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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink fender hotrod deluxe modified for surf?

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I just picked up a cool looking brown tolex fender hotrod deluxe limited edition. My jag sounds ok through it but I was wondering if the deluxe can be modified so that it has a
better surf tone. Tube change? Reverb tank modification.

If not, will adding an outboard reverb tank sound ok with the deluxe. I hope to find some solution cause the amp has great look. Yeah, Im superficial that way...ha

The outboard reverb is going to sound much better for surf. You can replace the transformers which will improve the tone. Mercury Magnetics makes a set which you can buy to replace. I noticed a big difference in tone with a Deluxe Reverb Reissue that had Mercury Magnetics transformers put in. Tubes will make it sound better, but not a ton. The stock tubes do suck though. The Fender Groove tubes... yuck. Warning though, the Mercury transformers will probably cost more than you paid for the amp.

Reverb isn't going to be improved much in a Hot Rod Deluxe since they use Solid State reverb. Not a terrible onboard reverb, but not great like some of the lower wattage fenders had.

I see....but you think playing through the outboard tank along with this deluxe will so alright? Really I just want drippy reverb
and the tone a little less muddy and Im fine for the casual party jamming Im doing. I was hoping the on board reverb could be improved but I guess not huh.

The outboard tank is what you need if you want to play surf.

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me

"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

Yeah I figured that but just trying to get some opinions from folks who might have tried this combination.

scenenada
I see....but you think playing through the outboard tank along with this deluxe will so alright?.

Of course. I can't think of a situation where a reverb tank sounds bad infront of an amp(unless there are effects going).

And you don't need to buy a outboard tank. If you play guitar well nobody will care what gear you are playing.

well thats true...Well what I have going with the jag and deluxe isnt bad just a little dry and muddy. Im in Dallas and no one carries a tank in their shop here so that I can experiment....unfortunately.

thanks for your comments

JakeDobner
And you don't need to buy a outboard tank. If you play guitar well nobody will care what gear you are playing.

Best post ever in the gear forum!

Ryan
The Secret Samurai Website
The Secret Samurai on Facebook

scenenada
Yeah I figured that but just trying to get some opinions from folks who might have tried this combination.

Your best bet is the outboard tank in combination with your amp for getting the surf sound. That change alone will get you there. You can then go back and change out the speaker, transformer, etc. all you want (if you really want to...or just get a better amp).

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me

"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

If you want an outboard, I may have a brown tolex one for cheap in July. A guy on the boards here may sell me his tweed one when he gets his new one... MAy as well keep them all in the family. PM me if you are intrigued, and as the summer comes I'll keep you posted if its all going down.

scenenada
... and the tone a little less muddy

I did this tone control mod on my Hot Rod Deluxe, it's easy and it's free!
Helps clean up the muddy tone. Follow the link;

TONE CONTROL MODIFICATION TO BETTER CONTROL BASS RESPONSE
http://studentweb.eku.edu/justin_holton/jvmods.html#bass

  • 1 on adding an outboard tank. Unless you need more watts and clean headroom, the hot rod and outboard tank will get you the sound you want, or very very close to it.

Bob

Bob

Last edited: May 10, 2009 21:16:33

sweet advice...one mod and one tank and its surf city...hopefully.

many thanks

I have a HRD amp that I use alone sometimes. Usually I play double amps hooked together after the tank,(hot rod deluxe & Deluxe reverb amp) But I think the HRD can sound just fine with the tank hooked up.

Although the HRD isn't the sound you hear many times on surf albums, so what! If the HRD is what you have play it. Modify it if you want. but just remember that it just will sound like a HRD modified, not a Showman.

RecRoomSurfer

scenenada
... and the tone a little less muddy

I did this tone control mod on my Hot Rod Deluxe, it's easy and it's free!
Helps clean up the muddy tone. Follow the link;

TONE CONTROL MODIFICATION TO BETTER CONTROL BASS RESPONSE
http://studentweb.eku.edu/justin_holton/jvmods.html#bass

You should link him to that clip you made with your modded HRD. I thought that sounded great.

Cats 'n' Strats, 'cause that's how I roll - I eat reverb for breakfast!

Fenderus Collecticus
Strat Blender Pot Modification HERE

I would like to hear that...is that a different clip than the sound clips already on that site?

Doctor_Morbius

RecRoomSurfer

scenenada
... and the tone a little less muddy

I did this tone control mod on my Hot Rod Deluxe, it's easy and it's free!
Helps clean up the muddy tone. Follow the link;

TONE CONTROL MODIFICATION TO BETTER CONTROL BASS RESPONSE
http://studentweb.eku.edu/justin_holton/jvmods.html#bass

You should link him to that clip you made with your modded HRD. I thought that sounded great.

You mean the clip on this topic?
http://www.surfguitar101.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=7340&highlight=hot+rod+deluxe

scenenada
I would like to hear that...is that a different clip than the sound clips already on that site?

Yes it is. It's in this part of the forum. Let me see if I can dig it up.

EDIT: It was burried a few pages back but here's the mp3 clip RecRoomSurfer put together...

http://home.cogeco.ca/~recroomsurfer/recroomsurfer.mp3

And here's the thread on how he modded his HRD to make it more Surfy...

http://surfguitar101.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=7340&highlight=hot+rod+deluxe

Cats 'n' Strats, 'cause that's how I roll - I eat reverb for breakfast!

Fenderus Collecticus
Strat Blender Pot Modification HERE

Ok...I got it. Sounds pretty good Recroom. Was that "full tank"
as wet as it would go or somewhere in the middle? If you have a clip with the tank all the way soaking wet I would love to hear that.

At any rate I got a lot out of your post, Ill hit my local amp tech up for those changes.

thanks again yall

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