Two Great Fender Amp Mods that Boost Overdrive

This video demonstrates two well-known modifications that can be made to Fender black or silver-faced amps or other amps with similar designs. Both mods result in getting more overdrive at a lower volume knob setting. Both are completely reversible and both include the option to play the amp stock.

The first modification involves eliminating the neon bulb/LDR tremolo circuit. This is done by replacing the stock 50K reverse audio taper pot with one that is the same value but includes a switch. The way the mod is done you can play the amp stock and use the tremolo or you can engage the mod (which disables the termolo altogether).

The second modification involves re-purposing the ground-reversal switch so that you can either play the amp stock or remove some or all of the negative feedback that was part of the stock design. Negative feedback has the effect of cleaning up the output so by removing some or all of it, we can get a more overdriven sound. Again, this mod, as discussed here, enables you to employ the stock circuit as well.

Both mods are independent and can be implemented individually.