Fender Hot Rod Deluxe volume issue

[gforce9]

A friend has an HRD and has been at several lower volume venues lately. By the time the volume knob gets to "2", he's too loud. I don't know if there is an easy solution, but a few thoughts crossed my mind and would like some direction from those who have been through something like this. My ideas were:
-Find a volume mod (if there is an easy mod available)
-Dr. Z Airbrake
-Play with different tubes (probably minimal volume change)
-Try a less efficient speaker (not sure if this is a good idea)

I'm all ears.......

 

[ghostwolf]

have you seen this? might be some ideas here. yes, these amps are loud, infamously so.
(link removed)

 

[JCSouthpawtele]

All volume controls should be audio taper. This is the page on justins site you need to read.
(link removed)

 

[PeteMac]

Yeah, this was a problem that has been noted in plenty of places; the vol pot needs to be replaced with an audio taper pot.

 

[majorbugout]

I did this mod to my blues deluxe reissue and am very happy with the results

 

[alnicopu]

This is the very reason I returned mine a week after I bought it. Sounded great in the store but not on my back porch. I have a friend who turns his around and puts a small blanket over it when playing small venues.

 

[kosmonautmayhem]

+1000 for audio taper pot. more natural and gradual.

Had a HRDlx for a pretty short period time. Always hated the sudden jump from zero to loud. You could always try to put a 5751 or 12AY7 in V1 to tame it a little.

I put a 12AU7 (very low gain) in V1 of a Princeton Reverb just to hear the results ...I was able to cop a few more numbers on the vol. dial before I hit the same loudness with a 5751.

 

[gforce9]

Thanks, guys.....I will pass on this useful info.

 

[marshman]

The 'correct' volume pot will help a bit, but it's still a 40 watt amp into a 102dB speaker...translation: Loud As Sin. The correct pot will cost a couple bucks, but will require a trip to a good tech to have it installed, at a not unsubstantial cost.

Switching out that monstrously efficient speaker for something in the 96-98dB range will have a much greater impact on the overall volume of the amp, though it will probably change the tone somewhat, as well--which isn't necessarily a bad thing, more of a matter-of-taste thing. A decent guitar speaker will probably cost about the same as getting the proper pot installed, but is an easy DIY job. Just make sure you get an 8 ohm, 12 inch speaker and you will be OK.

You don't say in the original post, but if it's a new HRDx, it's supposed to have the 'correct' pot in it already. Jus' sayin'.