fender Hot Rod Deluxe - silver foil??

[axisboldaspat]

Hi guys,

I got something wedged in the back of my fender hot rod deluxe and had to take off the chassis to remove it. Everything went fine and then when I was putting the chassis back in it was a really tight fit and I inevitably tore a significant part of the two pieces of side silver foil on the cabinet. I then plugged in and the amp sounded fine etc e.g. no hum etc. Wherever I look people either say that the foil is irrelevant and shouldn't worry about it while others seem to say it is imperative I get it replaced. The foil is perfectly in tact on the back panel and I m just wondering whether I should replace it or leave it? Also knowing what it is for would be really handy. Any help would be really appreciated.

Cheers

[Enzo]

It is just a guitar amp, not a NASA space probe. The aluminum foil is shielding. If a missing piece of it has not caused a bunch of hum, and the amp sounds OK, then forget it.

[g1]

I wonder if the guys that said it was imperative were thinking about fire safety.
I'm in agreement not to worry if it hasn't caused any hum issues.

[Jazz P Bass]

The screws that come in from the side of the chassis actually deform the threaded tab of the chassis when the screws are tightened.
To avoid tearing the foil a number of members have come up with suggestions (putty knife, flat stock.....) slipped in at the tabs.
Anything to allow the chassis to slide out without tearing the foil.
I like to bend the tabs inward slightly before reassembly.

[glebert]

Having just put one of these back together this afternoon and had some foil tear, I would say that the most important thing is to make sure that no pieces of foil fall into the chassis and short something out after it is powered up.

[SoulFetish]

The aluminum foil is shielding.

and making hats.