UberMetalDood
New member
Based on your experience, how reliable are modern Fender amps?
Modern Fender amp reliability
- Thread starter UberMetalDood
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Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Modern Fender amp reliability
Why would you make a poll with 10 different options with many similarities?
That's gonna give you 10 categories that are all less than 10%. Good job.
As for the question...I've been working at Sam Ash for two years and seen dozens of Fender amps come and go. I've seen one Blues Junior have some small problems.
You really shouldn't base your opinions on a huge international amplifier producers and their products based on a handful of bad experience you had at a Guitar Center.
Why would you make a poll with 10 different options with many similarities?
That's gonna give you 10 categories that are all less than 10%. Good job.
As for the question...I've been working at Sam Ash for two years and seen dozens of Fender amps come and go. I've seen one Blues Junior have some small problems.
You really shouldn't base your opinions on a huge international amplifier producers and their products based on a handful of bad experience you had at a Guitar Center.
Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
Re: Modern Fender amp reliability
True, I've played through a few Fender amps (Pro Jr., Twin Reverb, DRRI, etc.) and never had any problems.
True, I've played through a few Fender amps (Pro Jr., Twin Reverb, DRRI, etc.) and never had any problems.
UberMetalDood
New member
Re: Modern Fender amp reliability
First of all there's nothing wrong with being curious about what experience owners have of certain brands. You make an awful lot of assumptions about my experience as well. No problem. Just to clarify I do a lot of domestic and foreign travel so I get the chance to play at music stores in many places. Guitar Center is a great place to try the most common gear but it's by no means the only place I frequent. I can see that you assumed that I have limited experience and limited interaction with other players, so I understand why you would make a statement like that. No problem, it's a mistake any presumptuous person would have made. Let's just say that I'm a fairly astute judge of manufacturing quality and production. It's natural for me to want to gather opinions on things like this.
First of all there's nothing wrong with being curious about what experience owners have of certain brands. You make an awful lot of assumptions about my experience as well. No problem. Just to clarify I do a lot of domestic and foreign travel so I get the chance to play at music stores in many places. Guitar Center is a great place to try the most common gear but it's by no means the only place I frequent. I can see that you assumed that I have limited experience and limited interaction with other players, so I understand why you would make a statement like that. No problem, it's a mistake any presumptuous person would have made. Let's just say that I'm a fairly astute judge of manufacturing quality and production. It's natural for me to want to gather opinions on things like this.
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Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Modern Fender amp reliability
bombproof.
bombproof.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Modern Fender amp reliability
^^ jerry, i was just referencing the post you made within the last day or so about having doubts about Fender cuz of recent test runs at the GC's in your area. I think it was the JSX thread?
EDIT: Wait, are you Jerry? Or is he MetalManiac? One of you is Jerry and one of you is barbarian brute's brother...
Now I'm as confused as i am presumptuous.
^^ jerry, i was just referencing the post you made within the last day or so about having doubts about Fender cuz of recent test runs at the GC's in your area. I think it was the JSX thread?
EDIT: Wait, are you Jerry? Or is he MetalManiac? One of you is Jerry and one of you is barbarian brute's brother...
Now I'm as confused as i am presumptuous.
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UberMetalDood
New member
Re: Modern Fender amp reliability
My name is not Jerry and yes there is some doubt. Anyone who opens 4 new boxes of Fender amps between 3 different Guitar Centers has to wonder about the reliability or quality control of their products. It was a thought I had not a conclusion based on my recent experience. Naturally it caused me to question Fender's reliability so I posed the question.
My name is not Jerry and yes there is some doubt. Anyone who opens 4 new boxes of Fender amps between 3 different Guitar Centers has to wonder about the reliability or quality control of their products. It was a thought I had not a conclusion based on my recent experience. Naturally it caused me to question Fender's reliability so I posed the question.
James Rock
Active member
Re: Modern Fender amp reliability
Only problem I've had is the cheap input jacks they have in the pro junior and a few other cheaper fenders... Which reminds me anyone in melbourne know a good amp tech and how much replacing a jack will costs?
Only problem I've had is the cheap input jacks they have in the pro junior and a few other cheaper fenders... Which reminds me anyone in melbourne know a good amp tech and how much replacing a jack will costs?
Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
Re: Modern Fender amp reliability
I just bought a Pro Junior (made in Mexico) and it has a metal jack.
EDIT: New too, from MF
I just bought a Pro Junior (made in Mexico) and it has a metal jack.
EDIT: New too, from MF
FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: Modern Fender amp reliability
warranty, man. If fender's willing to replace the amp which is dead-on-arrival, other than being a lil bit of a hassle, what's the problem?
Fender makes A LOT of amps and some of em are gonna be problematic at the get go. They DO cheap out on some parts here and there but they DO work as their supposed to in MOST cases, IMO. It's like a mexican tele. Who cares if you have to sift through a few duds to get the good one? There's plenty of em and the good ones are an amazing deal.
warranty, man. If fender's willing to replace the amp which is dead-on-arrival, other than being a lil bit of a hassle, what's the problem?
Fender makes A LOT of amps and some of em are gonna be problematic at the get go. They DO cheap out on some parts here and there but they DO work as their supposed to in MOST cases, IMO. It's like a mexican tele. Who cares if you have to sift through a few duds to get the good one? There's plenty of em and the good ones are an amazing deal.
UberMetalDood
New member
Re: Modern Fender amp reliability
The only problem I found with Fender warranties in my area are the people providing the warranty service are very complacent and take weeks to repair an item. If the repair is not done correctly then there is an extended delay and they don't seem to feel the need to place a priority on it.
If you have a Mesa Boogie, Bogner, etc..., you can send it directly to them for repair. I have in fact done that with a Shiva head and a Dual Rectifier.
There is a lot of hassle getting a Fender repaired under warranty if you don't have a decent repair center nearby. You could spend a lot just shipping your gear to an authorized repair facility in another city but if something goes wrong it only makes it harder to remedy and delays are extended.
As far as I'm concerned, warranties are only as good as the people backing it up. Fender does not have requirements for their dealers, therefore, there is no standard turn-around time or quality control.
I love the Fender Blues Deluxe RI and want to purchase one, but two of them have already been defective right out of the box. I have heard of mods that replace cheap components and prevent typical defects but that is a substantial expense for a new amp. If the Fender warranty was an easy process then I would no doubt own at least 1 Fender now.
The only problem I found with Fender warranties in my area are the people providing the warranty service are very complacent and take weeks to repair an item. If the repair is not done correctly then there is an extended delay and they don't seem to feel the need to place a priority on it.
If you have a Mesa Boogie, Bogner, etc..., you can send it directly to them for repair. I have in fact done that with a Shiva head and a Dual Rectifier.
There is a lot of hassle getting a Fender repaired under warranty if you don't have a decent repair center nearby. You could spend a lot just shipping your gear to an authorized repair facility in another city but if something goes wrong it only makes it harder to remedy and delays are extended.
As far as I'm concerned, warranties are only as good as the people backing it up. Fender does not have requirements for their dealers, therefore, there is no standard turn-around time or quality control.
I love the Fender Blues Deluxe RI and want to purchase one, but two of them have already been defective right out of the box. I have heard of mods that replace cheap components and prevent typical defects but that is a substantial expense for a new amp. If the Fender warranty was an easy process then I would no doubt own at least 1 Fender now.
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ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: Modern Fender amp reliability
Left: 2001 Fender Ultimate Chorus +DSP, Right: 1996 Fender Hot Rod DeVille 212
Some facts:
I have a 1996 Hot Rod DeVille, Made in the U.S.A.
I have a 2001 Ultimate Chorus +DSP, Made in Mexico
The MIA HRDv is in better shape than the MIM UC+.
I have used the UC+ a lot more than the HRDv.
I bought the HRDv used in 2010, and I bought the UC+ new in 2001.
I have never had a Fender amp fail at a gig.
I have never had a Fender amp fail, at all.
I trust Fender amps for gigging with no backup.
Not necessarily facts, but also not necessarily not facts:
The only 2 problems with the UC+ are knobs that are broken off, which is my fault. I was carrying the amp down a flight of stairs and ROCKED it on the corner at the bottom of the stairs, and it lost the knobs off of 2 pots. Not Fender's fault.
I gigged probably 100 shows with the UC+ in the early 2000's. Every other weekend-ish for 4 years.
The only "problem" with the HRDv is that the jewel light does not light up when powered on. Not Fender's fault - it's a 14 year old light bulb, living in a box with two 12" speakers, no less.
Left: 2001 Fender Ultimate Chorus +DSP, Right: 1996 Fender Hot Rod DeVille 212
Some facts:
I have a 1996 Hot Rod DeVille, Made in the U.S.A.
I have a 2001 Ultimate Chorus +DSP, Made in Mexico
The MIA HRDv is in better shape than the MIM UC+.
I have used the UC+ a lot more than the HRDv.
I bought the HRDv used in 2010, and I bought the UC+ new in 2001.
I have never had a Fender amp fail at a gig.
I have never had a Fender amp fail, at all.
I trust Fender amps for gigging with no backup.
Not necessarily facts, but also not necessarily not facts:
The only 2 problems with the UC+ are knobs that are broken off, which is my fault. I was carrying the amp down a flight of stairs and ROCKED it on the corner at the bottom of the stairs, and it lost the knobs off of 2 pots. Not Fender's fault.
I gigged probably 100 shows with the UC+ in the early 2000's. Every other weekend-ish for 4 years.
The only "problem" with the HRDv is that the jewel light does not light up when powered on. Not Fender's fault - it's a 14 year old light bulb, living in a box with two 12" speakers, no less.
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FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: Modern Fender amp reliability
besides the warranty most places selling fender amps will exchange a defective product within 30 days or so, *usually* long enough to know if it's gonna fail. Y'know, they either fail when you take em out of the box or they work great for a looong time... it's that kind of thing.
besides the warranty most places selling fender amps will exchange a defective product within 30 days or so, *usually* long enough to know if it's gonna fail. Y'know, they either fail when you take em out of the box or they work great for a looong time... it's that kind of thing.
Bludave
New member
Re: Modern Fender amp reliability
I did not vote! I don't have a new Fender amp. One of my friends that I used to play with bout a DRRI on my recommendation. He has owned it now for about 3 or 4 years. He recently had it retubed and it sounds great. He has had no real issue wit it. Works as it should.
I did not vote! I don't have a new Fender amp. One of my friends that I used to play with bout a DRRI on my recommendation. He has owned it now for about 3 or 4 years. He recently had it retubed and it sounds great. He has had no real issue wit it. Works as it should.
FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: Modern Fender amp reliability
With amps at the PRRI level and above I've never really heard about reliability issues.
I've heard of a slew of crap about the Hot Rod line but those amps sell like hotcakes (or waffles, depending on how popular those are in your locale), so it's no wonder issues pop up. They make like 50 billion of them and they are what they are: inexpensive all-tube amps.
I'm NEVER gonna think less of fender for it though, as every other manufacturer hitting that price point has duds that get shipped out, or damaged during shipping, etc.
btw when I answered "Fenders are reliable but made with cheap components", i was specifically referring to the sub-$900 level stuff, the popular stuff. Not the Custom Vibrolux and all that stuff. Using cheap reliable components does me a favor cuz I don't have to pay $800-900 for a HRDx.
With amps at the PRRI level and above I've never really heard about reliability issues.
I've heard of a slew of crap about the Hot Rod line but those amps sell like hotcakes (or waffles, depending on how popular those are in your locale), so it's no wonder issues pop up. They make like 50 billion of them and they are what they are: inexpensive all-tube amps.
I'm NEVER gonna think less of fender for it though, as every other manufacturer hitting that price point has duds that get shipped out, or damaged during shipping, etc.
btw when I answered "Fenders are reliable but made with cheap components", i was specifically referring to the sub-$900 level stuff, the popular stuff. Not the Custom Vibrolux and all that stuff. Using cheap reliable components does me a favor cuz I don't have to pay $800-900 for a HRDx.
LtKojak
New member
Re: Modern Fender amp reliability
I've gotta friend that rent amps out for a living. The HotRod Deluxe is the most requested. No big problems with those ones... they can sustain an average of three hundred gigs without problems. After that, regular maintenance checkups are mandatory because of the epoxy board the components sit in can develope cracks.
A point to point Fender is better because is easier to maintain.
I've gotta friend that rent amps out for a living. The HotRod Deluxe is the most requested. No big problems with those ones... they can sustain an average of three hundred gigs without problems. After that, regular maintenance checkups are mandatory because of the epoxy board the components sit in can develope cracks.
A point to point Fender is better because is easier to maintain.
MetalManiac
Li'l Junior Member
Re: Modern Fender amp reliability
On Fender forums, the purists really don't hold the lower model Fender amps like the Devilles - they don't hold them in high esteem.
The circuit boards are thin, the traces arent thick, the tubes are part of the circuitboard, and also the jacks, and the level of assembly work has been criticized.
Nothing to do with reliability, but the sound isn't real great IMO.They are eq'd real glassy, which is most inexperienced idea of what a Fender sounds like, but truth is, even though it sounds lovely in its own right, it isnt waht a vintage Fender, at least the ones that I have played, and I played a gorgeous Super Verb at a buddys place all last week- not like anyone that ive played sounds a like- vintage is way thicker, less shimmery/brittle.
There are some mods one can perform on the Lower end fenders to a make them more reliable, like mounting switchcraft jacks onto the chassis with flying leads to the circuit board.
The reissues are different stories. .Like the more expensive. Deluxe Reissue ..They seem to be quite well thought of.
As for me,I wouldn't own a Fender Deville or Hot Rod amp if you paid me.
They WILL blow just as likely as not, Overheat,traces lift, etc., ( yes reliability concerns), and if you drop or subject the amp to rough handling like you would see out on the road, bad things happen,like the circuit board might tend to crack. The level of assembly integrity isn't very good by most expert accounts, and even though they sound great, they don't sound anywhere near as good as a old fender amp, but thats just me.
You maybe just fine with one forever, and I really hope you are, but as I said, thats not been my experience that such reliability would be the norm from reports about those amps on Fender forums.
They aren't the only thing available. Lots of mid priced well built amps that sound pretty close the the fender, but not spot on, so if you want that Fender sound, I can see someone buying one, but not me, In short, knock yourself out. Don't say I didn't tell you so when your flakes out . haha.
On Fender forums, the purists really don't hold the lower model Fender amps like the Devilles - they don't hold them in high esteem.
The circuit boards are thin, the traces arent thick, the tubes are part of the circuitboard, and also the jacks, and the level of assembly work has been criticized.
Nothing to do with reliability, but the sound isn't real great IMO.They are eq'd real glassy, which is most inexperienced idea of what a Fender sounds like, but truth is, even though it sounds lovely in its own right, it isnt waht a vintage Fender, at least the ones that I have played, and I played a gorgeous Super Verb at a buddys place all last week- not like anyone that ive played sounds a like- vintage is way thicker, less shimmery/brittle.
There are some mods one can perform on the Lower end fenders to a make them more reliable, like mounting switchcraft jacks onto the chassis with flying leads to the circuit board.
The reissues are different stories. .Like the more expensive. Deluxe Reissue ..They seem to be quite well thought of.
As for me,I wouldn't own a Fender Deville or Hot Rod amp if you paid me.
They WILL blow just as likely as not, Overheat,traces lift, etc., ( yes reliability concerns), and if you drop or subject the amp to rough handling like you would see out on the road, bad things happen,like the circuit board might tend to crack. The level of assembly integrity isn't very good by most expert accounts, and even though they sound great, they don't sound anywhere near as good as a old fender amp, but thats just me.
You maybe just fine with one forever, and I really hope you are, but as I said, thats not been my experience that such reliability would be the norm from reports about those amps on Fender forums.
They aren't the only thing available. Lots of mid priced well built amps that sound pretty close the the fender, but not spot on, so if you want that Fender sound, I can see someone buying one, but not me, In short, knock yourself out. Don't say I didn't tell you so when your flakes out . haha.
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Modern Fender amp reliability
Amen. This goes for the vintage Fenders I've played as well- newer stuff including the production reissue bassmans, twins, DRs, etc- have a fundamental LACK of warmth/mids. Even the old Blackfaces have a girth or midrange quality that new models just don't have (at least in stock form). They (old Bfs) are punchy & CLEAR as a bell, but not all that bright or brittle. And the vintage Tweed type stuff (bassmans, deluxes, champs) have some serious barking midrange.
This is the reason I don't own any newer fender vintage style amps- I got spoiled playing actual vintage models (in particular a '58 Bassman) when I was a teen/early 20 something and I' ve yet to hear a newer model since then that I'd put the $ down for. I've always wanted and would LOVE to have a late 50s tweed champ or late 50s Tweed deluxe type amp- but I don't have the scratch for any of those older ones.
Amen. This goes for the vintage Fenders I've played as well- newer stuff including the production reissue bassmans, twins, DRs, etc- have a fundamental LACK of warmth/mids. Even the old Blackfaces have a girth or midrange quality that new models just don't have (at least in stock form). They (old Bfs) are punchy & CLEAR as a bell, but not all that bright or brittle. And the vintage Tweed type stuff (bassmans, deluxes, champs) have some serious barking midrange.
This is the reason I don't own any newer fender vintage style amps- I got spoiled playing actual vintage models (in particular a '58 Bassman) when I was a teen/early 20 something and I' ve yet to hear a newer model since then that I'd put the $ down for. I've always wanted and would LOVE to have a late 50s tweed champ or late 50s Tweed deluxe type amp- but I don't have the scratch for any of those older ones.
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