It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 5:33 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Suggestions for preamp re-valve on my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:15 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:08 am
Posts: 1
Hey Guys,

I am wanting to change the preamp valves on my HRD and I am looking for some suggestions, I have had the amp about 5 years and it still has the stock groove tube in it. When I switch to my gain channel and have the drive set pretty high, i get lots of the grit i want in my sound, but no real clarity which is really annoying. I know people seem to be a fan of replacing the pre tubes with JJs, but as I am looking for a pretty beefy distortion i was thinking of maybe giving the Electro Harmonix 12AX7 EH ECC83 a try. is this a good or a bad idea? and also would replacing all 3 pre-tubes with these a sensible idea or not?

Cheers.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Suggestions for preamp re-valve on my Fender Hot Rod Del
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:29 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
With an amp that old, I'd have the entire tube complement checked -- replace anything that measures "weak". EHX and JJ both make some fine 12AX7's and the Tung-Sol re-issue looks promising as well. You might also have the filter caps inspected. The OEM components are not as durable as the old Mallory's of yore and the IC's currently used are only good for a few years at best.

HTH

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Suggestions for preamp re-valve on my Fender Hot Rod Del
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:32 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
+1 Retroverbial,

I recently changed the IC brand caps in my HRDlx as they started leaking, and good thing that I checked and replaced them before they caused other damage. I used F&Ts and wouldn't recommend the ICs.

For preamp tubes, I am using the GT 12AX7-C in all three positions and finally have a very nice sound for the drive channel. I had never really liked or used the drive channel much before, but with these tubes it gets a more smooth, creamy, driven tone with great sustain and easy to get good feedback when desired. These tubes warmed up the clean channel somewhat, but I could compensate with some EQ adjustments, still has a great clean Fender tone.

Oh, I still have the original GT output tubes (red label), about 13 years on them and still sound great. I have a new set waiting (GT 6L6-S red label), the originals are probably getting close to being ready to be retired as spares (while they are still good). But I did try the new tubes, not much difference in sound, but I could get the bias much higher with the new output tubes, and get more breakup than the originals, so the new output tubes would be more versatile.

Previously I used the Sovtek 12AX7WA, and some older US 12AX7A/7025s for great clean tones, and used a pedal for drive/distortion, using only the clean channel. But I much prefer the sound now, and the only pedal that I need is the foot-switch. :D

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Suggestions for preamp re-valve on my Fender Hot Rod Del
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 11:38 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
shimmilou wrote:
I used F&Ts and wouldn't recommend the ICs.


I used to recommend Sprague's Atoms when re-capping and still install them if clients insist. But I now prefer the F&Ts for their higher-temp operating ranges (105C vs 85C). They cost a skosh more but I believe they're a better choice for amps that are routinely driven hard in pro situations.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: