deluxe did the same thing. I took the tube board out, and used a scribe to bend the tube pin holders in a little. Stick the scribe in the socket along side of the pin holders on each side. Tubes are nice and secure now. Can't remember who suggested that on this forum, but it does work.


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Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 5:46 pm
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The USA HRDlx is made no better than the MIM. That's one of the biggest myths about the USA HRDlx. They are all cheaply made single sided boards and care needs to be taken when you change the tubes or do any work on the board.

Fender actually made some revisions to the board in the MIM to try to improve them. You probably need to re-tension the sockets and possibly touch up the solder joints on the sockets. If you work on the sockets, you need to discharge the caps for sure.


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Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:03 am
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First off, thanks a ton for the help and comments! You guys are the best.
I am planning on using "rjake" recommendation and close the gaps in the sockets. Thanks "peterp", I don't think springs or even clips would fit in this rig because the tubes are sunken inside the frame around the board.

I'm well aware of the caps holding leathal voltages and have worked with electronics before, yes I always drain the caps before I even handle the board. Thanks "63supro" for the advice and comments, I somewhat disagree with you on the Mexican made stuff. Yes some of it is made with the same parts, but not built and assembled by the same people. I've had a lot of crappy stuff made in Mexico with the same parts, but not put together as well. Bad quality checks. It saves the Company money but rarely transfers to the ticket price and quality suffers. I'll take USA made anyday.

I'll reply back to let you all know how it turns out. Again, thank you guys, this board is the best!


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Post subject: Thanks, y'all!
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:46 pm
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I was about to leave to drop my HRD off at the tech's shop when I read this post. My amp did exactly the same thing Saturday at the gig. I pushed in the tubes an,voila, it worked. Saved me a bunch of money for now, anyway. Thanks again!


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Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 4:19 pm
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From about 2001-2003 I had a HRD, and then bought a Blues Junior. I never had any problems with them. They're gone now, so right before the price increase I bought another Blues Junior. This one has the black plastic tube sockets, and they're terrible! The power tubes are very loose (luckily there is a spring-loaded metal piece to hold them in place), and so are two of the pre-amp tubes. I just took it in for warranty repair. I did read on another forum that I'm not the only one who has had problems with these black plastic sockets.


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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:28 am
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Some of the jj preamp tubes have been reported to have smaller diameter pins than standard. You may have this condition. Might not be the sockets fault. Try other brand in it.

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