Hot Rod Deluxe 2x12...need tone help

JohnK24 · September 23rd, 2004, 04:33 PM

Ok, I'm asking for my boss (yeah, sounds funny...I know) as I've tried to help him eq this beast for his band use. Here's a thumb nail of his rig...MIJ Strat w/ Fat 50s pups, Danelectro Daddy-O for dirt, Hot Rod 2x12.
He plays in a blues/rock cover band - mostly rhythm and a few leads.

The problem is this amps seems to have a muddy/muffled tone with spike of harsh treble. I dialed the best tone in at (using on the clean channel) Volume (pre) 4, treble 6, bass 4, mids 4.5, Master at 4 , presence 7...no 'verb. The amp is about 8 months old, so I guessing the stock Emi speakers are still sorta stiff. What I'm trying to obtain for him is a chiming yet warm rhythm tone and then have the Daddy-O add a punch of mids and volume increase for leads. I told him the Twin Reverb or Vibrolux was more suited to his tone, but he went for the more wattage the better plan.

Anyone have some thoughts on this amp ? His other amp is an older Blues Deluxe, sounds really sweet, very bassman like (I'd love to buy it from him, but he's not selling it). He opted for the big Hot Rod to get a bigger stage sound and more clean headroom (seems the lead player in his blues band loves to crank his 100w 2x12 Line 6 noise maker and my boss wanted to keep up in the mix...yuck, I've heard them play and all that digital overdrive and effects are too much for smaller clubs and bars).

Being pretty much an EL84 amp guy I'm stumped on this big 6L6 beast.

Any ideas are welcome.

Thanks,

John

skip62 · September 23rd, 2004, 04:45 PM

Well, just my opinion, but I recommend a speaker change. I have the HRDx 1x12, same issue, that darn harsh sound. I changed preamp tubes around, and it got a little better, then I changed the power tubes to JJ 6V6's and that helped, but it wasn't until I changed the speaker did it really go away. I'm using a Reverend All-Tone 1250 and like it alot. I've also played the tweed model, and it has a Jensen P12N, and it sounds sweet as well. I know there are a lot of people that like the amp just the way it is, but it always had this harshness about it. Not overwhelming, but annoying.
You can also look here Unofficial Hot Rod Deluxe page

Good luck.

spyder · October 1st, 2004, 05:46 PM

Ho...I used a HRD successfully for close to 5 years...similar to the 2/12 model, I think they are tremendously toneful amps...if the thing just ain't sounding right....check power tube bias voltage...chances are some drifting has occured...might be to cold/ hot...a dying tube is also possible....another possibility in the tube department is the preamp stubbies...try some other 12ax7s in the V1 slot...theres better speakers than the stockers...but the stockers ain't bad...perfectly capable of a powerful, warm and punchy tone.....personally, for a clean and warm sound ... I adjust the master volume high and the channel volume lower...of course a large venue could mean crankin' both of them.....later, spyder

Telenator · December 14th, 2006, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnK24

The problem is this amps seems to have a muddy/muffled tone with spike of harsh treble. I dialed the best tone in at (using on the clean channel) Volume (pre) 4, treble 6, bass 4, mids 4.5, Master at 4 , presence 7...no 'verb.

Try the following settings with the amp on "Drive" (green light):
Volume (pre) off, treble 6, bass 4, mids 4.5, Master at 8 , presence 4...just a little 'verb. Bright switch "off"

Once you have these settings, slowly increase the "pre-amp" volume to the level you want. In essence, use it as a Master Volume.

Also try lowering the bass side of the guitar p'ups to balance out the sound.

I have gotten some killer tones from those amps using this method.

Hamer95USA · December 24th, 2006, 09:55 PM

Hey guys,

I've tried to get dial in the sound of my stock Hot Rod Deluxe mod, loved the cleans, but hated the drive/more drive channel, the overly bassy bass control, sensitive master volume & reverb control and poor input jacks. I sent my HRDlx to Jim Price of Omega Amps to revoice both channels and install high quality input jacks. My HRDlx amp sounds so much better and it has really good tone now. It's the best Hot Rod Deluxe/Deville mod out there.

Guitar George

September 23rd, 2004, 04:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
JohnK24 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Saxonburg,PA Posts: 1,401	Hot Rod Deluxe 2x12...need tone help Ok, I'm asking for my boss (yeah, sounds funny...I know) as I've tried to help him eq this beast for his band use. Here's a thumb nail of his rig...MIJ Strat w/ Fat 50s pups, Danelectro Daddy-O for dirt, Hot Rod 2x12. He plays in a blues/rock cover band - mostly rhythm and a few leads. The problem is this amps seems to have a muddy/muffled tone with spike of harsh treble. I dialed the best tone in at (using on the clean channel) Volume (pre) 4, treble 6, bass 4, mids 4.5, Master at 4 , presence 7...no 'verb. The amp is about 8 months old, so I guessing the stock Emi speakers are still sorta stiff. What I'm trying to obtain for him is a chiming yet warm rhythm tone and then have the Daddy-O add a punch of mids and volume increase for leads. I told him the Twin Reverb or Vibrolux was more suited to his tone, but he went for the more wattage the better plan. Anyone have some thoughts on this amp ? His other amp is an older Blues Deluxe, sounds really sweet, very bassman like (I'd love to buy it from him, but he's not selling it). He opted for the big Hot Rod to get a bigger stage sound and more clean headroom (seems the lead player in his blues band loves to crank his 100w 2x12 Line 6 noise maker and my boss wanted to keep up in the mix...yuck, I've heard them play and all that digital overdrive and effects are too much for smaller clubs and bars). Being pretty much an EL84 amp guy I'm stumped on this big 6L6 beast. Any ideas are welcome. Thanks, John __________________ Got Twang ?!

October 1st, 2004, 05:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
spyder Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: chillicothe, ohio Posts: 530	Ho...I used a HRD successfully for close to 5 years...similar to the 2/12 model, I think they are tremendously toneful amps...if the thing just ain't sounding right....check power tube bias voltage...chances are some drifting has occured...might be to cold/ hot...a dying tube is also possible....another possibility in the tube department is the preamp stubbies...try some other 12ax7s in the V1 slot...theres better speakers than the stockers...but the stockers ain't bad...perfectly capable of a powerful, warm and punchy tone.....personally, for a clean and warm sound ... I adjust the master volume high and the channel volume lower...of course a large venue could mean crankin' both of them.....later, spyder __________________ I'm not a luthier, but I used to play trombone with my jr. high band

December 24th, 2006, 09:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
Hamer95USA TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: northern Cali Posts: 99	Hey guys, I've tried to get dial in the sound of my stock Hot Rod Deluxe mod, loved the cleans, but hated the drive/more drive channel, the overly bassy bass control, sensitive master volume & reverb control and poor input jacks. I sent my HRDlx to Jim Price of Omega Amps to revoice both channels and install high quality input jacks. My HRDlx amp sounds so much better and it has really good tone now. It's the best Hot Rod Deluxe/Deville mod out there. Guitar George __________________ Guitars: Hamer USA, Gibson, Fender Amps:Lil' Dawg Champster Special, Marshall 6101, Rocktron Vendetta, Omega Amps modded Hot Rod Deluxe, Mesa Boogie Simul-Satellite, ADA Depot 3TM mod MP-1 preamp, Hughes & Kettner Tubeman Effects:Area 51 wah, Boss (CE-2, RV-2, OC-2, AC-2), Xotic, MI Audio, Analogman, MXR, Korg I like my Omega Amps modded Hot Rod Deluxe!! Ya gotta problem with that? My avatars has been changed for your viewing pleasure!!!

September 23rd, 2004, 04:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
skip62 Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 337	Well, just my opinion, but I recommend a speaker change. I have the HRDx 1x12, same issue, that darn harsh sound. I changed preamp tubes around, and it got a little better, then I changed the power tubes to JJ 6V6's and that helped, but it wasn't until I changed the speaker did it really go away. I'm using a Reverend All-Tone 1250 and like it alot. I've also played the tweed model, and it has a Jensen P12N, and it sounds sweet as well. I know there are a lot of people that like the amp just the way it is, but it always had this harshness about it. Not overwhelming, but annoying. You can also look here Unofficial Hot Rod Deluxe page Good luck.