Fender Hot Rod Deville vs. Hot Rod Deluxe?

[EleKtriKaz]

I'm looking to get one of these amps. The Hot Rod Deville is a 4x10 and the Deluxe is a 2x12. They are nearly identical in price. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with either of these. This would be mostly for recording, so I care much more about it sounds in the studio as opposed to in a live setting. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[philboyd studge]

I have a Hot Rod Deluxe (they have a single 12 btw) and I think it's a great vintage sounding amp. And loud. I wouldn't say it's too loud for studio use but something with half the power would be a little easier to use.

[schnoops]

the deluxe rules! deep bass, ultra bright clean channel and dirty crunch

the deville has got too much highs in my opinion and moves even more air than the deluxe

[Aaron Cheney]

I had a Deluxe for many years. I would have to agree that I liked it better than the DeVille, but I have to say I had a really hard time liking anything I ever recorded with it. It's a thin tone, especially on the distored channel. Some of the clean tones were useable I guess, but if you are interested in distortion tones at all I would definitely look elsewhere.
I ended up selling it after about 4 years and got a Rivera. I honestly think it's the finest single piece of gear I've ever owned, and I wish I had just saved for it in the first place. By the time you approach around $1000 bucks there are all kinds of better options, and IMO it would definitely be worth it to wait and save. If you are patient you can get a Chubster on Ebay for around 700-800 bucks which blows the doors off the HotRods any day.
I understand we all have our own priorities and budgets though, and maybe the Deluxe fits yours.

Best of luck.

Aaron
http://www.voodoovibe.com

[LocusLarsen]

If you like the sound of those amps just get a Blues Junior. Its only 15watts but its is louder than you would believe. Since you are using it for recording there is no point in having a monster amp, because in order to get the tubes working you have to crank it, with a Blues Junior you get all the sound, for less money, and its a lot easier to get a warm sound. Just haggle the price and you will have no problem walking out the door for $390 even. You could buy two for the price of a DeVille, and get some stereo....

[stonepiano]

I also have a Blues Junior but would NOT reccomend it for multipurpose recording. To me, it's got the great clean fender sound but very much a one trick pony. A good amp to own if you also own a Boogie Maverick or the like for different color.

No effects loop and no built-in distortion, unless you count overdriving the cone.
It does however have a fat switch

Not to say I'm trashing it, mind you. I use mine everyday in conjunction with about seven pedals to get my current tone. I just would say it was a economic compromise for me. I wanted a fender tube for my clean sounds and would have gotten an old twin if I had the cash at the time.

that, plus I hear Blue Bear has one so I'm sure he'll rush in to defend it...

[LocusLarsen]

I had a Delux for about a month and I returned it for the BJ. I did't like the overdrive channel, WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! too noisey. I don't know how anyone could record with that.

I don't clame to know everything but I would say that if someone buys a BJ, Delux, of DeVille, they are probably getting it for the clean channel because it is clean (duh) and it breaks up nicely.

Besides, who would by a Fender for distortion. --Don't answer that! ;-)

[crosstudio]

i got a fender 2x12 hot rod deville and i love it for blues, reggae, and r&b sounds.

if you are going for that tortured soul sound (buddy guy) or that deep r&b chunk (ike turner) the fender does it well. that old sound is one of the elements of todays neo-soul sound today.