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Post subject: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Only one Tube?
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 3:58 am
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Hi everyone!

I just picked up a second-hand Hot Rod Deluxe III from a friend of mine. I checked everything and the amp just works fine.

But... I am not so confident about the tubes. I had a look at it today as i was playing ( since I like the looks and scent of glowing tubes :D ) and noticed that only one of the 6L6 GCs was glowing. I was wondering if this was normal, as far as i know amps wont work if one or more of the powertubes aren´t working properly?! I also checked the temperature and the tube was cold.

I would appreciate if one of you could tell me if this is normal or not...

Groove on.
B

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Only one Tube?
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 5:40 am
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As odd as it sounds, you can pull one of the two pair power tubes---and the amp may still work. Albeit quieter and with a different tone.

With one power tube the push-pull amp will go into a pseudo-single ended mode.

I've had amps where one power tube dropped out during a gig. Played on... with different tone settings on the amp and guitar. Then, found out later one tube "sleeping" at the bottom of the cab.


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Only one Tube?
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 7:05 am
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Mine had the same exact problem. It's usually either a blown power tube or bad solder joints on the tube sockets. If your handy with a soldering iron, re-flow the joints and see if the tube comes back. Be sure to follow all safety procedures, unplug, drain the caps yadda,yadda, yadda.
It could be more involved, but that's where I'd start.

Also check out this link. It's a great resource for repairing these things.
http://www.justinholton.com/hotrod/

If it's a III it should be under warranty.

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Only one Tube?
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 7:38 am
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63supro wrote:
...If it's a III it should be under warranty.


Yes. You have to get the original receipt from your friend though. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Only one Tube?
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 7:45 am
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Have him sign the receipt too. The warranty's transferable.

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Only one Tube?
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:24 am
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63supro wrote:
Have him sign the receipt too. The warranty's transferable.


+1

And thank God that it is!

:lol:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Only one Tube?
Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 12:54 am
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Hm. That´s not what i wanted to hear :lol:

I will have the amp checked by my local dealer... It will be difficult for me to get the receipt, since my friend got the amp from another friend... :D So exactly it is a third-hand-amp.

Another question: Is it ok if i play on with this amp or will it get damaged if i play without repairing it?!

Thanks a lot guys!

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Only one Tube?
Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 10:45 am
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I wouldn't play it. Leave it unplugged till you find out what's wrong with it.

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Post subject: Yeah!
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 2:28 pm
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Yippie! Had another look at the amp today and boom! All Tubes were glowing :D Don´t know why, but i am happy! Time to rock on! Thanks for your help guys!

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Only one Tube?
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 4:09 pm
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I can tell you why. Either a tube is loose or you have bad solder joints on the sockets. Mine was intermittent too. :wink: Check to be sure the tubes are fully inserted in their sockets. If you experience a sudden loss of power when the amp heats up, I'd bet it's the solder joints. I'd keep an eye on it.

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Only one Tube?
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 4:13 pm
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63supro wrote:
I can tell you why. Either a tube is loose or you have bad solder joints on the sockets. Mine was intermittent too. :wink: Check to be sure the tubes are fully inserted in their sockets. If you experience a sudden loss of power when the amp heats up, I'd bet it's the solder joints. I'd keep an eye on it.


+1

These amps are notorious for these problems.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Only one Tube?
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 7:05 am
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Hm... Seems like the problems keep coming. Played today, checked the amp and noticed that the same tube that was not working before, works now, but with a blue glowing?! The top and bottom of the tube is glowing red/orange like you would expect but additional to that there is a blue haze in the middle of the tube. I also worked out that this blue haze develops when switching the StandBy to on.

Any ideas?!

Thanks in advance guys, you helped me a lot!

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Only one Tube?
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 7:23 am
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Blue usually isn't a problem.
Here's some useful info.
http://thetubestore.com/blueglow.html

Could be it was always there but you didn't really notice it. I would still recommend taking it to a tech, get the bias checked and have the solder joints inspected. Especially the power tube joints. That's where the most leverage can be applied. You'll never really enjoy the amp until you get some piece of mind. I never had piece of mind with my HRDlx until I sold it because it just developed one problem after another.

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Only one Tube?
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 8:24 am
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63supro wrote:
I never had piece of mind with my HRDlx until I sold it because it just developed one problem after another.


+1

Mine was a "hangar queen" as well.

Good riddance!

:evil:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Only one Tube?
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 7:13 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
63supro wrote:
I never had piece of mind with my HRDlx until I sold it because it just developed one problem after another.


+1

Mine was a "hangar queen" as well.

Good riddance!

:evil:

Arjay


"Hangar Queen" haven't heard that one in a long time...takes me back to my F-15 fighter maintenance training days in TAC!

T2

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