Fender Hot Rod DeVille 4x10 Combo

This is a 1997 USA made Fender Hot Rod DeVille 410 tube combo-2 6L6 power tubes, 3 12AX7 preamp tubes. Stock this amp is a good blues, jazz, country, and maybe classic rock amp. It is essentially a 2 channel amp, Clean and Drive, with the drive channel having a boost into More Drive. It has Volume controls for both channels, a Presence control, and a Drive(Gain) control for the drive channel. Also has a shared EQ (Bass, Mid, Treb) and a Normal/Bright switch for the clean channel. It has an FX loop, ext cab out, and footswitch for switching between Clean/Drive. I play mainly at church, both for main worship service (a close mic set up) and for youth (no mics, must use the amp's power to be heard over LOUD drums). 60w is more than enough for both settings. I wish this had tremelo and a footswitch for the Reverb.

I play a 2005 Honey Burst Gibson Les Paul Standard with original PAF humbuckers in it. I use a Dime Bag Cry Baby from Hell Wah > GNX3000 > Hardwire Delay/Looper > amp.

Clean Channel: The clean is typical bright Fender and very responsive and punchy with 410's. The problem is when the volume is turned up and the amp starts pushing into break up. It starts to sound brittle and congested, very abrupt transition into distortion. The amp is fairly touch sensitive, but could be less brittle. The amp also seems to be overly bassy, which also affects the mid-range eq on the amp.

Drive Channel: The drive channel on this amp is awful. It's very buzzy and loose. It resemble either a bee in a tin can, or a big distorted marshmallow. The presence control on this amp does not do a lot and Fender(in all their marketing wisdom) chose to use a linear taper volume pot in the master volume so it is EXTREMELY touchy. Step on the MORE DRIVE button and the bee (or marshmallow) simply gets bigger, more noisey, and squeals at higher volumes. The reason I WAS (more on this later) using a GNX3000 for my distortion is the drive in this amp is so terrible. I would have given this category a 3, but the clean channel saved some of the rating.

With all that said, I would STILL BUY THIS AMP USED because you can send your chasis to a man name JIM PRICE at OMEGA AMPS (www.omegaamps.com) and he will WORK WONDERS ON THIS AMP. For $250.00 he will take the clean channel to a vintage blackface fender (think '65 Deluxe Reverb) the drive channel to a Two Rock (think John Mayer Blues) and the more drive to a Dumble/Vintage Marshall (think Eric Johnson). The sound on this amp will be LIGHT YEARS BETTER than its stock form. You can also have him add footswitchable preamp and mid boosts for additional costs. I would highly recommend his work to turn this amp into what Fender should have made.

I have only had this amp a few months and it's been out at lease once a week and been fine. It is a '97, and from what I can tell has never had any repairs made, so I would say it is reliable.

I've been playing guitar for about 5 years and I own a vintage Kustom Challenger (circa '72) that is one of the first solid state amps made. I bought this amp because I wanted to get into a tube amp and not break the bank. With 60w and 4x10 combo, this amp has good potential, after all it is a Fender. It just needs a little help to really bring out its mojo. I'll say it again, if you own, or are thinking of buying this amp, send it to Jim at Omega Amps. You'll have an amp that will keep up with or smoke a lot of botique amps, and chances are you'll have less than $1100 in your amp (as opposed to $4k or more for a Two Rock).

Not sure what year this is, made in Mexico. 3 channels, clean, drive and more drive. 60 watts. You probably know all that if you're reading this. Has everything I need.

I mostly play a stock mid 90's Japanese made Fender Jazzmaster guitar. the music I play is very loud, noisy and dreamy -Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., Cure, My Bloody Valentine, Explosions in the Sky. This amp suits me really well. Everyone complains about the drive channels saying that they suck. I actually like them. I don't put the gain past 5, it goes to 12. It doesn't get razorblade metal distortion, it's drive ya know? The higher you go on the gain the worse it sounds, so I keep it lower and turn up the volume which improves the tone, to my ears anyway. I've never had an amp with 10" inch speakers and it sounds really crisp and clear. A Boss DS-1 sounds really muddy and ****** compared to the stock drive channels. The reverb isn't great, you can't get that really wet, Dick Dale sound but if you add a short delay with the reverb its sounds wonderful. I run a '78 Big Muff through the clean channel and it sounds big, thick and nasty just like it should. You won't get modern rock or metal sounds from it so don't bother unless you've got a Boss Metal Zone. The other guy in my band has a silverface 100 watt Twin Reverb and this thing can over power it. LOUD. My buddy has a blackface 50 watt Bandmaster head that sounds amazing and he even said this amp sounds great. If you want great tone with enough power to deafen people, this is it.

I've only had the amp for a month and I've gigged a few times with it. No backup. I got this on ebay from a studio, never seen a stage before I got it. No problems, except the footswitch didn't work properly a couple times, may need to be replaced.

Never dealt with Fender.

I've been playing about 14 years and this is the nicest amp I've owned aside from '73 Deluxe reverb. I think I've finally found the one. In this price range, you can't ask for more. Came with a road case, so I'm set. I wish the reverb sounded better and had footswitch too, but you can't have everything, I guess. The 4 10's just sound right to me. I played my friend's 40 watt deluxe and it sounded great but I went for the Deville because I like it loud. If something happened to it I'd get another, for sure.

I bought this Fender Hot Rod Deville 4x10 new March 22, 2009 after trying out a LOT of different amps at the Guitar Center in Toledo, Ohio. This amp offers an extraordinary clean channel (with 'Normal' and 'Bright' settings via a push button switch) and two awesome drive channels. Channel selection from Clean to Drive is done via the included footswitch and you can select 'Drive' or 'More Drive' via the footswitch as well. This amp has plenty of power for me (60w) and will be used for a main practice amp and gig amp for smaller club gigs. My only complaint is the weight of the amp (~50 lbs) but it is no deal (or back) breaker. An upcoming set of casters will take care of that.

This particular amp - most likely due to the 4x10's - has the absolute best tube clean sound I've ever heard and I've owned/played a lot of amps in the 40+ years of guitar playing/gigging I have done. On top of that, the Drive channels suit me perfectly. The tone adjustments plus the different channels offer every sound I want and/or need.

Have not owned this amp but for a couple of days but I have full confidence in Fender's product. I have owned numerous Fender amps over the years and have NEVER had any issue with reliabilty.

No need to use it at this point for this particular amp but previous experience over the years has been great. Plus, my dealer was awesome to work with - absolutely no complaints there at all.

I've been playing guitar for well over 40 years, playing mostly rock, classic rock, alternative, a few metal songs, and a few country. I have always played Gibson Les Pauls as my primary guitar but have owned and used Fender American Strats and a Paul Reed Smith Singlecut as well. I always come back to Gibson's Les Pauls and currently own an L/P Classic Gold Top.

I love everything about this amp. It has an 'old school' look to it but the controls are layed out perfectly. If it were stolen, I would buy another one just like it.

The main competitor for this amp when I was shopping was a Line 6 Spider III valve amp. I chose the Fender for its simplicity and did not like all the electronics (and potential problems) with the Line 6.

The only thing I wish it had was more selectivity from the foot switch - such as to actuate the 'Bright' feature on the clean tone. Also, it would be nice to be able to switch to EL34's if desired but I was told that was not a possibility for this amp. Doesn't matter - I love the 6L6's too.

For the money, this all tube amp can not be beat.

2008 made in Mexico model. has that super glassy clean that Fender is famous for. Two drive channels, drive and more drive. The first drive is a little weak for humbuckers, but good for for my Telecaster. More drive suits my Les paul and 335. I've seen earlier models that had metal jacks but the ones on mine are plastic, so take care and they should last awhile. All your usual stuff, master, drive, three band eq, reverb and presence. The reverb is long spring Accutronics and is op amp driven not tube driven, so while good, not as deep and lush as a Twin Reverb. Very bouncy and springy with the 4x10s over the 2x12 model, might even say it has a nice "bloom" when pushed. Very loud for 60 watts. Fender has fixed the two cement resistor problem, they were 330 ohm. Fender has upgraded them with 470 ohm five watters. There was a bulletin. It was causing overheating and breakdowns. I have had mine for two weeks and have given it a good break- in. Don't see a need to retube, the stocks are fine for now, but be aware, Fender has purchased Groove Tubes. Although some years back, GT made premium tubes, they are now Chinese and Russian tubes rebranded with the GT logo, as the case with my Blues Jr.. It came with Sovtek EL84s rebranded with GT's logo. You are going to see alot of this these days. Good enough for gigging. Get a case for it and your Tolex will last the life of the amp. Great Blues, Rock amp, and can do some very good Country twang making it fairly versatile, except for Metal, but when is the last time you thought about purchasing a Fender combo for Metal? It's a keeper and will see much action, that will be the true test.

I play a mix of Blues, Blues/Rock and Classic Rock. This amp fits the bill, with my trusty '98 Blackface Twin Amp and small rackmount with Furman power conditioner and POD XT rounding it out. the POD keeps me from having to lug a bunch of pedals about, with good quality effects, you can pull off some amazing tones, to slight bluesy Mike Campbell breakup, to Gary Moore scorching blues. the Drive and more drive are good, but could be tighter, more defined, but are quite useable. Get a noise gate if you use the more drive at higher volumes, it can get noisy

Two weeks into ownership. filled out Fender 5 year warranty paperwork and bought the performance guaranty from GC, so I think I'm covered. So far no problems, but I've never had any problems with my Fender amps, and I own a '67 Bassman head and a '66 Blackface Twin. still going strong, with the usual maintenance, as their getting long in tooth.

Dealt with Fender for years, sometimes good, sometimes not so good. My warranty center is nearby, but Charley's in dallas takes care of things for my vintage gear. A little expensive but well worth it.

I play a USA Les Paul Studio Apline white, a USA Les Paul Custom Classic, a '98 Korean made Les Paul goldtop with Seymour Duncan P-90s, a 2001 Korean made Les Paul Custom with Gibson 57s in it. The Korean made Les Pauls are of a much higher quality than the Chinese models. That Korean custom is 10.2 pounds, all Mahogany, body and cap, The Goldtop, a two piece bookmatched Mahogany body instead of the cheap three piece body with veneer to hide joinery on the cheaper Chinese models. A 2005 MIM telecaster setup Bluesboy style and a 2000 USA Gibson 335. If lost or stolen, I'd get another. It's a goodie.

Fender Hot Rod Deville 2x12- Bought it in Aug 2008.

This is very versatile for all sorts of styles, well if you use pedals that is.

If you live in a apartment I don't recommend you getting this amp.
Unfortunetely I haven't had a chance to use this amp with volume over 1 because I live in a apartment and it makes alot of noise. The old granny below me knocked on my door twice this week complaining about the noise and that her bedroom vibrates from the amp, imagine the volume is only on 1! Old fart...

Overall the features has everything you need including the 2 overdrive channels.

The clean sounds really great but you will need to have a place where you can play at loud volumes to hear the best of its sound.
It's true that the od's suck but they aren't that bad unless you're into heavy riff ****. The od 1 helped me get a sort of tube sound on low levels so I was quite happy with that, although it doesn't sound great. If you have money unlike me, you could get a nice overdrive pedal and you could use it on the clean channel which would sound great. The reverb sounds nice, I would like to compare it to the twin reverb to hear the difference though but if you have played through a solid state your whole life you'll love the reverb on this!

Before I bought this amp I used to read reviews about these amps breaking down on people but I always said to myself, as if the amp will break down on me, I take good care of my equipment. Welllll what can I say...this amp broke down on me yesterday. I took so much care with this amp, always putting the gig bag after using it at my house, I never took it out for gigs or anything like that. I bought this amp Aug 2008 and it broke down on me Jan 2009. I'm pissed off but luckily I have warranty so I don't know what will happen now but I have a feeling that the amp will keep having problems if they fix it. So yeh, even though I love the amp, i'll have to give it a 1 for reliability.

will take it tomorrow...see what happens.

Overall this is a great amp for all different types of tastes. What ever sort of music you're into, i'm sure you could get the sounds you're looking for with this but you will need pedals if you want to be serious about your sound. Tomorrow i'm going to take this mutha so see what happens. I'm really into good reverb, I realised that the od channels aren't that useful on the deville because you can get good pedals that sound REAL, so I think I will try the twin reverb and compare the clean sound and reverb. If i'm not happy with the twin i'll be more than happy playing this amp. I'm pissed how this brand new amp broke down on me but what can ya do?
Fu*k I wrote alot...I don't know if this made any sense cuz i'm on the piss but what ever bruddas!

Standard Mexican Hot Rod Deville with 4 10s (much better than the 12s)
3 Channels: Clean, 1st Drive, 2nd Drive
Effects loop
2 guitar inputs
Has the wonderful Fender spring reverb (wish it had a foot switch wired to it)
2 6L6 Groove Tubes and 3 12AX7 preamp tubes
External Speaker Jack.
Four 10" Eminence speakers.
Very vintage look. Top mounted controls with chicken head knobs.
Extremely responsive and touch sensitive.
Very classic amp, a lot like a 4x10 Bassman, except it's for guitar.
Pretty heavy, needs some casters for sure.
LOUD!

Graded a 9 because the reverb really needs a foot switch.

I use a Fender Jaguar and an Epiphone Epi-Dot, both with original pups. Screams with the single coils, and is plenty mellow with the hummers.

Great for Blues, Classic Rock, Indie, Punk, and Surf (with that great reverb). Not a metalhead's amp, this one's a bit more refined.

The clean channel is probably the cleanest I've ever heard through a tube amp in this kind of price range.
The first overdrive channel is a little weak, but sounds great for bluegrass pickin', I barely use it.
The second drive is very "rock and roll". Sounds awesome with single coils.

This amp can make just about any rock and roll sound you'd ever want. Probably the only genre this amp shouldn't touch is metal, but that's a good thing because it's a much more classic style. I also love distorting the clean at high volumes and utilizing the guitar's volume knob, the fact that the amp is so touch sensitive makes this an amazing attribute.

I bought mine from a guy that took very good care of it. I've had this amp for about half a year now. This amp is a tank, although I try to take very good care of it, I don't see any problems down the road. I gig with it all the time and it still looks brand new.

The box is extremely solid. The wiring checks out, even though it was assembled in Mexico. All the knobs are of quality. The Standby and Power switch are big and durable.

As with all tube amps you need to be very friendly with it and utilize the Standby switch when turning the amp on and off. If this is done, the tubes can last for years and years and years.

I'll probably never need another amp again, this baby will endure the test of time.

I've never had any reason to call Fender. Maybe it's because I usually don't buy cheap **** from them, or because I usually know how to fix anything that goes wrong.

Regardless, I've never had any problems with this amp, so no reason to call.

I've been playing for about 10 years now but could never afford a nice tube amp, although I have played several. The Hot Rod Deville happened to be in my price range so I gave it a shot. Definitely the best thing I've invested in music wise.

If someone ever stole this baby I'd be very upset and try to track them down (write down your serial numbers for all your equipment kiddies). Of course, if mine could never be found, I'd definitely buy another. This is my go to amp, the only way I'd play another amp is if I had the money for a Vintage Twin Reverb.

I love almost everything about this amp, except for the reverb not having a foot switch. It's such a great classic Fender Spring Reverb, but alas, not having a foot switch makes it almost inaccessible during a gig.

I've compared this one to the Deluxe, the Deville with 2 12s, and the reissue Bassman. The Deville 4x10 blows the Deluxe and smaller Deville out of the water. 4x10 set ups are really where it's at, you get a much warmer, cleaner, richer tone out of the 10s. As for the Bassman, it was close but the Deville's price tag sold it for me. The Bassman is a classic go to amp for many blues guitarists, but the Deville is pretty much the same amp but designed for guitar. If you play bass and guitar, then go for the Bassman, but if you're just looking for a guitar amp then the Deville is where it's at.

2007 mexican build, used as a back up for my cornford/orange rig to start with, now stands on its own 4 gratefully received castors! does clean, crunch, lead and just about anything else you want!

strat with seymours b/n original 70s in the centre and coil taps everywhere! 2006 l/p std
1968 l/p custom and a tele with custom shops fitted, sounds best with tele then les pauls, the strat sounds a little plastic but imho thats the only downside, but hey dont use the strat with it!!!

clean headroom is amazing and bell like only time i have a real noise problem is if i use my line6 delay and a mains adaptor, but thats not the amps fault I fear!!

soooo loud and the distortion is cool with no pedals!

starts in the morning regardless of the weather!!!

ALWAYS carry a backup!! mine is (this is really sad but space prevails) an orange crush 30r and a lead to the desk....try it u won't laugh!!

never had a problem, had a silverface twin for 15 years and it only had 1 valve change so NEVER used them!!

playing 30 years, run orange, cornford and marshall rigs fior the big stuff and the Fender for the little'uns!

would I buy again YES YES YES!!

Well, this amp is great. it has dropped off our tour trailer 3 times by intoxicated others, have had beer spills on it and I have replaced the tubes 3 times, yes three times. love the tone for blues rock. I did add some side handles to the box because the amp is heavy. but the sound is great once you dialed in.

06 i believe do to the 60th aniversary sticker on the back. very versatile for rock blues country punk. plenty of power. 2 channels, loop, x-spkr jack reverb, bright switch. 1 eq. less is more. ive never had trouble dialing in a good sound with a shared eq.

gibson lp is great with this. great clean. drive is very good too. i use it and love. drive channels are not muddy at all on mine. very biting drive and good sustain and clear. good for early sabbath stuff indy, emo & skynard, ramones with ease. a boss metal zone is amazing with this. speakers break in after a while of use then its very good indeed to me. you can crank the clean channel for some break up but it will be god awful loud so get ear plugs first. you can turn the drive way down to 3 or 4 and use the more drive for boost. add an O/D pedal along with drve channel and it sings! these are usually biased cold at factory so search for info on that subject. the 410 deville is an awsome amp. i see them all over TV with many styles played.

some are fine some arnt. luck of the draw it seems with anything nowadays, good luck. i like the amp and will fix it if needed. keep your reciept.

fender is good on their warrenty,keep your reciept. some fender service centers suck and some dont so ask around. some centers will only repair it under warrenty if you bought the amp there so dont assume any center will fix it free.

30 years on guitar. only 5 or so on electric but ive gained alot of knowledge on amps though. i use marshalls and fender amps only and have played a lot of them and i like this amp and would buy it again. already have. its heavy though, very heavy. buy a cart, i did.

The circiut board on my amp is dated 2002. The previous owner said he bought it in 2004. I play Christian Rock, Classic Rock, Blues, some Country -- with friends in my basement. It is plenty loud, but not too loud for the house.

Plenty of features. 2 Channels with an additional boost (more drive) on the dirty channel. No footswitch for the reverb. Effects loop. 2 jacks on the back enable an easy switch to external speakers.

So far, the various EQ settings have produced good sounds out of all guitars we have tried in it. But my MIJ Strat sounds especially sweet through it.

The clean channel is solid and rich, with plenty of EQ options and varieties of styles. In OD at lower settings it suits blues, in More Drive and the gain up, there is plenty of power, but the noise level is definitely increased.

In the forums there is a lot of chat about it being too loud. Mine is fine for practice levels as well as on stage. Maybe the 4-10's help the quality at lower levels?

I should mention that I changed the stock tubes with TAD 6L6-WGC's shortly after getting it. This may or may not have improved the overdrive channel, but the tubes were over 3 years old anyway.

My judgment is based upon amps I have tried in music stores. This is my first tube amp.

The original owner never had any trouble for 3 years. Still runs great for me after about a year.

I have been playing on and off for 40 years. I use a Strat, an Epi LP, Dean 12 String, PBass with 100 Rumble amp, as well as 2 acoustics with an added pickup. I am having much more fun since I got this amp. My Strat with its stock pickups sounded thin until I switched for solid state to this tube amp.

For versatility I haven't found a better deal. I would buy one again if the price was right, but would probably check out the current options.

Purchased brand new (still in box) on eBay in 2007. 4-10 speakers, tube, the standard Hot Rod Deville.

Sound is perfect for country and/or rock. Plenty loud. Rarely if ever have it up past 4. Distortion is fine although I prefer using a pedal as opposed to the built-in drive channel.

If you're going to gig on any sort of regular basis, get a road case! Even an eBay cheapie will do. This amp went straight from the box to a road case and doesn't have a nick on it. Believe me, it will give you peace of mind. This is my main and only amp at the moment and it's never broken down or had any problems. It spent below zero evenings in the bay below our tour bus and fired up fine the next day.

Manuals are on line, plenty of third-party sites and forums if you have issues.

My only real complaints are with the way the panel is laid out. Its somewhat confusing and doesn't need to be. Otherwise, a fine, fine amp.

This is the Deville that is made in Mexico. As an amp tech, It is made very well, dont let the Mexico thing make you affraid. It has the same features of any Deville. I use this amp for playing live and recording.

The sound quality is great. I play Rock songs.. Kings of Leon, Cars, Hendrix stuff. Rockabilly, and Dinosaur JR...The 4 10's are great. I've been playing 15 years. You will love this amp. I have owned a mesa 4x12 Dual Rectifier. Awsome amp as well, but if you cant afford one, this amp deleviers let me tell you. I never turn it up past 3 on the volume, it's plenty loud, so dont worry about it not being a loud amp. Cuts through the Drums and Bass no problem. I use the blue fender groove tubes, I put the red ones' in there and it seems a little to Clean on the distortion Channels, I use a strat with a single in the neck and a Duncan Double Hummbucker in the Bridge, It ROCKS!

Seems to be solid, never had any problems..

Never used Customer Support.

If you need a good rock amp get this one.. Good clean Channel, Great Reverb. You'll love it. If you got any questions email me, glad to help anyone thats a gear head looking for the good tone, I wish i would have had help buying gear over the years, I would have save lots of money!!!!!

My amp is about 6 or 7 years old. I've had it since new.

I play blues, jazz, and punk... It holds it's own through all of them, however, the louder it is the better. (up until about 6 on the master volume then it hits a wall)

3 channels, I may use 2 but usually just one and then switch pickups for clean/dirty.

This amp, to me, sounds great with the gain at about 4, reverb at 12, master volume at 4 and everything else moved about acording to what I'm playing.

The distortion is too brutal, and the clean is pretty clean even when loud.

I'm playing through a semi-hollowbody Gretsch with a P-90 at the bridge and a TV Jones Powertron at the neck. Through this amp it sounds awesome. It's just really warm and controlable.

I've had a few problems with it: the tolex tears off easily, odd cracks and buzzes here and there, the inputs are crap... I've replaced the tubes once, but that was after about 5 years of pretty constant use.

I've never dealt with customer service on this amp, but I've dealt with fender several times concerning other matters and have found there customer service to be prompt and generally informative, even if they can't do anything to help you...

If it were stolen or lost I might get another, but I would certainly look at some other stuff before jumping right back in and getting another. I would absolutely get another Fender though.

I love the reverb on this amp, and it's balls. It has great big balls.
I prefered the 4X10 over the 2X12, but I don't really remember what drew me to the 4X10.

Well, it has three channels but only one of them is useable...footswitches are cool. volume, M. volume, presence, bass mid, treble.

The funny thing about this amp is that is has a lot of features, yet none of them really change the sound that much.

I did not like this amp. It's very boxy sounding and has virtually no sustain. Notes decay really quick. The two overdrive channels are just terrible, really buzzy sounding. The most useable setup would be to use an overdrive in front of the clean channel.

Not very road worthy. A lot of plastic parts, like the input jacks....those will break real quick.

Should be good because there are a ton of these things out there....and they're still being made.

It's good if this is your first tube amp, or you are learning guitar.

It's basically decent if you don't know any better. but, there are tons of better amps out there!

Why buy a three channel amp if two of them are poor?

This is a follow up to my earlier posting, and it regards my new speaker set up.

I love the combination of the Eminence Ragin Cajun and Copperheads. The blend of the two Patriots gives a distinctive American-speaker sound (full bottom, scooped lower-mids, jangly top-end, and non-aggressive), but the sound isn't hindered by its characteristics. These speakers provide a very balanced, warm tone and are very touch sensitive. The lows are tight, full and focused. The mids are warm and smoothe. As previously mentioned, the lower mids seem scoop a bit, which helps give the bass and upper-mids "space" and helps alleviate speaker-induced muddiness. The upper mids are definitely present, but they are subtle and not aggressive. The treble is chimey but subtle, so you don't get any ice-picking. Also, these Patriots are much less beamy than the stock speakers, so the sound disperses much better, and the speakers are less liking to get ice-picking when standing directly in front of them.

With 4 of them in my cabinet, the collective handling power is 300 watts, which is 5-times greater than the amp is rated. What this means the speakers do not breakup nearly as quickly (if at all) with the DeVille, and the bass frequencies come through more. Thanks to these speakers, I've been able to reduce the attenuation of my Hot Plate, which has allowed me to get a better tone, too (increased attenuation does tend to compress the amp's tone some), while maintain the same effectively volume levels. Speakers are highly subjective, but the RCs and CHs have been an excellent match for the DeVille, at least for me. By the way, these speakers handle both cleans and overdrive nicely and far better than the stock speakers.

One thing to note about installation. The DeVille's cabinet is not big. These speakers, especially the Ragin Cajuns, have HUGE magnets, which makes for a tight fit. I'm not sure 4 RCs would be able to fit - they might, but it would be tight because of the placement of the amp's transformer. I've installed the speakers in an 'X' pattern, with a Copperhead (which has a slightly smaller magnet) in the upper-left (when looking at the inside of the cab from the back) slot, and the chassis just fits back in the cab.

I understand Fender has to make decisions with the quality of some of its components. Afterall, Fender is a business. The Hot Rods are really good tube amps, and are amazing amps for their price-point. Stuffing the best tubes and the best speakers in the amp as original equipment would increase the cost and subsequently the price of the amps, and would make the DeVille too expensive to effectively compete. That said, Fender's obviously recognized that there's a market for the Hot Rods with upgraded parts, since they've released the ltd edition HR Deluxes. It would be nice if Fender also released Ltd Ed. DeVilles.

It's amazing what the right set of speakers and tubes will do for an amp. With my setup now, I would be extremely hard-pressed to part with my DeVille.

3 12AX7 tubes, 2 6L6GC type tubes (stock are Sovtek 5881WXT) and a solid-state rectifier. 2 channels (Normal and Overdrive), OD boost, master volume on OD channel, shared 4-band EQ and Reverb, bright switch for normal channel. Comes in a narrow panel cabinet with 4x10" Eminence made Fender 30w speakers. Speaker output and extension cabinet jacks (makes it easy to attach to an attenuator. However, the most overlooked feature is the amp's fixed bias adjustment pot, which is incredibly easy to use - all you need is a multimeter and a small flat head screwdriver, and you can adjust the bias for any 6L6GC tube on the market.

I love the way this amp sounds. As with any amp, the true test to good tone is how is sounds through its normal channel with the volumen turned up, at least in my opinion. The DeVille is definitely similar sounding to the tweed Bassmans. The tone is fat and articulate and crunches up very nicely as the volume's increased. With my Les Paul, it starts to get a thick break up around 5 (1-12 volume scale), and cleans up very nicely as the guitar's volume is rolled back, or picking is eased.

However, the stock arrangement of the amps is limiting to its potential. The easiest improvement you can make to the amp is to upgrade the tubes from the stock Sovteks. I am running a (new production) Tungsol 12AX7 in V1, a JJ 12AX7 in V2 and V3, and JJ 6L6CGs as the power tubes. This is the best combination of tubes (and I've tried several) I have come across for the DeVille, and they really help unlock the amp's tone potential. Warm, smoothe and fat sounding, without getting muddy.

Without question, the DeVille handles pedals very well, too. I'm primarily using a Keeley Tube Screamer and Keeley Blues Driver, and the amp reacts ideally and uniquely to each of these pedals.

The stock Fender/Emi speakers are OK. I have very recently replaced the speakers with 2 Emi Ragin Cajuns, and 2 Emi Copperheads, and thus far I am very happy with the results. I liked the stock speakers, but the bass can get abit farty with this amp (just like the tweeds), and the stock speakers didn't help it. Also, the stock speakers could get beamy and ice-picky at times. The new Emi speakers are certainly an upgrade, but the stock speakers are not bad.

As many reviews here have pointed out, the OD channel is of great controversy. I used to use it for my distortion tones religiously, but I have since been converted to turning up the volume of the normal channel, and letting my OD pedals push the amp into power-tube distortion. What I will say about the OD channel is it's not at all bad, but it is limited in capabilities. With my pre-amp tube set up, the OD channel is fat, warm, crunchy and harmonic. It's actually quite pleasing, but it's not a high-gain lead distortion. The More Gain boost functions like a treble booster and adds about 13dbs of gain to the OD. This really thickens up the tone and is good for soloing, but it at times can get way too trebly. Perhaps Fender should consider adding a toggle to control which frequency's the boost hits (treble or mids). It would make the boost friendlier. Again, this is not a high-gain distortion.

Finally, this amp can play any type of music due to its underlying tone quality and its acceptance of pedals. The amp is a star at Rock, Blues, & Country. However, this is not a Metal amp. For starters, it's based on tweed designs, which are known to get a little loose in the bass when pushed, and have an open airy distortion. These are not ideal Metal chacteristics. Also, the amp has a 410 open cab. Again, not ideal for Metal - there's a reason why Metal guys play, almost, exclusively through 4x12 closed-back cabs. But with the right pedal in front, the amp can pull off Metal.

I've owned the amp for 7 years and have had no real issues with it. Yes, it has PCB circuitry, but so what? I don't buy into PTP or hand wired being inherently better than PCB. It's all about the Quality Assurance department. As far as I can tell, my amp is just fine.

Never had to deal with Fender.

I've been playing for about 15 years and have had my Deville for 7. I love the amp, though I do wish it were lighter. Yes, it could be a little more flexible (refer to comments on more drive boost) with some of its features, but all-in-all it's a helluva amp, and priced VERY reasonably. I do check out other amps from time to time, but I do not seriously see myself selling or trading in my Deville. I only wish is was covered in Tweed with Oxblood, rather than the black tolex.

Since I favor single channel amps, this recent model 4x10 HRD has more features than I really need. However, with its channel switching capability and added ("more") boost, it can certainly cover a lot of bases, from beautiful classic Fender clean to brutal raging overdrive. My only complaint is the "vintage-style" placement of the controls on the top of the amp. I'll never understand why that layout is so popular. I much prefer having the controls facing forward (blackface style) where I can more easily see and adjust them on stage.

The clean channel is to die for, and IMO, worth the price by itself. I formally owned a reissue super reverb, and to me, it did not sound as good (despite costing a lot more). In stock form, however, I found the overdrive channel too hot, and the "more" boost simply unuseable, at least for classic rock and blues. Also, as many have pointed out, this amp is very loud - probably too loud for most small and medium size venues.

For those who like the features and 4x10 format, but find the amp too powerful, here is what to do: Replace the 6L6's with JJ 6v6's (and rebias to about 40mv). This will reduce output to about 30 watts and basically give you a DRRI that is more versatile and bigger sounding. This is a standard conversion offered and explained by Bob at Eurotubes, and it really does turn the HRD into the "perfect" club amp. In addition to the 6v6's, I went with Eurotubes' "Blues Option" which replaces the 12AX7 in V2 with a 12DW7. This significantly "tamed" the overdrive channel, and rendered it much more useable (even in "more" mode). The amp, which was always very good, now sounds incredible.

The amp, of course, is all PCB, but it appears neatly laid out, and I like the fact that you can make bias adjustments simply by removing the back panel -- no need to take out the entire chassis as with most amps. So far so good, but I never gig without a back up (Crate Powerblock).

I don't know about Fender customer support, but there sure is a lot of good online information available about the HR series of amps.

I've been playing for 30+ years and have owned all kinds of guitars and amps. My favorite tone is an LP played through a clean Fender amp on the verge of breakup. This amp, as modified with 6v6's and 12DW7 in V2, is IMO the ultimate club-sized amp. It sounds like a DRRI on steriods, pumped through a 4x10. How can you beat that?!

I bought this amplifier in mid-late 2006. I was running out of clean channel head room with my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, which is only 40 watts. So I figured the Deville's 4x10 speaker layout would do a better job not actually knowing at the time of purchase the Deville is a 60 watt rated
amplifier.

So I was very pleased to learn the Deville is pretty much the same
amplifier as the Deluxe with a rated 60 watts power output.

Going from a single/dual layout to the 4x10 combo is night and day
(for me) about getting the tone/sound out.

I really like the amplifier sound/tone... I'm using it as a gig/show
& tour Amplifier pretty much every week.

Other than a Marshall Overdrive sound (at full volume) there's not been
an amplifier with built in distorntion that I've thought was really
great. As a person who builds and repairs amplifiers I know how hard it
is to make good dirt that makes every player happy.

The clean channel is great... I'm not able to run the 60 watt Deville out of head room like I could with the 40 watt Deluxe.

The dirt - distortion channels are rated "OK" to pretty good for what they are. Park and use a TS-9 pedal in front of the amplifier and
use the amplifiers dirt channel for soaking the distortion when you
need it. Maybe a T-Bone Pedal if you want a cheap and easy Heavy
dirt. But for most covers and conventional dirt the TS-9 pedal
down front gives me enough choices to play everything on our set list.

Here's the bad part...

I toured quit a bit with my Hot Rod Deluxe when the channel switching section blew out at a show. I fixed myself... which wasn't hard but
not fast when you/I didn't have the original parts in stock (I do now).

So after I fixed and well tested my old Deluxe I traded it in on the
Deville 4x10 Combo. Nothing like a nice new amplifier to know where you stand right..? Not so in this case. About 8 months after I bought it the amplifier died at the start of a show.

Turns out the problem was a failed output tube and some bad connections on the output tube(s) circuit board where the parts
meet the board (called a fractured trace at a solder joint).

So I've fixed the amplifier while doing some pc board trace mods to
ensure the fractures won't again appear in the near future.

I blame the Fender Factory Supplied Groove Tubes for the failure
and the pc board trace work mostly future problem prevention.

If tube & tube socket and part vibration is going to be a source of pc board trace fractures then we'll surely see more reports of this type
of problem. I guess we'll see what happens over time...

Fender would probably have fixed the amplifier if I'd left it with
the shop and they sent it to a repair shop. But hey... I do that sort
of thing myself so I fixed it.

The tubes were reported to be covered for only 90 days. :-(

No thanks to Groove Tubes for blowing a lot of smoke up my backside
when I both emailed and called them to report this problem. They're
nice enough to talk to me after a bit of dance and sing but there was
no offer to replace the faulty tube... even thought I didn't really
ask for replacements. I thought they'd want to know about the
premature tube failure. I received more sales pitch about upgrading
to another tube type vs sincere concern for the original problem
(failed tube). But that's what happens when you fly high and the
ground is out of sight far below.

I've had mixed bag results with Sovtek sourced tubes... so out came
the original Fender Groove Tubes. And the story goes on....

Replacement Matched Set Fender Groove Tubes bought at the same
store were so hot they wouldn't even allow the proper tube bias to
be set. So I'll return them as crap and keep the generic (non Grrove Tube) Sovtek replacements on board. They have been unconditionally
stable since I put them in and that's nice to see.

Because of recent experiences I'm un-selling myself from using or
providing Groove Tubes in any future work. I just don't need the
extra work.

I love the Fender HR Deville Amplifier as one of the best over-all layouts ever made (and I own and have tried a lot of guitar amplifiers).

I'd buy another just like it if this one went away...

What I like is how the amplifier is/has almost everything you'd ever need to play regular shows/gigs/tours if you're not a person who hides
behind a lot of effect pedals.

The only bad thing I can really say about it is the weight... but I've
just put original casters on it... so that's made a nice difference in moving the amplifier around.

I wish it had tilt back legs like the twin so I bought some original
Fender Tilt Backs and plan to put them on as soon as I work out the
mounting locations. Once that's done the amplifier will be all I can
ask for.

If the now repaired amplifier holds up I'll be very happy. I need an
amplifier I can trust to make a show... so it will be a while before
I again go out without a spare (which I shouldn't do anyway) amp in
tow. I guess time will tell.

I bought this amp new about a year ago. I was looking for a three channel amp, since I want as simple of a pedal arrangement as possible. This amp fit the bill with three sound possibilites, (Cleans,drive, and more drive), although this is one channel that keeps boosting the signal. I use the effects loop with a chorus pedal velcroed in with the straps on the inside of the amp used normally for the cord. This keeps the pedal off the stage. I play rock n roll, more on the pop side, nothing on the metal side. I use this amp for live performances. We practice with small amps, no PA, etc.

I use this on stage, and it is more than loud enough, as a matter of fact, way too loud. By the time I get it turned down to where the sound man wants it, the tone is gone. Although I loved the clean sounds, and outright tube sounds from this amp, I found them rather uncontrolable. I like the clean very punchy at times, but by the time the volume was high enough, the amp would be distorting. Also, the master is only a master for the drive channel, and you cannot lower the clean sound without dramatically changing it. So... I made modifications. In the clean channel I use a 12AY7 tube, which makes a dramatic difference. The sound doesn't start to tear until you turn the gain up to 7 or beyond. I put a 12AT7 as the last in the preamp chain which greatly reduces the overall output of the amp. Now the major changes were having a true master volume installed where the pilot light was, and a micro-light placed next to it. I also had a "high-low" switch installed next to the output speaker jacks inside the amp. Although this does not cut the sound in half, it really reduces the blatantly overbearing loudness with the amp. With the tube arrangement, master, and hi-low switch, I can use this amp and always get the sound I want at the volume I want. This amp is and was a very clean amp, little or no noise.
I play a Samick Rl2 through this amp. The pickups in this guitar are a mystery, and not what was supposed to come in it. The guitar and model number are mismarked, so I'm not sure what was done to it at the factory. I have a Gibson SG and L6, but for some reason the Samick makes this lovely sound and gets along great with this amp. The SG is too hot, and the L6 is too bright.

I do depend on this amp. I've used this amp for a year, a few gigs a month with no issues. The footpedal broke last week. The left switch quit working. I thought that was ridiculous. I took it apart and the switches that are wired into the board seem cheap, and I couldn't match up a replacement part. I bought a new pedal since it was cheaper than having this one fixed.

I've had no reason to contact customer support. When the pedal broke, I bought another one. When thinking about this amp, which we (the other guitar player and I) each bought, we called Fender reps, and their california center with question and always received curteously and prompt replys.

I've been playing for 40 years. My previous amp that went on the road with me for years was a musicman 65-210. That was a super-cool amp, but a little too edgey for me as time went on. I wanted a cleaner sound. If this amp were to dissappear, I would look at everything out there again, but may get the same amp again. I love the look of the amp, the raw tube and edgeyness of the amp. I like 4-10 speakers, and the blonde covering. I wish it had a factory master switch, factory Hi-Low switch. I wish the foot pedal was made with better parts. They have upgraded in input jacks, and some of the electronic parts inside the amp over the years, the foot switch needs attention. Oh, and it was a great value. I found out that's because it's mainly computer built, and very little time by hand, which makes a great amp affordable, but expensive to have modified.

07 410 Deville 3 channels. clean drive and more drive. shared eq but so what, dont need 2 eq's. basic fx loop with no level control but so what, dont need it. 2 inputs. 1 is louder than #2, cool! EXT speaker jack for 8ohm cab, cool! not sure why they call the drive volume a master volume, it only sets the drive channel volume so far as i know. footswitchable reverb would be cool but so what. i use a reverb pedal if i need a sh1t load of reverb other wise i just use the built in reverb in moderation which is good! enough power to get a visit from the police in minutes! the most versatile amp ive played. the HRDX too! love it! Surf to extreeme hard rock by it self easily, ive done it! the biggest feature is tone on this! this is my third one. i sold my 2004, stupid! i have a 06 & 07 Deville 410, DSL100 full stack and a HRDX. these are my babies and love them the same. for real !

country,blues,surf,punk,classic rock,oldies,alternative,indie,screamo,garage. nails Black Sabbath to SRV alone IMO! Dissagree? buy a good guitar and learn how to play! not a $200 ibanez either! for everything else buy a BOSS METAL ZONE and you'll be done, no kidding. Gibson LP standard, Fender USA DLX Strat. you cant go wrong with this set up. very loud amp though, you'll never need more volume than 2 on the dial at a bar gig. if you do, your lucky, congrats! dont worry about what number its on. use your ears for volume and tone. runs quiet, at least mine do, some dont i hear. pedals through the front end works great!

always take a back up. cant afford one? buy a Marshall then. i have had good luck with Marshalls. i love the versatality of Fender amps and use them more but i have had problems in the past with Fender amps. every one ive owned.:( that doesnt stop me from using Fenders though.

very good!

30 years. i did again already. love it all, hate nothing but the weight of this but still lighter than a Twin.

Not high in features but very versatile amp indeed! Play any style!
Now the volume being touchy is not a gimick for kids to be trapped in buying at all folks. Real pro's use the volume knob on the guitar. Thats why its there people. Ive seen pro blues guys 60yo crank the clean up and use the volume knob on the guitar for the desired sound. turn down for clean sounds and up for blues grind. It works! Without a pedal. You have to practise using it that way, its not easy. But wow!

I compared this with a SF Twin Reverb at Guitar Center. No difference in tone to my ears. I dont work. I gig only. 5,6 days a week so I think I know a good tone. Hope so! Clean channel cant be touched! period! Drive channel is excellent! More drive was a brilliant idea and sounds freaking great! True Tube Tone! Dont expect a built in METAL ZONE PEDAL though. But what you get is enough drive to get you through a gig if your metal zone breaks. You may not think so, but through a PA the more drive will shine through clear as a bell and make you think again. I let a friend use my HRDX and I listened to the more drive with a 57 in front and I think different now. You'll see. Remember, if you suck, you suck. Period! Keep working on your skills.

Well, take a chance if you want. I bring back up for every gig reguardless of what amp i use. Unless the gig is very close to home. You never know. This is my second Deville 410. I foolishly traded the first one for god knows what and Im sorry. But now I have another!

The Best!

Country to near Metal territory. This will do it all with FX pedals and come close without pedals. You could get by without pedals in an emergency. I did buy it again!

The amp was made in late 2004 or early 2005. It looks pretty cool with black tolex and a silver grille...kind of a vintage vibe...but all business. I dig it. There's one channel worth discussing and it has bass, mid, treble, presence and reverb. 4x10 combo, all tube with a solid state rectifier, which is perfect because I don't need Neil Young's tone and I don't need a loose bottom end to prove that I am sweet.

"The channel" is clean and sparkly. It is loud. It will not break up at any sort of useable volume. This is good news to me because I have a bunch of pedals that I put in front of the amp and they sound outstanding. I have a way too expensive homebrew overdrive, a way too expensive option five phaser and a carl martin red repeat. They all sound awesome through this amp. I play a g&l guitar that sounds awesome through this amp. A lot of my friends play through this amp with their pedals and their humbucker equipped guitars...they too sound fantastic. So at the end of the day, I treat this as a one channel amp for all all of my clean tones w/ a touch of reverb (classy), and it takes pedals very well. It has all the volume you need. Sweet clean tone...cannot emphasize this enough.

It's a tank. Major plus. I have considered going out and buying a budda, a marshall, a top hat, a vox...etc. These are all incredible amps. But then I play my fender and realize...
1) I never take care of it, it has no maintenance issues.
2) It's not that expensive and it won't bust.
3) It kills on the clean channel and let's me rock hard with pedals.
4) This amp is butter, it looks sweet and the reverb is very useable.

It's a tank, so I don't know.

If you need to have an amp that costs over a grand...go for it. I have expensive equipment that I enjoy playing too. That being said, my advice is to not blow cash on expensive amps unless you really want amp distortion. For some it's nice to have four channels and 15 knobs, but it's not worth it if you can kill a gig with one awesome tube channel and two or three decent pedals. I am so happy I bought this amp.

Oh yea...make sure to get the 4x10. It's candy.

Two Channel with boost, fx loop (why?) 60 watt, all tube signal path 4x10" Eminence speakers...Incredibly versatile amp, out of the box capable of everything from Alabama to Zappa, and back again.

The clean sound from this amp is untouchable...period. I've tried 'em all, and there's nothing out there that can play clean like a Fender, and this is one of their finest examples. Enough clean headroom to wake up Gerry Garcia.

The dirt ranges from a slight bluesy grind, to something not unlike an older JCM 800. There's enough grit here to easily pull off Priest/Maiden/ACDC, though not quite enough for say, Pantera or Megadeth.

The dirt has a tone of it's own and either you love it, or you won't, and I find that what I feed it has a large bearing on the sound. My main guitar is an old San Dimas Charvel Strat (SSS) with a Seymore Duncan JB jr in the bridge position. Sounds amazing for what I want out of it.

I turn it on, play, turn it off - repeat later.....never failed

Never broken a fender product (not for lack of trying). I've had a couple of their amps and a few guitars, all still serving me well.

No idea what their customer service is like.

Been playing guitar for years, bass for decades. Own piles of gear including Traynors,Garnets,even a Peavey or two (for the kids) All my amps are tube, 73 and 74 Fender Precisions, Ibanez Artist Hollowbody, Several other assorted guitars. For the money, you won't beat this amp, but like anything else, try before you buy, with your axe, and decide for yourself, it's not for everyone, but just right for me.

I bought this amp brand new from a music store in the UK. I have been playing over 30 years and now play in a 60s/70s gigging band. We cover blues , rock, country of that era and find the features excellent. The eq however is a little subdued. I find I have to turn the treble, bass and mid up to over 7 or 8 to get a huge noticablr difference in tone. This is 60watt valve amp which is very, very loud and has more than enough guts for any - and I mean any kind of gig

The sounds are typically US bluesy SRV/hendrix/BB King. In fact it is so versatile it can be used for rock and country. However as other reviewers have said - don't expect metal overdrive - not even on more drive. I can't understand how some people criticsize the gain channel. It is pure valve tone especially with the master on 5 and volume on 3 with the gain lights on the footpedal. Absolutely beautiful , just breaking up tone which sound fluidy and understated. The clean tone is superb. Te best I've heard on any amp. Beatles classics sound true and clear. You can add a little dirt by just flicking to drive and turning down the vol pot on the guitar. I only play my two strats through this amp. Never used gibsons or PRS etc. The single coils love this amp. You can get a real lift when you switch to bridge pickup on drive in a solo. I'm sure you cold hear me from across the pond if you listened hard enough. A gorgeous, pro sound.

Hope it never lets me down . If it did I would be truly disapointed.

Bought FROM an on line store in UK Yes I'm British. - Welsh actually! No problems encountered.

If it got lost or stolen I would have to have another. Perhaps I would spend a little more cash and get the Blues DeVille Deluxe rather than the Hotrod. But there is very, very little difference. The Hotrod sound is as good as it gets really. I stay away from effects. I only use a wah and a chorus/delay. I would never , ever use any kind of overdive or booster pedal with this amp. I think that would spoil the lovely natural overdrive on gain channel. I don't use more gain at all - but it's nice to know it's there. As a very experienced guitarist I can't understand the criticsism some give this amp for drive channel. I would ask them to check to see if their amp has a fault

needs another eq, well not really, because the other two channels are useless anyway

clean channel is awesome
one of the best i have heard
put an sd1 { or two } in the clean, and it's heaven!!

the dirty more dirty is so bad that its indescribable
the eq will not fix this, nor will a retube
this is a one channel amp

i would assume it's probably excellent

probably the same

outstanding clean channel - maybe the very best there is
worst dirty channel in the business
although the clean is incredible, i do not believe that any amp should ever have a channel in it that sounds as bad as this dirty channel
have to deduct points

I bought this amp used in mint condition. I believe it's 2003 or 04 model. It works great for the styles of music I play; Blues, contemporary Christion and some country. I personally like the "extra" features. I"m used to a Blues Jr, no bright switch, poor reverb, no effects loop, only one input, no external speaker jack. So this amp was big step up for me in features. I don't mind using my reverb sparingly and then leaving it, although a swtich would be nice, it's not a big deal to me. This amp has waaayyy more power than I need. I bought it becuase I was blown away by the sound of the amp, primarily the clean channe but have come to really like overdrive channels for blues and the more gain for that extra lead boost. I would like a bright switch for the gain channel so it gets a 9 for the lack of the reverb switch and lack of a bright switch in the gain channels.

Like most have mentioned the clean channel draws you in. I heard and played this for about 15-20 minutes at a local music store. Went home thinking I could get over it. But that sound and the price drew me back within just a few minutes. I had to have it. I've not been dissapointed. I really only us this in my music room, I consider it too much to gig with at my church. I use my Blues Jr. for that. The Deville sounds so big and has such great tone that I find myself dreaming about it when I'm away. (I'm sick, I know) I too am puzzled that some folks really diss the gain channels. I've run my Boss BD2 into it and compared that to the drive channel (not more drive) and I've found the effects to be similar. I find that I'm just as happy with the drive channel as I am using the BD2. So I us the BD2 with my Blued Jr. only. I play a variety of guitars through it and find that all of them can be dialed in to sound great. 3 strats, 2 tele's, a Les Paul, and a 63 Danelectro with lipstick pups. The amp is stock except for a tube replacement. JJ's for the OT, and EH 12AX7's for the preamp tubes.

I've only had this amp a couple of months. I did have to replace a couple of plate resistors to quiet down some crackling. That was an easy fix and is now very quiet in the clean channel. A bit of hiss in the gain channel, but I found that if you PLAY the GUITAR, that sound more than drowns out a littl bit of hisss. I haven't had the amp long enough to really comment on reliability.

Never used them.

For the money this amp is a killer deal. I love the sound of the 410's. I may not know what I'm missing by replacing the stock speakers, but I'm thinkning "if it aint broke don't fix it" I love the way it sounds completely stock.

This is a late model, & all the features were previously discussed.

I do have a bone to pick with the design of the footpedal. It's a big waste to have a two-button footswitch only operate channel switching and not the reverb. As a result, I don't use the footswitch.

It feels well constructed and doesn't rattle even at high volumes. It's a good-sized amp and has a nice stage presence. I was pretty happy that it's not backbreakingly heavy either-- definitely weighs less than a Twin.

Idunno if you'd call this a one trick pony. If so, its trick is infinitely listenable. You just need to go into it knowing its caveats.

This amp gets along well with all my guitars- an Italia Modena (vroom vroom), an Epi Dot and an Italia Rimini 12 string. I have a sparse pedalboard of od, fuzz, delay & reverb (because of the damn footswitch) and the amp operates noiselessly with them running in front.

10 for the clean channel, it's good business. Really good in fact, and it's the reason I use the amp. Very clear bell-like tones, extremely responsive to pick attack. As others have discussed, it's ***really frickin loud***. With the presence control set high and the bright channel engaged it's perfect for lead tones, rich without being shrill and sounds great in the mix. Some of the most beautiful sounds pour out when playing high up on the fretboard with a guitar equipped with P90s. Seriously, heaven raining down on the people.

As I mentioned, I play with a Vox V810 Valvetone OD that really sings. For fuzzy leads I use an EH Graphic Fuzz and it just wails-- think Airbag from OK Computer. Gigantic huge fuzz that eats up the room.


The reverb gets an 8 at best, it's a useable sound but not in the always-on / always-off position, so the lack of footswitch really kills it.

The drive / gain channels?? They're pretty miserable. Muddy, cold, flat. I don't really understand what Fender's logic was that someone would pay $800 for an amp but not drop a few bills on a distortion pedal.

Um, hard to say. I practice with this amp three or four times a week and have been for the last four months. Twice I've experienced it cutting out unexpectedly. It comes back if I power down the amp for a minute and bring it back up. I'm going to have it benched before I bring it on a gig, and there will definitely be a backup.

I'm overall pretty happy with the amp. If it fizzled at a gig I'd destroy it. I was working with one of the Valvetronix modelers previously and like the way this handles in comparison. It's comparing apples & oranges but the super expressive footswitch on the Vox was an excellent detail. It records well and cuts through the mix. It's a keeper.

This amp is mid 90's model, made in USA, has clean & overdrive channel with a "more" drive function that acts as an overdrive boost with more saturation (sort of a 3rd channel). Tone controls are straightforward Bass/Middle/Treble, with Presence, Reverb, Drive channel preamp volume and master volume. other features are Effects Loop, Aux speaker output and footswitch for channel switching. Tone controls are shared for both channel but there is not much of a tone variation from channel switching so this is not much of an issue. Features i wish it had would be Reverb footswitch function.

Clean sounds on this amp are very good, Reverb was a little swampy and overbearing, this was easily remedied by removing resistor R-103 right under reverb pot, very simple mod that improves reverb function immensely. Overall the clean sounds a lot like the old Fender "blackface" clean that we all know and love which is why i bought it.
The overdrive channel is not the best around but it is very useable. I find it works best when setup for milder overdrive to the point over good sustaing notes, then kick in "more drive" feature and this baby sings. I auditioned this amp with a modified strat and an Analog Man modded TS-9, I found the overdrive channel on a mild setting kicked Analog Man's ass, and the "more drive" is a nice bonus.
A couple of things worth noting-
this amp responds extremely well to effects running through the front end, my Aramat Green Machine Vintage Tone Project 60's fuzz, MXR EVH Phase and Vintage FX Tremolo all sound fantastic thruogh this amp. I have a Boss Delay machine going through the loop with excellent results.
Also, the stock Eminence speakers sound like crap IMO, i am just not a fan of early speaker breakup. Out goes the stock units, in goes a set of Jensen Mod 10-70's. These speakers kick major ass, are very inexpensive ($118 for 4) and completely save the tone on this amp, clean headroom goes up considerably. I would rate the sound quality about a 6.5 with stock speakers.
As it stands this amp will run circles around my Rivera S-120 combo but not my Soldano Decatone.

Not at all bad for a entry level priced mass produced tube amp. My amp has a couple of reliability issues with the footswitch that i have to look into. This is a very serviceable unit, pull the back panel and blammo, quick access to the guts for bias adjustments, ect. Build quality is good overall with the exception of those damn plastic jacks, which just plain suck. Otherwise pretty roadworthy.

I have emailed Fender about the heat resistant foam padding for the preamp tubes, actually got a response in less than a week and sent me the part free of charge for an amp i bought used, that is remarkable for a big corporation.
In addition, when you buy any Fender product it is like buying a Harley Davidson, you have tons of support in the aftermarket as far as parts, mods, and techs who can hot rod the hell out of these things. As a bonus you have name brand recognition for resale value.

I have been playing a long time, owned lots of gear and feel qualified to say that this is a good amp.
My main objective was to use this amp as a platform to have it modded and see if i can make it into a very roadworthy combo and bring the sound quality up near my Soldano so i don't have to schlep a head and 4-12 rig to bar gigs. So far i am most of the way there, next stop is to send the chasis into Omega amps for his tone mods and metal jack replacements. I've heard a lot of great things about them, stay tuned for that review on the Omega Amps section. If I accomplish all of this for well under a grand i would say that's a fantastic deal.

One of the best Fender amps ever produced. Enough headroom power to be loud and clean, or break up nicely on gain channel. Handles pedals well.

Gets loud fast. Too loud for home recording, but with its open back it's great for gigs w/o using a mic. 4x10's have tons of bass and fast response.

"More Drive" is not my style, but Fender seemed to have wanted to get loads of distortion at store volumes. Use a distortion pedal instead.

Sounds like a real Fender. Kind of has a mass produced vibe to it, but delivers the goods. I bet there are a lot of boutique amps based on Fender designs that would lose to the Deville in blind tests.

Loud enough for any venue. Heavy.

2006 Model. I play rock/blues/funk and the amp works perfect for all those. I can get a fairly high gain sound but why would you really need anything higher than that unless you're playing Cookie-Monster metal? 2.5 channels, clean, drive/more drive. No headphone jack, although I wish it did because this thing is LOUD. I'm fine with it not having a bunch of features besides reverb though, because I usually like Chorus Ensemble pedals and delay pedals anyway. I play in a touring band and this thing's a tank. Definitely enough power because I never have to push it above 4 and it still kills. All tube amp.

Playing through a Reverend Club King 290. Sometimes I do get a little squealing through the more drive but I never use the more drive. Thinking about investing in the Boss Noise Supressor. The music is perfect for my style, because quite honestly, I'm tired of all the "modern" sounds, the really high gain stuff that has no definition to it. I love the clean channel. Distortion is not brutal, but it'll scream even on 2 or 3. As stated before, this amp is extremely loud. I can't really practice on my own with it because below 2 or 1 you can't hear the distortion.

Yeah, I will use it on gigs without backups. The amp has never broken down and I've had it for quite some time. I love it.

Never had to deal with it.

I've played through a Marshall TSL, played through a Voodoo, other amps, and I do love this amp. It's no Voodoo or vintage Marshall, but for $799, I love it. I was deciding between an AC30 or the DeVille, and ultimately went with the DeVille because for the price, you can't do much better than that. Plus I got the blonde finish and it looks remarkable. If it were stolen, I would most likely buy another, but I have to admit, I'd like to save up and get the Marshall SLP.

Seems to be a pretty solidly built amp. Fender says 3 channel, I agree with a previous review that says one. The tone stack business just doesn't cut it. The effects loop has the tendancy to be a little noisy. Also for some reason my Wah Wah (Hammond Organ Crybaby Vintage 70's) won't work inline between my guitar and amp so I have to stick it in the effects loop (see above noisy) The noise isn't horrible but it's more than i've ever had to deal with before. Still a nice 2X12 60 watt tube amp thou. At 53lbs its not all that heavy. Way lighter than my 2X12 line 6

:D CLEAN!!!!!! Thats where this amp really shines! Tone doesn't come out of this amp it oozes out like warm butter. Seriously this amp has one of the best clean tones i've ever heard. The day after my line 6 died I laid out of work and mourned my loss by driving to ever music store in the area (5 or so) and playing tube amps within my price range. This one had the rest of them beat hands down, as well as some of the other fender models. the normal drive channel is more what i would call overdrive, good for bluesy stuff i suppose. If you want a fuzz sound i'd reccomend sticking something else with the amp my choice was a rocktron silver dragon.

I don't think i'd ever gig period without a back up. It hasn't broken down on me. Is easy to work on. Sounds good. So no complaints here.

N/a

I've been playing for 14 years or so. I have several other amps, this one is my favorite by far. I love the tones i can get out of it, coupled with the silver dragon its a match made in heaven. On the day I decided on this amp I played through the Kustom Coupe '72 and '36, Crate classic 50, Marshall TSL, and a bunch of solid state amps. This one was my favorite. I do wish my wah worked inline with my guitar, i do wish the effects loop was a little quieter. Perhaps i'll get a hush kit or something.

very sensitive knobs
reverb is useless above 2
clean breaks up too early
drive is hellacious
not really a useable amplifier

clean is okay at low volume, but my goodness, the drive has got to be kidding me, never heard worse
like a buzzy, grainy, gritty sound, terrible for chording
i found the presence to be very noisy
tried to play live with it, and it literally ruined the gig
people were asking me what was wrong with my sound

probably very good

again, i'm sure it's good

i'd pay someone to steal this piece of shit

Bought new in 2005. Features have been covered but I will add a few comments on some of them. Okay, the amp has shared EQ for the channels. Many do this, and it is kind of a shame but you know that going in.

Overall, this is a killer amp (more on that below) but there is one thing about it that just bugs me no end. The footswitch. I find ONE of the two overdrive channels useable. By that I mean I can either set the DRIVE or the MORE DRIVE to be usable, but not both. Problem is the difference in volume more than even the difference in gain. How does the footswitch come into this? Well, because they decided to use a two-button footswitch, they used it up letting you go from clean, to DRIVE to MORE DRIVE, but they have NO FOOTSWITCHABLE REVERB.

This may not be a big deal to some players. Some either have it on all the time or off all the time. But traditionally, they broke with convention...so it must have been discussed in the design phase, and someone made the terrible decision to just not have an on/off or footswitchable reverb. For me this is a very bad thing. I often like to go from 'verb to dry (it has the effect of making it seem like the guitar came from further away to suddenly right THERE) or vice versa. Often songs with abrupt stops sound SO much tighter without reverb.

To make it even worse, the reverb knob is WAY too sensitive (linear pot) which means it is very haard to get the exact level of reverb you want. To make this EVEN worse, there is no on/off switch on the AMP either for reverb. So if you want it off, then on again, it is impossible to set it back where it was exactly, and small increments make big changes.

I solved this by buying an EBS Dynaverb, after spending a LOT of time trying out 'verbs, and this one seemed to be able to get closest to the built-in 'verb sound. And of course, being a pedal it's foot-switchable.

Note also that it seems Fender did the sales trick of making the volume pot linear also (fools kids who turn it up to 2 or 3 in the store, have this LOUD volume, and think "wow...wait til I get it home and turn it up to 10!" not realizing they are only going to get a little more out of it.

Okay, those are the negatives. I don't mind that the legends on the knobs are upside down, though it is a minor problem with the white-on-chrome to read the knobs without having to shade behind them with your hand to read them. After a while you know which is which, but it is a case of trying to make it seem vintage, but making it less easily used. Many do this though, so no big points off for that.

As others have gone into this, just thought to mention, the effects SEND/RETURN works very well, the extension speaker jack is pretty flexible as you can insert a dummy plug also in the main jack (going to the 4 10"s, 4 ohm if I remember right) and use it as a head, or use an 8 ohm speaker cab using all speakers, buil-in and extension.

I use my amp stand alone sometimes, and if space allows I like to use a Marshall 4 x 12" cab to mellow out the sound a little.

I'm giving them points off (bigtime) for the reverb decision (not footswitchable) and the other stuff I mentioned. The effects loop is fine, but I expect that.

I have several amps, and in my opinion, JUST thinking about features, Carvin does it way better than Fender on plain tube amps. Carvin (at a fairly low price) gives you seperate EQ on each channel, extra presence on the Lead channel (talking about the Carvin MTS series), siwtchable impedance, footswitchable channel/reverb, switchable between 50/100 watts, line out (voiced line), SND/RET. Those features on a Hot Rod (DeVille or DeLuxe) would be KILLER.

Okay, features-wise I was a little negative. Just to mention I have had the amp now for almost a year. Have played it in our band rehearsal, at home, and out on gigs. In the meantime I have aquired a handmade Fender BAssman 5F6A, which I am in LOVE with, and which gives me much clearer, shimmering, indescribably wonderful sounds, BUT...the Hot Rod is no pig in comparison. They actually compiment each other. I had thought about selling the HR when I was buying the Bassman, but in the end I decided to keep it. I'm very glad I did.

The cleans on the HR are VERY nice. They are a little "fat", but there is a wonderful feel and sound to this amp. I almost wanted to not like it so much, but I have to admit there is DEFINITELY something special about the sound of this amp, especially cranked a little. Alone, in a small room, practicing...it isn't nearly as good as cranked, in the mix. It cuts through nicely. When I play it right next to the Bassman, the Bassman is much "clearer" the HR sounds...I don't want to say muffled because it is the wrong idea, but slightly less defined, but in a good way. I can get Freddie King, BB King, SRV, Hendrix (both the harsh and the mellow, from Voodoo Chile to Wind Cries Mary), Clapton, just...the only way to say it is, some amps are just amps, some amps are like "partners", and this one feels like a friend I can depend on to help me make good music.


I also have read lots of folks HATE the drive channels. I don't know what they are using them for or expecting from them, but personally I like to set one or the other (DRIVE or MORE DRIVE) for a slight breakup and find I can use that just fine...though mostly I do stick to the clean, using a Zendrive for OD, and a Jekyll & Hyde for a second and third OD. But I also use the Drive. As mentioned above, for me the difference in volume makes it so I can only use one really.

I haven't done ANY mods, my amp is stock. I use a 4 x 12" extension cab sometimes, but gigging out with just the amp (not miced even) works fine and dandy, and this amp has killer sound.

I am seriously considering doing that mod where you tie one side of one of the EQ pots to the wiper, and get more control of the bass pot. The bass pot doesn't do as much as I'd like, and the EQ stack si very interactive. Also thinking of modding for the brighter sound (mods mentioned in previouse reviews). But really, just stock, this amp sounds wonderful. I highly reccomend it. If you are like me about the reverb, and really want it footswitchable, I would look into a Blues DeVille if I were you, but I've never played one so it is just from hearsay and features.

I play (as you may have guessed) lots of blues, als Hendrixy rock, and almost anything. This amp is a sure thing as far as I am concerned.

I love this section, where folk that have had NO problem with their gear, diss it because they read someone else has had, or even several. It ought to be YOUR experience with it. Also can we stop with the "built like a tank..."'s? Folk give reliability ratings because it's HEAVY, or has a metal case. Has nothing to do with it. I think you ought to not give a rating if you've only owned something for a few weeks, UNLESS you already had problems with it.

Had the amp for a year, about, and have carried it to practice every week for most of that time (now I leave it at practice), and no problems at all. Still, a year isn't so long, and I expect that. It isn't a sign of excellent reliability. But, no problems whatsoever.

Never dealt with Fender. Hate their website. TOO miserly with info, not enough historical information. Still I can't have an opinion about their support without having used it.

I have a couple of strats, many pedals, other amps I currently have and use are (not in any order of esteem, just random); Carvin MTS 3212, Peavey Classic 30, Fender Prosonic head, hand-built Bassman 5F6A (the BEST Jerry, the BEST!!), Carvin Vintage 33, Crate Taxi, little Crate practice amp (solid state, but COOL!), Roland Cube 60 (one from the 80's, one from yesterday), and I used to own an Ampeg VT-22 410.

This amp is right at the top of the list for me. My Bassman gives me something this amp doesn't, but this HR is EXCELLENT and well worth the money. Wish it had the footswitchable reverb, since I have other backup amps, I may try and see if I can mod it. Mainly though, this amp, STOCK is one of the best amps I have played.

It's human nature to expect ALL features to be the BEST, but honestly, if they had marketed this amp with NO drive channels, just a clean people would be in love with it. But instead they're going "damn...the drive channel sounds like bees in a can" (well, not to me, I use mine and think it sounds great), but again...pricewise, if it only had the clean, it would still have effects-loop, reverb, and a different but equally complementary sound to the Bassman RI LTD, which has no verb, no "switchable channels", no extension speaker out, etc.

Also, I love the sound of 4 10" speakers, but also it works really well combined with some 12"'s in an extension cab.

I don't know how these amps are made these days, but mine is a '97 from when they were still made in the USA. It's got your basic three channels; clean, dirty, and more dirty. It's got the classic Fender reverb, and from the looks of the reverb tank, it seems to be standard Fender issue. I have the 4x10 model. It's all tube, American made glory, which is really hard to find in an amp these days for under $1000. Yes, it does have circuit board in it but so does my '79 Marshall JMP, and so do alot of other well made amps. It's as heavy as a brick sh*thouse.

I have never posted to this board before, but after reading the previous review, I felt I had to. The guy says this amp has the worst dirty channels he has ever heard. Now, I don't know where or when his was made or if there was anything wrong with it, but I am a pro player in an international touring band and I have played through many amps and, for me anyway, this is hands down one of the best sounding amps I have played through regardless of price. The only sound you won't get from it is a high gain metal sound (which you can get from it with the use of pedals). If you want classic rock bliss (think stones, beatles, eagles, yardbirds, even ac/dc bluesy stuff). The clean channel simply smokes esp. with the reverb. For country or rockabilly it's just insane. I can get the classic Johnny Cash boom-chika-boom-chika sound. I even had a guy like the sound so much, he traded me a Mesa Boogie Mk4 for it which I did because I was playing in a punk band. A few years later I got it back from him and fell in love with it all over again. The only flaw I can find is in the "More Dirty" channel which can get a little noisy. I see this amp all the time in the backline of major players (not so much the 2x12 version, which for some reason did not sound as good to me when I a/b'd them). I've used this amp with Les Pauls, Tele's, PRS, you name it. I will probably never sell or trade this amp again. I give it a 9 because of the dirty "More Dirty" cannels noise issue and because I haven't played a 10 yet.

Solid. Never had anything other than tubes needing to be changed.

Never needed it.

I've been playing for 25 years. Main guitar is a Les Paul or Tele. I've played all kinds of music. If this amp were stolen, I would buy another one but I would look for one from the same era. The bad reviews make me think the workmanship of the new ones has gone down hill. The people I've heard talk sh*t about these amps have usually been gear snobs (The same type who claim to hear the difference in what color cables they use)

decent features, seperate eq would be nice
i hate bright switches

the clean is very good, not fenders best, but very nice
the drive is honestly the worst drive i have ever heard
worse than solid state, and totally unuseable
you have to run pedals through the clean channel
which sounds great, this amp loves pedals

who knows, honestly, i have my doubts about mexican made gear
although, i love the mexi strats

no problem

i miss my peavey delta bhlues 210
should have never sold it!!
how can you own an amp that you hate the drive channel?
all i needed was a cable and my axe oh well

Bought it in used in "like new" condition so I'm guessing it's not more than a few years old. Won't bother listing all the features. If your interested in this amp you probably already know what they are. 60 watts at 8 ohms. Accepts an 8 ohm extension speaker cab. I have an 8 ohm 2x12 cab (w/ vintage 30's) that will be interesting to try at some point. My only reservation is the reliability of the solid-state reverb driver and recovery circuitry. Would have been happier with separate EQ for drive channel but I hasn't been a real big problem with the kind of music I use it for (blues, jazz, classic rock).

Primary guitar is an American Strat with stock pickups. With a smidgeon of reverb, chord comping is heavenly. I stick primarily with the clean channel so solos can be a little thin sounding. I remedy this with a Way Huge Green Rhino (think Tube Screamer with better bass response) and a ED-1 compressor to kick the preamp a bit harder. The amp is dead quiet on the clean channel but can be noisy on the drive and more drive settings. Clean channel will break up at higher volumes with the stock (SOVTEK) preamp tubes. I replaced the Sovteks with NOS and put a lower gain tube in the phase inverter position with fantastic results. Replacing the stock preamp tubes significantly increased the clean channel headroom and even tightened up the drive channel a bit. Highly recommended. When I started looking for a new amp, I was nearly convinced that I would be going with a Blackface reissue. After a half-dozen trips to Guitar Center and a few other music stores, I could no longer resist the gravitational pull of the Hot Rod Deville. Though it doesn't get you all the way to Backface territory, it can come pretty damn close and leave you the option of opening up the mids for a fatter sound. All I can say is that my Hot Rod Deville and my American Strat is a match made in heaven. The drive and more drive "channels" can get a bit loose in the low end at higher settings, especially with the neck pickup. Flip over to the bridge pickup and yer rockin' out without the flub. Right now I'm fine with the clean channel and my stomp boxes.

I've owned several Fender amps and have never been let down. Treat it right and keep spare tubes handy and life is good.

I only had to contact Fender once to get schematics for a discontinued solid-state (M80). They were friendly and helpful. This was 5 or six years ago though so who knows what the current state of affairs is.

Been playing for over 30 years. I have a boatload of amps and effects collecting dust in my closet. I guess my taste is more towards simplicity these days. Like many, I've been lured to the "dark side" by slick marketing hype and technobabble. Now that's all flushed out of my system and I content to stick with what works. Besides my '65 Bandmaster, this amp is a keeper.

Built in 2005 i suppose since i bought it last saturday and it was still packed. Hot rod Deville 410.

It sounds great, i play rock 'n' roll/blues (jon spencer style) and the Deville is the one i was lookin' for. It's fat and delicious, actually a gift from the sky for my sound. I'm still experimenting with the eq, the drive and the reverb, but everything comes out of that Thing is gorgeus. Pure deep and crystalline clean channel and saucy 60's overdrive, got it: drive "take it easy and rock" and more drive"Start kickin' the jam"...It's got the blues in fellows, DA BLUES is in it!

It's brand new, but it's the only i've got (i spent a lot of cash for it here in italy) and so it's my amp for giggin' and i'm proud of this. but it looks strong, it fuckin' Heavy in fact. i go for a 10 'cos i trust in it

don't know

I'm 25 and i play since i was 12, never got money enough to get a tube one but i wanted it, i play in a band called Pussy for President and i needed a sound to shake girl's souls all around and this amp is now my new good friend together with the other band members, the more i play it the more i discover is great sound. I am happy with my Hot rod Deville next to me.

The one i own is a 2002. I've replaced the tubes 3 times in it with the fender groove tubes, each time the amp comes back to life. It has 3 channels, but the overdrive is very thin. Clean,drive, moredrive. The moredrive is pretty heavy (can you head the outro to give it away by RHCP playing?). The footswitch is pretty handy though. I wish there was seperate EQ for the drives and stuff. I use this amp in my band.

Lacks the low bottom.... Nice clean, but buy some distortion pedals or overdrive pedals. The built in stuff really doesn't cut it. I play some SRV, the red hot chili peppers, sublime, and some audioslave in my band. I use an american strat with texas special pickups and it really sounds cool on this amp. without a noise gate you will receive very bad feedback from the distortion.

Its never broken down on me without any problems..we practice every week and play a show about every 2 months.

i got is used...my local guitar shop www.carpentersworldofmusic.com is really helpful

I've had it for 5 years now and it's played a lot of shows with me. I'm trading it in though, because the low end isn't cutting it. Get a Marshall half stack if you plan to play in places bigger than clubs. Your sound will fill up the room more and people will be able to feel you play, not have to turn their ear toward you.

this amp is your stepping stone between a 2x12 combo and a half stack.

I got the amp in 2001. My style of music is Blues Rock/ Classic Rock. The three channels suit me fine and the drive channels have eliminated the need for a distortion box! The amp is REALLY loud!! I kill my drummer on 4!! Sometimes it can get a bit 'bitey', shrill even. But then again, I play Strats....so a little knob tweaking will cure that! The tube warmness is fantastic. The clean channel is Fender pristine....enough to do a convincing cover of SRV's "Lenny". The dirty channels can conjur up Hendrix, Trower and the like easily!!

I'm using several Strats with it: a 1979 Antigua Strat with DiMarzio Virtual Vintage pups, a 2003 American Deluxe Fat Strat with a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge, a 2005 Deluxe Players Strat with Fender Noiseless pups, a 1991 fender Heartfield Talon with 2 Seymour Duncan Alnico II's and a Fender Noiseless in the middle. My effects are as follows: A SKB PS-45 board..Fulltone Clyde Deluxe Wah, Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Classic Fuzz and Octave Fuzz, Fulltone DejaVibe,Danelectro Tuna Melt Tremolo, Line 6 Roto-Machine, Boss DD-3 delay, Fulltone Fat Boost, Boss Tuner. The amp cover my set list nicely.

Hasn't let me down in 4 years!!

Never used them!

I would HAVE to replace it if it were stolen....It's MY sound!!! i wish it were LIGHTER though....it's a backbreaker!

I purchased this amp in 1997, the serial number seems to indicate that it was made in 1997. It has three channels, clean, and two overdrive channels. 4x10 cabinet, 60 watts all tube. Sadly, no separate EQ for each channel. Effects Loop, Reverb, Presence, and a Bright switch. In other words, all of the tube amp must haves except for the separate EQs.

I play all kinds of music and what I play has changed over the years. When I first got the amp nine years ago, I played hard rock and metal. Now, I play blues, classic rock, R&B, and some jazz.

This amp has sufficient power. Really, too much power. That's my number two complaint about the amp, number one is the crappy input jacks. More on that later. I have changed the volume pots to audio tapers and its still just way too loud even at "low" volumes (I rarely turn it up past 2.5). Mostly, I use it for practice in the basement, but when I play out (once every month or two) I always use it for that too. I get to turn it up a bit more (but rarely past 4) on these occasions. I of course have cranked it up to 12 on many occasions, but I think 4-6 on the volume knob is the sweet spot on this amp.

I use an Ibanez S-Classic with the Infinity pickups (bright, throaty, lots of midrange), a strat with standard pickups and a Seymour Duncan Hot Rails in the bridge (which is a very hot pickup), and my personal fave, an Epiphone Dot 335 with Gibson Burstbucker Pros (which are made to replicate the Gibson PAF pickups, which are arguably the best ever made).

The clean channel is heavenly. With all of these guitars, I can hear the guitar's personality. Setting the EQ properly really makes a big difference, though. I tend to like Mids on 12, bass on 4, and treble on 8 with presence on 12, bright switch on, and reverb on about 4 and I get a just plain delightful sound, esp when I crank it up to about 3 or 4. To die for, if you set it right. Some people turn everything up, or scoop out the mids. It won't sound so nice if you do that, but I don't think any amp would.

The drive channels sound the same to me tone-wise, exceot one is drive and the other is more drive. One is saturated. The other is REALLY saturated. I happen to like the tone, though I have seen that many reviewers do not. I have to admit, I do with that I had separate EQ settings for each channel, but honestly, the amp has served me for nearly ten years so I guess I don't need that. With the Epi, I get the creamiest tone esp with the neck pickup. It is a great sound! The strat with the SD hot rails pickup is VERY saturated, I used to play lots of Metallica, Danzig, etc with it and it sounded great, Pinch harmonics squeal for days. I think the trick to the drive channel is to roll the drive down to about 6 for really heavy stuff, rather than crank it to 12. 12 sounds a bit too fizzy for my tastes, even with the metal stuff. Now, I keep the drive on about 4.5 and use the drive for leads when I play blues and the more drive for classic rock leads and I love the sound. It doesn't sound like, say, a Marshall in terms of crunch, and it doesn't sound like a Blackface Twin either. But who expects one amp to sound like another? It has its own character. If I had it my way, I would probably have this and a Blackface twin so I could have more variety. Even if I had the blackface twin, though, I would still use this amp. The one group this amp will not work for are those who want a harsh distortion. But those folks don't want a tube amp anyhow so that is irrelevant.

Generally, this is a reliable amp. I have had one very annoying problem with it: the plastic sleeve on the imput jacks. The jacks are soldered directly onto the PC board. The jacks also have a metal nut threaded on a plastic sleeve (I am no engineer and I know this is a Bad Thing). Well, as you may have guessed, after about 7 years the plastic stripped and the jack was loose. Later the loose jack, due to normal use, managed to break the solder connection to the PC board. When I would play Bb, I would get a HORRIBLE buzz. This totally killed a live performance, much to my annoyance and embarassment. Fortunately, it was not a paying gig. At least it was easy to fix. I put a new ALL METAL jack in the amp, soldered some leads to the PC board, and problem solved. However, I would have gladly paid $100 more for the amp to cover the cost of decent input jacks.

Otherwise, this amp has served me well for nearly ten years with just one tube change / biasing. Maybe having all that extra power is a good thing, because it does not seem to wear tubes out quickly.

Otherwise, the only things that concern me are the fact that this thing does have a PC board, but point to point wiring would maybe triple the price tag, so who is complaining? Also, it would have thrilled me to see porcelain tube sockets instead of bakelite or plastic or whatever, but again...you'd have to shell out twice as much for a Mesa to get those things. Or put em in yourself. Don't think it'll pose a problem in the forseeable future, but I would have been giddy to see better parts like porcelain tube sockets or all metal input jacks, etc. But I digress. I can't complain. Nine years, one problem. I wish Fender made cars.

Never dealt with 'em. Probably crap, though, like everyone else.

If this amp came up missing, I would *maybe* play a deluxe reverb cause it's smaller or find a Mesa Boogie Lonestar for the same price (not gonna happen). Either one of those amps would have to floor me, though, to make me switch from the Hot Rod DeVille.

I have found some sites which outline some neat modifications for this amp. I have changed out the pots with audio taper pots, but I have been considering a few other things. All in all, this is a great amp. Yes, I have a few minor complaints but for the money, and even for twice the price, this is a great amp. I will give this a ten, because it is a fantastic value. It's not perfect, but if you want a "perfect" amp, you have to shell out a LOT more cash. If you find a better amp for this price, I'd love to know how I can get one. I played small Mesas, an Ampeg Reverborocket reissue, Marshall heads, a Fender Twin, not to mention all of the crappy Crate and Peavey amps that music stores try to push on you. I bought the DeVille.

Bottom line:
Cons: too heavy, too powerful, and some cheap parts.
Pros: plenty of power, superb tone, great value.

you know the features, basic stuff,great reverb as fender is known for. Nothing fancy but presence is nice. Two drive channels,drive and more drive. Crazy.

I play a 54 custome shop strat and a 60 les paul classic reissue.
mostly blues and southern rock.Always in search of tone,i go with the univibe,the blues driver,and the vox wah.This amp sounds fantastic. I had my questions about what the les paul was going to do through this thing but that lasted for about three notes. And the strat sounds incredible, i use the clean channel with effects, for everything.The more drive is nice but i find i never use it. Its just over kill, but this amp loves effects.

i've ahd this amp eight years and i havnt done a thing.
It sat in storage for two years and now it play it every day.
I don't beat it but no complaints.

A five year warranty gives you a warm feeling no?

i've been playing guitar for 26 years, mostly recording.
we played peavey amps growing up cause we had no money, now we have a little more money and we can buy a fender.I was trying to think about what i would like in her place and i just couldn't think of anything for the money.

I've had this amp for a year, got it from guitar center. It's got (one) three channel(s)and a master volume knob for distortion and a gain booster for solos. Came with a foot pedal. It also has reverb and a bright/normal option, which are nice. The reverb i don't really like above 2 or 3 on the dial. I would say that this amp is actually too loud for playing in a basement or a small gig. It's loud.

The clean is pretty good, so i use that and toss an overdrive pedal in the mix and i'm set. The amps distortion is ok, but a nice overdrive pedal can provide a more full and rich overdrive. I use a homebrew power screamer, and play a g&l comanche. It sounds pretty good for rock and roll and jam stuff.

Solid. I think having extra tubes is always a good idea, but it is solid.

Never talked to them, but it has a five year warranty.

Overall it gets the job done. If I had the free cash I would invest in something like a mesa boogie lonestar. The lead guitar player in our band just picked one up. That thing makes my guitar sound really good. But if you don't have the flow, rock the deville. It's loud, I think that should be stressed here, lot's of volume. If it were stolen, i would shop around and maybe upgrade, but for now i like this amp.

This amp has a lot of great features. The Preamp Out jack is incredibly useful, especially if you have other amps with a Power Amp in jack. It also has the ability to run it's own speakers and an external cabinet at the same time.

However, the downside to this amp is that it only has one EQ for both the clean and drive channels. This is a pretty big downside because it takes away from the usefulness of the drive channel (which is kinda useless to begin with).

I think being a 4x10 tube combo is also a big downside to this amp. It's pretty difficult to transport. It'd be a whole lot easier if you bought a head and then used a 2x12 cabinet or a combo with an extension cabinet.

The footswitch doesn't switch reverb, it only switches the clean/drive channels and the more drive on. It also can't turn off the effects loop.

I played this amp with an Epiphone Les Paul Standard.

The clean sounds and reverb are amazing, like the clean tones and reverb on most Fender amps. It can do pretty much any clean tone you want, you just have to work with the EQ to figure out the tone you want. The presence control lets you make things brighter, which is nice. If you're looking for great clean sounds you can't go wrong with this amp.

The drive/more drive sounds are horrible. The drive/more drive channel is incredibly muddy, and I'm not exactly sure what causes it. The EQ doesn't really decrease the muddiness, and you also have to remember that there's only one EQ for both channels. It's very difficult to find EQ settings that work well for both channels.

If you wanna turn up the clean channel really loud in an attempt to get a good overdrive, you'd be better off with a much smaller amp. The Fender HRD doesn't break up until very loud volumes, because it has 60 watts and 4 speakers. Occasionally I would turn this amp loud enough to get that tube overdrive from the clean channel, but it was so ridiculously loud that I could practically use the sound that came from it.

I've read that if you change the tubes that you can decrease the muddiness of this amp but if you're spending $800 on this amp new you shouldn't have to buy new tubes for it.

You'll have much better luck with this amp if you use an overdrive or distortion pedal. I used a Boss DS-1 with this amp (for 3 years) and it sounded pretty decent. I recently purchased a Vox Pathfinder 15R though, and upon hearing the distortion sounds of that amp, I realized that a Boss DS-1 with a Fender Hot Rod is only mediocre sounding.

My suggestion to anyone looking at this amp is to only buy it if you need to play clean stuff really loudly. There's no point in buying this amp for its tubes, because the big positive about tubes (better distortion) isn't there. You'll end up using transistor/solid state distortion from a stompbox. If you want Fender tube distortion, go with older Fender tube combos. I have a Fender Vibro Champ now and the sound on that is much better, but it's only 5 watts.

It's really dependable. I bought it used and never needed it serviced or anything. Since you can never use the full volume of the amp the tubes last forever as well.

Never had to deal with them, so I can't say.

I've been playing 6 years or so. Currently I own a Vox Pathfinder 15R and a 1960s Silverface Fender Vibro Champ.

If it were stolen or lost, I would buy something else. I sold this amp on eBay just last week, and ended up buying the two amps I just listed above.

I ended up buying this amp because I desparately needed an amp at the time for a band I was joined. I had no idea how much volume I needed so I just bought the biggest tube amp I could afford, which was the Fender Hot Rod Deville.

The two things I love about this amp are its clean tones and reverb. They are amazing. You can get the same clean sounds out of other amps though. I've found that my Vox Pathfinder 15R gets equal if not better clean sounds than the Fender HRD. If you really like Fender cleans, get a Fender amp, just not this one.

The things I hate about this amp are everything else basically. It's distortion and overdrive sounds are horrible, and no one should buy this amp if they play any kind of rock music. There's only one EQ for every channel. It's bulky and is difficult to transport, especially for a combo. The footswitch can't control the better features of the amp (fx loop and reverb).

You can do much better than this amp with less money. Just realize that if you're looking for a tube amp for good tube overdrive/distortion sounds, this amp won't get you them. You're just going to end up using a stompbox. I would suggest to anyone seriously looking into this amp, to get two older Fender tube combos and run them in stereo. You'll be able to get a good stage volume, good cleans, and good tube distortion sounds.

You have read them all before. Could use separate EQs for both channels and a wet/dry control for the effects loop. I hardly ever use the "More Drive" mode and if I do it's with the gain turned way down.

I play '70s rock, blues and country rock. (I am 45, so you understand where I am coming from). I am pretty much a straight into the front of the amp guy now a days, I do use a Marshall Jackhammer on the O/D setting sometimes.

However, I am a tamperer.....

I have changed the preamp and phase inverter valves from 12AX7s to NOS 12AT7 Brimars. I have also changed the 6L6GC power valves for some NOS Phillips 7581a valves and biased them at 70mV.

The improvement on an already fine amp was HUGE! I shit you not.

The lower gain preamp valves calm everything right down and enable you to actually use the volume and drive knobs. The clean headroom has gone through the roof on the clean channel and the drive channel is absolutely fantastic, it now has way better response to the guitar's volume controls and is way more touch sensitive.

I play a 2004 American Deluxe Tele with SCN pups/S1 switch, a 2005 '61 re-issue SG and a 2000 ES335, both with '57 Classics and this amp reacts beautifully to all of them. Each guitar has considerably more "individual personality" with this valve swap.

I briefly tried a set of Celestion Tube 10 speakers and didn't like them. Very muddy and narrow frequency response. My SG sounded like crap through them and my Tele sounded like it needed new strings. I refitted the stock speakers and they seem fine. There may be better, I am open to suggestions. The stock speakers do tend to break up a little early for my liking. Rating pre-mods:7. Post mods:9.

This is the second one I have had, the first one blew up the second week I had it. I have had this one for 4 months now, (warranty replacement). The effects out doesn't work on this one anymore.
I haven't had it back to the shop because I have to take out the valves, replace the stock ones, re-bias it, put nail polish on the bias adjust pot so it looks like I haven't played with it......

The shop I got it from replaced the first one with no questions asked, never dealt directly with Fender, I am in Brisbane, Australia.

I have been playing for 35 years and own 10 guitars, the ones I mentioned are the ones I use most. I also own Marshall and Roland gear and this amp shits on them. If it was stolen or lost I would take the insurance money, get another, do the same mods and be happy.

I am a little suspect of it's long term reliability, but we will see.

It would be a much better if Fender would save the money on the "More Drive" mode and spend it on and adding seperate EQ controls for the 2 channels. A mix control for the effects loop would be nice, (mine doesn't work anyway).

Pretty much standard stuff for a tube amp.
the 4x10 offers a great spread of sound

I use a fender 72 custom, never have it above 2 for practice in a loud praccy room. clean channel is sublime. i don't use a lot of heavy od but i think if this is your bag you'd be better off with a marshall anyway. my style is snappy, angular guitar chops (i.e. Bloc Party, Devo, Futureheads) and it works fine for me.

i don't use a lot of reverb in my sound anyway, but the reverb on this is as good as any amp i've heard.

i'm a fender nut anyway, still madly in love my old princeton.

i've had it 8 months, play it for 12-20 hours per week and it still sounds as good as when i bought it.

never had to deal with them though i expect good service from a reputable brand as fender

a beast of an amp, though if you are seeking the ultimate amp (one that you will never seek to replace) and have the money then go up a notch and buy a pro series Concert reverb.

however, this is an exceptional amp for the price and has its own sound that is fantastic in its own right.

However....

I use a lot of e-bow and it strangely seems a bit 'cloudy' on this amp. a bit of a let down.

and, you need to do some serious work in learning how to position yourself to prevent quite annoying levels of feedback.

but, other than that, this is a fine amp which i would recommend to anyone who is after a modern, fender type sound.

Just purchased in 2005. If you are reading this review , you probably already know the standard features of this AMP. Briefly , I play rock, funk , blues, and some jazz. I do gig occasionaly, but never in a large or loud setting. I have not been able to raise the volume or over-drive above 2 with either band I am in. I understand however, that this is really due to the 'linear' volume control versus and 'audio' volume control. I'm so glad to come back to real 'tubes' from amp modeling technology. The 'feel/response' is what I was raised on.

I think I will try the 'yellow jacket' tube exchange system to reduce the output power, but wish Fender would provide an optional volume control for this amp. Also , give me a break , a 12 setting??

OK -bottom line its Strat's for me , only Strats, I have a few and have played professionally for 12 years and now in 'hobby mode' for 18 years. The conclusion you can make is that I have had a bunch of amplifiers - mostly good ones. The first thing 'out of the box' I noticed using my guitars with this amp(not when I demo'd the amp in the store with other guitars) was the amazing sustain on the clean channel. The touch sensitivity and response (picking style dependent) is exactly what I was looking for. I tried a bunch of guitar amps in and around this price range prior to this purchase and they didn't compare. The over-drive and more over-drive is a bit 'buzzy' which smoothes out at louder volumes. The clean sound is amazing...... even sweeter than my old hot-rodded Twin Reverb. Unfortunately, I had to purchase the amp and take it home to realize this. In the music stores, there was always to much going on , and I feel its pretty rude to pump up the volume while other people are trying to figure out what they are buying. I'm real picky about my sound (probably somewhat fanatical) and this amp meets my requirements.

If it is anything like my old 65 Twin (please someone kick me for selling it years ago), it will be great. I won't re-bias this amp or mess with the 'innards' other than the tube swap. I wanted 'out of the box' sound and got it pretty close to what I was hoping.

Not sure that Fender, Peavey, Marshal, VOX, Mesa, Crate, really care a rip about me. But they got my money because of their good product. I hope I don't have to call them .....its probably someone from India I would be talking to and I don't own a SITAR.

The warranty length is excellent - lets hope I don't have to use it.

I will play until I can't hold a guitar any more. I have collected a lot of 'this and that' over the years. This amp has received the musician coveted 'dude!' , ooooo, ahhh, sound approval from the bands I'm in. They are calling me the 'tone-a-lator'. I just wish the amp made me play better! I would only want that there was more volume control capability. I don't want to void the warranty by putting in a different potentiometer even though it doesn't look hard to do. Its a bit aggrivating to adjust the volume between .5 and .75 of 1 to get the level correctly. I would buy another or a Super Reverb (used with a master vol) if I lost this one.

3 channels - clean, drive, and more drive
bright switch
I bought mine in 2005 new, Heres the features,

4 band EQ - Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence
Fender Long tank spring reverb
effects loop
fotswithchable channels (switch included)
3 12AX7 Preamp tubes
2 6L6 Poweramp tubes
4 10" special design eminence speakers
60 Watts output power

This amp is a great versatile amp depending on your style you can set it up for almost any typle of music. I'm giving it a 8 because of two things first the plastic input jacks. Not to coming with Fender products, but anyway they are getting replaced. Second is not reverb switch on the footswitch pedal.

I play many Blues, and was looking for that fender classic sound. I got it and some more. I first the overdrive channel was to muffled for me and to much drive. So I got a hold of Bob at Eurotubes.com and he hooked me up with some great sounding tubes that took the drive out and raised the mid's to take out that muffle sounded in the overdrive, and now I can used the lead channel for my solo's. Perfect Thanks again Bob. And the clean channel is just what you would expect from Fender, it doesn't get any better.

Fender product have been good to me over the years so I would hope that this one would live up to Fender name.

A Five year transferable warrenty does get much better.

I been playing for over 15 years and my music style has changed over the years, but with that I have own alot of products and this amp is great for Blues and classic rock, but I would recommend new tubes, and if you can afford it weber speakers. I have also owned the 2X12 model and I regreaded selling it forever, but when it came time to get another I fell in love with 4X10. It just has a much fuller sound. I also play a Peavey Classic 30, I would have to say I prefer the Fender for blues, you just can't bet a Fender for that Blues sound. Also for this amp my american Strat and Tele sound the best.

The amp I bought was a 2003 brand new. The amp has the classic reverb that has always defined fender tube amps. I play in an original/classic rock band with a minimal effects besides a wah. There is more than enough power for the gigs we play and it is nice to have the extra width provided by the 4x10 cab for outside gigs. It can be a little loud at times. The only tone I cannot achieve is the overdrive marshall tone but it IS a fender after all.

I play a PRS with hfs pickups and a sweet 57 goldtop reissiue. I have been playing for over 20 years and have numerous amps in the past but this amp just spoke to me in the store and just had to buy it. There is a big difference in the 4x10 version and the other combos for variety of reasons. I feel the 4x10 sweeter and more warm than the others I have tried but subjective of course. I would highly recommend this amp.

no issues in 2 years of gigiing

as far as comparsions. I used to have a mesa boogie heartbreaker 2x12 combo which had great low end and tone however I had a hell of a time getting a reasonable volume to play the gigs we were playing at the time. The amp was Entirely too dam loud. The hotroddeville is a great amp that has alowed me to get any volume I may need from small wedding receptions to full rock concert outside gigs without trouble. No regrets

Lets face it. A true tube amp is not feature packed. I bought mine new in 2004. I love it so far. I didn't think I would like the "more drive" feature. It sounded harsh at low volumes in the store. on Gigs, at stage volume, it works well. not harsh at all. Great reverb.

I play alot of country, southern rock and Blues. This amp does all of these things well. One thing i have had to change is.. I had to switch to using my Strat with this amp. I had been playing my Nashville Tele. which has Tex-Mex pickups. The over wound pickups sound muddy on the clean channel. Switching to the Strat with standard pickups sounds much better to my ears. The other issue i have would be the volume of the amp. LOUD. I know that is not really a problem. You know how tubes are. They sound better when pushed a little. There are places I use to mic my amps that now I don't. The 4-10 set up really fills the stage. As for the clean channel, It has a really great Bassman break up starting around 6 or seven but, I rarely play venues big enough to support that kind of volume.

I did have to take this amp in after only a couple of Gigs. They told me it had a solder joint broken. Service man said he had seen this a few times. I am afraid it was due to my wood sheding rather than actual gigging. I tend to be louder when no one "should" hear me but me. No trouble after that.

My repair was done under warranty. I have never gotten an amp back as soon as i would like. took two weeks. I have learned to never be without a back up. Just in case.

I have been playing for 23 years. I use a Boss phaser, Boss analog delay. compresser. No outside distortion source. I like to get all my distortion right from the amp. This amp does exactly what i need it to do. I love the 4-10 set up. I never thought i would say this but, the only thing i would change would be a little lower wattage. I know the deluxe has 40 rather than 60 but, it only has the 1-12. not good for me. If this one was lost or stolen i would get another.

the reverb is great, as well as the prescense knob which can really bring out the top boost. the overdrive has a great sound for blues and rocknroll, and ive used it in a punk band as well.

i use it with noiseless pickups and play alot of classic rock and blues, as well as jazz. its not very noisy even when gain is all the way up. when reverb is cranked the guitar can make amazing sounds off amp feedback through mutepicking and just banging the strings around.

ive had the amp for one and a half years and recently the distortion died on me. one of the tubes seems to have gone bad but it might have to do with me cranking the amp too much in loud shows....

fender? customer support? sureeeee

its a great amp though it needs some service now and again.