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Topic: New Amp Day - my confession |
Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 20 Oct 2013 11:58 am |
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I have very mixed emotions about this post. For years I have gigged with a custom built Twin Reverb or my customized Standel Artist 2x12. I also have a favorite Magnatone Varsity Deluxe that I love for recording. I love vintage amps and the sounds only they can make - or so I thought.
So I found this wicked little demon whispering into my brain for a couple of years now that maybe all of this devotion to vintage (and HEAVY) gear is lost on the audiences I play for. After all, your average bar patron couldn't tell vintage tone from shinola. That and a desire to keep my spine intact, caused me to rethink my position.
After a bitter struggle with my conscience, I finally took the plunge yesterday and bought this Fender Mustang III. It is a delightful 34 lbs and what's better, the thing actually sounds great. I think they get a bad rap because all of the pre-sets are utter crap. Every one of them is drenched with too much echo, reverb, distortion and other odious effects. But if you strip them down, the amp models sound remarkably good. Not blindfold test perfect, but good sounding nonetheless. I have even created some 40s - 50s vintage tones (i.e., early Fender tweed Pro) that I have been unable to get from my current stable of amps.
I haven't gigged it yet, but if my music room trials hold true, I may have a new #1. I can't believe I am saying this.
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Chris Boyd
From:
Leonia,N.J./Charlestown,R.I.
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Posted 20 Oct 2013 1:00 pm
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I too have a load of vintage amps because they are what I grew up hearing and playing.. I applaud your ability to shake it up ..Please let us all know how you like the amp in a live setting...
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https://www.reverbnation.com/bigredandtheresonators |
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Stephen Abruzzo
From:
Philly, PA
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Posted 20 Oct 2013 1:06 pm
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A bunch of people on other sites have mostly praised the Fender Mustang series of amps. It does enough things pretty well to earn unanimous praise as an excellent cost-effective amp. The fact that you can make your own "pre-sets" or "patches" and not use the "factory presets" is an advantage too.
Of note though is the opinion by some that if Yamaha can figure out a way to take their fabulous THR10 amp series and turn it into a 50 or 100 watt amp that they will corner they market. |
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Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
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Posted 20 Oct 2013 3:40 pm
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If it sounds good, it *is* good.
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To write with a broken pencil is pointless. |
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Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
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Posted 20 Oct 2013 3:45 pm
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My Mustang I is my favorite practise amp. If it was louder, I might gig with it. The problem is that you get more "girlie attention" playing a vintage amp. Oh, I forgot, I'm a steel player. Nothings helps. : )
I think all the 'stang amps sound good.
_________________
To write with a broken pencil is pointless. |
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Doug Palmer
From:
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 20 Oct 2013 4:52 pm Amps
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Tom, when I play the only attention I get is from Vintage Girlies.
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Emmons D-10, ST-10,LD-10 III, NV-112,Fender Deluxe Reverb. Authorized wholesale dealer musicorp.com! |
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Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
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Posted 20 Oct 2013 6:08 pm
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Or the young ones come up and stare at me for a second, then say " you look just like my grandad"
_________________
To write with a broken pencil is pointless. |
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Daniel Policarpo
From:
Kansas City
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Posted 21 Oct 2013 5:55 pm
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I was underwhelmed trying out a Tele through a Mustang amp a couple years ago. As noted, just a bunch of bad heavy metal noise with too much echo.
Well over the weekend I took my steel to the regional music shop to try out their array in the amp room. Mostly newer Fender stuff,also some Line 6, Vox, Genz Benz, etc and a couple Fender Mustang amps. I tried about all they had, some quicker than others, but the sales clerk had taken the time to download and tweak a real nice Twin Reverb setup on the Mustang IV that sounded better than the Twin Reverb RI right across the room. I did not expect that.
I give up.
These Mustang amps sound great! |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 22 Oct 2013 7:25 am
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| Exactly my experience Daniel. Fender is probably not hurting for sales, but I think more, let's say "experienced" players would take the Mustangs seriously if Fender put some of the basic unadorned tweed and blackface models at the beginning of the presets. |
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Daniel Policarpo
From:
Kansas City
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Posted 23 Oct 2013 2:43 am
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| Well, I'm glad you had the guts to post your experience, Tim. For me it was especially timely, and the whole internal consciousness debate is a big part of it. If Fender had provided a more plausible "Twin Reverb" preset, it wouldn't have taken me two years to get from point A to point B. I reckon there are many who never will get past point A, or even make it to Point A. It almost stands against every iota of personal experience, ideals, and logic, but there it is. It will probably be staring me right in the face everyday in a couple of weeks. |
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