It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 5:10 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Buy a Tweed Blues Jr, or new Speakers in the HR Deville?
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:03 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Wed May 12, 2010 5:49 pm
Posts: 144
Location: down yonder
Been think about this for awhile, so I'd like your input. I got into this discussion in another post, so I thought I'd let the discussion have its independence in the form of a new thread.

I have a Hot Rod Deville that I've had for 6 years. I retubed it with JJ's and had it biased last summer. I love the clean channel...classic fender. But, lately I've been playing the amp ALOT more, and have found that I still really don't like the Drive channel(s). Of course, the "More Drive" channel is unuseable. The regular drive channel has its moments, but they are few and far between. Also, the highs are very irritating, and the volume pot is no good either. It's either loud, or barely audible. I've found this to be the case on other Devilles and Deluxes too. I was hoping a good set of tubes would have made the drive channel more desireable, but it did not. One thing that I really like is when I really crank up the clean channel (up to 10 or more), I get nice tube breakup and it sounds the way I like it. Unfortunately, I can't play that loud and be in the same room, and I am not a fan of using an attenuator. So, lately, I have been thinking about a speaker change. Since it is a 2x12, a new set of quality speakers will not be cheap, and I hate to invest $200 or so in speakers and still not be happy. Also...on a side note, I'm not a fan of using overdrive pedals. I like pedals for modulation, reverb, etc, but not for distortion. I've always used this amp for rock and blues. No hard rock though. I have another amp for that. These amps are not designed for metal or hard rock...that's for sure.
I don't want to sell the amp, because it was a gift, and anymore, I don't like selling off gear. If push comes to shove and I need money badly, I'd consider selling. But, with gear, I've learned that when you sell something, there is usually remorse that follows. Anyway...I got it in my head that I'd like to get the Blues Jr. NOS (tweed version withe upgraded Jensen speaker). The lower wattage would be more appropriate for my purposes, and I've been told the distortion is more desireable than it's big brothers. Also, the tweed version's Jensen speaker gives it a way warmer sound and really completes the package.

I'm just not sure if I a speaker replacement will really change the tone enough in my HR Deville for me to really like it, or would my money be better spent on the Tweed Blues Jr.
__________________


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Buy a Tweed Blues Jr, or new Speakers in the HR Deville?
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 8:41 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
Hi rickyp,

The HRDvl and the BJr are quite different in sound (6L6 vs EL84), and I don't think that you'll get the BJr sound, or a good driven tone just by changing the speakers in the HRDvl. You might try a lower gain tube in V2 for improved sound on your HRDvl more drive channel. I use a 12AT7 in V2 on my HRDlx, and the more drive channel is somewhat better, but I still prefer the clean channel, although the clean channel suffers a little with the 12AT7. You should really try a BJr and see if you like the sound. You are right, the cleans on the HRDlx and HRDvl are terrific, and the drive channels....not so much. For a good distortion sound on the the HRDvl, use an effects pedal on the clean channel, and you can use it at lower volumes. I primarily use a POD on the input to my HRDlx and HRDvl when I want some distortion or effects, and it sounds great, as I can dial in about any sound that I want.

For a good comparison, just last night I changed the bridge pickup on a Les Paul, and tested the sound on my HRDlx. The clean sound was great, but for more grit we tried the BJr and the guitar sounded much more ballsy/gritty, much better drive sound, even though the volume was less with the BJr. Neither amp had effects pedals.

I would keep the HRDvl for it's great clean sound, and get an effects pedal for it, and/or get a BJr for more driven sounds. Another option might also be a pair of 6V6 output tubes, as offered from EuroTubes (6V6 must be able to handle close to 500 volts on the Plate). The EuroTubes 6V6 set will give you a more bluesy driven tone from the HRDvl at lower volumes. Just make sure to bias the new tubes properly. I have read about many that have tried the 6V6 option in the HRDlx and HRDvl, and so far everyone seems to be thrilled with them. I really want to try the 6V6s in my HRDlx, and have no qualms about trying them. There are a few tube set options for different sounds on the HRd amps, read about them on the link below. :)

https://ssl.eurotubes.com/cart/index.php?page=view_products&category_id=7&sub_category_id=32

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Buy a Tweed Blues Jr, or new Speakers in the HR Deville?
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:24 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 3:51 am
Posts: 7
I bought a HRDV410 last year and have the same thoughts. When i gig in small places its really loud and doesn´t beat my old Peavey classic 30. But in bigger rooms I like the big clean sound. But the amp knob i so sensitive. I had it around 2,25 and it was ok, but when i just touched it, it became to loud.

I also have a question. When i turn up the volume on my HRDV 410, there is no sound untill the amp knop almost reach 2, then the sound is suddenly wery strong.
I´m worried becouse i think that i use to play on 1 at home before, but it fell in the tour bus this weekend.
How about yours? When does the sound appear on your amps? Can you put it on 1 and hear anything.


(I´m from sweden so my english might be a litte poor)


Last edited by Bandini on Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:57 am, edited 1 time in total.

Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Buy a Tweed Blues Jr, or new Speakers in the HR Deville?
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:08 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Wed May 12, 2010 5:49 pm
Posts: 144
Location: down yonder
When I play my HR Deville at home, I have to turn the volume knob up past 1 until I start getting any volume. I have to turn it up to at least 1.5 for it to actually sound good. One would think that as soon as you turn it up from "0", that it would produce some level of volume, but the volume pot on these amps stink.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Buy a Tweed Blues Jr, or new Speakers in the HR Deville?
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:28 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 3:51 am
Posts: 7
Thank you for the information. According to that, my amp acts pretty normal.
The knobs way to sensitive. I have a Peavey Classic 30. On that one the knobs action are perfect, but the clean sound is better on my Hot rod.
I guess there´s no such thing as a perfect amp (at least not under 1800 dollar)?


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: