How to Bias Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue

[@paulp2033]

Hi Stuart. Thanks again for another great video. In case it is useful, I believe there is actually a test point on the circuit board where you can check the bias without needing a bias probe. Cheers

[@stuartukguitarampguy5830]

Ah ok thanks!

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

I have found that these new Fender amps are biased far hotter from the factory which makes the tone harder. I learned years ago that Fender originally biased them colder which is why you find old amos with the original valves still in place and fully functioning. The springy tone from the 60s and 70s is the cooler 6L6 bias doing it's bit. If they would just use slighty better capacitors we would'nt even bother hunting out "Vintage" amps.

[@marigner]

Does colder mean to lower the mAmps ? Do you think this Amp is worth 550.- Euro, or should I look for something different ? I like Jimi Hendrix style sound....

[@rafaelzengo5534]

Great video, thanks for showing it so clearly. I have the BD Reissue as well and I've wanted to re-bias it since day one. I think it's cold sounding if it makes sense, and it also has the infamous volume pot issue. I wonder if I can re-bias it myself without changing the tubes, and without the device to read the numbers.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Be careful ,make shure the amp has been unplugged for a day. Get a small plastic handled screwdriver and with 1 hand only turn the pot anticlockwise a tiny bit at a time, use your ears and stop when you find the tone you want. The amp is always biased too hot to make them loud and overdriven but the big valves live shorter lives. Sounds better with a fuzz box or overdrive pedal for sustain. A boss graphic will make it much better and versstile.

[@MrVinman711]

I just replaced the tubes on my hot rod deluxe and I'm not getting any reading on my meter. I have power, but there is a buzzing sound.

[@lukemakayabu4369]

Thanks for the great video Stuart. is the 12AYZ pre-amp tube able to assist in making this amp a practice amp at home?

[@stuartukguitarampguy5830]

Hi Luke Yes I often change V1 for a 12AY7. It knocks the gain back about 30% allowing you to get it off '1'!

[@lukemakayabu4369]

I see, thanks for the response. Would a ECC81 or 12AT7 be too quiet?

[@MAC78]

Thank you for the video. But I'm concerned about the circuit board. The amp is build for 22~25 watts power tube, changing for 6l6gc at 48ma cause to increase voltage at more than 90mv at the check point. It's suppose to be 60mv. So , can you confirm that there is no danger for the circuit board?

[@stuartukguitarampguy5830]

Hi Yes it's perfectly ok.

[@MAC78]

@@stuartukguitarampguy5830 Thank you!! :)

[@GD-mg6pk]

It is a 40 watt amp. The Amp calls for three 12ax7 and a matched pair of 6l6gc/5887.

[@stuartukguitarampguy5830]

Hi Rafael. Unfortunately you're going to need a bias meter to bias this amp. They're not THAT expensive - about £100 from Eurotubes. Maybe worth the investment if you're going to own valve amps for a few more years?

[@TheHungarianHitman]

Also, if you're at all handy with a soldering iron and want to save some money, I got this Bias Probe Kit and it works just fine for my needs. I did look at that dual tester in the video and its in my future sights lol tubedepot.com/products/tubedepot-bias-scout-kit

[@russellcrea9701]

Can I just use a standard multi meter to check the bias voltage?

[@stuartukguitarampguy5830]

Yes. Any old multimeter will do.

[@rjcxyz]

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.

[@stuartukguitarampguy5830]

Yes, its almost certainly the reverb tank. If you remove it and have a look, with a bit of luck one of the wires will have fallen off the phono socket inside. Resolder. If all connection were good, use a meter on resostance to measure each phono. If there is an open circuit reading on one of them, it's a new reverb tank. For some reason I haven't been able to work out, reverb tank coils often go open circuit.

[@russellcrea9701]

Update, I put in a new reverb tank and everything works.

[@russellcrea9701]

@@stuartukguitarampguy5830 I replaced the tank and it works, thanks.

[@stuartukguitarampguy5830]

@@russellcrea9701 Awesome, Well done.

[@richardpayne5101]

Clear instructions but shame that standby being used :( . Receiving circuits do not need standby.