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Post subject: SCXD bit the dust
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 4:39 pm
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Any of you guys been having issue with your SCXD's? Mine has worked flawlessly for almost a month, but yesterday when I turned it on it made a loud buzzing noise and a couple of loud pops. Turned it off and then back on and the same thing. Tried one more time and then it worked fine.

Today I came home and turned it on and it sounded like it was going to explode. Noticed one of the power tube flash blue and looks like it's ready to cook. Tried turning it on briefly a couple of more times, but it's not going to clear.

Fortunately this happended with the return window so this one is going back to MF. However, they're now on backorder and I'm not at all sure I want to take a chance on another one, even though I like it very much.

I thought I'd check and see if I got a lemon or if others are having
some issues as well.

Thanks.

BTW, thinking about a Fender Jazz King. Anyone have experience with these? Are they also made in China?


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:08 pm
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Man,,, I'm sorry to hear about your
SCXD... I have one also,,, no issues
with mine so far,,,had it probably for
two months...

Could you find an authorized Fender
repair shop near you that will take a
look at it under warranty ???

===============================

Rasputan2


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:27 pm
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No problems with mine (knock on wood). I practice a couple of hours a night - had it for about 3 months. Works great. Sounds like you blew a tube, thought, probably an easy fix, yes?


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:19 am
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Looks like you are caught in the dilema that many of us have experienced with Fender tube amps...."Junk Tubes". Of course I'm assuming that it's a bad tube, which appears to be the case from your description of what is happening.

I don't think there is a need to fear Fender quality on their tube amps, except for the "Junk Tubes" they continue to put into their amps. If you took (or sent) this one back, you could easily get another tube amp from Fender with bad tubes; it is that common. Fender makes excuses about only a few suppliers, but the key is in the testing of these tubes (either by Fender or by their supplier) and obviously Fender fails in this regard!

I have purchased two new Fender tube amps and both had defective tubes (although they were pre-amp tubes). If you live close to an authorized Fender repair source (search on this site under the support section), I'm sure they will replace the tube at no cost to you (as long as you have the sales order). I live quite a distance from a repair source and therefore purchased new/replacement tubes from MF, who BTW sold them to me at an additional 33% discount once I explained the situation.

Don't think that sending it back and getting another SCXD or any other Fender tube amp will solve your problems for sure! You may just have a repeat.

Fender- Shame on you for doing this to so many customers and making excuses!

Good luck on whatever sourse of action you choose.

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:23 am
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You blew a tube. Don't try to turn the amp on anymore or you may damage something in the power supply.

Tubes are covered under the warranty--90 days, if I recall. Make sure that they replace the 6V6s as a matched pair, though.

If they want to take your amp and have it evaluated by an authorized service center, you may not see it for a couple of weeks. In that case, you may want to just buy a pair of 6V6s and replace them yourself. Yes, it's money out of your pocket for something that Fender should cover, but at least you have your amp. And besides, you should always have a spare set of output tubes.


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:31 am
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Hi,

I had the same problems with my new Super Champ XD.
Well, here in Germany the amp was sold out for several weeks.
Just got it today and - you won´t believe it - played it for about 30 minutes only and the same loud noises occured like with Jack´s amp, but not permanently.
Stopped playing then, turned off the volume on my guitar and put the amps´gain and volume knobs to lowest rate and seconds later there were even louder noises and a buzz.
I stared at my new amp and was getting startled.
But more: Just a few seconds later grey smoke came out of the amp!!!
I immediately pulled the plug and the smoke stopped.
Well, that´s it, my new amp was dead and I didn´t dare to switch it on again.
Called the music store and they told me to send it back. They promised to send a new one.
Well, let´s see how long this will take...

So, if one of the tubes (or all) have gone, just like with Jack´s amp.
What kind of tubes do you suggest for the Super Champ XD?
I heard about a 7025 Highgrade to replace the 12AX7A, but have no idea about the 6V6s. Furhermore, the tone should be better, when changing the tubes...?

Many thanks in advance.
Greetings,

DocChris
from Germany


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:07 am
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Sorry to hear that you also had this problem Doc. I sent mine back as they wanted me to send it in for an evaluation and since it was still within the return window I just sent it back.

I tried replacing it with an Epi Valve Jr. half stack, but didn't really care for it so I bought a Peavey Valvking 112 and while the clean channel was OK, the distortion was pretty lousy.

Bottom line what that neither were in the ball park with the little SCXD tone wise so I bit the dust and bought another SCXD last week end and so far so good. I've got my fingers crossed.

BTW, I've read that these little monsters can be taken to a even higher level with a speaker change. The speakers I've seen mentioned are the Rajun Cajun and the Jensen P10Q and P10R. I really like the Jensen speakers and am thinking of doing this upgrade myself.

Any of you guys do the speaker upgrade?


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:12 am
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Hi Jack,

thank you very much.
I also possess an VOX AD30VT, so I´m not without an amp while waiting for the replacement SCXD, :-)!
Mainly I play clean, Dire Straits/Knopfler-style.

I have read about modding the SCXD with a new speaker, too (and probably will also change it one day).
Maybe you already know the following sites. I found them quite helpful regarding the Ragin Cajun:

Here a guy changed his SCXD speaker to Eminence Ragin Cajun and is absolutely happy:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showth ... p?t=384866

Here are some reviews on the Eminence Ragin Cajun:
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/revi ... Cajun/10/1

So far I can see, this speaker seems to be the best solution?!


What about changing the tubes in the SCXD?
Any suggestions?
What about the TAD 6V6GTB-STR?
Can I also use the TAD 6L6WGC-STR or will I have to bias the amp then?

Greetings,
Chris
Germany


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:57 am
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This amp works from a digital modeling front end so I think tube changes will have little if any effect. I have several 12AX7's on hand so I might try some changes this weekend to see if it makes any difference. I need to get a back-up set of 6V6's, but it's not high on my priority list right now.

From what I've read the biggest change and best results are achieved using 1X12 or 2X12 cab. I have a cheapo Epi 1X12 that uses a 16Ohm (really need to use 8 Ohm for best results) Eminence Lady Luck speaker and while it's not the cat's meow, it sounds a little better than the stock speaker and adds quite a bit of bass.

BTW, I also ran the line out into my Epi Valve Jr. head and it sounded great.


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:33 pm
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Hi Guys,

Here's a very complete description of both the SCXD operation and speaker change from a most respected member of this board. It might answer all your questions. Note: please read the entire post, especially through Page 2.

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/ ... sc&start=0


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 4:20 pm
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Thanks for the link. I've only had mine for a week and just have a few hours on the stock speaker so I think I'll let it burn in for awhile before I make any decisions. BTW, that article pretty much confirms what I thought about the tubes.


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 10:54 am
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Hi,

thank you very much for that most interesting link.
Exactly the help I was looking for.
This post should be a sticky one on the top of the forum, as questions like mine will occur very often, I guess?!

Jack, thank you for your thoughts on the tubes!

I was surfing through older posts here and found another interesting one (much to read, but worth it):
http://www.fender.com/community/forums/ ... c&start=45

Regards,

Chris
Germany


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:40 pm
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I replaced the stock 12AX7 with a MesaBoogie tube I had (not sure who makes it) and I was wrong about the tubes not making a difference. Much better and it took some of the spongyness (is that a word?) out of the amp. I'm pretty happy with this amp now running through my Epi cab.


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:59 pm
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i put a toshiba japan 12ax7 in the preamp on my scxd and the sound change was great,gave it more clarity and sweetened the tone,i recommend swapping the preamp,but i really like the sound from the factory power tubes which in mine are groove tubes rated 1-3,and the speaker is staying as well,i think the original fender speaker is just right,fender would have experimented a lot before they put these out to the public,maybe the better quality eminence are slightly better but thats personal choice and money!


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 12:35 pm
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I put a Rajun Cajun in mine this weekend, For the money it's a GREAT mod!! Sounds really good

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