Hot Rod series fans?

TeleBrew · December 30th, 2007, 04:10 PM

I've had a Hot Rod Deville 4X10 for two and a half years now, and like it a lot. I've read numerous criticisms from other members for a variety of reasons, but whenever I think about replacing it with something else I can talk myself out of it pretty easily.

Anybody else a fan? Use one as your main amp? Only amp? What do you like about your Hot Rod?

I like the drive channel and more drive boost, which many people seem to think is one of the amp's drawbacks. I like the clean channel a lot, and think the reverb is just fine, although it does get a little muddy past 7, or so. The bright switch is nice, as is the presence knob. I also like the way it looks: I've got one with blonde tolex and ox-blood grille.

I wouldn't mind getting a smaller, less powerful amp though, but for the money the Hot Rod has been hard to beat (I also got a good deal on it brand new - $669 versus the normal $799).

beep.click · December 31st, 2007, 10:51 AM

I've got a Hot Rod Deville 4X10 myself. It has a nice, rich, full sound, and it gets along well with a variety of guitars -- that's important to me, since I change around quite a bit.

I like the reverb on that amp, for my Jefferson Airplane/Surrealistic Pillow moments.

I never heard of it coming in blonde/oxblood. That sounds REALLY cool!

For a smaller amp, you might like a Hot Rod Deluxe. There are some newer models now with "upgraded" speakers, and they're very nice.

imwjl · December 31st, 2007, 11:23 AM

Mine in the series is the smaller Blues Junior where I've read criticism, but it sure suits me fine with tube tone that doesn't break the bank and offend the neighborhood. I will admit that it's helped by my BBE Sonic Stomp, but that would help any amp in same way.

studio1087 · December 31st, 2007, 03:30 PM

I have a Hot Rod Deluxe and a Pro Junior. The Pro Junior is my favorite amp. My Deluxe is three years old and I've never had a problem. The Pro Junior had a crackle from bad tube sockets that Fender replaced under warranty and even gave me better tubes at no charge.

Fender has sold more Hot Rod Deluxes than any other amp that they've ever designed. You hear more complaints just because of the law of averages. I think it's a great amp for $599 new.

I get kind of tired of hearing amp snobs poo-poo the Hot Rods. Mine has been great.

TeleBrew · December 31st, 2007, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beep.click

I've got a Hot Rod Deville 4X10 myself. It has a nice, rich, full sound, and it gets along well with a variety of guitars -- that's important to me, since I change around quite a bit.

I like the reverb on that amp, for my Jefferson Airplane/Surrealistic Pillow moments.

I never heard of it coming in blonde/oxblood. That sounds REALLY cool!

For a smaller amp, you might like a Hot Rod Deluxe. There are some newer models now with "upgraded" speakers, and they're very nice.

That's another reason I like my Hot Rod. It gets along with different guitars, and it's very pedal friendly.
I checked Musician's Friend and the Deville 4X10 is still available in blonde/oxblood. It really looks great in person.

BluesOwl · January 2nd, 2008, 11:52 AM

I can't BELIEVE what the Omega Amps' $250 mod did for my HRDx!!!!.
Jim Price is a super nice guy. Just google Omega Amplifiers and check it out.

Improves clean, drive and more drive channel tones. I mean it turns it into a boutique amp...really.

The mod. includes making the input and other jacks more robust with a less-prone-to-breakage connection method ("dead bug" method)

Get some good tubes and maybe a new speaker (Cannabis Rex is a good one).

The drive, more drive channels have ample amount of gain. I toned my amp down a little by using a NOS GE JAN 5751 in the V1 spot.

Also, I had a chance to go near Jim's shop over the holiday, so I stopped by with the HRDx and he "voiced" (tweaked) it a little bit. What a sweetheart of a guy!!!

Transformed an amp that I paid only $350 for originally.

I can't recommend the mod. highly enough. Go to the site...listen to clips

December 30th, 2007, 04:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
TeleBrew Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Kittredge, Colorado Age: 36 Posts: 781	Hot Rod series fans? I've had a Hot Rod Deville 4X10 for two and a half years now, and like it a lot. I've read numerous criticisms from other members for a variety of reasons, but whenever I think about replacing it with something else I can talk myself out of it pretty easily. Anybody else a fan? Use one as your main amp? Only amp? What do you like about your Hot Rod? I like the drive channel and more drive boost, which many people seem to think is one of the amp's drawbacks. I like the clean channel a lot, and think the reverb is just fine, although it does get a little muddy past 7, or so. The bright switch is nice, as is the presence knob. I also like the way it looks: I've got one with blonde tolex and ox-blood grille. I wouldn't mind getting a smaller, less powerful amp though, but for the money the Hot Rod has been hard to beat (I also got a good deal on it brand new - $669 versus the normal $799). __________________ "Where do you fit in pthtttpt magazine?" - Pete Townshend

December 31st, 2007, 10:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
beep.click Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California Age: 49 Posts: 1,303	I've got a Hot Rod Deville 4X10 myself. It has a nice, rich, full sound, and it gets along well with a variety of guitars -- that's important to me, since I change around quite a bit. I like the reverb on that amp, for my Jefferson Airplane/Surrealistic Pillow moments. I never heard of it coming in blonde/oxblood. That sounds REALLY cool! For a smaller amp, you might like a Hot Rod Deluxe. There are some newer models now with "upgraded" speakers, and they're very nice. __________________ "It looked like a giant green gum drop to me."

December 31st, 2007, 03:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
studio1087 Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Near Milwaukee Age: 44 Posts: 3,153 33 Photos	I have a Hot Rod Deluxe and a Pro Junior. The Pro Junior is my favorite amp. My Deluxe is three years old and I've never had a problem. The Pro Junior had a crackle from bad tube sockets that Fender replaced under warranty and even gave me better tubes at no charge. Fender has sold more Hot Rod Deluxes than any other amp that they've ever designed. You hear more complaints just because of the law of averages. I think it's a great amp for $599 new. I get kind of tired of hearing amp snobs poo-poo the Hot Rods. Mine has been great. __________________ JLG Carry On

January 2nd, 2008, 11:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
BluesOwl Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dexter, MI Posts: 540 31 Photos	You may've heard it before I can't BELIEVE what the Omega Amps' $250 mod did for my HRDx!!!!. Jim Price is a super nice guy. Just google Omega Amplifiers and check it out. Improves clean, drive and more drive channel tones. I mean it turns it into a boutique amp...really. The mod. includes making the input and other jacks more robust with a less-prone-to-breakage connection method ("dead bug" method) Get some good tubes and maybe a new speaker (Cannabis Rex is a good one). The drive, more drive channels have ample amount of gain. I toned my amp down a little by using a NOS GE JAN 5751 in the V1 spot. Also, I had a chance to go near Jim's shop over the holiday, so I stopped by with the HRDx and he "voiced" (tweaked) it a little bit. What a sweetheart of a guy!!! Transformed an amp that I paid only $350 for originally. I can't recommend the mod. highly enough. Go to the site...listen to clips __________________ BluesOwl

December 31st, 2007, 11:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
imwjl Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 1,113	Mine in the series is the smaller Blues Junior where I've read criticism, but it sure suits me fine with tube tone that doesn't break the bank and offend the neighborhood. I will admit that it's helped by my BBE Sonic Stomp, but that would help any amp in same way.