Fender Factory Tour: How to Build a Handwired Amp

[jazzbass0321]

tone all handmade, so good　Great Fender Crean tone

[skrewflanders]

thats pretty cool to see how they do all this. thanks for the upload guys, love to see more rig rundowns!

[caressxofxsteel]

yes.....most women DO have more patients then us guys. one thing ive learned in 21 n a half years haha

[knikk77]

That's the way all amps should be made! Hand wired, P2P. Less components = better tone! :)

[JustSomeRandomNewb]

Is there any reason except for protection that they put steel tubes around the preampvalves? I always thought the heaterfillaments in the tubes look awsome...

[mrbluestrings]

@JustSomeRandomNewb The shields around the preamp valves are for one reason only. Because the preamp deals with small signals, they are very prone to noise from the external world around the amp, but mostly prone to noise from the power amp tubes bleeding over into the preamp section. This will cause a feedback mostly because they are so close in proximity to each other. Hope this helped.

[JustSomeRandomNewb]

@mrbluestrings Ah ok. but then why don't highgain amplifiers have them?

[mrbluestrings]

@JustSomeRandomNewb Good question. Most older point to point wired amps are more susceptible to this RF interference than the newer ones. This is due to the new amps having solid state circuits like integrated circuits. These IC's are low noise and high impedance. They are built to dump noise or block noise. They also do not sound as good as an old tube amp, but that's just my opinion.

[secretagentYTer]

I love this channel (:

[MrMurens]

What are those glasses for??

[jaj145]

@MrMurens Eye protection... 

[barret707]

Sweet. started building an old fender champ copy for college so its pretty nice to see fender still do it the same way.



[TheRaven0us]

Nice video =) That test guy at the end looks cool, lol

[sixstringfretter]

I used to work in a place that done similiar work that this place does, and he's right; the bench work that required the patients, dexterity and small hands were mostly done by women, and all the heavier, building trades were men. You have exceptions, of course, but it's probably 90% each way. I have one of the small Vibro Champs. It is good enough for studio work. Nothing beats a hand wired, tube driven amp for warmth and tone. The Fender nameplate just assures the quality is there!

[GuitarToneFreak]

Very cool video! Those workers have more talent and patience than I could ever hope to have.

[Aristowi]

That's a pretty small tube amp.

[ScArKiLLa45]

0:00 - 2:00...Interesting...2:03 OH FUUUUUUUUU!!!!

[bareknuckles2u]

Interesting video



[WarBeer]

I own lot's of Fender products. And have some good ones. BUT thinking that Fender is the "best" is a bit silly. Their guitars we the cheapest made at the time. NOT because they were good...but because they (with their bolt on neck) were inexpensive. They didn't choose the "best" parts or speakers....they chose the cheapest. American musicians of the day....didn't use them because they were great. They used them because that's what was available.

[WarBeer]

We've grown to love their tone because we love the songs from the great players and thus in and attempt to emulate and associate....we've got them ingrained in our ears. But Gibson guitars and Marshall/Vox amplifiers (etc.) are in our ears as well. The old players didn't have the gear choices that we have now. And they didn't fuss all about tone like we do today. Interestingly, if you look at what the old cats that are still around are playing. You'll find that most of them use modern gear now;)

[boleynali]

important question..does it go to 11.;-)

[UKToneKing]

FENDER AMPS are the best PERIOD, if U want that nice sparkle clean chime **buy a fender** sure vox do chime, but it sucks at gig volumes, fender amps rule, I like my clean to get a bit of hair around 5-6, a bit like my vintage bassman, I would only buy older amps, but I would buy this range due to the hand wiring, also they have few more amps this way, and then their is custom shop, I once played a custom shop fender tweed amp, it had 1 amazing clean channel, and a sick tweed type bassman chanel

[UKToneKing]

@UKToneKing the custom amp rocked big big time, it had 2 6l6 tubes, 3 12ax7s, 1 12at7 & a 5U rectifier tube, this amp had the best clean I have heard, & the 2nd channel was like a tweed bassman crossed with a 57 deluxe, god I wanted that amp so much, the guy paid a few thousand for it, but he still has it today, and it will be around in another 50, built like a tank, hand wired, great amp, he has had many offer's, but says, why sell an awesome amp to buy a not so awesome one strait after

[UKToneKing]

@UKToneKing fender have stood the test of time, 33 years old and still I get excited about new fender amps, they are the only company I would buy from, I only play fender, the strat is the most perfect guitar period, and they sell more strats than any other guitar in the world, I always go back to a strat, I like my tele's too

[Lespaulcoolio]

My names Dave and i test out every amp by playing my sweet guitar.

Would be the best job in the world.

[charvelguy]

They don't want men handling a solder iron in case they get pissed off and start cussing or throwing things due to tight confined spaces? Assembly discrimination! Men can solder too!

[phriend2spin]

Anyone know why Leo didn't make amps for G&L?

[charvelguy]

@phriend2spin G&L didn't make amps when they were introduced - the product name made guitars/basses. Musicman was the name brand for the company that Leo had prior to G&L - post Fender, and they continued with production with the amps under that name.

[DuralastTurbo]

It is AMAZING that a rep 4 the company like this doesn't even know WHY the amps R desirable this way. The advantage of point-2-point wiring instead of printed circuit board is lower crosstalk & (sometimes) lower noise - less 'background bacon sizzling' stuff. There can also B better clarity since less magnetic interaction, & absurdly oversized wiring =)

[Earnhardt12345]

@DuralastTurbo Haaa.. No, because people think it is better and are willing to pay for it.

[DuralastTurbo]

@Earnhardt12345 U R retarded. 1'st, U pretend U disagree with me, just 2 B a pathetic troll jackass. 2'nd, U act like the guitarists buying them don't know Y they like it, insulting guitarists (and yourself in the process). There is no end 2 your retardation. U must really smoke a LOT of pot 2 get this idiotic.

Everything I stated in my post was accurate & scientific. Good luck with your trolling, loser. This isn't a debate, & I am not your chat friend.

[Earnhardt12345]

@DuralastTurbo Wow, nice response..

Where did U get your degree in electronics? How many amps and guitars do U own? How long have U been playing?

[DuralastTurbo]

@Earnhardt12345 Oh yes, the old stand-by of the troll-tard, pretending U must B a chef 2 know that a dog poop sandwich will taste bad. Go on troll - tell us how where I went 2 'skool' magically changes the fact that guitarists like point-2-point because it is less noisy & has more clarity than circuit-board based designs, because of reduced magnetic interaction (crosstalk, etc.), & lack of the 'sizzling bacon' syndrome common 2 modern designs. Go on- troll me herder, troll cow - MOOOO!

[premierguitar]

We encourage all sorts of commentary, but we will not stand for hateful, racist, sexist, or other types of personal attacks. Please keep the discussion civil or you will be banned from commenting on our videos.

[0Heavy0Metal0]

@premierguitar Thank you. Isn't it amazing the amount of hate and anger that is generated by something so simple as an amp making video? It is disturbing how humans can de-evolve when they're not held accountable for their actions. I wish more YouTube uploaders would delete and ban some of these comments and people. Music, in particular guitars, is all about creating, sharing ideas, and finding that perfect combo of guitar and amp to move people. You guys help that by doing what you do.

[kjchicago1]

@premierguitar And those are the nicest amps ever! Great Job, Guys(and Gals)

[rollin37]

I know dave!

[rampage222555]

interesting, i always supposed the people who made amps were guys because of a comparison i made where all 95% of electronics students in my college are men. Didnt think there were many women in the field also. Also completely handmade isnt always better. A well programmed machine can do a very precise and efficient build fast. but I dig this more because more people have jobs.

[knikk77]

That little tweed champ is cute!!! Love the look of tweed!!!

[knikk77]

This is how ALL amps should me made! The old way!! DIG!!!! :-)

[DMSProduktions]

What? He didnt even BIAS it???

[swanky23]

Lol I like how all the amps get tested at the end by Rocky Balboa!

[Budyguy222222]

Rebecca, you do a great job. And I must mention you're cute. Yes, I notice you're attractive.

Dig this piece. These new ECs look like fine amps. Love the Twin sound.

[chrishpippin]

Handwired is a cool notion, but do you think it's as accurate as a robot??? Just saying....

[chrishpippin]

@chrishpippin Not saying that I wouldn't love a job doing this, but human hands are capable of human mistakes.

[zachjal]

@chrishpippin thats why they test them at the end.

[chrishpippin]

@zachjal They should work right after their made, but after a trip down the highway, they might get a little white line fever, ya know what I mean? Nice thing about Fender is warranty though! If it comes not working they will fix it.

[chrishpippin]

Respond to this video...  Always wondered where those tattoo freaky people worked. So happens they work near heaven, the Fender factory. Go figure.

[princessteach]

@chrishpippin That tattoo freaky person is my son and he is a really great guy.

[chrishpippin]

@princessteach He looks nice. He's got one of my dream jobs, working at Fender. But you have to admit, you wouldn't think to find him at your local bank. At least not up here in Montana, lol. No offense meant!!

[princessteach]

@chrishpippin Sorry, Chris - but mama bear came out. You are right - no bank jobs for him, lol I always told him "not to get the tattoos, because people will judge him by the way he looks". He is the nicest guy and would do anything for people. It is his "dream job" too. He loves going to work everyday and feels very blessed to be working at such a great company. They treat their employees very well.

[Jasonweckard]

Nice to see some things are still analog and handmade in 2011

[OndskapensHersker]

i was just thinking "are all the workers in the factory women?"

and when i heaid it i had to lol.

[MADE2OWND]

sick!

[holmes1978]

Thank you loved it !!!

[TIMOTHYSAARINEN]

1959 Bassman!

[SIRONEDRAGON]

very cool : ) I got to go thru the Fender factory in Fullerton in 1983 .a Great memory for me

[StraitUpSuburbanite]

Wow, pretty cool. It's kinda weird, kinda cool that they test each amp by playing music through it. I actually had no idea you could do that.

[maneatingtoilets]

I wonder how solder fumes affect health over the years.....Hmmm. Cool video though. First one I watched with my full attention for a few weeks.

[shango02005]

Best video I've seen from you guys in a while! Thank you!

[TheBANDEMIC]

great stuff. but is that a canon camera with a nikon strap??? haha

[TwistedSpeech]

This is one of many reasons why I love Fender. They're for equality in the workplace, they know how to build quality gear, and the prices are unbelievably fair. Go FENDER! : )

[fendermac]

There's a great old picture of an open heating element right next to a vat of nitro and now it's safety glasses at 10 feet.That's what happens when lawyers breed and litigiousness runs wild.Lol

[dazedforever]

Rebecca rocks...but that dude in the 'final check' room needs some training. He lets the 'bigger amps' warm up for 1-2 minutes, but since this is a 'smaller amp', it only takes 15 or 20 seconds? Really? Really Fender? That's the level of 'technician' you have in your US factories? Tubes and capacitors don't care if they are in a 2x12 combo, a 1x8 combo, or a head....Eric Clapton should come put the smack down on you!

[Temka957]

I WANT THESE ERIC CLAPTON's AMPS!!!

[linkwray22]

Premier Guitar rules!

Great job, Ms. Dirks.

Great production.