Hi all, i found an add at craigslist where an individual is offering to do amp modding to increase performance. When i asked him what he could do for a hotrod deluxe, he emailed his spiel below, that sounds to me, like hot rod deluxes are known for"dying young". I'm sure hoping this fellow is wrong about this alleged tendency in hot rod deluxes! Have any you guys heard of this possible issue? It seems to me, that fender would not sell inferior equipment like that in large enough quantities to support this persons statement that "so many" of these amps suffer an early death. I do not have any problems with my volume going from 0 to near full blast by 2 on the dial either! I find it hard to believe that fender would ever market equipment having such a huge issue!


Hi David, I'm not affiliated with a shop. The best thing that I can do for a HARD is replace the 5 watt power resistors and move them as far from the PCB board as possible. This will help delay the early death that so many of these amps suffer. If I can find them, audio taper pots will help keep the amp from going from 0 to near full blast by 2 on the dial. I can mod it to give you more control over your midst and I can suggest a retube with eurotubes retube kit, I can bias the amp and suggest that you look at a different speaker. Other than the tubes, biasing and a speaker, I wouldn't do any moods unless your warranty has expired. The amp comes with a 5 year warranty and with this amp it is important that you make sure it stays in effect for the full 5 years. If the place where you purchased it sells an extended warranty I would purchase as long of one as you can.

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I believe in Christianity as i believe that the sun has risen. not only because i see it, but because by it, i see everything else. C.S. Lewis

You can upgrade the speaker and the tubes. He was talking about the master volume being replaced with a 250k pot (VSM-1 MOD KIT) its much better then original. Plus you can get recap kits for the Deluxe.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

First of all, yeah it's well known HotRod Deluxes have some flaws (just do a google search), but they are the most sold amp ever. Of course there is going to be some that have problems because there are so many out there. It's a mass produced amp and there is bound to be some that are faulty when Fender has pumped out a gazillion of these things. Some have been played hard for 10+ years now without a problem.

With that being said, it sounds like the craigslist guy is just doing the usual upgrades to the HRD. These are nothing new and can be found everywhere on the internet. Sure Fender could make the amp better, but then the price would increase. But these mods are not absolutely needed. It's your amp and your ears, you make the call if it needs improvement.

It sounds like the repair guy knows what he is talking about, but I would be wary since he is not affiliated with a shop. What if he screws something up? It's your word against his.

Bottom line is, don't let the horror stories of HRD's scare you. If yours is working fine, than just enjoy it. Are the mods worth it? Only you can answer that.

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Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

Hi metrop, Some shops take in work like this and send out to others to do. He maybe someone like that. I do work for a few on the side when they need it. I have seen some HR Deluxe problems in my time.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Hi guys, hey, thanks for all the solid facts man, i'm totally releived just to know that i don't own the problem amp from hell or something is all.

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I believe in Christianity as i believe that the sun has risen. not only because i see it, but because by it, i see everything else. C.S. Lewis

Yep, the HRD series amps are notorious for their design flaws. Mine was a total nightmare and I regret ever spending the money on it. I had the 5 watt resistors fail, tube socket solder joints fail, a power supply cap and the list goes on and on. It failed on stage 3 times, and spent time in a closet because I couldn't trust it anymore. I know plenty of people in the same boat. The PCB is also cheaply made and many of the components come from Taiwan. the board is thin and only single sided. The through holes aren't even plated. It's made to a price point. All the mid to lower end Fender amps are made that way.
I finally sold mine while I could still transfer the warranty and sell it with a good conscience.

I always recommend saving more money and getting a DRRI. There are many better amps out there for the money and I don't mean the VM series.
Just my experience and opinion. Don't take it personally. It is what it is.

Thats why so many get CAP upgrades. Like I said I have seen my share, problems just like you said 63supro. Better amps to be had!!!!

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Well thanks guys, i certainly have some information to chew on now!

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I believe in Christianity as i believe that the sun has risen. not only because i see it, but because by it, i see everything else. C.S. Lewis