Is this a good steel amp? Fender Hot Rod

Tim Vandeville · Post by **Tim Vandeville** » 11 Jan 2014 6:17 pm

I was offered an amp tonight and would like some input if its good for a steel.

Its a Fender Hot Rod Deville 2 X 12 Amp.

Here is the back story...I was in a bar tonight talking to a friend and he told me his brother was selling some equipment so I asked if he had a tube amp for sale. Long story short....its a Fender Hot Rod Deville 2 X 12 Amp for $350.

Is this a good deal and what sound can I expect to get from it.

Good deal or Pass?

Thanks

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 11 Jan 2014 7:34 pm

Do a search in the Electronics section.
ISTR that several like them. Good tone, as long as you don't try to crank them to Twin-like levels

Rob Hamilton · Post by **Rob Hamilton** » 12 Jan 2014 7:59 am

It's basically a traditional Fender amp when using the clean channel, and should have good tone with a steel. And that sounds like a pretty good price to me, assuming it works well and the speakers aren't blown. Ask him if you can give it a try with your steel.

Chris Rice · Post by **Chris Rice** » 12 Jan 2014 8:10 am

I think Lloyd Green used one on the Robbie Fulks album Georgia Hard. I recall reading about a Hot Rod Deluxe through a D-130F.

David Graves · Post by **David Graves** » 12 Jan 2014 8:40 am

Tim.. I have the exact same amp.. 2x12 "Deville". Remember, this is a blues amp by design. It's made to "break up" earlier in the volume level and it does. But, besides that, the tone is incredible!!! If your doing a studio job, smaller venue, or using a mic and don't need crazy loud volumes, it's one of the best sounding amps I own. But, if your needing louder stage volume or working larger shows.. You will fight distortion/ break- up. You can swap tubes and gain a little bit of headroom, but it's still a "blues amp". But for the price you've shown... A super deal!!!

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 12 Jan 2014 9:15 am

Got to use one several years back at a small dance-hall type gig. It was one of the best tone experiences I've ever had, but the amp was heavy, bulky and lacking headroom for larger venues. For those reasons, I stayed w/ my N-400.

...but, for or the price you mentioned, it's a great deal. It'll be a good backup, practice or primary small venue amp.

Tim Vandeville · Post by **Tim Vandeville** » 12 Jan 2014 9:27 am

I see I posted this in the wrong section. Sorry about that.

Thanks for the replies...I appreciate it.

I went over to his house this morning and took a look at it. He played his guitar thru it and everything works. He told me to take it home and try it out for a few days before I make a decision. So now its at home and after getting the honey do list done Ill give it a whirl.

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 12 Jan 2014 12:00 pm

Decent amp at a good price if it is clean and functional. Stick a pair of Telonics or JBL speakers in there and you've got a fine steel amp for low-to-medium volume work.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 12 Jan 2014 12:22 pm

now for the real picture...
if you're in the top 5% of steel players in the world, you've got big sound reinforcement that will make any amp work.
if you're in the bottom 25% that just plays at home, it's fine.
if you're in the middle, you need a powerful clean amp that kicks ass in a bar or small concert venue.
per dave grafe..he'd buy it for $350 and add $200 worth of speakers for a 'small capabilities' amp.($550)

or you could get a used nashville 400 for $300+ that will cover any situation, period.

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 13 Jan 2014 2:35 pm

Man, would I ever love to come across a pair of decent 12" JBL or Telonic speakers for only $200.00.

Agree that a decent used NV 400 would probably be a better choice for PSG than a DeVille for a comparable price, especially if headroom is an issue.

If you're just playing at home, or want something to pull double duty for armpit guitar and/or lap steel, the DeVille may be okay.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 13 Jan 2014 3:18 pm

yeah..someone said he telonics were reasonable.
i wouldn't use the old good sounding jbl's cause they're too fragile.

a cheap pv 400 amp with a blackwidow will sound excellent if you can play.

Jeff Metz Jr. · Post by **Jeff Metz Jr.** » 13 Jan 2014 7:02 pm

I own a Peavey NV400 and the little brother to the Deville (the hot rod deluxe) and I prefer the tone of the Fender to the Nashville but I have never cranked either of them to compare the headroom. Try one out before you buy if you can.

Norbert Dengler · Post by **Norbert Dengler** » 14 Jan 2014 12:26 am

as far as i know gary carter uses a hot rod deluxe on that...
listen how great it sounds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1D5khp0Yxw

Tim Vandeville · Post by **Tim Vandeville** » 14 Jan 2014 3:21 am

Ive tried it out for a couple of days now and while the tone is good Im going to pass on it.

While it does have a more fuller tone than my NV 112 it isnt exactly what Im looking for. I guess it comes down to Ill know what I am looking for when I hear it.

With that said and still a bedroom player I couldnt justify spending the money.

Thanks for the responses.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Is this a good steel amp? Fender Hot Rod

Is this a good steel amp? Fender Hot Rod

Sounds good to me