Hey you guys. I recently have been in the amp market again cause every once in awhile I get on the old Intranet and hunt for good deals. I recently came across an older Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. I used to have one of these babies back in the late 90s and I always loved it. Anywhoser when I first started looking for this size amp I went to the Guitar Center up the street and did soem looking around at what Fender had to offer that was newer. There where alot of questions left unanswered like why would they build new amps with a solid state pre amp? and there are a lot of things that are different now anyway... im getting off topic. I found a vintage Hot Rod Deluxe on Craigslist well I call it vintage August 99 but it was manufactured in Corona California. I took it home and cleaned it up took the back off and checked the Bias. I found out that it had Groove tubes model GT6L6B. And it was biased at 67.5. So I went fishing in my tube collection and i have found some interesting stuff but after hours of frustration i finally figured out that I want to go with two matched mesa boogie STR-440. My question is does anyone have any recommendations on upgrading pre amp tubes? Im looking for that classic SRV sound or something in that area that big texas blues rock sound. Anyone have any recommendations. I know an awful lot about power tubes but im a newbie to pre amping kinda like I know how it works I just have heard that some people mix and match stuff. let me know what you think. Im using Seymour Duncan pick ups on a Epi les paul custom.. and i have a few pedals but im just looking for fundamentals here. And does anyone know much about these HRD around that year and manufactured in Corona are they any better worse than any other model year?
Modifications to vintage Hot Rod Deluxe
- Thread starter Glen_732
- Start date
Re: Modifications to vintage Hot Rod Deluxe
Also has anyone used these tubes that I am talking about the STR-440? What should i crank these babies up to what kind of milliamps do they like? Another thing that I forgot to mention when I had the back off that amp. I not only checked the Bias but I checked the caps. They where the grey IC caps 500V standered I think for Fender amps. When I tested them with the bias set at 67.5 i was getting these numbers from far left to right 437 V 437V 399V 349V there are 4 of them. Should I replace these because I replaced the tubes if so what would be some recommendation on these. Should I jsut put new ones in or change those up to. If so does anyone have any good recommendations for caps. I think that's what there called that's what everyone I know always calls them the things that look like a big transformer or battery looking things. In case you have not figured out yet im really into amps and modifications. Let me know guys im open for anything.
Also has anyone used these tubes that I am talking about the STR-440? What should i crank these babies up to what kind of milliamps do they like? Another thing that I forgot to mention when I had the back off that amp. I not only checked the Bias but I checked the caps. They where the grey IC caps 500V standered I think for Fender amps. When I tested them with the bias set at 67.5 i was getting these numbers from far left to right 437 V 437V 399V 349V there are 4 of them. Should I replace these because I replaced the tubes if so what would be some recommendation on these. Should I jsut put new ones in or change those up to. If so does anyone have any good recommendations for caps. I think that's what there called that's what everyone I know always calls them the things that look like a big transformer or battery looking things. In case you have not figured out yet im really into amps and modifications. Let me know guys im open for anything.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
Re: Modifications to vintage Hot Rod Deluxe
Vintage?
FWIW, I've always found that replacing the speaker in an amp makes a much bigger difference than swapping tubes. If you're not 90% of the way you want to sound right now, I'd try a new speaker.
You shouldn't need to replace the capacitors because of a tube change.
Vintage?
FWIW, I've always found that replacing the speaker in an amp makes a much bigger difference than swapping tubes. If you're not 90% of the way you want to sound right now, I'd try a new speaker.
You shouldn't need to replace the capacitors because of a tube change.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Modifications to vintage Hot Rod Deluxe
I have a '95 Fender Hot Rod Deluxe...wouldn't call it vintage. lol
View attachment 64457
People typically say the US models are better than the Mexico models but I've only played mine which is American and was gigged very harshly so I don't know how the Mexican ones hold up. And they bascially moved production like 70 miles south of the border so the difference would basically be in the quality control from the American side vs. the Mexican side. Great amp for nice pristine cleans and takes pedals very well. I've had the caps replaced, the solder joints redone, the gain channel modded to beefier tighter drive tone, and absolutely love it. I haven't replaced the speaker because I love the tone it gets.
A lot of folks recommend upgrading the caps and touching up the soldering. A local amp shop, Acorn Amps, did a great job modding mine.
But I've trying to see what your end goal is here...are you trying to tighten up the bottom end? (typcial problem ppl have with the HRD) Are you wanting a different tone? etc...
I have a '95 Fender Hot Rod Deluxe...wouldn't call it vintage. lol
View attachment 64457
People typically say the US models are better than the Mexico models but I've only played mine which is American and was gigged very harshly so I don't know how the Mexican ones hold up. And they bascially moved production like 70 miles south of the border so the difference would basically be in the quality control from the American side vs. the Mexican side. Great amp for nice pristine cleans and takes pedals very well. I've had the caps replaced, the solder joints redone, the gain channel modded to beefier tighter drive tone, and absolutely love it. I haven't replaced the speaker because I love the tone it gets.
A lot of folks recommend upgrading the caps and touching up the soldering. A local amp shop, Acorn Amps, did a great job modding mine.
But I've trying to see what your end goal is here...are you trying to tighten up the bottom end? (typcial problem ppl have with the HRD) Are you wanting a different tone? etc...
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Modifications to vintage Hot Rod Deluxe
I currently own an MIM HR Deluxe and an MIA HR DeVille 410. Were it not for the legend on the rear of the two amplifiers, I would defy anyone to differentiate between them for QA issues.
Regarding pre-amp valve changes, some people make an argument for reducing the gain factor of V1. Replace the 12AX7/ECC83 with a 12AY7/ECC82.
Other mods involve taming the splashy Reverb, replacing the stock linear taper Master Volume pot with an audio taper.
Of these two amplifiers, I prefer the sound of the HRDv. Some of this might be the higher plate voltage. Some of it is probably the tens. No flub.
I currently own an MIM HR Deluxe and an MIA HR DeVille 410. Were it not for the legend on the rear of the two amplifiers, I would defy anyone to differentiate between them for QA issues.
Regarding pre-amp valve changes, some people make an argument for reducing the gain factor of V1. Replace the 12AX7/ECC83 with a 12AY7/ECC82.
Other mods involve taming the splashy Reverb, replacing the stock linear taper Master Volume pot with an audio taper.
Of these two amplifiers, I prefer the sound of the HRDv. Some of this might be the higher plate voltage. Some of it is probably the tens. No flub.
allbutromeo
Well-known member
Re: Modifications to vintage Hot Rod Deluxe
Yeah the stock eminence 12" in the MIA Series one and MIM series two HRDX suck, the Celestion in the series three is much better. My MIA has a lot of issues, mostly the volume drops in and out, one of these days I'll take it to a tech. When it is working it sounds fantastic though
Yeah the stock eminence 12" in the MIA Series one and MIM series two HRDX suck, the Celestion in the series three is much better. My MIA has a lot of issues, mostly the volume drops in and out, one of these days I'll take it to a tech. When it is working it sounds fantastic though
Re: Modifications to vintage Hot Rod Deluxe
I had an original series HRD I think it was.......fair to say this particular amp is actually one that benefitted from a few schematic upgrades and a move to MIM.
One of the most harsh amps out there - the drive channel on mine was horrible. I couldn't be bothered to try and see if speaker or tubes were going to make a difference, but a cannabis rex and maybe some warm pre/power tubes like JJ might help
I had an original series HRD I think it was.......fair to say this particular amp is actually one that benefitted from a few schematic upgrades and a move to MIM.
One of the most harsh amps out there - the drive channel on mine was horrible. I couldn't be bothered to try and see if speaker or tubes were going to make a difference, but a cannabis rex and maybe some warm pre/power tubes like JJ might help
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Modifications to vintage Hot Rod Deluxe
HRD's are good amps.
One time i plugged into a backline HRD dead stock and played a gig, then had Peter Green's AUstralian tour manager raving to me about the tone i was pulling.
Ive owned one (USA version) too, and did a few mods that were improvements. ONe was changing the clean volume pot for a different taper so it was not so "all or nothing" between 1 and 3. I believe the newer models all have this as standard now. The other mod was clipping a resistor to reduce the amount of treble in the reverb. This was a super simple mod which was an improvement. Again, i think it has become stock too in newer models. The only other one was upgrading the wattage on the bias feed resistors because they had a tendency to burn out (mine did). Thats all it needed. It was a good sounding amp in its stock form and could do the SRV sound in spades.
HOwever....if you want to talk preamp tubes, i reckon tung sols are closest to the sound you are after. Rich harmonic swirl rather than dirty midrange grind.
Power tubes...you can use anything really as long as you bias them nice and warm.
The biggest improvement in that particular amp tho would be a speaker swap to a texas heat. At 150 watts they can handle the power of the HRD without even breaking a sweat. The other great thing about them is that they have a warm thick midrange (unusual for an american style speaker) and the top end is smooth and warm. Also, having a big voice coil but relatively small magnet, they are not as efficient as many speakers out there so they somewhat attenuate the volume and peaks inherent in an HRD which allows you to push the amp a little harder than you would normally be able to do at a gig and still keep the sound engineers and the rest of the band happy.
Hope all this helps.
HRD's are good amps.
One time i plugged into a backline HRD dead stock and played a gig, then had Peter Green's AUstralian tour manager raving to me about the tone i was pulling.
Ive owned one (USA version) too, and did a few mods that were improvements. ONe was changing the clean volume pot for a different taper so it was not so "all or nothing" between 1 and 3. I believe the newer models all have this as standard now. The other mod was clipping a resistor to reduce the amount of treble in the reverb. This was a super simple mod which was an improvement. Again, i think it has become stock too in newer models. The only other one was upgrading the wattage on the bias feed resistors because they had a tendency to burn out (mine did). Thats all it needed. It was a good sounding amp in its stock form and could do the SRV sound in spades.
HOwever....if you want to talk preamp tubes, i reckon tung sols are closest to the sound you are after. Rich harmonic swirl rather than dirty midrange grind.
Power tubes...you can use anything really as long as you bias them nice and warm.
The biggest improvement in that particular amp tho would be a speaker swap to a texas heat. At 150 watts they can handle the power of the HRD without even breaking a sweat. The other great thing about them is that they have a warm thick midrange (unusual for an american style speaker) and the top end is smooth and warm. Also, having a big voice coil but relatively small magnet, they are not as efficient as many speakers out there so they somewhat attenuate the volume and peaks inherent in an HRD which allows you to push the amp a little harder than you would normally be able to do at a gig and still keep the sound engineers and the rest of the band happy.
Hope all this helps.
allbutromeo
Well-known member
Re: Modifications to vintage Hot Rod Deluxe
I put Tungsol 6L6GCs in mine, don't recall what pre's I went with. I never really cared for the drive/more drive, but after the tube switch the clean channel cranked to distortion (on mine around 11-12 o'clock) it sounds killer, crazy loud though.
I put Tungsol 6L6GCs in mine, don't recall what pre's I went with. I never really cared for the drive/more drive, but after the tube switch the clean channel cranked to distortion (on mine around 11-12 o'clock) it sounds killer, crazy loud though.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Modifications to vintage Hot Rod Deluxe
I had similar issues with my MIA, had a great local Amp Shop that went over the whole thing and basically had to resolder the whole thing...needless to say I do not have that problem anymore.
The drive was horrible–I got it modded to emulate more of a Mesa Boogie Drive and now it sounds fantastic!
I had a 2x12 DeVille that sounded awesome but for some reason I keep going back to a 1x12 combo amp...just works for me. And yeah, the Reverb def can use some taming. lol
That's awesome! Mine has an Eminence Legend speaker that sounds fantastic–I keep hearing about the Canabis Rex or Texas Heat though....I'm at a point where it works for me so I won't upgrade what is getting the tone for me, but mine is about 20 years and the amp was beat up and gigged hard before I got it so if it tears on my I will definitely give the Texas Heat some serious thought.
I had similar issues with my MIA, had a great local Amp Shop that went over the whole thing and basically had to resolder the whole thing...needless to say I do not have that problem anymore.
The drive was horrible–I got it modded to emulate more of a Mesa Boogie Drive and now it sounds fantastic!
I had a 2x12 DeVille that sounded awesome but for some reason I keep going back to a 1x12 combo amp...just works for me. And yeah, the Reverb def can use some taming. lol
That's awesome! Mine has an Eminence Legend speaker that sounds fantastic–I keep hearing about the Canabis Rex or Texas Heat though....I'm at a point where it works for me so I won't upgrade what is getting the tone for me, but mine is about 20 years and the amp was beat up and gigged hard before I got it so if it tears on my I will definitely give the Texas Heat some serious thought.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Modifications to vintage Hot Rod Deluxe
emi legends are good too
emi legends are good too
Magnum9987
New member
Re: Modifications to vintage Hot Rod Deluxe
I know that SRV swapped 5751 pre-amps into his Dumble and Fender amps to get his (hot) tone.
I know that SRV swapped 5751 pre-amps into his Dumble and Fender amps to get his (hot) tone.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Modifications to vintage Hot Rod Deluxe
I really like mine but if it blows I'd be interested in a Cannabis Rex or Texas Heat...keeping hearing those come up as great replacements by multiple people from multiple forums.
I really like mine but if it blows I'd be interested in a Cannabis Rex or Texas Heat...keeping hearing those come up as great replacements by multiple people from multiple forums.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Modifications to vintage Hot Rod Deluxe
probably steer clear of the crex in an HRD. They are 50 watt speakers in a 40+watt amp. They will work, but generally it is a good thing to have speakers that can handle twice the wattage of the amp for reliability's sake. RMS wattage on an amp is clean wattage before the sine wave deforms. As such amps can put out a great deal in excess of what their RMS rating states when they are really cooking.
probably steer clear of the crex in an HRD. They are 50 watt speakers in a 40+watt amp. They will work, but generally it is a good thing to have speakers that can handle twice the wattage of the amp for reliability's sake. RMS wattage on an amp is clean wattage before the sine wave deforms. As such amps can put out a great deal in excess of what their RMS rating states when they are really cooking.
