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Post subject: Hot Rod Deluxe problem
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 8:10 pm
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Hi All- First post here on the forum. I am a drummer by trade, but recently got into the guitar to better my situation in the studio. I love tracking drums, but if I could do more, it just makes sense.

Anyhow- I have a Fender MIM Strat that sounds really nice. When I play it through my Bassman Ten amp, it sounds clean as can be. That was the only amp I had, until recently. I picked up a used Fender Hot Rod Deluxe 1x12. I have heard these amps many times and love the sound on them. However, the problem I am having is starting to annoy me! When I play the 4 high strings, I never have issues. When I get to the A, it starts to crackle on certain notes and when I play the low E, it happens even more. I have tried different cords, different guitars, swapping the tubes (not new ones, the original Groove Tubes) to the other slots, but to no avail. I have warmed up the amp for up to 5 minutes to think it may be that, but it just randomly starts happening, and in both inputs. When I put the volume on the guitar lower, it tends to not do it as much, but still shows signs of it. I want to use it for recording, but I really do not think it would be a great thing to have a client or myself get ready to play it and have that odd sound on the low notes.

Has anyone experienced this? I am uploading a link that shows this, so I will post it as soon as youtube finishes processing it. Thanks!

EDIT- added the link. it kinda sounds like fireworks! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxFGZK6MBDI


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe problem
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 8:54 pm
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Hi templejazz82,

It sounds like it might be a bad coupling cap (maybe in the tone stack), or possibly bad power supply filter caps.

It could also be a rattling output tube, grasp each tube with an oven mit and hold to see if the noise disappears. You might have someone strum for you, recreating the noise, while you grasp the tube.

It could even be a preamp tube issue. Easy enough to try substituting a known good tube in each slot one at a time. Try the new tube in V1, and if no change replace the original, then try the new tube in V2, etc. Without actually hearing it, and going by your description, I suspect a cap/caps first. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe problem
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 8:58 pm
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Thanks for the quick reply! I just uploaded a video where you can hear it pretty well. Curious if you have the same response after hearing!


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe problem
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 9:13 pm
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Hmmm. That sounds horrible! Possibly a bad output tube, although it could still be a bad coupling cap or a cap in the power supply. Can you turn off the lights in the room and watch the output tubes closely while getting the noise and see if the tubes are sparking, or if you see any other signs?

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe problem
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 9:29 pm
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Just tried to see if anything sparked, and nothing. Also put an ovenmit on and held the tubes in and it still existed. This stinks.


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe problem
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 10:06 pm
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Try plugging the guitar into directly into the "Power Amp In" jack, instead of the input jack, and see if you still have the noise. This bypasses the entire preamp section in the amp (V1, V2, vol, tone), so only using the PI and output tubes. If the noise is still present, the problem is in the output section (or power supply caps). If the noise is gone, then the problem is in the preamp section. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe problem
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 1:56 am
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IMO chance are you have a bad solder in power supply circuit.

But first try clean your tubes socket contacts. Mostly the power tubes socket. heat built up and high voltage put some kind of oxydation on tubes contacts.
Spray contact cleaner on cold tube pins put in the socket and remove few time . This will clean the socket.
Keep your tubes free of hand grease.


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe problem
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 5:45 am
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Thanks for the info on cleaning. Do you recomend any specific cleaner i can get from home depot or something?


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe problem
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 10:48 am
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Ok, did some things and have more info. It seems that this is only happening on fret 12 of the low E string and the 7th fret of the A string (both the E note in a similar frequency). I checked other notes and really tried to push the amp and only get this sound with those two notes. Not sure if I feel better or worse! Also, I plugged the guitar into the preamp input and it still crackles on those notes, but it is not as loud (no vol control), but the same thing. I have not tried cleaning the tube sockets yet, which will be my next step. So, yeah, all on this one note, E on the bottom two strings. Also, not the low E open, just the 12th fret.


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe problem
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:38 am
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I think that worrying about which note causes the noise is irrelevant in this case. It isn't a guitar problem, the certain notes simply reveal the amp problem. I hope that you meant that you plugged the guitar into the "Power Amp In", as plugging into the "Preamp Out" would give no sound from the amp. If you have the same noise when plugged into the "Power Amp In", that indicates that it is not a problem in the preamp. So, the problem should be in the output section (PI and output tubes) or the power supply caps. Cleaning the tube sockets is something to try, but typically you won't get this kind of noise from a dirty tube socket. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe problem
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:46 am
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Yes, sorry, power amp in! And the reason I put the notes on there is that I found it odd that only one frequency causes this issue on two different guitars. I guess I should bring it to a tech for next steps. Thanks everyone!


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe problem
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 12:21 pm
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Yes, the "frequency" specific noise is mainly why I suspect a cap problem (low frequency). But, yes it is probably best to have someone look at it and test. (I hope that it is simply a PI or output tube). It would be nice to know your results, don't leave us hanging, wondering; "whatever happened to templejazz82?" :)

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---> "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.


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe problem
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 12:26 pm
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Thanks for all the help. I will take it to a guy in the Philly area and report back with his findings!


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe problem
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 1:53 pm
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Ok, yet another new development! Took the back panel off. Had someone strum the note that is causing the crackling and when they did, I put my hand wih an ovenmit around each tube (did this before with the output tubes). Each time it crackled, nothing changed as I secure both output tubes, the left smaller tube and the left preamp tube. Then, on the 5th crackle, I secured the right preamp tube, and the crackle went away. Did it again, and the same thing. I then swapped the preamp tubes, as I tapped the right tube and could hear a major difference in it vs the other 4 tubes. After the swap, I tapped the left preamp tube and heard nothing, I hit the right one, BINGO! So, I wiggled the right and left tube. The left was very resistant to move, while the right was wobbling like nuts. I saw the gray socket area where the tube is connected, and noticed it was pretty loose. When stabilized, that crazy crackle is gone! I know my test earlier led me to the power tubes, but could this be the real problem??


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe problem
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 2:23 pm
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It sounds like you're on the right track -- either a problem with the tube OR a problem with the tube socket. Try cleaning and re-tensioning the contacts of the socket and/or replace the tube outright. If the problem persists, I'd next take a look at the solder joints on that tube socket. It only takes one cold joint to hose the amp up.

Arjay

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