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Post subject: DRRI Vibrato Noise Question
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 8:59 pm
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I just purchased a brand new DRRI last week and am experiencing the following when engaging the vibrato effect via the footswitch. I hear a sort of high pitch oscillating ticking noise coming from I think one of the tubes while this effect is engaged. Is this normal or do I need to be concerned? The ticking noise is in line with the speed of the vibrato effect. Thanks in advance for your advice.

I've done some google searching on "deluxe vibrato tick" and it seems to be a common issue. Is this true?


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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:55 pm
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Hi Unadan, that's definetly not normal. Will this happen with the reverb shut off ? Also, do the tone controls have any effect ? No matter what, I think you'll have to take it in and have the seller take care of the problem. Art

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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 10:00 pm
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The reverb on/off or tone controls have no effect on the slight ticking sounds. I'm going to call Fender on this tomorrow and may just return the amp to GC and have them get me another (they already said they can do this).

In fact even if I plug the guitar into the normal section and click on the vibrato I can hear the slight ticking noise!! :?


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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 8:34 am
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I received a response from Fender Consumer Relations this morning about this issue. Here is the response:

"The ticking is normal. There is a photo resistor in the vibrato circuit. It’s basically a light bulb that turns on and off. "


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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 8:57 am
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Unadan wrote:
I received a response from Fender Consumer Relations this morning about this issue. Here is the response:

"The ticking is normal. There is a photo resistor in the vibrato circuit. It’s basically a light bulb that turns on and off. "


Normal? Well, maybe. I don't have that amp so I couldn't say. But if the ticking is loud enough that you can hear it while playing or is loud enough to be annoying, I wouldn't consider that normal and you should have it looked at. At the very least, go back to the store where you bought it (or another store in the area) and try another amp to see if the noise level is similar. If the other amp is quieter, complain about yours.

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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 9:01 am
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Thanks for the input. I do not notice it at all when I'm playing - only when the amp is quiet. I will go to a store today to check out another DRRI to see if I hear a similar slight clicking noise.


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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 10:55 am
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Hey Unadan, I was going to point out that there was another thread on the Gear Page about the same subject, until I see that's you on the Gear Page also :P

So for the benefit of our Fender friends, I'll post the ticky tremolo fix. It's easy just adding one capacitor. EVERY opto trem bug is susceptible to ticking.

Even the handwired vintage Fender amps with opto tremolo can tick also! That includes Super Reverb, Twin Reverb, etc, etc. Years ago (in the 70's or even 60's??) Fender released a service bulletin to cure the tick. Here it is (for vintage or handwired amps only, see bottom of my post for the reissues):
There's a Fender service bulletin on this from way back, it refers to "lead dress".

The official Fender solution (Service Bulletin number 9)
"The ticking caused by the Vibrato is caused by improper lead dress.

It can almost be "cured" by connecting a .01 mfd 600 volt mylar capacitor
on the 10 meg ohm resistor in the vibrato circuit. this resistor is located
on the parts panel. Remove capacitor across the 10 meg ohm resistor (old
modification) if in place."

(That is, run the cap from the junction of the 10 meg resistor and the
optoisolator to ground.)

"If this does not produce the desired results, then the leads should be
dressed as follows and excessive lengths shortened.

1. Dress the leads to the vibrato speed and intensity controls away from
the tone controls and filter leads.

2. "Bunch" the leads to the components on the parts panel which connect to
the tube socket of the 7025 (12AX7) vibrato tube."
http://vintageamps.com/plexiboard/vi...808085&t=75329

Or for the blackface PCB reissues, there is a guy called Fritz D Cat that has a simple mod to cure the ticking tremolo. Similar to the #9 Service Bulletin, but geared towards the PCB reissues: "...the cheapo ceramic disk cap in between the opto-isolator and the electrolytic cap is the mod. I used an 0.01 uF @ 1KV ceramic disk cap. It's soldered to the north side of R45 and the south side of C24." see here: http://www.fenderforum.com/userphoto...ml?recid=67321

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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:00 am
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Unadan wrote:
Thanks for the input. I do not notice it at all when I'm playing - only when the amp is quiet. I will go to a store today to check out another DRRI to see if I hear a similar slight clicking noise.


+1
Some amps with opto trems tick louder than others. Not sure if there is a "lifespan" on the trem bug or what. If you are looking at new ones, then find a less ticky one. If you are buying used, then just add that capacitor since the warranty is long voided anyway.

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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 12:46 pm
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Update - out of curiosity I went to a different music store and played thru another brand new DRRI. After engaging the vibrato effect I was hearing the same click-click in time with the speed of the vibrato. It must be a common phenomenon with this amp.

I contacted another salesman at a local store who checked out one of his new DRRI's and he says it doesn't click at all.

I also played a PRRI which did NOT produce the clicking noise. However I understand the vibrato effect is implemented differently in this amplifier.


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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 1:17 pm
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Unadan wrote:
I also played a PRRI which did NOT produce the clicking noise. However I understand the vibrato effect is implemented differently in this amplifier.


That's correct. The PRRI's tremolo is from tube bias modulation, not from the tick-tick-tick prone LDR opto bug thingy that creates the trem in its big brothers.

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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 6:28 pm
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Is the Twin Reverb's vibrato implemented differently than the DRRI? I played to TRRI's today and neither made the clicking sound when the vibrato was on.


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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 6:30 pm
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The TRRI, SRRI, and DRRI have identical opto-isolator tremolo circuits.

Arjay

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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 7:40 pm
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Glad you got it straightened out, Unadan. I must have misread the post. I totally missed the word"ticking". Read " high pitched oscillating", and thought squeal or a whine noise. Oh Well.... Art

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Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 7:28 pm
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No idea if this applies here but my SFVR used to do exactly that. Fender service depot could not determine problem. They didnt mind charging me a hundred clams though. Called up the local amp guru and he traced the problem to something called lead dress. Too close to something else. (The bill was $35) Over my head. I don't work on 'em. I just love 'em. Maybe this makes sense to one or two of our forum experts.

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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 12:02 pm
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Update - I ended up returning the DRRI for a full refund - however I later checked out a couple more DRRI's that were supposedly quiet (according to the store reps) and they both made the same clicking/ticking noise. Bottom line is there was nothing wrong with the DRRI I had. Silver lining - I ordered another from zzsounds about $120 cheaper than what I originally paid.


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