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The Hot Rod Deluxe Series are great-sounding amps, but unfortunately, they have some design and component flaws. Is the tone not what it used to be? Starting to hum more than it used to? Is your HRD switching channels all by itself? Reverb turning on and off? Maybe the sound is getting really ugly, it may even smell a little smoky. You might be losing volume. Maybe you\'re blowing fuses. These are all things common to these amps. A Fender certified repair center will happily do just what\'s needed for about 4 times the amount of this kit-- and they\'ll only fix the first problem they find, or what\'s instructed in a service bulletin, meaning that one of the other weaknesses may rear its head in the future.
Why is this the best amp repair kit available? This kit includes step-by-step instructions, as well as support by email if you have questions. I have a communications background, so I\'ve put a lot of effort into making the instructions easy to understand. I think this is the easiest kit to DIY available, because I\'m a communicator first, and only became an amp tech later in life. I\'ve done a lot of DIY and Instructables, and I know what it means to have well-written, clear instructions.
What sets this kit apart? The best instructions, and only the best parts. There are no inferior components in this kit-- only the best available parts. My goal is to make this the last time you open your amp.
I also have a kit available that includes mods you may want to try. I also sell new tubes at the going rate and you won\'t pay any extra for shipping. Contact me for tube suggestions.
Three replacement jacks for your inputs and footswitch jack-- I use Switchcraft metal jacks that I have pre-wired for you with Switchcraft shoulder washers. These will be sturdier and last longer than the factory Fender jacks or any other plastic box jack.
7 resistors-- these are higher wattage, higher quality resistors to replace the ones that are turning your circuit board brown, overheating nearby components, as well as the resistors connected directly to your output tubes. You also get some bushings with instructions on how to attach the resistors so they have some air to help them dissipate heat9 direct replacement diodes-- these are often overheated by the poor resistors and become unreliable, functioning just enough that they might fool your tester into believing they\'re still good. 4new high quality F&T filter capacitors that fit easily where the old ones were. The old ones say \"Illinois Capacitor\" on them, but they weren\'t made in Illinois. They\'re inferior Chinese caps which often leak yellow foamy material out the end. This causes hum, and can eventually cause fuses blowing or even serious damage to the amp. You\'ll be getting precision made German caps, the best I\'ve ever used, they are always dead on spec with no leakage. I have carefully put these against every other brand available, and no matter what any salesperson tells you, these are by far the lowest ESR, most reliable caps available. I\'ve never had one fail, add hum, or be the least bit out of spec.A zip tie to replace the one you\'re going to cut.
You might choose to only replace some of the parts, but I find that these are enough trouble to disassemble that if I suspect a part, I just replace it. You can always keep the parts you choose not to replace in case you need them someday.
You also get simplified instructions (no engineering or formulas) to tell you how I make these repairs when a Hot Rod Deluxe comes into my shop.
If you haven\'t done electronics repair before,you don\'t want your $500 amp to be your first soldering project. I recommend if you\'ve never done any electronics work that you start by taking apart some medium or large sized electronic device that\'s headed to the recycler anyway. Learn how to solder and desolder by pulling and replacing a bunch of components until you get good at it. 2 hours spent destroying an old stereo or vcr before you drop it off for recycling will be time well-spent.
Tools needed: Soldering iron (if you can control the temperature, that\'s best, but at least be sure it\'s a soldering iron for electronics), solder sucker or desoldering braid, phillips screwdriver, stubby or right angle phillips screwdriver, small flathead screwdriver, adjustable wrench (deep socket set or nut drivers are better), needlenose pliers, wire cutter, silicone caulk,bright light.I\'m going to provide you with the materials and instructions, and I do answer questions after you receive your kit, but opening up your own amp means it\'s your liability, I\'m not responsible for any injuries to you or your amp.
