Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Limited Edition 112 Combo

I bought the 2003 Hot Rod Deluxe Limited Edition Laquered Tweed Amp.
This amp has the Jensen P-12-N alnico upgrade speaker. 3 Channels clean, drive and overdrive. Also comes with foot switch and cover. 40 watts power which is plenty for me since I no longer play the club circuit.

I have a good buddy who is a tone freak and owns a hot rod deluxe amp. He say's "this amp has the best tone dollar for dollar hands down". So I start looking for one and find the Tweed version which is hard to find these days on Music 123's website. Its advertised as a "B" stock meaning visible signs of dents and scratches for $485 no tax and free shipping. This amp sells for $700 plus tax so it was a steal. I order it and the good lord must have been looking down on me because this amp was brand new. Tags still on it original wrapping. I can't find a nick on it. I have a Fender American Deluxe 2004 Anniversary guitar and the matchup with this amp is unbelieveable. The tone of the Jensen is a bit different than the stock speaker. Its a bit more punchy on the low end and maybe a little harsh on the high end but thats what I like. I also like the stock speaker which is more mellow.Perfect for blues...I've used Music 123 several times ..thanks for a great amp....

Years ago I played in bands as a bass player and switched to guitar 3 years ago. I have owned various bass amps including a bassman and a fender P.S 400 and never had a problem. I'm hoping the same for this amp.

I have never had to use a Fender Warranty

I have to rate this amp a 10. For the price I paid and the features and great tone it can't be beat. My only gripe is I wish it had a line out for the computer and a head phone jack. If it was stolen I might have to kill the guy who stole it and I know who he might be.

bought new in 2006,emerald green with ivory knobs and Celestion speaker.I Wanted an amp that had an effects loop,easy to transport,under 50 watts,versitle for different styles.....this is it I am very happy!I have had it for about 6 months now and am still glad I bought it.I play in a church setting,so it is miked,more than enough power.

I mainly use my american Tele and this is a great combination,the clean is so sweet,I also have an old Hohner 57 strat knock off with a hot rail pickup in the bridge,very pleasing crunch tones.For the first time in a long time I am satisfied with my setup,I have bought and sold alot of gear and wish I would have found this years ago.

Havent had it long enough to give a fair review

I am 43 years old,have only been playing about 7 years,kind of a late bloomer and have alot of catching up to do and alot to learn yet but I know good tone when I hear it.I have alot of friends that are way more expierienced than myself and they think the amp is great also,I have gotten compliments on its tone.I also have a Mesa Nomad 100 watt 2x12 that also sounds great if you can crank it,but the Fender sounds much better at the volumes I normaly play at.I cant imagine anyone being dissapointed with this amp. I would definatly buy another if I needed to.Feel free to email me with any questions.

Maple Cabinet with Jensen Reissue C12N

I bought this amp because I had previously been impressed with the clean HRD sound and loved the maple cab. Also, the Jensen C12N was hawked as an upgrade and several reviewers seemed to like it. With a strat or tele, the clean sounds really nice but no matter how you upgrade the tubes, the drive sounds are at best okay. My real gripe and the reason I'm writing this is that a LesPaul sounds horrible through this amp! I'm fortunate to have a very extensive vintage and contemporary amp collection and this is the only Fender amp that sounds like pure crap with a LesPaul.

With a 'Paul, the bass notes sound harsh, ripping, unmusical, ugly-and thats on the clean channel. Switch to drive and it sounds like the speaker is blown! Not even the old standard TS9 can get a good overdriven sound with a LesPaul. Mind you, Strats and Teles with a TS9 sound darn good.

I was resigned to the conclusion that this is a single coil amp. Then I started playing the amp with other speaker cabs and found that just about anything else made a LesPaul sound fine (Celestion V-30s, G1275s, Greenbacks, Weber C12N, Weber California, Reverend Alltone, etc). Initially I stubbornly resisted the desire to replace the speaker, considering how I hade paid extra for this "premium driver." Fortunately I opted to replace it and after some reading and listening opted for an affordable Eminence Redcoat Wizard (a cross between a Vintage 30 and a Greenback).

I've read all the many reviews on this amp and I'm now convinced that
there is a great amp lurking within but the Eminence and Jensen C12N are just bad speakers. Let me go so far as to say that the Italian reissue Jensen C12N when coupled with a Les Paul, played through any head sounds like garbage, especially with distortion tones. Ironically, Ted Weber's C12N sounds great, as good or better than the original!

I'm certain there are many other good choices, but the Eminence Redcoat Wizard is a fantastic match with this amp. Go to the Eminence site, listen to the sound clip. It will sound like that and better. Now a LesPaul can go from clean and sweet to a creamy TS9 distortion that is a pleasure to play and sounds as good as any of my classic amps. Strats and Teles love this speaker as well, for both clean and distorted tones.

Alas, even with a great speaker and the worlds finest NOS tubes, the HRD drive/overdrive remain, at best, okay.

(The rating below is with the Wizard Redcoat. Without the Recoat, a 4-5 because of the inability to use a LesPaul)

Once, the amp lost almost all volume. While swapping out tubes it returned but I never pinpointed the problem.

With Fender you need a good dealer to stand behind you.

Beautiful limited edition amp paired with the wrong speaker. Stay away from reissue Jensen C2Ns if you play a LesPaul and like distortion. With the right speaker, its a gem.

I believe this is an '05 or '06. It's the emerald green tolex with Celestion speaker and street price was about $650. I purchased it at Cintiollis Music in Philly. It's a basic HR Deluxe with upgrades.

I play a Gretsch Country Classic and a D'Angelico NYL 2 both with stock pups.
I play western swing, finger pick Merle and Chet stuff, Blues, Old rock, Classic country, jazz.
I've only had it for a month and only used it twice on gigs so I'm still experimenting with sound.
At the store I was trying out an Egnator which seemed dry to me and I heard some kid hacking away on a really nice sounding amp so I went to investigate. It was the standard HR Deluxe. They also had the emerald and as an artist I'm a sucker for anything that is aesthetically well designed. Kudos to Fender on this one. They really did it right.
I bought this while my Evans FET 500 was being repaired after crapping out on a gig; at sound check no less. It took almost a month to get it back so I thought maybe it's time to upgrade. This is only my second tube amp; the first was a Budda. I've never looked past the weight of Fender amps as my partner had an old Twin which took three men and a boy to lift. My studio is on the third floor and over the years I've carried pedal steels, drum kits and upright basses up and down for rehersals not to mention my own stuff for gigs so I've gotten to that stage in life where before I even try an amp i first try lifting it.
Then last week the store where I teach got in a used Blues Deville which I took home to try out and will buy. I keep going back and forth between the two and they are both wonderful amps and very different. The Evans goes on the auction block. Also a wonderful amp. It was not an easy choice.

I had some trouble with a microphonic tube and replaced it and another with NOS tubes which tightened up the sound just right.
Never gig without a back up!!!!!!!!

N/A

Over all I'd say it has a beautiful, musical sound just right for my style.
As for buying another I would say these are probably going to be highly collectable so I don't anticipate seeing any. They've already removed the one that was on 8th streets' site. Pity. This was the nicest amp I've ever seen for that kind of money and I've seen a lot of amps.

This is a 2005 Emerald Hot Rod Limited Edition with a Celestion Vintage 30. It has two channels, but I only use the clean channel. The "drive" channel sounds terrible. In all fariness, I wouldn't use it anyway because I use a volume pedal, and unless I have the volume pedal maxed out, the distortion wouldn't be at it's full potential. I like to get the violin type of sound with a volume pedal and overdrive for some of the stuff we do. I can't get that using a volume pedal and dirty channel alone. It has a foot switch, but I only use the clean channel so I don't use it. I wished the amp had a foot switch for the reverb, the reverb does sound pretty good though. It also has an effects loop that I also don't use. I guess if I'm asking for something else, I wished it had 2 Vintage 30's instead of just one. I use this amp at church (500 seat sanctuary) and it has plenty of power. I run the Master Volume at about 8 (possible 12) and the clean Channel Volume at about 2. I mic the amp to keep the stage noise down, this amp is loud! I use a volume pedal, and I rarley have it at 100%. I have the amp in a stand so the amp is blowing me away, no my knee caps.

This is where this baby shines! I use an '81 Les Paul Custom with Seymore Duncan pickups, Jazz and a Custom; and I use an '04 American made Fat Stat with standard pickups. I bought this for the clean channel, and as I said earlier, the Drive channel sounds terrible. I use several pedals with the amp. Guitar>TU-2 Tuner>modded Dyna Comp>Vox 848>Mojo Vibe>modded TS-9>Eternity>COT50>Deluxe60>DD-6>CE-5>Supa Trem>E.B. Vol. pedal>amp. I play in a church worship setting and we play a variety of music styles: contemporary rock, blues, jazz, latin, ballad. The amp works great for me. The vintage 30 really makes this amp rock, it sounds great! I find that for my personal taste, I like the sound of a humbucker through this amp better than a single coil. I also have a Marshall DSL full stack with 1960 cabs. This amp doesn't the bottom like my Marshall, but it sounds great. I haven't had it turned up past 4 so I don't know when the clean channel distorts. It's loud!

Not sure on the reliabilty, I've only had the amp for about three months, but so far I haven't had any problems. I'm not moving the amp around, it stays in the stand at church. So far - so good.

I've never had to deal with the company, so I don't know what kind of support to expect.

I've been playing for 35+ years. If it were stolen or lost I would try to replace it, but since only 800 were made, that might be hard. If I couldn't get it, I'd get a Deville and put two vintage 30s in it. I love the sound I get from this amp when I'm playing my Les Paul through any one of my overdirve pedals, compression, delay and reverb, it sounds sooo creamy. Did I mention it is Emerald Green with a dark grill cloth - it looks great!!! And the cream chicken knobs add the finishing touch of class. I didn't give it a 10 because I would like to have a useable footswitch. Since I don't use the drive channel, it's velcroed inside the amp. I would like to have a footswitch to turn on/off the reverb. If you are fortunate enough to locate one of thses babys - get it, You won't be dissapointed.

The amp.is a 2003 brown tolex diamond dealer{according to fmic}limited edition,that cost more u.s.dollars,than it will ever be functionally worth{gotta love the vintage appeal}I will never agree to the 3 channel claim,when only 1 channel is good.When played clean on it's 1 channel{after letting heat up for an hour before you play through it}it is very nice,warm and clear and very rich.It is only good in that capacity,and after the cost of the amp.I REFUSE to put one more dime in an assy.line wannabeboutique over priced......

I use a roadhouse strat,a jap.335 copy on this amp.I play classic rock,country,motown,50'/60's stylied music.the question of noise is asked,exactly 2 ch.s of noise,1 ch.of sound,the settings,the amp.requires more attention than a supermodel who's favorite color is clear.

I will never count on this amp.based on it's constant need to be tweaked,I did not pay 50% of the price of a boutique amp.almost,just to swap tubes,change what is presented as a jenson vintage speaker for another true vintage speaker,waste my time doing these various chores{when I should be playing and enjoying}and then try to convince myself I got a good deal...face it,to all tweed hot rod deluxe owners,we own a hot rod mim assy.line,mass produced amp.in a cool color.IT IS WHAT IT IS.

I called and asked about the amp.{fmic}twice,the first time i was told only 125 were produced for diamond dealers,after more info.was obtained through other research,i questioned this and called fmic back,the statement then was"Oh yeah,um 125 in the u.s.,another140 in theu.k.,uh,another 160 or so to japan,uh,another 140 to asia....I quit counting after 500 or so{my amp.was not supposed to have a l.e.tag do to it being...a dealer only thing}it does have a 5yr.trans.warranty that will{the trans.part}be used.

I paid 600.00 cash and a mint pre cbs strat/tele.case that i turned down 200.00 for this amp.I cannot blame my dealer for this,because the paperwork,hang tags,his shipper/p.o.sheets all verified what he said{msr.and all}and my trust that I had for fmic that they earned in the 90's,is now gone,after the sale of this amp.I will own nothing by fender dated after 1999 and never will again,Of course they don't need us 50yr.olders anymore we remember leo,and they want newbies not to know.corporate profits?my answer"got product?"

The amp is the Brown tolex limited edition with the Jensen 12 speaker. Features are fine.

I use the amp for jazz, rock, and rockabilly. Usually run a Gibson L-4 for jazz and a Setzer Gretsch for rock and all of them sound great on it. I don't overly like the distortion settings but I usually don't use them anyway. The clean sound is really sweet and I think it is a very good amp for $600 and for that its a solid 9. I mean it has a really nice sound but I know that there are better amps out there but they cost a lot more.

I move my amp around a lot and have had it for a couple years and so far it seems to be built like a brick. Time will tell so give me a few more years and I will let you know if its a 10.

I haven't had to use it

I definitely don't regret buying the amp but if it was stolen I might consider saving up for a vintage bassman combo, the bassman reissue, or maybe a deluxe reverb. The amp has worked out great and I love it but I am a bit of a gear junky so I would to try something new and the hot rod would be sorely missed.

Approx 2001, 2 channel, switchable, with 2 gain stages. Single tone control and single reverb control. Otherwise, the usual stuff.

3 strats, 58, cheapo 02, beautiful Fullerton 57 reissue. 53 LP hardtail, HH 575 heritage, 2 teles, one fender, one G&L. Strange amp. Good for clean, and I use it for jazz. Very loud, the clean channel distorts, but doesn't sound good. Alone, the distortions are sort of "fizzy", and lack character. Strangely, and this is the whole reason for this review, when I couple it with a speaker box, 2 vintage 30 celestions in an open cab. IT SOUNDS GREAT!. I don't understand this, but tried it at band practices, and it still sounds great. Great character with strats, great pinch harmonics, and classic fender overdrive sounds.

not great. I've heard awful things about these. Mine has functioned well so far, but it is mostly a practice amp. Take it to a tech to make it perform properly.

Don't know.

played 35 years. 3 amps. Matchless Chieftain 2x10, Carvin Legacy 100 watt, with 2x12 extension cab. I wouldn't buy this again, but I'm amazed that I found a sound from it that I like so much. I really think that a little work with this inexpensive little amp will get you somewhere. Don't give up on it. I don't use pedals with it, or a processor. I hate that crap, and it's a pain to manage on stage. This amp is plenty loud enough, if you can sort that sound out.

Made in 2003 and purchased in the same year. I had not used the amp much because I considered it too loud and the distortion channels too brittle. Turning the volume up smoothed it out but then was way too loud for most applications. As an experiment I replaced the 12ax7 with 12at7 preamp tubes. I can't believe the difference. Now the volume can be brought up to the sweet spot in the amp and people can still be in the same room. The clean channel now starts to break up nicely at around 3 and the distortion channels are both useable. I found that I liked the distortion even better than with a tube screamer. I am comparing this amp to a '65 Deluxe and '65 Vibrolux. This amp now sounds better that both of these amps and is way more versatile.

Using this amp with a Firebird and a SRV Strat with Fralin Pickups. The Firebird was made for this amp. The amp is very quiet for a tube amp. I play mostly blues and classic rock and now this amp performs these styles perfectly. The tube change has made the amp about 1/2 as loud and has made all of the controls much more useable. Prior to the tube change the volume could not be turned past one without people holding their ears. Now the amp volume can be brought up to 3-5 where the power tubes are just starting to make a very rich overdrive. I would think that mixing tube type might also be an option to vary volume for a larger room. The amp is still quite loud. I would consider it about equal in volue to a 50 watt Marshall combo or a Fender Bassman. With the 12ax7 tubes it seemed about as loud as a Fender Twin Reverb.

so fard after 2 years of moderate use the amp is working great

have not needed support

In the original format the amp could not be used in a small club of 100 people or less. With the tube change I would put it in the same tone category as all of my other great amps which include fenders, marshalls, rivera, and boutique. I would purchase this amp again

Update from previous post...I have gigged out with this amp now for a year, and have recently have returned home from a tour where I ran my Maple cab/ C-12-N HRD LE in mono w/ a Blues Junior.

I had the amp tweaked by Denver Amp master Scooter Barnes. That included some standars tube upgrades, featuring Svetlana 6L6 power tubes and the new JJ's in the other three positions. Bias was so cold from the factory, when it was adjusted hotter the amp really opened up and became a Fender. YOU HAVE TO ADJUST THE BIAS on these if you have not already or you are not getting your amp to be what it is supposed to be. The Svetlana's are awesome too...better than anything else I tried, except Mullards, but it is very close. Run together w/ the BJunior, I am very happy with my "Less Than $1K" tone.

Man, it's still a HRD inside. At least the jacks on the LE are better than the plastic jacks on the standard. I have had to reconnect some points and replace a few parts in this amp, but I gig heavy with it, so it's not too bad. However, I take great care of it and expect it to perform. I have to say though that I would never gig without 2 other amps at arms length.

I would rather have a Victoria, but who wouldn't? I'd also take a Carr Rambler, but who wouldn't? A Two Rock Amethyst Combo wouldn't be bad either. But I do like the clean channel just fine and it sounds great w/ a Fulltone Fulldrive.