How to Repair Fender Super Sonic Amps
- 1). If there is a total lack of sound coming from the amplifier and the power indicator is glowing, you'll know that the amp is receiving electricity, but something is blocking the signal path. This is most likely due to burnt-out filaments in the amp's tubes. If the filaments aren't lighting up at all, you'll need to replace the tubes. If the power indicator is not lit up, you probably have a blown fuse, faulty power switch, or worn-out cable.
- 2). Listen for any hum or hiss coming from the amplifier. This is an indication of a fault in the lower-signal sections of the amplifier, such as the preamp tubes or the preamp power. These parts are replaceable, and should be relatively cheap. Also, check for dirty input jacks and faulty signal wiring. If you don't know how your wiring should look, consult your owner's manual for a diagram.
- 3). Take note of any squealing sounds you hear from the amp. The most common cause of this is a tube becoming microphonic. Try swapping out the tubes. If the amp squeals constantly, as opposed to only when you hit a note, the first preamp tube is likely at fault. Other causes of squealing include a poor contact in the input jack, incorrect polarity of a replacement output transformer, or improper grounding in a recent amp modification.
- 4). Check for any abrasions or tears in the speaker cone, and replace the speaker if you find any unwanted distortion. This is likely the case if the amp sounds harsh and grainy. This type of sound can also be due to output tubes that are biased too cold. If the sound is muffled, a number of problems could be at play: a failing preamp tube, bad coupling capacitors, bad plate resistors, or a power supply issue.
- 5). Check for any manufacturing defects immediately after purchasing your amp. Some buyers report problems such as nonworking bass knobs on a brand new amplifier. Don't bother repairing problems like this yourself. Instead, contact Fender for a full refund or replacement.
