Fender FR-12 preamp mod : The Hissterectomy

[normanaj]

Getting my two FR12s on Friday. I can't wait to test them and open them to see if the fix is consistent with what the others have reported here.
I am also intrigued about and eagerly waiting for @WKSmith replacement/supplemental board .

 

[LolainNB]

Getting my two FR12s on Friday. I can't wait to test them and open them to see if the fix is consistent with what the others have reported here.
I am also intrigued about and eagerly waiting for @WKSmith replacement/supplemental board .

So if you get a fixed From Fender one AND you get @WKSmith replacement board, are you going to sell the board from fender?

 

[stephanfm3]

who would pay for the cheap fix?

 

[normanaj]

So if you get a fixed From Fender one AND you get @WKSmith replacement board, are you going to sell the board from fender?

No, I'll leave the original in tact for resale purposes. OR, I may build an entirely new FR utilizing @WKSmith board.

 

[orb451]

Forgive my ignorance if it's already been asked and answered in the previous 38 pages of awesomness, but will the @WKSmith "fix" - new preamp board also work in the Fender FR-10?

 

[WKSmith]

Forgive my ignorance if it's already been asked and answered in the previous 38 pages of awesomness, but will the @WKSmith "fix" - new preamp board also work in the Fender FR-10?

Of course

 

[orb451]

Of course

You sir, are a God among mere mortals. If there's a "waitlist" or somewhere to queue up for orders please let me know! Gracias!

 

[WKSmith]

You sir, are a God among mere mortals. If there's a "waitlist" or somewhere to queue up for orders please let me know! Gracias!

I haven't announced a formal waitlist yet. I still need to crunch some numbers, and I'm waiting on 2 resistors (due today) for my final tuning.

 

[200man]

I haven't announced a formal waitlist yet. I still need to crunch some numbers, and I'm waiting on 2 resistors (due today) for my final tuning.

Offer the thread participants first shot.

 

[quasimono]

The test boards came in early

View attachment 133123

Wow, if these work and sound only half as good as they look, we're all in for a treat! This is art. Awesome, @WKSmith

 

[normanaj]

Well, they came in a few days earlier than expected so for the sake of science here are the pics. Mine are indeed the Fender modified V2 versions. I have one on each side of me about two feet away maxed out. Aside from a normal/faint amount of white noise there is no hiss at all. One has this REALLY cool sticker though. I was disappointed the other one didn't so I may return it and wait for another one on back order .

In terms of the sound, I get the hype. I'm extremely happy with them so far. I've tested them with my Electrics and HydraSynth Deluxe.
Tomorrow I will test them with my Acoustics. The tones actually translate very well going from my SR5s to these. Distorted sounds were ever so slightly grainier to me but nothing that couldn't be solved by lowering the highs 1 or 2dbs (all tone controls were at noon and cut was at 1). Also my room isn't treated at all so YMMV. The chug factor to me was about a 9.5/10. Now I need a subwoofer to complete my setup because IIRC they drop off at about 50-60 Hz?

FR12 A.


FR12 B.


FR12 C.

 

[WKSmith]

and a kitty!
Thanks for the gutshots. Kinda confirms the F-Corp reworked chip swap fix is a real thing.

So then... looks like my final V2 pre will get the original PDIP 8 sockets on the top, and SOIC pads on the bottom... so it can use either use old school full size ICs, or modern SOIC ICs .... or both ICs bootstrapped if you dare to make a monster.

 

[normanaj]

and a kitty!
Thanks for the gutshots. Kinda confirms the F-Corp reworked chip swap fix is a real thing.

So then... looks like my final V2 pre will get the original PDIP 8 sockets on the top, and SOIC pads on the bottom... so it can use either use old school full size ICs, or modern SOIC ICs .... or both ICs bootstrapped if you dare to make a monster.

View attachment 133388

Will it come prepopulated or will you sell just the PCB, BoM and schematic?

 

[WKSmith]

Will it come prepopulated or will you sell just the PCB, BoM and schematic?

Populated and easy plug and play. But a tinkerer (like myself) would still have a cool toolbox to play with.

I would certainly consider a contract to license the Gerbers and BOM to a reputable FRFR manufacturer, or another similar private labeled custom preamp.

 

[WKSmith]

 

[Lysander]

Ooooh that's purdy.

 

[normanaj]

View attachment 133414

I strongly dislike rooster dials ( I may replace mine) but this is pretty cool. You may just have to use a different color for each of the others..maybe implement strobe light functionality ahahah. Is this implemented off the existing board or from your new board?

 

[WKSmith]

I strongly dislike rooster dials ( I may replace mine) but this is pretty cool. You may just have to use a different color for each of the others..maybe implement strobe light functionality ahahah. Is this implemented off the existing board or from your new board?

This is the first test board. I made some changes and the 2nd test board is on the bench getting finished up to install today.

 

[Joe Bfstplk]

I strongly dislike rooster dials ( I may replace mine) but this is pretty cool. You may just have to use a different color for each of the others..maybe implement strobe light functionality ahahah. Is this implemented off the existing board or from your new board?

If PRS had used a chickenhead on their rotary switch, I might have reacted more favorably to the Custom 24 I tried in '85 or '86 in a little guitar shop in Toms River....

 

[skolacki]

If PRS had used a chickenhead on their rotary switch, I might have reacted more favorably to the Custom 24 I tried in '85 or '86 in a little guitar shop in Toms River....

Yeah chicken heads are the best knobs.