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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Mods
Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 10:15 am
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I can't see how suggesting that the OP get rid of his amp because yours was a POS is helpful at all. And to lump all of the HRd series together is just plain wrong. The HRDlx and BDlx are the only ones that have had the power supply issues (and not all of them have issues), and the version III did indeed address many of the shortcomings of the previous versions. The solder joint problems are common to many new amps, yes even the DRRI has it's problems just like many modern amps seem to have. I place part of the blame on those that put in JJ tubes (which run hotter anyway) then crank the bias higher than the amp was designed to handle, which exacerbates any other problems in weak areas of the amp. Who was it that said; "if the amp needs to be modified, why buy it in the first place?". :wink: Good question, same as "why try to make the amp something it's not with new tubes and a scorching hot bias?". :idea:

As I've said before, it is unacceptable to me to have to make several trips to a "tech" to fix things that should have been caught the first time. It has become clear that the second version of the HRDlx were the ones that had the most problems, even more so after they switched to the new crap solder (2005-ish?). The first versions made in the US were apparently better built and didn't seem to have problems as much as the second versions.

As stated before, those who complain do it often and are much more vocal about it than those who have no problems, making it seem like an epidemic when in fact it's really only a few people posting over and over about the same amp. I guess that I'll have to start raving about my HRDlx in every post, whether related or not to the subject, to even things out a bit. :P

For some decent mods/improvements check out "Fromel" on eBay. Also check out this site (link below) for other mods and great info on the HRDlx. :)

http://www.justinholton.com/

I love my HRDlx!

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Mods
Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:35 am
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shimmilou wrote:
I can't see how suggesting that the OP get rid of his amp because yours was a POS is helpful at all. And to lump all of the HRd series together is just plain wrong. The HRDlx and BDlx are the only ones that have had the power supply issues (and not all of them have issues), and the version III did indeed address many of the shortcomings of the previous versions. The solder joint problems are common to many new amps, yes even the DRRI has it's problems just like many modern amps seem to have. I place part of the blame on those that put in JJ tubes (which run hotter anyway) then crank the bias higher than the amp was designed to handle, which exacerbates any other problems in weak areas of the amp. Who was it that said; "if the amp needs to be modified, why buy it in the first place?". :wink: Good question, same as "why try to make the amp something it's not with new tubes and a scorching hot bias?". :idea:

As I've said before, it is unacceptable to me to have to make several trips to a "tech" to fix things that should have been caught the first time. It has become clear that the second version of the HRDlx were the ones that had the most problems, even more so after they switched to the new crap solder (2005-ish?). The first versions made in the US were apparently better built and didn't seem to have problems as much as the second versions.

As stated before, those who complain do it often and are much more vocal about it than those who have no problems, making it seem like an epidemic when in fact it's really only a few people posting over and over about the same amp. I guess that I'll have to start raving about my HRDlx in every post, whether related or not to the subject, to even things out a bit. :P

For some decent mods/improvements check out "Fromel" on eBay. Also check out this site (link below) for other mods and great info on the HRDlx. :)

http://www.justinholton.com/

I love my HRDlx!



Shimm, this post is from 2009. :lol: :lol: :lol: I got sucked into it too. I tried to help a guy out with pedals for a HRDlx III, I didn't even realize it was a 09 post. :oops: Time to take a breath. And I have mentioned many times and may have even been the first one to mention the III's improvements. How come when Billm tells everyone their Blues Jr's have to modded to sound good, even the III series, nobody says a thing and says he's right?

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Mods
Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 12:42 pm
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:oops: Wow, I usually notice the dates on threads. :o Yeah, my impression of the Billm mods for the BJr are more about tweaking the tone, and adding features, making a good amp better and more versatile. And, I'm sure you will agree, most modern amps don't use the highest quality parts anymore like they used to, and can benefit from some upgrades (transformers, caps, etc). But the elephant is still in the room, and the BJr, even the III, needs an adjustable bias, or at least a much cooler factory setting to get more than just one good tone from it. But still, many people love 'em just the way that they are.

I have a strange feeling that I've already posted similar to my previous post in this thread already, I should have read from the beginning of the thread..... :?: DOH!

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Mods
Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 2:28 pm
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I have had a love hate with the Blues jr.One of the biggest problems it has very little bass.I know BillM has made some mods that change the tone stack and has attempted to address some of its shortcomings.Cant fault him for that.The bass problem in my opinion has more to do with cabinet size.Its over all not a bad sounding amp ,you just have to know its limitations.I find that I dont care for the sound of my strats thru it, but humbuckers sing thru it.An adjustable bias would be great.


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Mods
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 6:16 am
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Dudes. All I have to say is that I'm so f in tïrëd of hearing everyone bash hot rod deluxes. And then I find out there playing groove tubes in them. even so there not bad with them. You just can't expect to have everyone like the same thing but I won't sit back and read forum after forum about how fender dropped the ball. The hrd and deville and blues jr lol have one flaw. There stock tubes. And between 2000 to 2010 they hd soder issues. I hve a 99 from corona with winged c 6l6gc sed and gold lion 12ax7 I think in v1 v3 with a tungsol gold in v 2 for distortion. Best sounding Amp for band practice and small bar gigs besides a 65 twin reverb especially for the blues. If you want to mod your hot rod. Orange drop caps where necessary according to the sound you want. Put those tubes in I just suggested if you want thayCLASSIC sound go with 12y or whatever the y tubes are for your preamp that makes a diffrence for twang I'm not looking for the baseman sound though. And last but not at all least if you are using it for small bar gigs get and ibaneztube screamer turn the tone to middle gain down the other one up and boom your amp no should be great. If you hve n extra cash to burn out change the speaker if you want. Weber are Great and the patriot series ceeston are whatever are good the canna rex idk. All the other mod $@!& Is junk. You don't need it. Just chill out. If you want the best sound ever don't buy a 300 amp. But it will get you close. 500 after tubes and caps and soeakers gets you in the ball park of 1500 sound wise I think. And as far as the hot rod gen 3. From what I have heard at guitar center and other places that sell fender is that they have solid state preamps?? O there not tube all the way. I like being able to change tubes and mess around with that. I think that's half the fun getting diffrent tones with diffrent tubes. Plus they want like 700 or something lik that. Someone could hunt around for a 99s one for about 3-400. Idk


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Mods
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 8:09 am
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The preamps in the HRDX III are still all tube. The reverb and effects loop are solid state.
Besides the tube and speaker mods, there are many mods to make a good amp even better.
A 2.2uf poly cap in C1 will cut the excessive bass response. This reserves more power fo good mids.
An audio taper Master control gives finer control to the Drive channel.
I replace them with one that has a switch. I wired the switch into the K2 relay coil. Turn it down, then off. This makes two normal channels with separate volume controls and a reasonable More Drive channel.
A silver mica replacement for the C7 treble cap adds definition.
Upgrade the quality of the reverb with a TLE2072 in U2.
Lower the power stage gain and quiet the amp with a 27K in R69 feedback resistor. If you only use it at home, you can even go lower
Add power supply capacitors to the Deluxe versions. The Devilles use more caps for the higher power, but the empty cap positions on the Deluxes can be used and properly connected with a couple jumpers. This improves note sustain.


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Mods
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 6:58 am
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Glen732 wrote:
Dudes. All I have to say is that I'm so f in tïrëd of hearing everyone bash hot rod deluxes. And then I find out there playing groove tubes in them. even so there not bad with them. You just can't expect to have everyone like the same thing but I won't sit back and read forum after forum about how fender dropped the ball. The hrd and deville and blues jr lol have one flaw. There stock tubes. And between 2000 to 2010 they hd soder issues. I hve a 99 from corona with winged c 6l6gc sed and gold lion 12ax7 I think in v1 v3 with a tungsol gold in v 2 for distortion. Best sounding Amp for band practice and small bar gigs besides a 65 twin reverb especially for the blues. If you want to mod your hot rod. Orange drop caps where necessary according to the sound you want. Put those tubes in I just suggested if you want thayCLASSIC sound go with 12y or whatever the y tubes are for your preamp that makes a diffrence for twang I'm not looking for the baseman sound though. And last but not at all least if you are using it for small bar gigs get and ibaneztube screamer turn the tone to middle gain down the other one up and boom your amp no should be great. If you hve n extra cash to burn out change the speaker if you want. Weber are Great and the patriot series ceeston are whatever are good the canna rex idk. All the other mod $@!& Is junk. You don't need it. Just chill out. If you want the best sound ever don't buy a 300 amp. But it will get you close. 500 after tubes and caps and soeakers gets you in the ball park of 1500 sound wise I think. And as far as the hot rod gen 3. From what I have heard at guitar center and other places that sell fender is that they have solid state preamps?? O there not tube all the way. I like being able to change tubes and mess around with that. I think that's half the fun getting diffrent tones with diffrent tubes. Plus they want like 700 or something lik that. Someone could hunt around for a 99s one for about 3-400. Idk


Hi Glen, welcome to the forum!
These amps earned the reputation they received. I had one, went through the tube change/bias thing and also went through the repair shop thing, poor reliability thing many times till I sold it.
Bottom line is don't worry what everyone says if you're happy. The criticisms and complaints are what brought about the Hot Rod III series, which turned out to be a more reliable, better sounding amp. My HRDlx spent a ton of time in the shop for various issues, glad yours didn't. The people that bash these amp have good and valid reasons. They were disappointed by their performance and reliability. It goes way further than a tube change.
Just ignore the bad comments if they bother you. You will find them here too, too many from me. :wink: But what happened with the III series was they made the board thicker which helped the reliability issues, and gave you a much better speaker and a few cosmetic improvements. Enjoy your amp and Rock On!

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Mods
Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2015 6:05 am
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How much does that cost to do ok what you listed? I have an extra delixe laying around and thought about doing some stuff to it. I just sold my other one and bought a marshal club and country. But I have that other 98 laying around and was thinking of replacing the speaker with I can't remember the name of the brand off the top of my head but it starts with a w. And then the tubes and then the volume mod that helps it be controllable. And then havig the board looked over. All I know as that this one that I haven't touched needs a little love but it's still a great amp.


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Mods
Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2015 8:46 am
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Parts for the board are about $20.
An Eminence Cannabis Rex is @100 with shipping. A used JBL is @$200 for clean playing.
For best tone, I recommend Amperex Bugle Boy 12AX7 and JJ 6L6.
I charge @$125 for the work. I don't ship amps though. Find a local tech and talk to him.


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Mods
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 1:27 pm
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If I still had my Hrdx laying around I would strip the guts out and maybe do a PTP 6G3 in it!

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Mods
Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 3:00 am
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I have a Blues Deluxe Reissue, but all of the following recommendations will improve the sound of a Hot Rod Deluxe.
I use the following pre-amp combination:

(V1)-5751 -- (V2)-5751 -- (V3)-12AX7

I also recommend 6L6WGB "matched" Power Tubes biased at 65 to 70 at the bias contact point on the Hot Rod chassis.
These tubes provide a warmer sound with earlier break-up, and are safe to use as a 6L6GC replacement in these amps.
When combined with the above pre-amp tubes which provide increased headroom, this combination sounds great.

The lower bias for the 6L6WGB Power Tubes will provide increased tube life and provide a nice warm sound that I like a lot better than "winged c" SED 6L6GC Power Tubes.
The 6L6WGB Power Tubes will reduce your wattage to about 30 watts.

As for the speaker, you can't go wrong with a Celestion Vintage 30.

As for pedals, I highly recommend the Visual Sound Route 808, which I like better than an a Fultone OCD or the classic Tube Screamer.


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