It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 4:02 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 42 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Author Message
Post subject: IMO BDRI
Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 10:19 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2013 9:29 pm
Posts: 2
I have read countless reviews, forums, etc. on this amp and actually this is how I ended up with it. I`m not here to troll or bash nor anything like that. I just think that people should read both sides of the story concerning these amps so they don`t end up unhappy after they buy it. To each his own is basically what I`m stating. The thing is,...I`m very unhappy with the amp. Well, first of all, allow me to introduce myself. I perform or have performed many, many genres and sub genres of music all over the U.S.A. More in the southern or southeastern areas but anyway,.... I`ve been gigging professionally since 1994. I`m a guitar technician and a shade tree amp tech. I have owned and performed through a wide variety of both solid state and tube amplifiers. When I state this I mean seriously. I have played through hundreds of different amps. My preference is a Fender Twin from the early `80`s and the SierraTone Hrm 100. Now with that stated,...I bought the amp to use for the smaller venues. Just thought it`d be a little less hassle. It is a Fender Tube amp so how could I go wrong ya know. Straight out of the box I was shocked at the tiny amount of headroom or complete lack thereof. I had read all of the revues referring to how "loud" the amp was so I was and still am confused about that remark. This amp is NOT too loud. :?: It`s not nearly loud enough,... Not for a gigging musician. Of course I know people who use them as well but not where I use them. I tried using a mic but still battle getting stage volume. I try not to overwhelm the monitor mix with my guitar but with a solid drummer it does happen. It`s the only way I can hear the amp. Oh, and forget about it on the outside on the normal tractor trailer sized stages. And I`m not the artist who is told to turn down constantly,..In fact, it`s quite the opposite. I have read many of these "tweeks" that can be done but I`m like, Why buy an amp only to have to buy parts, void the warranty, and even after all of that, have enough money tied up in the amp that I could have bought another Twin with. Doesn`t make sense. IMO. And even after all of the "tweeks" I`m still left with a living room or studio amp at best. It`s difficult enough in todays economy to earn enough money to be able to buy a new tube amp without having to buy more parts and deal with all of the things that it takes in order to try to get it right. This amp came stock with a set of GT 6L6`s rated at 10, that`s TEN. Ridiculous. Even more so is the fact that even with these tubes it is a mudwagon at level 3.5 on the clean channel. I get the whole, "I want blues tone" thing but wow. The speaker is a "Who knows" A type of Legend by Eminence,...ok....and???.... Immediately removed it. Break in??? Uh uh. We tested it and the "break up" to put in the lamest terms begins at 28 watts. The amp sounds ok at lower volume levels but it isn`t well suited for live gigging application. Now I have used it or at least made an attempt on 4 occasions. After each "tweek" but all in all, epic failure. Just doesn`t have the volume. As for the drive channel,...I do however, kinda like the drive channel set at 10 post and 2-3 pre, for slide playing when used in conjunction with my 808 or Dark Matter pedals in recording settings. I am a loyal Fender customer and have been for years but a spade is a spade. Just my two cents. I`m certain that there are fans of the amp and that`s great. It`s a great beginner tube amp or great for the hobbyist or weekend warrior and 50 seaters,...which is exactly what it was designed for. But don`t think saving a few hundred bucks is worth it if you are a full time player because you`ll be stuck with an amp that you leave in the closet after you`ve allowed your faith in a product due to it`s name to cost you way too much money, time and actually,...a bit of embarrassment :oops: . There ya have it. Mostly logic.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: IMO BDRI
Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 10:50 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 2:49 am
Posts: 560
Location: Perth, Australia
Thanks for a reality check. As you said, each person will have a differing opinion. The same goes for the Supersonic Series. I know many people are having issues with these amps but my SSTwin does the job for me. People need to just accept the reality, if it is bad don't tolerate it, send it back, and quite while your ahead.

_________________
GUITAR: Fender USA JazzMaster.
BASS: Fender USA 58'AVRI
AMP: Fender USA SuperSonicTwin - Blonde.
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: IMO BDRI
Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 11:01 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
woodstock777 wrote:
I`ve been gigging professionally since 1994.


If this be the case then you know that virtually all contemporary amps from every manufacturer are but a pale imitation of the products they turned out some twenty or thirty years ago. If tube tone is your choice then get yourself an older tube Fender -- the Prosonic combo would be an excellent choice.

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: IMO BDRI
Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:33 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:29 am
Posts: 4238
Location: Pgh Pa
Retroverbial wrote:
woodstock777 wrote:
I`ve been gigging professionally since 1994.


If this be the case then you know that virtually all contemporary amps from every manufacturer are but a pale imitation of the products they turned out some twenty or thirty years ago. If tube tone is your choice then get yourself an older tube Fender -- the Prosonic combo would be an excellent choice.

Arjay

This would be what I was thinking for what you paid for this turd you could have got a silver face twin reverb. I see them for 600 dollars all the time


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: IMO BDRI
Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 9:11 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
tbazzone wrote:
This would be what I was thinking for what you paid for this turd you could have got a silver face twin reverb. I see them for 600 dollars all the time


+1

Periodically, even less.

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: IMO BDRI
Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 9:11 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2007 7:46 am
Posts: 1019
Location: State of Confusion
Well, tastes vary and so do opinions, but on the issue of volume, that can be measured if need be. Something must be wrong with this particular amp if your perception is that "It`s not nearly loud enough,... Not for a gigging musician." coupled with "I bought the amp to use for the smaller venues."

_________________
The quintessential sound of 60/70's R&R:
Fender Tube Amps
Gibson Guitars


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: IMO BDRI
Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 9:19 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 4:50 pm
Posts: 7998
Location: ʎɹʇunoɔ ǝsoɹ pןıʍ
I've never been a fan of the HRD or the BD however if you want chimey Fender clean at a lower entry cost than a vintage Twin you might want to take a look at the Blues Deville. I'm not referring to the HotRod Deville. If you can find an early 90s BDv with two 12s I think it might be a better choice for you at a lower price. They were typically covered in tweed and, when you can find them, are not exhorbitantly more expensive than a used BD.

_________________
Image
Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: IMO BDRI
Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 9:25 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
I agree with you IM4Tone. Either something was wrong with the amp, and/or the drummer is one of those obnoxiously loud types. This amp is NOT known for clean headroom, not sure how anyone gets that impression, but it is certainly loud enough to gig with in a "small venue". I suppose that the DRRI is really out of the question for this band.

_________________
---> "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: IMO BDRI
Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 9:49 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:37 pm
Posts: 8708
Location: Natural Bridge, Virginia
My BDRI is plenty loud and I have modded the heck out of it because that is what I do.

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=80142

_________________
Bill

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: IMO BDRI
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 7:32 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:29 am
Posts: 4238
Location: Pgh Pa
What I don't get is if the sound of a twin is what you like why get a different amp to gig with. You want clean head room nothing does it better than a twin reverb.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: IMO BDRI
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 7:52 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2007 7:46 am
Posts: 1019
Location: State of Confusion
tbazzone wrote:
What I don't get is if the sound of a twin is what you like why get a different amp to gig with. You want clean head room nothing does it better than a twin reverb.

My thoughts exactly!

_________________
The quintessential sound of 60/70's R&R:
Fender Tube Amps
Gibson Guitars


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: IMO BDRI
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 8:34 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:37 pm
Posts: 8708
Location: Natural Bridge, Virginia
IM4Tone wrote:
tbazzone wrote:
What I don't get is if the sound of a twin is what you like why get a different amp to gig with. You want clean head room nothing does it better than a twin reverb.

My thoughts exactly!


Because then the OP couldn't come here and whine about what a crappy amp the BDRI is.

_________________
Bill

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: IMO BDRI
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 8:40 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:29 am
Posts: 4238
Location: Pgh Pa
bluesky636 wrote:
IM4Tone wrote:
tbazzone wrote:
What I don't get is if the sound of a twin is what you like why get a different amp to gig with. You want clean head room nothing does it better than a twin reverb.

My thoughts exactly!


Because then the OP couldn't come here and whine about what a crappy amp the BDRI is.

Exactly


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: IMO BDRI
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 10:21 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
The OP mentioned a Twin, not a Twin Reverb. Both are loud plenty though.

_________________
---> "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: IMO BDRI
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 11:39 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Putting my disappointment with the amp aside, my Hot Rod Deluxe was pretty damn loud and in the non-drive mode, sounded pretty good (I'm assuming this channel is *somewhat* similar in architecture to the Blues Deluxe). I'd opine that the OP's amp actually has some problem that requires attention.

JMOOC

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 42 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next

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: