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Post subject: Hot Rod Deville 410 problems, volume instability in chan. 2
Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 2:15 pm
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I recently took delivery on a 2006 Hot Rod DeVille 410. It was shipped from out of state and appeared to have arrived safely. My first tube amp in 40 years. The #2 channel is having volume stability issues, cutting out, scratchy, etc. If I give the strings a good stroke, the volume jumps all over the place. Channel 1 does NOT do this. Also, when there are no instruments plugged in, there is a faint intermittent "spitting" and subtle cracking...very faint but obvious in a quiet setting. Suggestions or comments? The previous owner purchased the amp new from a "guitar center" type place in Houston, but failed to keep the invoice. The place changed ownership and original receipt is lost. Can Fender help me with the 5 year transferable warranty. Serial number is intact.


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Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 2:43 pm
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hippdogs,

1st of all, check out my reply to the thread: Hot Rod Deville 410 issues

Basically, the easiest and cheapest solution is this: it's probably a bad preamp tube. Preamp tube #2 (the middle one of the 3) is used for channel 2. If it has been damaged in shipping or if the tube socket pins have come loose, and the noise you describe only occurs on the 2nd channel, then that's your most likely culprit.

Turn the amp on and GENTLY tap on each tube with a pencil or chopstick (use something non-conductive) Any tube that makes an amplified "springy mechanical" noise... or loud crackling and popping is suspect. This trick works on preamp and power tubes as well...

If the tubes are original, and I suspect they are, considering the amp's age (they labels will be orange and will say Fender/Groove Tubes), then you probably should go ahead and replace them anyways. at $12-15 each, its a cheap fix.

Another diagnostic to try is to tap on the chassis and cabinet (much harder, in fact, I smack mine pretty hard when I do this test).. to test for loose components inside the chassis: loose tubes, cold/cracked solder joints. Any bad connections will manifest themselves as crackling or popping noises. Which will only get worse over time. Possibly leading to a short circuit with a tube... which will fry the tube and possibly take out some of the circuitry... easily a $100 fix if not more.

Try the tube test 1st. If you replace the preamp tubes and the problem goes away, then you're set. If not, then its the sockets or something else inside the amp.

As for the warranty, I think you're probably screwed w/o the receipt. Especially if you're not near the store where it was purchased. You might call Fender directly and see if they can help. Good luck waiting on hold.

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93 Blues Deville 212
05 MIM Strat with 96 Am. Std. "Delta Tone" and Dimarzio Virtual Vintage pickups
98 Carvin Bolt with Dimarzio and Duncan pickups
Muzique.com Mini-Booster and MOSFET Booster
Ibanez TS-9 Reissue (TS-808 and flat-mid mods)


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Post subject: better description of the problem....it's getting better
Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 12:42 pm
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Here's a more accurate description of the problem with my DeVille 410. There is volume instability in INPUT 2, not channel 2. sorry. However, I performed the tap test and found that the number one pre-amp tube had that springy sound, whereas all the others were silent when tapped. I purchased 2 replacement tubes from Guitar Center. Replaced the tube in the amp without any difficulty. Switched on, let it warm up for a minute. Definite improvement. Volume stability is back, but still a bit of crackling/spitting in the very subtle background. When I re-performed the tap test, that first pre-amp tube still had that springy quality!!! bad new tube? comments


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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:28 am
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could be a combination of another bad preamp tube, a loose tube socket or a bad solder joint inside. Try switching preamp tubes 1 and 2... see if the other tube makes noise when in socket 1, and if tube 1 makes noise in socket 2:

If tube 1 makes noise in any other socket, then its most likely another bad tube... you have to decide how much microphonics you're willing to put up with.

If a different tube is still crackling and popping in that socket, then its probably an issue with the socket or a solder joint. In which case, take the amp to a qualified tech.

You might want to try contacting the seller and the store he bought it from... maybe they can still ship out a copy of the receipt for you. Otherwise try to contact Fender and ask if the warranty is transferable. Otherwise, call your local music store(s) and ask about the local fender-authorized repair shops, there should be at least 1 or 2 in your area. W/O the receipt or other proof of warranty status (serial number) you'll have to pay normal shop fees, which usually start around $60 an hour. Good luck.

_________________
93 Blues Deville 212
05 MIM Strat with 96 Am. Std. "Delta Tone" and Dimarzio Virtual Vintage pickups
98 Carvin Bolt with Dimarzio and Duncan pickups
Muzique.com Mini-Booster and MOSFET Booster
Ibanez TS-9 Reissue (TS-808 and flat-mid mods)


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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 2:30 pm
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For great insight as to the interworkings of the Hot Rod Deville and Deluxes, check out the following website. There's a lot of good info to get up to speed on tube amps.

http://studentweb.eku.edu/justin_holton/


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