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Well. I have had a chance to play my new Hot Rod Deluxe III Tweed amp for approx. 1-2 months now so I wanted to update my previous review. I still love the look of the tweed covering. It really is nice knowing that I truly have a limited edition item that has a vintage look. Also, the clean tone is still amazing. It matches up well with my pedals. I previously had a somewhat negative opinion regarding the amp's drive/more drive channel but I have grown to appreciate it now that I have been able to play it for a while now. My negative opinion towards the drive/more drive channel was based mainly on my unrealistic expectations when waiting to hear the drive channel. I expected the amp's drive channel to be something it was not designed to be. I thought I could get hard rock, more saturated/compressed overdrive from the drive channel. So, I was disappointed when I first plugged in and tried to rock out. I wanted to get Van Halen, Rage Against the Machine, Alice In Chains overdrive....but this amp's drive channel was not intended to put that sort of tone out. This amp has much more of a mid range bluesy overdrive tone. This tweed version HRD III drive/more drive channel has a different overdrive tone than the regular HRD III drive/more drive channel. This amp has less overdrive compared to the regular HRD III. I think mainly due to the Jensen C12N speaker that this amp has. I don't think this speaker reacts to the drive/more drive channel the same way the regular HRD III does. Anyway, I like the amp's drive channel much more now because I know what it can do and, more importantly, what it cannot do. The amp's drive channel is great for SRV bluesy overdrive and other blues rock tones. Very mid range overdrive tone. But this amp's drive channel will not get anywhere to hard rock overdrive. You WILL need a pedal for those tones. So, if you have realistic expectations of the amp's overdrive then you will not really be disappointed. Another thing, there are many reviews out these saying this amp cannot get quiet enough for in room/apartment levels. That is not true. This amp's volume can be reduced to levels for bedroom volumes. It really is not meant for that......this amp can get very loud at 40w. But, it can be lowered to acceptable bedroom levels. It does sound better, though, the louder it is.....as most tube amps do. I strongly recommend this amp.

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I was searching for a professional quality medium sized tube combo amplifier with a 12 inch speaker. I am very loyal to the Fender brand. I currently have two Fender Stratocasters and I have owned two other smaller Fender tube combo amplifiers. First of all, this amp looks amazing. The tinted lacquered tweed covering with the chrome control panel sets this amplifier apart from all of the rest. This amplifier certainly looks like a limited addition/unique item. Second, the clean channel tones are unbelievable it. Sparkly clean and you can get a lot of volume out of this amp with zero break up to keep your clean tone clean. The only thing about this amp that I am a little disappointed in is the drive/more Drive channels. I think my expectations were unrealistic as to exactly what type of overdriven tones I could get with the drive channels. I was planning on using the drive channel on this amp. Many diehard guitar players do not use Fenders drive channels on their amplifiers. There is some overdrive but it is very harsh and brutal. Not very much low-end at all on the drive channel. I know the regular Hot Rod deluxe three amplifiers have a little better overdrive channel. I think the unique Jensen speaker this amp has makes it not as good as regular amp model. Therefore, I was disappointed that I had to purchase a $100 overdrive/distortion pedal to achieve the tones I was looking for. I play anything from low overdrive Stevie Ray Vaughan/Jimi Hendrix to Van Halen to rage against the machine. Like I said, I was unrealistic expecting an amplifiers drive channel from a fender tube app to achieve these tones. Good thing for me, I found the perfect overdrive/distortion pedal for my needs. Now, this amp along with my new pedal, I am 100% satisfied. This amp takes pedals extremely well, has an excellent tone, reverb, and volume for any venue. Also, like I mentioned before, this amplifier looks amazing! The only reason this is not getting a perfect rating is because of the drive channel.

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The Fender HRD III Tweed is a great value for classic Fender tone but, lacks real punch right from the factory. After the Fromel mod and swapping the Special Design Jensen with a Celestion Vintage 30 this amp smokes. I am very happy with the results. I also added the 1X12 extension cab and swapped again for a better speaker...this time used a M series Scumback. Probably one of the best set ups I have used in my 40 years of playing guitar.

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Gave it more than a year. Worst amp I ever owned. Cheaply made. Terrible tone, loud obnoxious speaker, totally WORTHLESS overdrive section. Stay away from this one...