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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
 Posted - 03/25/2010 : 14:29:57
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So I've been mucking around with Fender amps trying to get the tone/features I wanted for a few years.
Here's the story about the Vibrolux reissue I bought...
http://www.bossarea.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5153
And another one...
http://www.bossarea.com/forum/topic.asp?whichpage=0.666666666666667&TOPIC_ID=9244#80682
Then I bought a Twin II that wasn't really what I wanted either...
http://www.bossarea.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9109&whichpage=2
In the end I decided to trade both the Fenders on a spanking new one - a 65 Reissue Twin Reverb
http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0217300000
Picked it up last Saturday. So far so good.
Within about 2 hours, there were huge problems. Bad microphonics and the reverb sat there going "rumble-spring-rumble-grrrr" to itself with no input to the amp.
So I took it back. Both the reverb driver tube and reverb recovery tube were toast. And the tubes we tried out of the floor model were toast too... we had to put brand new Mesa tubes in for it to settle down. OK, it was fixed, I took it home again.
I powered it up and left it in the music room idling for a couple of hours to see if the reverb tubes were OK. When I came back 2 hours later there was a really sharp smell in the air of burning paint and insulation. The power transformer had overheated and the chassis was too hot to touch. The burning smell was the varnish on the power transformer melting.
"Oh yeah, we has another one do that a few months ago" says the store. Bugger me.
So they took it back. I am now waiting on a NIB replacement. I'll give Fender one last chance before I give up.
Come on Fender get your s#$t together!
I've noticed this as an emerging trend... a few things I've bought recently that are made in North America (I'm including Canada here too folks) just don't have the same quality they used to have. |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2010 : 15:25:17
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Bugger ......
I gather the Xformer toasted itself in the process.
I know how much you have been chasing "That" Fender tone.
Do you expect to hear-get any report back from Fender or the distributors?
It was probably very fortunate that you were home, & it didn't start an accidental house fire.
I know of another close friend that accidentally left his Fender on standby for over 4x24H days & nights,
the Chassis has really hot, but not enough to meant the varnish on the Xformer.
His Vintage Fender amp was fortunately OK & still runs fine,
He's just too embarrassed to say anything too much abut it.
I guess he'll be reminded when the utility bill arrives...
Man you must be really (p)issed, I know a lot of us here would be.
Is there any other talk about this/these issues on other sites or across the web?
You know you are always welcome to come over, & play my old beast for a few days.
Regards Dr. Bob  |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2010 : 16:18:00
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Sorry to hear about the new amp bro'.... yep...Fender needs to get it's doodah together alright..as you probably aware a while back i was on the lookout for a newer model amp but the horror stories i was hearing about some of the newer models of the major manufacturers made me extremely wary...but not only Fender seem to be suffering from major QC issues.. ...i even tried to sell my motorbike to fund the purchase of a a 'boutique' amp as i thought the reliability/build quality factor would be higher...in the end the economy is so bad here i couldn't sell the bike for cash plus my Marshall is still going strong so i decided to stick with the old reliable but don't leave her or any of my gear in the van anymore...one ampmaker i found on my travels who seems to get great reviews for his Fender clones and his build quality is Dr Z amps..... |
Edited by - FRANZONI on 03/25/2010 16:19:17 |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2010 : 17:33:11
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| As you know i love that fender sound,I have been looking for a new amp a deluxe reverb.I have been weary about buying it new the last few years cause fender Quality control has gone way way down, like it was in the 80's.Kinda been hard to find local in a shop cause the newer trend is to go with a smaller amp.But Laurie you know where to pick up the bias probe if you need it. I could help if you need help with the re-bias |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2010 : 18:49:13
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quote:
Originally posted by zerksies
But Laurie you know where to pick up the bias probe if you need it. I could help if you need help with the re-bias
Thanks mate!
I just need to get a new amp that WORKS |
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Witloofboer
Gold Member
Belgium
513 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2010 : 19:41:49
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| Hmm. Why don't you try an old Silverface? They are not too expensive & sound good. |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2010 : 20:31:20
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| Around here they are going for $2000 |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2010 : 20:59:56
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The exact features I'm looking for are on the 65 reissue twin... I'll give it one more try  |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2010 : 21:51:18
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| I hope that it does, cause it's a great amp. I really like mine.It's just way too much power for my needs, but when i get the chance to crank it up, Tonal Heaven |
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Witloofboer
Gold Member
Belgium
513 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2010 : 22:48:45
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quote:
Originally posted by zerksies
Around here they are going for $2000
 In Belgium for about �900-1000!
quote:
Originally posted by Laurie
The exact features I'm looking for are on the 65 reissue twin... I'll give it one more try
I hope she'll work!
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Edited by - Witloofboer on 03/25/2010 22:50:00 |
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MervsMods
Bronze Member
USA
133 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2010 : 00:37:12
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Hey Laurie.... Build you own! Since you're doing a fabulous job at pedals, That's my next project on my plate. I've gathered up parts/pieces, and well... you know. This way you'll KNOW for sure the QC it top notch!
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2010 : 13:56:52
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| SF Fender twins are between �800-1000 here at the moment.... bulletproof,PTP,and easy to fix..... |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2010 : 14:04:10
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| Yeah... I'm kinda working with the store now, so will be trying one more new 65 reissue. If that doesn't work I'll be able to get my money back. |
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Scarymonsta
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
90 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2010 : 18:37:40
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Are the amps point to point wired or are there PCBs used? Do you think the issues are poor quality component based or build quality based leading to component failure?
?????
Chris |
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Witloofboer
Gold Member
Belgium
513 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2010 : 19:13:04
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| The Reissue Fenders have a PCB. |
Edited by - Witloofboer on 03/26/2010 19:13:29 |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2010 : 19:59:45
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Assembly quality is good. The poor quality is poor components - tubes and transformer.
More importantly, the QA in the factory failed to find the problems. I suppose because they don't do a burn-in to look for infantile failures.
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A tale of Fender amps...
