Hotrod delux or similar- Your recommendation

[zionstrat]

Folks-
I've sold my princton to a friend who needed it more than I, and am entirely modeling for recording and live. But I miss having a tube amp that I can just plug and play around the house-

So I started the look last weekend and wonder what you would recommend in the direction of hotrod delux?

40w is more than I need and it's bigger than I would want to cary if I changed my mind and wanted to take it to a gig, so smaller would be even better. But the clean channel is as good a clean Fender sound as I have heard recently. The overdrive wasn't as beefy as I am accustomed to, but I do like the fact that there is a master on that channel and plenty of controls and decent reverb- Same Ash has one in the mid 500s and that's certainly a workable number-

My personal sounds are knophler-glimorish, but I cover blues to hard rock on a regluar basis. Prime gtrs are a ZION strat, parker nitefly, and PRSce24-

Looking forward to your input-

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Hotrod delux or similar- Your recommendation

I would say just go with the Hotrod because the lower watt Fenders just don't have any low end punch.

But keep in mind that I use my Hotrods for clean tones only (which they deliver in spades), and get my overdrive from a stompbox only. If you're looking for that classic power tube distortion only cranking up the master volume can give you, then 40 watts is definitely something you have to factor in.

In another thing to factor in is that though the Hotrods have a totally killer clean tone (especially if you slap some winged C Svetlana 6L6GC's in 'em), I think most in here would agree with me that the overdrive channel is just awful. Sounds like stepping on a pile of autumn leaves with dog poop underneath.

You might want to look at the Blues Junior instead...

 

[zionstrat]

Re: Hotrod delux or similar- Your recommendation

Hotrods have a totally killer clean tone (especially if you slap some winged C Svetlana 6L6GC's in 'em), I think most in here would agree with me that the overdrive channel is just awful....You might want to look at the Blues Junior instead...

From what I heard, that's a perfect analysis- But I loved the clean fender sound - Guessing the blues jr has more trouble with this sound becuse of the EL 84s?

Also, how easy is it to go between sounds on the blues jr? I like being able to tweak the clean vs the overdrive on the hotrod and was wondering if a rat or a tube distortion might make this a more useful chanel- can you insert effects just in the overdrive channel? Anyone do this before?

Thanks all

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Hotrod delux or similar- Your recommendation

From what I heard, that's a perfect analysis- But I loved the clean fender sound - Guessing the blues jr has more trouble with this sound becuse of the EL 84s?

That and the overall lack of headroom. I'm a huge fan of the Fender clean tone too and I was looking at the Blues Junior as an amp I could just leave at my church -- but it just doesn't have the low end oomph on clean that that the Hotrods and other bigger Fender amps have.

Also, how easy is it to go between sounds on the blues jr? I like being able to tweak the clean vs the overdrive on the hotrod and was wondering if a rat or a tube distortion might make this a more useful chanel- can you insert effects just in the overdrive channel? Anyone do this before?

I'm not sure what you mean by "go between sounds" unless you mean to get just a slight break-up. If so, the Blues Junior can do that.

There is an effects loop on the Hotrod but it applies to both channels. I don't think there is a way to dedicate a stompbox to the overdrive channel only, short of opening it up and re-wiring it somehow.

 

[zionstrat]

Re: Hotrod delux or similar- Your recommendation

Thanks Z- Just thought of a comrimise that might not be a bad one with the delux- i've got an exta modeling preamp that i could put in front of it to get the crunch and just bypass it for clean- but then i'm not using the crunch chwnnel and paying for an extra channels i wouldnt use-

thanks for the input!

 

[marvar]

Re: Hotrod delux or similar- Your recommendation

I don't care for the HRD- I've had two of them, and I really tried to like it. yes the cleans are good, but the OD channel is just out of control,at least for my tastes, too much like a light switch, Off or on, no middle of the road.
But keep in mind, I only use humbuckers, no single coil pu's, so all I can comment on is what I know.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Hotrod delux or similar- Your recommendation

I love the HRD's but only for that clean tone. But I'm with you on the overdrive -- it can only be described with words that can't be said on a family forum like this. Still, the clean tone is so good that it's well worth it.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Hotrod delux or similar- Your recommendation

The 1st thing I did when I got My HRD Was take the footswith and throw it
in a draw.Now the Bad O.D. channel problem is not a problem. Look at it this way. Your Princeton didn't have a O.D. channel problem. I know it sounds
lame to plunk down your hard earned cash for a single channel amp in 2005.
But it's still a great sounding amp. There is plenty of O.D./Dist. stompage on the market today you can find one that suits your needs. The HRD takes pedals very well. I looked into some other amps like the Blues jr. and Crate.
But the classic 6L6 design at 40 watts, cool retro vintage look and overall the great Fender cleans sold me. Also the FX loop and the flexablity to run a 8 ohm ext. cab.

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: Hotrod delux or similar- Your recommendation

You might also want to consider a Traynor YCV40. They run on 6L6 and are 'American' voiced. The WR version has an upgraded speaker. I've seen some good deals in the past on ebay.

 

[DesertRose]

Re: Hotrod delux or similar- Your recommendation

Does The Hod rod deluxe cost around the same as the twin amp issue ? I love the twin amp reissue sound

 

[zionstrat]

Re: Hotrod delux or similar- Your recommendation

Have never tried a Traynor- Will have to try one of these out- SoCal, can you comment on the clean and overdrive sounds?
M