Dating my Hot Rod Deluxe

floydrichards · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject: Dating my Hot Rod Deluxe

Can anyone tell me about my Hot Rod Deluxe??? I bought it used online. The seller told me that it was made in the USA, however,
1) It doesn't have the date code sticker inside
2) It doesn't say made in USA on the back plate. It only says Corona, Ca.

The only clues I could find were these:
1) The tube diagram says "Made in USA."
2) It has the date "2001" on the circuit board.
3) It does not say "Made in Mexico anywhere."

I have no Idea the exact year and month that Fender moved production of these amplifiers to Mexico. Any input is greatly appreciated!

Rolling Eyes

tw001_tw · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:14 pm Post subject:

Mine was made in the US.
Right under the address (Corona, Ca.) is where is says that. I'm 95% sure
that in the Mexican made models its says made in Mexico in the same spot
on the metal plate on the back. Also, I read that they stopped using date
code tags about the same time they moved building to Mexico. They moved
it to Mexico in the summer of 2002. My guess would be you have a US model
by the tube chart and the circuit board date.

floydrichards · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:34 pm Post subject: Hot Rod Deluxe

Thanks for the input! When was yours made?

tw001_tw · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:10 pm Post subject:

Well... thats a tough one. And I'm a bit confused about it. The date code
on the sticker is GD (although the G looks like a C) - which dates it to
April 1996. NOW... according to:
http://studentweb.eku.edu/justin_holton/faq.html#date
This would make it within the first few months of manufacturing, BUT
I do NOT have the "50th Anniversary" label/sticker/whatever... Confused

And the date on the circuit board is 1996 if I recall right.

I bought it used, and pretty cheep (I'm a bargain hunter by necessity). I
knew it was a US model, but I didn't know it was that old till I got home.
I wanted to do a few mods to it (volume knobs in particular), but now I'm
hesitant as I want it to retain as much retail value as possible... But I do
love it! I went through a lot of amps over the years - cheep and expensive
ones.....but this one I think I can say is my favorite - it fits my style very well.

I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine!
rock on!

floydrichards · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:32 pm Post subject: Hot Rod Deluxe

That's cool! Would'nt that be something if it was indeed one of the first ones made!?!? I know that I'll be enjoying mine in about a week and a half from now. As of this moment it is on it's way to Jim price at OMEGA AMPS! I'm getting the works, including a new speaker and tubes. I feel like a kid before Christmas!!

tw001_tw · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:51 pm Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe

floydrichards · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject: Hot Rod Deluxe

Thank you!! Very Happy

birdie3 · Newbie Alert Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 2

Mine's a GL (Dec '96). Is it better to have one from the first year of production?