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View Full Version : 4 y.o. Hotrod Deluxe w/issues



ShortBuSX
June 29th, 2007, 02:43 PM
My buddy has a 4 year old Hotrod Deluxe that he bought used, never had serviced, and is now having minor issues. Hes got a gig next month and wants to know what he should do. He says while playing at a medium level that the sound will spike. I suggested he have it serviced before his gig approaches...and from what Ive gathered he should replace the caps and tubes and then have it biased...but I dont REALLY know, so if anybody has any suggestions I will be sure to pass it on(forward the link).

Spudman
June 29th, 2007, 04:18 PM
Tubes first. Those are the first things that wear out.

The second thing to check is the input jack. The have it mounted to a PCB and the solder cracks real easy from strain incurred by the guitar cable. That might also intermittently increase the signal, but most likely it's just tubes.

Start there with a fresh bias and check: http://studentweb.eku.edu/justin_holton/

333maxwell
June 29th, 2007, 05:02 PM
Tubes first. Those are the first things that wear out.

The second thing to check is the input jack. The have it mounted to a PCB and the solder cracks real easy from strain incurred by the guitar cable. That might also intermittently increase the signal, but most likely it's just tubes.

Start there with a fresh bias and check: http://studentweb.eku.edu/justin_holton/


I own a Deville.. and

Kudos.. exactly what I would of said.. right down to the soldered on jack directly to the board..

But tubes first.. absolutly.. it's 4 yrs old even.. likely 4 yr old tubes..

ShortBuSX
June 30th, 2007, 07:01 AM
How much do you recon this service would cost at a decent shop?

Spudman
June 30th, 2007, 09:19 AM
Just a bias should be around $30, but call around and see what the rates are around you.

333maxwell
June 30th, 2007, 11:54 AM
Just a bias should be around $30, but call around and see what the rates are around you.

They marketed the HRD series as 'self biasing'..

In THEORY.. if one uses closely matched tubes, even of a different output than the ones they replaced, it is supposed to take care of it's self..

I have never had mine biased... but then again, I hardly ever do even with the twins..

Certainly there is a way to get it biased correctly.. but they CLAIM self biasing.

ShortBuSX
June 30th, 2007, 12:19 PM
Certainly there is a way to get it biased correctly.. but they CLAIM self biasing.

When researching this for him months ago I had found this: Video on biasing Hotrod Deville/Deluxe (http://www.eurotubes.com/euro-Fender-HRDV.htm)