What can I do with original Blues Deluxe iron/chassis

[rhubarb9999]

I have an original Blues Deluxe that died.  I was at a gig and it just started squealing.  I have not messed with it .. and I never really liked the sound.  It had been modded before I got it so I have no idea what was done to it.


In any case, I would not mind gutting it and going with something point to point wired and more vintage.  Is there any design out there that use the transformers I have?


I have seen some talk of a Blues Deluxe being turned into a Tweed 5E5A .. that seem pretty straight forward.

[jjasilli]

Some years ago, I rebuilt my Hot Rod Deluxe, using mods from Justin's site "The Unofficial Hot Rod Deluxe".  The amp sounds great, like a Fender should.  Stock, I too find these amps sounding sterile at best.  Now my amp too is acting up.  Cheap PCB, poor solder joints, and lousy cabling throughout. 


My solution (if I ever get to it) would be to build an amp on a proper board, with chassis mounted tube sockets, pots & switches; and with similar topography to the HRD; that makes use of the existing chassis holes and labeling.  I think that these are good amps in theory, but very poor implementation on Fender's part.

[tubenit]

I will throw some other ideas into the mix ...............

It looks like you can easily add an additional 12A_7 tube on the far right side:

https://www.google.com/search?q=photo+Blues+Deluxe+chassis&biw=1070&bih=611&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=TFpvVdmeOIO1sATFnIOADw&ved=0CB0QsAQ&dpr=1.5#imgrc=nabSWjhCHf9rQM%253A%3B4JHkJGiTjBrhPM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fi974.photobucket.com%252Falbums%252Fae227%252Fshimmilou%252FAmps%252FFender%252FBlues%252520Deluxe%252FIMG_1007small.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fforums.fender.com%252Fviewtopic.php%253Ff%253D13%2526t%253D80620%3B1024%3B768

Given that,  you could do a Tweed BluesMeister with reverb or an active FX,  or a HoSo56 with 6L6's and reverb, or a D'Mars ODS with a FX loop.   IF any of those strongly intrigue you, I'd be happy to offer a schematic to look at ........OR you can do a search.

OR something like a Deluxe Reverb without vibrato.

With respect, Tubenit

[tubenit]

You could also do a HoSo56 with just 3 tubes by using a mosfet cathode follower (which I've done successfully on several amps).

OR if you were OK with a passive effects loop, you could do the Tweed BluezMeister with 3 tubes and have footswitchable  clean/OD, mid-boost or
PAB (preamp boost)

With respect, Tubenit

[dogfish]

I'm in the same boat... just fixed my 93' blues deluxe again and I'd like to move it to ptp while recycling as much as possible. Let me know what direction you go!

[hardhead]

These things given the usable iron set....cry out for Doug's blues Jr. Conversion board wired for 8 pin power tubes. This is a very versatile board,compact,full wave rec. on board...and sounds great.