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Post subject: Ht Rod Deluxe iii
Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 8:02 pm
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Hi all...as an endorsee, I have access to deals that enable me to buy stuff I wouldnt normally be able to afford...I also am guilty of some ridiculous decisions regarding gear...I unloaded a DRRI as part payment on the Clapton Tremolux recently only to find that the EC was underpowered if Im ever unmiced (it does happen now and then) so I tried an ASC30 for a while till the weight wore me down...and Im back with the Hot Rod iii....it doesnt have the glamorous history of many amps...nor does it boast a boutique image...but...from the perspective of a working musician that wants an affordable, reliable, great sounding, pedal friendly amp thats not going to require me getting a forklift license, its a killer.
It does everything I need it to...sure,who would say no to a high end amp if they had the choice?
But I personally feel the hotrod series gets a negative rap due to a degree of amp snobbery and the fact that the amp isnt associated with a classic period in music history.
Anyone have any thoughts on the topic?


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Post subject: Re: Ht Rod Deluxe iii
Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 8:16 pm
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boofhead61 wrote:
Anyone have any thoughts on the topic?


Do a search on the Hot Rod Deluxes, all versions. You'll find lots of thoughts, good and bad.

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Post subject: Re: Ht Rod Deluxe iii
Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 8:20 pm
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My personal favorite amp. :D More fans than detractors by a huge margin, but I understand that it isn't everyone's cup of tea.

I'm just getting ready to try my new HR '57 Strat with my HRDlx amp, I guess that it will be HRˆ². After trying the guitar with several other amps, I already know that it will be a sweet combination. :D

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Post subject: Re: Ht Rod Deluxe iii
Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 8:25 pm
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Cheers guys...I did have some issues early on with the early model Deluxe and Deville...dry solder joints and dodgy wiring...but the new ones appear to be great


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Post subject: Re: Ht Rod Deluxe iii
Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 8:35 pm
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I have a version I, and I've been thinking about getting another one, the version III, and modding it a little to accept 6V6 output tubes. Then I can have a "Hot Rod Deluxe Reverb". :D

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Post subject: Re: Ht Rod Deluxe iii
Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 9:14 am
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I have the HRD III which was an upgrade from my BJ. Had a few concerns at the beginning as it was very hissy and crackled every now and then, however, chucking out the GT's and replacing with JJ 12AX7's and a pair of Tung-Sol 6L6's sorted that out.

Very quiet and I love the clean channel. Not a big fan of the drive channels or the more drive, it sounds very nazzely / quacky, not sure how to describe it, still this isn't a big deal as I plug my overdrives and distortion pedals through the front end and just use the clean channel.

Has anyone changed the G12P-80 for something else and if so has this improved the drive channel?


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Post subject: Re: Ht Rod Deluxe iii
Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 12:18 pm
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You might like the drive channel more if you try some lower gain tubes in V1 and V3. I use and like a 5751 in V1 and a 12AT7 in V3, keeping a 12AX7 in V2. This combination gives a bit warmer clean channel, and a smoother drive channel. With these tubes, I like the drive channel with the drive on about 7 and the master on about 2 for a nice bluesy distortion (increase the master for more volume). You might even like a lower gain tube in V2, it's easy enough to try different combinations. Half of V2 is used only for the drive/more drive channel.

I also got the HRDlx ext cab with a Celestion G12-P80 and found it a bit lacking in highs in the closed back cab, so I put it in the BJr and put the BJr speaker in the ext cab. My HRDlx and BJr both had the Fender Eminence Gold Label speaker, now the BJr has the Celestion and the HRDlx amp and cab have the Eminence. and I like the Eminence speaker(s) with the HRDlx and the Celestion with the BJr.

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Post subject: Re: Ht Rod Deluxe iii
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 5:42 am
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Kluson56 wrote:
I have the HRD III which was an upgrade from my BJ. Had a few concerns at the beginning as it was very hissy and crackled every now and then, however, chucking out the GT's and replacing with JJ 12AX7's and a pair of Tung-Sol 6L6's sorted that out.

Very quiet and I love the clean channel. Not a big fan of the drive channels or the more drive, it sounds very nazzely / quacky, not sure how to describe it, still this isn't a big deal as I plug my overdrives and distortion pedals through the front end and just use the clean channel.

Has anyone changed the G12P-80 for something else and if so has this improved the drive channel?


What grade of the Tung-Sol 6L6 tubes are you using? Curious to know in case I decide to chuck the GT tubes in my HRD III. I just don't think the GT tubes are all they're cracked up to be,...they're okay,but I am sure there are much better tubes out there such as the Tung-Sol 6L6,etc.

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If it aint' broke,...don't fix it! I like to keep my amps and guitars factory original,...no mods necessary,...don't want them,...don't need them!

My gear as of now;
Standard Strat
Hot Rod Deluxe III amp
Champion 20 amp
'59 Bassman LTD Reissue


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Post subject: Re: Ht Rod Deluxe iii
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 8:14 am
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KC9SYJ wrote:
What grade of the Tung-Sol 6L6 tubes are you using? Curious to know in case I decide to chuck the GT tubes in my HRD III. I just don't think the GT tubes are all they're cracked up to be,...they're okay,but I am sure there are much better tubes out there such as the Tung-Sol 6L6,etc.


Tube grade is irrelevant. The amp has adjustable fixed bias. Learn to bias the amp properly and use any tube that sounds good.

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Post subject: Re: Ht Rod Deluxe iii
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 9:48 am
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bluesky636 wrote:
KC9SYJ wrote:
What grade of the Tung-Sol 6L6 tubes are you using? Curious to know in case I decide to chuck the GT tubes in my HRD III. I just don't think the GT tubes are all they're cracked up to be,...they're okay,but I am sure there are much better tubes out there such as the Tung-Sol 6L6,etc.


Tube grade is irrelevant. The amp has adjustable fixed bias. Learn to bias the amp properly and use any tube that sounds good.


Been reading about and researching Tung-Sol tubes and Electro-Harmonix tubes,and I believe I would be happy with either tube brand in my amp,...anything but the GT tubes!
Whether I play for my own enjoyment or otherwise,I really believe my HRD III amp has a lot more potential of sounding better with Tung-Sol or Electro-Harmonix tubes than it does with the GT technology tubes. I'd use the RCA,GE,or Sylvania NOS tubes if they weren't so darned expensive!

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If it aint' broke,...don't fix it! I like to keep my amps and guitars factory original,...no mods necessary,...don't want them,...don't need them!

My gear as of now;
Standard Strat
Hot Rod Deluxe III amp
Champion 20 amp
'59 Bassman LTD Reissue


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Profile
Post subject: Re: Ht Rod Deluxe iii
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 10:24 am
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Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:37 pm
Posts: 8708
Location: Natural Bridge, Virginia
KC9SYJ wrote:
Been reading about and researching Tung-Sol tubes and Electro-Harmonix tubes,and I believe I would be happy with either tube brand in my amp,...anything but the GT tubes!
Whether I play for my own enjoyment or otherwise,I really believe my HRD III amp has a lot more potential of sounding better with Tung-Sol or Electro-Harmonix tubes than it does with the GT technology tubes. I'd use the RCA,GE,or Sylvania NOS tubes if they weren't so darned expensive!


Keep in mind that GT, Tung Sol, EH, and others are merely rebranded tubes from any of the three or so tube manufacturers left in the world. You stand a chance that any tube you buy from the three you listed may actually be the same tube, just that each company has their own selection and sometimes design criteria. The only tube manufacturer I know of that sells tubes under their own name is JJ Electronics (and they have nothing to do with Tesla as so many retailers claim).

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