Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IVFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 41 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment43%
PROS 43%
CONS 57%

Rank based on 41 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a loud, gig-ready amp with excellent clean tones
  • You mainly run pedals into the clean channel rather than using the built-in drive
  • You value classic Fender tone and don't mind sending it to a tech for reliability upgrades

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a dependable built-in overdrive channel without pedals
  • You want to play at home/apartment volumes without an attenuator
  • You're wary of recurring capacitor and PCB reliability issues

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendly
Tube-like tone and feel
Excellent clean channel
Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules
Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel
No included footswitch
2Premium
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatilityGreat cleanup via guitar volumeBig, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattageDark, bass-heavy voicing for somePrice relative to alternativesRequires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatility
Great cleanup via guitar volume
Big, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattage
Dark, bass-heavy voicing for some
Price relative to alternatives
Requires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Best value
3Mid
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatility
Great with pedals / clean platform
Long-term keeper amp
Cleans not its strongest suit
Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box
Stock preamp tubes considered weak
4Mid
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound quality
Good speaker pairing versatility
HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience
AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue
DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs
Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
5Budget
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its size
TonePrint effects built in
Clean, full, realistic tone
Always-lit tuner display
Insufficient power for loud full bands
Single effect slot limitation
6Premium
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain toneBuilt-in CabClone IR / direct outBuild quality and versatility praised by ownersHigh priceMissing third channel and solo boostNo EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain tone
Built-in CabClone IR / direct out
Build quality and versatility praised by owners
High price
Missing third channel and solo boost
No EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
7Mid
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphones
Compact, high-quality build
Enjoyable Bluetooth sound quality
Early sound-mode switching bug
Limited single-ended power for some planars
Not fully wireless
8Premium
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatility
Owner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentiment
Smooth, musical high-gain distortion
High price
Overwhelming number of options
Some find it too polished or lacking rawness
9Mid
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
10Mid
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well
You are here
31Mid
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV
Excellent clean toneLoud, capable gigging ampGreat pedal platformBoard and capacitor reliability issuesWeak overdrive channelExcessive volume for home use
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV
Excellent clean tone
Loud, capable gigging amp
Great pedal platform
Board and capacitor reliability issues
Weak overdrive channel
Excessive volume for home use

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Clean tone and pedal platform performance are the amp's biggest strengths. Commenters repeatedly single out the clean channel as glorious, phenomenal, and true to Fender's classic 1950s voicing. Several note it takes pedals extremely well, with one calling it the best pedal platform available and another praising the -6db input for home use. Owners with Creamback or A-Type speaker swaps say the tone gains extra mids and bottom end while keeping Fender clarity intact.

The overdrive channel draws consistent criticism across owners and generations of the amp. Multiple users say they simply refuse to use the drive channel, calling it flabby in the low end, an ugly sound, or something that always sounds bad no matter the model year. One found the drive channel stayed clean even with gain cranked. Suggestions include removing the channel entirely or adding EQ/high-cut controls, showing frustration is long-standing and unresolved across versions.

Reliability and board-quality complaints span decades of ownership. Techs and owners describe melted PCB traces, cheap filter capacitors that leak or fail, and diodes/resistors mounted flush against the board causing heat damage. Several call these 30-year fatal flaws Fender hasn't fixed, while one recent buyer noted a possible revision with parts raised off the board. Rattling cabinets and noisy effects loops add to the concerns, though some units run trouble-free for over 20 years.

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