Fender DRR HRD or Deluxe?

[Chordchunker]

Shopping for a new amp and looking foropinions. I have it narrowed down to a (all fenders) Deluxe Reverb Re-issue, Hot Rod Deluxe, or the Blues Deluxe. I`m leaning toward the DRR, but at 22 watts I`m concerned it may break up too early for Jazz/Swing gigs. I play all sizes of venues but can always mic the amp at larger rooms.

Which would you chose and why?

[Little Jay]

I have a Blues Deluxe (since '93 or so). I still love it and it does jazz very well. It actually breaks up sooner then you'd expect, especially with humbuckers plugged into the 'hi' input. But by then it's LOUD! Louder then your average jazz-combo I guess.

I have played the Deluxe Reverb RI, also during jazz jam-sessions with drums, piano, bass. (The piano was even amplified, to give you an idea of the volume.) I did not experience any problems with headroom or (too) early break-up.

I think the real issue would be the difference in character: the BD sounds very much Tweed/Bassman-like (duh!) and the DR has that typical Blackface/AB763 tone (duh again! ). I love both type of sounds, they work equally well for jazz, but where the BD sounds thicker and grittier, the DR sounds sweeter, a bit more transparent. You might not like one or the other?

(btw, all the tracks behind the "Tracin' Tracy"-link below were recorded through the BD)

[korey-craft]

I am also torn between these two amps. I posted a similar post, listed more options though, local classified ads and such.

[Little Jay]

Well, maybe it helps to realize that you can't really go wrong with either of them!

[jorgemg1984]

DRRI should sound better but should also break-up sooner... it the DRRI is loud enough for your needs I would go for it.

[Chordchunker]

Thanks ya`ll! I`m ordering the DRRI on Monday..

[Jazz_175]

I have a Deluxe Reverb Reissue and I like it so much with Gibson 335 and 175.
Hot Rod Deluxe is also nice but I personally think the DRRI is superior as for the quality of the clean.

[Chordchunker]

I had a HR DeVille but sold it because it was way too heavy for this old man..

[Flint]

I had a HR DeVille but sold it because it was way too heavy for this old man..

Amen. I auditioned that and most of the others, including the Supersonic. I ended up with the HRD because it's possible to lift it, and I personally preferred the sound. I still like it.

[AlohaJoe]

Thanks ya`ll! I`m ordering the DRRI on Monday..

You'll love it... of the three that would be my choice as well. Let us know what you think.

[jorgemg1984]

Just as a side note I would recommend the DRRI given the options you gave - I think it needs some tweaking for the jazz sound I like and for the price in the US I would go other route.

[Chordchunker]

I ordered it! Now comes the long wait..

[cosmic gumbo]

I ordered it! Now comes the long wait..

Good amp choice.

[add4]

The early breakup can be somewhat controlled by several things:
- changing the speaker for a higher wattage one
- change one of the preamp tubes for a lower gain tube like a 12AT7 for example.

Also, i STRONGLY advise anyone with a deluxe reverb reissue to consider these mods :
Change the output transform to a higher quality one (mercury magnetics)
Change the power transform to a higher quality one (mercury magnetics)
Change the reverb transform to a higher quality one (mercury magnetics)
Change the power stabilizing caps to higher quality ones
Change the stock speaker for something better too

Before that, the amp is ok, after that the amp is a gem, is much more precise, has much more space, clean headrooms, dynamics. i can't stress enough how much improvement these (expensive) changes do to the deluxe reverb.
i've heard a modded one next to a stock one and i wouldn't have bought the stock one after that..

[jorgemg1984]

The thing is in the US you can buy a hand-made PTP blackface replica probably cheaper than a new DRRI with all those mods. Of course for Europeans like us add4 where clone builders charge insane prices finding a used DRRI for the right price and modding is unfortunately cheaper...

[Jazz_175]

The thing is in the US you can buy a hand-made PTP blackface replica probably cheaper than a new DRRI with all those mods.

I think you are too optimistic. Who are you referring to specifically.

[jorgemg1984]

Pricing

Costs 1500. The DRRI is 1000 new and I can easily imagine those mods costing more than 500 or close to that... But that is a vibrolux 1x12.

A deluxe

Tube-Tone Amplifiers

1585... and I bet much closer to the original.

[Jazz_175]

I did'nt pay attention to the last part of your sentence "..with all those mods".

[jorgemg1984]

Oh ok The DRRI stock is of course considerably cheaper (although I think the extra 500 bucks might be worth it for several reasons, including reliability)