It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:40 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Rattling Noise
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 1:03 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2013 12:47 am
Posts: 2
I just bought a HRD III and have had one full practice session and 2 quick solo sessions. 4 days in I turned the amp on, struck a chord and heard a noticeable rattle that was not present the last time I played. It happens on very low volumes up until the amp drowns the noise out at a higher volume.

- I tried checking the tubes both when they were cool and warmed up. Tapping on them yielded no weird noises
- I made sure everything was screwed on tightly
- Nothing seemed loose when I looked around inside the amp after taking the back off

Based on the research I've done online it appears there could be several things causing this and some remedies including replacing the tubes and buying eurotube dampeners. I'm game to try dampeners but find it pretty crazy I need to get an accessory to make my brand new amp work properly. I also don't want to replace tubes yet since these are new and I like the tone the way it is.

Should I just cut my losses, sell the combo amp and stick with a cabinet/head?

Any insight would be helpful...especially from a Fender employee.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Rattling Noise
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 1:38 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14047
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
You bought new or second hand ? New = waranty

Are you sure no noise coming from your room ? vibrate ?

If amp is a second hand , it could need new tubes ,but only a good tech could tell .

New power tube need a bias check , other not.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Rattling Noise
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 9:37 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2013 12:47 am
Posts: 2
The amp is brand new, allegedly. I didn't see them take it out of the box but I got it from a reputable music shop.

I took it to my basement which has a big empty concrete floor and tried playing - got the same rattle.

I have a warranty with Fender but a rattling tube doesn't seem like something that would qualify.

I'm not very familiar with tube bias - how would that help a rattling tube?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Rattling Noise
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 11:37 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14047
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
Tubes are waranty for 90 days I think . But your are not suppose to know what is wrong just bring back to the store . Rattleswhy it is not waranty ?

Try a new one in the strore if they want to give you another one


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Rattling Noise
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 1:09 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:19 pm
Posts: 8827
Tubes are warranted for 90 days. Combo amps are more prone to tube rattle these days because tubes aren't built to the standards that they once were. Years ago tubes were used by the military, they needed to perform and be durable.

You have a couple of options though. NOS tubes. Not Fender's definition of NOS, but real "New Old Stock Tubes" RCA, GE, Phillips, Sylvania ect., try tube dampers, buy a new set of tubes and use tube dampers as a preventative measure or do like I did and go with a cabinet and head rig or something with a larger combo cabinet. My HRDlx rattled like nothing I've ever owned before.
My 5e3 clone has no tube rattle problems. I think It's probably because there's more space between the speaker and the tubes. The amps were just designed better back then. Everybody wants more power in a small compact package for portability, so what we get is tube rattle and boxy sounding amps. Couple that with poorly manufactured tubes and there you go.

_________________
Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Rattling Noise
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 3:00 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14047
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
+1 Supro


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Rattling Noise
Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2018 1:36 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2018 1:33 pm
Posts: 2
I know this is an old thread but running into the same issue. I removed the back panel as well as the metal cage around the power tubes and the rattle is completely gone. Anyone see any issue with not having the metal cage attached? I assume it leaves the power tubes a little more vulnerable to breaking but I know a lot of amps and older fenders didnt have this metal cage at all.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe III - Rattling Noise
Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2018 11:47 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
The tube cage is merely to satisfy some unreasonable “safety” concern. Lots of people take them off, and there is no detrimental affect on the amp tone, usability or tube life.

_________________
---> "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
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 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: