Fender Tonemaster Twin users

[Dan Beller-McKenna]

Welllllllllp....

After an extensive google search (which followed an extensive, frustrating, rage-inducing, futile attempt to update my firmware) I believe I am the first human being on the face of the earth who was not able to successfully update the reverb firmware on my Tone Master. After innumerable attempts, the computer never saw the amp.

I tried following the directions exactly a good six or seven times before a few attempts where I slightly altered the sequence of steps (when to plug in USB, how long to hold the button, etc.). The red light blinked as advertised every time, as did the jewel light in front. I tried two separate mini USB cables that connect other devices to my laptop without ever having had a problem. These cables fit perfectly into the USB slot under the chassis, so I seriously doubt they are some super-secret-special one-of-a-kind USB that is incompatible with the identical USB cable.

Nada.

What is especially aggravating is that I never even use the reverb on this amp(!) Just thought I should check it out for the sake of thoroughness.

[Jerry Van Hoose]

Dan, don’t feel badly as I didn’t even attempt it. I just don’t perform these tasks very well however, my wife briefly took a break from her work one evening and updated the firmware in my Fender Twin Reverb Tone Master in only a couple of minutes. She said it was easy if I would just watch & learn. Prior to the firmware update, I was dialing in the reverb on about 2. Afterward, the reverb now sounds very good between 4 & 5 alone, without using outboard delay. Presently, I’m only using my LDG, Goodrich & Fender Twin Reverb Tone Master with excellent results.

[Dan Beller-McKenna]

Thanks, Jerry. I'm very comfortable and confident with loading and updating things on the computer. This one just didn't work.

[Jerry Van Hoose]

Dan, I understand, sorry it didn’t work.

[Brooks Montgomery]

I haven't done the reverb update yet, and Dan, your story has scared me from trying. Maybe if Rick Heins is reading, he'll repost some suggestions and tips again on doing the reverb update.

[Ken Metcalf]

I did the update and it seemed to work easy with no problems?

[Dan Beller-McKenna]

My failed attempt didn’t do any harm to the amp; I would go ahead and do it, Brooks.

Also, I’m pretty sure my case was unique. A Google search turned up absolutely zero evidence of anyone else ever having this issue . Guess I’m just special.

[George Macdonald]

I had trouble too until I found out that you have to use a USB cable that will handle data. Never new before that there were differences. If you read the instructions, it does mention this.

[Dan Beller-McKenna]

I kept thinking that must be the problem, George. But the two cables I tried both transmit data between my laptop and other USB devices. Still, maybe I need to try yet another cable? Clearly, there is something I'm doing wrong.

[Roy McKinney]

My cell phone cable worked just fine

[Larry Dering]

Dan, on windows 10 it just shows up as the F drive. I then dragged and dropped the image file to that drive and it loaded. That's all I seen. My cable was a charging and data cable.

[Steve Spitz]

I did the mod, but like you it didn’t work. With the help of Fender tech support I learned not all cables are “data” cables.

Some cables just charge the device, but don’t send data, so you’ll go through the steps, and no download.

Got the USB cable that transfers data, approx $6. From big box store. Bingo, mission accomplished.

Hope that helps.

[Dan Beller-McKenna]

As will surprise no one, I was just stupidly wrong about my cable. Bought a new cable at Staples and the update went swimmingly. Reverb actually sounds quite good; I think I'll use it!

[Larry Dering]

Dan that's great news. Yes I also like the improved reverb and it's very usable.Plus it seems to have darkened the amp a bit which is also to my liking.

[Jerry Overstreet]

Some thoughts on the TM Twin. I just watched the Fender video and I thought the reverb sounded just fine. I don't know when that was recorded, so it could have updates. This was all guitars too, no pedal steel so...

My use would be double duty for guitar and pedal steel, so the questions I have is about switching between them on the same show. I would want presets for ea. instrument and wouldn't want to be dinking with the eq controls every time I switch instruments. The normal channel is completely dry, so I guess you'd have to have 'verb and delay pedals if you used that one for steel?

I guess I'm used to channel switchers so that you can have preset eq's etc. for ea. instrument, so how do you guys that use it for double duty handle this?

[Doug Taylor]

Jerry if you ever want to take a 30 minute drive down 64 you are welcome to come try mine in person!

[Jerry Van Hoose]

Dan👍😀.

[Jerry Overstreet]

Thanks Doug! I may do that if I can ever get away. 😩

[Larry Dering]

Jerry. I use the clean channel with a reverb pedal for guitar. Works great for me. Boss RV3 gives me reverb and delay. I did the same thing with a Quilter micropro mach2 combo. Both are 2 channel amps.