Fender '65 DRRI vs HRD vs Blues Deluxe vs 5E3
- Thread starter some_dude
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Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Fender '65 DRRI vs HRD vs Blues Deluxe vs 5E3
5e3 if you want rawk - then just choose the right speaker for the job (something punchy and efficient if you have a hard hitting drummer, or something spongy and alnico if not).
DRRI if you crave the verb and would like a little more punch and headroom.
I think part of the difference in the feel/response/breakup of these amps is the configuration of the phase inverter. The 5e3 gets pretty hot there and a lot of the "power tube saturation" that you hear people raving about is actually the 5e3's phase inverter giving up the jelly. DR's have a different configuration so they are able to stay cleaner for longer. There are a lot of other things that separate these amps, but that is a pretty essential part of what makes these two amps sound and feel so different. That, and of course the channel jumpering etc.
With either of these amps you have the 10 dollar option of replacing the rectifier tube with a solid state plug in tube replacement to add a couple of watts and a lot of extra punch.
The other two amps are pretty good in their own way, but won't offer you anything that you cant squeeze out of the 5e3 or deluxe reverb.
5e3 if you want rawk - then just choose the right speaker for the job (something punchy and efficient if you have a hard hitting drummer, or something spongy and alnico if not).
DRRI if you crave the verb and would like a little more punch and headroom.
I think part of the difference in the feel/response/breakup of these amps is the configuration of the phase inverter. The 5e3 gets pretty hot there and a lot of the "power tube saturation" that you hear people raving about is actually the 5e3's phase inverter giving up the jelly. DR's have a different configuration so they are able to stay cleaner for longer. There are a lot of other things that separate these amps, but that is a pretty essential part of what makes these two amps sound and feel so different. That, and of course the channel jumpering etc.
With either of these amps you have the 10 dollar option of replacing the rectifier tube with a solid state plug in tube replacement to add a couple of watts and a lot of extra punch.
The other two amps are pretty good in their own way, but won't offer you anything that you cant squeeze out of the 5e3 or deluxe reverb.
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treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Fender '65 DRRI vs HRD vs Blues Deluxe vs 5E3
I would love a Deluxe Reverb–sound amazing! For my price range though, I've found the Hot Rod Deluxe to be awesome!...but I've had it upgraded and modded so its not stock.
I would love a Deluxe Reverb–sound amazing! For my price range though, I've found the Hot Rod Deluxe to be awesome!...but I've had it upgraded and modded so its not stock.
Re: Fender '65 DRRI vs HRD vs Blues Deluxe vs 5E3
i have a 5e3 clone and a 66' deluxe reverb. i have friends that have blues deluxes and hot rod devilles and deluxes. the 5e3 and deluxe reverb are magic amps that sound incredible. the hrd and bd are fine amps and more versatile with channel switching and fx loops and more clean headroom etc... even with all the mods ive seen and installed for other people, those amps just never get to sound as good as a simple old circuit. the 5e3 is a middy squishy beast that is tons of fun to play. the deluxe reverb is much more the classic fender clean tone but if you crank it up it sounds great overdriven too. the correct speaker makes a big difference and can help you massage the amp to suit your needs. i use a g12h-30 in my 5e3 but really liked the weber alnico 12a150T too. i use a cannabis rex in my dr.
ive tried the current 65 and 68 deluxe reverbs and prefer the 68. with mods the 65 might be better i havent looked into it. i do know that clipping the bright cap on the 65 makes a big improvement
i have a 5e3 clone and a 66' deluxe reverb. i have friends that have blues deluxes and hot rod devilles and deluxes. the 5e3 and deluxe reverb are magic amps that sound incredible. the hrd and bd are fine amps and more versatile with channel switching and fx loops and more clean headroom etc... even with all the mods ive seen and installed for other people, those amps just never get to sound as good as a simple old circuit. the 5e3 is a middy squishy beast that is tons of fun to play. the deluxe reverb is much more the classic fender clean tone but if you crank it up it sounds great overdriven too. the correct speaker makes a big difference and can help you massage the amp to suit your needs. i use a g12h-30 in my 5e3 but really liked the weber alnico 12a150T too. i use a cannabis rex in my dr.
ive tried the current 65 and 68 deluxe reverbs and prefer the 68. with mods the 65 might be better i havent looked into it. i do know that clipping the bright cap on the 65 makes a big improvement
FAC
New member
Re: Fender '65 DRRI vs HRD vs Blues Deluxe vs 5E3
For P90s, I would go with a 5E3. Without reading your original post, if someone had asked me to describe the sound of P90s into a 5E3, I would've said "that is the sound of rock and roll".
My Les Paul Special DC with P90s sounded awesome cranked through my Victoria 5E3.
I might also describe it as a pretty loose amp in the low end (with P90s vs. humbuckers, that won't be as much as an issue, but it is not tight like a dual rectifier).
For P90s, I would go with a 5E3. Without reading your original post, if someone had asked me to describe the sound of P90s into a 5E3, I would've said "that is the sound of rock and roll".
My Les Paul Special DC with P90s sounded awesome cranked through my Victoria 5E3.
I might also describe it as a pretty loose amp in the low end (with P90s vs. humbuckers, that won't be as much as an issue, but it is not tight like a dual rectifier).
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Fender '65 DRRI vs HRD vs Blues Deluxe vs 5E3
After lots of reading and listening I think the answer is a 5E3. It has more of a thick, mid heavy tone compared to the Deluxe which seems emphasise the top end a bit more.
At this point I'm debating between buying a clone or buying a kit.
After lots of reading and listening I think the answer is a 5E3. It has more of a thick, mid heavy tone compared to the Deluxe which seems emphasise the top end a bit more.
At this point I'm debating between buying a clone or buying a kit.
Re: Fender '65 DRRI vs HRD vs Blues Deluxe vs 5E3
IMHO, the 5e3 is such a simple amp, you'd be better off sourcing the parts yourself instead of buying a kit, it'd be cheaper and you can choose exactly the types of caps, resistors, transformers you want. Plenty of folks make wood cabs for 5e3s if you don't want to build one or have the skills/Tools for the job.
IMHO, the 5e3 is such a simple amp, you'd be better off sourcing the parts yourself instead of buying a kit, it'd be cheaper and you can choose exactly the types of caps, resistors, transformers you want. Plenty of folks make wood cabs for 5e3s if you don't want to build one or have the skills/Tools for the job.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Fender '65 DRRI vs HRD vs Blues Deluxe vs 5E3
This being my first potential build I don't know how comfortable I am with picking my own parts.
This being my first potential build I don't know how comfortable I am with picking my own parts.
Re: Fender '65 DRRI vs HRD vs Blues Deluxe vs 5E3
I understand, however, I can help you out making a bill of material if you want. I based the one I finished a few months ago from weber's layouts. I won't have all the parts number for mouser or other U.S. stores but I can definitely help anyways.
Just PM me if you're interested. Otherwise there are plenty of very nice kits out there, have fun!
I understand, however, I can help you out making a bill of material if you want. I based the one I finished a few months ago from weber's layouts. I won't have all the parts number for mouser or other U.S. stores but I can definitely help anyways.
Just PM me if you're interested. Otherwise there are plenty of very nice kits out there, have fun!
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Fender '65 DRRI vs HRD vs Blues Deluxe vs 5E3
Do you have Cdn sources?
(I'm currently living in Edmonton)
Do you have Cdn sources?
(I'm currently living in Edmonton)
Re: Fender '65 DRRI vs HRD vs Blues Deluxe vs 5E3
Of couse, one of the challenges I set myself for the 5e3 was to buy exclusively Canadian if possible. The only exceptions were a few resistors and caps which were much cheaper and more readily available through ebay (china of course). Other than that it was 100% canadian, including Hammonds trannies.
The big find for that project was "A1parts.ca". They're in Toronto, have great prices and very good service. Most of my parts came from them.
The tubestore are great for electrolytic caps (and tubes).
For pots and resistors I went with my regular pedals supplier (Tayda).
The chassis came crom a local shop that built it to my specs but there are plenty floating around on ebay and others, while a1parta carries a wide selection of hammond chassis, some of them could easily fit the bill. All in all it should be very simple (few parts) and not too expensive either.
Of couse, one of the challenges I set myself for the 5e3 was to buy exclusively Canadian if possible. The only exceptions were a few resistors and caps which were much cheaper and more readily available through ebay (china of course). Other than that it was 100% canadian, including Hammonds trannies.
The big find for that project was "A1parts.ca". They're in Toronto, have great prices and very good service. Most of my parts came from them.
The tubestore are great for electrolytic caps (and tubes).
For pots and resistors I went with my regular pedals supplier (Tayda).
The chassis came crom a local shop that built it to my specs but there are plenty floating around on ebay and others, while a1parta carries a wide selection of hammond chassis, some of them could easily fit the bill. All in all it should be very simple (few parts) and not too expensive either.
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Re: Fender '65 DRRI vs HRD vs Blues Deluxe vs 5E3
looks like you guys should be able to work this out. the 5e3 build isnt bad at all and youll have such a cool little amp when youre done. dont skimp on parts! there isnt much in there so get the good stuff all around
looks like you guys should be able to work this out. the 5e3 build isnt bad at all and youll have such a cool little amp when youre done. dont skimp on parts! there isnt much in there so get the good stuff all around
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