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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:30 am
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Yes they do. I've been using Fender guitars and amp for 40+ years and the new amps especially the Hot Rod Deluxe even though they sound good are nowhere near as reliable as even my 70's Champ Amp which was a student model. There is a web site http://studentweb.eku.edu/justin_holton/ which is dedicated to to repairing and modding the Hot Rod Deluxe. Like I've said before, my HRDlx only lasted a few gigs before it wound up in the shop due to bad solder joints on the power tube sockets as well as a few other things. The tube sockets are mounted to the PCB instead of the chassis causing all sorts of failures. This amp is new and not abused. This to me is unacceptable in any amp regardless of the cost.


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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:31 pm
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Thanks to your information I'm scratching the Blues Deluxe off my list. The specs look good, but I'm not an electrical engineer to make the thing work. It's really too much for my needs anyway. Do you know about any similar problems with the Blues Junior? I haven't heard anything bad about it everyone seems to love it. It's a cult. Please let me know if you've got any info about reliability problems with it.


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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:14 pm
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Nope. I know people that like them. Personally, I would look for an older Silverface amp like a Deluxe Reverb or maybe a Vibrolux Reverb or even a Bandmaster would be good. Just be sure it was properly maintained. I'm really not liking the current crop of printed circuit board tube amps. If they were designed the way they should be and not just for cost cutting measures, they would be fine.


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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:38 pm
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Thanks for the info about the Blues Jr. I think I'll go ahead and get one.


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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 4:09 pm
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63 supro I just want you to know that I hear what you're saying about getting a DRRI ('65 Deluxe Reissue) and I'd prefer it. Should do the low volume pretty well with only 22 watts, it's vintage, pure tube, you know, better. I get it. Here's the deal though is limited funds for guitar equipment. I'm a hobbyist, yes very into music and play many hours every week, but I'm not making money at it and plenty of family responsibilities. So I'm looking for reliability (bummer about the Blues Deluxe complaints because I don't need the headaches) good authentic tube tone at a great low price. Blues Junior seems to be serving that up. There's a lot of stuff I'd really like to get, but the Blues Junior looks to be what I can swing.


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Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 11:09 am
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63supro wrote:
Yes they do. I've been using Fender guitars and amp for 40+ years and the new amps especially the Hot Rod Deluxe even though they sound good are nowhere near as reliable as even my 70's Champ Amp which was a student model. There is a web site http://studentweb.eku.edu/justin_holton/ which is dedicated to to repairing and modding the Hot Rod Deluxe. Like I've said before, my HRDlx only lasted a few gigs before it wound up in the shop due to bad solder joints on the power tube sockets as well as a few other things. The tube sockets are mounted to the PCB instead of the chassis causing all sorts of failures. This amp is new and not abused. This to me is unacceptable in any amp regardless of the cost.


Be careful of the above website. I got a trojan from it!!!


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Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:34 pm
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That's weird. where exactly on his site did you find it? I've referenced it tons of times without a problem.


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Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:40 pm
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The HRD is a perfectly well-made amp, I know lots of players who swear by them, not at them, and have had zero problems. Any electronic device is going to have lemons and problems in a certain percentage of the run.

Manufacturers build that into their expectations. And certainly those individuals who get burned are going to be highly motivated to tell the world about it.

Next time you're wondering whether they make these things any good, check the backline at any top country/pop artist's concert or TV appearance. Chances are you'll find a Hot Rod series back there, and interestingly, often a 2-12" version. These guys can afford anything and they go Fender Hot Rod. Think they want it crapping out in front of 10,000 fans?


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Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:07 am
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63supro wrote:
That's weird. where exactly on his site did you find it? I've referenced it tons of times without a problem.


I didn't find it, it found me!


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe or not?
Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:25 pm
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fred68 wrote:
Im going out this week to buy a Hotrod Deluxe I think. I have read a lot of different problems people are having with them. How does this forum feel about the HRD? What problems have you been having and how about getting them fixed? I love the Fender sound and dont want to waste 600.00. Or does anyone have a different amp in mind in the 600.00 range?


I have had 2 of these amps. The 1st I had for 2 years with no problems and made the mistake of trading it. The 2nd I have had for 4 mo. with no problems. I will keep it forever. The prices keep going up on these amps and it is likly because everyone loves them. Also consider the Blues Deluxe which is in that price range.


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Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 12:00 pm
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I've had a HRD for about 6 years now. I played every gig I had during that time with it. (I'd say about 30 per year.) Only problem so far is that the regular gain input came loose. I re-soldered and it was fine. It has recently come loose again, but I just use it for recording now. -6DB input is fine for that.

Great Clean sound with tons of headroom. Muddy drive IMO. Great reverb.

Recently switched to the Vibrolux reverb and it is absolutely awesome.

It's all about the player though. If you like the sound of the HRD, and the way it responds to your style, go for it. I know there are people out there who would take a HRD deluxe or deville over any silver face out there. Finding the right tone for you is a long and arduous journey. Have fun.


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Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 11:15 am
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Mine failed due to shoddy workmanship. A brand new amp shouldn't have bad (cold) solder joints on the tube sockets and failing components, lifting traces etc. It is a good sounding amp though. If you check out www.thefenderforum.com and search HRDlx you will see many problems related to this. I've had many friends who gig with these amps that had failures. Luckily there is a local tech who is really exceptional and I haven't had a problem since. Tube changes do wonders for this amp. I really like the amps design and I would be willing to pay more for a more durable version with a higher quality pcb.


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Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:04 pm
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Strat58--I never had a single problem with my Blues Deluxe. Built like a tank. Where are you reading about problems with the Blues Deluxe???


Last edited by Maruuk on Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:20 pm
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Not the Blues Deluxe..........The Hot Rod Deluxe. How did this get from a HRDlx to the Blues Deluxe? I never said anything about the Blues dlx.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:36 am
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I meant Hot Rod Deluxe. And I think I read about some problems here and other places. Hey, I'm just a dumb guitar player, and last night I noticed that I still am not too good at playing guitar either.

Don't ask me 'bout the shape I'm in
I cain't sing
I ain't pretty
and my legs are thin.

I really like my Hot Rod Junior though. Doh! I mean Blues Junior. This is really confusing.


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