Fender Hot Rod DeVille: Review, Tone Tips & More

Welcome to this in depth review and demo of the Fender Hot Rod DeVille 410 tube amp! These are classic workhorse gigging amps, and while they have some quirks, they can sound awesome if you know how to dial them in. Using a Fender Stratocaster with Andrew Robertson Bluejay pickups and a Gibson SG with Righteous Sound Pickups RAF's. Also using an Ibanez TS9, a Snouse Blackbox 2, a One Control Prussian Blue Reverb and a Lovepedal Echophonic.
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This was not a sponsored video. Some of the additional gear featured I own through review deals, however, my use of everything was of my own volition.
Disclaimer: I do basic audio editing on my videos to account for the microphones, preamp and room. This editing, mostly light EQ and compression, is intended to give you the most accurate representation of how the featured gear actually sounds. NO editing is done to misrepresent how the featured gear sounds in any way.

[@PeterDad60]

I purchased a new Fender Hot Rod DeVille 410 III back in March 2017 at a reasonable price. It has had no problems and after a while I learned how to get the sounds I like. My reason for the purchase was that I used to have a Hot Rodded Marshall JCM900 and Full Stack of two 412's and it was fantastic. I had to move and I sold it. Regrets set in and I sought a reasonable replacement. THe Fenders 60 watt power amp is close to the 100 watt Marshall. The 410 cab is close enough to my old Full Stack and much, much smaller and lighter. Way more portable-in a completely different league of portability and yet it's a powerhouse, and a very loud shredder. The Fender has a wild amount of gain and that's what I wanted. It turns out it also has a great clean channel and a good reverb. I am very very happy with it! There is a KZbin video about replacing V1 (12AX7) the first preamp tube all of which are inside the amp and located closest and under the two input jacks located on the top control panel, with either a 12AY7 which has a 45% gain factor or a 12AU7 which has a 19% gain factor. Both are lower gain preamp tubes than the stock 12AX7 which has a100% gain factor. The 12AT7 having a 60% gain factor may not be a good replacement for V1 because it's also a high gain preamp tube like the 12AX7. I suggest giving them all a try and see which V1 preamp tube you prefer using your style of playing. Anyway, I personally feel that using the correct preamp tube for your own personal style of playing is a better option than using pedals. A lot less gear to move around (think about the power supplies, the many connecting cables and you may have a mess. Having an amplifier that on it's own delivers exactly the sound you like is the best option. Preamp tubes are inexpensive ranging from $9.00 to $25.00 and if you crave special name brand preamp tubes the cost may be more per each tube but not always. Now that is a lot more cost effective than having pedals and saves a lot of floor space an is faster/easier to set up. I have changed out my preamp tubes in almost every amp and piece of gear that I have and always have a supply of all types of preamp tubes on hand as a result of this. Changing the subject but addressing Jacks comment about reverb. I like the Hot Rod DeVille 410 III reverb and set it around no. 4 on the dial. Did you know that you can use any amp tube or solid state or digital as a preamp? You can play first through a small transistor amp that has a reverb you like and then either directly plugging into the "input of your primary amp or plug into the FX loop input and output if you wish. Either way the no.1 amp that has the reverb and or other effects you like can now make the second main amp have those same reverb/tremolo/delay and many other effects if the no.1 amp has them. In fact every knob still works so now you can add or remove even more EQ-bass, mids, treble and gain using the no.1 preamp amp. No need for purchasing many pedals. For home use this is a great money saving option. Also carrying one small amp to use as a pre-amp amp may be easier than a satchel full of pedals and certainly would not need as many connecting cables to hook up. I don't do this option a lot, but it is on the table if I want to do it. - Peter age 73

[@owlytimbre9103]

I really love the audio quality of these. He does understand his fenders, for sure.

[@blakeburress]

Just bought one of these last summer. This is exactly the video I need. Thank you! Crazy that you posted it just a couple weeks before I looked for it!

[@JackFossett]

Cool! Great timing. I actually figured that might happen for some people. Even those these amps have been around for a long time, they're always sort of kicking around in second hand sales, trades, etc. Really common workhorse amps.

[@cattleprods911]

I bought one in 1996 or so. I traded it for a '59 re-issue bassman a few years later, and then converted the '59 to hand-wired 5F6-A. The DeVille really is a great amp in its own right, and in a live situation, is as good as any. In studio recordings, the nuances between it and better amps is more obvious. Great amp to buy used, it's like a high-end Peavy...and that's a good thing.

[@thomcalhoun6949]

I have a first year model of this amp. Bought it new. Put it in a road case. I have played it for 23 years! Great video! Thanks, for your insights! 😊

[@keithcarter9396]

A very comprehensive review, I enjoyed listening to Jack's comments and used his ideas and agreed with his comments and improved my tone..

[@OneOfThem]

I just bought one of these last week. My local music store had a used Deville 4x10 Mk2 and a Deville 2x12 Mk4 as well as a Tone Master Twin Reverb. Of those three, the Deville mk2 had the smoothest mids. The clean sounded full and clear, the drive was perfect for some ambient post-rock lead work, and the more drive "channel" was great for heavy rhythms. The tone master was lighter, and sounded brighter than either of the Devilles, with a more balanced reverb control. The new Deville had less bass than the mk2 which surprised me as it has bigger speakers. The "more drive channel" on the new Deville seemed a bit more aggressive as well. Definitely happy with my new "old" Deville.

[@thepiperofsimms9974]

Thank you Jack. I have this early version. You answered all the right questions I had about that VOLUME knob and usng pedals with this amp. It is a monster. Switching to input 2 for sure. THX Yuma,AZ.

[@JackFossett]

Awesome! Glad the video was helpful ~

[@Blesstheautmn]

I use it on the drive channel with the drive turned almost to 0. Great “edge of breakup” tone and still great as a pedal platform with a nice thick mid heavy sound

[@pekkatervala8476]

My band mate bought a Blues DeVille 212 more than 20 years ago and it has still original tubes. Only one fuse and one input jack have been replaced. Loud as hell.

[@skydemon02]

Just picked up a deville and needed exactly the information you shared. Thank you!

[@JackFossett]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stratplayr6997]

Great review! I have a 2001 HR DeVille 212 (last of the USA-made Hot Rods). This was my #1 amp for about 20 years. Still have it, but it shares time with my 1964 Deluxe Reverb. Very solid amp & awesome clean tone. Like you mention many times in the video, I use it primarily as a pedal platform. I never use the Drive/More Drive channel, don't know what Fender was thinking there. The only way this amp could've been better is if they made it like the Michael Landau version from the start - or if they simply made this a bigger, high powered version of the Blues Jr.

[@jensk4140]

Sounds awesome. Great playing man and what a nice strat!

[@JackFossett]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@dougbounds4543]

Jack, great review / video as always. I have the "Red October" Hot Rod DeVille. has Eminence Redcoat/Ramrod 10's. . like you said. theres plenty of bass & beef to it. I actually really like it's drive channel. I know a lot of people wind up using the clean channel & a pedal or two. great idea to use a reverb pedal in the loop. it's reverb is either way too much or not quite enough. too bad these aren't 30 watts instead of 60.

[@stevegardiner8473]

Nice review/demo. I think Gibson's always sound great into Fender amps.

[@brandongamez9499]

i bought one the other day not knowing the silver face ones were a bit older but man do I love it. I mostly play SRV and Hendrix type stuff but it also sounds amazing for smashing pumpkins with a nice big muff pi. I definitely agree it is amazing for pedals. Everything I played with the muff was so saturated and creamy.

[@drewa1999]

Awesome video/tips, thank you! Any thoughts on turning the amp up more than needed to get some break up happening but turing the guitar volume knob down to play at a reasonable level?

[@samuelsmith9255]

Just got one of these after hours of research. I’ve got the Deville 212 and think it’s a Mk1. I bought a lion tamer that plugs into the effects loop really neatly and flush to sit as a volume knob which seems to reign this beast back to a really controllable volume. I can get to the perfect volume level now on both clean and drive channels be it practicing or gigging volumes. I got a great deal on this used as input one jack is broken, so I can only use input two which as per your tip does still get a nice tone being those few DBs less. A lot of amp for the £££!

[@musicmatty67]

I purchased my hot rod Deville 212 back in 2002 so it’s American made and it’s still going strong. I changed out the stock speakers for a pair of Jensen C12k 100watt. I changed out two of the preamp tubes. I swapped out valve 1 from at 12a X7 to a 12a Y7…Here we go from 100% distorted tube down to 45% distorted. I changed out valve 3 the phase inverter for a 12a T7. ..100% to 60%. Just these few simple changes has rendered a fantastic sounding amp that would easily rival the best of any fender amp that I’ve played… of course everything is subjective to each player. The volume dial now has a broader sweep that is very usable and all the harsh overtones have been eliminated.

[@jakobgeorgaudio]

is the phase inverter tube the one furthest to the right?

[@musicmatty67]

@@jakobgeorgaudio If you are looking in from the back of the amp where you can actually see the tubes, from right to left is valve one …then valve two and valve three which is the phase inverter closest to the big six L6 power tubes. Valve one is your clean channel what should be changed out to a lower gain tube such as a 12 aY7. Valve 2 is your overdrive section so you can leave that as a 12 a X7. The phase inverter is will transfer all the power to the 6l6 power tubes.

[@voxpathfinder15r]

Seems to me if you’re a gigging musician that does blues/rock and you like your pedals. Probably not worth to look any further than this amp. I have a Carvin Belair with the same issues, drive channel is meh. You can mod it, but the clean channel is so good it’s worth the price alone, just ignore the drive channel and use pedals. So many pedals these days, you’re bound to find something you love

[@alexmasters23]

thanks for the great video! i totally agree on the presence. just got a 212 and have been loving it so far except that it gets quite overdriven on the clean channel at 3. is that normal?

[@illinoisan]

Just bought a new DeVille 212 IV. I’ve been borrowing a vintage Twin for years but wanted a gigging amp of my own. I love the spring reverb on it. I use two Mini Tube Screamers, one for crunch, the other to wail but I mostly play clean with the amp reverb. I play a Tele almost exclusively. Couldn’t be happier unless they could make them about 30 lbs lighter lol. Great tips on the eq. Thanks!

[@klapaucjusz1]

Nice demo! I have a Hot Rod Deluxe III, previously I had the version I. I much prefer the version III, botch clean and OD channel. I changed the speaker to Celestion A-Type, great smooth sound. What is your opinion on the Hot Rod amps vs classic blackface amps, like Deluxe Reverb, Vibrolux, Super Reverb? For me the blackface amps are too trebly and sparkly, it's hard to get them to sound smooth and warm for clean tones.

[@JackFossett]

Yeah I agree -- overall the blackface amps I think are better, but actually the Hot Rod series takes pedals very well and some blackface amps are hard to dial in for pedals and overdrive. Depends on the specific amp and pedal though.

[@MightyLayoutBoy]

Excellent video! Gonna go, buy one at the local store.

[@dtworzguitar5775]

I really enjoy your videos.i don't have this amp but on my rig I have a mim Hot Rod Deluxe with one of those Alnico Cream speakers.it sounds amazing.I also have a Vox AC30c2 with one greenback and one Alnico cream. they sound rediciolous in stereo . Keep it up man......

[@JackFossett]

Thank you! I'm a huge fan of Alnico speakers, I bet that made a big difference.

[@lukashchabursky1627]

I love my 212 Deville! Its an older one from 2002 and it's killer! I personally love the tone and feel of the drive channel (primarily play here) and run it all throughout the range. love the breakup around 2-3 on the drive. The more drive around 9 with the presence at 5 is my go to lead tone for shoegaze stuff. Running the reverb along with a reverb pedal is magical! Its sounds however you make it. For me, it's the best amp there is.

[@TheRoadEye]

Glad to see a fellow shoegazer here. Have an offer to pick one up myself and your comment pretty much has me convinced lol

[@lukashchabursky1627]

@@TheRoadEye My best purchases have presented themselves to me. My guitar, my multi effects board and my deville. Each time I went in convinced that I wanted something else, then someone would tell me "try this" and I'd say "this will do". I wouldn't want it any other way, except I would love my hours of research leading nowhere back lol make noise!

[@TheRoadEye]

@@lukashchabursky1627 I agree with you on that. It's actually what led me to the Deville as well, I was initially checking out a Peavey and the dude said he had a Hotrod to sell that would have the watts I need. Picking it up tomorrow and can't wait

[@lukashchabursky1627]

@@TheRoadEye That's awesome man! You got it! Enjoy!

[@TheRoadEye]

@@lukashchabursky1627 you got a link to your shoegaze stuff bro?

[@bipulkaphle3840]

hey, i just watched this and your silverline video. which one do you think will be more better out of the two for gigging and all around sound quality. Do I buy this amp just for being a tube amp or is it better than the silverline. Thanks.

[@neopythagorean]

I really enjoyed your work in the Uncharted series.

[@destroso]

I really appreciate your channel, thanks for your efforts

[@JackFossett]

My pleasure!

[@ItsJuuj97]

Does the master knob works actually as a master volume or you have to dial it very loud to achieve good saturation?

[@jonnybeck6723]

I think the bright switch only applies to the clean channel... Have you ever put a volume control on the loop to give a Master Vol. for the clean chhnl? Cheers Jack

[@57ebartley]

Resonantly I've become really interested in the Tone of the Super Reverb. Would this amp come anywhere near the tone of a Super reverb?

[@ralphenz32]

Thanks for the video! I have a Fender hot rod Deville 2x12 that I use for all my band gigs. No doubt, this is an extremely powerful, loud, amp. However, I learned from an amp tech to change the #1 preamp tube to a lower power/gain tube. Maybe a 12at7 or similar and you'll see it tames everything down to a very smooth volume.

[@JackFossett]

Yeah I could see that making a big difference. Especially on the drive channel.

[@bordonbert]

As a lifelong electronics design engineer I would strongly recommend you don't use a 12AT7 or either of the other U, Y as a substitute. The idea that the 12A*7 valves are "equivalents" in a "family" with different "gains" is a complete myth. They are totally different valves designed to do different jobs. They just happen to share a common pin base. Fender have been known to use them but those stages are designed specifically to use that valve. There are aspects that are changed in a stage when flipped which can be harmful to your amp. As an example, no one looks into dissipation in the passive components around the valve which can rocket to the point of them burning out. Tonewise it can be argued for, reliabilitywise it simply can't. If you really want less gain then use a 5751 which is so close to a 12AX7 in all its parameters it can be considered a "low gain" version of the 12AX7, (in fact there is really no such thing as valve gain!). I don't expect your tech will agree with me as "everyone knows" this is a "good thing" to do. If he can't look at the datasheets and do the sums which show up the very real potential problems it causes then he sure 'aint no engineer.

[@chopperking007]

Input 2 is the go thanks for telling us i didn't know...

[@basedguitarist731]

I finally saved enough for an amp... I'm going with an Orange Tremlord 30. Reverb, Tremolo, 2 watt operation with all 4 tubes... I still greatly enjoy listening to your amp reviews.

[@JackFossett]

Nice! I’ve actually been jonesing to try one of those amps, they look and sound really cool. Have you played one in a store or going off reviews?

[@basedguitarist731]

​@@JackFossett I couldn't find one locally, so all of my info is from KZbin. Admitting that makes me feel more insecure about it... but we'll see when it arrives. Your playing is GREAT, as always.

[@JackFossett]

Thanks! And don't feel bad, nowadays we all do that, its just part of the gear world we live in. Worst that happens is it comes in and is a pain to return if you don't like it, but its not all that different than finding something that sounds great in a store and then doesn't seem to sound as great once you get it home or at a gig.

[@basedguitarist731]

@@JackFossett That is a good point (and perhaps a basis for a video). I understand that you want to uphold the quality and tradition of your content, so I don't know if this is a good idea, but have you considered creating mashup videos from your playing during reviews? Perhaps multiple cuts of the same guitar with different amps? It would help as a strat player for example to hear your playing with a strat back-to-back with multiple amps. Maybe I'm just selfishly requesting more playing and less talking in a few videos so I can add them to my sleepy time playlist. You're awesome.

[@JackFossett]

Yeah I've thought about it definitely. I've only been doing these longer features for about a year now, and have focused harder on them as they're leading to alot of growth and interest -- however I do like the idea of mixing it up, especially if that means having some more straight forward videos that are easier to edit. I enjoy these bigger ones but they do take a long time to put together.

[@henrikjensen3524]

Yep same as Thom below , bought mine 2001, the mk1 version.Its never broken down or had the tubes replaced.The grill cloth is starting to disintegrate and the chrome finish is a little rusty.Interesting re the gain channel .Here is what i do.Set the bass to zero, gain around three presence lowish and treble middle around 5.(this is playing through my strat. Also for fun push the gain full and more drive, front strat pickup and you get instant Santana!Well to my ears anyway

[@MJPGuitar]

How awesome! So I recently put my orange tiny terror combo up on Craigslist looking for a trade, and I got a message from someone who wanted to trade me for this amp. So I go on KZbin to do some research, and All the reviews for this amp are years and years old. Your review just helped me decide to take the trade. Perfect timing, thanks Jack. Seems like a good trade to me. I'm gonna pick it up this weekend.

[@JackFossett]

Awesome! Yeah there are always anywhere from like 3-10 of these on the used market kicking around. They're old but definitely not outdated, and really cool amps.

[@blakeburress]

Jack Fossett They’re definitely underrated! I got mine locally for $350 and it’s one of the US-made models. I’m a pedal freak so I stick to the clean channel on input 1. I added a JHS Little Black Amp Box in the loop to take care of the volume sensitivity issue and I’m beyond pleased. I put a green amp jewel in mine too. Like you, I like the onboard reverb okay, but much prefer a pedal with more control (I like the EQD Ghost Echo). For a Bluesbreaker sound I love the Rockbox Baby Blues. Weird/nice to see someone else with a wine Strat and a white SG too!

[@wckoek]

I wondered if the Deville have the same preamp (or characteristics as the Hot Rod Deluxe) aside their difference in power and speakers?

[@danielguevara5017]

are you using any type of effects?

[@grif900]

I picked one of these up about ten years ago for $300 with a busted od channel and have never looked back , Just recently dumped the pedals and pick up some great old rack gear ( a digi-tech twin tube and a dsp 256 ) and an alesis stereo compressor and a 32 slice alesis stereo eq. Now its time to rehab my 65 super reverb and go stereo. I can hardly wait !

[@grif900]

Also you are spot on about channel 2 with this BEAST !

[@nightsight7696]

Can you please do metal on a strat?

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

what year did they go to new series/model. I have one that has to be around 2005, ish.

[@bakisha111]

Best demo for that amp!

[@JackFossett]

Thank you kindly!

[@bakisha111]

@@JackFossett I have to thank you for making all these great videos! Everything I am interested in, I get in your videos :)

[@michaelmarfisi8611]

I have this exact amp and think you’re notes are spot on. I have gigged for years with it and used it on recordings. Def agree- use clean chain and run pedals (overdrive ect) via clean. My only beef is this amp sounds amazing live but the delicacies of recording get tricky cuz of how it booms/volume jumps up quickly. Do you use any compression pedals with it?

[@JackFossett]

Thank you! I sometimes use compressors - it is a good idea for this amp definitely. I actually think one of the best things for this amp (and 4x10 Fenders in general) is an EQ pedal to really cut the swelling low mids, somewhere around 200-250, and maybe around 2k also where some of the occasional harsh overtones can be.

[@michaelmarfisi8611]

That’s a great call- I haven’t tried that but makes a ton of sense

[@istvandejesus]

God bless!!! Keep this going bro!!!

[@JackFossett]

Istvan De Jesús thank you! I appreciate the encouragement - I had a run in with some internet trolls recently that got to me, so that really means a lot.

[@paulking1271]

I have a problem with in-ear monitor using SM-57 with Blues Deville amp. The sound is terrible... I know how this amp sounds by itself with my strat. But there is some kind of peaky mid/high end mess in the ear monitor during playing. I tried to move mic, changed its position, turned EQ knobs. May the loudness be problem of that creepy voicing? I mean, too much loudness? What is your experience? Maybe the speakers doesn't work well with SM-57? I have Fender 12" eminence blues speakers. Help! What can I do?

[@TommySG1]

Nice video 🤙 I just ordered me a new Hot Rod Deville via Sweetwater, obviously it’s the 4th gen. Supposedly they’ve really fixed that gain, we’ll see! Thanks for your recommendations.

[@JackFossett]

From what I understand the new ones are excellent and solved a lot of the old issues

[@TommySG1]

@@JackFossett , they have and yes it’s an excellent amp imo 👍 Extremely versatile.

[@faylonrittmiller4787]

i have that silver face deville and it is the 410 60watt combo. i play in an 80s post punk and new wave band and it gives me amazing guitar tone. i play a Gibson les Paul and a Gibson SG with a fender yangwie malmsteen overdrive and it gives me everything i need.

[@alfredocovitto5949]

Grazie del tuo commento suoniamo con stesso tipo di🎸e stesso ampli.pero' non riesco a settare il suono .👋👋👋

[@coreyrini550]

I know it's a few years old already, but thank you for this vid Jack! It actually inspired me to get one of these, (listening to the tones you were getting while I was working...). I believe I have the version III 4X10- BC of the black panel). *1st- I can confirm that Jack is Right re. 2nd input/channel - it's weird that the manual says it's only for active pickups, But on my hotrodded mustangs w hotrails, the tone is indeed a lot mellower/not as harsh, my spouse seems to agree- she has a good ear for that kind of thing. **I saw another video on here that said if you change the 1st pre amp tube to 12ay7 it will also have a similar mellowing effect? I don't know if anyone can confirm this? I think the first drive channel is very usable. ***Pro tip for people trying not to torture their spouses- does Sonicake ts copy is excellent for getting an overdriven tone, wow lowering the volume. My indoor volume set up looks like guitar - superfuzz(volume at 5-6, gain at 1-2; then the Sonicake ts copy (volume at 4-6, gain at 11; - a crybaby wah- to the hot rod on od1, master at 3-4, drive/gain at 7/ 8 = I am getting very close to j mascis tone off bug = sounds righteous yet not blowing roof off 😉

[@McAsi96]

Is this amp good to play home? Or it is too loud? Which amplifier is better? VOX AC 30 C2 or Fender Hot Rod DeVille?

[@electricgypsyblues4761]

I bought a Landau Deville a few months ago and its a perfect fix for everything that was ever wrong with these amps. Its perfection hands down. The two separate volumes and boost are great. and I cant say enough good things about the Celestion V-type speakers. And will never need all the Vol this thing has on tap. Its really up there with a 65 Deluxe or Twin all the way.

[@JackFossett]

I’ve heard great things about that amp but never had the opportunity to try one

[@electricgypsyblues4761]

@@JackFossett Seriously Try one Jack, The tone is even different, You will honestly say why is this amp being sold for this much, with a tone like that. Its all around indescribable how good it is

[@a.j.garrett9639]

I think I got mine when it was a new line, I don't remember the year. But it was late 90's? I honestly don't know. Anyway I didn't love the drive channel at all, but I have a Bluesbreaker so my plan was to use that. But it's a one channel amp so I ended up using pedals. 10 years down the road I fell in love with the drive! I run my Les Paul Classic through it and it just is beautiful. Don't ask me what happened. But it is my go to sound. No pedals.

[@Christopher-oi9jo]

Would you recommend this or a blues jr tweed? I’m just trying to have an amp that doesn’t sound boxy...

[@JackFossett]

If you don't want a boxy amp I'd avoid the Blues Jr.

[@ponynose4987]

You can download the 3 page manual free from Fender. It will tell you input 2 has 3 dB less gain. As long as nothing else is plugged into input 1.

[@peopledonotexist]

how does this compare to a vox ac15?

[@Mike-ts1kh]

once i used my fingers ibstead of a pick i fell in love with this amp it has gorgeous tone the key is dont crank it its like the boss ds1 of amps less is more im getting beautiful blues tone i turn the extra gain off cause it soubds waybetter the extra gain uses solid state so keep it off and its a blues deville 1 of the best cleanest classic blues amp try finger playing youll see what i mean

[@Bradof77]

I’ve owned one of these (412) for many years, but have never fallen in love with it. I’ve had it modded to fix the reverb depth issues, and also addressed the master volume pot taper. This all helped, but I had a custom built ‘65 Princeton with a 12” Jensen (NOS from 1955). As soon as I plugged into a real blackface my tone search was over. There is nothing specifically bad about the deville, but it never really inspired me. I think they’re a fantastic pedal platform, but if you’re looking for classic fender tone, don’t expect perfection from these amps. All said, these amps punch way above their price point.

[@coreyrini550]

I forgot also (between the superfuzz and the TS copy) sometimes put a cheap copy of a boss ds2 in their ( similar EQ to the superfuzz)

[@bordonbert]

One little addition to this. Yes, the use of Input 2 is a great tool to use. I have my own setup based around that. It isn't often understood why it can make a big difference and there is a hidden effect at play. The guitar sees Input 1 as a straight ordinary 1MegOhm input impedance. It's full signal is placed across this and transferred to the first stage input. Input 2 is different. It is a pair of 68kOhm with the stage input taken from the connection between them. This places half the guitar signal on the stage input but it also loads the guitar with a much lower 136kOhm impedance. This is very low compared to most input stages and changes the peaking of the pickup resonance due to its high inductance which can have a strong effect on the overall tone of the guitar. It does not just halve the signal strength, it damps the resonant peak too. Tuning the pickup resonance with different loading is really worth giving a shot and seeing if it improves or detracts from your tone. I have known guitars to not work well with some amps until I have tweaked their resonant frequency with small capacitances, and the level of peaking with lower resistance. This varies from amp model to model and guitar to guitar, it isn't universal at all. Many older Marshalls have exactly the same input setup as the Fender here so they have the same issue, for example the 1959 and 1987 type models. There is plenty of internet info out there to help. For those interested, you could try: www.buildyourguitar.com/resources/lemme/ Lower down is a good description as to how it works. He busts another couple of myths in there too, ( the uselessness of pickup resistance in estimating their sound for example), so it's not for the "sensitive"! ;-D

[@patstevens4560]

I use a Deville in an Americana band where I play a lot of mid tone range slid and twangy lead, on my board I run a Wampler Paisley for overdrive and higher gain, a Boss OS-2 as a boost pedal/slight gain increase/brighten up tone for lead, a Strymon Blue Sky reverb pedal, and a TC Electronic Echobrain for slap back echo/sonic space when playing slide or on softer songs. I run my eq controls at 2-2 1/2 in Bass, 4- 5 1/2 in Mid, 9-10 in Treble, 9-10 in Presence all depending on the room I’m playing in. Other than slight adjustments on pedals when switching between guitars with different pickups or string types I have not messed with this set up for around six months, which is insane for me. I’m always trying to find something new to give me a different sound, but I have made such minor adjustments only based around the guitars I’m using and rooms I’m playing in that it’s insane how consistent it is. I love this amp’s clean channel. I highly recommend one if you have a board you enjoy, but it doesn’t sound right through other amps. I also have a Blue Jr. I love, but it’s got a different kind of special about it for different uses.

[@alfredocovitto5949]

👋scusami Io uso chitarra LES spaul G.non ho capito i parametri x equalizzare.grazie.👋

[@beng808]

How loud were you running in this video? I see the volume control is low but to the ears, how loud is that?

[@JackFossett]

It was probably slightly lower than band practice volume. These amps get real loud real fast.

[@aladinin]

Hot-rod series amps are fantastic value for their general features and clean channel. I think they tend to sit between the Blackface and tweed models in terms of tone ( Definitely not as bright and scooped as Blackface ) IMO Fender made the mistake of using a 12ax7 tube in V1 as the pre-amp is already running a hot signal. ( Ie, complaints the amp vol pot goes from zero to loud as hell very fast ) Some internet conclusions seem to be substituting the V1 12ax7 with a lower gain pre tube ie, 12ay7, 5751. And V3 pre-tube Phase inverter is a 12ax7 and that pushes the amp hard, can be substituted with a 12at7 for a bit cleaner and spankier clean tone.

[@marcossolis1316]

So switching to the 12at7's will tone down the drive? I find my HR Deville is a little muddy and too distorted when I crank it up. I would like to tame it and get a dirty sound and not so aggressive.

[@aladinin]

@@marcossolis1316 The 12at7 is for the phase inverter position - preamp tube position no.3 - the one closest to the larger power tubes. It will make the amp a bit cleaner. Also if you change out the preamp tube no. 1 position from a 12ax7 to a 12ay7 OR a 5751 this will lesson the crazy gain on these amps and make it more controllable and usable. I had a 12ay7 in position no.1 and it worked wonders for me. Others prefer a 5751 tube in position no.1 - hope that helps - Cheers

[@happyhappy85]

How do you think this would sound with high gain fuzz pedals? As in fill the entire room fuzz pedals.

[@JackFossett]

Generally I think it would work well. Probably best results if you use the drive channel on a medium gain setting and push that with a fuzz.

[@happyhappy85]

@@JackFossett Thanks dude!

[@bordonbert]

Hi Jack. Great review and really sound advice here. I have a newer 410 and you are the first person I have found who takes the same view I do about getting the best of these amps. I thought I was pretty much heads above everyone then you start spreading the same message I always have and I'm suddenly Mr Ordinary again. They definitely respond to an approach where you don't hit the front end hard or push them too much. There is plenty of volume and gain to spare, it isn't at all necessary to thrash it in any way to get great drive tones out of it. If you want to play metal buy a metal amp! I do think that this is the reason why the Drive channel of these amps has a bit of a poor reputation. It isn't the amp which can sound strident, it is the permanently full on guitarist who sets it up wrong. Keeping levels down as much as possible by using the low level input and turning the guitar/pedal volume down really does help more than people would think. I also use low Volume/Drive/Master settings with a Les Paul Traditional turned down to around 5 and this gives me a lot of controllable variation in drive tone. A half decent 15 channel parametric equalizer in the loop as advised by Joe Bonamassa, (far better than a simple Eq pedal), is wonderful at expanding it too. I use a Behringer Ultragraph Pro FBQ1502HD which I picked up cheap. It is pretty simple and basic but it perks things up a treat. And the icing on the cake is a Fryette PS-100 to find the sweet spot and let the amp breathe while controlling the loudness you need. Thanks for spreading the word about how good these amps are, especially the 410 versions.

[@alfredocovitto5949]

Grazie👏usiamo la stessa 🎸e stesso ampli👏👏.quindi x avere un buon suono pulito dovrei abbassare il volume della chitarra a 5? Egli altri ?👋

[@claytongiles9898]

I’ve got one of these, and two limitations need to be mentioned, which are inherent to a cabinet packing 4 10-inch speakers; It pushes a lot of air, and is thus LOUD in its sweet spot. Great if you have an energetic drummer, but it is for playing LIVE. Second, get some casters/wheels, because this thing back-breakingly HEAVY. You’re packing a whole half-stack’s worth of transformers and speaker magnets all at once!

[@JackFossett]

Thanks for the info!

[@SuperJocker1]

can you plug in a cabinet to to this amp ? let s say an orange one ? sorry if my english is not good enough

[@emmaverse8816]

No, you can’t use a combo amp as a cabinet without mods or you could damage both pieces of equipment. You’re looking for a speaker cab. For Orange, the main one is the PPC212. Also it is *very important* to use a SPEAKER cable - not a guitar cable - to connect a head to a speaker cabinet. An instrument cable could melt and/or damage your equipment. Your local guitar shop can help you pair heads, cabs, and cabling - ask for help because not all heads and cabs are compatible and power mismatches can cause ruined equipment or even fire.

[@happyhappy85]

This is one of the nicest strats I've heard in years.

[@JackFossett]

Thanks! It has a set of Andrew Robertson Bluejay pickups which are excellent, and I custom built a wiring harness with a PIO cap. Sounds really clear and lovely.

[@alfalders3020]

You speak common sense, brother. Love this. You DO know your sh*t. God bless from over here in Australia 🙏☮️

[@JackFossett]

I appreciate that!

[@TOAST-FACEKILLAH]

I love my 4x10 it’s so damn heavy though for my little arms and stumpy legs 😅 I’ve always wished it had handles on the side. Sounds fantastic though very very loud probably too Loud for anything you will ever need unless you playing outside and even then you good.

[@NomarKddus]

Greetings I have a deville 212 hot rod and a fender stratocaster which settings do you recommend for a Vaughan or hendrix sound in the clean channel, I have ts9, ts808 and fuzz face on pedals

[@NomarKddus]

Texas specials pickup

[@JackFossett]

I'd personally keep the bass at 3 or 4, mids around 7 to 9 and treble around 5 or 6. Presence maybe around 4. Good place to start hopefully and then just tweak from there - I'd also go into the low gain input and use a pedal for reverb if you have one.

[@NomarKddus]

@@JackFossett tanks bro so big guitar player

[@NomarKddus]

Volume setting?

[@NomarKddus]

@@JackFossett What volume do you recommend for that channel?

[@jerryjohnson575]

great info I can buy one for $475 4 x 10 is tha a good price with pedal with an H9 eventide pedal

[@JackFossett]

With the pedal? Yeah that’s solid. A hair steep for just the amp.

[@1234Robur]

Why fender call it deville? Whats the meaning? Thank you

[@adamwinterburn2952]

An old ProCo Rat pedal is nice with this amp. Crank it and use the volume knob on your guitar. Like you should anyway.

[@morbido13]

I got one my 410 about a month ago, also an older version. Wonderful tone, I use pedals so I don't care about the drive and more drive. Best amp for the price.

[@JackFossett]

Thats the way to go! Clean with pedals and it rocks.

[@superuser13]

I love my 410 DeVille, but I absolutely do not use the drive channel, to me it just sounds like crap. And yes the volume goes from 1 to in you face at 2

[@sarova2000]

So heres the thing, I really like this amp, but it seems like it's too loud. I want an amp that I can use on my apartment but also on band practice and small gigs. Youre probably gonna tell me that this isn't the amp for me, but I really like the specs. My other option is the blues junior but I just don't like it, it doesn't have a proper reverb and it just looks silly being that small (at least to me). My question here is: with the volume way down does it reach bedroom levels? is it worth it for me?

[@JackFossett]

I think it sounds fine for bedroom levels. This isn't really an amp you push, to be honest -- it gets beyond gig loud way before the power tubes start pushing.

[@craiglinderman5249]

Lindermanca Put a "little blach amp box" JHS PEDALS, tamed the beast you can get the tubes working and still hear

[@kignacio]

I just played mine with a sleeping baby in the other room 🤷‍♂️

[@alfredocovitto5949]

Si puo'con una les spaul

[@iggiignatius9907]

CC Deville

[@benjaminsmith3151]

About 20 years ago I was between one of these, and a Vox Valvetronix. I chose the Vox because it has headphone output and stuff, but I regret it because right now I'd rather have one of these. The Vox has serious troubles now, and nobody cares enough to want to fix it.

[@JackFossett]

You know thats one of the major concerns over things moving towards digital - seems like they're more meant to be replaced than repaired.

[@tonycross2449]

@@JackFossett the most common problem with the Vox Valvtronix. Is tge prongs in the tube get dirty as well as loose. Contact cleaner spray helps. But like many I've sold it.

[@wheatonna]

I'm real tempted but my hope was to play pedal-free. It sounds as if this might not be my best choice for that.

[@freddysoto4657]

Todo depende del tipo de capsulas, o, pick-ups que uses la sensibilidad, , ganancia entre otros, luego con humbekers cambia, lo que si puedo decir, es que reproduce el timbre y personalidad del instrumento, comparando al transistor, emula y muestra un sonido disfrazado, o, inclinado al genérico de una guitarra. Por mi parte muy conforme, ahora si queremos otro sonido, es cosa de cambiar parlantes , que dependiendo del tipo, generan un timbre más acentuado a los medios o graves .

[@nickf9392]

I have a 2x12 and find it frustrating. It is so bass heavy, I have to set bass on zero. And run the mids up on the high side to help as well, and use the bright switch also to help get the mud out. Change speakers...already did, change tubes...did that too. So when set up this way the drive is completely out of EQ. The only thing this amp has going for it is its loud, very loud. I can not recommend any one pay that kind of money, AND have to change speakers, tubes, buy another drive pedal, and not be able to use one whole half of the amp and carry that heavy beast around to gigs and rehearsals. I covered mine with a black trash bag, and try not to think about it.

[@johnhennessey5]

Why not get an EQ pedal to fix the extra bass instead of not using a perfectly good amp?

[@aorellana0721]

I had it on 3 I thought the pawnshop was going to fall apart

[@alfalders3020]

Sadly I had a deville that I bought used. It had several problems. Had to ask for a refund. Saddest AMP day of my life.

[@JackFossett]

Thats too bad - I think consistency with these models has been an issue depending on the year it was from

[@alfalders3020]

@@JackFossett agree. Pity. Because I think it was potentially one awesome amp.

[@snicker576]

The circuit boards are so cheap, it's a joke

[@craiglinderman5249]

Best thing i did was a compressor....

[@voxpathfinder15r]

How similar does this amp sound to a bassman Ltd 59? The 4x10 setup always makes me think of a bassman

[@JackFossett]

So its a great amp - still not quite as good as the Bassman or Super Reverb when it comes to 4x10, but it more than holds its own (it actually takes pedals better than the Super) -- it probably sounds halfway between those two amps character wise. Its not as crystal bright as the Super, but not quite as saggy and growly as the bassman.