Fender Hot Rod Deluxe - Brown & Jensen Limited Edition user reviews ( 9/10) - 4 user reviews

• 07/11/11

  iamqman's review "Brown goodness"

  Characteristics

  This is basically a custom piece for the Fender Hot Rod series. This amp is every way is the exact same functionally and tone wise as the black standard with silverface grill. You have the same response in feel and tone. The only difference being that the tolex is brown on the front and the grill and the speaker is updated. Instead of a Celestion you get a Jensen speaker that matches the voicing of this amp much better.
  
  
  
  There are a couple new features in the Hot Rod Deluxe lll that are very important to me. The first one being that speaker that is standard is actually usable. They used to have some cheap speaker in there that wasn't very musical and a lot of guys would switch out the speaker for something much more sweeter in tone. The next feature is a usable gain channel two and three. Before they gain channels were so bad that I never even used them. They sounded terrible and nothing like a tube amp distortion.
  
  
  
  
  
  Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Combo Guitar Amplifier Features at a Glance:
  
  
  
  * Amplifier type: Tube
  
  * Output power: 40W
  
  * Speaker: 1 x 12" Jensen
  
  * Output impedance: 4 ohms or 8 ohms
  
  * Preamp tubes: 3 x 12AX7
  
  * Power tubes: 2 x 6L6
  
  * Rectifier: Solid state
  
  * Inputs: 2
  
  * Channels: 3 selectable channels (Normal, Drive, and More Drive)
  
  * Controls: Presence, Reverb, Master Volume, Middle, Bass, Treble, Drive select switch, Drive Volume, Bright switch
  
  * Effects: Spring reverb
  
  * Effects loop: Preamp output/power amp input
  
  * Speaker jack: Extension speaker jack
  
  * Covering/grille cloth: Black textured-vinyl covering with Blackface-style black/silver grille cloth
  
  * Height: 18.75"
  
  * Width: 23.5"
  
  * Depth: 10.5"
  
  * Weight: 45 lbs.
  
  * Footswitch: 2-button, 3-function footswitch included
  
  * Cover: Amplifier cover included

  Utilization

  Details
  
  Type Tube
  
  Number of Channels Three
  
  Power 40W
  
  Speakers 1 x Celestion G12P-80
  
  Effects No Effects
  
  Reverb Yes
  
  EQ Treble, Bass, Middle
  
  Amp Modeling No Modeling
  
  Number of Models 0
  
  Number of Tubes 5
  
  Preamp Tubes 3 x 12AX7
  
  Power Tubes 2 x 6L6
  
  Inputs 2 x Instrument
  
  Outputs 1 x Speaker
  
  Footswitch I/O Yes
  
  Effects Loop Yes
  
  Height 18.75"
  
  Width 23.5"
  
  Depth 10.5"
  
  Weight 45 lbs.

  Sounds

  This amp has a better tone that the standard simply because of the better speaker. The Jensen is a far superior speaker to the Celestion for this style of amplifier. Now that they have a usable gain channel then this amp has much more flexibility that before. The old amps were just outright sloppy. The bad thing is that these amps are made in Mexico. So they are going to be cheaper made and will break down on you a lot quicker. I'm not sure if they fixed the jewel light from going out on this model. Everyone who owned this amp knows that the light always goes out on these things.
  
  
  
  Anyway, use this amp with any nice guitar. I like this amp with a solid Gibson Les Paul. I used it with a Line 6 Dl4 and a Ibanez Ts9 and I had some great tones that cut through the band quite well.

  Overall Opinion

  These are a limited run so they are extremely hard to find and sometimes impossible. These amps from Fender sometimes are even exclusive to certain stores and online retailers. So hunting one don in this setup can be a challenge. They are very cool looking and fit the tone of the amp better in my opinion. I would recommend this over the black standard as the speaker is better and the tolex is very unique.
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• 01/31/04

  MGR/Roger's review "Fender Hotrod Deluxe"

  Characteristics

  Utilization

  Sounds

  Overall Opinion

  Searching for a replacement amp (previous amp - different brand - too much background hiss). I spent time researching what I wanted and then visited a number of stores to see and hear these models.
  
  
  
  Right from the start I liked the sound of the Hotrod deluxe but waited until I was sure about buying.
  
  
  
  Paid $2000(AUS) at my local store where I buy a lot of gear. Which was a good price by standards here in Perth.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Beautiful sound. Clear and sparkling on \'normal\' channel. But can add plenty of overdrive using second channel or \'more drive\' selector. And I use Boss effects to create as much embellishment as I like.
  
  
  
  Reverb and presence knobs work well.
  
  
  
  Some reviewers have complained about sensitivity of the volume controls, but I don\'t agree.There seems to be fairly smooth increases in volume as the knobs are rotated. The only thing I notice is that the amp can get very loud indeed for its rated power.
  
  
  
  Nothing so far.
  
  
  
  Solidly built. Best looking amp.
  
  
  
  Great having the controls on top.
  
  
  
  No problems with reliability so far.
  
  
  
  Excellent clear sound. Beautifully quiet unless you strike a note (no background hiss). No hesitation recommending this quality product.
  
  
  
  And if the resulting beauty goes some way towards calming ill will in the world then that is a good thing.
  
  
  
  This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
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• 07/30/03

  MGR/Roy Erling Nesheim's review "Fender HotRod Deluxe"

  Characteristics

  Utilization

  Sounds

  Overall Opinion

  I bought it in a loca music store, in Norway, where I live, for about 8000 Kroner, which is the same as 900US$.
  
  
  
  This amp really has a stunning amount of power! I've played at stages outside using only a third of it's capacity! The reverb is also remarkable, and the clean sound is unbelieveable.
  
  
  
  The knobs on this thing is WAY too sensitive...At least at the lowest levels, which make me a bit of problems when I want it to whisper in my bedroom at nights. This is not a big problem though, more a little annoying thing that seem to bother me.
  
  
  
  The other thing about this unit is that it doesn't sound good with many distortion units...This has caused problems for me when using e.g. the Big Muff Pi, or the Boss MT-2 Metal Zone. The built in drive-channel of course gives you warm overdrive-sound, but it doesn't give enough if you'll play hard-rock! I think the problem with dist-units is that it colours the sound too much in the preamp-tubes, and you end up with a bit unsatisfying distorted sound.
  
  
  
  The Deluxe is made of good quality wood,and is really good put together. The DogBone handle is also nice and sturdy, but this is a heavy piece of equipment for a small guy like me...(25 kg) It has to be mentioned that this is a tube-amp, and therefore it will have to be cared for, and not be roughly treated.
  
  
  
  A nice guitar amp of supreme quality,but if you want the metal-distortion, you MAY struggle a bit. (unless you're an effects-expert)
  
  
  
  This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
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• 07/24/10

  Techno-iD.com's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " Clarity and power"

  Characteristics

  This is a limited edition of 246 HotRod Deluxe, usually black, but in this edition, brown, and equipped with HP Jensen.Cet amp seems pretty rare, and information on the web rather hard to find ...
  
  
  
  Tube amp, three lights Fender Special Design 12AX7A and two Fender Special Design 5881/6L6
  
  
  
  Amp TYPE: PR 246
  
  
  
  Power Output: 40W into 8 ohm or 4 ohm
  
  
  
  The amp has two inputs guitar ...
  
  
  
  Input Impedance:
  
  Input 1: 1 M ohm
  
  Input 2: 136 k ohm
  
  These two inputs are equivalent. Input 2 with lower impedance is intended for guitars with active pickups.
  
  
  
  ... And almost three channels:
  
  - A clear channel, controlled by a potentiometer Volume
  
  - A saturated channel controlled by a Gain knob + the Master
  
  - The same but "over-saturated" (see above)
  
  
  
  1 switch Normal / Bright said .... or no gloss on his acute
  
  1 switch .... More Drive added or not to sustain the drive channel
  
  Channel select a switch to choose between clear channel or saturated
  
  
  
  3 knobs: Treble, Bass and Middle
  
  
  
  A potentiometer Reverb
  
  1 potentiometer Presence
  
  
  
  1 preamp output 1.5 kOhm Max line level output for connecting to a console, recorder or effect
  
  1 Input Amp in for a return effect, or anything line level.
  
  
  
  HP 12 "Jensen
  
  
  
  Two-button footswitch and Channel Gain Select
  
  
  
  Power switch (which lights up first)
  
  A standby switch that lights up when the second lamps have a little heated)
  
  
  
  To turn the reverse: first and standby power.
  
  
  
  Comes with a protective cover and solid of the same color brown.
  
  
  
  DIMENSIONS:
  
  H 47.6 cm
  
  L: 59.7 cm
  
  P: 26.7 cm
  
  Weight 22.5 kg

  Utilization

  The manual is clear but I found that English, having lost her own shop. He immediately offers typical settings to assess and judge the beast. It is clear but succinct, but we found it quickly ... remains to refine its choices, and there ..
  
  
  
  You have to play very finely between Gain and Master Volume or ... The sounds of change at all.
  
  
  
  the Treble, Medium and Bass play a crucial role in the composition of the sound. They are not just buttons and severe acute medium but participate actively in the clarity, power drawn and the range of sound. very reactive.
  
  
  
  It quickly gets a great sound! (Y-en-he bad on this amp?)

  Sounds

  The sound is superb, especially in light of the power that left me "stuck". Its purpose, but rich in heat (lamps), depth range that is well worth a good guitar (I have a Fender Stratocaster 1982). The saturated side, it is a formidable power, very hot, not "sizzling" or nasal, but very round distortion, which can be depending on the settings very very métal.Ca slap!
  
  
  
  What surprises me most is the amazing variety of possible types of sounds, ranging from rockabilly rock type, dry and surly, hot and flowing funk and hard type Steppenwolf ... Inimitable heat lamps! Ideal for blues!
  
  
  
  Big power, which enables high volume sounds very clear, if desired, or sounds harsh and surly.

  Overall Opinion

  I just buy it and that message is a "first draft" after an afternoon test. I will change this comment in time, either by editing or adding a new opinion.
  
  
  
  I love the variety of sounds while maintaining a clear connection between these sounds. Let me explain: I spend a clear sound, medium, a very fat bass or treble sound supersaturated, there is between these sounds a "kinship" obvious, a family look that makes it is not surprised by inexplicable differences between these sounds.
  
  
  
  I am a bit disappointed with the reverb that I liked most this deep and a Twin Reverb.Elle is a bit "short" not enough "Big Hall" for my taste for the blues John Lee type for example;)
  
  
  
  The price was very much under list price, which hovered around 900 euros. Limited Edition, but I actually quite rare pense.Le price is perfectly justified for an amp with U.S. components and assembled in Mexico.
  
  It is more Fender catalog in 2010.
  
  
  
  I just made the choice so I'll wait to say whether I would do ....
  
  
  
  You can find the manual here:
  
  http://www.americanmusical.com/ItemFiles/Manual/FenderHotRodDeluxeManual.pdf
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