Fender Hot Rod Deluxe

Danny Hullihen · Post by **Danny Hullihen** » 1 Mar 2020 6:53 am

I think I've done just about everything I can try to make this a better amp for steel guitar use. (i.e. Fromel circuit upgrades, different speakers) and I have found nothing yet that truly improves this particular amp for pedal steel use.

Although the upgrades definitely are improvements for this amp, unfortunately, nothing I have tried so far makes it any better for what I intended to use it for.

It is indeed a fantastic amp for guitar, and I love the way it sounds. If I could get more head room out of it, then I think it would be good, but I think I've gone as far as I can in those regards with this amp as it sits now.

I probably could ad a power amp, and that would probably do the trick, but doing that defeats the purpose of being able to use it as a stand-alone amp, even with an added speaker cabinet.

Like I said, it's a great sounding amp, and I love that it's only about 40 pounds. Unfortunately, it just won't handle what I was hoping for unless I play at only low volumes. (very unlikely)

Anyway, just wishful thinking and hoping I guess? ... and too stubborn to easily give up.

Maybe some where down the road someone will come up with the "FM wand" I'm looking for?

In the meantime, I sincerely appreciate all of your help and suggestions on this.

Michael Brebes · Post by **Michael Brebes** » 1 Mar 2020 7:58 am

I even put an EVM 12L in my Blues Deluxe and it still just wasn't enough power. The only way to get enough out of this amp is to replace the power and output transformers with those from a DeVille. That's about $200 in parts right there. Yes, there would be a few other component values that would need to be changed but it all could be done in that amp and get 60 watts into one 12" speaker. But is it worth it?

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 1 Mar 2020 1:41 pm

Danny I feel exactly the same and did all the stuff that you did. I don't use or own a 40 watt HR Deluxe or Blues Deluxe anymore. Wonderful guitar amps, just not enough CLEAN GUTS for the Steel to be pushed. Great small to medium room amp.

I do still own a late 90's / 60 Watt 2x12 Deville, I don't take it out much but its ready to go to the larger room or bigger stage gigs for double duty

I also use a 50 watt/1x12 Carvin Nomad now and then but it is a 4x EL84 amp, a different tone, still bright. You may need an EQ on the front end to give it a tad more bottom though. Overall its got a bit more clean gain over the HR 40 watters. I did put the Fender Gold label Emmi speaker in the Nomad for consistency. The Carvin I have has a reverb tank, some newer models have digital reverb, I think they are both about the same. These amps are around the same price used as an HR Deluxe if you can find one. Your 6 stringer will love it !

good luck !

tp

Patrick Strain · Post by **Patrick Strain** » 3 Mar 2020 3:30 pm

Meh, I've gotten stuck using them for back line, and they're fine on steel. I despise using the Hot Rod/Blues Deville with guitar. One of my least favorite amps.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 4 Mar 2020 1:31 pm

Patrick Strain wrote:Meh, I've gotten stuck using them for back line, and they're fine on steel. I despise using the Hot Rod/Blues Deville with guitar. One of my least favorite amps.

we cancel each other out !

I love my HR Deville ! But I probably only use it a few times each year now . I was using it non stop for about 10 or 12 years, 4 or 5 gigs each month. I DO NOT use the OD though, never did on any of the amps in the Blues or HR series.