Fender FR-12 preamp mod : The Hissterectomy

I signed up for the Archangel mailing list and "watched" the board on Reverb. (it says sold out but I think I got the right link).

For the moment, I'm just going to do the Fender mod to the FR12 for expedience and lowest cost.

Admittedly, I've had theTMP since it came out, but I haven't taken it outside the house. 90% of my outside playing needs are handled with a Blues Junior IV that I bought broken (input jack) and stuck a lightweight neo speaker in it.

I'm not completely sure about the modeling approach. I'm warming up to it. At home, the TMP is great as I play guitar and bass and sing a bit, and one box does all that in practice mode. With bass amp/cab models and a decent vocals processing chain, it is a great practice tool.

I've got a collection of killer vintage tube amps that are what I'm used to. I just intuitively know what my old Deluxe Reverb does and how to work it. I'm still trying to manage the complexity modeling systems, which present so many options. I've always been kind of a minimalist.
 
nuke said:
I signed up for the Archangel mailing list and "watched" the board on Reverb. (it says sold out but I think I got the right link).

For the moment, I'm just going to do the Fender mod to the FR12 for expedience and lowest cost.

Admittedly, I've had theTMP since it came out, but I haven't taken it outside the house. 90% of my outside playing needs are handled with a Blues Junior IV that I bought broken (input jack) and stuck a lightweight neo speaker in it.

I'm not completely sure about the modeling approach. I'm warming up to it. At home, the TMP is great as I play guitar and bass and sing a bit, and one box does all that in practice mode. With bass amp/cab models and a decent vocals processing chain, it is a great practice tool.

I've got a collection of killer vintage tube amps that are what I'm used to. I just intuitively know what my old Deluxe Reverb does and how to work it. I'm still trying to manage the complexity modeling systems, which present so many options. I've always been kind of a minimalist.
Click to expand...
i know you’ll love Liam’s preamps.
I’m a minimalist too. I have the FM9 but the FM3 would’ve worked.
I’ve got a vintage 65 deluxe reverb and a vintage 66 twin reverb. Great amps.
i hate to say it but because I can specifically tailor the Fender amp preset for the guitar, I like the sound better.
(I can’t believe i just said that)
The fractals set up properly are the best IMHO. The effects are to die for. The FR10/12s with Liam’s preamps are the icing on the cake. And I’m also a fan of speakers with no digital processing that introduce latency. I don’t think some folks mind but it is an irritant to my old ears. :)
 
nuke said:
I've got a collection of killer vintage tube amps that are what I'm used to. I just intuitively know what my old Deluxe Reverb does and how to work it. I'm still trying to manage the complexity modeling systems, which present so many options.
Click to expand...
I'm in the exact same position.

For years I gigged with just my 1965 Super Reverb or '66 Deluxe Reverb and a Zendrive. I really love the Super Reverb and could have easily used it for my Jazz gigs for years to come.

51286002526_38f3145d17_b.jpg


And yes, it's taken me longer than most to get my Fractal gear dialed in because I prefer to play than to tweak, but a few minutes here and a few minutes there added up and now, using the FM9 and Archangel V3 FR-10, I've got five killer presets that cover all of the tones from traditional Jazz to high gain and all of the effects that I'll ever need. The Super Reverb is taking a well earned long vacation.

I love tube amps and have a few really nice ones but 95% of the time when I'm at home I use the modeler rig. I'm still planning to use my Rivera Suprema Jazz Recording combo with the FM9 for gigs but that may change if I'm happy with the results when I try out the FM9/FR-10 rig in public.

I still plug into one of my tube amps every now and then because it's a joyful experience unique to what it is but just like it would make more sense to daily drive a mid-sized SUV than a two seater with 400 horsepower (as much fun as that would be), the FM9/FR-10 can do it all from grocery shopping to off-roading and do it very well indeed.
 
nuke said:
I've got a collection of killer vintage tube amps that are what I'm used to. I just intuitively know what my old Deluxe Reverb does and how to work it. I'm still trying to manage the complexity modeling systems, which present so many options. I've always been kind of a minimalist.
Click to expand...
Just because there are lots of options doesn't mean you have to use them, though.

Start basic: Input -> Amp -> Cab -> Output

Select the DR model and choose an IR or DynaCab that works for you.

Get comfortable then slowly expand by trying to build your analog pedals into the preset.

It can be a very organic process.
 
My followup on going down copying Fender's fix. My parts got delayed in shipping. Of course, I didn't actually look closely at the 14-SOIC to 14-DIP conversion adapters in my parts bin. Turns out, they have 0.6" centers instead of the standard 0.3". Argh. Fortunately, I rummaged around and scavenged the pins out of some connector I spotted at the electronic parts/surplus place. They had pins with a perfect bend in them that effectively did the job.

Such 14-SOIC to standard 14-DIP adaptors exist, but are a little hard to find. There's a guy on eBay offering them at a $1 each, which is a good deal don't know the guy or if they're any good. TSSOP14-to-DIP14 adaptors are more common, but I find TSSOP hard to hand solder without a hot air system. Either find your adaptors for 14-DIP with 0.3" centers, or choose the other, more expensive OPA that comes in 14-DIP already.

No issues with the 8-SOIC though. Most of those are fine.

I only replaced the 3 opamps that Fender did on their updated boards with the same OPA1664 and OPA1662 chips. It looks pretty much like Fender's modified, 'cause about what it is. Took about an hour start to finish. Difficulty level easy if you already can solder SOIC pretty well.

The effect is downright amazing, it is now nearly perfectly silent sitting there idle. Before, with all the controls at 0, it made far more hiss than a Blues Junior sitting right next to it in the same settings.

So much better, asoundingly so. Can easily forget it is on if the red pilot light is out of sight.

Here it is finished and about to go back in the amp cabinet.

IMG_1310.jpeg
 
nuke said:
My followup on going down copying Fender's fix. My parts got delayed in shipping. Of course, I didn't actually look closely at the 14-SOIC to 14-DIP conversion adapters in my parts bin. Turns out, they have 0.6" centers instead of the standard 0.3". Argh. Fortunately, I rummaged around and scavenged the pins out of some connector I spotted at the electronic parts/surplus place. They had pins with a perfect bend in them that effectively did the job.

Such 14-SOIC to standard 14-DIP adaptors exist, but are a little hard to find. There's a guy on eBay offering them at a $1 each, which is a good deal don't know the guy or if they're any good. TSSOP14-to-DIP14 adaptors are more common, but I find TSSOP hard to hand solder without a hot air system. Either find your adaptors for 14-DIP with 0.3" centers, or choose the other, more expensive OPA that comes in 14-DIP already.

No issues with the 8-SOIC though. Most of those are fine.

I only replaced the 3 opamps that Fender did on their updated boards with the same OPA1664 and OPA1662 chips. It looks pretty much like Fender's modified, 'cause about what it is. Took about an hour start to finish. Difficulty level easy if you already can solder SOIC pretty well.

The effect is downright amazing, it is now nearly perfectly silent sitting there idle. Before, with all the controls at 0, it made far more hiss than a Blues Junior sitting right next to it in the same settings.

So much better, asoundingly so. Can easily forget it is on if the red pilot light is out of sight.

Here it is finished and about to go back in the amp cabinet.

View attachment 151704
Click to expand...
Ummm.... a little awkward promoting your fixes in this thread. Maybe start another thread?
 
PSea said:
Ummm.... a little awkward promoting your fixes in this thread. Maybe start another thread?
Click to expand...

I'm not "promoting" anything, nothing is being offered for sale. Other fixes have been discussed in this thread as well. I think the Archangel boards are a great idea. They don't seem to be available at the moment, so I did this as an expedient and cheap fix for my used FR12.

I copied Fender, since I figured that it would likely work and knowing Fender, it was almost certainly the cheapest possible hack to fix it. ;)
 
It's actually interesting as a "temporary fix" while I get my hands on an Arcangel unit.
I hope it's not complicated, although I studied electronic engineering, and I never stop practicing and repairing devices, I'm actually a professional musician.
 
I would suggest that given the time and effort, a replacement board is a great idea, especially since it addresses many other issues besides hiss. I haven't personally seen the Archangel board, but it looks great from description and images. I'll most likely be getting one.

Since I do this kind of work a lot, I have tools and parts and what-nots already on hand and know how to solder. The OPA1664 are about 5x the cost of the TL084, and the OPA4227 are about 4x the price of the 1664. I just wanted to get the hiss down quickly and cheaply. I mean, I just bought the used FR12 a week ago.

If you're looking to do the minimal and cheapest way to address hiss, then just replace the same 3 opamps that Fender did. It is enough to make a big improvement. Even if you get the OPA4227 in DIP 14-pin, it is still pretty cheap when you only need two of those and one of the 8-pin opamps. I think this would apply to the used-market buyer like me, as the fix has been in production for a year now.
 
Last edited:
To be honest, it doesn't bother me at all. Especially on stage because I play it for myself. I send the output to the PA, and with so much noise from amps, drums, monitors, etc. etc., it's not noticeable. And if you add a bottle of bourbon, I hear it less.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom