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Post subject: Replacement Speakers for HR Deville
Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:56 pm
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I've had my HR Devile 212 for 6 years. Before that, I had a Hot Rod Deluxe for 5 years.

Since I saw a youtube clip this summer where a guy did a side by side comparison of a Blues Jr. with a stock speaker and an aftermarket speaker, I've been considering making a speaker change.
Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG-fGrbHJhc

I replaced the tubes this summer with JJ's, and am thinking about changing them again to a different set of JJ's, but not before trying a new set of speakers. The HR Deville 212 is a great amp. I loved the HR deluxe I had before this one, and this is just as great. These amps have their flaws, to be sure. The highs are very brittle, and this amp would be way better if had a warmer tone. Just wondering how many HR DEVILLE/DELUXE OWNERS have replaced their speakers and what they replaced them with, why they chose that speaker, and what were the results. If you don't have a HR Deville, and have an informed opinion, please, feel free to share.

Please don't be negative about the amp, or my interest in changing the speakers. You know the old saying: If you don't have anything good to say...(you know the rest)!


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Speakers for HR Deville
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:08 am
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Hi rickyp,

Did you set the bias properly for the new tubes? Typically the idle wattage on these amps is set way to low for most people, and might also be to low if swapping to JJ output tubes, maybe giving a colder/harsher sound (brittle highs). You may get a better/warmer sound by setting the bias up to 60% to 70% idle wattage of the new tubes. I think that my HRDlx was at about 50% idle wattage from the factory, and I think that my HRDvl (4x10) is low from the factory also. I haven't tried other speakers in my amps, so no opinion on replacements. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: Replacement Speakers for HR Deville
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:29 am
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+1 to every comment shimmilou has offered.

Once you have the amp running to spec it'll be much easier to determine which speaker may offer the best tone to your ear. From my limited experience with the 2 x 12 DeVille I can tell you that a pair of Celestion V30's or Greenback's sound pretty righteous in this model when the clean channel is augmented by a nice OD pedal (Pro Co Rat, Bad Monkey, Fulltone OCD, etc).

HTH

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Speakers for HR Deville
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 6:27 am
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I took the amp to a tech and had him install the tubes as well as set the bias. I'm not well versed in amp electronics, so biasing it myself was not an option. The tech I took it to was at my local music store for over 10 years, and I've trusted him with work in the past.


As far as pedals...I'd rather not run any. I'm not particularly a fan the TS9 (I bought one back in September, but took it back a couple days later. It just didn't offer up a sound that I was happy with). I have heard good things about the OCD pedal though.

All in all, I just want to get the most out of my amp...I'm hoping the combination of a speaker change along with the better tubes will get me there.

On the other side of that, I'm considering just buying the Blues Jr. Tweed version with the Jensen speaker upgrade instead of spending a couple hundred bucks on the speakers in this amp. I've always wanted a Blues Jr, and that way I'll have something with much lower wattage that'll breakup at a lower volume.


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Speakers for HR Deville
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 2:02 pm
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rickyp, just looking at your list of preferences of things you'd like for your amp and I can't help but think you are right in the middle of 5e3 Tweed Deluxe territory.

Warmer Tone with non-brittle highs.
Prefer not to run pedals.
Low wattage.
Breakup at low volume.

If you wanted to change speakers in the Deville I think you could do worse than a trying couple of Eminence Texas Heats to warm the amp a bit and take some ice-pick out, good price for a well built and nice sounding speaker, I like em.

Snowy


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