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Post subject: Looking for a used Hot Rod Deluxe/DeVille
Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 9:42 am
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I am in the market for a used Fender Hot Rod Deluxe or DeVille. I have been doing some research, and finding mixed reviews of these amps. I have been finding out that there are some problems with SOME of these amps(channels not working, entire amp not working). I am very surprised that these amps that have been in the Fender line up for so many years suffer reliability problems. I have played thru my buddies 60 watt 4-10" model, and I really like it. I am not looking for a high gain sound, more of a blues rock vibe.
My main question is, what are the problems centered around(preamp, power amp, control panel, tubes) and those of you who have had them repaired, what was your experience(specific problem, cost, time to fix, availability of parts)
Are these amps just big headaches, or are they worth it?????


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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:13 am
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Hi,
Maybe you should read as many reviews from Harmony Central on this. When you mention Hot Rods around here, it tends to break out into a fight. We either love em' or hate em'... :?

Bill

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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:52 am
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bill948 wrote:
Hi,
Maybe you should read as many reviews from Harmony Central on this. When you mention Hot Rods around here, it tends to break out into a fight. We either love em' or hate em'... :?

Bill
Shh, you will let the flying monkeys out. :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Looking for a used Hot Rod Deluxe/DeVille
Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 3:44 pm
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paisley strat wrote:
I am in the market for a used Fender Hot Rod Deluxe or DeVille. I have been doing some research, and finding mixed reviews of these amps. I have been finding out that there are some problems with SOME of these amps(channels not working, entire amp not working). I am very surprised that these amps that have been in the Fender line up for so many years suffer reliability problems. I have played thru my buddies 60 watt 4-10" model, and I really like it. I am not looking for a high gain sound, more of a blues rock vibe.
My main question is, what are the problems centered around(preamp, power amp, control panel, tubes) and those of you who have had them repaired, what was your experience(specific problem, cost, time to fix, availability of parts)
Are these amps just big headaches, or are they worth it?????


Here comes the monkey. I had bad solder joints, failed filter caps, failed 5 watt resistors all in the first 6 months. It failed 3 times on stage. If you plan on gigging, I'd go with DRRI. I would never buy one used unless the warranty was transferred. I know many other musicians who had similar problems with the HRD series. The construction and materials in the HRD series IMHO are garbage.
Just do a search on this forum or go to www.thefenderforum.com and do a search there and you'll see what I mean.

Mine was a huge headache. Watchglow and a handful of others had great luck with them.

The real question is "Do you feel lucky?"

I sold mine for an Egnater Rebel 20 and so did a few others. We are becoming the "Brotherhood of the Egnater".

Seriously, look for a used Bassman, Suoer Reverb or DRRI. They can be had for a resonable price.


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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 4:35 pm
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Supro is right.Its the luck of the draw.I have had a few and gigged with (and still gig with my blues jr from time to time), but alot of people have had problems with theirs.Hes also right about finding a reasonable Bassman, Super Reverb and DRRI.I bought a well used Bassman for 350 and now its my go to amp.Awesome sound and built like a tank.It actually keeps my silverface super reverb in the closet.Its not beastly heavy either.I would check it out for sure.I used to buy all my amps new, but lately I buy used and there are some great finds.Now if I can just fill that tweed small amp gap.Hmm. :?:


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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 6:48 pm
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Originally Posted by 63Supro
Quote:
Here comes the monkey. I had bad solder joints, failed filter caps, failed 5 watt resistors all in the first 6 months. It failed 3 times on stage. If you plan on gigging, I'd go with DRRI. I would never buy one used unless the warranty was transferred. I know many other musicians who had similar problems with the HRD series. The construction and materials in the HRD series IMHO are garbage.
Just do a search on this forum or go to www.thefenderforum.com and do a search there and you'll see what I mean.

Mine was a huge headache. Watchglow and a handful of others had great luck with them.

The real question is "Do you feel lucky?"

I sold mine for an Egnater Rebel 20 and so did a few others. We are becoming the "Brotherhood of the Egnater".

Seriously, look for a used Bassman, Suoer Reverb or DRRI. They can be had for a resonable price.


Brotherhood of the Egnater, makes me want to buy one just to be in the brotherhood <_<
My experience with my Hot Rod Deville 212 went pretty smooth, after putting some JJs in it in place of the stock tubes it was a pretty good amp. Nothing really great about it, just good, but it never let me down so I can't bash it. I recently sold it to a buddy of mine after stumbling onto the old Ampeg I have now. Basically the HRD is a nice amp (edit: If it it isn't a defective one), but before you pluck down your cash make sure you try out a few others (The Egnater, Bassman, DRRI, etc.) to compare it to. Best of luck, hope you find a good deal ^^

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Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:02 am
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I've gigged heavily for years with mine, use JJ power tubes and an assortment for pre-amp.

Mine has never had a problem and with those tubes and biased hot its great. Its popular and mass produced so like anything like that its luck of the draw.

I've had mine 7 years and its used everyday and gigged a lot.


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Post subject: Blues Deluxe or Deville MIM RI's vs. early 90's MIA's
Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:40 am
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A question on the current Blues Deluxe and Blues Deville RI's. These are made in Ensenada. Apparently these are a reissue of the early 90's models, which were made in Corona. I currently have ordered a new Blues Deluxe Reissue, but have 2 weeks to change my mind. The original 90's MIA versions pop up on e-bay occasionally for less than the new RI's. Any opinions of which would be a better expenditure of my kids' college funding, the new MIM RI or a used original early 90's MIA Blues Deville/Deluxe? Would a 90's Made in the USA label retain value better than a current MIM label? Either would be way more amp than I currently need at my level of sober playing (a few drinks and I can keep up with anybody anywhere at anytime).


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Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:51 am
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The MIA's don't hold their value any better. I wouldn't buy a Blues Deluxe or DeVille used either. There have been several board revisions since these amps came out. I'd steer clear of them. It's not really where they are made, it's how they were poorly designed and the cheap boards and components used to build them.
I would only but higher end Fenders used in today's market. Twins, Deluxe Reverb Reissues, Bassman or a Super Reverb. Silverface Fender amps are still great sounding bargains.


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Post subject: Blues Deluxe/Deville
Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 5:52 pm
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Thank you 63supro. You wouldn't buy a used Blues Deluxe or Deville because of the problems you mentioned. Are you referrring soley to the original 90's MIA versions? What about new or used MIM reissues (2005 to current)? Are these a safer buy due to the board revisions you mention? Other postings indicate it is the "luck of the draw", ie don't end up with one built on a Friday aftenoon, just like a car. The other amps you mention are probably way more than I need.


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Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 12:13 pm
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It seems pretty hit and miss. Some people have no problems at all. I know quite a few gigging musicians who usually have two and use the other as a backup because they like the way they sound. Like I said, I'd go with a used 65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue and get a nice overdrive pedal. The DRRI is rock solid and the tube sockets are mounted to the chassis instead of the board like the Hot Rod series amps.


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Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 10:56 am
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I put in this post to help me decide if I wanted to spend the money on a Hot Rod series amp, and I have done a lot of research up to this point. My conclusion is................I am now more undecided than before. It is a shame to have such a reputable company put out a product that has such a sketchy reputation. I really like my buddies Hot Rod DeVille 4-10'' amp, and would buy one if I could get one like his. He seems to have gotten a "good one". I would have thought that since these models have been for sale for years, the bugs would have been worked out of them, I guess not. Too bad too. I guess I will keep looking.
I know this is a Fender forum, but it makes me want to buy another Peavey amp. I have had a small combo Peavey amp since I bought it new in 1979, and it has NEVER failed me. Now that is what I call reliable. That is what I want. Is that too much to ask from Fender????


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Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 4:33 pm
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63supro wrote:
It seems pretty hit and miss. Some people have no problems at all. I know quite a few gigging musicians who usually have two and use the other as a backup because they like the way they sound. Like I said, I'd go with a used 65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue and get a nice overdrive pedal. The DRRI is rock solid and the tube sockets are mounted to the chassis instead of the board like the Hot Rod series amps.


I agree, get that or a twin with a good overdrive/distortion pedal and your onto a winner. I use two amps live (A fender 65 twin reverb and a deville, with a MXR distortion+) so if my deville does break ive still got one, plus they complement each other well.

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