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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
 Posted - 03/26/2010 : 23:32:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Laurie
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.
If they did a proper burn in at the factory no one could afford them amps |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2010 : 23:46:58
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Not sure that's the case... all you need is space and power outlets. You have to turn it on and do one check anyway. Leave it on and come back in 2 hours and do a second. Maybe 5 minutes more effort.
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Pedal Dan
Silver Member
USA
419 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2010 : 00:11:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Laurie
Not sure that's the case... all you need is space and power outlets. You have to turn it on and do one check anyway. Leave it on and come back in 2 hours and do a second. Maybe 5 minutes more effort.
Randall Smith of Mesa/ Boogie fame started doing that from the beginning. It's a good test, and I beleive they do a 24 Hr. Burn. Most problems will show up and can be rectified! Pun intended! |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2010 : 00:26:52
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Whatever about cheap tubes(which you can change easy enough) putting el cheapo transformers and filter caps into a tube amp is criminal.... ...i think Fender are starting to get that 70's/CBS greed thing going on again..i think i'll stick with my mid 70's Marshall a bit longer and save the pennies for a Dr Z or something like Silvertones Victoria amps..... |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2010 : 03:32:32
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Hi Laurie & Guys
Perhaps you bought Fender's New
Twin "BBQ" (Barbecue)...  |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2010 : 04:44:20
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A long time ago in a country far away... I used to work for the local transformer manufacturing company.
We saw power transformers overheat and melt-down occasionally, and EVERY time it was from either too much current being pulled from them by the wrong load, or, the varnish on the winding wire failed and a turn (or two) shorted out. This usually cascaded and the transformer just burned out quickly, but fairly regularly the transformer would get VERY hot and melt down - varnish melting and dripping off it, etc.
This happened 100% because of imperfections in the winding wire - hot spots, poor varnishing, and poor vacuum impregnation. In other works, crap quality.
Interestingly the local tech here said that a new power transformer for the 65 reissue would cost about $80. Back in the early 80's when I was working in the transformer company, a good tube transformer would have cost $200. About $400 in today's money.
Now, manufacturing techniques have improved, costs are lower, but $80 for a power transformer means it is total, complete, and unmitigated crap.
I think I've just talked myself out of a new Fender amp../.. 
Ah well, I promised to try one more, so I'll see how it goes.
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verivorax
Platinum Member
Canada
1185 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2010 : 04:32:53
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| Traynor reissued their YGM3 and included Hammond output transformers (as per their original spec, same as plexis, I'm told??) - they seem to still be in operation - would something like that be a fine replacement on an otherwise stock RI Fender? |
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Witloofboer
Gold Member
Belgium
513 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2010 : 08:35:58
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| I've used Hammond trafo's in the past & they still work great! |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2010 : 14:23:07
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Since were talking about tranformers and apologies to Laurie for taking this a bit OT..i had a output transformer question a while back and while a lot of you tried to help i don't think i ever got to the bottom of my question....
My marshall works fine with it's quartet of EL-84's and their adapters but if i put a set of original EL-34's for full power in, the amp won't work and keeps cutting in and out and making horrible,nasty distortion...the cab it originally came with was of very uncertain ohmage and i heard marshalls don't like this...could the output trafo be on the way out and how hard are they to change.....?... |
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The_Doc
Gold Member
United Kingdom
509 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2010 : 11:35:40
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Sorry to add to this list of sad stories about new Fender amps but our other guitarist has had problems too. Brand new Hot Rod De Ville straight out of the box - rehearsal fine, sound check fine, 1 hour before the gig, switch on and nothing - not happy  Used a backup Marshall so all ok on the night but not good.
Big mistake - we suspected that just a fuse had blown so we changed it (with the same rated fuse) and threw away the Fender branded fuse. It still didn't work and we had inadvertantly voided the Fender warranty just by doing that. I can see Fender's point - fuses are there for a purpose but the dealer might have been a bit more forgiving as it was a brand new amp and obviously has some manufacturing defect. One to bear in mind.
Amp now fixed and we are keeping our fingers crossed  |
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Mansun
Gold Member
Spain
564 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2010 : 11:43:59
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I don't want to steal your thread, but I have to...
After purchasing the basic pedals I need for our first gig next May I'm in need of an amp. The thing is going to be miked through the PA but maybe in future gigs it won't, so I need something relatively big but easy to transport.
What do you think of the Fender 212R combo? Is it any good? It's not too expensive as you can get it from Thomann for 250 � or so. |
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Joske Turbo
Silver Member
Belgium
412 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2010 : 11:55:19
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| I haven't tried it myself but the guitarist in my band was also attracted by the price, and he tried it, but he didn't liked it at all. He found the sound dull and lifeless. |
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The_Doc
Gold Member
United Kingdom
509 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2010 : 12:30:02
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| I know that our other guitarist tried a bunch of Fender combos before settling on the Hot Rod De Ville - he didn't fancy any of the others. We mic all our combos up through the PA and, when it was working, the Hot Rod De Ville sounded superb for what we do. |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2010 : 16:16:36
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| I too did a few gigs sitting in with a band where the other guitarist used a hot rod deville and it sounded excellent pity about the reliability factor......as for the Fender 212R..personally i would stay away...for �250 or a little more i would be scanning the small ads local to you to see if there was a old peavey classic 30.. etc for sale more than enough for most gigs especially if you intend to mic the amps.... |
Edited by - FRANZONI on 04/02/2010 16:16:59 |
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The_Doc
Gold Member
United Kingdom
509 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2010 : 16:22:27
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+1 on the Peavey Classic 30 or even a Peavey Delta Blues - I've got one and used it live through a PA - rich fat sound  |
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Topic |
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A tale of Fender amps...
