Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb Comparison | Original vs. Blonde
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- We're back with a comparison of the (much beloved) Fender Tone Master line! This year saw the release of the new Blonde variations, with subtly different voicings for the Deluxe Reverb and Twin Reverb amplifiers-- with all the lightweight portability and incredible emulation that we've come to expect from these amps. Today we're comparing the original black/silver Deluxe Reverb Tone Master with the Blonde, and we'd love to hear what you think below! Can you hear the difference? Let us know!
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#fendertonemaster #tonemasterblonde
Great video and comparison. I think it would have been better if the amount of reverb dialed in was similar on both amps.
This!
They didn't have the firmware for the reverb mod loaded into the black amp so the two reverb controls were different.
12:14 "We can hear a subtle difference". I had to LOL
@@peterb.559 they could have pushed the reverb on the blonde to at least match the black.
@@peterb.559 So the proper way to compare the amps is without reverb! How hard would that have been? Reverb colors the tone a LOT.
I'm starting to really like these guys and the vids they produce. There are a lot of shops setting up demos like this one but they tend to be fronted by a couple of egos or are clearly just making the vids for themselves to lark about on. This one is to the point, pleasant, humble and helpful. More please ! 🙂
Whenever I think I'm getting reasonably handy on the guitar, I check in to listen to Cooper, then I know I've got a hell of a way to go, keeps me practicing. Great review too.
You've done it again, guys. Thank you for the well presented information. To the point and no circus tricks. Really can'f thank you enough.
I own a Deluxe Reverb Tone Master Blackface. I upgraded the firmware and also tried the blond vs the black over the XLR. And played the blond modeling over the black. The sound is pretty good in this video. I prefer the black. Reason: the combination of tone and distortion is in my opinion more beautiful for the style I play and the sounds of my guitars. Both are really good in sound!
I just ordered the blonde model, supposed to be delivered tomorrow!
did you forget to say that there is a firmware upgrade with the reverb mod, bright cap, and IRs out, that you can install on the black one?
Yes, you can
Thanks for this! Was reluctantly going to get the blonde for the mods but not anymore!
Yep. I got the blackface no bright cap firmware. Definitely my favorite.
Yeah as I understand it you can make either amp sound like the other. Especially is you’d match the speakers. If you want the blonde to sound more like the black you can do that too. So if I stop being broke I think I’ll get the blonde one just cuz I love how it looks
@Jay Knudson i wonder if the cream back in the blonde makes a difference as well for those patches
I liked the story about the amp builders at the beginning. I have had the blackface Deluxe almost since launch and love it. I have done the firmware update because I use pedals with mine. I have removed the Tone Master badge so it looks exactly like a ‘65. Nobody can tell. Even tube amp ‘snobs’ who play through it. Their faces when I do the big reveal are a picture.
As for the comparison, the blonde sounds better to my ear
How did you remove the badge without damaging the tolex?
I know this was an amp comparison but I was caught by the tele. It’s stunning.
I own both of these two amps; the blonde one to my ears has slightly more sparkle, focus and is the one I gig with. I also own the blonde Twin reverb which I also gig with. I own fender deluxe reverb amps (tubed) and I keep them home.
Make a tonemaster Princeton!!!
The Blond sound is smooth and full of amazing tones LOVE it!
Sadly, most comparisons, including this one, are not much help. I'd like to hear one chord sustained for a measure for amp #1, then the same chord immediately played through amp #2. Then a short lick say 5 eighth notes with the last note sustained into a second bar for each amp. Then one sustained slightly distorted note for each amp. I don't want to hear "real" playing at all, just short simple direct comparisons. No improvising at all! Thanks anyhow; it did help a bit.
Different strokes for different folks…this comparison was helpful for me.
Bought the black and did a firmware update that removed the bright cap and tweaked the reverb. Sounds great. I also own a range of great 12" speakers, so I've been noodling. So far, I really like the Eminence Cannabis Rex, Alessandro and Jensen P12Q. Didn't like Celestion Gold, Vintage 30 or the Creamback. YMMV. I still own my DRRI. The TM is certainly more practical for hauling around!
I just bought the Blackface.
It sounds excellent and the attenuation feature is absolutely killer.
Personally, I liked the brighter, glassier sound of the Blackface. It sounds killer with a clean Strat. I auditioned both.
My decision also. I'm saving up for my 2024 Christmas present to myself 😊
The software upgrade for the black was great. Really tamed the "instant" Reverb. (even more would be better Fender)
Personally I prefer the original black version. That sparkle is missing slightly in the blonde (to my ears).
Agreed! I was able to try both back-to-back at my local shop. Went in thinking I'd like the blonde, based upon Ask Zac and some other reviews I'd seen. Far preferred the black one, though, so that's what I bought. Nice to know that with a speaker change and a firmware update I could get the blonde sound, however.
I agree with Dave, but I am going to be honest and say that I have already bought the black one, and a very proud owner. Anyway to my ears, in that particular demonstration, the black one, had that special Fender sparkle that only a 65 deluxe from that period could have. The blond one just seemed to lack that a little bit. I do like the cosmetic appeal of the blonde one. However, if you are only ever, going to buy one amp, you could always use the black one, and then add a fatter midrange signal to a black one, through the use of a good drive peddle, but you can’t go the other way. If you go and buy the blonde one, and try to clean the signal up, to try get that same beautiful clean 65 deluxe sound it’s not going to do it as well. Just my opinion, some may disagree.
Yah. I thought I would like the "enhanced mids" on the blonde, cause I like enhanced mids on my Mesa Mark V/35, but I thought the blonde sounded too compressed. Maybe that's just a question of playing with EQ's though.
That’s what I was hearing too. I really like the blonde, but the black has that shimmer.
Great video! I went to GC with the intention of buying a black Deluxe Reverb. While I was there I test drove a black Super Reverb and a blonde Twin Reverb…all Tone Masters. First of all I’m a tone snob, but everything they say about the Tone Masters is true…these amps are almost indistinguishable from a tube amp. They all sounded amazing. I settled on the blonde Twin because it was the cleanest and sounded bigger and fuller than the Deluxe. Point is, you have to play them yourself to figure out which one will suit you best…don’t just order one online without playing them all first. Or order all three and return two. It’ll be worth it. If I would’ve ordered a black Deluxe I probably would’ve been happy with it but never would’ve known how much better the blonde Twin sounds. Hope this helps somebody.
Just bought the blonde and it’s awesome. The color is also sweet!
Fender has to come out w/ a Bassman. They would sell a million of those. Personally would love a Bassman, a Super Reverb, and Vibrolux. Vibrolux because I fell in love with the sound before I knew expensive they were haha. Would love something that gives me that sound in a much cheaper price. For business reasons I think it makes sense for a Bassman and a Super. Two big, powerful amps people love but don't want either because they are big and/or too loud to crank (home or otherwise).
The Super has got to be next right? I'm a little surprised they went w/ a Deluxe only because the size of a tube one isn't as big of a problem as I assume is one of the big selling points of a lighter Twin.
Great video, guys.
A tube Deluxe is still heavy as hell lol. 20 kg for one combo amp is nothing to scoff at. The TM is twice as light. You were right tho, the super was next :D I can't wait for the Bassman
Your wait is over man
I was watching and listening to the amps in my home movie theater with high-end sound gear, and I could definitely hear a big difference between the two amps, and I prefer the smoother sound of the blond.
I could hear the difference. I like the Blonde! You both rock thanks for the great video!
I can hear right off the bat I prefer the brighter tone of the black face, though I would be happy with either. The black face sounds to me more like the old Fender amps I used to have, the blonde sounds a bit more refined, which isn’t bad, but I’m not looking for refined with a Deluxe reverb.
Thanks for explaining the amp controls ! Very Helpful.
Yes, i hear the difference. I prefer the Blonde Celestion amp. I like the mellower tones. If i were 25 again, i'd want the rawest sound i could get, (and if you are freshly divorced, hell yeh, that fits emotionally then), but i'm 70 now. So there ya go!
hahaha I'm pushing 60, I know how ya feel
It sounds like the black Deluxe Reverb doesn’t have the firmware update applied. The reverb was always over the top and too splashy, but the update really helps that. That comes stock with the blond version and you sure can tell. Maybe reshoot the playing portion with the firmware update applied? That would be a better comparison.
It definitely sounds too "ice picky" for me...
@@timnewman1172 you can “virtually” remove the bright cap
The blonde has the reverb tamed, so it will give a more usable sweep for the reverb. Next from Fender should be the Super Reverb.
Thankfully, you can update the black'un with the reverb mod, too. (You can choose just the reverb change, or the reverb change AND the bright cap removal.)
I was able to try both the black and the blonde versions at my local shop, and much preferred the sparkly sound of the black to the more midrangey sound of the blonde. Bought the black one, then immediately did the firmware update to make the reverb more useful - a big improvement.
I like that you can apply any firmware version to either of the models. So with a speaker change and firmware update I *could* get the blonde sound too.
Heh, they have one now.
I just got the Tone Master Super Reverb this week and it’s fantastic.
@@DaveBroTube Can you change the firmware back to the original if you want? I understand that would require using the USB and computer interface, but so far I've only heard of people going from the original black TO the blonde firmware and not vice versa.
(Ideally the amp could come with both versions loaded, with the ability to change from one to the other with a button/switch on the back.)
Burke Burnett Burke Burnett yes, you can swap freely between any of the firmware versions. They have them all on their download site.
Being able to load multiple versions would be nice, but that would require twice the storage, so would probably increase the cost of the amp by a few hundred dollars.
I have the Blonde TM Twin. I run my Tele’s & my Pedal Steel through it. It’s AWESOME on both guitars.Its also lightweight which is HUGE for me because of 4 back surgeries.
If I were just playing Tele’s I would’ve bought this TM Deluxe.
Both sound great. The black one sounds better to me for Motown clean RnB, the blond better for rock 😎
I much prefer the tone of the original. Love that glassy clear Fender tone. But, I am playing more clean tones these days after my tenure as a rock guitar enthusiast with a bunch of pedals on the never ending tone quest.
Why do the reverbs sound so different? Great video but the extra reverb on the black face changes everything.
I think now after the Super Reverb, should be the Bassman or Vibrolux
Totally different amount of reverb on each. Dunno what you guys were thinking, but it RUINS the comparison.
That white tele is gorgeous
Amazing review👍🏽
Another great comparison video, y’all Rock. I have had my eye on these for a while, I think the Cooper Signature is a sweeter sound,
I just bought the american ultra strat in mocha burst and the blonde tonemaster. I sure am glad i chose the blonde version! Although both are excellent amps. There were not priced the same though... the blonde was about 200 dollars more, and money well spent
you should have adjusted reverb for simialr sound and not just knobs at same postition! :/
why reverb on the black amp and NO reverb on the blonde ?
I think the black amp is missing an update which tones down the reverb which the blonde already comes with
Fender might soon put an effects loop on these amps.I think that this is the only miss on these modern amps.Thx for posting this and have a good life!
I just emailed Fender and they said they had no plans to add an effects loop, but that they would forward the idea to the development team.
Adding an effects loop, and a switch on the back to let you turn on/off the bright cap would be the two things on my wishlist that would make this a must-buy. As it is, I'm still hovering.
Is this effects loop a real rumor, or just speculation on your part?
God no..... then it wouldn't be a digital Twin or Deluxe replica anymore. It's a good thing they made them exactly like their tube originals.
Both Amps sound great. I prefer the blonde but it’s close. Wondering if the reverb was set the same on both amps. Sounded like the black had the reverb set higher.
Nice comparison shootout. I currently do not own a Tone Master amp, but I definitely like the Blonde better. I'm hoping that Fender will do a 1x12 Princeton Reverb or 1x12 Brown Pannel Princeton or Deluxe amp.
I would love to see a comparison with the Quilter Aviator Cub on the blond and black inputs.
I liked the original more than the blonde. It sounded much more like the real thing. Even though I like the looks of the blonde, I would have chosen the black one because of this demo. Perhaps it has a lot to do with the settings of the amp and the use of reverb. I should test it myself of course. But to my ears the black one is superb towards the blonde on my speakers here at home.
I agree. The blonde one's reverb doesn't sound right at all
I agree, although both sound great.
Ostensibly you can download the firmware from the blonde into the original. I wonder if you can load the original firmware into the blonde? You’d have to change speakers,too.
Great video, as always! Please tell Fender...Tweed please!
I'd love to see Fender bring out a Tone Master that replicates the Fender Concert II amp (Paul Rivera model).
The original to my ears sounds more mid scooped which i really like. It would lend itself to a mid push drive like a tubescreamer really well
I got a Tone Master Super Reverb a few weeks ago-I'm amazed and happy!Now,how about a Vibro King?
My love for tub when it get warm but whiting for fee start up it can be game changer
I have tried both black and blonde Twin and Deluxe comparing them with real tube versions. I bought a Deluxe blonde, definitively Celestiin speakers are the best choice. BTW you can see and hear my tests on my channel ( sorry it’s in french)
I want a cooper tonemaster next
It's a bit hard to tell with so much reverb on the black one, but I think I like the blonde a bit better. I have TM Twin and it's pretty great, especially as a pedal platform for gigs. The tile-back legs, the different power settings and the XLR speaker-emulated out (which I set the level around 5) make it so quick for setting up and playing any gig.
Thank you for posting sir...but the reverb was set different which masks some of the true A/B effect of the 2 amps...{I do realize that this
is somewhat difficult since the Black amps reverb is Really Deep/almost over sensitive}
SUCH AN AMAZING DEMO, GREAT JOB GUYS! Alas, the problem with buying technology is that there will always be an upgrade to make it better. The all-tube Deluxe will always hold it’s own in tone and value retention.
Blonde. Call me crazy but I am hoping for a Blues Jr Tone Master. I had a real one but with no attenuation it was too loud to be usable at home. At least at my home, lol.
Why using reverb on one amp and no reverb on the other one?
Thank you for your video. Question: With the new firmware update, would the blonde and black be identical if they both had the Neo Creamback?
Yes. If you look up Five Watt World's video on the Tone Master series, that's exactly what he did.
I like the black one better.
If only Fender did a ToneMaster Princeton Reverb!
They do now...
During the sound demo I feel that there was considerably more reverb on the black deluxe which IMHO gives it an unfair advantage, but I guess that's just my personal taste. I love Fender reverb. I think the blonde still sounds better, but would have loved to hear it with the same amount of reverb
A 3x10 Bandmaster Tone Master would be cool, especially if they broke tradition a bit and included Reverb. I played through a 60-ish 3x10 Bandmaster (in White Tolex) in the mid/late 70s and it was amazing!
So...if I order the blonde from Alamo music I can get it at the same price as the black tiolex model? 😁
How does the original TM twin and the Blonde TM Twin compare? The deluxe and the twin are two different animals. Twins are known as tops in tone.
Wondering if Fender might offer a Princeton version of the Tonemaster?
I have been wondering the same, but where would they pitch the price? I think people would go for a TMPR than a Blues Jr! But any more expensive and they are in the TMDR territory. IMO They would rather we paid more for the TMDR and save them the money on any R&D, tooling, marketing etc. for a TMPR. :(
I can hear the mid range bump played clean and like the overdriven sound both with the cream Deluxe. My concern is how would the increased mids sound with my Es335 humbuckers.
Did I miss the attenuator demo? Anyway, I am split between this amp (which the attnuator) and the vibro champ for low wattage home practice. I am hearing virbo still gets pretty loud at home if you want to tone crunch!
Thought I would love the blonde, but preferred the original by far
Likewise . Played both and the black one just had the original feel and that sound...didn't like the blonde one as much by quite some way...so if recommend the black one
I wish the reverb was set the same on both. That what i heard most
I don’t think the difference is that subtle. Good video!
Excellent comparison- but I still can’t decide which one to buy … 😩
You can put the old firmware on the blonde with the bright cap and it will sound nearly identical to the black and vice versa ;)
@@simonfowler81 Is this really true that you can put the old firmware in the blond one? I now have a blonde on order and think I might prefer the black one from this demo. One year too late, LOL.
Question for Cooper I have a Gibson Les Paul ice tea faded classic, and I have on order the kingfish purple just started playing guitar. My question is I’m trying to decide between the Marshall origin 20 combo amp and the fender deluxe reverb tone master blonde amp what are your thought as I can get away with two guitars but two amps aren’t gonna fly with the wife. Regards Glenn from up North in Ontario
That’s a nice Telecaster!
Where can I find one like that one?
Should I wait to get the newer Blonde variation? Or the original one with some of the firmware mods released by Fender can bring it to the same "level" as the Blonde? It can be quite a big investment, I would appreciate your input on this. Haven't bought an expensive amp for a little while, it will probably be my last. Thanks
dev go with the blonde one. The Creamback Speaker sounds much more warmer and pushes the mids much better
Anyone know if it’s possible to switch out the speakers?😅
@@KRUSTYskates you can. Keith from Five Watt World installed the Blonde firmware on his blackface and put in a Neo Creamback speaker so it's exactly a blonde in a blackface package.
If I just recently got the black face one so I need this firmware update everybody’s speaking of ?
Both amps sound awesome. My ears go toward the blonde more though. Awesome playing as well
what is volume on 1 compared to the volume on 2? I'm so tired of these new amps that are almost inaudible and no tone at volume 1 but then concert level loud at volume 2.....
I like these guys! 😂
Tweed Bassman would be awesome since they've made the super reverb now.
I’ve been saying that since they came out, but I’m not waiting anymore. I’ve got a Deluxe Reverb Tonemaster on the way. I’m pretty stoked...
They both sound like very awesome analog solid state amps. Which is very good for a digital amp. But not quite the tube sound. Still, I would buy the blond of I could not buy a real tube deluxe. I understsnd the hype, and they are very light weight...
Not sure how much these are overseas, but in Aus I’d just pay a bit extra and a supersonic. Find it hard to pay this sort of money for an emulator.
Hi and Question? Where is the Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb Combo Amp built? USA? Where? Thanks in advance
Is the blonde slightly taller? Looks that way in the video
i think cooper is one of my fav non populair player
Thats quite a compliment...😆
Anyone know if it’s possible to switch out the speakers?
Yup. They're just standard 12" guitar speakers, so you can switch out to your heart's content. They happen to use neodymium-type speakers (presumably to help keep the weight down), but no reason you couldn't swap in ceramic or alnico.
One amp with reverb and the other one without. What a comparison. 😞
Two beautiful women (Amps) Both sound good. Deference not that great. Both look good. (Modern & Traditional). Both easy to carry and handle FX's. What else is there?
Hmmm....
I normally prefer Redheads, but I'll go Blonde this time. 😂❤
Me gustaria escuchar los dos sin camara. porque el Blonde tiene muy poca camara y el otro bastante, puede ser ?
I have the TM Twin Reverb that has the bright switches on the inputs. As far as the Deluxe Reberbs, I could hear the difference via headphones (not vouching for accuracy vs live). The original has a more 'airy' sound than the Blonde (IMO).
I strongly preferred the black when I tried them both in the flesh. It may have been a bit of a cheat, because the Celestion in the Blonde was still stiff, while the Black was off rental, so the Jensen was well played-in. The best part? I normally have Cadillac tastes and a Volkswagen budget. For once in my life, the one I liked best saved me $500 despite the weak Canadian dollar (the black is $200 less than the blonde now, and I got another $300 off because it was used). Now I get to play around with the various firmware packs- with and without the reverb and bright cap mods, plus the Jensen vs Celestion IR's for the direct output!
The last time around with the dirtier tone ... the Blonde wins. The black definitely has more piercing highs.
Love the looks of the Blonde but I think I liked the tone of the black one better.
How about matching the reverb amount and turn it up on the blond amp. Or, turn it down on the black. The only comparison here is the difference of what a amp sounds like with and without reverb on. I couldn't get past that, and everything on the black ended up sounding better to me. I'm sure that's not all true but I did end up enjoying the guitar guys honesty. I like the blond look better also. That was funny.
So which one did Chris ultimately choose to buy?
Why does everyone demo this with a tele?
I use pedals but please don’t stear me wrong. I liked the blonde
Did I Kind of hear the blonde could take pedals without sounding brittle?
Way too much reverb on the original that was an advantage.
I need help. I have to turn up the treble on this amp to 10 to just barely get enough treble on my Strat and Telecaster. Anyone have thoughts on this?
Make sure you plug into Input 1, not Input 2, Input 2 has a pad which removes some volume and treble
@@aaronlam635 I didn't know that. Thanks
@@aaronlam635 whats the point of input 2?
@@KRUSTYskates It's for higher-output pickups like humbuckers.
Still no fx loop 🤨