Upgrading a PC Amp &nb

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Hurricane
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 16
(3/4/04 9:01 am)
 Upgrading a PC Amp
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 Hello.

With the benefit of earlier advice from this site, I am halfway through a 5E3 build. Going well thus far. Thanks for all help.

Question : I also have a modern Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp which serves me well. I have already changed the speaker and was just wondering whether there is any merit in upgrading the filter and other caps in the circuit, and maybe some of the resistors in the primary signal path. Could even go mad and fit a tube rectifier. Technically, yes I'm sure the better components will have some effect, but is the amp peformance still limited by the fact that it is based on a printed circuit.

Has anyone ever tried modding a p/c amp, and if so, are the potential improvements to be gained marginal or significant ?

Just wondered, and thanks for any views.

Hurricane


 
LooseChange
Senior tube assistant
Posts: 215
(3/4/04 5:24 pm)
 Re: Upgrading a PC Amp
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 I tried with a Reissue Bassman. It was okay. I finally ripped the whole thing out and installed a Hoffman 5F6A Board. I am happy!
 
Craigzbrand
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 80
(3/4/04 7:03 pm)
 Re: Upgrading a PC Amp
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 OK, I'll probably get in trouble here...
First, I doubt you'll be able to run a tube rect in that amp, unless you hack out the power transformer and replace, since there probably is no 5v filament winding.
I don't think it is impossible, but there are several things that make your amp a less likely candidate than, say, Loose Change's RI Bassman. For one, it's probably got some SS stuff for the reverb and switching, which is really suited to PCB construction more than turret board. Also, at least I have never seen a layout to do this, but one may exist. If not, you'd be delving into the unknown trying to do your own layout. The component quality is probably fine, and I've heard guys that use those live, and I while I wasn't blown away by how great their tone was, it sure sounded good to me.

You've already done probably the biggest tone improvement mod by selecting a speaker that makes you happier. Good luck, and enjoy finishing up that 5E3! Craig
 
Hurricane
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 17
(3/5/04 3:49 am)
 Re: Upgrading a PC Amp
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 Thought as much.

Back to the 5E3 !
 
bluesbear
Hey get your own solder
Posts: 345
(3/5/04 1:46 pm)
 Re: Upgrading a PC Amp
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 The Bassman R/I has the pots and tube sockets mounted on the chassis. If I'm not mistaken, in the Hot Rod Deluxe, the pots and tube sockets are mounted on the PC board. That would REALLY make it hard to upgrade the board. Not worth the money it would take, either.
Dave
 
 
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