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The Fender Hot Rod models (Hot Rod Deluxe, Hot Rod DeVille, Blues Deluxe) all share the same PCB, and these PCBs are subject to early retirement due to heat damage and other common modes of failure (15v switching supply failure, broken input jack solder joints, failing PI plate resistors, ribbon cable failure, etc). Replacement PCBs are not available for love or money. So we (@xtian and @jazzguitargimp) have created a D-style drop-in PCB replacement for Fender's amps, based on @talbany 's Bluesmaster layout.
I have completed the first build, and pronounce the end product EXCELLENT!
Here is my list of mods:
- Master Volume: Bluemaster MV is pre-OD, which is weird to me...I much prefer the MV to be post-OD like #183 for example. To this end, jumper VR5 CW to Wiper. Instead of taking P1 Send wire to Send jack, take wire to MV first, then Send jack (we are simply inserting the MV in series with the FX loop, just prior to the loop. Finally, move bright cap C33 to MV pot.
- HRM PAB: We built a relay-switched, tone-stack-lift feature into the OD HRM, which we called HRM PAB. I found this to be one too many options, so I omitted this feature by jumpering R75, removed K4, and replaced D11 with a 10K resistor (preserves the load on the switching system--required!)
- Bias voltage supply: If you are using the OEM Fender PT and bias winding, do not use Zener D15--just jumper that connection. The Zener is not required unless rectified bias voltage exceeds 75v.
- PAB level adjustment mod: If the stock PAB boost is too much, replace R8 with a 100K trimmer pot. Now you can adjust the boost. Really great mod!
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