Fender Mustang II

[Meggy]

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]

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]

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:

’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]

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.

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]

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...

[spiral]

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

Depends. What are your priorities? Weight? Sound? Price? Variety / flexibility of sounds?

For me the priority was to have an amp that could be used at very low volumes, still maintain the character of a classic Fender tube amp w/realistic spring reverb, all without the buzz + hum or yearly tube replacement of a vintage tube amp. I think it gets an overall A-. (D- if we consider the busted-ness) The spring reverb falls a little bit short but i haven't fully investigated all settings yet. I don't think it sounds exactly like a Deluxe Reverb or Princeton, but it does get really close, and generally sounds like a Fender tube amp. It's close enough for me given my priorities.

I sold my Princeton and Deluxe Reverb but when/if i ever get the Mustang III fixed, i will compare it to my Carr Rambler.

[Meggy]

It turns out my local guitar store has a Mustang III in (at only £10 more than the internet price - very reasonable I think). I am planning to try it out, probably Wednesday next week, so will let people here know my impressions. Sadly they don't have a Cube 80XL to compare it with (the other amp on my short-list), but they do have a Cube 40XL. If I can get (what for me) is a better jazz tone out of the 40XL, then I will have to make my excuses, and find an 80XL to buy elsewhere! But at the moment I'm reasonably optimistic about the Mustang (assuming no evident fizz) so we will see.

[Steve Cat]

I have the Mustang I and really like it. Plenty loud for playing around the house. The clean fender sounds are very much like their tube cousins. I especially like the Deluxe Reverb and Princeton. The Champ to me doesn't sound as much like an old Champ to me, but it is missing the hiss and crackle of the vintage one I had. My guess is that very old 6" speaker on the original had much to do with its charming sound. I can't believe a $99 amp sounds this good. Between the amp and my American Special Strat I am extremely pleased with what Fender has done to offer a low priced combo.

[Meggy]

I have the Mustang I and really like it. Plenty loud for playing around the house. The clean fender sounds are very much like their tube cousins. I especially like the Deluxe Reverb and Princeton. The Champ to me doesn't sound as much like an old Champ to me, but it is missing the hiss and crackle of the vintage one I had. My guess is that very old 6" speaker on the original had much to do with its charming sound. I can't believe a $99 amp sounds this good. Between the amp and my American Special Strat I am extremely pleased with what Fender has done to offer a low priced combo.

I know plenty of guitarists have liked various Fender amps for their clean sounds, for jazz, over the years. So if I try the Mustang, and the modelling seems to be up to the job of replicating those nice clean jazz sounds (and the fizz problem mentioned earlier is not there) then I will find it very tempting indeed. At the moment I'm completely torn between the Mustang III, and a Roland Cube 80XL - clearly I need to try them both, which I will in a few days. But thanks from me for the positive review of the Mustang, very helpful and encouraging!

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

Not to muddy the waters, but another small, versatile, Fender you may want to try is the SCXD (Super Champ XD). It's a hybrid amp with power tubes (a pair of 6V6's for 15 tube watts) and modeling. One 10" speaker, and 24lbs (louder, but the same weight as the Mustang II).

[Meggy]

Not to muddy the waters, but another small, versatile, Fender you may want to try is the SCXD (Super Champ XD). It's a hybrid amp with power tubes (a pair of 6V6's for 15 tube watts) and modeling. One 10" speaker, and 24lbs (louder, but the same weight as the Mustang II).

Muddy away Big Daddy, I don't mind! Looks a very nice little amp, available for around £280 in the UK - somehow I find the Mustang 3 more tempting though, and I am a bit wary of tube amps somehow - ridiculous of me I know, but there you go. So probably I will stick to the Mustang 3 as my likely Fender choice. I've just been watching a few demos of the Mustang on YouTube, most of them stick to rock/pop type presets (not always well played either!) but one guy does seem to get a nice jazz sound from a '65 Twin clean patch - a few jazz chords played on a Les Paul, but it sounded very good to me.

I'm coming round somewhat to the idea of the Mustang anyway - it just seems like so much bang for the buck. I was a little unsure that getting into the whole preset/computer control/footswitch thing is for me - previously I have just liked a simple amp where I can turn around and boost the volume/cut the treble or whatever, manually. Reverb was all I cared about in terms of built-in effects. But who knows, maybe it's time I moved into the 21st century!

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

I'm a little leery of the age we are in now, too, where we have to reboot our amps!

[spiral]

I'm a little leery of the age we are in now, too, where we have to reboot our amps!

That crossed my mind when i was doing a firmware update. "I can't believe i am updating my amp."

As a visual artist, i couldn't wait until digital photography was viable and cameras have a close enough performance to film that most photographers use digital. I was also glad to make the switch to Logic from reel to reel multitrack (and reduce my rack gear to just a few preamps). Modelling is getting close and i can't wait until the bugs get worked out. It is amazing that you can get a Mustang for as much money as 1 set of tubes for a Deluxe Reverb.

[Steve Cat]

I must have had too many amps. I had the XD too! Too heavy, too loud, too sterile even though it has tubes. The Mustang sounds much more tubey than the XD.

[Meggy]

I must have had too many amps. I had the XD too! Too heavy, too loud, too sterile even though it has tubes. The Mustang sounds much more tubey than the XD.

I like that you describe the Mustang as tubey sounding - I should be trying one out tomorrow - still don't know if I will bite, but maybe!

[spiral]

Fender finally made an announcement about the fizz issue:
Fender® Forums • View topic - Official Fender Announcement Regarding Mustang III, IV, V.

Cliff notes: "What did you expect for $300?"

[vinlander]

"some discerning listeners may consider the smallest sonic variable a limitation"
I don't think one has to be "discerning" to hear that annoyance, its all over the place in that sample provided in the thread.
I sold my huge tube amp and now am on the market for a cube like little amp. I guess it just confirms I will stick with my first idea the 80XL.
The Roland might not be the "best" tone but the cubes have been with us since ages and proven over time...
I truly hope they find a solution for those who bought these amps.

[Meggy]

Fender finally made an announcement about the fizz issue:
Fender® Forums • View topic - Official Fender Announcement Regarding Mustang III, IV, V.

Cliff notes: "What did you expect for $300?"

That's it??? That's the fix? What a bunch of c^%*! The announcement makes it sound like I'm some overly fussy nerd complaining about an incredibly minor detail. Obviously I was using the amp under the wrong set of circumstances, and with the wrong playing technique - silly me. What I heard was in no way subtle - it made the amp entirely unusable. I'm glad I'm out of it now, Fender have really gone down in my estimation.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

The thing is, some Mustangs don't have this. try a couple?

[Tom Karol]

I'm a little leery of the age we are in now, too, where we have to reboot our amps!

Heh, heh! I had a little VOX DA10 for a while. Every once in while, it would start to produce only white noise. I would turn it off and on again and it would be fine!

[Anandbhat]

Brought a Mustang III from GC and took it back the next day.Just didn't like the 'Tail Fizz' as they call it.I brought a Super Champ XD home instead and must say I think it's one of the best values out there!

[Meggy]

That's it??? That's the fix? What a bunch of c^%*! The announcement makes it sound like I'm some overly fussy nerd complaining about an incredibly minor detail. Obviously I was using the amp under the wrong set of circumstances, and with the wrong playing technique - silly me. What I heard was in no way subtle - it made the amp entirely unusable. I'm glad I'm out of it now, Fender have really gone down in my estimation.

The thing is, some Mustangs don't have this. try a couple?

Reading again, I did express myself rather strongly when I posted this morning - I was in a bit of a bad mood, over things not related to guitar playing, I admit. I still think the Fender response is somewhat inadequate though, they seem to be saying "OK the amp isn't perfect, but for the money, and considering what it can do, it's great!".

What do I expect for $300, or in my case £228? - an amp that at least is usable/gig-able, which sadly the Mustang III I tried was not. I guess there must be others out there who are happily using their Mustangs, wondering what all the fuss is about. I would possibly try another, but the amp I got originally seemed just fine in the shop, and only started to exhibit the fizz and noise artefacts when I got it home. Also I have a Roland Cube 80XL now, which I'm very happy with. So it just didn't work out for me with the Mustang I guess!

[jaystrings]

I have a Mustang I and also a Fender Superchamp XD. The M-I is just ok, but for a little more money, I've never seen any amp under $500 that I like better. The SCXD is a tube amp with effects & a pretty huge sound. I've used it in a small community theatre concert stage [100 seats] & it was plenty adequate @ volume 5. I have a number of Fender amps, & though I really prefer my Deluxe Reverb model best [as well as my Dr Z Maz 18], I find myself playing thru my little SCXD most of the time at home. To be fair, I have not tried the Mustant II or III; I'm sure they're great. I'm sure the effects are fine, but I wonder if it will get that little extra tube sound? When you come right down to it, Fender amps win out against any comparable brand.

[strumcat]

Wow, read the announcement from Fender. Looks like they're admitting it fizzes, trying to minimize the problem, and saying "tough luck" if you bought one. I'm really glad I didn't waste my money.

The statement smells of lawyers and executives. I bet the tech guys at Fender are probably pretty upset at the whole thing.

Did read some msgs indicating that the fizz might be coming from the power stage, not the digital/preamp section. If that's true, it means that there shouldn't be any fizz from the signal leaving the "send" jack in the back, but any signal going into the "return" jack would have the fizz as heard through the speaker of the Mustang III.

Again, IF that's true, then all of the amp modeling, effects, sounds, and cool stuff of the Mustang III would be usable clean, but just not through its own power amp and speaker.

I don't have access to a Mustang III, but it would be really cool if someone could test this theory out. And it might mean a lot to the people stuck with an unusable Mustang III.

[Atticus]

I don't think my III sounds quite like a real tube amp, but it sounds really great if taken on its own, and is very well priced.

A firmware update took care of the fizz for me.