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Post subject: Really need some advice guys about hot rod amps
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:09 pm
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Hey everyone; I would like some thoughts to help me in my considering a hot rod variety of amp from fender.

It seems to me that 40 watts would simply be way too loud and that the x12 4x10 models, that have 60 watts would be even worse. So the thing I was wondering (having very little experience with using them) was about the master volume. When considering any of the hot rod series, can you get a variety of nice tones by using the master volume and keeping the volume you hear lower. I have been reading reviews of some models and the people will say (I actually read one about a deluxe reverb for example) that 'this amp so so loud!' I want the tones I hear from artists, and the video reviews I see online but at lower volumes. I probably won't ever play out, its just for me. But al the amps I have had with lower wattage and smaller speakers just never satisfy the want I have of good sound. They just sound cheesy to me, and that is a shame because I have a great american strat. any help and thougts would be greatly appreciated


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Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:46 am
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Have you played the NOS Blues Junior? Having two volumes controls will allow you to acheive some nice valve breakup at lower volumes.

Have you ever tried Ulbrick amps?

http://www.ulbricksound.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43YEftWhfdw

I have only been playing for 6 months or so but from what I have gathered by talking to others is that most people get their sound by using pedals rather than the amplifier by itself.

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Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:13 am
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Save yourself some time and aggravation and look at a Deluxe Reverb Reissue or a Bassman RI. Look around the different forums. The Hot Rod Series including my HRDlx just doesn't hold up. Save your money a little longer and get a more professional grade amp.


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Post subject: Re: Really need some advice guys about hot rod amps
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:09 pm
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Inspector25 wrote:
Hey everyone; I would like some thoughts to help me in my considering a hot rod variety of amp from fender.

It seems to me that 40 watts would simply be way too loud and that the x12 4x10 models, that have 60 watts would be even worse. So the thing I was wondering (having very little experience with using them) was about the master volume. When considering any of the hot rod series, can you get a variety of nice tones by using the master volume and keeping the volume you hear lower. I have been reading reviews of some models and the people will say (I actually read one about a deluxe reverb for example) that 'this amp so so loud!' I want the tones I hear from artists, and the video reviews I see online but at lower volumes. I probably won't ever play out, its just for me. But al the amps I have had with lower wattage and smaller speakers just never satisfy the want I have of good sound. They just sound cheesy to me, and that is a shame because I have a great american strat. any help and thougts would be greatly appreciated



I had a Peavey Classic 50 4X10, basically the same setup as the Hot Rod. There were only a few situations where I was able to drive that amp into that sweet power tube overdrive, other than that it was way too loud for most applications. Yeah, you can get some crunchy sounds by using the preamp distortion but it's always gonna sound "pedal-y". You just can't get those Hendrixian tones (or whatever tube O/D sound you're going for) with preamp distortion. I'd try a Blues Jr. or Pro Junior, they sound unbelievable, especially through a speaker cab.


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Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:24 pm
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If you are looking for classic Fender cleans and overdrive at somewhat moderate volumes, go with a Deluxe reverb.You wont be sorry.It will blow any of the previously mentioned amps out of the water.I have a blues jr and a blues deluxe .A Deluxe Reverb can cover alot of tonal territory .


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Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 5:50 am
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63supro wrote:
Save yourself some time and aggravation and look at a Deluxe Reverb Reissue or a Bassman RI. Look around the different forums. The Hot Rod Series including my HRDlx just doesn't hold up. Save your money a little longer and get a more professional grade amp.


Hi Supro,

I found a site that deals with some problems of the HRDlx.

The Unofficial Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Owner's Guide! The 5W Resistor Fix

http://studentweb.eku.edu/justin_holton/5Wresistors.html

If you read the text on the page, some of it sounds like some of the same problems and symptoms you have described before in your earlier posts.

Just thought you might want to see this. :wink:


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Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 5:54 pm
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Thanks, I've known about that site for about 3 years. The amp is IMHO a total POS.


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Post subject: Re: Really need some advice guys about hot rod amps
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 5:57 am
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Inspector25 wrote:
Hey everyone; I would like some thoughts to help me in my considering a hot rod variety of amp from fender.

It seems to me that 40 watts would simply be way too loud and that the x12 4x10 models, that have 60 watts would be even worse. So the thing I was wondering (having very little experience with using them) was about the master volume. When considering any of the hot rod series, can you get a variety of nice tones by using the master volume and keeping the volume you hear lower. I have been reading reviews of some models and the people will say (I actually read one about a deluxe reverb for example) that 'this amp so so loud!' I want the tones I hear from artists, and the video reviews I see online but at lower volumes. I probably won't ever play out, its just for me. But al the amps I have had with lower wattage and smaller speakers just never satisfy the want I have of good sound. They just sound cheesy to me, and that is a shame because I have a great american strat. any help and thougts would be greatly appreciated


i just brought hot rod dluxe. it is dam loud, but its not that bad. clean is fine, you wont find the sweet spot in your bedroom tho. saying that on the drive channels, you can get distortion, by keeping the master low, i have mine on just under two on the master, it does sound nice,
im buying a volume box for mine, they sound really good,
i did post this to you in other post.

SEARCH "master volume through effects loop", into you tube, the guy is called benfingerssmith
hes playing a hot rod devvile (even louder than deluxe) and he demonstrates tone at lower levels, and it sounds amazing, ive ordered one from him!

get the deluxe with a volume box, you will be well pleased!

let us know what you think!

cheers
louis


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Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 8:33 pm
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I had a Blues Deluxe Reissue, which is a very similar amp to the HRDx, especially concerning volume, and I'd have to say that the only way to use this amp at home at reasonable volumes and get good tone out of it is to have it modded in some way: changing out the tubes, installing 6v6s tubes, installing THD yellow jacket tube adapters to try to bring the power down. Someone else recommended saving your money and buying a Deluxe Reverb Reissue. This is probably good advice, or perhaps checking out a Deluxe vintage modified amp. I went round and round with mind Blues Deluxe and finally sold it to purchase a different piece of equipment. At the moment, I'm trying to talk myself into a 65 Princeton Reissue. Best of luck to you.


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Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 8:52 pm
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The Deluxe Reverb reissue is classic Fender. The Deluxe VM is a hybrid and not even close in tone or build quality. Try them both side by side and I'm sure you'll agree. It's just my ears YMMV. I'm selling my HRDlx shortly for an Egnater Rebel 20.


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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 9:48 am
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Hey 63Supro:

Egnater, huh. I tried out an Egnater Rebel 30 the other day and found it compelling. I've been wondering which to get, an Egnater Rebel 30 or 65 Princeton Reverb Reissue. Either way, since I want to have "tremolo" and a good dirty sound at a reasonable volume, I'll need a peddle with either one to get the sounds I want. Have you tried the Rebel 30? It just recently arrived at GC. Thanks, SD


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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:18 am
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Not yet. I'll probably get back to GC later this month. The Princeton is pretty pricey for what it is. I had a Princeton way back. It's a tough amp to gig with because you'll have a hard time getting over a drummer. You can mic it though.

It's sounds great but $900 for a 15 watt PCB amp is ridiculous. It's still pretty much a one trick pony with very limited headroom. It's really just a practice/recording amp. That's where it really shines. Just get a decent Tremolo Pedal. I'm seriously getting an Egnater. Is the 30 a combo? I'm looking at a head that's 20-30 watts just to avoid any tube rattle. I have the high wattage stuff covered.


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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 1:03 pm
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The Rebel 30 is a combo. I noticed a slight rattle when playing bass notes through the clean channel, though. I tried to move it around and isolate the hang tag, but wasn't able to eliminate it. The next time I play the amp I'll definitely be listening for it. I agree that the Princeton is a simple amp, but it's also simply good. I've had so many almost there amps that did lots of thing but none of them right that I would be greatly pleased to have one amp that does one thing damn well. I don't gig or play with a band. I do record and play with a small group of friends at low volumes, so the Princeton might be right, or the Egnater. I'm in no rush to get it all sorted out, but I did come to the Fender Forum to just see what, if anything folks are saying about he Princeton. Especially I'm concerned about reliability.

Thanks for your time. SD


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Post subject: Re: Really need some advice guys about hot rod amps
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:50 pm
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Inspector25 wrote:
I want the tones I hear from artists, and the video reviews I see online but at lower volumes. I probably won't ever play out, its just for me. But al the amps I have had with lower wattage and smaller speakers just never satisfy the want I have of good sound. They just sound cheesy to me, and that is a shame because I have a great american strat. any help and thougts would be greatly appreciated


Were your other "lower wattage amps with smaller speakers" little solid-state practice amps? Tube amps sound their best when turned up, and a 40 watt Hot Rod Deluxe would be too much amp for just playing at a low volume at home. I sold my HRD and bought a 15 watt Blues Junior because the HRD was too powerful. To be honest, now that I'm just playing at home (low volume) even the Blues Junior is too loud. It sounds decent at low volume and I use pedals for distortion, but it sounds so much sweeter when I crank it up... but that's too loud for at home.

It all depends on how loud you'll be playing; even a 5 watt tube amp turned up is loud! Some people can play loud at home, and others have to play quietly. I'm considering buying a small modeling amp just for playing at home, and using the Blues Junior when I jam with other people. Maybe you weren't happy with the sound you were getting out of your smaller amps because they weren't good enough? Some small practice amps sound great, and others are just junk.


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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:19 am
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63supro wrote:
Thanks, I've known about that site for about 3 years. The amp is IMHO a total POS.
I have had my HRD Texas Edition for over a year giged it about 150 times never had a problem. Used to take a backup at first! Not any more! Also I have the matching cab, worth every penny! The amp has the vintage 30 and the cab has the celestion, perfect match IMO!!


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