Fender Mustang II

Al_F · #1 06-02-2011, 03:42 PM

I picked one of these over the long weekend to get a practice amp that sounds decent clean. I was after a cube, but I really am digging how the tones coming out.

I set-up a Deluxe Reverb, a Twin with a little reverb and a delay in the effects rack, and it just sounds glorious. The Fuse software is a blast to work with though it can get in the way of practice if you keep fiddling with it. Overall, I really like this thing.

Stackabones · #2 06-02-2011, 08:03 PM

Some of my students have either the I or the II. Cool amps. My dad just picked up the III. He's having a blast with it. I love the Fender models and the 'verb is really cool.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #3 06-02-2011, 10:23 PM

Congrats. I've been reading that most folks prefer the III over the II -- the speaker is nicer and the display is more convenient.

Retroman1969 · #4 06-03-2011, 06:05 AM

I had a I, nice little amp, but I found it played fairly well with some guitars but not others. With all those settings I found the versatility was limited to Rock, Hard Rock, Acid Rock, and Metal.
Have been curious about how the IIs and IIIs stack up though. Heard nice things about them.

Al_F · #5 06-03-2011, 09:08 AM

I bet the III sounds very nice with a good speaker, and the extra watts. The display would be nice to have as well.

spiral · #6 06-03-2011, 10:36 AM

I bought the III because it was open-back. I would have preferred the smaller II w/ no display.

BDLH turned me on to the mustang and is to blame for me buying it. As a long-time Fender tube owner I will let you know what I think when it arrives.

RonD · #7 06-03-2011, 11:02 AM

@spiral, Looking forward to your review. I'm thinkin' I might have to try these out.

23skidoo · #8 06-03-2011, 06:02 PM

I'm no expert (this is the my first amp - always played acoustic) but I just got a III today and it's great fun. I played LOTS of amps and talked to folks at different dealers and this seemed to be the most bang for the buck. For $300 I couldn't find a better option considering versatility and sound. The interface really is easy to use, especially with option of plugging it into the computer and really tweaking the models. In about 10 minutes, I had a nice custom preset for my Godin archtop, warm and fat and I really don't know what I'm doing yet.... doesn't sound too 'digital' to my ears at all. I play with a guy that has an old Twin Reverb for his Rhodes piano - I'm curious to do a side-by-side comparison.....

Ric Lee · #9 06-03-2011, 08:34 PM

Had A Deluxe Vintage modified that I sold as I wanted something a bit more portable. The cleans compare very well between the two and I think so far with the Princeton setting on the Mustang III I prefer it over the Deluxe VM as the (tonal focus?) seems to shift in a different direction with each amp modeled on the Mustang. The Princeton setting seems to fit my hollowbody better than just the stock Deluxe VM. Though the Deluxe was a good clean amp in it of itself.
I went to a used music store that had tons of amps and ended up walking out with the Mustang III. Good portable amp built in graphical tuner! haha

Al_F · #10 06-03-2011, 10:05 PM

I spent some time tonight testing the mustang II against the only tube amp i have, a AC4 (10'' speaker) and it is really close. As disclaimer I'm a re-entry player and the amps I've owned have been a Westbury, Lab Series L7, ac4 and a micro-cube, and the Mustang. So my ear isn't what I'm sure most of yours is in terms of tone discernment.

So, what I heard was, the Mustang Vox model is very close to the Ac4. The Ac4 has something more, a little more articulation, creaminess between the notes but the Mustang isn't far off.

I set up a Vox model with an overdrive pedal in front of the amp, reverb behind the amp, and it was chilling how it sensitive it was to the attack with soft touch being nice and clear and hard attack adding a bit of dirt to the tone. It's really impressive.

I'm guessing the Fender models are more authentic and it will be cool to hear what players who know fender tube amps find since I bet the Fender models are better than the Vox, or Marshall models in the Mustang.

spiral · #11 06-07-2011, 01:01 PM

I got to play the Mustang III last night, but i got one with the cursed "Obnoxious tail end fizz / distortion". To me it sounds like a DSP that doesn't have enough voltage. I've heard this in my looper (EH 2880 needed to be sent back to EH and modded) and delay (EH Memory Boy--returned it). I updated the firmware but think it is more of a hardware issue since the fizz is only on the speaker output, not on the headphones. My uneducated guess is that when the amp needs to drive the speaker there isn't enough voltage to go around for everyone, and the DSP starts to "sag", or whatever it is digital parts do when they are underpowered.

If there is a fix for that, the amp will sound amazing and i will likely cast off tube amps.

Ric Lee · #12 06-07-2011, 07:04 PM

spiral, how loud are you playing it? I also have the Mustang III... I'm probably not going to be using anything except the clean tones on it.

spiral · #13 06-07-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric Lee

spiral, how loud are you playing it? I also have the Mustang III... I'm probably not going to be using anything except the clean tones on it.

Not a volume / distortion issue. It is a digital aliasing issue. Like i mentioned, it isn't present on the headphones. I am using the most basic clean / barebones presets. Here is an audio example:

FenderFizz by spiesTeleviv on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

Ric Lee · #14 06-07-2011, 07:58 PM

I definitely hear what you are talking about, as I can hear it with each note you play in the sample. I tried to replicated it on my Mustang III but I really couldn't hear it even putting my ear really close and having the volume pretty loud.

Pretty weird.

spiral · #15 06-07-2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric Lee

I definitely hear what you are talking about, as I can hear it with each note you play in the sample. I tried to replicated it on my Mustang III but I really couldn't hear it even putting my ear really close and having the volume pretty loud.

That's good news then. Some people had the problem rectified with the newer firmware.

At this point i'm just trying to figure out if it is a hardware issue that can be repaired (good--fixable) or the Mustang is too sensitive to poor voltage (bad--i would have to move). Overall i want to keep it if possible because i think it sounds great. I will call Fender in the AM and see what they say. Sorry to threadjack, the amp has great potential.

RonD · #16 06-07-2011, 08:04 PM

spiral, was it there from the beginning? Did you get to try it before you bought it?

spiral · #17 06-07-2011, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonD

spiral, was it there from the beginning? Did you get to try it before you bought it?

I bought it online, so: yes; no. It is a known issue on the Fender forums.

RonD · #18 06-07-2011, 08:15 PM

hmm... I was intrigued. Now I'm having second thoughts.

spiral · #19 06-07-2011, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonD

hmm... I was intrigued. Now I'm having second thoughts.

It's great if you can play one first and don't have an issue. It does sound really fantastic (using my imagination).

RonD · #20 06-07-2011, 08:20 PM

So, if it sounds good at the beginning, I'm OK?
I have a couple of dealers nearby, and one of them would have no issues exchanging it if there is a problem... at least in the first 30 days.

spiral · #21 06-07-2011, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonD

So, if it sounds good at the beginning, I'm OK?
I have a couple of dealers nearby, and one of them would have no issues exchanging it if there is a problem... at least in the first 30 days.

Not sure yet. I am trying to figure that out. Yes the problem would be there from the beginning. For some, firmware has solved it, for others, it hasn't. I'll let you know what Fender says. I really want this to work out which is why i am bothering in the first place, so i think you should try one.

RonD · #22 06-07-2011, 08:30 PM

Thanks Brother. I appreciate your replies!
If I can get 80% of the sound of the originals... without the WEIGHT... you know what I mean.

Ric Lee · #23 06-07-2011, 09:16 PM

Now that I think about I remember having that exact same kind of artifact when playing an old ZOOM multi-effects pedals I had at least 10 years back...

when I was in my young teens though it was a bit louder and very annoying.

I believe these amps are fairly new release so these things can sometimes happen with different iterations of the amp and production lines etc.
I would of definitely heard this at the store as I bought it used and played this amp along with many others for at least 2 hours or more...yeah I'd send them the audio sample if possible as this should definitely be covered.

billkath · #24 06-08-2011, 04:46 AM

If you believe it's power related-have you tried plugging the amp into a UPS strip- one that gives a regulated output?

spiral · #25 06-08-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billkath

If you believe it's power related-have you tried plugging the amp into a UPS strip- one that gives a regulated output?

I have indeed, but no love. Most of the outlets in our house measure a pretty stable 117.5v as well. I called Fender this AM and will report back.

Meggy · #26 06-08-2011, 12:15 PM

I am pretty interested in the Mustang 3, but a little concerned by the talk of Fender fizz on some. Certainly a bit annoying I can't just go ahead and order one online, since the price is really superb. I will try to find one at a store to try though.

On another note, would anyone say there is a killer amp model/setting on the Mustangs for a more traditional jazz guitar tone? i.e. good for use with an archtop. Or is it good for jazz, but in a more modern context?

Cheers!

Al_F · #27 06-08-2011, 12:49 PM

The Deluxe Reverb and Twin models with a little bit of reverb added, is what I've been using on my amp 90% of the time playing clean. You can select 3-4 kinds of reverb, can't remember which one I left one. Fortunately my amp doesn't fizz.

spiral · #28 06-08-2011, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meggy

On another note, would anyone say there is a killer amp model/setting on the Mustangs for a more traditional jazz guitar tone? i.e. good for use with an archtop. Or is it good for jazz, but in a more modern context

It's hard to say without knowing what kind of amps you like. The Mustang models tube amps from Fender, Marshall, and Vox. FWIW there are a bunch of jazz presets on the Fuse user submitted preset page: https://fuse.fender.com/presets.php/genre/Jazz

Here are the amps modeled:

Quote:

’57 Deluxe™, ’59 Bassman®, ’57 Champ®, ’65 Deluxe Reverb®, ’65 Princeton® Reverb, ’65 Twin Reverb®, Super-Sonic™, British '60s, British '70s, British '80s, American '90s, Metal 2000;

Meggy · #29 06-08-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al_F

The Deluxe Reverb and Twin models with a little bit of reverb added, is what I've been using on my amp 90% of the time playing clean. You can select 3-4 kinds of reverb, can't remember which one I left one. Fortunately my amp doesn't fizz.

Cheers - I do take some encouragement from your amp's lack of fizz - certainly I will try to play through one at least.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiral

It's hard to say without knowing what kind of amps you like. The Mustang models tube amps from Fender, Marshall, and Vox. FWIW there are a bunch of jazz presets on the Fuse user submitted preset page: https://fuse.fender.com/presets.php/genre/Jazz

Here are the amps modeled:

Thanks for the information spiral. Interesting to know that there are jazz presets being developed by users. Apologies also for not being specific on what amps I like - tone is such a subjective thing that I find it hard. From a jazz point of view, I do like most of the classic 50's/60's guitarists: Wes, Kessel, Jimmy Raney, Jim Hall. If you could get something like a Kessel tone out of the Mustang, that would be pretty cool! I may not be making much sense here, and still not being very amp-specific, so don't worry if I'm not making it easy... I admit to not having a lot of experience with Fender amps also - maybe I just need to try the thing.

Doctor Jeff · #30 06-08-2011, 04:43 PM

OK, talk me out of or into a Mustang.

I have been GASing for a Princeton '65 Reverb Reissue for quite awhile. I just love small tube amps, and that one has a particularly nice warm jazzy tone to me.

The Mustang 3 does emulate many Fender models including the Princeton, but I am skeptical that it would sound quite like the real thing. I did try to play one once at a Guitar Center but given the complicated interface and general loudness of that particular establishment I gave up.

Anyway, what do you think? It's half the price of a new Reverb Reissue...