Fender Hot Rod Deluxe vs. Fender Deluxe Reverb

[tele-jack]

I currently own a hot rod deluxe, but have GAS for a deluxe reverb reissue. I am looking for opinions and comparisons. Thanks!

[woodman]

can't say as i blame you! i got totally frustrated with my HRD ... distortion channel was useless for me, and even after retubing with NOS and swapping the speaker out for a Weber, i couldn't get a warm enough tone. it was loud, though -- too loud to turn up to get any juice on most of my gigs. so i can relate to your DR lust. on the other hand, some guys like the HRD, so it all depends on what you're after.

[imwjl]

Does selling my Celestion Ltd. Edition HRD and keeping my Deluxe help?

I've given up the distortion channel, but that's not important to me and I have distortion via a pedal now.

I do think the HRD might be shielded better - slightly less hiss - but again, the HRD's gone and the Deluxe is staying.

I find it's great at home in the - 6 db plug and low volume and the neighborhood can hear it at full db plug and higher volumes.

Most importantly it has a warmer just gets you sort of tone. It's just pure classic Fender tone with the same sort of intangibles that make me like and keep somethings and not others.

My setup if it helps. I do use a Sonic Stomp about always and on occasion I use Small Clone, Cry Baby, and late model Dunlop delay and overdrive. I also play my JamMan into it. It just sounds nice for everything all the time and that included the PRS humbucker guitar I sold.

It has all metal jacks and the HRD had plastic.

[xjazzy]

I have a friend that as the HRD. I heard people complaining about the DRRI too bright but I think they never tried the HRD! To much glass breaking sound.
Since I got a AlNiCo speaker and did the bright cap removal, my DRRI is sweet as can be

[BluesOwl]

I took a HRDx as far as I could.

Started with clean HRDx for $350

1) got the Omega mod.s >>>> greatly inproved the clean, drive, and more drive settings (sort of D*mble-ish O.D.) Totally transforms the amp into almost a boutique $ 250 + shipping

2) Went with a Cannabis Rex speaker...great!, stopped the low end fart ~75$

3) 6L6 spring tube retainers to stop rattles ~$20

4) Cement resistor repair (channel swithing function) ~ $55

I think I was up to 9 bills before I was done. Really good amp.

Then got a chance at a clean DRRI for 5 bills. Did it. I like it's blackface clean better than the HRDx clean.
I like it so much I wanted a real one and am having a BF clone built by StuDaddy amps.

Sold the modded HRDx for $650 (Sorry Jim @ Omega)

Gigged last night with the DRRI. I agree that it might not be shielded as well as the HRDx. There's usually more hum, but its hard to say if its the diff. in the amps or just gig-to-gig diff.s in bar power..stage lights...etc...

The DRRI rattled.....one was the lower back panel..took it off...'nuther was the reverb tank...took it out...handle rattles when the flexible part is in pulled up state (like just after carrying it) but rattle goes away after pushing that flexible part back down.

I use Tuner >> Demeter Tremulator >> Maxon AD-999 delay >> Boss RV-5 reverb >> Keeley Katana Clean Boost. So I don't use the internal trem or reverb (like the trem....just don't want to dick with the extra footswitch)

The DRRI smokes when pummeled with the Katana. Could only have the DRRI vol. on 5, 6, or 7. I like it alot with the vol. on 8 or 9, but would be too loud.
The Katana has a fat pull switch which beefs things up at lower vol.

HRDx (w/mod.s) can get more variety of sounds and is a great amp if you like the flavor of the Omega OD sounds. Stock...the OD sounds suck.
The DRRI is just the Fender clean, baby, so you OD to taste with pedals.
Again, I put a C.Rex speaker in it cuz the stock Eminence farts out.
Lots and lots of good, different candidate speakers out there for DRRI or BFDR/SFDR for that matter. A C.Rex is going to go into my new BFDR build 'till I taste test something else I like better. I like the G12H30 sound, so I think ceramic mag. speakers do it for me in the DRRI

[jonkay1]

I own both of these amps, and find that the DRRI overall has better tone quality. The HRD is certainly louder, but has a certain "hole in the middle" or hollow sound. These are my descriptions based on my perception, for what it's worth. Sound is so subjective and difficult to describe. The DRRI is very much the better quality amp, and is reflected by the price difference between the two.

[grasspicker]

A bandmate has the HRD...and I never liked anything coming out of it.
I recently acquired a DRRI and I love it. Only using a new Dyna Comp pedal with it. The AMST Tele, LP Custom and Tele-jo all sound great out of it.
I think the Blues Deluxe may fall in between the DRRI and the HRD - less 'stuff' to dink with...but what little I messed with I could probably enjoy.

[wbm68]

Originally Posted by tele-jack

I currently own a hot rod deluxe, but have GAS for a deluxe reverb reissue. I am looking for opinions and comparisons. Thanks!

You would need to try a Deluxe Reverb with the Volume on around 1-2 o'clock. That's when they sound good and that's the sweet spot. Go easy on the EQ, maybe around 9 or 10 o'clock.

The HRDlx sounds good when you get the power amps tubes to distort too. Is really loud though, but more versatile.

The Deluxe Reverb really changes it's tonal quality the more you turn it up. It goes from pretty thin and bad to full and fantastic. If you have a loud drummer, it won't be loud enough without mic'ing it though.
Both are pretty bad choices for home use unless you live in the middle of nowhere on a farm.

If you are a good player, you can get great tones out of both amps. If you suck, so will what comes out of any amp.
I skilled player will have more fun with the Deluxe Reverb.

[Axis29]

I love my DRRI with an attenuator (Weber MiniMass) for home use.

I have yet to play with a drummer who has made it not loud enough (but I'm kinda sheltered that way so, don't take that as written in stone) Most of the time I keep the attenuator on, even playing with the band.

I stayed out of this one because i have no actual experience with the HRDX, sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[rythmpyg]

i own both, i love both. both are stock. the hrdx is a ltd ed, brown tolex (usa...if that matters)

i never use drive channels on the hrdx, pedals do my dirt

i have a hot rod ext cab that i use with both amps and my new prri....really, really nice addition...

i would never sell either 1...the hrdx has been gigging 3-5/mo for 5 yrs with only 1 tube needing replacement

both amps gig alot and live in road cases in a trailer outside during wisconsin winters w/o issues.

give them both a listen, its all very personal. dont sell any amp short till you've really learned all the sounds you can dial-in

i remember the first drri i heard....its was terrible.....kept going w/o 1 for a couple more years till i checked-out another and took time figuring it out....

now i'm sold on both and will give neither up

i do love the tremolo alot

the prri is the latest, greatest for me right now.....we'll see if it displaces my current line-up