Tested out some Fender amps...what happened?

[CoolCat]

I stopped in the store today to possibly buy a Blues Jr. But was blown away by how crappy the amp was? I'd heard so many good things about it.

They had 2.
The first had sloppy grille cloth, loose and drooping. A friend had mentioned seeing this across the other side of the city at a different store. He said be cautious of the Fender amps and quality, many have manufacturing defects.

As I played thru the Blues Jr. I soon noticed the speaker rattled on the low notes. I thought what the hell???
I unplugged the guitar.

Testing the 2nd amp, it sounded totally different than the first!? Inconsistent builds? same settings?
The grille cloth was ok.
Then as I turned the treble knob the sound cut-out, as i reduced the treble the amplifier kicked in again???!!!

I left. With my money.

Is this common of Fender these days?

Are they trying to follow Behringers lead, which is sell as much crap as they can to anyone they can as cheap as possible?

After what I saw today, their gonna give Behringer a run for their money.

 

[sweetpeee]

I have two Fenders.Not sure if the Blues Jr. is high end or what. My favorite amp is a Fender CyberTwin...I just like it a lot...great tone,even the presets sound good, especially the vintage amps. At the time, it was a new model and it ran about $1200.I haven't seen them in catalogues for a while so I don't know if they still sell them. I've read posts elsewhere that put the Cyber Twin down saying they couldn't get a decent tone out of it...but then again, this was from some death metal ( should be playing Boogies, not Fenders) who probably never uses clean tones, type player.

The other is a Fender Amp Can...it's a protable, about the size and shape of a paint can that you can take anywhere...it's battery operated.It ran about $200 and it is by far the LOUDEST portable amp I've ever heard.

Where exactly are you looking at these Fenders a chain store or a local mom and pop music shop? Are they brand new or used?

 

[sile2001]

Pretty sure Fender is having production and QC issues. I'm on my 3rd Fender Bassman 250 and hoping this one doesn't crap out on me like the others did.

 

[Dani Pace]

I'm not sure if this is common or not but I have recently tried out several "small" Fender amps, I was greatly dissapointed. I have been a fan of Fender amps for years but the new ones seem to be having some really serious QC problems. The ones I tried ALL clipped badly on the lower notes (for lack of a better term, they all had speaker farts) rattled badly and had poor controls. I don't know if it is cheaper components or speakers or what but it does seem that Fender is slipping. I've got a couple of older Fenders and the walk all over the new ones.

 

[CoolCat]

sweetp, it was both. In Dallas.
A large Guitar Center and a small Local.
Qty. ~ 5amps total.
All with problems on the showroom floor!!!

I've always been somewhat of a Fender-friend too....but when it comes to quality I don't care. Fender has screwed up before pumping so much crap out that the musicians quite buying it, instead they searched out "good years" they wanted.

As Big as they are now, making keychains and tshirts, I doubt they care what I think.
Personally, I don't care what they do. I'll find one that doesn't have defects, thats no big issue.
I still have my cash, and may buy an older Blues Jr. (probably not from Ensada plant)

But if they keep this up....they'll have "Behringer" type bashing forums started.

Like someone said, the Fender now is nothing like the old Fender company.

I wonder how many guitars they pooped-out, in 2005, compared to the quantity they shipped out of the factory in 1963 for example??

 

[jimistone]

If the amp rattled on the low notes....more than likely it is biased too cold.

If that is the case, I would try to talk them down on the "defective" rattling amp, get a hell of a deal, take it home and rebias it.

 

[Creamyapples1]

I've got an M-80 Chorus (black) that I picked up in the early 90s, and it's still kicking hard to this day. I bought a Dynatouch Stage 1000 about a year ago, off ebay no less, and have had zero problems. I've found that you usually will be happier with amp results if you ask them to bring one out from stock room and try it. Showroom models usually have wear and tear like woah. Not saying that they aren't slacking on the QC side of things, but atleast this way you have a better picture of what the problem is.

 

[Clive Hugh]

I'm not sure if this is common or not but I have recently tried out several "small" Fender amps, I was greatly dissapointed. I have been a fan of Fender amps for years but the new ones seem to be having some really serious QC problems. The ones I tried ALL clipped badly on the lower notes (for lack of a better term, they all had speaker farts) rattled badly and had poor controls. I don't know if it is cheaper components or speakers or what but it does seem that Fender is slipping. I've got a couple of older Fenders and the walk all over the new ones.

I had heard a rumour that they are making stuff in China, if it's true they have sold out a good name. I recently got a Dual Showman off ebay, in the same condition as if it had left the factory the day before (also autographed by Vinnie Moore who had used it in a Promotional thing here in Australia), it is the same amp as the red knob twin, there is no label on the chassis only a screwed on plate that says The Twin or Dual Showman, anyway they are from the late 80's amd both sound incredible but I tried a newer Blues Junior and it didn't cut it for me either.

 

[Outlaws]

Not Fenders QC, but demo amps at GC always get abused.

The low note rattle was the reverb tank more than likey.

 

[CoolCat]

Not Fenders QC, but demo amps at GC always get abused.

The low note rattle was the reverb tank more than likey.

I agree demo's get abused, but two different stores & miles away having loose grille cloths?

Even it it was the reverb rattling, that still doesn't mean well-built.
And what about the new one that had the treble knob that cut-off the amplifier if turned up past 8?? geez. Maybe their counting on people who buy amps without plugging them in!

On a polite note, I could say it was just a bad batch of amps.
(Which still argues that they QC EVERY amplifier, as they stated in the Mexico Factory Tour link, probably bullshit. )

Anyway, I hadn't looked at amps for many years and was really let down at the crap quality I saw and my friend seeing the same crap quality miles away in a different store.

Not to be RipVan Winkle, but are all Fender amps made in Enesada as of 2002?
I read that somewhere.

2002- Enesada plant is making the amplifiers
http://www.allthingsguitar.com/FenderLinks/FenderTour/ampelec.html
2001- US mentioned to be making the amp electronics
http://www.guitarstop.com/tour/amp.htm

 

[Outlaws]

The reverb is a problem many combo amps with scpring reverb tanks have. Its a physical problem not associated with QC as much as a matter of physics. Low notes produce a rumble that is very difficult to stop from rattling the springs in the reverb.

As for grill cloths......i can't count how many grills I have accidently kicked at GC. That place can be a mess sometimes and lacking ample walking room. But they tend to leave the amps out as long as possible. I know, I saw a few NEW Fender amps on the floor at my local GC that looked more abused than the used ones sitting next to them.

That is why it is good practice to not shop at Guitar Center.

IMO though, the Blues Jr is a great amp, just not if you are looking for the 'Fender' sound...and it wasn't supposed to be....because that 'sound' is the DeluxeReverb and the TwinReverb.

 

[CoolCat]

A little amp, with low volume distortion. I liked the size of it.

Maybe being small this reverb thing you talk of is increased even more.
I don't recall the other one doing it? Hell it wasn't like I was playing loud.

Maybe its just ot the amp for me, but I've read so many articles saying how good this amp is. I'll search for some older ones....a different batch. (or year!)

 

[travelin travis]

A little amp, with low volume distortion. I liked the size of it.

Maybe being small this reverb thing you talk of is increased even more.
I don't recall the other one doing it? Hell it wasn't like I was playing loud.

Maybe its just ot the amp for me, but I've read so many articles saying how good this amp is. I'll search for some older ones....a different batch. (or year!)

The Blues Jr. definately is'nt the signature Fender amp sound. The one I owned sure did'nt put any chills down my spine. I did figure out that it's fucking awesome for playing slide on a strat though. Just dime it out with some reverb and it sounds great.

 

[Outlaws]

A little amp, with low volume distortion. I liked the size of it.

Maybe being small this reverb thing you talk of is increased even more.
I don't recall the other one doing it? Hell it wasn't like I was playing loud.

Maybe its just ot the amp for me, but I've read so many articles saying how good this amp is. I'll search for some older ones....a different batch. (or year!)

I forgot to mention also that when the tubes inside the amp are past their prime, they can start to rattle. I have had this happen on MANY amps. Everything from a Marshall JCM900, a SuperRever, a Blues Jr, a ProJunior, and my current rig, a THD BiValve. If the tubes have loose filaments, they will rattle with any low frequency.

The simple fix for every single one of those amps was new tubes. Not $400 worth of NOS Mullards, but anything that when shook, didn't sound like a salt shaker.

 

[Mark7]

I had heard a rumour that they are making stuff in China, if it's true they have sold out a good name. I recently got a Dual Showman off ebay, in the same condition as if it had left the factory the day before (also autographed by Vinnie Moore who had used it in a Promotional thing here in Australia), it is the same amp as the red knob twin, there is no label on the chassis only a screwed on plate that says The Twin or Dual Showman, anyway they are from the late 80's amd both sound incredible but I tried a newer Blues Junior and it didn't cut it for me either.

That's not a rumour. They are making amps in China.

 

[CoolCat]

interesting on the tubes. it did sound like it was thru the speaker not a emblem rattling.

i don't know these were both new amps, maybe a bad tube in a new amp?

I read Fender was making all the amps in Mexico as of 2002...100% of them.
(excluding Custom $$$ built)...Is this true?

I was laughing with my friend he said I could have the store bring out all the Mexico Blues Jrs from the back room.....maybe 8 or 10 of 'em
....and then test each one out.
We figured at least 1 or 2 could be defect free!

He re-verified the store across town and 4 out of 8 amps with poor/loose grill cloths and it wasn't just the Blues Jr. and they weren't from people kicking or leaning on them. Its just shabby workmanship.
basic detective work says its coming out of the Mexico factory...QC isn't checking EVERY amp. thats obviously marketing Bullshit.

Still could be a bad batch thru the end of year...and I'm trying to be nice.

We were both pissed and embarrassed...being Fender fans.
What the fhk are they doing? Are they trying to compete with Behringer or Mesa Boogie....Quantity or Quality?

 

[Outlaws]

interesting on the tubes. it did sound like it was thru the speaker not a emblem rattling.

It would come through the speaker also.

 

[Newbie-Doo]

That's not a rumour. They are making amps in China.

Dang...Vox AND Fender? Just isn't right....

 

[CoolCat]

yeah, I was just on the FDP trying to get some info. on which Blues Jr to buy?

Fender is Holy, thoushant complain about Fender there!!geez.

My take on Fenders customer responses: just kidding....kind of.

on Quality complaints:
QUESTION: My amp is fairly new and it started crackling. I got a second one too, the same thing?? I'm wondering has Fender lowered its quality controls?
F- RESPONSE: "oh so you got a bad piece!!
and thats supposed to mean everything we make is bad!!
well let me tell you, WE ARE FENDER!!!WE ARE HUGE!!!
...your problem is the rarity!!"

on Factory location questions
QUESTION: Are all the amps made in Mexico now?
F- RESPONSE: "why do you ask where your amp is made at? does it matter to your sound? where the wood is cut shouldn't matter at all, it has nothing to do with anything. are you having trouble getting a sound? maybe we can help or you can go to GDGDFGG forum/link."

thats my take on the bs. YMMV, IMO, TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT should be emphasized. I'm going pawn shop hunting for a US made "Tweed/Jensen" Blues Jr.

You can add- Wharfedale/Quad on the outsource list too. 100% China made. AIG- a huge building with 10 other speaker companys under the same roof. One gigantic speaker factory. Home Theater mag Nov. 2005.

 

[gbdweller]

My Twin just blew up so I'm not too happy right now, but I do love the sound when it's running right. My step father currently has the sweetest sounding '59 Bassman (brand new) I've ever heard. His L6S sounds like $1,000,000 through it. I guess we are in a time when big companies are suffering and trying to meet a $$$ figure by cutting costs in production. The end result??...inconsistency of quality.