player opinions

Fender Hot Rod Deluxe

Fender Hot Rod Deluxe

  1. Name: Nick

  2. Band: -----

  3. Model Year: 1996-ish

  4. Price Paid: £300 plus parts for Line 6 Flextone 2

  5. Performance

  6. I love this amp so much.

  7. Performance Rating: 10

  8. Sound Quality

  9. If you want beautiful clean soulful tone and heavy electric blues overdrive which will truly bring you to your knees, then this is the Hot Rod for you.

  10. Sound Quality Rating: 10

  11. Construction

  12. I love this amp so much. Built like a brick house, I bought it second hand part ex and when I got it home it needed a new speaker. I changed the speaker (shop payed for all work ), found it had a loose transistor so I resoldered it, now works like a dream. I love this amp.

  13. Construction Rating: 10

  1. Name: Prakash Krishnan

  2. Band: Morpheus Dream

  3. Model Year: 2000

  4. Price Paid: $900

  5. Performance

  6. I was looking for that crystal clear Fender sound and this tube amp more than delivers on that score. And the controls are pretty standard and well placed. Anyone who’s been around amps would have no problem operating this, as the controls are all standard. If it’s a clean all tube tone you’re looking for, this is the amp for you. Lovely reverb effects too. The overdrive channel is a heck of a lot better than any other older Fender amps I’ve played. It’s warmer and smoother and not as brittle as the sound once was. The only issue I have with this model is the Master Volume control, particularly when used in conjunction with Channel 2 (Overdrive). Just a little tweak and the volume skyrockets. Not very helpful when you’re trying a mould your sound from the source. It’s just way too sensitive.

  7. Performance Rating: 9

  8. Sound Quality

  9. The highlight of this model is the stark clean tone. It’s wonderful for jazz, folk or pop. Nothing harsh or clinical at all and that’s all thanks to its tubes. This is the kind of warmth one can only dream about. As for the overdrive channel, it does a decent enough job of getting vintage tube overdriven tones. It might sound a little on the thin side when using a Strat or single coil pickup. But a humbucker more than makes up for it. Pretty full sound and individually picked notes are distinct enough. This amp is not suitable for metal or that kind of music genre. You’ll be very disappointed if that’s what you’re expecting. Try a Marshall, I would suggest. It’s fairly quiet at the levels I play at and that’s enough to rattle the windows. Altogether a pretty good buy, as long as you know what it’s capable of doing and what kind of music you play.

  10. Sound Quality Rating: 10

  11. Construction

  12. It’s on the heavy side and pretty well constructed. I don’t expect it will fall apart any day soon. Good construction and well contoured. Not at all like some of the older Fender models. It should stand up to regular gigging but you might want to keep an eye on the tubes. Mine haven’t given any trouble (yet) but regular gigging will take a toll on your tubes. I think Fender should think about the controls on this model a little more, especially the Master Volume. There should be a smoother incline the volume as the knob is turned. It’s just too sensitive as it is right now. Not a very good attribute during a gig. Other than that, I think they’ve come up with something good this time and I’m not about to part with it.

  13. Construction Rating: 8

  1. Name: John Burgess

  2. Band: -----

  3. Model Year: -----

  4. Price Paid: $475

  5. Performance

  6. This amp is quite loud for its size. It is easy to use, however I found it difficult to dial in the specific tones I was looking for. Channel two (over-driven master volume channel) is fairly worthless. The master volume control is difficult to use. From about 0 to 2 there is some change in the volume and then it is just more of the same after that.

  7. Performance Rating: 6

  8. Sound Quality

  9. Clean channel sounds like a tube Fender amp. Great sound. I have a Gibson ’SG Supreme with classic humbuckers and a ’56 Fender Custom Shop NOS. The dirty channel sounds pretty un-musical. Sounds like a buzzing blown speaker distortion. Not really useable. I changed out the stock Fender speaker for a Celestion Vintage 30 with some improvement but the sound on channel 2 is just not happening. If it weren’t for the useless channel 2, I would rate this a 9.

  10. Sound Quality Rating: 6

  11. Construction

  12. Good construction. I may be the most unlucky amp buyer on the planet though because I couldn’t seem to get one that worked correctly. The first one I got started buzzing and popping just a few days after I got it home so I took it back and got another one. That one started changing channels on its own just a few days after I got that home. I took that one back too. Then I brought home the Fender made Sunn Model T. The Model T has a similar channel switching circuit as the Hot Rod Deluxe and the Model T wouldn’t switch out of channel 2 all the time right after I got it home. I took that back too. I am now all done with Fenders that have channel switching. They just don’t seem to work for me. I am an engineer, so I may be a little picky on things like that. But, I now have a ’65 Super Reverb reissue that has so far worked perfectly.

  13. Construction Rating: 2

  1. Name: Stuart Campney

  2. Band: The Bloor Street Blues Band

  3. Model Year: -----

  4. Price Paid: $799 Canadian

  5. Performance

  6. This is probably the best amp I have ever owned. Pure simplicity with no gimmicks. As for the sound, it really delivers a lot of punch, with tons of soul. Make no mistakes though, it will blow the... out of you when you crank it up. I highly recommend this amp to anyone playing blues or classic rock, or country.

  7. Performance Rating: 6

  8. Sound Quality

  9. It makes my guitars sound like a vintage Les Paul or Strat depending on which one I am playing at the time. My effects sound great with no processed sound at all. The amp gives a true as blue sound, all you have to do is set it the way you want and play.

  10. Sound Quality Rating: 10

  11. Construction

  12. This is a very solid amp well built and takes a lot of punishment. I have had mine for 1 and a half years now and have had no problems with it.

  13. Construction Rating: 10

  1. Name: John

  2. Band: Lots, mostly studio work

  3. Model Year: -----

  4. Price Paid: $499

  5. Performance

  6. This amp is very easy to use and certainly has a big sound for 40 watts. Clean channel is pristine but the overdrive is a bit hi-fi for me, so I run my Daddy-0 out of the clean channel with a little comp and it really sings. Great all around amp for jazz country or blues and classic rock.

  7. Performance Rating: 8

  8. Sound Quality

  9. The sound is killer but I beefed it up with a 100 watt Celestion which really made it burn.

  10. Sound Quality Rating: 8

  11. Construction

  12. Fender is always way up there in construction and reliability — this amp is no different.

  13. Construction Rating: 10

  1. Name: Bryan Short

  2. Band: -----

  3. Model Year: -----

  4. Price Paid: $500

  5. Performance

  6. This model is part of the only Fender series I know of that is still completely made in the U.S. It boasts three channels of all tube power, and falls in the lower $500 to $600 hundred price range. It’s also pretty simple to use if you’ve been around any amp before. Definitely does a pretty decent job of a warm smooth glassy clean w/ a “better than the average combo” gain!

  7. Performance Rating: 10

  8. Sound Quality

  9. The clean is as good as any all tube Fender combo ever made. The second channel does a respectable job of going from slightly dirty blues to Heavy blues or classic rock (Ah-Laa AC/DC). This is contrary to what a lot of people think however, I use a Wolfgang guitar through it and the tone is warm and snappy w/ a mild growl. The Third channel incorporates more crunch and sustain but definition is slightly smeared when playing power chords. I think it does as well as any amp w/ its versatility under $800. It WILL Do Van Halen and AC/DC on a reasonably smaller scale, especially if your playing with a solid body, hot humbucking style guitar. Surprisingly good tone but there is no such thing as the perfect amp in my opinion.

  10. Sound Quality Rating: 8

  11. Construction

  12. Built probably as well as the old Fender amps. Made in the U.S. No problems from mine in 6 loud months!

  13. Construction Rating: 10

  1. Name: Shannon Richards

  2. Band: Liquid

  3. Model Year: -----

  4. Price Paid: $850 CDN

  5. Performance

  6. This is a well build little workhorse. I have had it for three years and I have never even had to change a tube (even though I have). I have gigged with it and most people like it after they hear the monstrous sound from the 40w mini output power via one 12" Fender Special Design Loudspeaker. It is very easy to use with a 2 button footswitch for channel and boost select. It also has some nice features like the “bright” feature and “boost” feature on the clear and dirty channels. I never use the FX loop since it is serial and shunts the entire signal through any crappy effects units you may be using. Real guitar players wouldn’t sacrifice tone for cheezy magic carpet like flanging... It does everything it claims except for a killer distortion sound which Fender has never been able to capture (in my opinion.)

  7. Performance Rating: 8

  8. Sound Quality

  9. Fender is known for its playability and this amp certainly lends itself to SWEET tone and playability. It is one of the nicest “clean” amps I have had the opportunity to play (the nicest being my ’65 Twin Reverb). I like the Deluxe’s classic style (chicken head knobs and classic top access panel with brilliant red jewel power light, box and grey grill). It is easy to control the tone and sound quality of this amp. I especially like the “bright” feature available on the clean channel. The serial effects loop is a major draw back as your tone can come out like the pedals you run it through. This fender offers tone most guitar players never have. The Gain channel leaves much to be desired depending on your playing style and taste. Even with the Gain “boost” feature the sound is weak. I have never found a fender amp that can produce a distortion sound to take the enamel off your teeth. There is no real substance to the Fender distortion sound and it proves true with this model as well. It’s OK but if you want a background gain sound but for your blistering solos get a Marshall. The rating of 10 is for the “Clean” and “Tone” qualities of this amp only... not the gain.

  10. Sound Quality Rating: 10

  11. Construction

  12. I have a heavy duty road case for gigs so it stays nice and protected. It is however built to last. I lugged it to many a drunken house party in university and it has held up wonderfully! I have never had to do any repairs to this puppy. The controls feel good, no plastic... all good!!

  13. Construction Rating: 10

  1. Name: Stefan Alexander Schmitz

  2. Band: The Wrong Haircut

  3. Model Year: -----

  4. Price Paid: 4990 French Francs

  5. Performance

  6. This is the next generation of the Blues Deluxe, basically different by its Boost Channel. I bought it especially for its clean tone. 40 Watts of Tube Power are enough for clubs (I don’t think I will ever play anything bigger) and the tone is 100% Fender. The clean channel stays absolutely clean until set to 6, where it starts to add a very light grain that equals about setting two on the crunch knob when pushed to the max. Both channels only add distortion on the last third. The max volume is attended at about 6. If you want to have a loud and clean tone with very strong bass and mids and bright highs sparkling all over it, this is the way to go. If you play in a VH or Soundgarden cover outfit, you might stop reading here, you’re waste your time.

  7. Performance Rating: 6

  8. Sound Quality

  9. I use Fender Stratocasters (Texas Special SCs on the one, Hot Rails HBs on the other) and the amp does everything you want, unless you want distortion. So this is a 100% Fender Tone and it sounds a lot better with single coils than with humbuckers. You want to play Texas Flood Stratocaster in the neck/mid position (4) crunch channel set to 3 and reverb to two. All tone pots set to 5 and brightness to 2. That’s it!!!! But I can’t reproduce any metal sound on this amp. The tone is way too bass heavy. If you want anything more than crunch, you have to rely on stomp boxes and the clean channel, so you might consider buying a Marshall or Mesa rather than this amp. There is no Santana and no Van Halen in this box. The Boost channel adds about 12dB of signal to the crunch tone, which comes in handy for solos, but which is far from giving you high gain (as they say in the Fender adds). How do I rate the tone. It is a 10 to me, because I wanted the warm, bassy Fender Clean Tone. If you want to play AC/DC sounds or heavier... it’s a 2 on this. Let’s meet in the middle.

  10. Sound Quality Rating: 6

  11. Construction

  12. There is some major particularities about the handling and construction. The 3 tone knobs work for all channels the same. So when you want a mid-heavy clean sound, you get a mid heavy crunch (which might not be what you want) and a mid heavy boost/solo. The FX loop is serial and not parallel (like on Marshalls), so you give the full signal into some FX box and it comes out with whatever changes the box does to the tone. I would have preferred to be able to mix the wet/dry ratio by myself, like I am used to on my other amp. The Master Volume only works on the crunch channel and is very lousy. It is made to enable a lot of power on low settings and then adds only 10% more on the second half of the way. So it’s very difficult to set a low volume. BUT: THIS IS MY DREAM AMP! While I know all the downs, I bought it for THE TONE and I am 100% happy with it. I don’t use FXs. I don’t play metal, I don’t want a stack. I REALLY AM IN LOVE WITH THIS BOX! And when I didn’t give it a 5 in every rating, it is because not everyone might have the same criteria as me, so I have to be realistic. Reliability is not a concern on Fender Amps. 5 repairs on my Marshall in 4 years and not one on this... they don’t come any better.

  13. Construction Rating: 10

stats

  1. Average Ratings
  2. Performance: 7.8
  3. Sound Quality: 8.4
  4. Construction: 8.4
  5. Ratings Key
  6. 10: Excellent
  7. 0: Useless
  8. Available At Guitar Center
  9. Fender Hot Rod Deluxe 112 80W 1x12 Guitar Extension Cab Black Straight
  10. Company
  11. Fender

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