Easiest “modification” for Fender Hot Rod amps (and others) to make it better for home use 

How many CEOs would encourage you to build your own instead of trying to sell something. Top dude 👍

Brian, I love watching your videos. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us nerds. I don't know of ANY other CEO of any other gear manufacturer that interacts like this with the public. You are one cool dude and I look forward to more of your fabulous creations!

This is Brian being awesome as usual!! Thanks for your kindness Brian, sharing your expertise with the world. The world is a better place because of people like you!

I use a passive volume pedal. It works awesome on stage. I love your videos and insight. What you teach used to be trade secrets that nobody would teach. Thank you!

I am just getting into pedal mods and such, working on my first build (klon clone) and I have to say this channel is a WEALTH of cool knowledge and fun to listen to. Thanks man! Keep ‘em coming!

I haven't placed a small bear order in years! Brian, you owe me 17 dollars now. I love your channel man, as everyone else always confirms, you are the man. And it is way cool to see the amp on TPS, watching it now!

Brian seems like a great guy that doesn't take himself too seriously. Love his pedals and gladly support him and his company.

I love how it starts to break up ever so slightly now. Time to dig thru the toy box and find my volume pedal. Thanks for posting this.

Changing V1 to 12AT7 is a great update as well, helps tame the beast

Brian, you're awesome! I always love your willingness to help us learn and your humility in the face of your vast amount of knowledge. I've learned so much from you and have benefitted more than I can measure from the pedals you have created and what you have shared about them. Thank you for doing what you do!

That is the most simplest ( and most obvious as you explained ) and effective mod to this loud amp. Well done.

This is probably my favorite video find on youtube. I had this box assembled and working inside of 15 minutes, and it was JUST what I needed for my Deluxe. Love it.

Simple as that, you solved a problem Fender has been aware of (and ignoring) for decades. Bravo sir, and thank you.

When soldering on a pot make sure it's turned all the way on or all the way off so it will not burn up the wiper. See Dr. Z soldering tips video.

I just made mine today and it worked awesome. Even though I’m dumb when it comes to electronics like this I was able to follow the instructions. Appreciate you making this video sir.

Awesome...a volume pedal in a box. I always use a volume pedal in the effects loop for this purpose to adjust volume on the fly while gigging. This is a cool option for those with a few parts and a soldering iron. Bravo.

I'm not going to show you how to solder... proceeds to show how. LOL

Another great quick and easy mod for the hot rods is to put a 12AU7 in the V1 position. Makes the clean channel more controllable and decreases the gain on the distortion channels. This is what fender does to the George Benson model hot rod.

Thanks for the video! I built one to use with a Fender Frontman 65R to tame the clean channel volume control. This reduced pre-amp noise as well by allowing me to boost the guitar signal above the pre-amp noise, then turn everything down before hitting the power amp. This resolved my biggest issue with this amp.

Watching you put things together really helps with understanding how things tick! This is an awesome upload!

I saw a mod where you change the first 12AX7 to a 12AT7 and that enables the clean volume to open slower. It also warms up the drive channel tone too.

Great video! I solved the volume problem on my Hot Rod Deluxe with a Weber Minimass, which is an attenuator, for real. I have been very happy with the Minimass, but now I am wondering if I could have achieved the same results for less cash by using your method. If only I had known about this trick a few years ago. Thanks for taking time to share your knowledge with us. Also, your video about putting an EQ pedal into the effects loop of a Hot Rod Deluxe has been life changing for me. I can finally get usable tones with the amp set to drive/more drive. Thank you so much for that!

And we’ve come full circle from taking the master volume out of the silver face” circuit to putting it back in! I never could afford a good blackface, but I do love some silver face fenders with master volumes! Thanks for the “how to!”

Thank you for this video. My son painted up an old pedal for me, now I'll be making my volume pedal soon for my hot rod deluxe. Thank you again for your diy.

I run an EQ in the loop, which has a volume slider that works like this as well. 👍

I came up with this a long time ago, on the Fender Discussion Page. During discussions of the original Blues Deluxe, I suggested patching a level controlling device, compressor, EQ with volume control or even a 100k Audio taper pot in a box. One FDP'r wanted to know what that would look like, I put up a crude BMP drawing. It was dubbed the "Volume Box." A few guys took my little drawing and started selling them on Ebay. The first guy does credit me. I didn't "invent" it. I had a comercial Ampeg pedal to use in my SVT loop in the mid 70's.

Good tip. Speaking of tips you are calling the sleeve connection ring on the Jack. The plugs and jacks go back over 100 years with the old telephone switchboards and electro-mechanical telephone switches. Tip Ring Sleeve are the three parts of the Jack and plug. Tip & Ring are the two that go out to your home land line if you still have one and ringing voltage ( usually 90v) would go down the Ring side of the line. In the switching office the sleeve is used for controlling or “holding” relays operated to hold up the call. Fast forward fifty years and stereo plugs used the same technology for left right and ground ( which the sleeve is). Mono plugs are just Tip and Sleeve. I don’t know anything about pedals and why I watch your videos which are great but I’m an old dinosaur telephone guy who worked on cord switchboards back in the day. Like this video showing how to make a master volume and using the amp send receive jacks to attenuate the volume. Two thumbs up!

Brian, thank you so much for this latest video. I use a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue amp which has the same volume issue. I happen to have the identical Ernie Ball volume pedal which you suggested as an option. I've always used this volume pedal in line with my guitar input and effects chain BUT NO LONGER. You've just totally transformed the usability of my amp, I can control the overall volume easily and now roll out as much of my amps natural hair/grit by using my guitar's volume pots beyond say 5 or 6, my go to guitar is a Gibson Les Paul Custom. I use a number of your pedals but this video has just completely increased my sound options and released the true versatility of my amp. You're a total star!

I’ve done this with a volume pedal for a few gigs, works great.

Sweet. Now for an encore. How to build a passive eq into this master volume mod and an overdrive with another passive eq inside that. All in 1 box. Lol

I made one out of a gutted DOD Grunge pedal, works like a charm for the clean channel of my amp - Great tutorial!

I know this was 6 years ago but as always, I really appreciate your videos, your humour, and your knowledge sharing. Thanks Brian!

Lmao "I'm not going to show you how to solder..." **Shows exactly how to solder the wire to the lug with pretty much professional fluidity and ease, in approximately five seconds as he's even saying it** "...its just that easy." Your videos rule, dude. I'm hooked. You should not show me how to do my taxes while we're at it.

Good stuff, maybe could use an EQ pedal like boss that has a volume .

This is brilliant. Thank you sir. I've always had problems controlling my volumes with this amp, but I love the sounds.

This is a great solution for controlling the volume when going straight into the Amp. A+++ solution. Ive been using a GT100 in mine in 4 cable method and inadvertently Ive just noticed that I am able to use the Amp volume in a controlled way similar to the mod.

Thank Brian. It's obvious and logical to me but this is a nice video for beginners and those starting along the technical route. The dog should and must wag the tail so guitarists really should learn to solder, rewire and customise their instruments.

Great video! Maybe a weird question but could you do more amp mod videos? For example the one wire mod on a plexi, I know its an easy mod but there is no video about how to do this.

You're a mad genius. ... That was FASCINATING. .... SUBSCRIBED! ... I've got a Hot Rod Deluxe and I'm gonna go the volume pedal route for now. ... my soldering confidence is very low. ...thank you Captain Electro!

I've been needing to see this video for a long time. I bought my 4 x 10 Deville in 1996... so, since then. Thanks man.

So much respect for Wampler and JHS. So down to earth

Can one use the volume box along with all your time based effects pedals in the loop....and if so, where does it go in the chain?

I just built this! Unreal how this opens up the amp! Thanks so much for the demo...this is amazing to me

Thanks Brian! This little trick also woks nicely to tame the send if your pedals in the loop don't like the signal too hot...

I know you probably won't see this, but for the hot rod deluxe, it would be nice to have a foot switch to turn the reverb on and off (instead of having to turn the knob up and down). Any ideas on how to do this?

Can you do a video compairing this to an attenuator?

Love this little box -- really helps keep a tight leash on an HRD. Thanks for the idea and the how-to!

I really enjoyed the tip on modding the HRD. I have one and I'm looking forward to giving it a go! Thank you very much!

These amps have a separate volume and drive knobs so what does this volume box do differently to the existing volume? Is it just that the original control is too sensitive or are you actually driving the tubes more somehow.

Could you similarly just use a volume pedal between the pre amp and power amp?

fantastic mod Brian really loved the DIY soldering and making stuff.would love to see you build more stuff on camera that we could maybe build ourselves 👍

This is awesome solution. You can also use a 12ad7 in the preamp section instead of a 12ax7. It significantly increases the use of the volume knob. I use the second channel with light drive so I can use my master volume.

Put an 12at6 preamp tube in the first position it dimes back the volume, you dont go from like zero to 5 in volume. Doesnt do what Brian is doing here , but at least its a cheap option if you dont have any sodering skills ( ala me :).

JHS makes a great one too “Little black box”

Good job Brian, you're a good trainer, basic, thorough and practical.

Cheers, I had a few jacks lying around from various guitars I upgraded to more sturdy ones and bought a 25k pot from Amazon for about $6. Had an old plastic enclosure I previously used as a Y splitter till I got a bypass tuner pedal, so I had it up and choking my FX loop in 20 minutes. Even had an old guitar volume knob that I could use. Works like a charm for getting a fuller sound at bedroom volumes on my Marshall 20h

So basically Fender to save $0.25 left off the master volume on this amp

My lack of electronics is going to bring me to posting this question why not use a 1 meg or 500k pot instead of the 100k, to retain brightness?

I made one of these with a true bypass switch in line so that I could run it on as a rhythm volume and off for lead. Great little trick, nice video, thanks!

Must be nice being Brian Wampler! You've got some really nice tricks up your sleeve. Quite a lot of them.. Wish I had your knack for electronics. Thanks for sharing some of your knowledge with the rest of us. Very cool of you..

Or... you just swap the V1 12AX7 tube with a 12AY7 tube.

I like these videos that you do very much. This one reminded me that I have one of these that I bought online for very little money years ago. I'm going to try it on my newer Peavey Bandit to see if I can crank the clean channel and keep the volume level low.

Thanks Brian! I asked this question on Facebook, and you've addressed it excellently. Thanks so much!

Thank you, sir! I built a box per your specs and it works like a charm! The Mrs and daughter are much happier, as am I so I can get my tone at a lower volume!

Thank you Brian for sharing your knowledge. I really like your videos and enjoy your style. May you see it multiplied in blessings in your life

Aw man! Thanks so much for this video! Been thinking about changing my V1 to an 12AT7 but I didn't really want to change my tone and this fixes my problem of wanting to get my amp 'hot' while keeping the volume down a bit. I've had an idea where I'm going try to measure the space between the in and out and create a box with jacks that come out of it directly at that spacing, so in theory there'll no need for patch cables. If it doesn't work, I'll just make new holes in the box! Wish me luck!

Thanks 4 this! Got the parts yesterday.. Just made. Didn't have a box so used an old smoke detector that I was gonna throw out. Briefly tested with my 60 dollar MIM Fender Deluxe. Cannot wait to play with it to try to find it's sweet spot now. Thanks again!!!

Fantastic video! I've made a couple of these for me and one for a friend, and I love 'em. You have to dial it waaaay down before things start to sound cruddy. Thanks for the tip. And FYI, in deference to my German heritage, I call mine the LautKnopf (LoudKnob). :-)

I did it today. Now I can play hot tubs with bedroom volume. Thanks, Mate. Greetings from the Polish Coast.

Great video Brian! would love to see more like these. hopefully you are still doing the Blues Jr video

Brian, awesome video! Can finally turn up on my fender at home. I'm interested in another video on how to do another volume box with those extras you mentioned at the end of this video. Tone, faux-pressence knobs and see what that sounds like to play with. Keep up the awesome instructionals~

lil volume box like that is such a handy piece of equipment for touring artist, fly gigs or venues with back lines can lead to needing a volume box like this

Thanks for posting Brian, I always learn something from you.

Almost commented to ask whether this is the same as using a volume pedal in the loop. Glad I wait until the end of the video. LOL

Thanks! Really simple, and it made my Fender Hot Rod Deville much easier to use in my home studio.

That's a brilliant idea Brian.... that's why you're the Man!!! I've never heard a bad product with your name on it.... keep doing what your doing 👍

To be honest, I thought that by using it I would get the same fizzy sound out from the second channel of my bugera v22. I tried this anyway and the truth is that the amp sounds almost as good as it would ("open" sound) if it was cranked but at lower volume! Yeah, Brian thumbs up man!

I love they way you have fun with these videos, so refreshing to not be overly serious. Can you do this too on a Triple Rectifier?

Thats pretty slick. My hot rod Deville has been collecting dust for years. I go back to it every once and a while, and quickly remember why it is moth balled. It is very dark, loud and the over drive is crap. I cant bring myself to sell it, so this may be just the thing to give it a second chance. Thanks!!!

You are definitely in your element bro!

I am going to make me one of these tomorrow! Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work!

Just made this thing, it works!!!! I am very happy (so are my neighbours...). I spent 8 Euro on the parts, so it is very cheap to make. Thanks from Holland for your video.

Yep, a very good use for my EHX Signal Pad pedal. It works on instrument and line levels -- with a quite nice finishing. And it is cheap. Good video btw!!!

I built one of these for a Peavey Classic 30, essential for home playing. But also when playing live if your turn the amp up too much the fx in the loop will clip, so you can reel it back a bit with a volume knob.

I made one of these a while ago to tame my Blues Deluxe Reissue. It works ok, but I also fitted treble bleed circuits (just a resistor & capacitor from ebay) to my guitars, so I can use the guitar's volume control to reduce the level without the tone going muddy. I prefer this method.

Just tried this on blues deluxe reissue. Works great. Many thanks.

Thanks for helping the DIY folks. That keeps it interesting and fun.

Thanks Brian ! Your videos are always very helpful.

Thanks Brian. I love building pedals and I love learning! I also have a Blues Deville collecting dust because the kids are upstairs :) Awesome solution. Thanks for the posts!

Imma build one just for sheets and giggles. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

You can replace the 12AX7 in the first stage or two of the pre-amp with a 12AU7 or similar lower gain tubes to quieten the amp down also.

Was going to buy the JHS little black amp box for my Hot Rod Deluxe. Stubbled across this video and turned an old self made boost pedal into this instead. Saved £50. Put said £50 towards a Euphoria instead. Happy as a pig in you know what. Cheers Brian!

I did this for my Fender Blues Deluxe: I think I used a 250k pot as it's all I had to hand but it worked fine. Cheers Bri :)

Thanks Brian. I suppose you could use a clean boost, turned down, or a simple volume pedal, but.... I'm gonna do it. My first Pedal build!!!!

Very cool. I might just pull the jacks out and wire in a pot in one of the holes. I have a few of these in various states of disrepair. I never use effects loops. Thanks for the vid!

Brian thank you for this! To extend the HRD mod discussion, is it possible to add a footswitch for turning the reverb on and off?

i like how you cited your sources

In case you already have something into your effects loop and have an extra hole or space to drill one on the back of your amp, like me... you can put a potentiometer there without having to mess up with Jacks. To me a 1nF capacitor was mandatory, because when I turned my effects loop volume down there was I huge treble loss. A volume pedal could be great, but you'll need two long cables to reach you effects loop and by the way you'll add capacitance, buzz and maybe hum... if you're lucky!

Great tutorial! Do you find this affects the general clean tone in any way?

Thanks a lot, specially with the volume pedal that i was'nt using, now i think i'm going to keep my Hot Rod Deville 212. Thanks again!!!