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R/E/P => R/E/P Archives => The Acid Test => Topic started by: Nick Sevilla on May 29, 2009, 01:33:23 PM

Title: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Nick Sevilla on May 29, 2009, 01:33:23 PM
Hi,

Although this is not strictly a recording device, I bought one last weekend, and had to post something of a review here.

I was impressed by the sounds, the built quality is very good, and it came with cool accessories, including a cover, footswitch, and all the documentation. I mention this because in the past I've seen other amplifiers which do not include these accessories, and thus end up costing more.

The 40 Watts sound very loud, louder than I'll probably ever need, and the ability to have three sounds with the included footwsitch is very nice. Clean, Drive and More Drive are the names of the three sounds. It also includes a spring reverb with a level knob, which I like a lot.

There is a very handy patch point in the amplifier, after the preamplifier section, and the power section, where effects can be inserted. This was a good surprise for me, because I am so used to placing effects after the guitar but before the amplifier. I look forward to messing with this feature.

A few gripes : The tolex covering had two spots where it was bubbled off the wood, but I was able to carefully press it in. The spots were not very large. The other issue I have is that I would have liked wheels under the unit. Boy does it weigh a ton!!!

At least, in my situation, it now sits where it will be for a long time, so moving it occasionally to clean the studio is ok. But for a gigging musician, you'll have to consider a wheeled cart, or a large roadie with a good back.

Overall I really like this amplifier. I was considering buying a Fender Twin, but this Deluxe sounds every bit as good as a twin, and at 2/3rds the size, it's a good second choice for someone looking for a loud Fender amp, and not a lot of room for a full size amplifier.

Cheers
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Adam The Truck Driver on May 30, 2009, 11:00:47 PM
It isn't bad as a bass amp either at lower levels of volume, so as not to blow the driver. The open back helps it sound way smooth and deep even at the neccessary lower volume.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: JGauthier on May 31, 2009, 03:55:51 PM
Oh the hotrod deluxe...

For 450 bucks it was fine. I owned the first release back in the 90s and just sold it a year back. It was sitting for a long time unused by the end...

For live, club touring, beater, starter its great. But damn that top end and crap mids...

I HATED that amp by the end... I would have given it away but I didn't know anyone who needed it so I sold it for 350. I knew its sonic limitations but over time it just sounded like a chalk board being scratched... Especially if you have played a real 50s deluxe...

I now run two Princetons (1959 and 1956) in stereo and it makes that newer deluxe sound broken. Literally broken. They were also 5 times the price... so yeah relativity.

But I had to chime in and warn of the edgy/hollow sound (think scooped ice pick). But again for the money, what do you expect??? If you need a cheap beater thats loud enough for a club- the hotrod is great. But the overdrive sucks and breaks up horribly so pedals are a must. The reverb is Fenderiffic and spanky though!

Overall, in the right context, I'd agree its a decent buy. But if you have played a real vintage tweed ANYTHING prepare to be seriously let down... On tone but not on price!
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: compasspnt on May 31, 2009, 04:31:07 PM
I have to agree with Joseph.

Very shrill top end, not sweet.

I have a 1947 TV Deluxe, and a 1965 Deluxe Reverb, and they both (in different ways) smash the Hot Rod to bits.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: marcel on May 31, 2009, 05:01:13 PM
I concur.  I was going to say this but I didn't want to be uncharitable...

I have owned and used many of the Hotrod amps (owned a 4x10 and a 2x12 Deville and played thru many of the Deluxes) and found them to be universally disappointing.  As JGauthier says, they are (barely) acceptable for live work (until you've played thru a better amp, LOL) and downright painful when recorded.  My only strong addition to the negative side of this review would be that these amps are almost totally unresponsive to playing dynamics, their distortion levels seem fixed to amp gain.  I would offer the opinion that these amps are not worth anywhere near their sticker price.

I would further offer that the late '60s / early '70s silverface amps are often a real bargain.  They don't have quite the mojo of the (much more coveted) blackfaces, but they play and record very well, are solidly made and are easily repaired/modified.  In my area, anyways, they can often be had for around the same price as the corresponding (new) Hotrod models, and with a few dollars more for a tech to go through them, you will have a very nice all-around amp.

Alternately, see Fletcher's forum for a long and involved discussion of the merits of modifying the Epiphone Valve Jr, a cheap and readily available modern amp chassis.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: jetbase on May 31, 2009, 07:41:50 PM
compasspnt wrote on Mon, 01 June 2009 06:31


Very shrill top end, not sweet.



I use a 4x10 Blues Deville & I think the key to making it sound sweet(er) is to use the gain channel as the clean channel & drive it a little bit. Perhaps it's the same with the Hotrod Deluxe? I never liked the sound of the Hotrod Deluxe myself, but 2 weeks ago I heard a friend playing a brand new Tele Custom through a brand new Deluxe (live) & it had a really nice tone.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: J.J. Blair on June 01, 2009, 02:41:28 AM
I had somebody bring in the 60 watt version for a record.  What an absolute piece of shit that thing was.  Unusable.  Tubes were microphonic, the tone sucked ass.  Really awful.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Nick Sevilla on June 01, 2009, 01:34:07 PM
Hi to all you lovely responders,

I understand your frustration with the old model Deluxe. I myself have been forced to record less than stellar Deluxes in the past. Many times in fact. Mostly I would change the amplifier after verifying the Deluxes' suckiness.

But not this one. This one is a 2009. It's Blue in color. It does not suck like it's predecessors.

The reason I reviewed it here, was precisely because I was taken aback by it. I did not expect it to be any good. but alas it was good.

I did test three other Fender amps right along side it, a Blues Deluxe, a '59 Bassman Reissue, and some small Hot Rod thing, before deciding on it. The color had nothing to do with the purchase decision. It was the sound, and the size of it. Good Fender tone, plus big enough to rattle my little studio.

Go try one out, if you don't believe me...

PS I used a standard stratocaster to try all the amps out.

Cheers
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: jstuart on June 01, 2009, 06:16:23 PM
Though I spend more time with acoustics ( mostly mid 60's  J-45 deluxe gibson, and mid 60's martin o-16NY, strung with nylon ),  I also spend a fair amount each week with an electic in hand. I primarily  play a tele,( with a hipshot bridge for alternate tunings) with no pedals other than a volume pedal,so, you may discount my thoughts entirely....

That said,  I have been using a hot rod deluxe for  a number of years, with great results. It's reliable, and; cleanish in the lower gain stageing, and has a certain amount of "sag" ( saturation/ compression) in the  high gain position, that is totally usable on stage, and in studio. the caveat is that I use the #2 input which is a bit less gain/treble than the #1 input. Plus,I often roll my tone pot back on the tele.... I can more or less make it do what I like... but I'm not a slave to turn it up to 10 on each control to determine the validity....

Anyhoo, other than a '65 princeton that a friend of mine has, which goes from polite to scream depending on my guitar volume pot, this is my favorite amp ( and I do have a long list of ampps I've owned and played over the years....., because....,  I'm OLD......)

So, there's no accounting for taste, esp. from old guys with Teles.....
john
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Sean Eldon Qualls on June 01, 2009, 10:00:44 PM
I never got along with these Hot Rod amplifiers on a sonic level, and have played with quite a few guys that owned them in every configuration imaginable...2x12, 4x10, loud, louder...

I have, on more than one occasion, been able to "pick it out" at smaller shows when I was not looking at the stage, "clean" (ouch) and "driven" (distorted. Not good distorted). It's like there is a special (that's not the right word...) ring or tone that it lets out that completely melts my happiness.

I swear I like the guys that own these amps and I'm not just basing my hatred on outside matters.

New ones, you say? I think my tongue is a little sour to the "Hot Rod" name but if I'm ever standing in front of one with a guitar in my hand, maybe I'll plug it in to see if they EQ'd out that deathray frequency...
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: compasspnt on June 01, 2009, 10:04:32 PM
Benefit of the doubt...

Nick says there is a new version...

Blue Velvet.

Let us see...
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Nick Sevilla on June 02, 2009, 04:41:15 PM
J.J. Blair wrote on Sun, 31 May 2009 23:41

I had somebody bring in the 60 watt version for a record.  What an absolute piece of shit that thing was.  Unusable.  Tubes were microphonic, the tone sucked ass.  Really awful.


Did you change the tubes and try again?

Did the guitar player still suck with another amplifier?

One thing I do have set up on my new amplifier, is all the tone knobs set at 50% (middle position). Suppposedly this is "neutral"...

On my new amp, I turned it up enough to rattle the drum snare in another room, across the garden. I did not get any microphonics happening. I did get my neighbor to come over and check the loudness out. We compared it to his Harley Davidson. We could not decide which was louder... so had a beer instead, before more neighbors could start in on the loudness wars.

Cheers
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: JGauthier on June 02, 2009, 08:54:41 PM
Im doing a record as we speak with a British gentleman whom has convinced himself that the Blues Deluxe (nod to Nick- not a new 2009- I agree to check and see before judgement if its different) and Deville are just awesome amps.

He is an INCREDIBLE player and would sound good plugged to a cup through a piece of string.

To save money he is tracking at home and letting me reamp while still using his original close mic. I get his tracks BEFORE telling him Im planning on reamping and do a treatment with stereo, a close and a room mic. I send him a clip. He LOVEEEEEES it.

He comes to his next session and starts looking at my 8200, 1073s, and other EQs. I ask him what hes looking for and he replies, "That MIDRANGE... HOW did you get that MIDRANGE". I turned and pointed at my pair of 50s tweed Princetons.

If anyone tries to claim this amp (prior to the new release) holds up, then they dont have any REAL EXPERIENCE to stand on.

This site is about relativity people. If you have never played a REAL deluxe, dont defend these POS.

As for the 2009. Im looking forward to playing one if they dont suck anymore! But comments that they are fine becuase youve used one for years means you cant afford a nicer amp... And dont know what you are missing.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: jstuart on June 03, 2009, 12:23:50 PM
[quote title=If anyone tries to claim this amp (prior to the new release) holds up, then they dont have any REAL EXPERIENCE to stand on.

This site is about relativity people. If you have never played a REAL deluxe, dont defend these POS.

As for the 2009. Im looking forward to playing one if they dont suck anymore! But comments that they are fine becuase youve used one for years means you cant afford a nicer amp... And dont know what you are missing.[/quote]

Hmmn, it seems to me that your tone is shrill and distorted.

I might suggest that you afford yourself some real experience with polite discourse, rather than popping the clutch on your mouth before engaging your brain. It might also be helpful if you ascertained some facts before imputing that any opinion other than your own is not worthy of the air it wiggles.

ie: Affording a different amp? Yep, if I need something I buy it. Having played a REAL deluxe? Yep, again, I owned a '65 in the 70's- though that may not be as REAL as a '56....REAL EXPERIENCE? Well, I'm guessing that I will come up short comparing my 35+ years making a living in music/recording to your peregrine view from the lofty pinnacles, so I concede that, and will humbly await the droppings of wisdom from your noble brow.

Know what I'm Missing? Yep, I know I put those keys around here somewhere....

j

Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Nick Sevilla on June 03, 2009, 01:00:23 PM
JGauthier wrote on Tue, 02 June 2009 17:54

Im doing a record as we speak with a British gentleman whom has convinced himself that the Blues Deluxe (nod to Nick- not a new 2009- I agree to check and see before judgement if its different) and Deville are just awesome amps.

He is an INCREDIBLE player and would sound good plugged to a cup through a piece of string.

To save money he is tracking at home and letting me reamp while still using his original close mic. I get his tracks BEFORE telling him Im planning on reamping and do a treatment with stereo, a close and a room mic. I send him a clip. He LOVEEEEEES it.

He comes to his next session and starts looking at my 8200, 1073s, and other EQs. I ask him what hes looking for and he replies, "That MIDRANGE... HOW did you get that MIDRANGE". I turned and pointed at my pair of 50s tweed Princetons.

If anyone tries to claim this amp (prior to the new release) holds up, then they dont have any REAL EXPERIENCE to stand on.

This site is about relativity people. If you have never played a REAL deluxe, dont defend these POS.

As for the 2009. Im looking forward to playing one if they dont suck anymore! But comments that they are fine becuase youve used one for years means you cant afford a nicer amp... And dont know what you are missing.


Thanks for your input,JGauthier, however, my review is about the new model. so if you have any comments on the new 2009 Hot Rod Deluxe amplifier, this will be most welcome. I hope you understand.

This goes for all others... there seems to be just too many comments on the old amps. This part of the forum is for reviewing new equipment, correct?

Cheers
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Fibes on June 03, 2009, 01:56:05 PM
While agreeing that the old ones were dogs, i give the benefit of the doubt about the new ones until I hear one.

Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: J.J. Blair on June 03, 2009, 08:00:19 PM
Nick Sevilla wrote on Tue, 02 June 2009 13:41

J.J. Blair wrote on Sun, 31 May 2009 23:41

I had somebody bring in the 60 watt version for a record.  What an absolute piece of shit that thing was.  Unusable.  Tubes were microphonic, the tone sucked ass.  Really awful.


Did you change the tubes and try again?

Did the guitar player still suck with another amplifier?


I was not going to give this guy any of my tubes.  I was able to determine which tube was ringing, though.  I hated the sound of the amp, anyway, so it was  a great excuse to get him to plug into my Selmer, so I had a usable sound.

I just couldn't believe the thing was a couple months old, and the tubes were already ringing.  Nice testing!
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: jetbase on June 03, 2009, 08:26:13 PM
Nick Sevilla wrote on Thu, 04 June 2009 03:00

Thanks for your input,JGauthier, however, my review is about the new model. so if you have any comments on the new 2009 Hot Rod Deluxe amplifier, this will be most welcome. I hope you understand.



I'll have to check if my friend's amp (which I mentioned in my earlier post) is the same model, as I didn't actually eyeball it from where I was. It would make sense though, since I have previously not liked the sound of Hotrod Deluxes but I happened to like what I heard the other week. Do you know what's different inside? Nice if someone's finally moving forward.


Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: JGauthier on June 04, 2009, 12:39:06 PM
Nick Sevilla wrote on Wed, 03 June 2009 10:00

Thanks for your input,JGauthier, however, my review is about the new model.



Nick- thats why twice in my post I say that the amp your original post referred to (new 2009) should remain separate from our hatred of the Blues Deluxe. But Fender has earned its reputation here.

I dont think anybodys trying to give you a hard time personally, you just referenced an amp most have a very strong negative opinion about! If the 2009 model is different then we should wait and see before judging (as I said in my prior post) but this thread is DEFINITELY open to experience with ALL models because thats how we got to this new 2009.

If everything you have made under the same exact name is poop, then its hard to expect ANYONE to instantly forget the past 12 years of crap production.

So again, I agree if you are referring to the 2009 that its up for debate, but be realistic if you hold up what was always considered a terd and claim its polished and shiney now! AND doesn't smell!

Again, I will personally make the trip to GC and I will return with my opinion. BTW other than my Princetons (mini deluxes)I played a real tweed deluxe this past week. So I will give 2 reviews-

1. How does the new one compare to the original 50s (this part will probably go poorly in my experience)
2. How does it compare to the prior Blues Deluxe from 96 on (this is the part thats truly up for debate)

(Note- and NOT to Nick specifically- just for this thread overall):
And try not to hate on vintage amps- in the studio they are king. They can be fussy but the tone kills current production and they sound incredible if you get the right ones/models/condition. I have yet to play a combo that makes me smile like a 50s/60s Fender or a 60s vox. If you have never played them in perfect maintained condition, go find some and do. You really really dont know what you are missing and you just sound really ignorant. Vintage amps is NOT part of the Vintage craze of recording- it started long before...

BUT this amp is WAYYYYYYYYY cheaper $$$/volume than the vintages so relativity.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: JGauthier on June 04, 2009, 12:53:04 PM
[quote title=jstuart wrote on Wed, 03 June 2009 09:23]
If anyone tries to claim this amp (prior to the new release) holds up, then they dont have any REAL EXPERIENCE to stand on.

This site is about relativity people. If you have never played a REAL deluxe, dont defend these POS.

As for the 2009. Im looking forward to playing one if they dont suck anymore! But comments that they are fine becuase youve used one for years means you cant afford a nicer amp... And dont know what you are missing.[/quote



Hmmn, it seems to me that your tone is shrill and distorted.

I might suggest that you afford yourself some real experience with polite discourse, rather than popping the clutch on your mouth before engaging your brain. It might also be helpful if you ascertained some facts before imputing that any opinion other than your own is not worthy of the air it wiggles.

ie: Affording a different amp? Yep, if I need something I buy it. Having played a REAL deluxe? Yep, again, I owned a '65 in the 70's- though that may not be as REAL as a '56....REAL EXPERIENCE? Well, I'm guessing that I will come up short comparing my 35+ years making a living in music/recording to your peregrine view from the lofty pinnacles, so I concede that, and will humbly await the droppings of wisdom from your noble brow.

Know what I'm Missing? Yep, I know I put those keys around here somewhere....

j




You are more than welcome to attempt to sound like you know. Its the internet. But-

I HATED that amp. I owned one for 11 years. I toured with it in the 90s until it made me want to scratch my eyes out. Then as soon as I got some money and bought a new amp for live. It then sat in a closet.

You may get offended and try to over compensate with diction but you are wrong and foolish to try. Pseudo intellectual ramblings and chastizing will be ignored by those who are posting and not only haven't played the real amp in 30 years, but dont own the new one either... If you get any experience to reference, THEN try posting.

Im glad you once owned an amp in the 70s. Its 2008 and that was 38 years ago my friend.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: marcel on June 04, 2009, 01:19:52 PM
Fender's site makes no mention of any changes to this model, although it may not be current:

http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0213202000

Nick, what makes you think this amp is different from previous years' offerings, other than the color?  The description and photos above seem to point to exactly the same amp I have used in past...
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: JGauthier on June 04, 2009, 02:06:04 PM
And to keep things on track. I assume we are all in agreement that this amp is purpose specific.

Im not trying to claim a 50s deluxe beats ANYTHING for say death metal.

Im a firm believer if they use a specific name to sell an amp (ie deluxe) it should hold up to what its supposedly ripping off.

And I would also argue there is a HUGE potential for variance and maybe Nick was lucky enough to get one that was assebled at the top of its game. OR they have improved core part quality. Or they fired that drunk guy who worked on line 3... Who knows.

Even if I hate the ones (plural if possible) I play at GC, it doesn't mean Nicks sounds bad. BUT it DOES mean Fender still sucks in regards to quality control on lower cost products.

So a consistent improvement is what Im looking for. And again, nobody is saying you dont have an amp you think sounds great Nick. Its just prior experience of 12 years of less tha stellar production makes it a hard pill to swallow.

BTW- I love this thread. I had a long relationship with one of the first releases and have always had a LOT to say about that! Plus this is an amp that I surmise Fender paid a lot of people to LIE about in ads and reviews- look it up. Apparently anyone with a magazine or officious position had a wonderful satisfying experience with their new affordable vintage toned, why pay 3 grand when you can pay 500, just like the original, vintage Fender as you always hoped Blues Deluxe amp... riiiiiiiiiiiight!

Sadly today Im off to a small shop to test drive a 55 Martin 00-17- so no prison shower...errr... I mean GC today. Real good chance shes coming home too!
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: David Barton on June 04, 2009, 03:31:30 PM
I have played the blue version talked about here. It is marginally better. I didn't have a chance to crank it because I was in a music store. I played a Road Worn Tele through it and to be honest, I suspect that may be where the improved tone was coming from. The clean channel was still stabby in it's responsiveness, and the dirty channel(s) were still over-compressed and unresponsive. The improvement was in the overall voicing. Maybe a new speaker? It seemed a little more transparent. It still sounded like a constipated old broken amp.

A friend of mine put a Vintage 30 reissue in his Deluxe and that helped, but those reissues have their own problems. I advise friends to put a Warehouse Veteran 30 in their Deluxes (and anything else!).

~db

p.s. to make my friend's amp playable, I built a little booster pedal that has a touch of compression and light harmonic generation. I play only through the clean channel. A ZVex Super Hard-On would do the same thing.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Nick Sevilla on June 04, 2009, 06:19:30 PM
marcel wrote on Thu, 04 June 2009 10:19

Fender's site makes no mention of any changes to this model, although it may not be current:

http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0213202000

Nick, what makes you think this amp is different from previous years' offerings, other than the color?  The description and photos above seem to point to exactly the same amp I have used in past...


That is the one I bought. Although mine has the blue tolex. No, the tolex is not why it sounds better... Smile

I do not know what is different from past ones. I'll have to look at the schematics, and see if there are any revisions unknown to the public (this sometimes happens)

I will make a webpage on my site this weekend, with pictures, sound samples, etc... and see if anyone here has any ideas.

I might have gotten a "reverse lemon", or gotten lucky, or???

All I know is that this one sounds good to me, and none of the previous ones ever did that.

BTW I'm not selling it... Wink
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Nick Sevilla on June 04, 2009, 06:26:44 PM
jetbase wrote on Wed, 03 June 2009 17:26

Nick Sevilla wrote on Thu, 04 June 2009 03:00

Thanks for your input,JGauthier, however, my review is about the new model. so if you have any comments on the new 2009 Hot Rod Deluxe amplifier, this will be most welcome. I hope you understand.



I'll have to check if my friend's amp (which I mentioned in my earlier post) is the same model, as I didn't actually eyeball it from where I was. It would make sense though, since I have previously not liked the sound of Hotrod Deluxes but I happened to like what I heard the other week. Do you know what's different inside? Nice if someone's finally moving forward.


I know the speaker is a different model than previous ones, as there was a black Deluxe in the store as well, and I did look inside. I'll have to check what it is when I get home.

Cheers

The Speaker is a Celestion Vintage 30, 12".

I am in the process of recording some samples of my bad playing. Since I'm doing it, I'm going to go ahead and record thru all my mics, one at a time, placed in the same exact position, and at the same levels, through the same chanel, no processing.

At least I'll know what mic I like for what sound with that amp, after that excruciating exercise.

Cheers
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: jstuart on June 04, 2009, 08:42:08 PM

[/quote



You are more than welcome to attempt to sound like you know. Its the internet. But-

I HATED that amp. I owned one for 11 years. I toured with it in the 90s until it made me want to scratch my eyes out. Then as soon as I got some money and bought a new amp for live. It then sat in a closet.

You may get offended and try to over compensate with diction but you are wrong and foolish to try. Pseudo intellectual ramblings and chastizing will be ignored by those who are posting and not only haven't played the real amp in 30 years, but dont own the new one either... If you get any experience to reference, THEN try posting.

Im glad you once owned an amp in the 70s. Its 2008 and that was 38 years ago my friend.
(

MY Friend,

You know what I'm trying to understand?  Why someone would take a fairly bland post about an amp that worked for one player; ME..., and turn it into a personal attack....


I get it that you can't stand using this amp, ( after 11 years of playing one?????, geezus, bub, get something that floats yer boat... just sayin'...),That's OK with me;. I can't use most Marshall amps... so the best I could chime in on in a discussion about Marshall amps is ;" I can't make them work for my style..., but, have a nice day..."

So, I get a response that says in effect: " you can't afford a good amp, you have NO experience with REAL amps,  you are an idiot if you like this amp... and you have no experience in general...and nobody else likes these amps.... "

For all I know you are some kid jacking off in yer mom's basement, but, in general, I assume that if I am straight ahead, then  the person on the other end of the net is straight ahead as well, and that they read the post as written...

But, like a moron, I take the bait and respond with a quick F.U., trying to walk a line of " sorry. bub, but I do have the experience, yada, yada, " , without attacking your experience, because I have no idea what experience you have , or don't have. But since I am offended by your unprovoked personal attack, I do the smartass bit ( which I should know better than to do, but then again, I'm a bit PO'd...) expecting in return " I hate these amps , but hey, didn't mean to piss on you,  good luck with the POS".

But , again you come back with the " I REALLY KNOW MY SHIT, AND YOU'RE A KNOW-NOTHING, THE 70'S WERE A LONG TIME AGO,   SO SHUT UP!!!!!


So, Let me see if I understand.

If You are a moderator, your opinion is the only one worth considering, and if someone else has a different experience, it is not only OK to disagree with them, but it is even better to disparage them personally, even if you have NO knowledge of their professional experience...


OK, as long as I know the rules....


j



ps: Oh by the way, I hope you noticed that I didn't use any 10 cent words. god knows I wouldn't want to be pseudo-intellectual...., plus I lightend up on the whole "diction" thing, just for you.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: compasspnt on June 09, 2009, 04:23:39 PM

Is this it?



index.php/fa/12533/0/
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Chad Sims on June 09, 2009, 05:32:48 PM
Where is this amp made?

I ask because Fender Mexican made basses vary wildly in quality.  I wonder if this is the same sort of deal.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Nick Sevilla on June 10, 2009, 05:49:30 AM
Yes, that's the blue model I own.

I'm going to post samples soon recorded thru commonly used mics.
Right now, though I am in the delivery room for our second baby boy. As I type this, mommy is getting an epidural procedure done...

Cheers
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: jetbase on June 10, 2009, 06:49:00 PM
Nick Sevilla wrote on Wed, 10 June 2009 19:49

Yes, that's the blue model I own.

I'm going to post samples soon recorded thru commonly used mics.
Right now, though I am in the delivery room for our second baby boy. As I type this, mommy is getting an epidural procedure done...

Cheers


Congratulations! Hope all goes well.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Harland on June 10, 2009, 06:58:28 PM
Nick Sevilla wrote on Thu, 04 June 2009 18:26


I know the speaker is a different model than previous ones, as there was a black Deluxe in the store as well, and I did look inside. I'll have to check what it is when I get home.

Cheers

The Speaker is a Celestion Vintage 30, 12".


Cheers



Bingo. I recently bought a black one (last model year that was made in the States) for $250. I put fresh power tubes in and swapped the Eminence for a Vintage 30. Sounds like a decent Fender amp. Not like a heyday amp and not that I would buy a new one either, but a decent Fender for the price I paid.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: itsapleasure on June 10, 2009, 09:00:43 PM
Nick Sevilla wrote on Wed, 10 June 2009 05:49

Right now, though I am in the delivery room for our second baby boy. As I type this, mommy is getting an epidural procedure done...

Cheers


holy shit... my wife would have punched me in the head if i even so much as glanced at my laptop while she was getting an epidural.  

congrats man!  


Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: football on June 12, 2009, 08:28:52 AM
Not sure about that particular blue model but in general these are some of the worst amps I have ever heard in my life.  Just atrocious.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: J.J. Blair on June 12, 2009, 09:31:08 PM
OK, I was playing next to a guy on my Tuesday gig who was using the new Hot Rod Deluxe, and I actually played through it myself for a few songs.  Absolutely awful sounding.  

In order to get the thing to break up, you have to make it so goddamned loud, that natural distortion is just out of the question.  And the built in drive sound is just really terribly.  It's also piercingly bright, even for a Fender amp.  I cannot stress how much I hate this amp.  

And when you hear it side by side with my '65 Ampeg Gemini I, it's even more obvious how terrible it is.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: compasspnt on June 13, 2009, 06:58:48 AM
Was it blue?
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: JGauthier on June 17, 2009, 12:57:11 AM
Went to GC today to buy a Egnater Rebel 20 1/2 stack. Was going to try out the new blues deluxe- its definitely been re-somethinged!!! It looks smooth with the blue for sure (including blue chicken heads to match) but who cares how it looks- how does it sound...

Well, GC was having a f*ing drum circle- aka people who can't play drums, but want attention, sitting in a circle... Which was slightly better than the last time when they were displaying SRV and Claptons original guitars- freakin place full of old people with harley shirts and mullets. A white trash Geriatric Jet Set... SOOOO I didn't stick around to see IF I could hear the amp over the drum foolishness. I took the Rebel home in boxes to test it out.

BTW- Im keeping it! Fun! A little edgy on top but super fun and I like the thin sound next to my princetons. I wanted a little jangle and tracked one of these for a couple sessions and really liked it for the money.

But I will still try to play the elusive Blue deluxe! And Nick is right- its blue and obviously been rehashed, regardless of what they say on the website- it could be different. They changed a lot cosmetically at least.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: marcel on June 17, 2009, 01:26:55 AM
I have heard the Hotrod Deluxe (a couple years ago there was one with a varnished wood finish, no tolex?) with a Vintage 30, and there is a noticeable improvement.  Some of the ice pick harshness in these is definitely a result of horrible stock speakers.  

I still wouldn't call these amps good value for money, or a safe bet for a recording amplifier.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: 300B on June 20, 2009, 01:02:46 AM

At first, I had some issues with the character of this amp.  These amps provide a very high gain circuit in the "more-drive" mode.  If you are looking for some dynamics with your distortion, don't use the "more drive" mode.  

The choice for first position pre-amp tube is critical in these amps, it may take a while to find a tube that is good enough to sit in position one. (Don't rely on Fender's quality control for this)

I like to use the second input jack and then turn the amp up more.  The amp is very efficient in the lows so you may find it appropriate to really dial the bass back at high volumes, (I'm less than 4),  this also helps reduce the associated microphonics.

I don't think using the built-in distortion is gonna get you there for death metal.  In this case,  I would use a distortion pedal and drive the power amp HARD ( turn down that damn bass control).  I used a closed back cabinet one time and I was blown away by the change it made.

I too, like using this amp as a bass amp at low volumes.

Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: jetbase on June 21, 2009, 07:05:17 PM
On the weekend I heard the same guitarist I mentioned in my earlier post, playing the same tele through the same Hot Rod Deluxe (it wasn't blue btw). He played some lead on this occasion & the tone didn't sound so good. Playing mellow, soft rhythm it sounded better. I don't think this amp likes to be pushed.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Ian Visible on June 22, 2009, 06:41:44 AM
Is the Deluxe Reverb reissue any good?
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: iCombs on June 24, 2009, 01:20:04 AM
I've not yet been impressed with ANY of Fender's reissues...and the Deluxe Reverb is no exception.

Icepick ear death.  Doesn't have anything near the dimension of the original.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Eric H. on June 24, 2009, 09:36:33 AM
I never liked the hot rod deluxe from the 90's, but have gotten nice clean sound with the Blues Deville 212. The overdrive channel is not very usable unless you put the drive in the first half and get the amp loud. It is a 25W amp i think.
What do you think of this amp? Is it worth keeping?
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: MagnetoSound on June 27, 2009, 01:06:52 PM
Eric H. wrote on Wed, 24 June 2009 14:36

I never liked the hot rod deluxe from the 90's, but have gotten nice clean sound with the Blues Deville 212. The overdrive channel is not very usable unless you put the drive in the first half and get the amp loud. It is a 25W amp i think.
What do you think of this amp? Is it worth keeping?




It's one of the best in the series, IMO.

I held a part-time job as EE (amp tech) in a reputable guitar store in London for many years. In that time I must have heard literally hundreds of these amps - Blues Deluxe, Hot-Rod Deluxe, Blues Deville, Hot-Rod Deville, Blues Junior, Pro Junior ...

As has been said, replacing the stock Eminence speaker with a Celestion Greenback or Vintage 30 can make a big improvement in tone, but the 212 always had a sweeter vibe. Something about the interaction between two or more speakers helps a lot.

Suddenly I'm remembering a 310 - Deville? - that was perhaps the favourite in this regard.


What I remember best about these amps is their design faults which led to, amongst other things, regular failure of the plate resistors in the driver stage, and dry solder joints on the 5w dropper resistors due to them being mounted flush against the board and the copper pads on the board being too small to dissipate the heat.

Finally, let's not forget the horrible, brittle plastic PCB-mounted jack sockets that all these amps use. They regularly fail due to, first, the nut loosening, then the thread stripping off the bush when the nut is tightened, then the plastic cracks and falls apart because of the free movement and the pins fall out completely.

To replace the jacks necessitates complete removal of the main board to access the solder side and of course, because of the pin configuration, you have to replace the broken jack with the exact same type and take bets on how quickly the whole procedure will need to be repeated.


Some of the most expensive amps to maintain ever made by a company that proclaims affordable quality to the masses!


Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: marcel on June 27, 2009, 03:38:55 PM
MagnetoSound wrote on Sat, 27 June 2009 10:06

Some of the most expensive amps to maintain ever made by a company that proclaims affordable quality to the masses!

The local 'Fender amp guy' around here won't take the Hotrod or Blues series in for repairs, claiming that the disassembly and assembly required are not worth anyone's time or money.  I guess the reality is that he's busy enough working on vintage amps not to have to bother.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: compasspnt on June 28, 2009, 07:55:35 AM
Well, look at the bright side.

The new Fenders may not sound as good as vintage, but at least they are harder to work on.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: gtoledo3 on June 28, 2009, 09:49:41 AM
Yes. The comment about that amp having totally non-responsive dynamics is spot on. I think of it as a good amp for a wiry kind of grating one off guitar part in a song.

Anyways... related - when that Super Reverb re-issue came out, it was SO far off of what a real Super Reverb sounds like, that in conjunction with their strong claims, I almost thought it was a class action lawsuit scenario Smile I'm thankful I didn't pre-order. The eq itself was soooo wrong, as was the reverb and tremelo. I feel the same way about that Bassman re-issue. That is even more god awful.

The only new amps I've played in awhile that have given me a response close to some of the classics (and still not QUITE), are the Dr. Z series. I'm curious what other people out there are using as far as new production amps go. I'm always wanting to find a suitable replacement for gigging with my old Super and/or Deluxe's.... so I don't have to hurt inside every time I go over a bump on the road.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: GaryR47 on June 28, 2009, 10:03:13 AM
It strikes me that this is like most things designed and built these days.  They are made to be assembled cheaply and quickly.........once!  There is no thought given to ever repairing these things.  Unfortunately, ease of repair is not a design criteria in this case.

The construction reminds me of some of the older Peavey stuff with a PCB for the power tubes.  I remember repairing a "Mace" where someone spilled some liquid into it.  The plate trace shorted to the heater trace...big mess, lots o' carbon.  

Gary
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: kats on June 28, 2009, 01:16:46 PM
Ian Visible wrote on Mon, 22 June 2009 05:41

Is the Deluxe Reverb reissue any good?


Dunno, but I played a 57 Deluxe (tweed re-issue) that was REALLY nice. I heard (but can't confirm) that Victoria was actually making these for the Fender custom shop.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: seedyunderbelly.com on June 28, 2009, 04:36:45 PM
None of the re-issues  Fender/Vox/Mars  are in the same sea as the vintage orig models  imo
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: kats on June 28, 2009, 05:23:57 PM
By default there will be differences. I want to pass on an interesting thing I did once.

I had a Fender re-issue '63 vibroverb (brown face) and a vintage vibro verb blackface. Playing them side by side the tone of the vintage blackface was just so much better - no debate.

However, running the amplifier from the re-issue into the vintage speakers the gap narrowed substantially. So much so that you really could not make any generalizations over which had the better tone - it became a very very subjective matter.

My conclusion is that the speaker is really the main culprit in many of the re-issues lacking "mojo".
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: MagnetoSound on June 28, 2009, 05:41:53 PM
kats wrote on Sun, 28 June 2009 22:23

My conclusion is that the speaker is really the main culprit in many of the re-issues lacking "mojo".



I would agree, although the stiffer power supplies in a lot of the newer amps also has an effect on their lack of 'empathy'.

Much of what we like in vintage amps is the HT sag, and the responsiveness it imparts.

(And then there is the componentry in the tone stacks ...)

But yes, no modern speaker* that I've heard comes that close to the tone of an old Jensen, even the new 'reissue' Alnicos, although they're pretty good. The paper is not the same.


(*Except Celestion Greenbacks - the most forgiving guitar speaker still in production, IMO - and unchanged, as far as I can tell, since they were first made.)

Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: iCombs on June 29, 2009, 05:47:13 PM
MagnetoSound wrote on Sun, 28 June 2009 16:41



(*Except Celestion Greenbacks - the most forgiving guitar speaker still in production, IMO - and unchanged, as far as I can tell, since they were first made.)




Lord how I loves me some Greenbacks.  If only everything came with those, my life would be so much better.

I keep going back to them...for so much stuff they just seem like they work and don't get too much in the way of the tone of the amp...they definitely don't hold up well to anything bigger than 100 watts (in a 4x12)...but even my 50 watt JCM 2000 sounds at least decent though them.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: MagnetoSound on June 29, 2009, 07:11:09 PM
iCombs wrote on Mon, 29 June 2009 22:47

...they definitely don't hold up well to anything bigger than 100 watts (in a 4x12)...




There are higher rated G12s too, of course.

Granted, the more they can handle the stiffer they get, but they do still have the family trait - nice smooth mids and clear highs.

Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: iCombs on June 30, 2009, 10:02:41 AM
See...and that's where I step off...I've just never liked any of the G12's...M's...T's...V30's are alright...but really even those are just a little too spikey for my ear.

I will say that a Marshall cab with G12M's can be a real saving grace when you've got a head like a Triple Rec or similar...something that can take what the amp is pushing out...but those same cabs (which are sold with the new JCM 2K's) under my 50 watter sound anemic and just gross overall.

Though I think that this is all with the caviat that it depends on the enclosure quite a bit.  But when I keep score...I keep going back to Greenbacks as my standby for what the archetypal guitar sound is in my head.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Eric H. on June 30, 2009, 03:20:19 PM
I think there never was a 'blues deville 310'. I believe there was a 410 though.
When i bought my amp&guitar (tele standard us 95) some 15 years ago, i also had the chance to hear a vintage AC30 a some 60's telecaster : f*!k hell! I don't know much about gear, but i know good sound and this was extremely good, excatly what i wanted, only far up of my budget.
I already had to repair the Fender twice (dead sovtek tubes i believe, a long time ago). Should i needed to repair again, I'll think of an old smaller amp, like a 'champ' maybe? I'll check the small guitar amp thread.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: rob s on July 19, 2009, 10:30:47 PM
i bought a 63 vibro verb re issue sight unseen based having played a real one.
what a shrill piece of shit that re issue is.
even with retubing and speakering.
yuch.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Nick Sevilla on July 20, 2009, 11:24:34 AM
rob s wrote on Sun, 19 July 2009 19:30

i bought a 63 vibro verb re issue sight unseen based having played a real one.
what a shrill piece of shit that re issue is.
even with retubing and speakering.
yuch.



Laughing

Expecting something new to sound  like something old, is like expecting Santa Claus to show up today.

Anyways, I'm trying to ge tsome samples of the Fender Deluxe amplifier I reviewed originally here, and let others decide if they like it or not.

To me personally, an amplifier is just that : it amplifies what you put in. A lot of people complain about how crappy this or that amp sounds... is it really the amp?

Cheers
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: MagnetoSound on July 20, 2009, 11:32:39 AM
Nick Sevilla wrote on Mon, 20 July 2009 16:24

To me personally, an amplifier is just that : it amplifies what you put in.




No guitar amp does that, if it's decent.

Ever tried a DI guitar, no EQ, through a console? How often does that suck?

A good amp will always alter the tone - in a good way. The tonal signature of an amp is what gives it it's character.

Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: gtoledo3 on July 20, 2009, 01:31:44 PM
Nick Sevilla wrote on Mon, 20 July 2009 16:24

rob s wrote on Sun, 19 July 2009 19:30

i bought a 63 vibro verb re issue sight unseen based having played a real one.
what a shrill piece of shit that re issue is.
even with retubing and speakering.
yuch.



Laughing

Expecting something new to sound  like something old, is like expecting Santa Claus to show up today.

Anyways, I'm trying to ge tsome samples of the Fender Deluxe amplifier I reviewed originally here, and let others decide if they like it or not.

To me personally, an amplifier is just that : it amplifies what you put in. A lot of people complain about how crappy this or that amp sounds... is it really the amp?

Cheers


Well, in a relativist way you are right - the playing obviously justifies the tone. I little transistor practice amp can sound great if it fits the part, etc... I have a line 6 2-12 amp I picked up for $60 bucks! I guess because they are so horrible? I can make it work live... wouldn't want to record with it.

BTW... rethink the comment about amps when it comes to the world of guitar. Exactly what guitar amp puts out what you put in? Smile I think that carries over to ALL amps, but in the world of guitar, an amp that puts out what you put in is generally VERY undesirable.

... but I think that the main point here, besides the issue of the Hot Rod Deluxe, is that you can get the re-issue Fender amplifiers, and put old speakers in, NOS tubes, etc., etc., but they still will sound miles away from authentic. I'm of the belief that tone pots actually have a decent amount to do with it as well... most everything in those amps is fairly different. They should just market them as "the current model" instead of dressing them up like they are re-issues, like they did for years. I'm ok with THAT.

I also don't think it's always all about aging of parts, though it is definitely about the parts. For instance, it's not the the new Deluxe's, or Super Reverbs sound different than the vintage simply because they are new and not played in.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Sean Eldon Qualls on July 20, 2009, 07:58:31 PM
I played a new Hot Rod Deluxe in NY this weekend at an old friend's house. We could get it plenty loud and definitely weren't in a loud guitar store.

I hope the "originals" fetch outrageous vintage dollars in 30 years. Quite proportionately, blue tolex is the new silverface. Only silverface amps still rock'n'roll without the icepicks.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: kats on July 20, 2009, 11:03:29 PM
rob s wrote on Sun, 19 July 2009 21:30

i bought a 63 vibro verb re issue sight unseen based having played a real one.
what a shrill piece of shit that re issue is.
even with retubing and speakering.
yuch.



I think your exaggerating. I play originals side by side with the thing and it is anything but shrill. Especially with those Oxford speakers. Grungy yeah, but not shrill. Actually I remember Joe Perry used one with the stock speakers on one of their '90s albums.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: iCombs on July 28, 2009, 02:37:20 PM
Sean Eldon Qualls wrote on Mon, 20 July 2009 18:58

I played a new Hot Rod Deluxe in NY this weekend at an old friend's house. We could get it plenty loud and definitely weren't in a loud guitar store.

I hope the "originals" fetch outrageous vintage dollars in 30 years. Quite proportionately, blue tolex is the new silverface. Only silverface amps still rock'n'roll without the icepicks.


Please say you're kidding.

Pretty please.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Sean Eldon Qualls on July 28, 2009, 02:58:48 PM
iCombs wrote on Tue, 28 July 2009 14:37

Sean Eldon Qualls wrote on Mon, 20 July 2009 18:58

I played a new Hot Rod Deluxe in NY this weekend at an old friend's house. We could get it plenty loud and definitely weren't in a loud guitar store.

I hope the "originals" fetch outrageous vintage dollars in 30 years. Quite proportionately, blue tolex is the new silverface. Only silverface amps still rock'n'roll without the icepicks.


Please say you're kidding.

Pretty please.


Mostly kidding. Find my original post in this thread where I voice tremendous disgust for the original Hot Rod amps.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: seedyunderbelly.com on July 28, 2009, 03:03:12 PM
I wager that the claim that new greenbacks sound like the old ones would be quickly left if there was an A/B comparison-  It is wild how much worse the news ones are---   They are better than most new speakers  but do not caome close to the real deal..  1969-1971  is the Golden era for greenbacks  imo
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Adam The Truck Driver on July 28, 2009, 03:51:04 PM
I was in a GC, in OKC a few weeks ago and saw there, 2 very old looking Fender combos. I think they were both Super Reverbs. One was silver faced and the other black, and the one I could see into the back of had small blockish magnets on the back. They were asking 2K for it. The other was like 1.6K or 1.8K. I don't know if they worked or not. They were beaten up, and covered with dust and cob webs. There was an equally bad looking Princeton there beside them aswell. Can't recall it's price.

I thought at the time, they've got to be kidding? Am I wrong?

Sorry no pictures. My cell phone I just use for verbal communication. It has no camera. And being in a GC I wasn't expecting to see anything worth photographing.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: iCombs on July 28, 2009, 04:38:51 PM
Sean Eldon Qualls wrote on Tue, 28 July 2009 13:58

iCombs wrote on Tue, 28 July 2009 14:37

Sean Eldon Qualls wrote on Mon, 20 July 2009 18:58

I played a new Hot Rod Deluxe in NY this weekend at an old friend's house. We could get it plenty loud and definitely weren't in a loud guitar store.

I hope the "originals" fetch outrageous vintage dollars in 30 years. Quite proportionately, blue tolex is the new silverface. Only silverface amps still rock'n'roll without the icepicks.


Please say you're kidding.

Pretty please.


Mostly kidding. Find my original post in this thread where I voice tremendous disgust for the original Hot Rod amps.


I vaguely remember such a post.  Really the Silverface reference scared me more.  Though I suppose the odd good sounding silverface amp does actually exist.  I played a Pro Reverb that was actually quite nice.  But that seemed to be the exception rather than the rule with Silverface.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Sean Eldon Qualls on July 28, 2009, 05:12:43 PM
iCombs wrote on Tue, 28 July 2009 16:38

I vaguely remember such a post.  Really the Silverface reference scared me more.  Though I suppose the odd good sounding silverface amp does actually exist.  I played a Pro Reverb that was actually quite nice.  But that seemed to be the exception rather than the rule with Silverface.


I actually love most Silverface Bassmans (Bassman Amp, Bassman 50, Bassman 70) and some Pro Reverbs. You just gotta go into playing them without thinking it's gonna be a '65. It won't be. Doesn't sag. They do rock...but in a more solid and focused way.

Silverface amps from '68 (aluminum trim around the grill) are awesome, almost universally.

The new Hot Rod amps are dogs, though. Three legged dogs.
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: compasspnt on July 28, 2009, 05:12:46 PM
Early silverface amps are often great.  It took them a while to start changing the insides, so almost the only change at first was the actual silver plate itself.

Then over time they started changing the rest of them...
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Leslie Hammond on July 29, 2009, 11:04:33 PM
seedyunderbelly.com wrote on Tue, 28 July 2009 14:03

I wager that the claim that new greenbacks sound like the old ones would be quickly left if there was an A/B comparison-  It is wild how much worse the news ones are---   They are better than most new speakers  but do not caome close to the real deal..  1969-1971  is the Golden era for greenbacks  imo



I agree.

I have done a careful comparison of my pre-Rola original G12M to some Celestion Greenback reissues from '01. The original sounds exactly like my favorite old records. The reissues are certainly in this direction and sound pretty good, but they just don't have the awe inspiring magical tone of the original.

Has anyone tried the Weber Greenback clone?

[I edited this post.  I had mistakenly typed that the reissues were from '91 instead of '01.]
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: Nick Sevilla on July 31, 2009, 05:29:43 PM
Leslie Hammond wrote on Wed, 29 July 2009 20:04


I agree.

I have done a careful comparison of my pre-Rola original G12M to some Celestion Greenback reissues from '01. The original sounds exactly like my favorite old records. The reissues are certainly in this direction and sound pretty good, but they just don't have the awe inspiring magical tone of the original.

Has anyone tried the Weber Greenback clone?

[I edited this post.  I had mistakenly typed that the reissues were from '91 instead of '01.]


And that's without accounting for however the album was mixed. I really take some of these comments with a grain of salt, as a finished mix is rarely without processing of some kind, plus mastering as well.

However, it is cool to find that sometimes you do have a piece of gear that sounds easily like part of a finished mix. It does make it easier to get that one particular sound. At least until you do the current songs' mix that is... Wink

Also, a lot of posts keep referring back to the originals, when my original post was never meant to compare the new to the old, simply to state my satisfaction with the particular amplifier I have.

But in the Internets this usually happens...sidetracking into this-or-that speaker, sag, tubes etc... I do hope to have a few sound samples on my website of the amp I bought, with a few different guitars played through it, and a few different settings, along with mic and preamp notes, so you all can listen to the new amp, and hear for yourselves if you like it or not.

Cheers
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: seedyunderbelly.com on July 31, 2009, 10:11:16 PM
I understand your "grain of salt"  I would have to say LH is right on this one -  It is a sample of many records - live shows-  vintage examples  -versions of re-issues..  etc.
That create a Damn good understanding   ie:  After you are sure about the differences  -Have Done Several tests  Changing variables between new and old ones

You can identify it on recodings or live recordings etc.  It really is easily apparent  only this  -  It is a pain  to make multiple a/b comparisons   and most people do  not  do it

Another weird one for you...  The old ones are usually much Louder than the re-issues...

I guess the old/new thing comes in when you say a new "x" sounds good    everyones first thought is -  : Does it sounds as cool as a classic amp?

j
Title: Re: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe guitar amplifier
Post by: JGauthier on July 31, 2009, 11:19:48 PM
Adam The Truck Driver wrote on Tue, 28 July 2009 12:51

I was in a GC, in OKC a few weeks ago and saw there, 2 very old looking Fender combos. I think they were both Super Reverbs. One was silver faced and the other black, and the one I could see into the back of had small blockish magnets on the back. They were asking 2K for it. The other was like 1.6K or 1.8K. I don't know if they worked or not. They were beaten up, and covered with dust and cob webs. There was an equally bad looking Princeton there beside them aswell. Can't recall it's price.

I thought at the time, they've got to be kidding? Am I wrong?

Sorry no pictures. My cell phone I just use for verbal communication. It has no camera. And being in a GC I wasn't expecting to see anything worth photographing.


I bought BOTH of my Princetons (1956 and 1959) from Guitar Center... The 59 was 1500 (at the peak of the market) and the 56 was 1000.The 56 is 100% original (down to the tubes minus the 12ax7) and perfect working condition and the 59 is a little beat up on the tweed but recapped and perfect working condition. I could have sold the 56 the day I bought it for 1500...

You would be AMAZED at what you can find at Guitar Center... Now though those two were priced right, they also have some STUPID high prices on other worse condition vintage pieces.

But everytime Im in GC, I look at the dusty crap against the walls...

I still haven't been back to try the new Blues Deluxe since the last time. It will be interesting to hear Nicks recordings either way.

And strangely enough Im finally finishing the Jazz record for a client that he cut on an older 90s Blues Deluxe. Which I have to reamp to make sound better... So I admit Im not expecting much and am biased.