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Post subject: Fender Hot Rod Deville 121
Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 12:39 pm
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I have a hot rod deville 212 that I purchased new about 5 or 6 years ago. It is as it was from the factory...stock tubes and all. Just recently, it began sounding very bassy. I tried rolling off the bass and increasing the treble, but it still sounds different. It isn't terribly bad, but noticeably different. I know it is not normal. Any ideas?


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Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 12:51 pm
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My first thought would be that your speaker is now fully "broke in" and is delivering a warmer, more compressed tone. But that normally occurs within a few months of being "new" and your amp is several years old. I think you're experiencing some routine tube degradation and it's probably time for some new glass. Don't neglect to check (and reset if necessary) your power tube bias when you install new bottles.

HTH

Arjay


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Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 12:55 pm
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oh crud. In my other amps, re-bias is not necessary. It's just a matter of plug and play. I don't want to take it to a shop. What do you recommend..is biasing difficult?


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Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 1:50 pm
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Here's a pretty comprehensive overview of the procedure......

http://axaholics.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=60

Conversely, you could merely buy a new matched pair of 6L6GCs from TAD, JJ, Sovtek, etc and pray that the original bias setting is "simpatico" with your new glass. However, Fender routinely biases these amps pretty "cold" from the factory to extend the life of the OEM tubes. Your amp will sound better if it's properly set up.

And I cannot overemphasize this:

IF YOU ARE NOT COMPETENT AND/OR CAPABLE WORKING INSIDE OF A "LIVE" CHASSIS THEN LEAVE THIS SERVICING TO A PROFESSIONAL!

Voltages and currents inside these amps when powered up can kill you.

HTH

Arjay


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Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 2:00 pm
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if I did take it to a shop, given that I provide the tubes (JJ's, $36 for pr 6L6's, and I'll just buy a set of (5) 12AX7's since I am going to retube my other amp eventually, I'll take advantage of the special that thetubestore.com is having (5 JJ 12AX7's for $90), how much should it cost me to bias the amp? I'll already be in about $150 shipped for the tubes.


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Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 2:18 pm
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Here's a nifty video that Eurotubes has to show you how to bias the Fender Hot Rod series of amps and goes along well the link Retoverbial posted. http://www.eurotubes.com/euro-Fender-HRDV.htm
You need to invest in a multimeter, but it will be cheaper than what a tech would charge and you can do it yourself from now on. Be careful!

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Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.


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Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 2:31 pm
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Hi,

Here is a good bias demo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19IUadZJ ... re=related

Tissan


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Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 2:34 pm
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Most techs charge $35/hr ($40 if you watch, $45 if you watch and ask questions).

:mrgreen:

A routine tube replacement and biasing job takes about an hour to an hour and a half and would generally include a visual inspection to check for anything else amiss on the chassis.

Thus, the choice is yours.

HTH

Arjay


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