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I play in a band that plays and tours regularly. I play a Fender Hot Rod DeVille 212 and in most cases it seems to be overkill. I just found a guy that wants to trade a Fender "White Lightning" Hot Rod Deluxe plus $75 (plus he is driving an hour to make the trade). Does that sound like a fair deal? I think the 40watts will be better for me than 60watts but just looking for some opinions...I'm not sure I've ever played a Deluxe but I would guess it's a similar sound?

Ultimately, this is a question that only you can answer. I don't know much about Fender amps, so I don't know if that deal adds up properly in terms of values, but assuming that it does:

You will have the advantage of being able to compare these amps side by side, so you can see which one you prefer. Find out if the guy will do a temporary swap, so that you can get the chance to play the new amp at a band practise/gig situation. The most important thing though, is that if the guy does come to make the swap, and you don't like the amp, then don't feel pressured into going through with it just because he's made a long trip. Remember, you don't owe the guy anything.

The guy with the 2x12 will end up with the better amp. More than $75 better.

Not much love for Hotrod Deluxes.

Are you in the US? Get an old Fender Super Reverb/Deluxe Reverb etc secondhand - they're dirt cheap. The Hod Rod series is dire in comparison.

i'm assuming you're talking about silverface or reissues, mike. 'cause blackface units will cost well over a grand for those amps.
but, yeah, a super reverb is probably the way to go. trading a deville for a deluxe is a bad trade on your end.

Either way, you can get a better Fender amp than those for the money if you're in teh States. That's undeniable.

yeah. and a silverface super reverb is a solid choice. the deville is good for tube noobs, but quickly loses its appeal once you realize what else is out there.

I would probably go for a 1x12"/2x12" Avatar Cab and a Bassman if I was over there, taht could be got for $500 second hand amp and new cab all day. But that's because I'm a head and cab guy.

also, the '80s "concert" amps are great for the price. and they're still hand-wired, all-tube amps. the reverb on them is pretty nice.

WERD.
Try to get away from the HOT ROD series. They skank.

DON'T DO IT!

I like my Hot Rod Deluxe, but the 1-12" setup is so limiting. I think the HRD series are great starter tube amps, but they aren't anywhere near a Silverface Deluxe or Super. The Reissue blackfaces can be found for less money, but they are all PCB construction. They are great, until something goes wrong. A lot of techs won't touch them. Pussies, the lot of them.

I use a Silverface Twin now, and the difference is HUGE.

I'll join in the dislike for the Hot Rods...
The guitarist in my band uses one and it's given him nothing but trouble...
We were recording yesterday with it and spent an hour unsucessfully trying to get a decent sound out of it... we eventually tried an old red knob Fender transistor amp, and it sounded loads better...
He's gonna sell it soon and buy a AC30...

i miss my USA hot rod deluxe. it was a great amp.

i miss my bassman ten even more.

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I'll pass on the deal. I'll hold onto my DeVille until something better comes along.