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Post subject: Hot Rod Deluxe vs. Blues Deluxe
Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 6:26 pm
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I am in need of a new amp and have been looking at the Hot Rod and Blues Deluxe and don't know which one to purchase. What are the differences between the two amps?


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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:02 am
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I have been looking at them also. IMHO, it comes down to tone. The HRD, I think, has a grittier tone and feel to it, leaning more towards rock or really gritty blues (more my style and preference).

The Blues Deluxe seemed to have more clarity, more refinement in it's overall tone.

I know it is a lousy second to actually playing them, but try looking for Blues Deluxe Stratocaster (or whatever you are playing) on YouTube. Different online gear dealers might have posted a/v samples to hear and watch.

It might help. FWIW, I am hoping for a Hot Rod Deville 410 under the tree this year. I found that sound through 4 speakers really turned me on. If you can find it, the Blues Deluxe comes in an Deville edition too, with 4X10 speakers. Good luck!


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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 9:04 am
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Both amps are using the same HotRod design circuit.

One main difference is the HDR uses both halves of the V2 preamp tube, I think it comes in use on the "More Drive" channel.
The Blues Deluxe only uses 1 triode in the V2 preamp tube.

Not sure what other differences there might be :)

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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 9:06 am
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I tried both and settled on the Hot Rod Deluxe simply because it seemed to work better with my humbucker equipped guitars. If I were playing only single coil or P-90s, then the other would be my choice.

I had to replace the speaker because it just wasn't cutting it. I went with a Weber 12F150. Very sweet.

Either amp is awesome if you take the time to tweak it.


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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 2:52 pm
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The problem with the Hot Series is they really need to be tweaked to be good. I know I have HRDlx. A tube and speaker change will help a lot. Once again the reliability is terrible for an amp in this price range. Do a Google search on the problems related with this amp especially from gigging musicians and you'll see what I mean.


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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 9:30 pm
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Hot Rod Deluxe for sure, and I have NEVER had any problems with mine at all. There are horror stories for sure out there, but if you look, you will find people having problems with EVERYTHING out there. Some people are never satisifed...tweakers :P . The Deluxe does have more gain then the blues and like someone said, humbucks sound great through it, my LesPaul and Tele Hot Rod really go well with this amp. BTW, my HRDlx is one of 500, so it is probably made better then the standard line amp.


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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 6:04 am
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NawlinzVoodoo wrote:
Hot Rod Deluxe for sure, and I have NEVER had any problems with mine at all. There are horror stories for sure out there, but if you look, you will find people having problems with EVERYTHING out there. Some people are never satisifed...tweakers :P . The Deluxe does have more gain then the blues and like someone said, humbucks sound great through it, my LesPaul and Tele Hot Rod really go well with this amp. BTW, my HRDlx is one of 500, so it is probably made better then the standard line amp.


That's total garbage, I own one never modified it either. I also played professionally for 20 years. This amp is poorly designed. Not really great for gigging. I'll sell you mine if they're that good. :roll: Don't kid yourself about it being made better, it just looks better.


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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:26 am
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The case covering and speaker may be different, in a ltd editions but
the internal components come off the same wave soldered assembly line as all the other hot-rod circuit amps.

We have two hot rod circuit amps in our group, one lasted just over a year before needing to go for service, the second died within a month of being purchased. Oddly both amps were in the shop at the same time!
They are fine for practice and lite gigging, I would not want to be out traveling with one.

NawlinzVoodoo wrote:
BTW, my HRDlx is one of 500, so it is probably made better then the standard line amp.

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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 1:15 pm
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Mine lasted for 3 gigs. The power tube sockets needed to be re soldered and some caps and resistors needed to be replaced. A month later it started channel switching on its own. Went back again. I never had a Fender amp in 40 years that gave me problems. I still have a 76 Twin and a 74 Champ that are solid as a rock. I don't gig anywhere near what I used to and only play small clubs now instead of the festivals and auditoriums I used to play so I figured I'd lighten things up with the HRDlx. Not one of my best decisions.


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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 2:16 pm
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WOW! I feel very fortunate then. :o


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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 3:41 pm
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It's just a matter of time. These things aren't made for the long haul if you gig with them all the time. Keep an eye on the 5 watt cement resistors. They tend to cook and burn the traces on the pcb.
It's still a decent sounding amp. I saw one of the new orange and black HRDlx in person today at Sam Ash. The only difference is the cab, knobs and speaker. Oh, I forgot it retails for close to 1200 bucks. A 65 Deluxe Reverb is cheaper with enough change to buy a nice pedal.


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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 6:13 pm
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Can't go wrong with a vintage blackface or silverface Fender! 8) Mike

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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 8:03 pm
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How true.


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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 2:22 pm
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+! Yup!
cherokee747 wrote:
Can't go wrong with a vintage blackface or silverface Fender! 8) Mike

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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 3:21 pm
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My gigging days are over so I guess that may be a blessing. The amp just sits there, I hardly ever have to move it.


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