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Love this amp, going on 10 years now, but low level hiss and occasional pops are too much, even after new tubes...6 months ago? Trip for repair is never fun, and I don't want to give up on the amp. Is this a matter of cleaning sockets. a bad tube??? Any suggestions welcome, Thank you,
Tom
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01-23-2024 01:39 PM
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The Deluxe Reverbs I've had in the past all had some audible hiss even with the volume turned low. I think it's part of the design.
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You know, I've had this Deluxe Reverb since at least the early 90's and I've never had it repaired. There is perhaps a low level hum and rare pops after I turn it off. But it keeps on keeping on. Would probably trade it for a lighter amp but I'm too lazy.
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Expecting a noiseless Fender is like looking for a unicorn.
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We lived with noisy amps for decades because there was no alternative. If you got a quiet one, you were just lucky. And it didn’t matter much. But now that so many of us record our playing at home with little digital recorders that have mics on them, amp noise is an issue. Another change that made quiet amps more necessary was on-stage sound reinforcement. And one of the drivers behind the move to DI boxes and preamp pedals into FRFR powered speakers is the quest for powerful but quiet amplification.
Originally Posted by sgosnell
Fortunately, we now have great sounding amps that are powerful and quiet. I suspect that I and many of you might still be able to tell a Twin from a modeled Twin in live solo jazz performance. But I’m not 100% sure I could, and I know it’d be even harder in a band setting. But my Henriksen, DV Mark and Quilter amps are silent, and I’m pleased enough with the sound to live nicely without the anchors of my past.
Having said all that, both the Vibrolux and the CS PR I use at the club where my regular gig is located are pretty quiet. The Vlux got very noisy a few weeks ago, but new tubes cured it. Both amps are used a few times a week at high volumes by touring acts and at more moderate volumes by my band, and they’re holding their own nicely after about 7 years on the Vkux and 5 years on the Princeton. But I’d buy something like a TM Twin or a Quilter Mach 3 for a high powered amp and a Blu or Bud for a smaller one with less power, if it were for me.
We also have a DVMark Jazz 12 on stage, and it’s been bulletproof so far after at least 6 or 7 years.
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Did your amp tech give you any thoughts as to the origin of the hiss? Hopefully he reduced his fee since he didn't cure the issue. Originally Posted by tomvwash
I have a '77 Silverface DR that was seen by no less than 4 different amp repairmen. Each made "repairs" to a chronic hissing, popping, reverb-less amp. After several years of dealing with incompetent repairmen, I found an old hippy type guy (about my age) who made the amp sound amazing! He claimed to have 'blackfaced' the amp, replaced worn or useless parts, and generally made it sound as great as his own late 60's DR. Now I LOVE the amp and will never part with it.
I hope you don't have to go through what I did to bring your amp up to speed.
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Hiss is evident at low home volumes but practically imperceptible on a gig.
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So this is something that really bothered me about the “handwired” fender reissues. I don’t know if this is the one you’re referring to or a pcb reissue or a vintage amp. But yes different amps of the same model will have different noise floors. And Yes some will have an intolerable level of hiss for home playing. IMO the handwired deluxe has an intolerable level of hiss which is why I sold it. My old as balls pre cbs Princeton reverb and vibrolux reverb are both much much quieter at home volumes.
maybe a tech can get you sorted or maybe you should get a new amp. Some hiss is fine but I can’t stand it beyond a certain point.
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I have what I think is a competent amp tech down here--he worked wonders with my "65 Ampeg, now like new, and super quiet, as is the Fender '57 Reissue. Probably time to take it back to him and note that it is still not quite right. Originally Posted by Gitfiddler
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On the big Fenders the channels have Bright switchs for the capacitor across the volume potentiometer. The Deluxe Reverb is missing that switch but in stock form that cap is in place - so the "bright switch" is always on with a DR unless you or someone else has removed that cap or just clipped and taped one of the legs of that cap. Might check or have someone check the next time the chassis is out of the cabinet... just for some hiss reduction.
The reason that cap is on the volume pot is so as you turn the volume knob up the effect of the bright cap diminishes; when turned up to half or further the bright effect is all gone. You might be able to tell if the cap is still in the circuit or not by comparing tone at different volume knob rotations.
When the tubes were replaced, did that include the rectifier? When those begin to fail they inject noise into the amp. Rectifier tubes are usually quite tough but may be damaged by turning the amp off and then back on too quickly - the rectifier is susceptible to power-on damage when it is already fully hot from operation.
I recommend to let everyone else fully establish their power connections on stage before you turn on your amp - sometimes people need to redo power connections without alerting anyone in advance; that can result in your amp being powered off and then on a second later... also good reason to insist on a spare rectifier tube when buying a floor model amp with a tube rectifier.
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Cleaning the sockets is a good idea, and might save you a lot of money.
Ninety percent of valve amp problems are bad valves. If you remove the pre-amp valves, then turn on the amp, but hear no hiss, you will know the problem is one of those valves.
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It is winter and noises get magnified when all the windows are closed. I hear my clock ticking in the dead of the night that I don't hear in the day.
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If you must have antique technology (tubes) then you get all the hiss and pops that go along with it.
I got rid of my Deluxe years ago and replaced it with a LoudBox Mini. Not a single regret.
I was an electronics technician for 39 years so I know a little of what I speak. In the audio frequency range hand wired point to point and printed circuit have no difference.
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Hi, can I ask you an opinion? I have a DV MARK Jazz 12 which for the price is exceptional! I'm thinking of an upgrade, would a henriksen bud 10 be an improvement? I'm talking about sound only. I'm interested in warm tones, soft... Thanks Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
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If you have excess hissing and especially popping, that isn't something inherent in the Fender design. Sounds like your cathode bypass resistors, caps, or other component may be at the end of their lifespan and/or very out of spec. I wouldn't even turn it on without getting it to a good tech for a check up. Sorting out issues can take time and money but the reward is great rich, warm, and clear tube tone from your preferred Fender amp.
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That's entirely subjective. The main advantages of the Henriksen are its size (smaller) and additional features (2 channels vs the DV's 1, more power, presence control, better reverb). The basic sound is pretty similar, except that the Henriksen can be made to sound brighter if that's what you're prefer (I don't, but that's me, not you). Originally Posted by Karlos
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I had a '68 twin I bought new it sounded amazing but always had a (powersupply?) hum. After I couldnt carry it anymore I traded for a new '18 65 deluxe re ish Which came complete with POS power cord like an old fender and a hum just like the twin. At the same time my buddy dropped his original '65 deluxe with me. The original '65 was damn near silent and one of the quietest tube amps Ive ever heard. What I really dont get is that a twin has a solid state rectifier and the deluxes have tube rectifier. im lucky to be in the company of old tube junkies so I rolled every tube you can imagine (seriously) through the reish and although an improvement in tone not much change in noise. For live playing its fine but its useless in the studio. I will add that my bud dopped the deluxe with me as I had just helped him aquire a Demeter that was like a twin but super quiet and killer tone (and weighed a ton). Im now experimenting with a first year corona built (hot rod) deluxe. SS power supply and preamp out running the preamp into a mosfet power amp. Still experiencing low level noise but close to useable for recording. The tone is more twin like than deluxe with midrange control. One of my tube head buddies suggested a remote power supply but since both the SS and tube supplys made noise Im not sure thats a path worth following. I never overdrive an amp for breakup Im just looking for the clean but rich twin tone with no noise. I havent found any of the modelers I like the sound of. Another expert told me it was a matter of shielding. If I can tame the hum Im pretty sure the hiss is a cap but I want the hum gone first so I can hear it better. Originally Posted by BBGuitar
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I think a Bud 10 would be a noticeable improvement in sound quality, especially with its more versatile EQ. I prefer my Blu 6 to the Jazz 12 for warm, soft archtop tone with both my carved and laminated guitars. Of course, the 12 is a great jazz amp and a bargain. But cost aside, a Bud or a Blu sounds better to my ears with my guitars. Originally Posted by Karlos
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I have a '66 DR as well as a modern variant (Fat Jimmy) and I don't notice any noise with either. Or rather I should say, they make a tiny amount of noise that I can't hear when playing and doesn't affect my recordings. I can see a tiny bit of floor if I look at the input VU, but it doesn't cause a problem.
There is no reason that a tube amp, new our old, can't be quiet enough to use. It might take you some tech time to get it there but that's part of the ownership experience.
However, if you're the kind of person who puts their ear up against the speaker cloth and say "I hear a tiny bit of noise OMG!", I can't help you with that particular obsession.
I would also say that a single coil pickup generally makes much more noise than a well tuned tube amp, but people love them anyway. And I would say that you better not listen to any Hendrix recordings if noise bothers you!
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Yet, tube amps are still much better than solid state. I’ve owned 6 different tube amps and never once heard a hiss.
Did you first try changing your 12AT7 or 12AX7 or EL34 tubes? I mean, it’s not like having an audio amp with 12 tubes in it. They aren’t that expensive!
Tube amps provide greater warmth than any alternative, imo. But I’m biased as I use audio amps and preamps that feature all tube circuits. This isn’t rocket science. How many jazz guitar owners own tube amps, and why?
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