I know it’s an old question for standard HRDs, but not sure if the same advice applies to the George Benson version. Is there a tone-shaper like a clean boost, EQ, compressor or other pedal that make the drive/more drive channels on a George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe sound better? Or are my best options to either rely on pedals into the clean channel for more gain, or (which I’d rather not do) modify the amp.
Any advice much appreciated. I’m sure
@ICBM is well-versed on this issue. I’m playing a Squier Korean Tele upgraded with Custom Shop 51 Nocaster pickups.
Cheers!
Comments
Greer Light speed, gentle overdrive with a hint of drive. Love it. Like the hrdlx but with a bit more oomph.
Tubescreamer, this with a hall of fame reverb gives a good early John squire tone.
Then when I need classic rock I use a zvex box of rock. Much more bass and punch than the drive channels.
It takes pedals well. Enjoy!
Been uploading old tracks I recorded ages ago and hopefully some new noodles here.
So if I use dirt pedals into the clean channel, the GB HRD has even more clean headroom thanks to the 12AT7 pre-amp tube, so finding an OD that will push the clean channel nicely, will that be difficult? I have a stock Rat 2 (and a superb Jam Rat clone that I could keep instead of selling it) for higher gain sounds, it’s more the light OD and mid-boost gain sounds I’m looking for.
On each occasion, I tried it in shops with my pedalboard and it took it really well. It liked a Compressor (Keeley), a Tubescreamer (Keeley) and an OCD and Xotic EP Boost.
Why not set your respective drives on slightly lower gain settings to get an edge sound and then stack them for a bigger sound. You're effectively setting up different channels of gain.
Sadly, they didn't upgrade the Drive Channel on the GB amp and so I'd say, get some pedals in to cover that side and put them through the Clean Channel.
I've said it before but this amp was poorly marketed by Fender and I think they missed a trick. Being a GB signature, it gave you the impression that it was a jazzer's amp yet it's a wonderful clean and pedal platform amp.
The boost option would be nice there too
But then I actually quite like the drive channel on the hot rod amps
All can be set to very low amounts of gain and react well to picking dynamics
https://www.thetubestore.com/lib/thetubestore/schematics/Fender/Fender-Hot-Rod-Deluxe-Schematic.pdf
The Capacitor that rolls off the bass on the Drive Channel is C23 and has a value of 1.5nF.
You basically need to make this larger to something like 2.2nF, 3.3nF or 4.7nF
I settled on 3.3nF. You have a choice as to whether you remove the existing Capacitor or simply solder an additional one in parallel with it e.g. adding a 1.5nF in parallel will give you 3nF total value.
The PCB is screen printed with numbering, I chose to do a "quick and dirty job" by clipping the existing capacitor whilst leaving enough of the old bare leads free to solder the new capacitor to. In this way, I didn't have to remove the PCB from it's mounting - probably saved an hours effort but some may frown at this approach!
Any non polarised capacitor will do the job, go for something with a high voltage rating (350volt +) - I used a Silver Mica type, cost around £1.50 - there's quite a lot of space on that part of the PCB so you shouldn't find it too difficult to find something that fits. A polyester "orange drop" would fit.