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Thread: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Power Tubes question

  1. #1
    Forum Member kipper15's Avatar
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    Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Power Tubes question

    I have owned a HRDx for about 7.5 years now and recently acquired some new tubes both preamp and power amp, to replace all the stock tubes in the amp.

    For the power tubes I bought a matched pair of Groove Tube 6L6 GE Reissues.

    Swapping the tubes, along with re-biasing, was really straightforward even though it was the first time I have ever done this.

    After some experimentation, I settled on a bias of 68. The bias range was 44 to 100. I had read that 68 was the sweet spot for this amp and I'm really pleased with how the amp sounds at this setting.

    However, I noticed earlier today that the power tubes - visually at least - do not 'line up'. I had made the tube changes and did the biasing earlier this week.

    What I mean by this is, for example. the GT logo and other markings on the tubes do not point in the same direction when looking at the rear of the amp straight on, and neither do the internal parts. It's like the tube in the V4 position has been twisted!

    I know the new tubes went in to the sockets correctly and they appear to working just fine but why does it appear - when looking straight on at the rear of the amp - as if the power tube closest to the PI preamp tube in V3 is turned slightly to the right in the direction away from the power tube to the left (in V5)? Is this normal? It was only when I went to put the back panel on earlier today that I noticed.

    It's been driving me nuts, can someone put me out of my misery here and tell me that this is perfectly normal? (or not if that's the case).

    I don't see how the tubes can be put it wrong, it's not like the guide pins were missing or broken or anything like that.
    kipper15

    Guitar: Fender MIA 2006 Stratocaster w/Callaham hardware upgrades
    Pickups: Fender Custom Shop '69
    Amp: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
    FX: Numerous BOSS pedals, Dunlop Cry Baby, Vox Wah
    Misc: Dr Z Air Brake

  2. #2
    Forum Member Don's Avatar
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    Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Power Tubes question

    I wouldn't worry about it. If the tubes were installed wrong the amp wouldn't function. The GT logo and markings are added after the fact. What type of tube is V4? What type of tubes are on either side of it?

  3. #3
    Forum Member kipper15's Avatar
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    Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Power Tubes question

    Quote Originally Posted by Don View Post
    I wouldn't worry about it. If the tubes were installed wrong the amp wouldn't function. The GT logo and markings are added after the fact. What type of tube is V4? What type of tubes are on either side of it?

    V1 = Mullard 12AT7 CV4204

    V2 = Harma 12AX7

    V3 = Harma 12AX7 (Balanced)

    V4 = Groove Tubes 6L6 GE Reissue

    V5 = Groove Tubes 6L6 GE Reissue
    kipper15

    Guitar: Fender MIA 2006 Stratocaster w/Callaham hardware upgrades
    Pickups: Fender Custom Shop '69
    Amp: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
    FX: Numerous BOSS pedals, Dunlop Cry Baby, Vox Wah
    Misc: Dr Z Air Brake

  4. #4
    Forum Member Don's Avatar
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    Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Power Tubes question

    You're fine. I've seen the results or improperly oriented power tubes and the amp did not function at all.

  5. #5
    Forum Member kipper15's Avatar
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    Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Power Tubes question

    Quote Originally Posted by Don View Post
    You're fine. I've seen the results or improperly oriented power tubes and the amp did not function at all.
    Thanks Don....just my paranoia working overtime it seems. I think it's actually the base that is aligned differently on the tube, not the printing. I say this because the metal parts in the V4 tube are also - along with the printing - angled to the right of the V5 tube. If I could post attachments I would!
    Last edited by kipper15; 09-19-2015 at 05:43 PM.
    kipper15

    Guitar: Fender MIA 2006 Stratocaster w/Callaham hardware upgrades
    Pickups: Fender Custom Shop '69
    Amp: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
    FX: Numerous BOSS pedals, Dunlop Cry Baby, Vox Wah
    Misc: Dr Z Air Brake

  6. #6
    Forum Member Don's Avatar
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    Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Power Tubes question

    If you put the pics on a site like photobucket you can insert them (or we can for you).

  7. #7
    Forum Member kipper15's Avatar
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    Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Power Tubes question

    Quote Originally Posted by Don View Post
    If you put the pics on a site like photobucket you can insert them (or we can for you).
    Ah yes. Photobucket! I looked at the amp again earlier and noticed the 6L6 tube on the far left (V5) doesn't appear to be pushed up quite high enough into the white connector socket where the tube's pins go in. Also notice how the metal parts don't line up visually, so it must be either the base of the tube or the socket that is different in V4.

    Last edited by kipper15; 09-19-2015 at 09:54 AM.
    kipper15

    Guitar: Fender MIA 2006 Stratocaster w/Callaham hardware upgrades
    Pickups: Fender Custom Shop '69
    Amp: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
    FX: Numerous BOSS pedals, Dunlop Cry Baby, Vox Wah
    Misc: Dr Z Air Brake

  8. #8
    Forum Member kipper15's Avatar
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    Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Power Tubes question

    My OCD got the better of me just now. Sure enough there was a little play on the 6L6 to the left in the picture (V5). I pulled up the retaining clips and gently pushed the 6L6 up and now it looks perfect!

    The question I now have is, should I check the bias again?
    Last edited by kipper15; 09-19-2015 at 03:54 PM.
    kipper15

    Guitar: Fender MIA 2006 Stratocaster w/Callaham hardware upgrades
    Pickups: Fender Custom Shop '69
    Amp: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
    FX: Numerous BOSS pedals, Dunlop Cry Baby, Vox Wah
    Misc: Dr Z Air Brake

  9. #9
    Forum Member kipper15's Avatar
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    Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Power Tubes question

    I checked the bias earlier, having pushed the V5 tube all the way in and it just needed a little tweak when I checked it again. The multimeter showed the bias hovering around 68.4 so that is close enough for me!
    kipper15

    Guitar: Fender MIA 2006 Stratocaster w/Callaham hardware upgrades
    Pickups: Fender Custom Shop '69
    Amp: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
    FX: Numerous BOSS pedals, Dunlop Cry Baby, Vox Wah
    Misc: Dr Z Air Brake

  10. #10
    Forum Member Don's Avatar
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    Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Power Tubes question

    Good news! Time to rock!

  11. #11
    Forum Member kipper15's Avatar
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    Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Power Tubes question

    Quote Originally Posted by Don View Post
    Good news! Time to rock!
    Sure is Don!
    kipper15

    Guitar: Fender MIA 2006 Stratocaster w/Callaham hardware upgrades
    Pickups: Fender Custom Shop '69
    Amp: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
    FX: Numerous BOSS pedals, Dunlop Cry Baby, Vox Wah
    Misc: Dr Z Air Brake

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