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Post subject: Troubleshooting my Blues Deluxe? Help!
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 8:09 am
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Hey dudes!

I picked up a used Blues Deluxe while I decide what to do for a proper amp. I haven't been fully happy with Blues Deluxe, but isn't awful. But I have two newb questions about some gremlins it has.

1) when I hit a "c" note at volume, there is a weird rattle... almost like the reverb springs. only at that frequency. My dad has a new BD and there is a similar noise, although I haven't played his enough to pin point what triggers it. I hesitate to mention that it sounds like springs, because that is too tempting to blame it on... but it doesn't sound like a blown speaker. It doesn't sound like typical break up, it has a definate "crash" sound to it. Any chord I play with a C (or sharp/flat permutation) has this taste of "crash" to it. Very frustrating.

2) When I power on the amp, nothing plugged into it,there is a LOT of static. White noise. It intensifies with adding volume through either channel. ???

Thanks gang, I am a novice in many things guitar but amps are especially mysterious to me.

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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 8:15 am
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oh, and if any of you own this amp, any advice for set up?

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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 8:41 am
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Sounds like you have tube rattle. Take a pencil and have someone play a note and touch each tube with the pencil's eraser. If it stops when you touch it, it's mechanical tube rattle. You can replace the tubes, (power tubes need to be replaced in pairs or quads depending on how many you have) or you can try tube dampers available at EBay that look like "O" rings or just replace the tubes. The static may also be coming from the tubes too. Sometimes if you gently tap them with the pencil you may be able to tell which one it is. You may just need to clean and retension the tube sockets.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 11:08 am
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You can disconnect the reverb tray to see if it's the cause of the problem, but it sounds more like tubes to me.

I replaced my preamp tubes with Tungsol 12AX7s. I replaced the power tubes with Svetlanas. I experimented with another Tungsol 12AX7 and a JJ ECC81 in the phase inverter slot and decided that I liked the JJ best - it seemed to tame some of the low end boom that I really didn't care for.

My amp came with a rubber damper that fits around the two preamp tubes - make sure that you have this.


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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 12:03 pm
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The Blues/Hotrod amps are notorious for tube rattle.Mine did the same thing so I pulled the foam tube dampers down and it went away,but its not the greatest of engineered amps for sure. :x


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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 5:18 pm
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1) go to your nearest auto parts store and get some rubber "o"rings for your pre amp tubes and your power tubes. combo amps of any kind are prone to vibrations that cause the tubes to "sing". 2) most likely it's your speaker jack. mine did the same thing, it even went out but it is an easy fix. get a new switchcraft 1/4 inch stereo jack. most likely that will fix the static.


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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:31 pm
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You need to be sure they are high temperature "O" rings or you'll have a mess.


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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 8:14 pm
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wow thanks gang! I guess my follow up question would be is it worth tooling with this amp?

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Classic Player 60's, Standard Strat, Highway One Texas Tele, '57 Twin-Amp, '63 Reverb, Blues Deluxe w/ ext cab, Champion 600


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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 8:25 pm
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PS - that foam piece is intact and in place. There isn't a lot of tube sticking out, does that mean the tubes need replaced? Its on the pre-amp tubes right?

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Proud Fender addict! Still looking for perfect amp!
Classic Player 60's, Standard Strat, Highway One Texas Tele, '57 Twin-Amp, '63 Reverb, Blues Deluxe w/ ext cab, Champion 600


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