Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV Valve Combo - New Features, Review & Demo

Sam takes a look at some of the new features found in the newest version of the popular Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, check one out here: www.pmtonline.co.uk/fender-ho...
One of our best selling valve combos, the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe is hugely popular with gigging and studio guitarists around the world, thanks to it’s fantastic sound, classic looks and wealth of tonal options, offering anything from sparkling cleans, through bluesy crunch, right up to dirty overdrives, and this is it’s latest incarnation, the Hot Rod Deluxe Mark 4.
If you’ve not played through one before, the Hot Rod Deluxe is a 40w, one by twelve combo which derives it’s tone from three 12AX7 pre-amp tubes and a pair of 6L6 power amp valves. Tonally, it’s really versatile, with three switchable channels, clean, drive and more drive. The clean channel offers normal or bright modes, there’s a three band EQ, bass, middle and treble, a presence knob, gain controls for the clean and drive channels, a master volume and finally a spring reverb.
Just like when previous versions were released, Fender have chosen not to make too many drastic changes to the amp, just a few subtle tweaks to improve tone and freshen up it’s look. Internally, it’s now fitted with a 12” Celestion A-Type speaker, as opposed to the Celestion G12P-80 found in the mark 3. Fender say they’ve also modified the pre-amp circuitry to offer greater tonal definition, clarity, and increased note definition when overdriven, and the onboard spring reverb has been tweaked to make it sound a little smoother, warmer and more versatile.
Cosmetically, the classic Fender silver speaker grill cloth has now been lightly aged, giving it a more vintage, classy look, and the chicken head control knobs have been changed to ivory coloured as opposed to black. They may look very similar, but the mark 4 is actually also lighter than the previous version. The cabinet’s now made from lightweight pine, so whereas the mark 3 weighed in at over 20 kilos, the new model feels quite a bit lighter at around 18 and a half, making it that little bit easier to transport.
Take a quick look and listen with PMTVUK and check one out at your local Professional Music Technology...
Subscribe: kzbin.info?sub_...
Find us on social media:
/ pmthouseofrock
/ pmthouseofrock
/ pmthouseofrock

[@ransombaggins9301]

Probably the most common backline amp in the world, loved by millions... but random YT commenters are not impressed after hearing the compressed video through their computer. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@CD-tj3hg]

Exactly. You gotta hear it for yourself. I plugged in at a local guitar shop today and instantly fell in love. Gonna buy one as soon as I can scrape enough money from work together.

[@holboroman]

One should never use the YT tone to judge any amp or instrument unless your computer or phone has speakers equivalent to the speaker(s) on the amp.

[@jazzydog]

Very nice amp. Awesome demo man. Cheers.

[@lucaszembrzuski]

Master knob is only for drive channel, clean has only volume knob.

[@cannedmilk]

Dude, that intro riff was awesome!

[@wolfendoom7269]

The overdrive channel on the 4 is a lot smoother than on the 3

[@rodolpheponthus2948]

Bought one yesterday It's a glorious amp. Don't read forums. I put this against all the Fender range, a Tone King Falcon Grande, Vox AC15.. It's got by far the best clean channel of them all, and takes overdrive pedals, each and every style, like no other. The Reverb is superb, tone stack very versatile, manageable at home volumes (you just have to dial it in correctly..) FYI , it sounds like a smaller Twin Reverb clean. The Drive channel needs some precise dialing in Go test it

[@guy_in_the_moon]

Your echoes cover here sounded amazing!

[@tommyoriley4174]

I don't think he played echoes. Just a similar chord progression

[@herschelvonrudiger]

Hey guys, does anybody know if the Deluxe II fitted an Eminence speaker? And if does, is it better than the speaker in this IV?

[@biggmannseventyseven5046]

I have one of these. I run my digitech rp 1000 through the effects loop (4 cable method) and use the expression/wah pedal on my rp1000 as a volume pedal. I use the clean channel and have my volume set at about 8 and I am able to control the volume with my rp1000. The natural breakup in the amp comes through real nice and brings out the sound of the amp without popping your eardrums. I like the amp overall but I am considering a speaker swap with some better tubes. I use an elite telecaster and also a modded American strat with this combo amp and I will tell you you can get all the bluesy country rock tones you need with this amp.

[@TheJudy79]

This amp sounds way better then the three

[@pauljmcmillan]

Sold!

[@zombee38]

I have this amp and its LOUD !!! (which is a good thing if you play gigs)

[@scampthelazycat9891]

I hadn't realised Lee Mack has quit stand up comedy and is doing amp demo's now

[@Krashulka]

Did they fix / change the ridiculous touchy linear volume pot on the clean channel ?

[@zacdostal3989]

Yes, it behaves way more linearly on the 4.

[@troywm1016]

where's russel brand?

[@edreed5571]

Lol big diccsy land

[@pitamoncha2112]

With the bridge pickup it sounded quite muddy.

[@fotomule]

Speaker needs breaking in and the clean was not clean, as in what a fender clean sounds like.I would consider making a new clean recording after letting it roar for a weekend :-)

[@eocha24]

How does it sound on Volume 1

[@maxgreen9967]

gain control does not effect the clean channel

[@thiennguyen9747]

Just have a small concern about the volume! I am considering between delux and blues jr4, since my bedroom is where i practice, does the delux have issue with the tone if i dont crank up the volume-generally speaking? Becauce i dont want to disturb my neighbour ):

[@TheRealCowlick]

in your bedroom you will generally be at 1.5 master volume max. The blues junior would be more practical for home use. Test both, buy the one that you like more sound-wise!

[@thiennguyen9747]

Apostolos Papadopoulos i just got the delux and the two smaller tubes has a foam connected both of them, on the sheet it mentioned something keeping those tubes from vibrating, so it is to be kept or remove before use? (I notice yours is kept on) Thanks a lot🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@TheRealCowlick]

@@thiennguyen9747 you generally don't wanna fondle back there if you're not sure what you're doing. I'd leave it on there if you don't notice any problems

[@StratBoss]

Dr Watson can help for home / practice volume on the HRD - easy to find on google. If it's only bedroom use your looking at a HRD is overkill.

[@kinnanton]

Master on 5 all the time?! My ears hurt even on 2!

[@topografer]

Volume on 5 and still not breaking up. This must be a great deal of headroom in there

[@timg7942]

I have found it is hard to really break up the sound on these amps. It can be done and it does break up but not like it does on something like a Marshall or Fender blues junior or something of those sorts.

[@topografer]

@@timg7942 It makes sense for an amp to behave like that if it was built for absolute cleanliness. I think that eg blues deluxe is much better at break up. Does it early and does it better. It's about the players and what they want

[@timg7942]

@@topografer I have used Fender Twins and got them to break up to a really dirty tone without pedals. In saying that I had the amp absolutely cranked.

[@holboroman]

True. It's a very loud amp.

[@aidanvinum]

Is this loud enough for a live band ?

[@cdsbas5771]

AdrianVino most definitely!!

[@moose4553]

Most weekend warrior gigs you will be on 3-4 on volume. Plenty loud.

[@stephenlennartz3466]

Absolutely! Just played a large outdoor venue last night with 500+. Cuts through when needed. Plenty of headroom. My stage volume is 3 to 3 1/2. Pedal friendly too.

[@misterknightowlandco]

Yeah a 40 watt tube amp will get you through any gig... Especially with a mic in front...

[@michaelgallemore7577]

Why can’t anyone play an altered dominant chord to hear what the overdrive channel really sounds like?

[@humro5960]

For Drive use better a Pedal

[@rodrigovalenzuela7834]

Is it made USA?

[@alanlevesque7180]

Yes. I have one.

[@phil5171]

Mexico

[@Alfredo78666]

Hai deeee

[@marcinkruk5414]

3:11 what song is it?

[@guy_in_the_moon]

Echoes by Pink Floyd He is just playing the chord melody, the song is 20 minions long

[@chrisjohns9631]

We want Dagan 😎

[@Jonaskrauser]

The clean chanel doesn’t sound really clean

[@ElJules33]

Maybe the amount of bass has something to do?

[@baronvonchickenpants6564]

I bet fender haven't fixed the reliability issues

[@TheJudy79]

Yes they did

[@Noumenon4Idolatry]

@@TheJudy79 I heard they didn’t. Someone has a video on KZbin comparing the 4 with previous models.

[@TheJudy79]

@@Noumenon4Idolatry I have both amps and the 4 is built a lot better I looked inside both and the four is better sound wise and build quality in the circuitry

[@rikirex2162]

that tube peeking out of the back cover is so bad.

[@phyfts]

Is it too loud for apartment?

[@oig40203]

I think so. To get it to really open up it needs to be at least on 3, and that is loud at 40 watts. I think the Princeton Reverb is a great apartment amp.

[@fred3893]

It depends on what sort of sound you are after. I have played it at home at a volume that can barely be heard by someone outside the bedroom door and I was very surprised at how warm and responsive the clean tone is at low volume (something like SRV's 'Lenny' tone). To be honest, that is all that I really want it for. I LOVE the sound of the amp at low volume. The extra, unused available 'headroom' really helps to keep the tone warm and thick. By the way, I don't use the drive channel, I find a tube-screamer set to the same volume as the clean channel, but with a bit more gain to be all I need for soloing. In other words, in my opinion, it is a GREAT bedroom amp as long as you don't feel the need to 'push' the amp to get that 'breaking up' vibe.

[@ransombaggins9301]

Attenuators FTW! :)

[@bobstephens7520]

In an apartment it would be smart to add a attenuator, which lowers the volume without too much change to the tone. Passive attenuators begin at under $100. Active attenuators are priced about $300 and up.

[@btropman]

Little black box fixes that problem look into it !

[@lomba1974]

drive sounds are so muddy

[@steviegrip1008]

It would have been more informative, at least for my ears, if you had even once played on the bridge pickup. Maybe next time?

[@StratBoss]

Agreed. He does at 5:15 but it would have been good to see more pick up selections across the drive and clean tones - and more with the reverb which I understand is also more usable :)

[@markellis6668]

To much bass .turn it down .sounds farty

[@aaronzen4644]

Your parents are cousins ?

[@merakerli]

crap quality wise, I the Harley benton 15 watt sound better too !

[@DENIEL381]

NOT IMPRESSED AT ALL.

[@kevinblythe2192]

That's mainly the EQ. Fairly poor choices for most of the demos.

[@MarshallAmpMan]

Why are you so exclusive? Why can't you give a Gibson equal amount time? And why are you only playing one type of music? Can't you play jazz or blues or country?

[@vicferrari89]

I'm a Marshall guy and after watching this, I'm still a Marshall guy.