Fender HR Deville-How much did I save?

[Norse]

I've done some repairs that got me wondering just how much I may have saved in repairs by tackling this issue myself... The amp developed a crackle accompanied by low volume. I did some research here on TGP and here's what I ended up with:

1. Replaced worn/wobbly input jack with solid one.
2. Re-flowed solder joints as needed.
3. Replaced all the plate-load resistors (pre-amp & PI). I found V1b had 100vdc instead of the ~260vdc on the others.
4. Set BIAS to spec.
5. Check tubes (sonically- swap with known good).

Also done, but not part of the "fix"... the amp is a 1998 model.

1. Cleaned POTS.
2. Replaced Electrlytic caps (power section).
3. Mid POT mod (tie wiper to ground).
4. Speaker upgrade (Greenback and Jensen C12N)

I've got about 7 hours or so in the project - monkeying around with oscilloscope readings just for curiosity, etc... The amp sounds great now but I'm thinking about replacing the output transformer with a MM Axiom... I've had nice results doing this on my HRDlx...thoughts?

Many thanks to those who help out folks like myself on this forum - you guys are awesome!!!

Greg

[jads57]

Sounds like your an amp tech already! I can tell you that just having my EL-84's, & a couple of 12ax7's replaced and biased properly on a VHT Pitbull 45 I used to have cost me over $300 at a well known Amp Builder here in the Twin Cities area! I definitely started looking for alternatives to them right away!
I wish I was more of the tinkering/handyman type myself. I'd do what you're doing in a minute!

[Geosh]

Not to hijack this thread, but how do you properly Bias the HotRod Deluxe amps? I was looking for a how-to on that as I don't want to pay a shop to do it for me. (BTW, I do have some technical skills with circuits, but I have never messed with tube amps and the like before, mostly pedals and guitars and other random electronics). Any direction would be appreciated. Thanks!!

[Voodoo Blues]

Google Justin Holton

[Norse]

Originally Posted by jads57

Sounds like your an amp tech already! I can tell you that just having my EL-84's, & a couple of 12ax7's replaced and biased properly on a VHT Pitbull 45 I used to have cost me over $300 at a well known Amp Builder here in the Twin Cities area! I definitely started looking for alternatives to them right away!
I wish I was more of the tinkering/handyman type myself. I'd do what you're doing in a minute!

I've learned a great deal just hanging-out on this forum! Folks will send you to links, like the one here by Voodoo Blues, that lead to great sources of info. That and reading books by Gerald Weber, Kevin O'Connor, etc. and the fun begins