Fender DeVille

Modifications

My modified Fender DeVille

To modify a tube amp is dangerous. The DeVille has up to 485 Volts !!!

Do it on your own risk !

If this information is not enough for you don't even think about doing it by yourself.

1. How to Improve the reverb sound (the original sound of the reverb its to harsh for me).
   
   Add 220pf/100V to C15 (47pf/100V)
   
   
   

2. Like to play at home (low volume) ? You hear a lot of noise after using an effect device in the effect loop?
   
   Change R47 (51K/0.25W) to 0 Ohm. Your effect device will make no noise anymore. If you like to play at home (low volume) just connect 'preamp out' with 'power amp in' use a normal (short) guitar cable or something like that (I use a very short patch cable). The volume will be reduced (26db). If you don't use the patch cable - everything is like it was before the modification.
   
   
   

3. If you switch to 'drive' you lose a lot of bass.
   
   Change C23 (1.5nF/400V) to 0.022uF/400V. 
   I use a switch at the back of the DeVille to change between original and 'more bass' sound. Use a cable with shielding (or you have a lot of hum).
   
   
   

4. You don't like the 'sound of the treble knob'.
   
   Change C7 (250pF/1000V) to 470pF/1000V. (Its the same value as in many Marshall Amps)
   I use a switch at the back of the DeVille to change between original and 'Marshall Treble' sound. Use a cable with shielding (or you have a lot of hum). In this case add another 220pF/1000V instead of the 470pF one  (250+220=470)
   
   
   
   

5. You still don't like the sound of the bass/middle/treble  knobs at all.
   
   Change R12 (130K/0.25W) to 40K/0.25W. (Its the same value a in many Marshall Amps)
   I use a switch at the back of the DeVille to change between original and 'British' sound. Use a cable with shielding (or you have a lot of hum). In this case add another 56K/0.25W resistor instead of the 40K one  ( (130*56)/(130+56)=39 )
   
   
   
   
   

6. You don't like the distortion sound and hate that the bass/middle/treble knobs change almost nothing when using the drive mode.
   You like to switch between the normal 'Fender drive sound' and a 'Britishsound'. 
   
   The DeVille has 4 amplification stages in the preamp (2 * 12AX7A tubes with 2 triodes (Stages) per tube).
   Normal channel:  Input-Stage1-Stage2-EQ-Stage3-PowerAmp
   Drive channel   :  Input-Stage1-Stage2-Eq-Stage3-Stage4-PowerAmp
   
   You see the EQ cant change the distortion produced in stage3 and stage4.
   
   A Marshall is build like this: Input-Stage1-Stage2-Stage3-Stage4-EQ-PowerAmp
   
   The EQ between stage2 and stage3 reduces the signal very much. That's why you never get as much distortion out of a DeVille like out of a Marshall (both have 4Stage).
   
   I use a switch to select the EQ either after stage2 or after stage4. This modification is much more difficult as the other ones. But it sounds VERY good. You can change the DeVille between Fender and British !
   
   I use a 4stages switch now. 
   
   For the experts:
   I cut W16 (between R11 and C7) and cut the connection between R8 and treble (R13) -> To get the EQ separated. 
   
   If I don't use the EQ after stage2, I switch a C=0.022uF/400V to the old EQ position and a R=220K/0.25W before R41 to ground (to prevent the gate of floating).
   I also place the EQ after stage4 (after K2A pin4).  I use W41 to insert the EQ. Connect CR2 (1N5245B) after W41 or your op-amps (Reverb/Preamp out/Power Amp in) may be damaged. 

I chare my findings / modifications without any warrantee. You use this information on your own risk. Please send me a Email if you find any wrong information.

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