If you’re a guitar player who loves the iconic Fender Blues Deluxe amp, but it’s time for a tube replacement, then this blog post is for you. In this article, we’ll provide some information on what tubes to use in your Blues Deluxe, and how to go about replacing them. By following our tips, you can ensure that your amp sounds as good as new – or even better! So, read on to learn more.
As you can probably tell, I’ve been pretty busy lately. Just the other day I replaced power output resistors R78, R79 from the stock resistors. The original ones were crappy ceramic, soldered-directly-to-the-pcb resistors. I replaced them with wirewound ones of better quality (and I lifted them off the board). Now I’m Replacing the Groove Tube 6L6 for Electro-Harmonix 6V6GT Power Tubes on My Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue
I’ve been dying to retube for a dog’s age now and when I asked for the Electro-Harmonix 6V6GTs for Christmas. Santa didn’t read “matched pair” so I only got one.
Solo Guitars Website
A few days ago, I sourced an 6V6 EH from the Solo Guitars website. I ordered it on Friday and I got it on Monday. Kudos to the folks at Solo Guitars. Solo Guitars was the only only supplier I could find these. Not even on Amazon.
Replacing the power tubes is actually very simple. However, please heed the WARNING that if you have never worked on a tube amplifier. Plate voltages can rise to 400 volts and ARE LETHAL. Do the right thing and reach out to me.
The real challenge is biasing the amp. Each tube should be biased, however, on the Blues Deluxe, there is only one bias pot for both tubes. If you have a pair of unmatched tubes, biasing can be done but is a more technical process. You may have to replace resistors for each tube so to match the bias current as closely as possible.
Swapping Groove Tube 6L6s for Electro-Harmonix 6V6GTs
There are many resources online that explain how to bias, but replacing my original 6L6s for 6V6GTs means I can only get the bias voltage maxed out at 30mV instead of the standard 60-70mV per Fender’s specs.
Have any of you figured out how to raise the bias more on a Fender Blues Deluxe when it’s maxed out? Please let me know by commenting below or contacting me through the contact form. I do want to raise the bias so I can bring it to the edge, if not, for me this is an acceptable trade-off to getting it to saturate and cutout.
Nonetheless, the amp plays so much more warmer and creamier than it had. I hadn’t replaced the tubes in ten years!
Can you tell that one worked harder than the other 
Can’t get the bias pas 27mV
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