Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $1,094
High-end/Boutique
$300
$701+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
Introducing the Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe, a 40-watt combo amplifier with a difference. This is no ordinary amp - it's been fine-tuned to meet the exacting standards of renowned jazz guitar virtuoso and pop artist George Benson. With its powerful bottom end characteristic of 6L6 tubes and its flexible all-tube preamp, this amp is designed to deliver crystal clear tones that will make your guitar sing.
The Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe doesn't just sound great, it looks the part too. With exterior touches specified by Benson himself, including a sleek gray-black vinyl covering, a silver-strand grille cloth, and a distinctive "GB" logo badge, this amp has a stage presence all of its own. But it's not just about looks - the amp's solid-pine cabinet not only enhances tonal resonance but also reduces weight, making it a practical choice for gigging musicians.
Key Features:
- A 40-watt 1x12-inch combo amplifier fine-tuned for George Benson
- Full bottom-end characteristic of 6L6 tubes
- All-tube preamp, including a 12AT7 for cleaner tones
- A 100-watt Jensen C12K speaker for clarity and range
- Solid-pine cabinet for enhanced tonal resonance and reduced weight
- Clean and "drive/more-drive" channels
- Resounding Fender spring reverb and effects loop
- Personalized exterior touches including gray-black vinyl covering, silver-strand grille cloth, and "GB" logo badge
- Includes a road-worthy deluxe padded cover and two-button footswitch.
Product specs
| Type | Tube |
| Number of Channels | 2 |
| Total Power | 40W |
| Speaker Size | 1 x 12" |
| Preamp Tubes | 1 x 12AT7, 2 x 12AX7 |
| Power Tubes | 2 x 6L6 |
| Reverb | Yes |
| EQ | 3-band |
| Inputs | 2 x 1/4" |
| Effects Loop | Yes |
| Footswitch I/O | 1 x 1/4" (channel, drive) |
| Footswitch Included | Yes, 2-button footswitch |
| Bias Type | Adjustable Fixed |
| Construction Material | Solid Pine with Gray Tolex |
| Power Source | Fixed AC cable |
| Height | 18.75" |
| Width | 23.5" |
| Depth | 10.5" |
| Weight | 43 lbs. |
FAQs
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What are the tonal characteristics of the Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe?
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The Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe offers a warm, clean tone with a strong midrange, ideal for jazz and blues. Its 40-watt power and 12-inch speaker provide a rich, full sound suitable for both small gigs and studio sessions.
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Is the Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe suitable for gigging?
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Yes, the 40-watt output of the Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe is powerful enough for gigging, providing ample volume and headroom to cut through a live band setting.
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Does the Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe take pedals well?
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The Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe is known for its excellent pedal compatibility, thanks to its clean tone and effects loop, allowing for seamless integration of effects pedals into your setup.
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What is unique about the construction of the Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe?
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This amplifier features a solid pine construction with Gray Tolex, which contributes to its lightweight design and enhances its resonant sound quality.
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Can the Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe be used for both clean and overdriven sounds?
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Yes, the amp has two channels, allowing you to switch between pristine clean tones and a classic overdriven sound, making it versatile for different musical styles.
Videos
Fender
George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe | Fender
George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe | Fender
Fender
Fender George Benson GB Hot Rod Deluxe Amp Demo
PMTVUK
Review of the Fender George Benson amp
Phillip McKnight
NAMM '13 - Fender 57 Bandmaster and George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe Combo
Premier Guitar
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe George Benson - Demo Español
Organigrama Guitars
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III George Benson Signature | Playthrough Demo
ChoptonesOfficial
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe George Benson Signature Model Review with Demo
Consordini
Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe
FenderUSAOfficial
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe "George Benson" Signature | Great Tube Amp for Blues and Jazz
every single guitars.
Fender GB Hot Rod Deluxe George Benson Signature 3-Channel 40-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo Demo
Ryan's Custom Shop and Gear Outlet
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptionally quiet operation with no noise when not playing
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High-quality build and sound, considered best by some
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Excellent price to value ratio, offering high-end features for less
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Custom tuning and tube choices enhance tonal quality
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Aesthetically pleasing, unique design departure from traditional Fender amps
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Ideal for jazz, old rock, pop, blues, soul, R&B, gospel, and classic rock
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Warm, clean tones with a bit of crunch available on demand
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Takes pedals well, allowing for versatile sound shaping
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Lightweight design with a finger-joined solid pine cabinet
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Features like send/receive extend its utility for various setups
CONS
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Shared tone controls may not balance well between clean and distortion channels for some tastes
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Some users may find the distortion channel slightly thin compared to the clean channel
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe.
Features and functionality
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The amp is noted for its loudness, often played at just 2-3/10 volume in apartments to avoid excessive noise.
Source -
The George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe can have its volume managed with a Dr. Watson Lion Tamer in the effects loop, allowing for natural breakup at lower outputs.
Source -
The amp includes a presence control and speaker outputs that support using a second cab alongside the internal speaker for enhanced sound versatility.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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Many owners replace the drive channel with an overdrive pedal on the clean channel for better sound quality.
Source -
Owners recommend using a 12AT7 in the V1 position to make the volume increase more gradually.
Source -
Adding a JHS Little Black Amp Box in the effects loop is suggested to control volume more effectively during bedroom practice.
Source -
Users recommend replacing the stock speaker with a Jensen Jet Tornado for weight reduction and improved sound when pushed with pedals.
Source -
Installing an MXR 10-band EQ in the effects loop significantly enhances tone and allows the volume and gain settings to act as attenuators on the clean channel.
Source -
Swapping the V1 preamp tube with a 12AY7 helps manage volume spikes, allowing for higher volume levels on stage without overwhelming the audience.
Source
Comparisons
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The George Benson model differs primarily by having a Jensen C12K speaker and a lower gain preamp tube compared to the standard Hot Rod Deluxe.
Source -
Users compare the HRD's volume output to feeling like a 100W full stack, despite being only 40W, noting its loudness surpasses expectations for a single 12" speaker.
Source -
Owners find significant tonal improvements when running the amp through a 2x12 cab with Celestion V30 and Creamback speakers, highlighting the amp's potential beyond its stock setup.
Source
Build quality
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The pine cabinet in the George Benson model is considered a notable upgrade over other materials.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 10 Ratings
161
Benson hot rod deluxe
I absolutely love this hot rod amp! It is a bit lighter than the others. It has a finger joined solid pine cab, which really does make a difference. I changed the speaker to an alnico cream and it is wonderful even on the drive channel. It has the stock tubes, AT7 in V1 and they are great for this amp. Definitely a good buy on used market.
Clean tones
I chose this instead of the 65 reverb as it has send and receive as well as a very clean amp
Artist usage
Add artist
"And so they (Fender), changed the tube. They gave me more headroom. You could turn it up to five or six, and the sound got bigger. It ain't gonna go no where. It ain't gonna run out and distort on you." - George Benson
What are using for amps these days? I prefer a Fender Twin for the most part. I was one of the first to use a Twin; I got one in Detroit and liked the extra bite. I like a fat, warm sound, so I set the Treble lower, the Bass medium, and pump up the Middle. I sometimes use a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus as a substitute. When I don’t have to play loud, I might use an old Polytone or Heritage Kenny Burrell amp. I am also checking out the new Fender George Benson 1×12 for smaller gigs.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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