Yes, it works very well. I don't use it for the hiss issue, it does a great job taming the fizzy highs when they are there. The truth is I don't find the hiss a real problem. I just want the best I can get, that's it.
Fender FR-10/FR-12 noise reduction mod
- Thread starter Lysander
- Start date
MTB1973
Groupie
- Messages
- 94
Understandable. I have two FR10s and I barely notice the hiss although mine may have less than others.
deadpool_25
Roadie
- Messages
- 218
My solder sucker arrived today so I'm gonna be trying to install the mod tonight. IF it goes smoothly, I'll have some extra parts because I bought about 3x more than I needed. We'll know more in an our or so. 
lolainnb
Groupie
- Messages
- 96
deadpool_25
Roadie
- Messages
- 218
Annnnd...done. As @Lysander said the difference is staggering. The hiss is gone. Ok, technically there's still some hiss but I have to put my ear to the tweeter to hear it. For all intents and purposes, it's silent.
The mod took me about 2 hours total I think, with most of that from building the three 1604/SOIC assemblies a couple days ago. Today the YIHUA solder sucker arrived. I pulled the preamp out of the FR-12, desildered the stock TL084s, installed the new opamp assemblies, and reinstalled the preamp all in under an hour.
When I went to test it and flipped the power on it was so silent I was concerned I messed it up. Nope. It's just that quiet.
The mod itself is fairly simple if you have the right tools. The YIHUA solder sucker as recommended by @aflynt and @roy is incredibly handy. Removing the stock opamps would have taken at least triple the time without it. Awesome tool for this work.
Also I'm using a nice Hakko soldering station, some Kester solder, some handy soldering tips, and some magnifying glasses.
If you are handy and not intimidated, and either have the right tools on hand or don't mind buying them, it's really pretty easy and not expensive. Also, you'll want pretty steady hands--I could see it being significantly more difficult if your hands shake because the parts are very small.
Great work figuring this out Lysander, and also thanks to WKSmith on the Fractal Forum.
So yeah...I now have extra parts for 3 more of these mods.
The mod took me about 2 hours total I think, with most of that from building the three 1604/SOIC assemblies a couple days ago. Today the YIHUA solder sucker arrived. I pulled the preamp out of the FR-12, desildered the stock TL084s, installed the new opamp assemblies, and reinstalled the preamp all in under an hour.
When I went to test it and flipped the power on it was so silent I was concerned I messed it up. Nope. It's just that quiet.
The mod itself is fairly simple if you have the right tools. The YIHUA solder sucker as recommended by @aflynt and @roy is incredibly handy. Removing the stock opamps would have taken at least triple the time without it. Awesome tool for this work.
Also I'm using a nice Hakko soldering station, some Kester solder, some handy soldering tips, and some magnifying glasses.
If you are handy and not intimidated, and either have the right tools on hand or don't mind buying them, it's really pretty easy and not expensive. Also, you'll want pretty steady hands--I could see it being significantly more difficult if your hands shake because the parts are very small.
Great work figuring this out Lysander, and also thanks to WKSmith on the Fractal Forum.
So yeah...I now have extra parts for 3 more of these mods.
lolainnb
Groupie
- Messages
- 96
So in my head I was picturing desoldering the old opamps and soldering new ones. What is this
deadpool_25
Roadie
- Messages
- 218
Fender FR-10/FR-12 noise reduction mod
Came up with a relatively easy mod to kill pretty much all hum on the FR-12! And, given it uses the exact same preamp board, this should work on the FR-10 just as well. Read on for details :D To preface things, this IS a noisy amp. The culprit is not so much the Class D power section (which is...
thegearforum.com
Other people have used some different parts that work well also. Im pretty sure you can just desolder the old opamps and solder new ones in their place. You just need the right size opamps. I think the 4227s (?) can be found in the right size. Again I think some people are soldering in sockets and then just press-fitting the opamps into the sockets.
lolainnb
Groupie
- Messages
- 96
Thank you and congratulations on your new quiet FRFender FR-10/FR-12 noise reduction mod
Came up with a relatively easy mod to kill pretty much all hum on the FR-12! And, given it uses the exact same preamp board, this should work on the FR-10 just as well. Read on for details :D To preface things, this IS a noisy amp. The culprit is not so much the Class D power section (which is...
Other people have used some different parts that work well also. Im pretty sure you can just desolder the old opamps and solder new ones in their place. You just need the right size opamps. I think the 4227s (?) can be found in the right size. Again I think some people are soldering in sockets and then just press-fitting the opamps into the sockets.
CrazyD
Newbie
- Messages
- 13
My order is postponed till beginning March....oh well...
Lysander
Shredder
- Messages
- 1,896
ICs come in many different packages. The FR-10/12 uses all classic DIP14 "through hole" parts:
The problem with the proposed replacements is that they tend not to be available in this packaging; most are surface mount (SOIP14), which is much smaller - and requires an adapter to fit the preamp board:
Sonically, there's zero difference between an IC available in both. It's just a matter of convenience.
Lysander
Shredder
- Messages
- 1,896
That just means "this thing is popular, we expect a restock asap". The Kemper Profiler Player, for example, has the exact same blurb.
Lysander
Shredder
- Messages
- 1,896
Yeah, guess that's why they're quietly trying to fix the non-existing issue all of the sudden...
deadpool_25
Roadie
- Messages
- 218
I doubt the fender reps know anything at this point. Fender is keeping this fix pretty damn quiet so I'd be surprised if any communication has been sent down far enough yet that it would end up with retailers.
morrissey007
Newbie
- Messages
- 12
Just got another new FR-12 direct from Fender; took a peek inside and there are no mods, they are still using TL084s so the hiss is the same. Fortunately I have plenty of solder wick, turned pin sockets and OPA4227PA opamps so the hiss will be gone in a couple of hours!
dronerstone
Roadie
- Messages
- 943
Really not meaning to offend, but could @stilwel possibly relay this matter further into their company?
Official information/acknowledgement would be awesome.
Where do we go from here?
morrissey007
Newbie
- Messages
- 12
When I spoke to Fender Europe in December they did not (would not?)acknowledge there was any hiss issue, they said it was “within normal” and also that they were not modding any units.
dronerstone
Roadie
- Messages
- 943
Yeah I know, that's either misinformation or just a lie, but I'd guess it's the first, rather than the latter.
