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Post subject: 2004 Hot Rod Deluxe vs Current Model
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 11:38 am
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2011 7:32 pm
Posts: 1
Hello,

My son gave me his HRD as a gift, hardly used. I'm wondering if this is good as is, if it's worth modifying and how it compares with the current models.

Thanks,
GM


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Post subject: Re: 2004 Hot Rod Deluxe vs Current Model
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 12:17 pm
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Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
My 2004 HR Disgrace was an unmitigated POFS. Bought new in October and used very little, it failed twice within fifteen months of purchase. In my fifty-year affiliation with Fender's amplifiers it was the only one I ever dumped after less than two years of ownership.

YMMV (pray that it does)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 2004 Hot Rod Deluxe vs Current Model
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 6:26 pm
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Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
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Location: Indiana
Hi GotMojo,

2004 was probably the last year that Fender used real solder, switching to the RoHS crap solder around 2005. If you like the sound of the amp, I would say leave it as-is, although there is usually room for a few minor improvements.

I have modified mine a few bits at a time over the years (1998 model), having tried many different mods (reversing some that weren't "as advertised"), and the most significant improvements have been in the tube department. The preamp/PI combination of a 5751 in V1 (I really like the JJ), a 12AX7 in V2, and a 12AT7 in V3 is a great improvement over 12AX7 in all three spots. This combo gives great clean, and smooths the drive channel considerably. I am not a big JJ fan, however their 6L6 ( GT version of course), works well in this amp for me. Although the stock speaker is pretty good with the right tube combination, after trying several speakers, I changed to a Swamp Thang, which gave me more volume and better sound overall. 17 years and still going strong. :D

I have a few more mod ideas if you are interested, but I wouldn't change too much all at once if you already like the sound. I wouldn't base my opinion of any tube brand on tubes that come stock in modern amps, considering the amps have been beat up by UPS on their arduous journey from the factory. :wink: I have had great results with GT over many, many years.

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Post subject: Re: 2004 Hot Rod Deluxe vs Current Model
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 6:52 pm
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Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2012 9:07 pm
Posts: 604
I have a Hot Rod Deluxe bought new from about that time. It is absolutely my all time favorite guitar amplifier, and I have owned all the amps in the list below. I changed the speaker to a Cannabis Rex, and the tubes to JJ's. I only use the clean channel and effect the thing with stomps but the clean tone is fat, round and clean as a whistle. My $.02 Keep it as is until you feel the need to mod it.

1) Fender Black Face Bassman 1960's with 2-12 Cab with stock speaker
2) Fender Black Face Deluxe Reverb 1960's with stock speaker
3) Marshall Hundred Watt Plexi head with Sunn 6-12 Bass cabinet
4) Fender Silver Face Twin Reverb with 2- JBL K 120 Speakers
5) Fender Silver Face Pro Reverb with 2- JBL K 120 Speakers
6) Fender Silver Face Deluxe Reverb with stock speaker
7) Peavey Hundred watt 2-12 hybrid amp (I don't remember the model number)
8- Peavey Fifty watt 2-12 hybrid amp (I don't remember the model number)
9) Peavey two Hundred watt hybrid amp head (I don't remember the model number or speaker combination)
10) Music Man Hundred watt hybrid Combo with stock speakers (I don't remember the model number)
11) Music Man fifty watt hybrid Combo with stock speakers (I don't remember the model number)
12) Fender 30 one twelve combo (Rivera Era) With stock speaker. (This is one of my all time favorites)
13) Seymour Duncan hundred watt head Model unknown with the preamp modules that could be changed
14) Mesa Boogie Mark II C+ 80 watt head which was a Mark II B, then C, Then C+ With a 1-12 cab with an EVM 12L in it.
15) Mesa Boogie Quad Preamp with Strategy 400 Power amp with 4 -1-12 cabs with EVM 12L's in them
16) Mesa Boogie Mark IV 80 watt combo (with the OEM EVM 12L speaker from the Mark II C+ that I still have but did not sell with the amp).
17) Gallien Kruegar Micro Lead ML250
18) Galilien Kruegar later model Micro Lead (Model unknown)
19) 2 Fender Frontman 15 Gs with a modeler pedal board in front for stereo practice.1
20) Fender Hot Rod Deluxe combo with an Eminence Cannabis Rex 12" speaker. (I still have it, It is my all time favorite amp with a pedalboard in front of it)
21) Bogner Alchemist 50 watt tube 1-12 combo, (did not like it, sent it back)
22) Mesa Boogie Hundred watt Lone Star Classic head. (did not like it, sent it back)
23) Fender Super Champ X2 15 watt combo with Eminence Lil Buddy 10" speaker (Sold it and regret selling it)
24) Ibanez TS 15 Head (did not like it, sent it back)
25) Egnater Tweaker 15 Watt Head. into an EVM 12 L 1-12 speaker cab (It is my second all time favorite amp with a pedalboard in front of it)
26) Epiphone 5 watt Valve Junior Head which I just sent to my kiddo as a gift.

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