Fender Hot Rod Deluxe

i guess 05, clean, drive and more drive, fx loop. loud enough for most venues but keep a sm57 in the back of the amp in case you need it. THIS AMP TAKES A WHILE TO BREAK IN. BOUGHT IN 4/06 AND NOW THE ICE PICK SOUND IS GONE TOTALLY . I EVEN USE THE BRIGHT SWITCH NOW. i almost returned this amp because the ice pick shrill but i decided to wait to see. im glad i kept this amp.

gibson LP's and american strat for hard rock surf and punk in bars. not to noisy but sometimes yes.clean channel is good and breaks up after vol. 2 with humbuckers. i like it. the overdrive sound is debatable, i like it a lot.ac/dc tones with bridge pk up on LP's. ive also added a Fender Super Sonic 212 cab for $499 and sounds great. i also like the reverb for surf stuff. to me this amp sounds better than a 65 Twin reverb RI. i bought one and recently sold it. they sound good at first but they start to sound kinda blah, and stale after a bit. i had it for 3 months and began to hate it. besides its made in mexico as well. buy a real USA Twin if you want one. trust me.

so far so good had it since 4/13/06. i always bring a back up.you never know.

i have had good service in the past, others have not . luck of the draw i guess.

gigging 20+ years using mostly Marshalls but this amp is good sounding to me and i like it. doesnt take up much room. this amp looks classy on stage. mine is the black one. i would like to have a blonde one to match my super sonic cab though. the tone is amazing using both together. the $599 price cant be beat but this amp needs to break in good before you fall in love with it. not the best out of the box sound but give it a chance, im glad i did.

Made in Mexico not sure quite when owing to the new serial # system. I play rock, southern rock, countryish r n r.
3 Channels (sort of, well covered in other reviews common EQ)
Has reverb, effects loop, neither of which I need or use.
40 watts is really enough for most shows, hard to get breakup in the clean channel at some gigs, if that is what you want.

I use a Gretsch duo jet with powertrons retrofitted.
The Hot Rod is pretty boxy sounding and characterless (3 sounds kinda all bad)
It is relatively quiet. Just doesnt sound sweet to my ears.

While I had this amp it was reliable (not long) the jewel light bulb blew, oh well. I do not have enough money to gig with a back up amp, and I never have ever had a backup. I have heard bad things, but there are an awful lot of these amps out there, of course there will be problems with some of them.

N/A

As well as my gretsch I have an old Taylor 410 (93) that I love, a boss tuner and sometimes a blackstone OD...thats it, I keep it simple.
I sold this amp, bought if off ebay thinking it would do the trick (after trying it out in the store) life is too short folks have ordered a plexi from ceriatone for around the same $.
I have owned 3 jcm800s (every one great), a fender twin silverface, a musicman, an old 63 Goldentone (aussie amp, should have never parted with it) and a gibson goldtone (good fun), but my real love is english amps (they play themselves really) hence the Ceriatone ( the best my guitar ever sounded was with a white anny marshall and 2 12, I need that again. If you play covers this amp could be ok it is pretty versatile, but if you need one great sound, don't find out the hard way.
I often read the reviews at Harmony Central, though I should give something back and post one myself, it is a great website...cheers.

I bought this amp brand spanking new back in 2003. I'd been to the ACM and loved it, so I had to get one. It's got 3 channels (Clean, Dirty, More Dirty), a couple of inputs (handy for when your other guitarist 'forgets' his amp...), effects loop and a damn nifty footswitch, with an even niftier way of storing it (it sticks in the amp, as it's magnetised). It's all-tube, with 2 6L6s for the output valves and 3 12AX7s (?) for the preamp valves.

Usual controls, but they go up to 12, and you get a 'Bright' button on the clean channel. Oddly, came with 3 sets of strings. I'd have preferred a couple more vavles...

This is a brilliant amp. It's probably one of the best sounding I've heard for the money, and in some cases betters many more expensive amps.

I play gigs/rehearshals/home practises, and it's suited to every single one of them. Only real gripe with using it at home is the rather sudden increase in volume when you're trying to get an appropriate medium for the volume (gripy Draconian neighbours...)

OK, let's analyse the channels...

Clean: Best clean channel I've used. It's got everything I'll ever need. It shimmers, and breaks up nicely past a certain point.

Dirty: Er... I used to like the distortion on this amp. I don't much anymore. OK, it's still got it, but it's not to my taste. But- objectively- it's a good sound.

More Dirty: WYSIWYG. Same as above, but a little mushier so it's harder to pick out when you're playing with your band. Someone will like the sounds more than me, though.

If you couple this amp with a cheap distortion pedal, it'll sound utterly amazing. It's what I did. BOSS Mega Distortion permanently borrowed from my bassist made this amp a winner.

I'm utterly stunned at this amp. It's had the same tubes for 3 years and been gigged mercilessly, but it still sounds as good as when it was new- I know, because I've compared it to new ones in stores!

This amp is the most reliable amp I've used yet. My old Marshall blew up on me, my next Marshall obviously thought the first one was playing a game and decided to do the same. The Marshall after that I pushed off the back of a speeding truck after I bought this amp.

Never dealt with them, don't really want to either. I think it has a 2 year warranty.

This amp is brilliant, it complements my gear really well. A couple of PRSi and a humbucking Tele really do this amp justice. I have a couple of American Strats that I used to use a lot with this amp, but I got bored of them.

If I lost this amp (yeah, right) I'd definitely get another one. If it was stolen, I'd get another one. If it blew up on me, I'd get another one, because I know it's led a hard life so far.

I compared it to a Marshall DSL401, Peavey Classic 30, Ashdown Peacemaker 40, and a Marshall AVT. It knocked all of them for 6.

One other thing I'd like to share- buy it and you won't be disappointed. It's full of features, but if you're into a good bit of rawk muzak, then buy a distortion pedal at the same time... just my $0.02.

2001 AMP. 2 channel, switching, effects loop sort of. I don't use the preamp out because it sucks, and I don't use the power amp in. This was originally a practice amp. But, I am going to try playing it on stage.

Here's why I'm submitting this review: Stock, the distortion stinks. It's kind of washed out and fizzy, lacking the punch of EL34s, and a closed cabinet, and lacking any definition with highs. BUT, there is hope. I replaced the power tubes with a matched set of groove tubes (no change there really) and changed the preamp tubes to POS 1, 12AY7 new old stock Electro Harmonix, followed by 2 12AX7s, the POS 2 being new old stock and POS 3 a GT modern one. Get at least 2 12AY7s, and 2 12AT7s and start tube switching. The sound I have now is sweet indeed, more classic blackface sound, with a revved overdrive. If you want more character or diff. tone, use a pedal too! It really takes this amp from a piece of junk to a realistic small hall performer.

I use 3 strats, 2 teles, an old LP, and a Heritage H575. I play rock, blues and jazz. The HR deluxe isn't real noisy and had, I think a very nice clean channel.

I had it go out on me in a practice and it really made me mad. It was, however a bad replacement tube I put in it. So, no complaints here.

Never dealt with em.

Played 35 years, own a pile of stuff, Matchless Chieftain, Carvin Legacy, Protools studio, 8 guitars. I hate that this is a cheap little amp. I don't trust it. But, you get what you pay for. Right now, it sounds very good. I enjoy playing it very much. Will that last? who knows. Try messing with the tubes. It's great and it really pays off with this amp.

I bought the American HR deluxe because I heard one played live and really liked it. Not sure if threre is a difference to the mexican one. Dual 6L6 groove tubes ..The clean channel is classic fender with alot of headroom .. hey ,this amp is loud. The other two channels are drive & more drive. Both are great . The 1st drive channel is amazing when dialed in right especially with a humbucker equipped guitar like a les paul and as with all fenders strats/ teles sparkle.
The more drive is great too if the dials are adjusted right( that's why they are there ) don't mind all the experts who probably never take this out of their bedrooms to really try it out. This is a really good gigging amp, not too big.

I use two strats and a les paul through this and my gretsch is great on the clean channel. I play mostly rock/ blues as well as soul. The amp has dials to 12..I guess all part of the hot rod thing. All the power the average musican would need. Sounds huge when miked. This amp really works best with just a bit of overdrive.

I bought a road case for this and am gentle on it as with all my tube amps..tubes being what they are. So far so good regularly used for 5 years. Just replace the odd tube when needed.

N/A never needed to call.

I've been playing for 20 years and own alot of vintage gear. Most of the older stuff is quite heavy and was built for a different time when PA's sucked so all your sound projection was from your stage amps. That's all changed now with better house systems. I've always liked the portibility of deluxes as well as the sound of the single 12" speaker. This amp is all the power you'll ever need to gig & not too heavy.

enough features for what i do. dont use the fx loop or reverb with my band. i use the reverb only for surf rock as a hobbie with an american strat. clean, drive and more drive.

this is an update.. gigged with band 1st time last nite.. this amp sounds awsome except for the ice pick sound. this amp is brand new though. using a gibson les paul standard 05 model, burst buckers. the ice pick sound was less the longer the amp was on though so maybe after full break in it will be gone , dont know yet.. but for some reason you could not hear the ice pick in the audience or threw the mains , only on stage standing infront of the amp. i walked out front during play to listen. all in all i was happy. also i love the drive and more drive. to me they sound awsome. maybe i have a good one dont know. the drive channels are perfect for what i need. jimmy eat world, the strokes, typical garage punk stuff. im just hoping the ice pick goes away altogether.. like i said by the end of the nite it was much better than the start. i did not hear the bad bass tone people complain about though. the bass was very clear on # 4, have not tried higher settings . in my small studio there is more bass. i guess the room is in fault of that. i am satisfied with the over all performance.

we will see. i always bring a back up no matter what. you never know.if this amp breaks , i'll get it fixed no matter what.

some dealers only do warranty repairs if you bought it there. others dont care where you bought it, so ask. go to fender's web site for repair centers and call them to find out. you may have to drive sometimes but its all part of the hobbie or territory as you will.

gigging 20 years. if stolen? well i'll decide then. probably would buy it again. its cheap, has tubes, its loud, doesnt weigh to much. i would keep the cheap tubes and just add a vintage 30 or weber and let it go. the audience only wants good songs and nothing more. other musicians in the crowd dont count because they will say their band is better anyway no matter what. ive heard bands that suck and the crowd goes wild only because the song selection was great. i have used a les paul special before with a blues jr with bad power tubes before and sounded terrible but the bar manager said we sounded stellar. go figure that one out.

what ever, for the price, 10

just got it home and sounds great. yeh it has alot of bass so i turn it down, crank the treble & presence. the knobs go to 12 because fender doesnt know what kind guitar will be played through this. hate the bad reviews from idiots. want a 599$ amp all tube ptp 2 eq's, built in metal zone type distortion, jj's as stock equipment and a vintage 30 in it from the factory? dream on !!!call the custom shop and they will laugh at you.so will i. marshall doesnt give you that. neither does mesa boogie, peavy,crate or any other brand. other people say there are better options but fail to name them. fine, buy a 401 dsl for 1100$ lets see, the 401dsl combo.40 watts? yes. ptp wiring? no. jj's factory installed? no. vintage 30 as stock ? no. ok, how bout high gain metal distortion? no. there is no amp made period that gives you everything. modeling amps sound thin and unrealistic amp models everytime. they only sound cool in the store, that is fact.i guess you can buy a marshall mg250dfx combo for this price and have everyone laugh at you, not with you. a peavy is a good choice .classic 50 maybe. but still peavy is not going to give you jj's, ptp, vintage 30 or a weber 12"r for 599$ are they? no.didnt think so.

dont care. fender warranty does work. at least at my store. in fact i cant wait till my HRD breaks down because the guy i go too will fix it and go through every solder joint and more the first time. i do have to travel 40 plus miles to get there but so what.i have back up. thats why there is a warranty . but try to find a good service center. even if you have to travel. its worth it.had marshalls before jcm series too. they flat out suck.sound good when they feel like it. very expensive and they need to be modded for control and for better overdrive just like the reviews here. even the tsl series. the mode 4 sounds terrible .besides you cant count the number of effects the big name pro's use anyway. keep it simple. unless your rich.$$$$

frankly my dear, i dont give a damn.

playing 4ever, own 65 twin,59 bassman,blues jr.and now the HRD. love them all. stock too. i know how to turn knobs. i have a good ear. i think all amps can be upgraded but dont see the need for any of my amps. i gig full time and done so for years.

i have one on lay-a-way now.ive always wanted one and now i will soon. 2005 or 06 dont know. its still in the box sealed. enough features for me. i dont use fx loops, ext.cabs. less is more so i give it 8 for no footswitchable reverb though.

ive never owned one. ive played these for years only in music stores and loved the sound. i sold my deville 410(big mistake) and bought a 59 bassman ltd ri. yeh the bassman is a 10 without any features to it.sounds unreal, but im afraid to take it out of the studio. its so beautiful. i have read all the horror stories on HRD amp but the fender service center in stuart,fl. is outstanding and hats off to those guys. yes the od in the hot rods are very good but made for solo's. chords sound good too when tweeked right. every amp reguardless of make and price gets a bad review from some people any way so 599$ + 200$ for jj's and a celestion upgrade is well worth it to a career club musician.still 300$ cheaper than marshalls 401 dsl combo( thats guaranteed to have problems forever )after the mods. but some like marshall sound. i like fenders.ive heard friends HRD with his band (stock) and sounds great to me.

dont care. Schumacher Music in stuart,fl is the best for repairs. no questions asked except is it still under warranty. they have fixed other amps & cabinets and such. very fast, most done while you wait or go to lunch and maybe the post office or something and go back , pick it up. just that simple.(depending on the problem and parts availability of course) that has been my expierence.

my service center is great

41yo played clubs for 20 years. i know what im doing. i know what i want and need to get the job done. i gig with a 65 twin reverb ri. the HRD will replace my blues jr as a back up amp. the blues jr will be used as a practise and studio amp.

1 channel with 3 voicings: Clean; Dirty; Filthy.
Has channel switching.
Wish it had better quality, that is, Fender knows that
the channel switching power supply is problematic yet
they havent done much about it. Maybe they havent heard about
'heat sinks'. Amp could ues better control over mids,
and really needs to tame that bass.

I use 'clean' and a Boss Blues Driver with single coils.
LesPaul sounds good clean, clean w/blues driver, OK 'Dirty'.
PRS McCarty sounds OK clean, a little farty on the neck PU,
(good for jazz), but sounds unreal "dirty' using the bridge PU.

BTW, re-tubed with SED 6L6's (biased @ 35 whatevers/tube)
V1 = 12AX7EH, V2/3 = Cheapo Sovteh 12AX7WA's.
Changed speaker to a Celestion V30.

I put a set of wheels on it. Raising it up a bit helps calmt he bass a bit.

It's no Twin reverb, but it sounds much better than it did when stock.

No break downs, just had problems with crappy tubes.
Snap crackle pop, 12AX7's that dont have adequate output,
early death, etc. Took a while to get it straight.

Concerned about those 470ohm ceramic resistors in the channel switching/reverb power supply. They really need heatsinks or an
internal fan, or something.

The warranty is 6 inches long.

Nothing is perfect.
Playing 17 years.
Lost / stolen? Where?
I love the plastic bag that the owners manual comes in.
I hate that you can't lick the 6L6's when they've been on for a while.
I compared it to some Peaveys (Delta Blues, Vlassic 30), and some other Fenders like the Vibrolux re-issue, Deluxe Reverb, Pro-Reverb
(the newer ones). Although the sound ain't the cat's meow,
the HRDlx's price point is pretty hard to resist: the audience can't tell... I wish it had 'naughty bits'. I'd like to share my dyspepsia with all.

You know the features. The only feature I wish this amp had was seperate tone controls for the Clean/Drive channels.

I have owned this amp 4 years now. I use various guitars through it in a working band. I primarily use a Les Paul Studio and Fender American Strat through it. I have used various pedals. Right now I use a Zoom GFX-1 into a EQ pedal into the Clean channel. This amp works very well with effects pedals.

Everyone says the amp has a great clean channel. It does. No, it isn't a Fender Twin. I get a little tired of people comparing this amp to amps that cost 2-3 times as much. My Ford Escort isn't as nice as a Porsche. Wow! No kidding?? But for the cost, this is a very good sounding amp with loads of warm tone. Crank it up and it comes alive.

Everyone complains about the Drive channels. I would agree that they are not the best, but you can make them work very well. I have found the secret to getting a damn good crunch out of this amp is to turn Gain (Drive) down between 4-6 depending on humbuckers or single coil pickups, keep Bass down between 4-5, Treble up to 10-12, and very importantly, Turn Presence UP. You can almost get a Marshall type crunch out of this amp at these settings. But you have to turn Presence up to put an edge on the overdrive.

I have tried some basic mods to this amp just for fun. I replaced the stock tubes with JJ's, they tightened up the bass, especially on the Drive channels, and took just a little off the Highs. So the amp is no longer harsh.

I also put a Celestion G12T-75 speaker in the amp just to experiment. I prefer it to the stock Eminence. It handles the big bass this amp has much better. This amp tends to rumble and howl with lots of bass at volume. The Celestion took care of that nicely. I can get some pretty great low-end chug out of this amp now. It also sweetened up the highs too. Overall this speaker gave the amp a Rock vibe. This is really a Blues amp. For Blues it is awesome, for Rock you need to mod it a little or use a good pedal. But with a little work this amp will do it all. It is a very versatile amp, it will do Blues, Rock, Surf, Jazz, just about anything. This is probably the best feature of this amp.

My amp was made in the U.S.A. and has been extrememly reliable. The only problem I have ever had is that it has gone through 2 jewel lights. I picked up 2 for $2 at an auto parts store. That's it. This is a solid and well built amp. I have played this amp at several hundred gigs, it gets a 10 for reliability.

Can't really comment on this, I have never had a problem, so I've never had to call Fender. The best customer support is a quality product to begin with. So they get a 10.

Been playing over 30 years, currently play in a gigging Classic Rock band. This is a very good amp for the gigging musician. It has lots of power and all in all a pretty great tone. You would have to pay a lot more to do better. If it were stolen, I would probably replace it simply because it has been so reliable and versatile for what I do. For the very reasonable price, this is a great amp, so quit comparing it to amps that cost double or triple the price. Sheesh, what do you want, everything?