How to repair Fender Deluxe reissue tube guitar amp Filter capacitor Buzz

[@lostsailr]

Thanks for the tip on 'skinning' the capacitor, excellent solution!

[@loudguitar]

If it were mine, I would have had all of the filter caps replaced with higher quality examples. I also would have had those resistors (channel switching?) that always smoke and damage the traces replaced and raised up off the board. Great work!

[@Renshen1957]

I would replace the POS PCB with a fiberglass or even fiberboard and build a better amp that won’t die from the heat.

[@MartinLang1625]

On my Deluxe reissue, my tech added yet another cap in that space where there was none as well, and the amp now works great! He said that the originals had two.

[@wadehicks9270]

Mr Terry Sir I often watch your videos over and over again. I wanted to say how grateful that I am that your taking time out to help us out by showing us some very professional work done by The one and only D LABS. I'm more interested in the tube amp repairs but the solid state repairs are super interesting as well. I don't know if you were in the military but I do recall some words mentioned about the military so if you were I want to thank you for serving our country. May God richly bless you Sir.

[@chrisevans1546]

i've never repaired and amp in my life, and luckily i currently have no need to. however, i have saved this video because your teaching is top notch. thank you!

[@BonelishOfficial]

Great video and very clever tips. You've got the finesse of a master craftsman. Especially appreciate you showing to safely extricate that stubborn capacitor, and the bent-lead re-installation technique. And thanks for demonstrating how to discharge the 500V capacitor.

[@daveogarf]

LOVE the Hallicrafters T-shirt! My grandfather had a multi-band SW radio by them, and routinely DXed BBC News, back when it was harder to do.

[@TheFRiNgEguitars]

The job done right.. other important details mentioned to avoid damage along the way, and a good solder job. The de-solder procedure and solder is the most neglected among so many techs, who mostly are good trouble shooters, but butcher their repairs with bad, cold solder.. refreshing to see someone who knows what he's doing, and works clean.

[@TheFRiNgEguitars]

Do think it's better idea to replace all the filter caps with better quality Nichicon... still hear a trace of residual 120 Hz hum.

[@schlippery1]

Thank you for taking the time to do these videos, really appreciate them... I have a strange buzz coming from my fender blues deluxe reissue, and it is only noticeable at fairly high volumes... when I play a single note on a lower bass string particularly, I hear a loud buzzing distorted sound almost like the speaker is fried and just making a buzzing ugly noise... I have searched youtube and the internet for something similar and came up empty handed until I spotted this video of yours... A friend suggested it may be the capacitors, which is what I immediately thought too... any comments would be greatly appreciated ....Thanks :)

[@rciancia]

Great advice.. I just finished restoring a Peavey Classic 30 and used your advice to remove the skin from the caps. Worked like a champ. I am surprised you didn't change out those other IC caps as they are sure to fail but that would depend on what the customer wanted to spend. Nice work as usual Terry, thank you - Ron

[@d-labelectronics]

Yep, he wanted to keep it inexpensive. The amp was purchased for a song via Craigslist.

[@RJ4960]

Great walk-through - I particularly like the emphasis on caution in the light of the high voltages involved. Thanks for posting!

[@backlineguy]

Terry, excellent video, and instruction, as well as safety tips. Using your instruction, I was able to change all the filter caps, and even touch all the solder joints on the output tubes, and voila...my HRD sounds great again...and raising the ceramic resistors is always a good idea while you're in there too...thanks man!

[@MikeGervasi]

I desolder with a Hakko 808. Just did a Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue (2015) with zero issues. Problem there was install of a mod kit and also he had crackling/static. THAT turned out to be the cheap thin stock RCA cables connecting the Reverb tank to the send/return. Changed those out and it got a whole lot quieter.

[@barneycarparts]

I have the same amp, quiet intermittent crackle and static sounds like bacon frying. Thanks for the tip. Mine may be a dry solder joint too I have very little treble and bass control so Its somewhere in the OP Amp preamp. Prolly a disc cap with the dip coating down in the solder hole.

[@MikeGervasi]

Yes. The tip off is if you turn the reverb knob to zero it goes away.

[@dancrandall2058]

Ok. You sir, are my new favorite channel. Seriously, thank you so much for your videos. I’m just learning how to build/repair amps as a side hobby, and your stuff is so incredibly helpful. You have a way of making these things understandable to noobs like me. Thanks!!!

[@roberthurless4615]

Great video as usual Dave. Now go have a glass of red. lol I am on a couple of tube amp repair groups on Facebook, and the one thing every one agrees one is that the IC caps are junk. I suppose Fender used them because they get them on the cheap. Also people don't like those ribbon cables. I don't think Leo would approve of the way they do things today.

[@charlesshaw9090]

Interesting video, as always, but once you have got access to the reverse of the main board you cannot leave the other IC Illinois Capacitors in place. As stated by Molson12oz, Robert Barcus, Robert Hurless and Ron C, these IC caps become very unreliable even after just a year or so and must be replaced. I don’t give customers a choice on that point, it is an essential part of returning a working reliable amp.

[@jonnybeck6723]

Thanx Terry... You make a tough job easy... I'm surprised the customer didn't want all the filters changed and maybe even upgraded a little. So when are you gonna learn to play guitar at least enough to give us a wee audio demo of your great work (!?) cheers

[@randallabracadabra]

You should really recommend swapping all of those IC filter caps out at the same time, because they're not that high of quality. Sprague Atom, F&T or JJ caps work really well there. Definitely stay away from the Ruby Gold and IC brands, because they don't hold up well over time.

[@JasonTHutchinson]

Is there more than one way to skin a cap?

[@brianhemphill5722]

My Blues Jr. has that exact same buzz with the same cause - FYI it's a B flat note; 1st fret on the A string. Thanks for the great video.

[@kimsung4539]

Hey i love watching your tutorial way of repairing the amps, please i would love to know how to open up this Fender G-Dec in order to check its inside.

[@tinyb69]

I've found that the best fix for those amps, is to rip out all those "circus" boards, and replace them with old school point to point wired tag boards. Parts can be had for a few hundred dollars, and usually spend 5-6 hours doing the work. It's like having a brand new '65 DLXR, at less than half the cost of an original.

[@bk3720]

“Circus” boards, I’ll have to start using that one.😁😁😁

[@kanekitchen]

Chock-full of great advice! Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge

[@kendavis8046]

Thanks again for the channel and the great advice you provide.

[@u2bela]

Great tip with removing the Capacitor wrapper. Was curious what you use for adhesive to glue the cap back down.

[@d-labelectronics]

Hello, I use E6000 clear glue

[@jonnybeck6723]

Really nicely done video... Thanx. The solder wick is a great tip. I wuz just wonderin'... Back in the day we would get components with higher ratings as a 40 or 50 volt margin was considered borderline. Is it no longer possible to get 600 volt cans? Thanx again for a great vid and... cheers

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Thanks for this tutorial, I have a used one on the way and it may need work...and even if it does'nt these tips can be useful for electrical repairs.👍

[@brittisaacrossman]

Thanks for the PCB removal tips, Terry! iI've been trying to see if anyone has some tips for this process on the Pro Jr, and whadaya know, they've got identical layouts not counting the size! I suppose that figures given they are all part of the HotRod series... I also happen to have a Deville on the bench (PCB marked 1996!) that needs a whole mess of caps, and you guessed it, they're those same crappy ol' IC caps... Great vidjeo, as always! Thanks again!

[@bannerbaggins]

Thanks. I have a Deville with the same issue. The wick advise will be taken to heart as well as the rest.

[@The_Absurdistt]

Very informative vid. Additionally, it is good practice to discharge all high voltage caps when handling the PCBA.

[@robertbarcus2008]

Why not replace all those crummy I see caps while you're at it

[@backlineguy]

you mention polarity a couple of times...so it's the ribbed end of the cap that is positive, correct?...and the board indicates which end to install at the positive too... I'd like to be able to replace the caps myself to save some $$...and using a cap to discharge the amp...best/safest way? Thanks! Great video...can you recommend the best place to buy filter caps for a HRD online?

[@gennarogiordano4081]

Hi I’ve been watching your video tutorials and it’s been an education to say the least , I’m not a technician but a luthier who has some knowledge of amps . I’m rebuilding my amp a blues deluxe ( not a reissue);I’ve replaced the volume pot and the bright switch and plan on doing the caps and one of the relays and one of the 12AX7 sockets my question is can I add a bias pot like the one in the reissued model’s? Thanks Gerry G

[@rdnzl00]

Not a tech by any means, but this video was interesting to watch and informative.

[@j_music_8779]

You sir, are smart! I learned a lot from your videos 👍.

[@gabesalmon]

Terry, thanks again for you excellent videos . I have this same amp and have a quick question: I recently noticed that I am getting noise on my clean channel which used to be pristinely clear and quiet. There is still noise audible from the speaker even when the volume on the clean channel is all the way off. The dirty channel is completely silent when the master volume is turned all the way down. I took it into my local Fender Authorized repair center and got the amp back but it still has the same issue once I got it home and listen to it in a quite room (they noted that one of the solder joints on R-75 was cracked and they fixed it, but that didn't seem to fix the issue. They said all the tubes were still good and didn't need to be repaired). Any thoughts on why I'm still getting hiss even though the volume is all the way down? I've checked all the filter caps and they are not leaking. Also, I've noticed sensitivity on one of the preamp tubes (the far right position when viewing the amp from the rear) and on the resistors R1, R2, R3, and capacitor C1, C53 when tapping on them with a plastic stick. I've also noted a gouge in the board that looks like the trace connected to C53 was gouged with a screwdriver. Bottom line, lots of sensitivity on the left side of the board and I can't spot any other broken solder joints attached to those crazy ribbon cables. Any help would be much appreciated. Also, I don't want to insult the guys who attempted the repair. What do you think the best way to re-approach them is?

[@guydouglas6094]

Excellent video and repair lesson - as always.

[@ladyjulia4038]

Hey friend love your videos. I just got a Blues Jr and I'm wondering if I should have a tech replace all of those IC caps. I'm not sure why but I've heard they're a bad brand. Any help would be awesome.

[@murphysound]

Very nice video, many good points. The amp, however, is not a Deluxe Reissue, Its A Blues Deluxe RI. The Fender Deluxe Amp is quite another beast :)

[@markhoskins]

Great video. Nice tip on using solder braid over a sucker! :)

[@thesuavesmusic9627]

Hello, D-LAB ELECTRONIC through your videos I was able to repair an excessive noise in my BLUES DELUXE AMERICANO, but now I have another problem there is a small hum with a very high frequency and also my DRIVE channel does not do its job it is almost a clean sound, you think that You can guide me to see if I can repair it at home since here in Mexico nobody has been able to repair my amplifier, that time I had the problem with another noise I managed to identify that it was the bulbs, but now that buzz and the Drive channel without CRUNCH me got sad.

[@johnsimms3957]

Great video Terry.

[@russellhltn1396]

I noticed you used two white clip leads to add the cap. While it can be OK, I think it increases the risk of getting the polarity reversed. Or at minimum, it reduces your chances of catching a mistake before it's too late. I think a better practice would be to to use different color leads.

[@d-labelectronics]

I agree, just grabbed the first ones I saw. Should have stayed with the conventional red & black. Thanks for pointing that out. TD

[@dekzan]

On other videos I've seen recommendations to solder caps a little distant from the board to avoid heat transfer. On this video the cap is stuck and glued to it. Please, explain the issue. Please, what kind of glue you use ?

[@WoodesosGuitarMods]

Wonderful stuff man. I have this amp and the HRD, both of which I'm now positive need this repair and now I know how to do it:-) Thanks.

[@wiganlad2006]

I see this uses the same capacitors as the Peavey Classic 30. I would have thought he'd have changed them all out for F&T caps so there wouldn't be any other problems in the future.

[@d-labelectronics]

The owner wanted a quick/cheap job

[@THEQueeferSutherland]

I was just about to ask, "why don't you use a solder suc- oh." Answered that question.

[@danielmiles3993]

Ok Terry, I have this Amp. Like brand new! Only used a couple of times. Now I decide to use and gig out with this one. All of the sudden, No sound! What the F---k! This thing is brand new barely used but 4 yrs or so old. What should I look for to get this thing working again?

[@billtran5334]

Hi Terry, i would like to bring or send my 1964 Fender super reverb to your shop to fix its vibrato problem. Everything works just fine, sounds really good but there is No Vibrato. I am in Huntington Beach of California.

[@d-labelectronics]

Hey man, wish we lived closer. I used to live at Vandenberg AFB, near Lompoc. Do you see the little neon light flashing in the Tremolo photo-coupler?

[@raymondmoreno7442]

Thank you sir for great video helpful I'm going to be doing my amplifier wish me luck thanks again

[@HarpinJScott]

Many thanks for the great videos, Terry! Good stuff as usual!

[@Impractical_Engineer]

Skinning the cap, genius.

[@billyparham630]

terry, you are an artist!

[@mykhailoshatokhin5516]

Where I can buy that grey ribbon bus wire?

[@cardboardboxification]

D-lab where do you get those hallicrafters tee shirt?

[@d-labelectronics]

ebay

[@craigmacdonald939]

Do you know why a fender stage 100 would play fine then crackle and start buzzing beyond control and with volume at 0 still buzz really load so the only way to stop it is turn it off , I can’t find one repair on hear that deals with this the buzz is as if it’s on full volume . Appreciate any help thanks

[@Mirage2000H]

Great upload, keep up the great work! I love your videos so much.

[@vmaxtur]

Excellent Instructor!

[@MrJohnb787]

I have a fender blue deluxe with volume on 10.You hear low volume. What can it be?

[@grahamkelly8299]

This guy is just brilliant.

[@Tpierzchalski]

I live on the south side of Chicago. Do you have anyone you recommend in the area that can take a look at my fender deluxe amp? When I plug in my guitar it has very little volume coming out of speakers. It makes a ton of cracking noise when I move my guitar cable around. I had this amp for 20+years. I did replace the tubes about 2-3 years ago. It did work fine after I replaced the tubes. Any suggestions or help will me much appreciated. Thanks!

[@d-labelectronics]

Hello, Is this a real deluxe or a re-issue?

[@travisallen6154]

Love the channel Terry. I was wondering what type of adhesive you recommend for use on these type of boards when replacing filter caps?

[@pjsolarz]

Clear silicone rubber works best

[@johnnyweep59]

hi,Great im having problems with my HRD ,its fine for about an hour then the volume drops then no volume whatsoever? lights on top are fine ? any ideas would be much appreciated..thanks

[@Qbm2109]

Superb advices and explanation

[@3511manlyman]

love your vids i learn alot from them

[@RGMDG]

Thanks for the video. I just got a Used Hotrod Deville 410 that has a hissing and crackling noise. It isn't noticeable when I play but it is there. It is there whether I have a guitar plugged in or not.. Any thoughts on that?

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

If it's frying sounds, it could be pre-amp tube.

[@mrd5376]

another very helpful video from D-labgeatjob very well done!! and thank you very much!

[@grahamkelly8299]

Can I use any resister to discharge the old cap?

[@denverwalker9078]

Do I need to discharge every capacitor on the board to only change 1?

[@hraschan99]

Thanks for your video! I got a question. My Hot Rod Deluxe III George Benson Amp is buzzing as hell if i turn the volume to full. I checkt the capacitors (1X 47uF 500V and 3X 22uF 500V) and they all look alright. Should i still change them or could something else be my problem ?

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

When you say you checked the filter caps, do you mean you checked the ESR with an LCR meter? They 'leak' DC, not necessarily electrolyte, so the caps can look fine but still be letting DC through the cap, which is what gives rise to the hum.

[@hraschan99]

@@gerryjamesedwards1227 Thanks for your answer! No i didn't check them at all with an LCR meter. I don't have a lcr by my hands but ill check them when i got time left. Could you maybe explain how to messure the ESR ?

[@rickcurtis2983]

Gotta echo the other commentors...what an outstanding video!! Thank you, I will subb today!!😊

[@RedArwBus]

Great tips on how to fix it correctly (buzz buzz buzz goes the bumblebee)😆😆😆

[@judeconig9324]

Dumb question, but what is the name/type of adhesive that you used under the Cap ? Thanks for the quality solder wick tip.

[@d-labelectronics]

E6000 clear adhesive. Works wonders

[@judeconig9324]

Thank-you sir!

[@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.

[@garyeggleton1142]

nice video for sure

[@electrolytics]

What is your opinion Mr D on these expensive, hand-wired boutique amps? As compared to these Circus Board amps?

[@d-labelectronics]

Hey man, steer clear of the PCB amps

[@DeadKoby]

Most of us who build amps have come across more PC boards with solder issues, than we do Turret/Eyelet or P-P issues. I THINK it's got to do a bit with that lead free solder, and the wave solder machines not being generous enough.

[@PaulinTaegu]

The 1st and easiest option is the only way to go fixing someone else's amp. 2nd option only for an amp I plan to keep. LOL ;^)

[@groovemonkey2498]

brilliant! Thanks!!!

[@nhojcam]

before removing board, MAKE SURE TO DISCHARGE *ALL* THE CAPS!

[@martered2674]

The correct way to get rid of the fuzz on that thing is dumping it and buying a good amplifier with quality components. A useful video if you have one of those nonetheless.

[@rickshipman8021]

whats the cost?

[@miguelpessanha]

Hey Terry! Which desoldering wick do you recommend?

[@d-labelectronics]

Hello, I stick with Chemtronics

[@TheChasFred]

why are the caps glued to the circuit board?

[@d-labelectronics]

Stress relief

[@lewisbighuber7029]

Hallicrafters, cool old radios. Made in Chicago.

[@JobyP]

This is My Amp! Thanks Terry! If you are interested you can hear the amp and take a little tour of the D-Lab right here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/raqnq6RorLmDprs

[@DanaThurston]

You are a BOSS!

[@robertbarcus2008]

Thanks

[@russellesimonetta3835]

Those new pcb based fenders sound great but they are crappy. I,d just j hook new caps in and not tempt fate.

[@edcrow58]

D-LAB ELECTRONICS - DO YOU NOT READ YOUR EMAILS?!

[@d-labelectronics]

Yes, However only to [e-mail], The d-labamps acct is unused at this time

[@littlewing2357]

Nice video.

[@duanethompson2360]

First thing I do is replace the circuit board with a tag board and the pots and plugs with real ones!

[@Tonetwisters]

I have an original of these I bought in 1994, IIRC. I cannot tell you how incredibly disappointed I was the first time I took off the back ... It looked more like I had bought a computer than an amplifier ... Fender should be ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES for building trash like this. Mine rattled and buzzed for a couple years before I finally found out the racket was coming from those tiny little, nickel-ninety-eight potentiometers. The amps actually sound pretty good, but aren't made for crap -- which means they won't last when used professionally. And what's worse, today's players have fallen into their foist, the way tourists fell into those Kodak Pocket Instamatic pieces of "camera" camel poop that we all bought by the boatloads, and have no pictures to show for our efforts because the film was so mouse-ear tiny. Amazing what corporations foist on us through slick advertising, and I'm a former local ad copywriter ...

[@SuperCarver2011]

These China made Fender amps with hardware soldered to the main circuit board make it very difficult to to any of detailed repairs. The advantage that the old turret /eyelet boards used to have...a couple minutes to unsolder the old cap and solder in a new one. Now it takes an hour or more to get the ckt board ready to accept the new components.

[@elbowjames7625]

I suppose I'm not the first to point out that this amp is in no way a Fender Deluxe Reissue as the title has it.

[@RobertKohut]

Nice!

[@Brandon-youtube]

if you're going through all that effort why not replace all of those cheap caps

[@Renshen1957]

IC Caps have a bad reputation… and you never know if these are from US or China

[@Tonetwisters]

These things look more like computers than amplifiers. As a long-time player of Fender amps, I feel that these things are a disgrace.

[@davidlynch4338]

Hello, I did something pretty stupid today and I think I killed my Twin reverb reissue... I plugged the footswitch into the external speaker jack and practiced with it like that until it died. There was a lot of heat, but the amp was on the other side of the room so I dIdn't notice until it was too late. I notice that it was not nearly as loud as usual but thought something else in the chain was causing the volume drop. It is dead now and wont turn on. Have I really killed my amp? Thanks for any help you can provide!

[@d-labelectronics]

Hello, My guess is you shorted out the output transformer, due to the low resistance. That eventually killed the HV. Bummer

[@richardumfreville6914]

Now I get why these PCB amps are so cheap . I'd prefer to spend money up front to get something serviceable