Anyone here try a benson hot rod deluxe?

[Open lane]

Hi. Has anyone here tried the benson version of the hot rod deluxe? Thoughts?


I am planning to get 2 amps around the same time. 99% percent certain i'm def getting a deluxe reverb. I'm also considering a benson hot rod deluxe.

If i don't getbthe benson, i'm also considering a dirty shirley mini but would have to use my mini jubilee cab.


If i would get just as much out of the benson, i'd be inclined to go for it, as it's a fraction of the price
of the DS mini.

My main jazz amp has been the henrikson "jazzamp" -- should a benson hrd sound much dif?

Thoughts?

 

[jeremy]

Re: Anyone here try a benson hot rod deluxe?

Any reason you are getting two amps at once? A dirty Shirley and any hot rod deluxe are pretty different amps

 

[Open lane]

Re: Anyone here try a benson hot rod deluxe?

Well, not really. I like the idea of being overwhelmed. I've wanted a deluxe reverb for a LONG time. I keep changing my mind to other gear righhht before purchasing it. It'll mainly be used for clean blues/rock. Figured i'd either use the hotrod for bebop and jazz tones or the DS for over driven hard rock/shred.

I have a specific budget i can adhere to and the amps i mentioned can adhere to it as a pair, or else i can get a full sized DS combo. I feel like i'm getting more for my money if i get the two amps (actually i could get a deluxe reverb, a hot rod, and a new strat for the price of the big DS)

Maybe i'm stupid and my logic is skewed.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Anyone here try a benson hot rod deluxe?

If I'm not mistaken, the Benson HRD has a Pine Cabinet while the normal HRD uses chearper MDF.

I used a HRD for a long time, it was modded (best thing for the older ones is to have the soldering joints redone) but was one of the best pedal platforms I've ever used. Currently using a Blues Deluxe which is a very similar amp.

Changing your speaker to something like the Eminence Cannabis-Rex would be great for Jazz.

 

[BluesGuyJ2]

Re: Anyone here try a benson hot rod deluxe?

this doesn't make much sense to me... the DS, DRRI, and HRD are all very different amps.... just because you can spend xxxx amount doesn't mean you need to or should.... get the amp that meets your need, and make your decision based on that. If you're looking for an amp that can do rock, jazz and blues, I'd get a single channel American clean amp and some quality pedals. I think it's easier to get a good clean Fender style amp to shred with some pedals, versus getting a dirty, hard rocking amp to give up good cleans for jazz. Port City, Suhr, Victoria, Kingsley, some of the discontinued Bogners, and some other brands make great clean, versatile, pedal friendly amps... Mesa does as well, for sure. Look at what Andy Timmons does with the Lonestars and drive pedals...

 

[Open lane]

Re: Anyone here try a benson hot rod deluxe?

I appreciate your input. I'm still deciding what to do. You make a good point and i do not disagree.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Anyone here try a benson hot rod deluxe?

Ive played a henriksen. Sounds great until you try it alongside a nice tube fender. You are in for a treat and won't look back.
Deluxe Reverb. No need for a hot rod (or any other amp really).

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Anyone here try a benson hot rod deluxe?

Ive played a henriksen. Sounds great until you try it alongside a nice tube fender. You are in for a treat and won't look back.
Deluxe Reverb. No need for a hot rod (or any other amp really).

I have to disagree with you on that comparison. I was going to buy a Deluxe Reverb but kept going back to the Blues Deluxe when I A/B'd them (currently using a Blues Deluxe, modded yes but still cheaper than a Deluxe Reverb.) It comes down to personal taste and ears. A Deluxe Reverb is definitely a superb amp, but it is not for everyone.

I used a Hot Rod Deluxe that I got for around $300 used and put $200 into it, still cheaper than used Deluxe Reverbs I see listed in my area. Gigged it up to New York and out to Texas and back...got a lot of compliments on the tone, even from one guy who used to own one and was shocked at the tone and how quiet mine was.

Again, not bashing you or the Deluxe Reverb, just saying there's a place for both.

 

[Open lane]

Re: Anyone here try a benson hot rod deluxe?

I tried a deluxe reverb 2wks ago and was disapointed. Then, today i tried a princeton. LOVED the princeton. At this point i'm deciding between getting a princeton (and maybe also a benson) or a friedman DS. The friedman is over 3x the price. Wish i had a way to try them side by side. I have a feeling whatever i go with i will not be disapointed. However, disliking the deluxe reverb was a huge wakeup call. Also, i will note -- i'm not putting down the deluxe reverb. It's a matter of taste and the style i play. They princeton is more of what i expected the deluxe reverb to sound like. The DR is a fine amp, just not what i expected.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Anyone here try a benson hot rod deluxe?

I have to disagree with you on that comparison. I was going to buy a Deluxe Reverb but kept going back to the Blues Deluxe when I A/B'd them (currently using a Blues Deluxe, modded yes but still cheaper than a Deluxe Reverb.) It comes down to personal taste and ears. A Deluxe Reverb is definitely a superb amp, but it is not for everyone.

I used a Hot Rod Deluxe that I got for around $300 used and put $200 into it, still cheaper than used Deluxe Reverbs I see listed in my area. Gigged it up to New York and out to Texas and back...got a lot of compliments on the tone, even from one guy who used to own one and was shocked at the tone and how quiet mine was.

Again, not bashing you or the Deluxe Reverb, just saying there's a place for both.

Yep this is true. I used to have an hrd which i modded and did speaker swaps etc. It always sounded good. Using backline HRD's has always worked too. IN the end, i moved mine along (and replaced it with a boogie) because the cabinet rattles started to drive me up the wall. The benson one looks to have a solid cab, so it is probably a gorgeous sounding amp (i'll skip the c12k100 tho).

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Anyone here try a benson hot rod deluxe?

I tried a deluxe reverb 2wks ago and was disapointed. Then, today i tried a princeton. LOVED the princeton. At this point i'm deciding between getting a princeton (and maybe also a benson) or a friedman DS. The friedman is over 3x the price. Wish i had a way to try them side by side. I have a feeling whatever i go with i will not be disapointed. However, disliking the deluxe reverb was a huge wakeup call. Also, i will note -- i'm not putting down the deluxe reverb. It's a matter of taste and the style i play. They princeton is more of what i expected the deluxe reverb to sound like. The DR is a fine amp, just not what i expected.

Horses for courses. It is good you had the chance to plug in and make your own decisions. Princetons are stellar amps in their own right.
Before you spend any dough though, you owe it to yourself to get acquainted with a few of the classic tweed amps. I'm guessing that you play jazz (based on you owning a henriksen and looking at a GB amp) and in terms of jazz, it is hard to go past grant green's sound. Worth trying a few...especially a deluxe.