I am sure you have seen in other threads, about the trouble I am having with this new amp. 5 months old never been gig never been abused, just a few hrs recording with it. It just cracks pops and will buzz at full volume, without nothing plug into the amp. It is a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue, I don't mind having to pay maybe for a tube. But the service centers want to charge me up to 50 to 60 bucks to look at it. I have to pay that up front. I am laid off and at my age jobs are not easy to find anymore. I don't want a amp that may be a money pit. I have already read a deal on this amp where the ribbon wires are weak in them. I went tru the same thing with a Hot Rod 212 something, can't remember right now Deville I think got it fix quit again. I got it fix again then sold it saved my money bought this thing. Guitar Center even though I bought the extra warranty, told me I am still under Fender warranty. I don't know why as big as Guitar Center is, that I can't take the amp back. They can deal with Fender, I am sure as big as a dealer they are for Fender they won't have know problem. I would not think Fender would tell one of their biggest outlets cost you 60 bucks. SO I AM THINKING about trading it for a Roland 80XL to use in my little music room, and save my money and buy a good tube amp. What do you think of the Roland Cube 80XL.

Sorry to de rail slightly... but what was your previous problem with your old hot rod and did it make a rattle or buzz? what did the ribbon wires being weak effect?!

I recently got the Cube 80XL and love it. Great clean sound. Some of the modeling is good. It's loud too. I don't love the distortion sounds but I use pedals for that.

My old Hot Rod kept blowing speakers, i think my biggest problems was taking it to guys who claim to be Lic. Fender dudes. But I must be fair I bought that amp used. The Blues Deluxe I got new. The amp I want to save for is a, Hiwatt, Marshall Bluesbreaker 212 combo. And my favorite is the Fender Twin with the 15 in it $1500.00. So I thought the Roland 80XL would work until then. My problem is Fender and Guitar center fixing my amp, I might be hard headed but come on 5 months been played may 10 to 20 hrs, in a studio type setting. Never gig kept in smoke free home. They should have come with a jar of KY Jelly. Like I said I've email Guitar Centers main office and Fender, so far nothing. I even told Guitar Center I would trade them even up for the Roland, and they let me keep the extra warranty we bought.

Why don't they give you a new amp??? GC has much more bargaining power with Fender!
They should have given you a new one already no questions asked!

Why don't they give you a new amp??? GC has much more bargaining power with Fender!
They should have given you a new one already no questions asked!

+1 .

Nope they won't they just keep giving me Fenders phone #. In the past couple years I have purchase a MarkBass Jeff Berlin combo from them, Fender Amercan Standard P bass, TC Electronic Polytuner, Boss Blues driver. Lots of stuff and taken friends there, talk my buddy in buying a Fender Blues Jr. to play is Harp tru. 3 yrs ago this was before way before I lost my job, my wife bought a new Dodge. The tranny went out Dodge fix it for nothing, good warranty. To bad Fender and Guitar Center are not like that even after buying the extra warranty.

I called Guitar Center, right after my last reply here. They just tell me I have to work it out with Fender. So far Fender won't talk to me, looks like its going to cost me the warranty tru Fender, the extra warranty I bought from Guitar Center, 60 bucks for them to even look at it, and any tubes that need to be replace. You know what I think of Guitar Center PRO COVERAGE SO FAR. It saids on their ad PLAY HARD YOU'RE COVERED. I haven't played my amp for almost 2 months now. Your covered alright, hang on to your piggy bank. Anybody know the magic words to say to them.

Nope they won't they just keep giving me Fenders phone #. In the past couple years I have purchase a MarkBass Jeff Berlin combo from them, Fender Amercan Standard P bass, TC Electronic Polytuner, Boss Blues driver. Lots of stuff and taken friends there, talk my buddy in buying a Fender Blues Jr. to play is Harp tru. 3 yrs ago this was before way before I lost my job, my wife bought a new Dodge. The tranny went out Dodge fix it for nothing, good warranty. To bad Fender and Guitar Center are not like that even after buying the extra warranty.

It seems to me that a careful reading of the warranty (the original and the extra one) is in order. It ought to give you details about what's covered and what's not. I mean, if you can take the amp and the warranty paperwork to the store and say to them, "It says right here that this amp is covered for 2 years for all non-abuse type failures, including parts and labor", then I can't see where they have a leg to stand on.

I called Guitar Center, right after my last reply here. They just tell me I have to work it out with Fender. So far Fender won't talk to me, looks like its going to cost me the warranty tru Fender, the extra warranty I bought from Guitar Center, 60 bucks for them to even look at it, and any tubes that need to be replace. You know what I think of Guitar Center PRO COVERAGE SO FAR. It saids on their ad PLAY HARD YOU'RE COVERED. I haven't played my amp for almost 2 months now. Your covered alright, hang on to your piggy bank. Anybody know the magic words to say to them.

Is the original Fender warranty still in effect? Does it cover parts and labor?

One of the Fender amps I purchased from a local seller (Schmitt Music) took care of a problem had with my Hot Rod Deluxe. Just took it into the store, they shipped it to a Fender repair center and called me when it was done. No charge. Had the amp about 5 months at that time. I would ask GC for my money back from there so called extended warranty or better yet demand a new amp. Go into the store when they are real busy and make sure other customers hear what you have to say. Just be tactful about it.
Pop's

Go into the store when they are real busy and make sure other customers hear what you have to say. Just be tactful about it.


And it tactful isn't working, maybe louder and louder will.

Be very tactful. Email the store manager and explain the run around given. Make sure you include their slogan. Then try and find another Fender dealer and explain the situation and see if they don't pick it up real quick. Guitar Center did the same thing to me but in the first thirty days of a Gretsch I had bought. I emailed the store manager and he completely helped me. I didn't feel like I won a battle but seen how well they help.

Sorry to hear about your experience with this amp. I am completely psyched to get one next month but now I am worried.

GC is pretty much out of the picture at this point in time. There is an authorized Fender electronics repair center in Austin, with two locations (see below). Contact them and make an appointment to bring your amp in. They will deal directly with Fender to get the repairs authorized and done.

Austin Amplifier
5214 Avenue F
Austin , TX 78751
Ph: (512) 374-0001

Austin Amplifier
1901 E 51st St
Austin , TX 78723
Ph: (512) 374-0001

I have called Fender's warranty dept, and they seem to know nothing about Austin Amplifier. I wish they did it would be alot closer to me.

Extended warranties are basically a license to print money. Businesses have been know to offer extended warranties/service agreements on any item, whether they are able to repair it or not. It's a gamble and it's odds are heavily stacked in favor of the service provider. I used to work as a field tech and in more than one case I was instructed to repair a machine I'd never seen before. Many service calls amount to little more than a band-aid to keep the customer happy for a while. One machine had a service call once a month to tighten a jam nut on an adjuster. The problem was, they didn't have a wrench that fit (11/32") and were tightening it by pushing on the nut with the blade of a screwdriver. I tightened it with a wrench and we never had another service call.

The point; service agreements and extended warranties are no better than the entity issuing them. From what you've described it would seem that GC just took $60 from you for nothing. File a complaint with the FTC.

As far as trying to embarrass them into doing the right thing I doubt that it'll work these days. I know that many of these stores don't care in the slightest. The management of these big box stores are interested in one thing and one thing only, $ales. Customer satisfaction isn't even on their radar scope. If you complain in front of other customers they can kick you out of the store and it's your word against theirs. At the end of the day you'll probably end up accepting their first (lousy) offer or walking away with nothing.

Remember the days of VCRs and service agreements on those? They told you that cleaning was essential and that they'd clean it two or three times a year if you had a service agreement. Here's how that worked. They took your VCR and let it sit for a few days, then they ran a head-cleaning tape through it and called you to pick it up. The customer had the impression that a tech had gone through the thing with a fine tooth comb but in reality all they did was put in a tape that may have done nothing whatsoever. It was pure flim-flam . . . and pure profit.

I don't have much in the way of suggestions except that if you have an opportunity to unload it go for it and buy a Vintage RI instead. The Vintage RIs don't have the tubes mounted directly to the printed circuit board and, IMHO, are more durable. I have two of them, neither anywhere near new, and they are dead reliable. The stock tubes were tested by a friend with a very nice military surplus tube tester and they were quite good BTW. The other thing about the Blues Deluxe and Hot rod Deluxe is that all of the switching circuitry is a great place for problems to happen. For my purposes the simpler an amp is the more I trust it.

I just got hold of the store manager's email address at that store. Seems I can't get him on the phone. I emailed him, according to his email he said he will get back to people within 24hrs. I guess we will wait and see what happens.

It sometimes has some impact if you mention the fact that you do a lot of posting on guitar forums where thousands of readers are awaiting the Guitar Centers action on this issue.
Pop's

In my experience it was pretty quick G.L.

Very true Pops.

I have called Fender's warranty dept, and they seem to know nothing about Austin Amplifier. I wish they did it would be alot closer to me.

From the Fender website page for authorized electronics repair centers:

http://www.fender.com/dealers/service_centers.php

For Electronic Service Centers in the U.S. - type in Texas.

My Twin Reverb fritzed out when I first got it. I went through the Fender authorized repair center, a small locally owned shop. They got the repairs authorized by Fender, did the work and I had my amp back in two weeks. Based on my experience I think you are wasting your time trying to deal with with GC or Fender directly. What do you have to lose by calling Austin Amplifier? I have had other repairs done under warranty and have found that the manufacturer will usually not deal directly with the buyer.

I will call them today after lunch. THANKS

fine print from GC's Pro Coverage Terms & Conditions:

for the "Repair Plan":

"For New Covered Products: Your term and coverage begins on your date of purchase and continues for a period of two (2) or three (3) years. ADH and power surge coverage begins on your date of purchase; all other coverage begins upon the expiration of the manufacturer’s warranty."

Full copy of Terms and Conditions available here:

http://gc.guitarcenter.com/pro-coverage/brochure/ADH-Brochure.pdf

Caveat Emptor.
:eek::eek:

I just talk to Austin Amplifier on the phone, seems like very nice people. But they do not do warranty work for Fender anymore. He said Fender cut out a bunch of Repair shops and they were one of them. I was also told if anyone work on it, that was not authorized it would ruin my warranty.

You are going to have to try and find an authorized repair center through their (Fender's) site. As others have said, and it is entirely true, that is the only way you are going to get this resolved. On the bright side, I know a guitar repair center up in my area that is a Fender service center (Gold level) and he feels that Fender is extremely supportive. He was a Gibson center until a couple of years ago when he felt squeezed by Gibson.

Synchro is 100% on the extended warranty. Consumer Reports has told folks for years to stay away from those.

Good luck. I'm sure you'll get it sorted out once you make the connections.

The closet place I have found, according to FENDER is Alamo in San Antone, are Avalanche. Avalanche did not get a very good review, but both want 50 to 60 bucks up front from me. And for some reason that just make's me mad. Don't you get tired after buying all these warranty's of bending over. If Fender and Guitar Center makes me end up paying alot out of my pocket. I am done with both of them, I might as well took a chance and bought of Craigslist been cheaper. There is still Sam Ash and Peavey, the Roland cube 80XL is looking better all the time.

Thanks Guys for listening to me ***** and moan.

This is a crappy deal and both Fender and Guitar centre should be ashamed of themselves.

That said, a telephone is a dumb way to do business. Use email or a registered letter.
Take copies of your warranty agreement. Take time to list your abortive attempts to have the amp repaired under warranty. Take copies of that. Send to the AUTHORISED Fender service centre MANAGER.
If sending emails copy to your local citizens action group, ombudsman or better business bureau.
Businesses take notice of paper trails, but telephone calls are shined on.

Guitar Center told me when I got it fix they would trade with me,on another amp.. But the saleman told me I have to pay the different. Anyway I tried what can you do. Fender has lost a good customer, and I have 8 grandsons starting to play instruments drums and guitars. Guess where I will tell them to stay away from. Seems like the older I get the harder it is to find integrity.

Guitar Center told me when I got it fix they would trade with me,on another amp.. But the saleman told me I have to pay the different. Anyway I tried what can you do. Fender has lost a good customer, and I have 8 grandsons starting to play instruments drums and guitars. Guess where I will tell them to stay away from. Seems like the older I get the harder it is to find integrity.

That may be the best deal you'll get. I'd recommend trying to work a deal on a DRRI even if you have to toss in a few bucks. The quality is better, IMHO, and it fulfills the same function as a BDRI.

I might but I think I am going to look at some other amps. Maybe a Egnator are Peavey Delta Blues with a 15. There are other tube amps, but right now I am burn out on Fender. Like I said I might go the Roland 80XL, and save my money for another Marshall Bluesbreaker 212.

I might but I think I am going to look at some other amps. Maybe a Egnator are Peavey Delta Blues with a 15. There are other tube amps, but right now I am burn out on Fender. Like I said I might go the Roland 80XL, and save my money for another Marshall Bluesbreaker 212.

That Peavey, as great as it sounds, has a reputation for problems. You'd be far better off with Fender IMHO.

I know its just the way Fender treated me. I feel like I be kissing their butt and given up , so they can just keep treating other people like that.

Hey, I know the guys from Austin amplifier. I guarantee that if they can't figure it out and fix it for a reasonable price, nobody can. I have dealt with Austin Amplifier onseveral occasions , including buying my DRRI from them. If its got "Fender" on it, they know it inside out. I would still pursue GC up to calling their corporate office.

I got a call into both GC and Fender, waiting to hear back. Give me a few days we will see what happens.

Take a look at the Kustom tube series. Designed by James Brown-- same guy who designed the Peavey's 5150, Delta Blues and Classic series. These amps are way under the radar.

I have two Kustom tube amps (15 watts and 72 watts), and I gig heavily with both.

Kustom Defender series amps (http://kustom.com/product_family.aspx?TypeID=2&FamilyID=75&Tab=0)

Kustom 2011 catalog (http://kustom.com/Content/2011-Kustom-Catalog-Downloadable.pdf)

It looks like Mazak Music (http://www.mazakmusic.com/amps) in San Marcos would be the Kustom dealer closest to you.

Don't overlook Carvin Amps.

Update on my amp, Fender are the Guitar Center Manager will not answer my Email are calls. It look like I said its going to cost me even though I have two warranty's to get it fix. I could took as good as chance on craigslist and maybe saved some money. I know as for me its my last new Fender product, seem's to me they forgot who made them who they are. Guitar Center is getting the same way.

Hate to hear anyone having trouble with a Blues Deluxe as I have always recommended them highly. Mine is not a BDRI, but an original BD made in USA and I have never had the first problem with it. I bought it used about 15 years ago and it has been my only gigging amp since.

Fender amps are just like cars and houses, the older they are the better they were built.

I can't believe it an hour maybe after I wrote my last reply, I got a call from a Lady from Guitar Center, we talk told her my problem. She is going to call the repair place and speak to them, she said it should not cost me nothing out of my pocket. I am suppose to call her back in a couple hours, so maybe things are looking up. I will let you know what happens, cross your fingers are pray I believe in prayer myself. Will see.

That should have a 5 year full coverage on everything but tubes (after 60 days) from Fender.

Man, I sure hope this works out for you and doesn't cost you. My main amp is a BDRI, and I have nothing but positive stuff to say about it. Hopefully, this is just a one-off problem and it won't sour you towards Fender or towards the Blues Deluxe, which, I think, in general is a great amp. Good luck to you!

That sounds encouraging. Good luck with it! If it sounds as good as mine it will be worth the wait and effort.

I guess she is sending me the stuff, to send my amp back to the Fender Factory. It will be sent by UPS, so far it isn't costing me anything. The lady's name at Guitar Center was name Cathy I think she said, she was really nice on the phone. She seem like she really wanted to help me with my problem. It will take up to 5 days to get the shipping papers, but its a start. I will let you know how things progress. But the service centers can charge a handling fee know matter warranty are not, Fender are Guitar Center as no control over that. So thats why we are sending it to Fender.

Finally, some good news, G.L. I hope you get a good result.

That's very good news. Sounds like you did the right things. Congrats and hopefully you will have your new one soon. Begs the question, did you bond with that one enough at all to want them to just fix it correctly or send a whole new unit?

Fingers are crossed, GL!

I only played it about 10hrs, It will take all most a month are more maybe, to get down there and fix and back.

Fender emailed me today, they talk like they want me to buy tubes and put in it. Before I send it to them, I am waiting for Guitar Center to send me the stuff to take it to UPS. I told them I tried to play it you can smell electronics getting very hot. This is before it starts to mess up. It smell's like something wants to catch fire. It sounds to me a little like they are just playing games maybe I don't know. I am doing nothing until somebody's checks it out, I don't want it to come back on me.

wow ! you sure have been through a big ordeal with this amp. I sure hope you get things straightened out.

I guess she is sending me the stuff, to send my amp back to the Fender Factory. It will be sent by UPS, so far it isn't costing me anything. The lady's name at Guitar Center was name Cathy I think she said, she was really nice on the phone. She seem like she really wanted to help me with my problem. It will take up to 5 days to get the shipping papers, but its a start. I will let you know how things progress. But the service centers can charge a handling fee know matter warranty are not, Fender are Guitar Center as no control over that. So thats why we are sending it to Fender.

Tell the nice lady that you want either new amp or your money back!

Man G.L. this has been a nightmare for you. It's problems like this that bum you out all around. It might be best to tell Fender and your Guitar Center "never mind, for this much trouble you lost a customer and since both of you are doing the bare minimum at best to help me I will no longer purchase Fender products or anything from Guitar Center." I am getting the information from the gentlemen I got my Blues Deluxe from who had everything reworked and better tubes put in and I will pass it along. I would just pay for a good repair/set up and move along. It's a tough pill to swallow but at least you will have your amp back and better then before.

Just got an email from Fender, looks like they are not going to take it. Looks like they are going to make me go to San Antone where I might have to pay. Also Fender told me their words I kept the email, Tube amps are old Tech and they are not responsible for tubes. I knew that also playing time had little to do with small component failure are cold solder joints. I going to email him I have own Peavey tube amps the Classic 50 410 Delta Blues 210 know problem. Played the Classic 410 5yrs in church plus gigs never had to retube it. I thought cold solder joints had to do with the guy soldering the joint. Maybe there was a joint involve why the soldering was done, I don't know. I want to thank everyone for their support, it wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't on a limit budget right now. Its hell being old and laid off, but I will get it fix and get rid of it. I am going to call Cathy back today at Guitar Center ,the one who was suppose to be helping me.

That's just poor service. When you come down to San Antonio lets meet up. If you are going to ditch it send me a PM and maybe we can make a deal.

I might just stick me a couple 2 or 3 cold Shiner beers in my pocket, are the back of the amp. Then go to Guitar Center crack one open, and demo the amp for everyone on a Satutrday after noon. And then tell them how I got this signature sound with smell.

This is really a sad story GL.
Really sours you on dealing with the big box guys
A good friend of mine was an official Fender authorized luthier repair person. He went to bat for a client who was having trouble with some Fender Custom Shop guitars. When he kept insisting Fender honor their warranties, they dropped him from being an official Fender repair guy.
If you end up going after a Bluesbreaker, Sligo amps makes an interesting Bluesbreaker for about $1700.

It will be my last Fender anything, I will have to get it fix and I will to get rid of it are trade. My wife bless her heart since I can't work buys this stuff for me, right now. She wants me to get it fix, and trade it in, so far Guitar Center will do that they say. And since right now I am playing bass more then guitar, I am going to look at Peavey, Roland 80XL, Egnator. If I get a Peavey it would be one of the Delta Blues series are Classic 50s.I have a friend who uses a Roland 80XL in his studio pretty impressive for a transistor amp. I do like the looper for recording. I will keep my old American P bass its mint condition. Actually its not old 2006 and when I got it the pickups quit, know one would fix it either. So I put Steward Macdonald Golden Aged pickups, and found out they sound alot better. Played alot of gigs with them, other bass players and P bass players liked them better. I think I could have done just as good taking a chance on Craigslist, my wife don't think so. Maybe I are to just play acoustic.

I am very sorry if this has been a bummer for anyone to read, are for anyone who own's one of these amps. And I truly want to thank everyone for letting me vent. I don't know whats going to happen, I have heard from know one yet,Cathy from Guitar center was suppose to send me the stuff to ship it somewhere. I haven't receive nothing yet I have the emails I have received from Fender but at the bottom they say i can get in trouble posting them I guess. Plus I don't want hurt this Forum are break any rules. I have the guys email at Fender and what he said about cold solder joints. Cathy I guess is suppose to be some kind of big shot for Guitar Center. Anyway thanks again for letting me vent you all have been wonderful. I will let you know what happens and when I get it repaired.

I got papers today from Guitar Center today, to send my amp UPS. They are suppose to pay boxing and shipping, to San Antonio. To a place called MR E'S ELECTRONICS. When it get fix I still will probally trade it off. I don't want to have to worry about cold solder joints in the future, I can't afford it.

I've had problems with 2 fender amps and a gretsch guitar that were still under warranty with FMIC. The correct procedure is to get the product to an authorized fender repair center, until you do this fender won't talk to you except to tell you that you need to have the product looked by an authorized fender repair center and if it is a covered warranty item the repair center will start a claim, this will cost you nothing. If I were you I would have swapped out some of the tubes preamp and power to see if it is a tube problem before sending it to a repair center because if it is just a tube you will get socked with shipping charges since the tubes are only warranted for 90 days.
If you want to be a tube amp owner/user you should have tubes lying around for these purposes and you have to be a little bit of a amp tech yourself if you can't do this buy a solid state amp or spend the amp tech fees.

I have played tube amps for 40 years, I wanted to do that but was told if I open it up I would cancel out the warranty. I have replace tubes many times, but this time this amp was smelling like something was burning inside of it. More then a hot tube smell, I even have some Mullard laying around here, and some Ruby tubes. I am not worried about tubes, but was told this amp has a problem with cold solder joints. This tells me poor construction, I played a Peavey 410 Classic 50, 5 are 6 years withthe same tubes, the same with a Delta Blues 210. Maybe all the Fender Deluxe Reissues are not like that, and I hope they are not. But right now I cannot afford a Money pit, I had a Fender Twin in the 90's I loaded with EV 12L's, built like a tank, great amp. But this amp has been a pain in the neck, just like cars sometimes you get a good one sometimes not so good. but what pissed me off the way both the store and Fender treated me at the time. I wish I could figure how to put the email Fender sent me on here, about cold solder and component failure. But I don't know how and do I want to cause problems for this forum. I really like it here. This problem will be taken care of, and I can go on. But I will maybe go with the Peavey Delta Blues with a 15. I am just to old to bend over for the big box stores as I guess everyone calls them, and Fender. If I have to I will play bass for a while, trade the Fender when its fix. I will trade it for a JC 120,80XL, and save my money. I would really like to have another Hiwatt 212, are Marshall Bluesbreaker 212 combo.

G.L., Like I PM'ed that's where the guy that I bought mine from had all his work done and it sounds awesome. If you do sell it let me know. If he goes through it like mine I would be interested in what you want for it and I will drive up there and pick it up.

I will let you know.

I just sent my amp off today UPS. It is on its way to MR. E'S in San Antonio, and so far Guitar Center has paid the bill. Anyway for the shipping down there. I forgot to mention when all this problem started with my amp. You could also touch the face plate around the knobs, and get a good shock sometimes. So I am keeping my fingers cross and hoping for the best.

When you get it back you will love it. Want me to go watch'em?

Know that's okay

I'll meet Astrolux down there and we'll watch him fix it.....

That's cool if you want to I guess.

I'll meet Astrolux down there and we'll watch him fix it.....

Excellent. Sounds like a winner to me.

When I get this amp back and before I get rid of if I do. I would like your suggestion on EQing this amp to get the amp. I want to get the best clean sound I can get with reverb. I use a Les Paul type guitar with TV Jone classic Humbuckers. I play mostly Blues, Rockabilly type country I guess you call it. I like it clean I will try everything you suggest.

It might take me a while I am going back and forth to Kansas and taking care of my older brother.

It might take me a while I am going back and forth to Kansas and taking care of my older brother.

Absolutely. It's the same thing I play.

I talk to the guy's at Mr, E'S Electronic's. He told me the amp check out okay, but the power are out put tubes both were fried. He is going to replace them with JJ tubes. I have never had both power tubes go out with out a preamp tube going bad also. This is after maybe 10hrs of playing volume never past 1. I never was a big fan of Groove tubes. He is going to call Fender and see if they will pay Labor, are what the warranty will pay if any. I know I will pay for tubes. Just thought I let you guys know whats going on, don't know when they will send it back.

Well, look on the bright side-- it could have been much, much worse.

Any chance all those tubes could have been damaged by a dropped box? If so, maybe that would explain things, and replacing the tubes will give you a perfect amp..(?!). I hope so. At least you could sell it in good conscience as a perfectly working amp if there's no way you can bond with it now.

If it was dropped it was before I got it. I haven't got the bill yet, I won't until they see who will pay what if any. There has been so much stuff happen in the last year, its just hard for me to trust anyone right now. Company's and Dealer's have IMO lost alot of good old American integrity, for their products and customers. But I will climb out and be back on level ground.

When you have to change power tubes ,isn't there a driver tube you better check also. If so which tube is that, the one close to the out put tubes.

If it was dropped it was before I got it.

That is what I was thinking. Perhaps in the shipping line somewhere. Either way, lousy way to experience anything.

Can't wait to get it back and see if if I am going to keep it are not. I think I will call them today and ask them if they heard from Fender. And find out what I have to pay. You know I was thinking not only have I not played that amp much, I haven't got to really play my guitar much, since I loaded it with the TV Jone's classic humbuckers. I haven,t had a amp so I have been doing bass gigs, and at church. I maybe played my guitar 10hrs all together.

Can't wait to get it back and see if if I am going to keep it are not. I think I will call them today and ask them if they heard from Fender. And find out what I have to pay. You know I was thinking not only have I not played that amp much, I haven't got to really play my guitar much, since I loaded it with the TV Jone's classic humbuckers. I haven,t had a amp so I have been doing bass gigs, and at church. I maybe played my guitar 10hrs all together.

Anyword?

Just heard it was done they had to change out put tubes,they were fried. Now they are waiting for Fender and Guitar Center to see who pays for what. I know I will have to pay for the tubes maybe. They said they would call me when they found out. Preamp tubes where okay I guess. After 40yrs of playing tube amps, I never had a power tube go out without a problem with a preamp tube somewhere. Might be a cheap fix though, still don't know if I can trust it at a gig. Just don"t know what I am going to do, still have warranty. But I don't want to butt heads with Fender all the time if it needs fix again. So far Cathy at Guitar Center has been pretty helpful.

Its going to cost me $110.00 for playing my amp 10hrs, but Guitar Center is paying shipping. I am going to trade it as soon as I get it, I am almost sold on the Tech 21 Trademark 60 I been playing today. I just don't think I can bond with that amp, since it let me down in the middle of recording session.

Update on my amp, got it back, The way they had it was pack was not UPS fault, but the way the arrows and label on box it came back sitting on its side. But box was not damage and it only took a 3hr ride I guess. They put Ruby power tubes in it, so I took it out of the box check and made sure it look okay, Then I plug her up and let it warm up a few minutes before hooking a guitar to it. I turn the volume about 1 in my living room, and heard a flutter. I figured maybe tubes burning in then it quit a minute, started again making alittle rattle. I turn and look at the amp and notice I could see light from the window coming tru the grill. There was a hole about the size of a silver dollar in the bottom of the speaker. I was pissed, I did not want to butt heads again with anyone, just want to play guitar. So I call Cathy again by the way Cathy do'es not work for the Guitar Center, she works for Pro Coverage Guitar Center sales. She saids they don't on it. Anyway Cathy got on the phone with MR E'S Electronics in San Antonio. This is going to blow you away, he is going to order the speaker and bring it to my house. He is going to install it for me. I told them both I have done this many many times, but Cathy did not want Fender to have any reason are excuse to void the warranty. How cool is that.

That is cool. You deserve a happy ending after all this!!

Before I became a tattooer I was a manager at G.C. The extended warranty should be completely seemless. If it cant be fixed they should cut you a check for the amount you paid for the defective amp. Go directly to a store manager and if you dont get the proper results you can easily get a district sales managers number. They have to give it to you, and trust me they'll be quicker to help you as they do not want to deal with a D.S.M.

Thanks I have an email right now to the store manager, he seems to be hard to get on the phone. I don't drive because of medical reason, but I am sure I can get some friends to help me.

Man I have search the net for the district manager over The Austin Tx stores. I can't really nail it down are get a web site. And know one will give me a phone number. I have email the store manager but he has not got back to me. I would love to email them are talk to them. Any contact info on their website just goe's in circles.

New update on my amp,Guitar Center got hold of me. They told me when they got the speaker put in to bring it back. they told me he would help me get something. I don't want another Fender right now thats two of them I have had trouble with. I play alot of blues and jazz right now and mostly bass guitar. My main guitar right now is a Les Paul clone a Prestige Heritage Standard loaded with original TV Jones classic humbuckers. I also use a Godin G1000 strat with Seymour Duncan single coils and humbucker. Of the two amps which would you choose and why, I use to be a tube snob, but after playing the 80XL I was impressed.

They are putting the new speaker in tomorrow yea. Then i am going to get rid of that sucker as fast as i can. Not sure for what yet, maybe a peavey delta blues 15 are a roland 80xl.

They put the speaker in and new preamp tubes, didnt cost me nothing for that. Now it has all new tubes new speaker, another Fender speaker like whats was in it. He used Ruby tubes and the amp sounds a little darker I like that. But that could be because the speaker is still alittle stiff yet. I had a friend over and we played a couple hours are more. I really like the amp and would like to keep it, but after all thats happen I just wonder how dependable its going to be. If I keep it I am going to put a 5751 tube in the V1 position to clean it up tame it down alittle. And then when I can change the speaker to a Eminence C Rex are maybe one of the WGS speakers. I use a Les Paul guitar with original TV Jones classic humbuckers. I think I am going to play it a few days and see.