Did Fender FINALLY Improve the Hot Rod Deluxe Crappy Distortion?

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Did Fender FINALLY Improve the Hot Rod Deluxe Crappy Distortion?

Slightly or Less than slightly off topic:

I bought an ungently used HRD recently because my regular amp needs repair (for the third time). The HRD has definitely not been cared for and is missing the foot switch. I have no idea what version it is.

Some things I really like about it are:

It’s too bad you couldn’t have bought an amp that you liked at least a little.

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: Did Fender FINALLY Improve the Hot Rod Deluxe Crappy Distortion?

As I said, the 1959 and 1987 of the 800 line were all tube, not distortion circuit, just like the preceding versions. Of the ones with a distortion "setting" (not really a separate channel), the SL-X and possibly the MK III (don't really recall that one) had all tube clean and distortion settings, the rest had diode clipping on the distorted modes, like an SS OD pedal like a TS would have. The clean setting is all tube, in the distortion mode the diode clipping is engaged. It's the same with the Jubilee, although the OD setting sounds better to many people. In the later SL-X (and possibly the MKIII) an extra preamp tube is used for the OD, like the common mod to single channel Marshalls of adding an extra preamp tube for more gain.

Al

Iirc, the SL-X is the only all tube circuit?

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Did Fender FINALLY Improve the Hot Rod Deluxe Crappy Distortion?

The HRD is not a bad amp but if you are buying any Fender amp for its distortion you are misguided and need to reevaluate your purchasing desision.

Agreed! Except for the Bassbreaker...that amp has seriously good distortion IMO

 

[Securb]

Re: Did Fender FINALLY Improve the Hot Rod Deluxe Crappy Distortion?

Agreed! Except for the Bassbreaker...that amp has seriously good distortion IMO

For all intents and purposes isn't that amp Fender cloning a Marshall? Which is fitting seeing that initially, Marshall was a clone of a Fender.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Did Fender FINALLY Improve the Hot Rod Deluxe Crappy Distortion?

For all intents and purposes isn't that amp Fender cloning a Marshall? Which is fitting seeing that initially, Marshall was a clone of a Fender.

I thought I remember hearing from Fender that it was supposed to have been inspired by the Bassman...but it is the most Marshall Sounding Fender amp to my ears.

 

[Inkstained]

Re: Did Fender FINALLY Improve the Hot Rod Deluxe Crappy Distortion?

Those are the V-Types you're talking about. The A-Types are different. They use a slightly heftier magnet. The A-Types are full-on Classic series Celestions in the same league as Lynchbacks, T-75's, Greenbacks, and the other Chinese-made Classic series.

The V-types also fall in the 'classic' series, if that nomenclature is important to anyone. Same price, too, but the V-types are rated at 70 watts while the A-types are 50 watts.

I have and like both. The V-type is probably the better, more detailed "all arounder," but they both have a certain Celestion character that truly comes out when assaulted with drive, fuzz, filth, etc.

 

[shupe13]

Did Fender FINALLY Improve the Hot Rod Deluxe Crappy Distortion?

All this talk about HRDs got me thinking I need one. My first Deluxe (HRD III). The gain channels are hands down better than my ‘05-‘10 era DeVilles. Still a crap ton of amp. I’m looking at Carl’s Customs volume/speaker soak boxes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Securb]

Re: Did Fender FINALLY Improve the Hot Rod Deluxe Crappy Distortion?

I thought I remember hearing from Fender that it was supposed to have been inspired by the Bassman...but it is the most Marshall Sounding Fender amp to my ears.

Yep, when it came out there was thinly veiled references in the marketing materials that pretty much said "payback time Marshall".

 

[Esseff]

Re: Did Fender FINALLY Improve the Hot Rod Deluxe Crappy Distortion?

This is how I improved the tone of my HRDx

My own mod kit. Sounds amazing now!
Oh, plus a VType speaker and a V30 cab.

 

[Joegee]

Re: Did Fender FINALLY Improve the Hot Rod Deluxe Crappy Distortion?

Try putting a 12AT7 in the 1st preamp tube socket,it seems to calm the amp down a bit. I have a 2X12 Deville and the 1st and least expensive was to change the pre-amp tubes. it helped.Then I changed the speakers. I thought the original Fender speakers were to fat and lazy. However if you are going to change speakers not all speakers fit in the upper hole. Why they didn't put them side by side is beyond me. Speakers with 4 holes at each leg of the speaker frame will hit the MONSTER transformer,you may need to modify and forget about putting an Anico speaker in the top spot its not deep enough.
Try the preamp tube change 1st you will lose about 23-30 % of power but hell the amp has plenty of power. it makes it easier to play in the house and when pushed its plenty loud at gigs
What do you have to lose 15-20 bucks