Fender FR-12 preamp mod : The Hissterectomy

[Budda]

I"ve never owned a guitar with P90s but recently aquired an Anderson Hollow T Classic and I can't stop playing it. I love the voicing on the single coil so has me wondering how much I'd love a P90 guitar.

If you want a junior, im debating more poor decisions hot on the heels of my latest poor decision.

 

[Deadpool_25]

I recently picked up a Revstar 520 with P90s. Those guitars are sooooo underappreciated. Killer guitars.

 

[skolacki]

P90’s are my favorite pickups. Probably not the best choice for hi gain, better for drive levels where you can still hear the strings.

 

[Sixstring]

I"ve never owned a guitar with P90s but recently aquired an Anderson Hollow T Classic and I can't stop playing it. I love the voicing on the single coil so has me wondering how much I'd love a P90 guitar.

This will be my first P-90 guitar! I have played through a P-90 guitar years ago but it just wasn't on my radar. With the latest buy of the Gold top really set a fire in me for the Les Paul's and got me thinking about a P-90 version. They have come a long way with respect to playability from my last encounter.

 

[Sixstring]

I recently picked up a Revstar 520 with P90s. Those guitars are sooooo underappreciated. Killer guitars.

I looked at those for a hot minute, almost bought one but changed my mind and started looking at Les Pauls.

 

[lscottk]

Of topic, but here's my incoming Grosh. I was looking for a Grosh Set Neck, but when I saw this I couldn't resist. It is scheduled to arrive on the 7th. I'm super psyched.

 

[Lysander]

Confirmed that OPA4228 is another suitable replacement to kill hiss in the FR-10/12's EQ section

https://thegearforum.com/threads/fender-fr-10-fr-12-noise-reduction-mod.3559/post-133182

2023-11-04 EDIT: Be careful though, as this is basically OPA4227 with a much higher slew rate BUT no unity-gain stability. One of the original TL084s has to be left unmodified in order to avoid oscillations.

 

[fsharpminor]

Confirmed that OPA4228 is another suitable replacement to kill hiss in the FR-10/12's EQ section

https://thegearforum.com/threads/fender-fr-10-fr-12-noise-reduction-mod.3559/post-133182

Not exactly surprising, as this part is basically OPA4227 with a higher slew rate, but a good alternative as it is also available in DIP packaging (OPA4228PA).

HI There, realy want my tech do this mod to reduce hiss.....can you direct me to where the schematic/explanation of how to do it is? I wouldnt be able to explain it to him as I have no electronics knowledge.......

 

[OrganicZed]

Of topic, but here's my incoming Grosh. I was looking for a Grosh Set Neck, but when I saw this I couldn't resist. It is scheduled to arrive on the 7th. I'm super psyched.


View attachment 129169

I love the electrajet shape. It is one of those rare examples of a non-vintage body shape that looks really classic.

 

[Lysander]

HI There, realy want my tech do this mod to reduce hiss.....can you direct me to where the schematic/explanation of how to do it is? I wouldnt be able to explain it to him as I have no electronics knowledge.......

It's a straightforward chip change; any decent technician should be able to do it relatively quickly. I wrote all details at https://thegearforum.com/threads/fender-fr-10-fr-12-noise-reduction-mod.3559/ .

 

[Budda]

P90’s are my favorite pickups. Probably not the best choice for hi gain, better for drive levels where you can still hear the strings.

(They do high gain well too).

Wonder when WSK has his mtng?

 

[WKSmith]

(They do high gain well too).

Wonder when WSK has his mtng?

Still tying up a few circuit details

 

[Budda]

Still tying up a few circuit details

Didnt want to totally derail this awesome thread.

Who knows some Fender reps that can get on the team haha.

 

[Deadpool_25]

HI There, realy want my tech do this mod to reduce hiss.....can you direct me to where the schematic/explanation of how to do it is? I wouldnt be able to explain it to him as I have no electronics knowledge.......

@Lysander please correct me if I'm wrong but I think a super simple way to say/do it is;
replace the TL084 opamps circled in the picture below (Lysander's pic) with the OPA4227 opamps.



Edit: and if I'm understanding correctly it's best to get "good" ones. Maybe Texas Instruments branded rather than generic.

TI OPA4227PA from Mouser

 

[Lysander]

@Lysander please correct me if I'm wrong but I think a super simple way to say/do it is;
replace the TL084 opamps circled in the picture below (Lysander's pic) with the OPA4227 or OPA4228 opamps.

Don't use OPA4228. Otherwise...

tl;dr, yes.

 

[Deadpool_25]

tl;dr, yes.

Edited with links. Are those accurate?

 

[Lysander]

Edited with links. Are those accurate?

Yes. The part numbers you want is OPA4227PA, for the ICs in though-hole packaging. OPA1604 is an even better alternative, but's only available in surface mount packaging - meaning it requires an adapter to be soldered.

2023-06-11 EDIT: I recommend you don't use OPA4228, as it can lead to instability. Not all opamps in the board can be replaced with it.

Also, all these are premium parts built exclusively by TI as far as i know. Which means expensive (~$10 each).

 

[Deadpool_25]

Yes. The part numbers you want are OPA4227PA or OPA4228PA, for the ICs in though-hole packaging.

OPA1604 is an even better alternative, but's only available on surface mount packaging - meaning it requires an adapter to be soldered.

I'm doing the 1604s.

 

[WKSmith]

Rough video demo of the V2 mod eq
Overlook the scratch production, popping switches, and cowboy chords

It sounds almost identical to the factory eq, but a fraction of the hiss. And 8 less amp stages. I haven't tweaked the pot tapers yet.

Better video soon, I just wanted to share my progress.

 

[OrganicZed]

That is a massive improvement.