Hey Stevie,
I can feel your angst, man.
Your problem can be solved, but how depends on your budget.
The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe + a pedal or two and maybe a speaker upgrade is a cost effective, workhorse solution that works very well in a variety of situations.
I have used it in blues, rock, funk, indie bands and it works fine, because it has a great clean channel that takes very well to pedals.
On the clip you heard I was using a Strat bridge single coil with a Boss SD-1 (808 mod) into a ProCo RAT2 into the clean channel of the Hot Rod.
As far as the amps overdive channel, I'd say it's the perfect amp for Springsteen type rock. I heard a song of his on the radio today and I could have sworn the guitar was played through a Hot Rod.
However there are better amps out there that cost more money.
You basically want an amp that has a good bluesy crunch that can go into screaming high gain rock, right?
I'd say look into:
Marshall DSL 50 (used by Gary Moore, Jeff Beck)
Marshall Silver Jubilee (used by Slash, Joe Bonamassa)
for heads
and
Rivera Chubster
Mesa Boogie F50
Mesa Boogie Lonestar
Fender Prosonic
for combos.
Let me know how you decide.
Soulman :32: