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https://www.reddit.com/r/GuitarAmps/comments/fiqva6/inside_of_a_fender_tone_master_deluxe_reverb/
My hope would be that the range is so successful that they use the same modules across a wide range of retro-inspired amps and so the product line has a life cycle in decades rather than just years, so the correct boards (or upgraded ones, even) will be available for a very long time.
What's the cutout above the XLR socket for, by the way - is there something mounted to the cabinet there? Seems an odd thing to have.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Louder and moving air are why it sounds better at volume as well as it getting stuff moving speaker wise.
It does it’s job anyway, I get a nice bit of grit out of it without making enemies or can rattle the windows when everyone is out nearby. It was just a case of being completely transparent that the volume step thing isn’t a magic bullet but a useful tool. It makes the type of amp playable for me since I don’t personally do clean pedal platform but am currently playing 100% of the time in an end terrace house.
Time will tell though, I expect they tested these amps for hours on end but did they test how well the amp fares when left in a van overnight between gigs ?
I had two separate valve amps ‘go down’ on me mid-gig last year. In both cases, a Kemper and a SD170 saved the day.
Just sayin’...
As for "when am I ready?" You'll never be ready. It works in reverse, you become ready by doing it. - pmbomb
Our vans on my drive though, if I had to park on the street I would think twice
The valve amp if well designed, handwired turret or even decent PCB could in theory be serviced indefinitely so at least it might be back on at the next gig, whereas something like this may not be able to be rescued. I guess I just like to see longevity and guaranteed serviceability in things. Fender are going in the right direction with the design, sound, cab quality etc and it’s nice to see digital being elevated in quality but it’s fair to consider whether they could be repaired. Valves are after all user changeable and it plentiful supply.
That said, I could see myself having one of these and just getting on with it, they could well last for many years and if Fender provide replacement parts all the better.
Price wise imho these are very cheap. My main giiging/rehearsal amp is a Matchless Nighthawk, so we are looking at £799 vs £2800.
Sound wise, I a/b this against a ‘real’ DR and they were virtually indistinguishable.
As for the longevity, we shall see...
A solid-state amp failure will always be a workshop job - although if designed and built well enough, the likelihood of failure is vanishingly small. The problem is that most are built down to a budget so that isn’t quite true - although it’s remarkable how close some get even when they don’t cost a fortune. (Older US-made Peaveys, for example.)
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I really like what fender is doing with the tonemaster amps, they look great, sound great and are lightweight and cheaper. With that said, they're not for me. For light and loud, I can always carry a souped up princeton reverb and it will be well built enough to be resilient and I can address issues myself (or finding a decent tech).
I've only ever had one amp fail on me mid way though a gig. That was my 1968 pro reverb. One of the power tubes stopped working. The amp kept on playing (just with loads of overdrive), it wasn't even unpleasant in the mix, just a bit strange. After the song finished I noticed the faulty tube and swapped it (no biasing on the fly or anything). It made it through the gig with decent tone. Try doing that with a faulty tonemaster amp.
Like not buying a car Cos the electric windows might go wrong (quote from my Dad).
well done those who change valves mid gig ! Screwing the back of the amp back off etc in the dark
The punters at the Coseley ex serviceman’s club wouldn’t be too patient !!!
Unless of course, the bingo was about to start... nothing is more sacred than their bingo !!
To summarise, an interesting cheaper concept that seems to work thus far, is a Nobel back up to my real amps, looks good, sounds great and I can carry up the stairs easily...
And for the first time, I really like the look and UI of this Fender amp
I find this kind of technology is put to much better use when it actually brings something new to the table... which is not the case with the tonemasters. But then again it's great to have the options.