Fender Blues Deluxe - Amp Repair

Рет қаралды 18,311

4 жыл бұрын

This video takes a look at 1993 Fender Blues Deluxe which was all original good condition but had some problems. We'll take a look at the controls, inside the amp and give it an initial listen. After the first round of work we listen to the amp again and finally have a quick demo of the finish amp once it's all done using a 2017 Gibson ES 335 I had to refret because the factory did a horrible job. Call that the Memphis factory shut down blues.
You can contact me on my website: www.bbmade.com
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Пікірлер: 89

@ryanybos 20 күн бұрын

From 1 tech to another great video. I especially like the component schematic thumbnails that appear on screen with values as you're changing them. I recently had a Hot Rod Deville 212 (pr247) with missing plate voltage on V1b. Went through the amp completely, replaced resistors & other components open &/or out of range ect. Still no voltage on pin 6 of V1b. Noticed mods & that it had been hacked on before, had voltage on 1 side of plate resistor but not the other. Resistor was good & it seemed I had continuity in all the correct pathways until I took some ohm readings and shining my LED light behind the PCB to find a damaged trace, a gift from the previous wanna be tech. Repaired the trace & boom full signal, full plate voltage on pin6 V1b, Bias'd the amp now she sounds great. Anyway thanks for the video BBmade, I am now a subscriber keep the uploads comin brother

@bbmade 20 күн бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Sounds like you did a great job on that amp. It’s amazing what we see that other people have done to an amp. I recently put up a KZfaq Short on a butchered vintage Super Reverb chassis. Sometimes people understand amp theory and want to mod something before they ever learn how to use a soldering iron. Other times, someone knows how to use a soldering iron and suddenly think they are qualified to work on amps. All we can do is try our best to do right by the customer and amplifier. 👍

@loganschumacher2418 3 жыл бұрын

Genuinely my favorite instructor in school. He saw past my bullshit and forced me to be more focused than I had ever been! This is a perfect in depth (but sparing you the pain staking parts) video of amp repair I've seen. Here's to hoping they bring back amp repair at red wing!

@bbmade 3 жыл бұрын

Hello Logan, that could be the best KZfaq comment I’ve ever had. I appreciate the sentiment a lot and am always trying to get better at what I do. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

@truevintageguitar 4 жыл бұрын

Loved the video BB! Nice work on this Blues Deluxe. I'd love to see more of that Bassman. Cheers man!

@bbmade 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and for the comment!

@richardvickery-ub8gk 9 күн бұрын

ive got a 93 blues deluxe myself. thanks for the video. ill be doing some of the same stuff to mine. good job on yours,sounds nice.

@bbmade 7 күн бұрын

Thanks! I had two of these amps. The one I repaired after this one didn’t sound as good. It was probably a year or two between amps. I kept scratching my head. Went through and tested the tubes only to find one of the preamp tubes had no emission. I usually test them all but now, I always test them. Replaced that tube and that sounded great too.

@Tonetwisters 10 ай бұрын

I have one of these amps. Bought it brand new. Changed out the speaker and some of those crummy tiny pots early on. Thing sounds great clean, and even better cranked to some dirt. I shellacked and lacquered mine. The lead channel is too bright, though. BTW: I was VERY disappointed when I found it was more computer inside, than amp. But it has lasted a LONG time.

@bbmade 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment. Yeah I have always liked these. Printed circuit boards aren’t necessarily bad, it depends on how they are designed. To me, if the PCB can make an amp more affordable then that’s cool. Not as fun to work on but, do able. 👍

@msaintpc 3 ай бұрын

Killer soundtrack, made my day!👍

@bbmade 3 ай бұрын

I was able to find some good free-use tunes on KZfaq which was cool! Thanks

@soapboxearth2 Жыл бұрын

I recently got into building . My second amp was a hr deville conversion. I made a 5f6a/jmp plexi type circuit. I'm just finishing a hr deluxe - jmp plexi/jcm 800 type thing. I really enjoy tearing out the pcb and hand wiring a new amp in these hot.rod amps

@bbmade Жыл бұрын

Sounds like a fun project. I have a beat up Hot Rod Deluxe, maybe it’s a DeVille, that I might go for some type of conversion. There are some Dumble style projects for those. Thanks for the comment 👍

@soapboxearth2 Жыл бұрын

@bbmade if you get a hold of Jloewenheim youtube channel. He will send you a layout . I've seen the pcb dumble boards too , they look interesting.

@bbmade Жыл бұрын

@@soapboxearth2 Thanks for the tip!

@giulioluzzardi7632 2 жыл бұрын

Great job, that pedal sounds great too.

@donarmando916 3 жыл бұрын

Sounds ligit. Very nice tone. I got this amp and the problems are exactly those that came up here. Scratching potentios, loose jacks and hum. Got it all fixed and the amp sounds great again.

@bbmade 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment. The new owner of this amp was very happy which was great.

@donarmando916 3 жыл бұрын

Sure thing 😊

@donarmando916 3 жыл бұрын

I always find the term "firing up the amp" a nightmarish thought, haha

@GuitarHack66 4 жыл бұрын

Very cool. I didn't know you were an electronics guy. Oh and nice shirt btw. Cheers

@bbmade 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for stopping by Hack. Thought you might get a chuckle out of that.

@kennethquintini658 8 ай бұрын

Where could those little switches have gone 🤔, I have the bassbreaker 007ltd with the treble boost little switch, but I bought the fender foot switch for the treble boost. I had a blues jr and traded it away. Happy holidays 🎉

@ali2ndmail 3 жыл бұрын

Nice job. I thought you were a bit brave working on the board with it only supported by the connecting wires. Those ribbon cables are a bit fragile. But looks like all went well. Congrats!

@bbmade 3 жыл бұрын

Yes it’s important to be careful with the ribbon cables. I think the time lapse footage makes it look a little rougher than it was. I was very careful the entire time because the last thing I wanted to do was replace them. I’ve swapped boards on other amps and had to desolder and resolder all them. Tedious for sure. Thanks!

@Grzz51 4 жыл бұрын

I have a '95 Blonde Blues Deluxe with a maroon grill cloth. Those two square resistors have been a problem since the amp was designed.I had to replace them within a year..BTW, I bought the amp new and gigged with it regularly until 2017 when I went to a Hot rod Deville III 2X12.

@frankkissane1908 4 жыл бұрын

The problem with the 5watt square resistors was they heat up and Fender mounted them right on top of the board. They tend to burn the board and mess up the traces. Same problem with the Hot Rod Deluxe, but even more commonly. The Illinois capacitors are junk, they use them to save a few cents on each board. Did you know your blonde Blues Deluxe is a collector piece? Only made for three months in 1995.

@Grzz51 Жыл бұрын

@@frankkissane1908 I discovered what I had shortly after reading your reply. Mine was dated July '95 and has the big "Fender Blues Deluxe" logo on the front......the surefire clue it was one of the Limited Edition models.

@goodun2974 3 жыл бұрын

That's some good, meaty playing on "Beer Belly Blues"; not just the guitar but the Hammond organ/Leslie player is just wailin'! I was disappointed when you faded it out prematurely 🙁....

@bbmade 3 жыл бұрын

I really liked that music. I found it on the KZfaq royalty free music or whatever it’s called. Considering I have no idea how to make cool videos I’m just trying different things along the way. I like the time lapse video because I can go about my work and not end up with 3 hours of video to edit. Thanks for the comment.

@resorbrad 3 жыл бұрын

I have an original blues deville. When I turn the treble up it sounds decent but too high. When I turn it anywhere but maxed the volume raises to the point of distortion. I replaced all the pots and put new matched tubes in. Same issue. Any thoughts?

@bbmade 3 жыл бұрын

Tough to say but it sounds like maybe the signal is hitting the first tube too hard so maybe a resistor between the input and V1 or maybe between V1a and V1b. This is a total guess of course, it seems like the signal path is missing some resistance or the input impedance is wrong. Good luck, wish I could give you more specifics.

@franpilattiYT 2 жыл бұрын

Hi dude, nice work! sorry if i do bother u, i have an issue with my Fender blues deluxe. The output catches a FM radio, even when i plug my guitar into the power amp in (post pre amp). It moves with the volume up and down. Do you have any clue of what could cause it? thanks in advance.

@bbmade 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I really don’t know what it could be. My first instinct is something is wrong with grounding or shielding but that’s not much help. It’s interesting that it is also after the preamp section. I would bring it to any reputable tech in your area. They might be familiar with the issue and nail it down for a one hour bench fee. Sorry I couldn’t offer more insights.

@dbrad66 4 жыл бұрын

Have this exact same amp. Cleaned it up today and still getting a slight intermittent hum (kind of a high soft tone.. hard to describe) when powered up .. is this a microphonic tube? All original and everything else is working as it should. Thanks for the vid

@bbmade 4 жыл бұрын

I would power it up and lightly tap the tubes to see if you hear the tap or the sound you describe getting amplified. If so it’s probably a microphonic tube. You can also gently wiggle the tubes to see if there’s any noise or crackle which might mean the sockets need cleaning. Beyond that it could be some bad solder joints on the board but start with the tubes. Thanks for the comment!

@dbrad66 4 жыл бұрын

Will do - thanks!

@rjcxyz 2 жыл бұрын

Hello, I've been using my BDRI 15 years with no problems until a week ago the reverb stopped working. The rest of the amp works correctly, just zero reverb. The reverb 12AX7 tube checked good and I swapped another good one in with no affect. Anyone have any ideas? They'd be greatly appreciated.

@bbmade 2 жыл бұрын

A lot of times it’s a transducer in the reverb tank and most people don’t bother fixing it. It’s possible it’s a wire inside there but new tanks are pretty inexpensive. If you have a good tank out of something else to test with it could confirm it’s the tank. Best of luck

@danielbuhr4260 3 жыл бұрын

Hope you can find time to respond to this comment. My blues deluxe has this issue where the volume cuts out completely. The drive channel light kicks on during this time, and cannot be turned off. The only info I can give is that if I lightly slap the back it makes a noise and sometimes cuts back on. I'm not going to attempt to fix it myself, but any info I could give my local shop would be great. Btw I changed the speaker and the tubes and it sounds so good with the upgrades, just wish it was working properly otherwise.

@bbmade 3 жыл бұрын

My bet is, some bad solder joints on the circuit board. Probably pretty easy to fix for a tech. I was surprised that the solder joints I fixed on my amp solved the random switching problems. It’s not unusual at all for these PCB tube amps to end up with bad solder joints.

@reddsshaker3477 Жыл бұрын

@@bbmade yep. Fractured solder joints. I’ve owned quite a few Blues Deluxes and DeVilles, and I always pull the boards and resolder those troublesome connections.

@barrybynum2914 4 жыл бұрын

i have one. the pre still works but power section quit. Any ideas?

@bbmade 2 жыл бұрын

Don’t know how I missed this comment but a year later…I’d guess that the factory bias fried the circuit board for the EL 84’s and/or the solder cracked and shorted.

@saculsheet 2 жыл бұрын

The stock speakers, is it possible to improve the tone changing them? are the stock ones from alnico?ceramic?, can you help me on this? any recomend will be appreciated. Thanks.

@bbmade 2 жыл бұрын

Stock speaker is a ceramic Jensen. Changing speakers can make a big difference. Figuring out which one to get is the hardest part. I haven’t tried enough different ones to give a recommendation unfortunately,

@darrendanger6853 Жыл бұрын

How do the 90's original and the mid 2000's reissue differ?

@bbmade Жыл бұрын

Honestly, I do not know. I’ve never had a reissue to peek under the hood. The only thing I would have to go by is looking at schematics but even then, I’m not sure I could give any meaningful answer. People often covet the made in America amps, but considering the PCB era of Fender amps, not sure that matters much. Sorry I couldn’t give a better answer. Thanks for the comment.

@kristofernewton422 Жыл бұрын

I'm Wondering what is causing the "Fluttering" Sound I hear inside my Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue 90's....Wondering if Power Tube or other tubes are Slowly wearing out....I don't play it All the Time.

@bbmade Жыл бұрын

Tough to say by that description. It could be a lot of different things. If you have the ability to record and upload a video it would help but even still, tough to say. Check all the screws holding the speaker, baffle and chassis to begin with. With the amp on, gently wiggle the tubes to see if there is noise, crackling or cutting out. If the tubes are hot obviously have something on your hand to prevent needless pain 👍

@niteriderband4713 3 жыл бұрын

Hello, what bias voltage did you adjust to? 60mv?

@bbmade 3 жыл бұрын

Hello, sadly I don’t remember. I worked on that amp a long time ago and didn’t keep a record of measurements. The amp sold shortly after the video was recorded. I don’t think I mentioned it while recording either.

@thesuavesmusic9627 3 жыл бұрын

hi BBmade , I GOT A BLUES DELUXE AMP LIKE THE VIDEO, BUT I GOT A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE CHANNEL, DOESN´T CRUNCH LIKE THE FIRST TIME , ONLY INCREASE THE VOLUMEN AND I CAN FEEL A LITTLE THING OF CRUNCH, AND TOO HAVE AN ANOTHER PROBLEM A STRANGE SOUND LIKE A VERY HIGH BUZZING...PLEASE CAN YOU GIVE ME YOUR OPINION WHAT COULD CAUSE THESE TWO PROBLEMS? I CHANGED ALL THE POTETIOMETERS, BECAUSE THEY WERE DIRTY. AND CHANGE MY TUBES ARE NEW TOO. THANK YOU SO MUCH

@bbmade 3 жыл бұрын

Hello Walter, it’s very tough to say what might be the issue. It could be something as simple as a cold solder joint or a component failure. Really not sure. I’d tap each tube to see if any are microphonic just to rule it out. Even brand new tubes can be bad. The pots could have been cleaned instead of replaced. Maybe something happened to the circuit board in that process but not sure that would cause an issue with just the drive channel. Wish I could give you a better answer. There’s a great wealth of info and many knowledgeable people on the Hoffman amp forum. I’d be willing to bet someone there would have better insights. Here is the link for that: el34world.com/Forum/index.php

@thesuavesmusic9627 3 жыл бұрын

@@bbmade HI! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOU ANSWER, I WILL CHECK AT THE FORUM. BUT YOU ANSWER IS VERY GOOD TO START WITH THE PROCCES. THAK YOU

@bbmade 3 жыл бұрын

@@thesuavesmusic9627 You are welcome. The forum is a great source of info.

@timehasbeenkind 4 жыл бұрын

Cool video! Like and subed! New friend here!

@bbmade 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much!

@daniwest1370 4 жыл бұрын

Good stuff, are you going to do a video about that blackface bassman?

@bbmade 4 жыл бұрын

I think so. I have a video on an identical Bassman head I fixed up and it includes a demo of the amp. The other one I got with the Blues Deluxe needs more work than the video I already have up. Thanks!

@johnsimms3957 4 жыл бұрын

Do amp companies install Illinois Capacitors as a form of planned obsolescence?

@bbmade 4 жыл бұрын

John Simms - well, it’s a cost issue. They are inexpensive capacitors. Any brand of electrolytic will need to be replaced at some point. None of the ones in this amp we’re bubbling or leaking but at 26 years old it makes sense to replace them. Thanks for the comment!

@luissilva-vm9qu 4 жыл бұрын

I have this same amp.. and i was playing.. then i put it on stand by.. then on again and theres like no signal... therse no nothing.. just a little noise from the reverb..

@bbmade 4 жыл бұрын

luis silva - That is very odd and I don’t know what it could be. My only hunch would be the switch went bad and it’s stuck in standby or maybe, a wire came off but I doubt it. Does the switch feel any different when you flip it than it did before?

@luissilva-vm9qu 4 жыл бұрын

@@bbmade it feels the same. And if i shake or hit a little bit you can hear the coils from the reverb.. But again.. you disconect the plug from the guitar, touched it and theres no noise. =(

@bbmade 4 жыл бұрын

luis silva - Sorry to hear that. It’s like something popped which maybe was a resistor in the signal path. Maybe check the tubes, see if they are all lit up. Maybe one died, if there’s no plate glow on one or if the glass has a white haze in it then maybe that’s the problem. Wish I could share better insights.

@luissilva-vm9qu 4 жыл бұрын

@@bbmade Thank you ! I am going to take the amplifier to a technician to see because i have no clue on electronics and when he solve i''ll tell you what it had. Greetings from argentina.

@russellesimonetta3835 4 жыл бұрын

One look on the inside and all those IC caps made me wince. I'd not even turn it on till those were replaced. Surpized it fired up and sounded good.

@bbmade 4 жыл бұрын

Yeah those needed to go but that’s why I brought it up to power slowly and checked voltages. Thanks for the comment!

@jeffmclowry 3 жыл бұрын

Bitchin’ dude. Thank you!

@bbmade 3 жыл бұрын

Hey thanks!

@DerMensch1 Жыл бұрын

Dude. How the hell do I learn to do this. I want to do this. I’m serious. Where do I go to learn this?

@bbmade Жыл бұрын

That’s a good question. I would start with Uncle Doug’s KZfaq channel if you want really good instruction on tube amp theory. He’s awesome. You can also find Navy Training manuals online for tube amp electronics in PDF form. I’ve always found it tough because electronics can be so abstract. Some people just “get it” and I’m not one of those people. Psionic Audio is another great KZfaq channel.

@DerMensch1 Жыл бұрын

@@bbmade thanks very much. I looked up Uncle Doug and started his tube amp series. I think I get it now. ;) Ha. Jk. But thanks, these are good tips. I’m digging his explanations. It’s like taking the high school classes that I should have paid attention in 35 years too late.

@bluesbondsman 3 жыл бұрын

V-1 microphonic ??? say it isn't so. LOL

@J.C... 11 ай бұрын

Those plastic jacks must not strip that easily. After 27 years, they were still just fine 🤷

@bbmade 11 ай бұрын

Fairly simple upgrade, preventative if anything. Once the threads strip, all the pressure is on the solder pads every time you plug or unplug.

@russellesimonetta3835 3 жыл бұрын

If I bought a new fender and saw IC CAPS I'd shit can em.

@theampromancer757 3 жыл бұрын

Nice video but please stop using hot glue. The inside of an amp gets warm enough to melt hot glue and then it's a nasty mess for the next tech. Use high temp silicon if absolutely necessary.

@bbmade 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I use high temp adhesive on the resistors I raise off the board on Fenders but it does look like I used hot glue between the filter caps. Good tip.

@adamuprichard491 2 жыл бұрын

No it isn't. Badge doesn't have deluxe on it. It's a reissue.

@bbmade 2 жыл бұрын

Circuit board was dated 1993.

@bbmade 2 жыл бұрын

And the back panel of the reissue says “Blues Deluxe Reissue”.

@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG 3 жыл бұрын

"Pre-disposition to Type-2 Diabetes (& Heart Disease) Blues"... ;-)

@bbmade 3 жыл бұрын

Interesting comment. Thanks for taking the time to leave that.

@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG 3 жыл бұрын

@@bbmade Just my diseased brain substituting a synonym for 'Beer Belly'... (ie. No judgement intended ;-) )

@bbmade 3 жыл бұрын

Jah Rastafari - No worries! I picked that song off the license free music KZfaq offers creators. I liked the music, liked the title and I have a belly.

@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG 3 жыл бұрын

@@bbmade Then I wish you well (and watch those carbs!). Oh and, tnx for the video...