I bought a USA Fender Deluxe 1×12 combo in 1995 when this model first came out for $525. After getting familiar with it I wondered why the volume knob was so touchy. So I started asking questions and found out the reason for this. It's a marketing gimmick to make the amp appear louder than it really is. This information came from a fender representative. If you own one of these, you will realize that once you get past (approximately) halfway on the volume, there is very little increase when you turn up the knob. I did some research and also found out that you can replace the first 12ax7 tube in the preamp section with a different tube I can't remember (a 12tu7 maybe?) And this will effectively do the same thing as putting a volume control in the send/return circuit. I did not change the tube in my amp because I use it for gigging but I imagine it would change the tone For Better or Worse depending. Almost 30 years later I still love The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. Mine has been dragged around and banged around, was in a flood and set in 4 inches of water for days and still sounds awesome. I had to change the spring reverb tank after the flood, and have replaced tubes as needed. Other than that it's still all original and still sounding great.
If an amp is too sensitive such a Master Volume box is a good idea. You can use a passive Volume pedal here too, but it can be relatively high impedance - over 100k. Ans - you can replace 12AX7 = ECC83 tubes with 12AT7 = ECC81 or even with 12AU7 = ECC82, or similar replacement tubes with fewer amplification factors. All the above-noted tubes are compatible without any problems. It is not a good practice to have the input Gain-Volume pots low, they must be over 12+ o'clock for normal full tone, and it will still be clean tone. So replacing the first input tube is the right idea, then you can go step by step. However, 12AT7 works better as an inverter tube in comparison with 12AX7 so you can start with it too, it will reduce the power amp's sensitivity and provide cleaner sound.
The Hot Rod De Ville Sounds very bright, compared to my Hot Rod deluxe iV I am playing my Hot Rod at home and never put on a volume, mine is running 1.7 in Volume and sounds great.
On models III and IV they used a better tapered audio pot and the problem that the I and II had is much less an issue. Also the clean chsnnels on all models is very similar. Only difference I remember on the circuit is the bright switch. I think he uses single coils that's why it sounds bright.
hi i work on live gigs with a hot rod deluxe and it sounded too bright with many guitars maybe that's why youre using the second input, ive swapped the speaker to a celestion alnico cream and the preamp tubes to nos ge 12ax7wa and brimars ,now it sounds a lot better.
It lets you drive the preamp harder but in his case he's using input 2 which lowers the input signal alot. The signal isn't technically more compressed.
That’s true, but hypothetically if I set my volume on 10-12, use the attenuator to control the volume, and I boost the signal with a boost pedal; would this cause a volume bump or just more gain? (Compared to a boost pedal on volume 2, which would obviously cause a volume bump)
clever.. does the 250k affect the hi's?...I'd be thinking 1meg A ...? plus how does it affect the rev reponse since its sitting in front of rev? ..instead of C24?..i put mstr on cln channel eliminating the need..( just the approach i took to get a tweed in same box)
Not planning to sell any. I think you can buy a version called the "amp tamer" or something like that. Maybe on Etsy? Can't quite remember. This video was mostly to help out anyone that wanted to make a small packaged one on their own.
What i don't understand is, isn't that the job of the Master volume?? Why are they still so freaking loud! Terrible for home use... No choice but to do as you did, or get a JHS Little Black Box or a clone.. Or a proper 1000$ attenuator!
![Tame The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe! [Or Any Loud Clean Guitar Amp With An FX Loop]](/img/1.gif)
Thats like adding a removable master. Love it!
I bought a USA Fender Deluxe 1×12 combo in 1995 when this model first came out for $525. After getting familiar with it I wondered why the volume knob was so touchy. So I started asking questions and found out the reason for this. It's a marketing gimmick to make the amp appear louder than it really is. This information came from a fender representative. If you own one of these, you will realize that once you get past (approximately) halfway on the volume, there is very little increase when you turn up the knob. I did some research and also found out that you can replace the first 12ax7 tube in the preamp section with a different tube I can't remember (a 12tu7 maybe?) And this will effectively do the same thing as putting a volume control in the send/return circuit. I did not change the tube in my amp because I use it for gigging but I imagine it would change the tone For Better or Worse depending. Almost 30 years later I still love The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. Mine has been dragged around and banged around, was in a flood and set in 4 inches of water for days and still sounds awesome. I had to change the spring reverb tank after the flood, and have replaced tubes as needed. Other than that it's still all original and still sounding great.
Thanks so very much for the great DIY tips!
If an amp is too sensitive such a Master Volume box is a good idea. You can use a passive Volume pedal here too, but it can be relatively high impedance - over 100k. Ans - you can replace 12AX7 = ECC83 tubes with 12AT7 = ECC81 or even with 12AU7 = ECC82, or similar replacement tubes with fewer amplification factors. All the above-noted tubes are compatible without any problems. It is not a good practice to have the input Gain-Volume pots low, they must be over 12+ o'clock for normal full tone, and it will still be clean tone. So replacing the first input tube is the right idea, then you can go step by step. However, 12AT7 works better as an inverter tube in comparison with 12AX7 so you can start with it too, it will reduce the power amp's sensitivity and provide cleaner sound.
The Hot Rod De Ville Sounds very bright, compared to my Hot Rod deluxe iV
I am playing my Hot Rod at home and never put on a volume, mine is running 1.7 in Volume and sounds great.
On models III and IV they used a better tapered audio pot and the problem that the I and II had is much less an issue. Also the clean chsnnels on all models is very similar. Only difference I remember on the circuit is the bright switch. I think he uses single coils that's why it sounds bright.
hi i work on live gigs with a hot rod deluxe and it sounded too bright with many guitars maybe that's why youre using the second input, ive swapped the speaker to a celestion alnico cream and the preamp tubes to nos ge 12ax7wa and brimars ,now it sounds a lot better.
Great job 🔥 🔥 🔥
what pot did you use?
great how to vid!!
would you say It adds some compression and sustain to your sound now you can dime the original volume knob?
It lets you drive the preamp harder but in his case he's using input 2 which lowers the input signal alot. The signal isn't technically more compressed.
That’s true, but hypothetically if I set my volume on 10-12, use the attenuator to control the volume, and I boost the signal with a boost pedal; would this cause a volume bump or just more gain? (Compared to a boost pedal on volume 2, which would obviously cause a volume bump)
will this work for the master vol as well ? Channel 1 ?
It will affect both channels. The amp's master volume will be engaged with channel 2 so it needs to be adjusted too.
clever.. does the 250k affect the hi's?...I'd be thinking 1meg A ...? plus how does it affect the rev reponse since its sitting in front of rev? ..instead of C24?..i put mstr on cln channel eliminating the need..( just the approach i took to get a tweed in same box)
The 250k will affect the highs less, but reduce the maximum volume some.
I have the same issue with my Peavey Classic 30. I wonder if this would work for it as well.
I think it’ll work for any amp that has an FX loop. I could be wrong though
It's like a stage amp. If I put mine on 4 my windows vibrate!! It's been much better now that I got a volume pedal.
Does it matter if it is a linear or log pot?
Either one would technically work but log is better for volume control to give you the smooth control over the whole range
@@sawdustworkshop Cool! Thanks for replying. I'll go ahead and snag a log.
Good job! Thnx…
Are you building any for sale?
Not planning to sell any. I think you can buy a version called the "amp tamer" or something like that. Maybe on Etsy? Can't quite remember. This video was mostly to help out anyone that wanted to make a small packaged one on their own.
and you get the added benefit of saving one of your blankets as you don't have to throw one over the amp- it already sounds that way now!!!
Love and I think I have 2 of th3m, only problem is that I cannot use my loop
Dude... Disconnect your snare. Other than that, great video
What i don't understand is, isn't that the job of the Master volume?? Why are they still so freaking loud! Terrible for home use... No choice but to do as you did, or get a JHS Little Black Box or a clone.. Or a proper 1000$ attenuator!
check out the lion tamer from dr. Watson
The MV is only active on channel 2. The versions III and IV got a volume pot with a mellower log curve.
I think JHS sells these also…
great video , useful product , but there is a volume control on about every electric guitar ever made , just sayin ....