Hot Rod Deluxe

[mwmeci]

Any Amp Guys out there?
Approx. 15 seconds after I turn off my amp it crackles, otherwise it's perfect.. If I turn the standby switch off 1st and wait approx 15 seconds before turning the power switch off, no crackling. Tubes are new. The power supply capacitor (47uF-500V) has 420VDC across it when the amp is on. When you turn off the amp (power & standby at the same time), the crackle happens when the capacitor voltage discharges down to approx. 90VDC.

Thanks in advance,
Mike

[bobzilla]

I own a Hot Rod Delux.
Limited edition. "White Lightening."
It's a fine amp, however...

First one I tried (a purple one)... melted. That amp was fresh out of the box.
Sales people indicated to me that they've had probs. with this model amp in the past, in general.

Mine is fine and i haven't had a single problem but...
there may be some defect in the design and/or construction of this model amp.
Problems seem to be prevaslent with them but,
you can find a good one if you endeavor to do so.

it's a crazy loud amp, ain't it?
it's just amazing how loud it is for such a small amp.
Tioo loud actually, even on the lowest volume setting.

[Roland_G303]

If it's still under the warranty Fender should take care of it.  I had a blown transformer in mine and it was covered under warranty.  Apparently there were a lot of them being made with faulty transformers.  I have the same amp and am amazed too at how loud it is for 40W.

Patrick

[mwmeci]

It's not under warranty. I disconnected the rf choke, turned the power off and the capacitors held their charge. 420VDC, that's why they say high voltage can be present even when the amp is off. The capacitors seem reasonably priced. I'll star there, then maybe call someone to see if the rf choke could cause this. The choke is under $20.

[bobzilla]

another ICW member (I forget who) had posted here that he went in and modified the amp to some exstent, to calm it down. I think he was concerned about the volume "issue" as well as one other aspect. maybe a search on ICW here will turn that thread up for you, I think there may be other useful info for you in that thread. try the search above.

[mwmeci]

I talked to a guy who's repaired many of these amps. He said it's not the power supply section but cheap pre-amp tubes.I got mine (Sovtek 12AX7A) from Richardson Electronics to use on old boiler controls not sound equipment. I'll just turn off the standby switch for 20 or so seconds before I turn off the power switch. This allows the capacitors to discharge. Next time I'll try Electro Harmonics tubes for guitar amps.

Mike

[jazzzbo]

I owned one of these amps as well, used it on about 2 gigs, mine seemed to have alot of hissy type noise going on in the back ground, could have been bad tubes, yes , that sucker is loud for 40 watts, mine was the blonde tolex, so it was easy to sell, actually i think i may prefer the  Blues Deluxe better, jazzzzz

[jazzrat]

I've had mine for years and use it weekly. It's been problem free with the exception of some intermittant static'y sounds that a tech diagnosed as cold solder joints.
I've had this happen with a couple Fender amps. The heating and cooling of the solder joints causes them to fail over time.
In the HRDX he freshened the solder joints and it's been quiet as a mouse since.