Xotie
Joined: Apr 29, 2006
Posts: 22
Las Vegas NV
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Posted on May 17 2006 11:00 AM
A couple of items came up for sale locally: an almost new Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and a used Carvin Nomad. Both are 40-50 watt tube amps, both are about the same price.
Part of the deal is I can only get one amp and never ever ask my wife if I can get another for at least a year or two.
Anyone have any thoughts or opinions regarding the sound/value/desirability of the Fender versus the Carvin?
I suppose much of this depends on the guitar used, and in this case, it'd be a PRS Santana and/or Samick PRS clone. Nothing Fenderish.
— <i>"In the beginning there was Nothing. Then it Exploded"</i>
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RobbieReverb
Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2354
San Jose, Ca.
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Posted on May 17 2006 08:51 PM
I had a Hot Rod Deluxe for a back-up for a short while, and it was
a decent amp for clean sounds. The reverb wasn't great. The
distortion channels were horrible. But that sucker was L-O-U-D!!!
I've heard good things about the Carvin Nomads, but haven't
played through one. A friend of mine has one that he absolutely
loves. Sorry... I know I'm not much help.
Bob S.
— Bob
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Anonymous
Joined: Nov 10, 2000
Posts: -180
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Posted on May 17 2006 09:06 PM
I cant comment on the first amp but, i keep a hotrod at my girl friends place, it is my 2nd amp. Robbie is pretty accurate, however if you have a reverb tank you will get pretty good surf sounds. I think the amp was primarily built for blues/classic rock sounds. The distortion sucks a lemon. All and all, i think its a bit over priced.
Now here is my reccomendation. if you want an amp with great distortion and sparkling clean sounds, all tube, I reccomend the Peavy Valve King 112. You will honestly not find a better value out there. The amp is a work horse. I have never once read a negative review on it, and I researched it to no end. I love the amp so much because of its versatile and quality. However, I have been a Peavy Fanboy almost my whole guitar playing life. Hope this helped.
PS it is cheaper than both amps you speak off.
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mom_surfing
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 5304
the outer banks of north carolina
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Posted on May 17 2006 09:30 PM
RobbieReverb
I had a Hot Rod Deluxe for a back-up for a short while, and it was
a decent amp for clean sounds. The reverb wasn't great. The
distortion channels were horrible. But that sucker was L-O-U-D!!!
I've heard good things about the Carvin Nomads, but haven't
played through one. A friend of mine has one that he absolutely
loves. Sorry... I know I'm not much help.
Bob S.
i had the same experience with the hot rod deluxe and agree completely. i traded mine in on a twin reverb. carol
— www.surfintheeye.com
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StratoGeezer
Joined: May 04, 2006
Posts: 26
Norcross, GA
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Posted on May 21 2006 09:35 PM
Hey - I'm just curious about the comments being made that the Hot Rod's distortion is not good. Can you describe what shortcomings you're experiencing?
I've got one with the 2x12" speaker configuration. The clean channel works well, and gives a full sound. I think the reverb is decent (that's what originally sold me).
But - when I use the distorted channel - I'm trying to determine if it's just my guitar/amp settings, but the distortion seems "tinny" - like the tremble is turned way up....any ideas? It's easy to blame the amp....but it may be the owner!
Rob - StratoGeezer
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Xotie
Joined: Apr 29, 2006
Posts: 22
Las Vegas NV
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Posted on May 23 2006 09:06 AM
After careful consideration and intense soul searching (which I discarded as superfluorous), I decided to pick up both (Hotrod & Nomad), with the intention of telling my wife that one (or more) would be put up in the next yard sale. Maybe.
The Fender's distortion on this isn't all that much different than my Marshall MG30 distortion channel - I don't care for either one personally, but yeah, 'tinny' is a good defination for now. Maybe that's why it was $300? But it <u>is</u> loud.
3-day weekend ahead to fiddle with all the knobs and switches. I like Mike Graves (Surfonics) sound, and if I can ultimately emulate that then I'm happy. Might take more than 3 days though...
— <i>"In the beginning there was Nothing. Then it Exploded"</i>
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