I'm about to attempt a similar repair on a Hot Rod Deville 212. Watching this really helps me understand what I'm gonna need to do. Thank you for posting it :)

Great video Brad and amazing repair work. It's very satisfying seeing your level of craftsmanship while doing repairs & restorations the right way. Thanks for sharing your fine skills and expertise with us mere mortals. :) Subscribed and looking forward to watch your other videos. Cheers.

Watched the whole thing.. Nothing wromg with my amp.. You are a pleasure to follow along. Thanks.

I upgraded my Hot Rod Deville ML yesterday using your tips and tricks, thanks a lot for the video! Replaced the Caps, lifting the resistors and diodes from the board, removing the silicone with a chisel worked like a charm. I tested the B+ with my tongue and still tasted like 495V so good to go!

Thanks Brad, valuable content. I appreciate it.

youtube has been recommending smaller channels lately. really appreciate you putting out this content.

Good video, I appreciate your style!

Awh man, I gotta check my Amp too. Recently I've checked an amp of my friend, and it has some of those dark spots too. I cleaned most dark spots, but just to clean it ofcourse but I think those do worry me a little. Hopefully it's not in a bad condition. And I surely hope mine isn't in a terrible condition. For now it works alright, but you mentioned something I remember... I thought... uh oh! o,0 Anyway, thanks for making the video, I got work to do!

Awesome video and extremely helpful!

I watched the whole thing mesmerized. Man I love your videos. Hahaha. Cheers!

On that last crimp I watched you not flip the crimppers in your hand and I said, "no it's backwards!". Alas. Don't you love doing things like that on camera? Thanks for posting this. I learned quite a bit, thanx!

At 1:13:40, "forming pliers"! Very cool! Never seen those before! I shudder to think how many hundreds of resistors I have formed the leads on in a similar manner, the hard way, *by hand*, with needlenose pliers. I should get myself a pair of those! Of course, the alternate mounting method would be to stand the resistors on one end and secure them to the board and to each other with RTV silicone. There'd be a little more heat transfer to the board than the way you mounted them, but they'd be better secured against vibration with one end down against the board. I'd really like to find some tiny rivets or grommets that could be crimped to the board to replace the lifted pads, like a miniature version of the eyelets on vintage Fender amps. Or, tiny turrets that could be bolted onto the board....

I've just fixed a reverb on one of these - if you have non-functioning reverb and assuming you have a resistance meter or DMM, unplug phono/RCA jacks and measure impedance into each side of the reverb unit. You should see some impedance (not zero or open circuit). If open circit on either then first check visible wiring to the phono/RCA jacks and if no sign of broken wires look for green corrosion on fine enamel wires where soldered onto connector posts which will most probably be an indication of the fault. The latter was the problem in my case. Managed to resolder though it is a little tricky.

YT recommended this to me this morning--subscribed. Just pushed a Blues Deluxe reissue off my bench last night. Wasn't cooked like this one in the vid, but still was a strange case...primary input winding for the power trans burned out and was DOA...

At 36:30, The simple solution to not having the amp going into runaway from loss of bias if that pot fails would be to do what Fender used to do on the original amplifiers, which was run a jumper wire from the wiper terminal to the top end of the pot where the negative voltage enters it. This way if the internal wiper connection failed, the full resistance of the pot would remain in series with the fixed resistor below it, and negative bias voltage would increase, throttling back on the plate current to the tubes. The amp might not sound all that great running "cold" like that but it would prevent any major damage.

Great video Brad. Thank you. Wish there was a part two. I'm in the U.S. and about to replace the caps and a few resistors in my newly acquired Deville (2nd gen.) Wondering if you have an opinion on mod kits? Anything you like or should I just stick to replacing caps and resistors? Thanks!

Oh, look at pre-covid, pre-shopfront me. So carefree and easygoing!

The rika rika on the signal genie is hilarious.

Hi brad, got a few issues with my hot rod deluxe and it only a few years old. Just wondering when you're going to show the second instalment of the finished job ? Oh I forgot to say brilliant video and very informative and helpful... you certainly know your chickens ! Thanks for sharing with us mere mortals.

Awesome video Brad! I have a blues deville and the high/mid/low knobs does not seem to work. When i want to “equalize” it the treble knob does not do its work and even adds volume to the master output. Why would that be happening?

Really good job in going into how a professional pretty much needs to fix it but still teaching owners how to diagnose the problem. This js the first video I've seen of yours and haven't checked your catalog but I'd like to hear your analysis on new music products and if they are worth it or not

A hive of info .i thoroughly enjoyed this .Could you resolve the volume jump issue ? I put an ebay log pot on mine it seems to roll up and down now evenly ,but I don't trust my own judgement without a full understanding of why,

Man you look so much like my brother it cool. Twins

Seu vídeo está sendo de grande ajuda para mim aqui no Brasil.

Need your opinion on replacing the volume pots, the only the I been able to find are snap in linear taper pots. would you recommend a linear attenuate pot, want to tame the volume jump. /

Have they changed the components in these at all to better quality? I’m assuming my 2004 hrd hasn’t changed but I was curious if they addressed this at all.

Where do you get those lead forming pliers? Can't seem to find them in the USA.

Hey Brad, thanks for your video's on the Hot rod deluxe amps. I have recapped and changed a few things as per your instructions and two years on everything is still working a treat. Thank you. Have you done any vids on the Fender deluxe reissues with a ticking vibrato. There are a few vids out there that appear to be pretty straight forward but wanted to see if you had done something before I start as I enjoyed your work. Regards, Anthony

Mine crackles on low notes. Checked things found a microphonic tube but doubt that is making the loose rattle. Nothing seems loose.

My original hotrod deville started to make only noise. i would bump top of amp and would just pop and crack at very very loud. I tapped tested the ax7s and replaced all three as they were microphonic and crackled. My amp works now with no noise whatsoever but the output is very low. Usually cant play above 2 or 3 but even if turn up to 8 on up it still very low and distorted. From your experience could it be powertubes as well. thx

I have a very similar amp, a Blues DeVille 2x12 with the same exact issues. This is very good insight into what the possible causes are and an incentive NOT to try to repair it myself.

The other day my hot rod deluxe iii stopped working. If you flip the on switch you can hear a humming and nothing else lights up or works (except the channel select button). Any help?

Hey man, invest in some Solder-Wick. It comes in various widths and they are copper braids infused with flux. Quick and easy on through hole work. They are a bit pricey for what they are but they work exceedingly well. I have a really nice Metcal Solder Station but I prefer to use the wicks to remove instead of the Metcal remover.

Did you ever make a second video to show how you handled the lifted pads on the back side of the board for the 2 sandbox resistors? I have a similar situation except all 4 pads lifted off the board and I'm looking on how best to repair it.

One of the best sounding most UNRELIABLE amps ever made.

This video has convinced me to sell my hot rod

A shorted CR28 (D28) 10V Zener diode was the culprit with "non-channel switching" in a Hot Rod Deluxe I recently serviced. FYI

Hey Brad, awesome video! Think you have any idea why a Hot Rod Deluxe passes audio through but at a really low volume for the clean and both overdrive channels? Thanks

Watching this in 2024 trying to find why my 2019 blues deluxe volume drops out occasionally only only the drive channel

Hello Brad. I have a Blues Deville. After I’ve been playing for a while it will cut out. I noticed that the second channel light turns off and on when this occurs. Could this be a cap issue? Also where did you get those pliers and what is the model of your desolder gun?

Hi i have a amp that has two 6L6 tubes and Three 12ax7 tubes its 60 watts 12 inch speaker can i make it into a 59 BassMan mods like u did . How do i no if my amp is compatible to do this plese let me know.i can't do it ill need to take it to a tech ...thank u for any info

Great video, would love to see part 2 if it exists. Have a link to a set of those pliers that I could purchase by chance?

The sight of ribbon cables in a Fender make me want to run and hide !!!

I just subscribed in the hope you have a video on your voicing of any tube amp. I could use the knowledge just out of my own curiosity. Oh, that shouldn't be paint on that pot. I can't remember the name, but that should be a particular type of a pot "wiper lock" substance, I 'M JUST TOO FREANKING OLD NOW TO REMEMBER anything!!!!!! LOL

Hi Brad, You’ve fixed my bandmates Vox before (the really old messed up one) my other band mate has one of these hot rod deluxe and its overheating and the signal is getting chopped up like a tremolo. Is this a normal deluxe issue or is hers just screwed?

I have a Blues Deville 4-10 Tweed cab. I want to gut it and install a Mojo Tone Bassman kit. I wonder if the chassis is interchangeable?

"and your three second memory dies" ...... LMFAO

Great video's, very informative, thanks. Just a quick question, I'm going to replace the power resistors R78 & R79 and was wondering if there's any reason why I shouldn't use wire wound 470 ohm 5w aluminium case resistors. I'm thinking this may be a way of dissipating the heat being generated onto the board.

My amp had the same crusty leak. 1998 amp. F&T baby!

I need the fix for the overdrive and reverb not functioning. Is it on this video and if so what time interval. Thanks

Good video, and I think for the money, the Hot Rod Deluxe is a workhorse amp. Even with cheap caps. (I have a '96)

I have an older hot rod deluxe. 2 issues. #1 Input work but some time cuts out and I can change that but the second main problem is after a couple hours the amp volume will surge to a high volume. Some times it will buzz afterwards. I shut it off and on and it seems fine for a while. Do you know what is causing this. Thx in advance and good video. You are very knowledgeable

Hi Brad's G Garage i have a Hot Rod De Ville 095270 if that matters it's a 4x10 my problem is some one unpluged the speakers so be for i turn it on id like to figure the wiring a picture would be nice thank you nice video to thank you

Yeah noone knows how to solder lol. I have a burnt board like that too. I just replaced them with 2x500ohm 10w half floating above the board. Will be better for heat but not super secure for gigging but this amp will be a studio application so no chucking around.

Chopsticking👍🏻👍🏻 Fucking love it🤪🤪

My hot rod crackles when I play loud it doesnt crackle if I dont play only when I strike a chord with a bit of power the amp crackles and the notes distorts. On low volumes it's fine. Some times it's fine on high volume. But when I hit the amp with a high gain pedal an plam mute on the guitar it starts to crackle and the volume goes up and down on it's own. Could you kindly help please

i like the video. although doing it yourself isn't only about being cheap. you could be broke and need it fixed!

hey brad, i have a weird issue with my deluxe II . Volume at 0 as sound . Drive sound actually. the more i push the volume toward 1 goes back to zero and past 1 functions normally. I feels like the 0 volume was shifted at 1 , and there was a " negative volume " below zero. Did you ever heard of that ? THis problem is actually no preventing me from playing at all , but i don't want to damage it. second problem : more annoying . often in gigs / jams if the amp has been on for 2 or 3 hours and get warm, the volume might drops suddenly, and sounds become really " transistor like " and cold. Professionnals never saw any problem because they probably don't play the amp for 3 hours staigth before to see where is the problem.

I have a 1990's blues deville 4x10. Is it possible to turn it into a handwired circuit, and mount the tube sockets to the chassis, instead of the plastic pcp? I'm sure it could get expensive.

I know this video is a bit old but I’m curious how much a repair like this would run typically? Very informative, subscribed ✌️

Thanks for the video. My hot rod deville 212 IV started playing up yesterday....I first started hearing loud pops, but now I'll be playing for a few mins (guitar is plugged directly into input 1) and the volume just max's out even though it's on 1 volume for both master and normal, changing the volume knob on the guitar does nothing, the sound doesn't appear to be coming from the guitar. It's so loud that I get hit by a pressure wave and my ears are ringing. Not ideal, as you can imagine, my girlfriend (and the neighbours for that matter are not impressed)....Any ideas? It's still under warranty, but the company I bought it from is half way across Europe

Yup change out those input jacks. Guys never treat them well lol. Might as well do the Pwr Amp In jack too bc it manages all the signal routing to the output stage.

Question please. I've got one of these been in storage 10 years and I want to get it up and running again. Is there something special I need to do to make sure it works and doesn't blow up?

MATE - Are you having the same issue with the IV version? I am thinking of getting one - because they sound cool. I am in Sydney - where are you?

The stock 5w resistors in my hrd are burning board. They are 10%, does it matter if I fit 5% as cant find 10%? Their still 470ohm 5w. Thanks

Yikes just bought a 2002 mm for $250 didn't know shit about the heat problems fortunately the previous owner said he never used it so their is no heat damage. Damned sure going to change out those caps and raise up the resistors. Thanks for the heads up bro. I saw the R97 looked pretty fucked too but you didn't mention it. Fender can't even get the component list right they have what I assume is 2w, 1.2k written as 2w,12L Anyway thanks. Would have liked to see the end and test 🤙

I jus found a fender blues deluxe reissue ...I can't get sound the channel doesn't switch,reverb doesn't work, tubes are new...can u fix it..an is it worth fixing?

Hey Brad you don't sound like a Texan. You from New York? Love your videos.

What lead forming pliers are you using?

so i just bought a used fender hot rod i was wondering is there anything I should check right away on it? Or just play it until theres a problem?

I have an old Hot Rod Deville 4x10 with a fixed MV, it sounds really great on the drive channel, when I keep the gain down to 2 - 3, and I have no intentions to change anything on that. But now I have bought a Hot Rod Deluxe III and that does not sound as good. The clean channel has thundering bass, and the drive channel is a little low on bass. It shows up that the preamp in HRDLX III has been changed. It has 2 coupling caps in the first stage. 22 nF for the clean channel, which is quite common in preamps, and only 580 pF in the dirty channel, which is quite low, and will let much less bass through (The DeVille strangely enough has 1,5 nF). That would only make sense on a 4x10. The stock Celestion speaker G12P-80 sounds ok, but I will try an Eminence Cannabis Rex, and then I will try to make C18 10 nF and C23 2,2 nF. I am going for a slightly driven Tweed kind of sound. Kind of like the Bonnamassa High powered Twin.

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.

what should I replace the R-97 resistor with ?

You have a link to those pliers??

I’ve had a hotrod deluxe III for about 10 years without issues! Maybe I got lucky

ya know, I'm pretty handy and can definitely do basic repairs, caps, tubes maybe broken boards and all that but I have this awesome Blues Deville 212 with n over drive channel issue. Im not sure if its the pot or something else. Sometimes it kinda works and sometimes not at all. (recently, not at all) how can I tell if its just the pot or something else, more serious and expensive to repair. I'm basically a poor man so I really can't afford to bring my shit to ANY repair shop, these days. Thanks

Hey I have hot rod deville 111 and has no volume on either channel on if plug cable into preamp in, can u please tell me wat could be the problems

Negative voltage would be a polarity issue

No part 2?

how do you fix tube rattle? It will not stop and is so annoying

I can't believe that Fender can't come up with better low voltage power supply instead of 5W resistors and zener diodes

Measuring the bias current with a signal present?!! You are adjusting the quiescent or IDLE current. The amp is not at idle if you're running a test tone through it.

Dropping 48V to 16V that way is just plain lazy designing. So they could not have bothered to spec a main transformer with a proper voltage for that circuit. Have you found a different supplier for those caps than Illinois Cap? Can't believe they used axial caps. With radials and snap ins you have way more supplier options.

Anyone else really caught off guard by that opening?

The fender boards are the cheapest crappiest pcbs I have ever worked on.

Too bad amps are not like cars and a recall isn't ever issued. These Hot Rod amps all have this exact same issue. Someone explain to me why Fender doesn't build these right after all these years? It wouldn't be hard to do. They would be legendary amps if Fender only did this one simple trick!

Man, the more I see of these fender boards from the last 30 years up to todays shit, the more I want to steer clear of them. time to sell the blues junior and buy a hand wired amp. fuck these cheap ass boards where the traces and pads lift if you look at them wrong

You never finished the vid dude. After all that we didn't get to hear it. Thx anyway.

And we pay £700+ for these ???? Poor leo

So these amps are junk and definitely not made to last?

SEPPO! Throw another shrimp on the barbie MATE! The term is VACUUM TUBE not VALVE! Which were invented by Seppos in the first place!!!

Biggest problem is that these are just junk. I have a Blues Deluxe, so I know ...

so much fibreglass and plastic!!!....i would never buy something like this!!...bit like repairing a guitar glued with epoxy...good work though!

"I say "he" because I think women are smarter than this" 😂😂

Getting pissed at people working on their own stuff, Lol. Who do you think is watching this shit? Anyway are you in Perth because Ive f*cked my amp?

46730 view. #159-comment. Nov.-17-2023, thx 4 explaining as eye (understand), 0.002% of what any of this is😔

Terrible, terrible amps.