Fender Hot Rod Deluxe: Reference and Owner's Manual

Welcome and Introduction

Fender Musical Instruments
7975 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 U.S.A.

Since 1946, Fender has recognized the importance of your amplifier. It is more than just a combination of dials, wires, and speakers; it is a finely tuned musical instrument. Like any fine musical instrument, it deserves special care and attention to detail.

For over half a century, Fender has been designing and producing some of the world's best amplifiers, shaping the sound of music. Many of the world's most classic and best-sounding amplifiers have proudly worn the Fender name.

Whether you seek that classic Fender tone, a clean crisp sound for your Bass or Keyboard, or the raw driving power of modern distortion, your decision to purchase a Fender amplifier will be appreciated for years to come.

Wishing you years of enjoyment and a heartfelt thank you,
Bill Schultz
Chairman
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation

Fender • Tone

Fender American Tube Amplifiers: Key Features

• ALL TUBE PREAMP AND POWERAMP GENERATE THAT TONE AS ONLY TUBES CAN
• THREE DISTINCT CHANNELS: NORMAL, DRIVE AND MORE DRIVE, FOR A BROAD PALETTE OF FENDER TONES
• MAGNETIC INTERFERENCE REDUCING CHASSIS ELIMINATES UNWANTED NOISE AND RADIO INTERFERENCE
• FENDER SPECIAL DESIGN HIGH PERFORMANCE SPEAKERS
• ROAD-WORTHY AND MUSICAL COMPONENTS, CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE MOST DEMANDING PERFORMANCE SITUATIONS
• CABINETRY CONSTRUCTED FROM HAND-SELECTED WOODS, EMPLOYING RUGGED CORNER JOINERY FOR ENDURING RELIABILITY
• COVERED IN GENUINE TOLEX FOR LONG LIFE AND LASTING GOOD LOOKS

Fender • Tradition

Hot Rod Deluxe Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, the next step in the evolution of Fender American Tube Amplifiers. The Hot Rod Deluxe is a versatile musical instrument featuring extensive tone-shaping abilities and virtually unlimited gain, defining the next generation of FAT Fender Tone.

The Hot Rod Deluxe is rated at 40W R.M.S. and includes a unique More Drive function, adding another sonic option to the H.R.'s potent arsenal of tones.

NOTE: If you've read this far... don't stop now! Check out the sound settings and experiment with them. Spin the tone controls and see what happens... Patch in the footswitch and give the Reverb a twist... Roll back the drive, crank the master, make those tubes dance...

So, take the time to get to know each other... Tune-up, Plug-in and Play-on.

Notes Regarding Bias

Your new Fender amplifier has an internally mounted variable bias control. The bias control sets the idle current in your amplifier's output tubes, properly matching the amp's performance characteristics to the types of tubes you intend to use. Each different tube brand and manufacturer may require a slightly different bias setting. If you replace your tubes with Fender types, no bias adjustment is necessary. However, an amp's bias can drift over time, similar to guitar intonation. Both need periodic checks.

The bias setting of a tube-type amplifier is analogous to the idle setting on a car. If it is not set properly, every other aspect of the system suffers. A properly biased amp will sound great and will run reliably and safely.

WARNING: Internal voltages of tube-type amplifiers are lethal, and capacitors can store these lethal charges. To ensure tone and safety, biasing this amp (and all other amps) should be carried out by qualified personnel only.

Hot Rod Deluxe Sound Settings

The following are example settings for various playing styles and guitars:

Aust-Tone - American Standard Strat® Neck Pickup

VOLUME: 6, DRIVE: 7, TREBLE: 6, BASS: 6, MIDDLE: 6, MASTER: 7, REVERB: 6, PRESENCE: 7

CHANNEL SELECT: NORMAL

Skank 'n' Crank - American Standard Strat (Guitar volume at 6 for skanking rhythm, open to 10 for cranking lead)

VOLUME: 6, DRIVE: 7, TREBLE: 6, BASS: 6, MIDDLE: 6, MASTER: 7, REVERB: 6, PRESENCE: 7

CHANNEL SELECT: NORMAL

Road House Clean - Relic Strat '60's

VOLUME: 6, DRIVE: 6, TREBLE: 6, BASS: 6, MIDDLE: 6, MASTER: 6, REVERB: 6, PRESENCE: 6

CHANNEL SELECT: NORMAL

More Hot Rod Deluxe Sound Settings

Live at Monterey - American Standard Strat Neck Pickup

VOLUME: 6, DRIVE: 7, TREBLE: 7, BASS: 7, MIDDLE: 7, MASTER: 6, REVERB: 7, PRESENCE: 7

CHANNEL SELECT: NORMAL

Womanly - Guild® S100

VOLUME: 6, DRIVE: 6, TREBLE: 6, BASS: 6, MIDDLE: 6, MASTER: 6, REVERB: 6, PRESENCE: 6

CHANNEL SELECT: NORMAL

Talkin' Trash - Tele® Jr.

VOLUME: 6, DRIVE: 6, TREBLE: 6, BASS: 6, MIDDLE: 7, MASTER: 6, REVERB: 6, PRESENCE: 6

CHANNEL SELECT: NORMAL

Southern Snap - Tele Jr.

VOLUME: 6, DRIVE: 6, TREBLE: 6, BASS: 6, MIDDLE: 7, MASTER: 6, REVERB: 6, PRESENCE: 7

CHANNEL SELECT: NORMAL

Funky Clean - Tele Jr.

VOLUME: 6, DRIVE: 6, TREBLE: 6, BASS: 6, MIDDLE: 7, MASTER: 6, REVERB: 7, PRESENCE: 6

CHANNEL SELECT: NORMAL

Fat-A-Tude - Relic Strat

VOLUME: 6, DRIVE: 6, TREBLE: 6, BASS: 6, MIDDLE: 6, MASTER: 6, REVERB: 6, PRESENCE: 6

CHANNEL SELECT: NORMAL

It Rocks - Guild S100

VOLUME: 6, DRIVE: 6, TREBLE: 6, BASS: 6, MIDDLE: 7, MASTER: 6, REVERB: 6, PRESENCE: 6

CHANNEL SELECT: NORMAL

Hot Rod Deluxe Top Panel Functions

The top panel of the Hot Rod Deluxe features various controls and inputs. The following describes each function:

• A. INPUT 1: Plug your guitar in here.
• B. INPUT 2: A lower impedance and sensitivity input than Input 1, useful for guitars with active pickups. When used with passive guitars, it provides a darker tone. Both inputs are identical if used simultaneously.
• C. BRIGHT/NORMAL: Adds top-end brightness to the NORMAL channel only.
• D. VOLUME: Adjusts the overall loudness of the NORMAL channel.
• E. MORE DRIVE: When this button is pressed in, DRIVE channel gain is increased, providing more sustain.
• F. DRIVE: Adjusts the amount of preamp gain in the Drive channel. Turning this control up increases the amount of gain and overdrive. This control works in conjunction with the MASTER control to set the overall output loudness while the drive channel is active.
• G. TWO COLOR DRIVE CHANNEL INDICATOR: When the DRIVE channel is in use, the LED is illuminated. Yellow indicates "Drive", while red indicates "More Drive".
• H. TREBLE: Adjusts the amount of high frequency boost or cut in both the NORMAL and DRIVE channels. NOTE: Like many vintage amplifiers, all tone controls are pre-distortion, and adjusting them determines how the amplifier will distort.
• I. BASS: Adjusts the amount of boost or cut in the low frequency range in both the NORMAL and DRIVE channels. Performance Tip: When playing at higher volume levels, the tube power amp enhances bass when it is overdriven. It may be necessary to use lower bass settings when playing at high volume settings.
• J. MIDDLE: Adjusts the amount of boost or cut in the middle frequency range in both the NORMAL and DRIVE channels.
• K. CHANNEL SELECT: When this button is pressed, the amp switches from the NORMAL channel to the DRIVE channel.
• L. MASTER: Adjusts the overall volume of the DRIVE channel.
• M. REVERB: Adjusts the amount of reverb present in both the NORMAL and DRIVE Channels.
• N. PRESENCE: Adjusts the amount of very high frequencies present in both the NORMAL and DRIVE Channels.
• O. PREAMP OUT: This unbalanced jack provides an output signal from the preamp and is pre-reverb. It may be used to drive effects units in an effects loop, to drive additional amplifiers in a multi-amp set up, or as a preamp send to a mixing console.
• P. POWER AMP IN: This unbalanced jack provides a return from your effects units and is pre-reverb. This jack can also be used as a power amp input.
• Q. FOOTSWITCH (INCLUDED): Plug-in connection for the remote footswitch to select between the NORMAL and DRIVE channels and to select "More Drive". Using the footswitch overrides the front panel select buttons. NOTE: Any good quality patch cord will work with the remote footswitch, however, a speaker grade cord is preferable to a coax guitar cord.
• R. PILOT JEWEL: Illuminates if the Hot Rod Deluxe is receiving power. Should this bulb burn out, turn off and unplug the amplifier, unscrew the red jewel and replace the lamp with a type T47 bulb.
• S. STANDBY SWITCH: Turns the amplifier on and off. In the STANDBY position, the amplifier is off. When the "On/Off" switch (item T) is turned on, power is supplied to the tube filaments, eliminating warm-up time. Using the STANDBY SWITCH during short breaks versus using the on/off switch will increase tube life.
• T. POWER SWITCH: Turns the AC power ON and OFF. When the amplifier is in the OFF position, the amplifier is completely shut down.

Hot Rod Deluxe Bottom Panel Functions

The bottom panel of the Hot Rod Deluxe features connections for power, speakers, and external controls.

• A. LINE CORD: The Hot Rod Deluxe is equipped with a grounding type supply cord to reduce the possibility of shock hazard. Be sure to connect it to a grounded AC receptacle. DO NOT ALTER THE AC PLUG.
• B. FUSE: The fuse is in the AC supply of the amplifier and helps protect it in the event of an electrical fault or tube failure. If a fuse blows, replace it only with one of the same type and rating. (Refer to the specification page to determine the correct fuse type and rating for your amplifier). NEVER use a fuse with a higher current rating as this could damage the equipment and present a serious safety hazard. If the amplifier repeatedly blows fuses, it should be taken to an authorized Fender service center.
• C. MAIN SPEAKER: This is the main plug-in connection to the speakers and must always be used as their primary connection.
• D. EXTERNAL SPEAKER: Plug-in connection for an external speaker. This jack is wired in parallel with the main speaker jack and must ONLY be used in conjunction with the main speaker jack. If this jack is used without the main speaker jack, there will be no sound. The external speaker jack must be used with an 8 ohm speaker enclosure.
• E. CHANNEL SELECT: Allows the remote switching from the NORMAL channel to the DRIVE channel.
• F. DRIVE/MORE DRIVE: Allows the remote switching of the Gain from Drive to More Drive.

NOTE: The tubes, external speaker jack, speaker jack, and fuse are not accessible by the user in Scandinavian countries. Refer any servicing or changes to a qualified technician.

Tube Replacement, Tolex Covering Care, and Troubleshooting

Tube Replacement

The Hot Rod Deluxe tube compliment consists of three Fender Special Design 12AX7A tubes (part #099-5091) and two Fender Special Design 5881/6L6 WGC tubes (part #099-5090). For continued optimum performance, these tubes should only be replaced with tubes of the same type and specification. Tube location is printed on the tube label located inside the cabinet.

Tolex Covering Care

Your Hot Rod Deluxe is covered in genuine Tolex for long life and lasting good looks. To clean the Tolex covering, use a sponge and a light soapy water solution. Avoid spilling liquids on the operating surfaces, grill, volume and tone controls, switches, and speakers. ALWAYS unplug your amplifier before cleaning or approaching it with fluids.

Troubleshooter's Checklist

If the amp is set up but does not function, check the following items:

• Is the power cord properly plugged into an electrical outlet?
• Is there power at the outlet?
• Is the fuse blown?
• Is the speaker properly connected to the amplifier?
• Are all the control knobs turned above two?
• Is the volume control on the instrument turned up?
• Is the instrument properly plugged into the amplifier?
• (Eliminate any effects pedals and try using another cord.)

If after checking all of the above your amplifier is still not performing correctly, consult your authorized Fender Service Center.

Hot Rod Deluxe Specifications

WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

WARNING: NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL ONLY. Service by persons other than Fender authorized service technicians may void the warranty on this product.

WARNING: THIS UNIT MUST BE EARTH GROUNDED.

This equipment conforms to the following directives: EMC 89/336/EEC and LV 73/23/EEC.

Contact and Trademark Information

F.A.T. Fender American Tube AMPLIFIERS

Our manuals are intended to be a reference source throughout the lifetime of your product. We appreciate any suggestions, and/or comments regarding this manual.

Please send your comments to:
Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
Research and Development
7975 North Hayden Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258, USA

Fender®, Strat®, Tele®, and Guild® are Registered Trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.

Product specifications are subject to change without notice.

A Product of:
Fender® Musical Instruments Corporation
Corona, CA 91720 USA

www.americanmusical.com