15 posts
I am purchasing another used American made Hot Rod Deluxe for $450, and taking the amp out of the case and sending it to Jim at Omega Amps http://www.omegaamps.com/mods2.html and getting some mods done. I really like the one I have, but just wanted something a little more beefy sounding on the overdrive channel. I also wanted a back up amp if anything went wrong with my HRD. If I really like the mods I will have it done to my present HRD as well. The mods will cost me $375 plus shipping the amp (out of the cabinet) less tubes both ways.
I've seen used Carmen Ghia amps go in the mid $600 to low $700 range, and you might even snag a Maz Jr. for in the $800s!
Just thinking that for $375 PLUS shipping, plus the amp....
Why not just mod the one you have?
I want the same sound that I have and I just want a backup amp. I am thinking a second HRD is a perfect solution and at $450 it is a good buy since new ones sell for nine bills now. I may rethink the mod however and just get a decent overdrive pedal, a small one that can get packed into the back of the amp. and viola there we are for cheap.
I really like my HRD, I have been a Fender amp guy since the 1960's. Never found anything I liked better really than the HRD I have now. And I have had all kinds of amps. Peaveys, Mesa Boogies, a Marshall hundred watt Plexi. Music Man amps, and many others that I can't remember right now, and lots of classic Fenders. I am sure I won't like a real high gain amp, I don't need the hi gain, just an amp with an overdriven tube channel, and a good clean sound as well.
I decided to wait until several amps come out in the near future, I like the looks of the Mesa Lone Star, and the Mark 5, I also like the looks of the Egnater Renegade. I will go try the Mesa's out either when I go up to Northern Cali in a few weeks, or when they appear at the local Guitar center in town here. If I like either one enough, I will pull the trigger on one of those. Then sometime in May the Renegade 50 should be out. That looks some kind of interesting. I can afford a two thousand dollar amp right now, and later this year up another five to seven bills easy. I may go demo the Bogner Shiva they have a store in town. There are several options I can live with.
When you go, take your favorite axe and favorite boost pedal and have fun!!
all sound like good candidates, so I wouldn't discourage you from any of them.
That said, I've listened to every clip you've ever put up. I know what you like. I'd at least give a Dr. Z a shot, if I were you.
I may go over to Chandler Az monyanna afternoon to check out a used Maz Jr. Not to buy, just to see what they sound like. Then if I like it I may order a Maz Sr or a EZG 50 http://www.drzamps.com/ezg50.html
Dr. Z makes some decent little amps. You won't be disappointed!
For the same money as the DrZ amps I can get a Mesa Lonestar Head. Which is also tempting.
Dearthian: — Mar 23, 2009Dr. Z makes some decent little amps. You won't be disappointed!
"decent little amps???" :o :-? :-? :-?
I realize that what I said was an understatement, but I WAS ultimately complementing them.
LOL I was just thinking, I hear lots of GREAT reviews of these amps. Sounded like you may have been giving them the "yeah, they're pretty good" kind of review.
I don't work in a music store, like you do. You get to hear a lot more amps than most of us do. The reviews I read make them sound like one of them is probably THE amp for DBM. If you don't think they are that great, don't hesitate to say so!
Typed words kill a lot of verbal nuance. Dr Z makes great amps. :) ;)
...and they're in abundance too FWTW, I mean I see them in local shops, GC included, all the time, easy to track down and sample.
Checking out a used Maz Jr later today over in Chandler Az. Also have a handle on a used all original 1979 Black Face Fender Deluxe Reverb for 8 Bills, point to point wired etc. It has a new Weber Speaker and JJ tubes in it, but the original stuff also comes with the amp. I will check that one out too later this week.