Which Fender Amp should I buy today?

[bastardbus]

Ok both are used and the the 2 amps are the 410 Hot Rod Deville 60 watts 4-10 speakers...almost new for $500. The other amp is a Hot Rod Deluxe 40 watts 1 -12 speaker $400 like new as well.

Both seem to have primarily the basic set up, but what should I buy.
I used to gig extensively in my younger years (now 39) and was away from gigging and guitar heavily for past 10 years. Now I am getting back into it and will probably be out gigging again somewhat on a less extensive bassis.
Thus the amp will be for me playing at home, small bars and clubs and if with a band the amp will basically be for stage volume-montor for myself and band and will be mic'ed through the PA system for the club.

I usually play with a cleaner sound maybe just on the edge of break up and for solos I like a pedal or extra channel for the extra boost to give me a singing cleaner overdirve like Dicky Betts type of sound. I like it clean-ish but a sensitive overdriven tube type sound.

Do I really need that extra power and size of the 4-10 Deville? Is there enough head room on the Deluxe to play loudish without breaking up too early with a band and the amp turned up?

Opinions please,
thanks a bunch fellas!

[telekatester]

i play with a deluxe and think it would be just the ticket for the kind of gigging you're talking about.
like you, i prefer to start with a fairly clean sound and work from there. the deluxe has more than enough volume for a small club and you should have plenty of headroom to play around with.

[drewsblues]

Originally Posted by bastardbus

Do I really need that extra power and size of the 4-10 Deville? Is there enough head room on the Deluxe to play loudish without breaking up too early with a band and the amp turned up?

It's been my experience that, when playing the smallish places (home, small clubs, jam sessions, etc.) you generally need a lot less amp than you think you do. I've got a Deluxe Reverb (22 watts) and I almost never turn it past "5". I also like a pretty clean tone. If I do want to dirty it up, I'll play through a cranked up Blues Jr. (15 watts) and even *that* amp is plenty loud for small clubs and such.

If it was me, I'd go with the Deluxe. That's my $0.02.

[dr. love]

Since they are about the same price, I would say to get whichever one you feel more satisfied with, it doesn't make sense to save 100.00 and still not be happy, then spend more money down the line...

I have the Hot Rod Deluxe and have found that it has more than enough headroom to keep up with the full band and stay clean, especially if it is just stage monitoring.

I like the sound of multiple speakers (like in the Deville) because it seems to have a little more "depth", but this kinda disapears when the rest of the band kicks in and normally you are only going to mic one speaker anyway, so this would have little effect on the house sound.

[Jim L]

That 4x10 combo is gonna be a lot of amp to move around. I would imagine the HR Deluxe would provide the headroom you need. Any 4x10 60 watter is going to be too much amp in a small club, IMHO. Either amp would be too loud in my house, so plan on using the dirt channel or a pedal for anything even close to OD at low volume.

Plus, if you ever want to mess around with different types of speakers, one 12" is a lot easier than four tens!

[bastardbus]

Thanks, I was "hoping" the Deluxe would fit the bill. I am really tired of lugging a HUGE amp around but was quite worried about the headroom on the deluxe before she breaks up. I used to play in a fairly loud-ish Allman Bros style band and was concerned about having enough clean at higher volumes.

I was just curious and figured I would ask you guys...it is so hard to test amps at gigging levels in Guitar Center without just pissing the hell out of everyone there ya know. I have tried em out but you really can't get a good try out in a music store.

Is there another amp anyone might suggest?

I really wish the Deluxe came with 2-12s instead of one though...I like that extra fullness...I guess I could run another cabinet..?

[bagpipe]

Originally Posted by bastardbus

I really wish the Deluxe came with 2-12s instead of one though...

I played a Deluxe with my band for a few years. The addition of an closed back extension cabinet, with a 12 inch speaker made a HUGE difference in how usable this amp was for me. Especially for slightly heavier stuff, I always felt like I was losing too much low end. The extension jack in that amp is really useful.

[Jim L]

I dunno... if tired of lugging big amps, a 2x12 ain't gonna help THAT much.

There's another active thread right now about someone's Blues Deluxe breaking up too soon. I still think that any Fender two 6l6 amp should offer decent headroom, depending on the bias, preamp tube selection, and speaker type. I gigged with a 1x12 Holland lil Jimi, which with the sweep control more towards the Fender BF tone than the Vox side of things, it stayed clean enough at gig volume (and I had to cut thru a loud playing B3 dude). It had a high powered (80 watt) Celestion in it, which might have helped.

[bastardbus]

Cool...the extra cabinet really thickened the sound up for you?
I think that sounds like a way to go then, I know my buddy
used to have this smallish SS Marshall...it was like a $150 special
maybe like 30 watts. Anyhow...sounded ok but when you plugged that
thing through his buddies Marshall 4-12 cabinet...HOLLY MOTHER
it was unbelieveable!

See...but now that makes me ponder just saying screw the deluxe
with one speaker and cabinet and go for the 410 Deville.... HAHAHAHA
Funny how you can teeter totter between two things.

Anyonw have a 410 Deville and can chime in about its quality and pluses
over the Deluxe?

Originally Posted by bagpipe

I played a Deluxe with my band for a few years. The addition of an closed back extension cabinet, with a 12 inch speaker made a HUGE difference in how usable this amp was for me. Especially for slightly heavier stuff, I always felt like I was losing too much low end. The extension jack in that amp is really useful.

[jonzer]

I would go with the 4x10. Not for the wattage but for the sound four speakers will give you. A lot of professional bands are using the 410 Devilles.
It's not even that much heavier than the Deluxe. I'd spend the extra hundred for the 4x10.

[bastardbus]

One other thing is I have a `60s Ampeg ReverbRocket 2 I picked up a while back...seems like it is about 20 watts (guessing, anyone know?) and 1 -12 speaker. She is ok loud but seems to get loose when I reach volumes up at band levels which is close to full volume. Not good loose, but real bassy and
unplayable. Now the amp is ALL original including tubes...so it could probably use a going through.

The question is how close is the Deluxe to this amp? If it is a close match to this Ampeg RR2 I would think the bigger fender would be better for me.
I would think the bigger 4-10 I could play louder whilst still being in control.
But I do like sensitivity in an amp...is the Deville that much bigger that I would loose that not at top volumes?

[Michaell]

neither

for what you describe as the sound you want, get a Deluxe Reverb Reisue

[bastardbus]

Originally Posted by Michaell

neither

for what you describe as the sound you want, get a Deluxe Reverb Reisue

Hi, I checked the specs on that one...less wattage then both amps so wouldn't it break up earlier then the hot rod deluxe even?

Thanks

[Rumble]

I've got a tweed Blues Deville with 2 x 12s, and I don't ever plan on getting rid of it. It's a great, great amp, but it's a lot of fire power, too much for most applications. I've had about 6 or 7 Blues Deluxes and I think they're awesome amps. That's why I got the Deville. One thing about the Deluxes- they're rated at 40 watts and it's a loud 40 watts. I've heard one absolutely blow away a Marshall halfstack volumewise. I really find it hard to imagine a situation when the Deluxe would not be enough. If it's a big enough gig it would be miced anyway. With the situations you're describing, I think you'd end up feeling like the Deville was an anchor and frustrated that you could never push it enough to get the best tone out of it. That's why I switched to a much smaller AC15 (but I keep the Deville around just in case I ever need the full artillery).

[bastardbus]

Originally Posted by Rumble

I've got a tweed Blues Deville with 2 x 12s, and I don't ever plan on getting rid of it. It's a great, great amp, but it's a lot of fire power, too much for most applications. I've had about 6 or 7 Blues Deluxes and I think they're awesome amps. That's why I got the Deville. One thing about the Deluxes- they're rated at 40 watts and it's a loud 40 watts. I've heard one absolutely blow away a Marshall halfstack volumewise. I really find it hard to imagine a situation when the Deluxe would not be enough. If it's a big enough gig it would be miced anyway. With the situations you're describing, I think you'd end up feeling like the Deville was an anchor and frustrated that you could never push it enough to get the best tone out of it. That's why I switched to a much smaller AC15 (but I keep the Deville around just in case I ever need the full artillery).

Great points,

I did locate a HR Deville 212 in town on Craigslist today...that was the one I liked best between the 410 and 212 Deville when I tried them out at GC last week. I can get the 212 for $500 too...she is basically almost new. Nicer shape then the 410 at the same price.

I think I should probably head into Guitar Center saturday and check out the HR Deluxe 1-12 before I decide for sure.

EDIT: I just saw this thread...http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-centr...-headroom.html and the fellow has the problem I was worried about with the HR Deluxe....

[mikespe]

I am a rookie so bare with me here...I have wanted the HRD for a long time and still do some day...when I have someplace to live in the middle of nowhere! However, what if he got the Deville and then got a Weber attenuator to cut back the volume but still get the crunch he needs? This way he can have the 4X10 depth of sound without having to get (and drag around) a cabinet as well.

[Michaell]

Originally Posted by bastardbus

Hi, I checked the specs on that one...less wattage then both amps so wouldn't it break up earlier then the hot rod deluxe even?

Thanks

I can't say for certain.

I suggest you go to music store where you can try these amps in a " loud room".....where you can close the door and crank them.

To my ear the Deluxe Reverb just slays those other two amps...when it warms up and you can crank it....look out.......There a reason it was so poplular in the first place and they did a reissue......I had a deville and got rid of it....

[Michaell]

Originally Posted by drewsblues

It's been my experience that, when playing the smallish places (home, small clubs, jam sessions, etc.) you generally need a lot less amp than you think you do. I've got a Deluxe Reverb (22 watts) and I almost never turn it past "5". I also like a pretty clean tone. If I do want to dirty it up, I'll play through a cranked up Blues Jr. (15 watts) and even *that* amp is plenty loud for small clubs and such.

If it was me, I'd go with the Deluxe. That's my $0.02.

I'm with you on the Deluxe Reverb!

[bastardbus]

I just stopped by Guitar Center really quick before they closed. The HR Deluxe sounded pretty much identical to the HR Deville but I prefered the extra umph on the Deville.

Sooo I like the HR Deville amp the best...but now here is the other problem that came up! LOL! I tried both the 212 and 410 Deville and WOW what a difference. The crapper is it is split decision....Ughhh The 410 is absolutely STUNNING clean. I mean it shimmers and sounds absolutely beautiful. Nice even sounding as well. The 212 has a lot of lows and seems almost loose when it is clean...and you have to watch your playing as if you hit a low note just a tad harder then others it booms...know what I mean?

Now when you make the amps dirty it is the other way around...the 212 just blows the 410 out of the water...I was playing an SG through the 212 and it had that Jimmy Page, "Since I have been loving you" tone you know the live version from Song Remains the Same...just thick and amazing notes hang in the air with sustain INCREDIBLE! The 410...well it was thin, kinda weak and was missing that magic that makes you go WOW...damnit!

So there is my new dilema...the 212 or 410...one sounds best clean and the other dirty...UGHHH it never ends does it!

Anyone else have troubles with these decisions?
HAHAHAHA!

[boris bubbanov]

When everything sounds about the same to me and I can't decide, I put my billfold back in my pocket and go back to the car.

I agree with Michaell and others, the DRRI to my ears easily bests the Deville or HRD in any form.

If you need more amp, CVR Vibrolux, Reissue Twin and Reissue Super await you.

[gpower]

Many folks prefer the 2x12 combo over the 4x10. If you don't need the extra power the HRDeville offers you can replace the 6L6's with 6v6's and adjust the bias (simple operation on those amps). That drops output to approx. 30 watts and transforms the amp. I've read great reviews on the retubed version.

[Michaell]

Originally Posted by bastardbus

I just stopped by Guitar Center really quick before they closed. The HR Deluxe sounded pretty much identical to the HR Deville but I prefered the extra umph on the Deville.

Sooo I like the HR Deville amp the best...but now here is the other problem that came up! LOL! I tried both the 212 and 410 Deville and WOW what a difference. The crapper is it is split decision....Ughhh The 410 is absolutely STUNNING clean. I mean it shimmers and sounds absolutely beautiful. Nice even sounding as well. The 212 has a lot of lows and seems almost loose when it is clean...and you have to watch your playing as if you hit a low note just a tad harder then others it booms...know what I mean?

Now when you make the amps dirty it is the other way around...the 212 just blows the 410 out of the water...I was playing an SG through the 212 and it had that Jimmy Page, "Since I have been loving you" tone you know the live version from Song Remains the Same...just thick and amazing notes hang in the air with sustain INCREDIBLE! The 410...well it was thin, kinda weak and was missing that magic that makes you go WOW...damnit!

So there is my new dilema...the 212 or 410...one sounds best clean and the other dirty...UGHHH it never ends does it!

Anyone else have troubles with these decisions?
HAHAHAHA!

I always believe in getting the best ( optimum , prefered , desired ) CLEAN sound first. You can always alter the clean sound with various stomp boxes and such.

60 watts and 2-12s or 4-10s is a HUGE amount of amp. Do you really need this much? I prefer the Deluxe Reverb.....but thats me.

You have to decide which sound inspires you.

I like the advice from boris bobanov....... about taking some time off and thinking it over.

[Wardpike]

NO contest! The 4x10 will give you much more joy, and that's something to consider. A great sounding amp with punchy 10" speakers will renew your confidence and give you that "satisfied" feeling.