I’m 63 and still gig about every weekend, I have many top of the line tube amps, like a Fender 59 Bassman, Marshall JTM, Suhr Bella, 57 Tweed Deluxe, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, etc…, but my main gigging amp is my Fender Tonemaster Deluxe, I gig with it mainly because of all the reasons you mentioned in your video. Thanks for the comparison.
That's an impressive list of gear. I gigged just about every weekend until COVID hit. Now I'm doing mainly sound gigs. If I were still gigging regular, I likely would have a Tone Master. 63, you're a baby. I'm 72.
@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer I've seen a few of these demos. I'll point to 2 things. Tube amps are not dead yet! Look at the price point of Tone masters . Roughly two thirds the cost of it's tube brother. One opinion suggests Fender do not want to wipe out the market for their tube amps! That's why it's not selling for $200. Plus they are built and made in the US or Mexico. Aside from the main amp section- but that's like most electronic goods today ..that adds to the cost.
I’ve had a number of high end tube amps over the past 35 years and I have the Twin Tone Master and love it. I’ve played clubs with it and it sounds great. The light weight makes it even better. The really funny part to ALL of this is that the crowd won’t know the difference at all. So funny that tone is so specific and personal to us guitarists. Nobody else really cares.
I agree completely. I run sound for a band where the guitarist switched from a vintage DR to the TM Twin about a year ago. It sounds great! He's sold. His DR is now at home in his studio.
What I love about tube amps is that I feel them in my body, not just my ears. Are you saying the Tonemaster is the same? I was in a guitar store yesterday and I tried the Tonemaster Twin.. it was surprisingly quite lovely.. But.. next to it was a Valve Princton Reverb.. I got to A/B them back and forth. The Princeton killed it.. the tone was almost ALIVE in comparison to the modelled Tonemaster beside it.
Happy Blonde Tonemaster Deluxe owner here. I did upgrade the speaker to an Eminence GA-SC64 which sweetened the tone, but the biggest tone upgrade was replacing the knobs with cream knobs!
I was going to get a DR Tonemaster but ended up getting a Quilter Cub50 instead which I’m very happy with. It’s all analog and is the best SS amp I’ve ever played. It’s not a distortion monster but has plenty of headroom and takes pedals well, it has a nice tubish tone and feel. It’s a great amp I’m really impressed!
Thinking of switching from my Roland Blues Cube Artist to one of these. I think the fender just edges it tone wise and looks so much nicer. Thanks for the great video... lovely playing.
Nice video thanks. I enthusiastically bought the TM Twin Reverb when they came out, as an old TR and DR user for years, but it just didn't have the top end glassiness or transparency of the tube amp, especially noticeable in A/B tests I did with friend's amps. Did a few gigs with the TM but ended up selling it- good amp all the same. I tried the TMDRs and the same thing with the top end compared to tube versions, gigged and sold them too. I feel the TM amps are quite good neutral sounding guitar amps put in a Fender case, but the tube versions are noticeably a little better and more distinct. Love the lightweight of the TMs, but now I'm back to my Vox AC15, and a small hand trolley to lug the heavy little sucker around- it's worth it. Fender may still do more software development on the TMs to make that top end a little more natural? if so I think I could be tempted again.
You are bang on my friend....yes the TM's are crazy light, sound pretty good but they ain't the real thing. If you're super anal about tone, you will want the heavier tube amp.
The biggest differences you would be hearing would be because those blonde Tone Masters have a software change. With the original black Tone Master Deluxe, people complained that they wanted the simulated bright cap out of the circuit, and they wanted the reverb more mild. The Blonde TM represents a modified Deluxe. It also has a Celestion speaker instead of the proper Jensen (which is sacrilege to me). I bet if you had an original Black Tone Master to compare with that real one, the result would be much much closer.
Thank you for your impressions. It's great to hear from someone who's been gigging a Deluxe Reverb for years, so is in a great position to make any kind of comparison.
Im a working musician every weekend and i use a tonemaster deluxe reverb or flyrig direct, This is the best bang for buck sounding amp ive ever used and light too😁👍😊
The guitarist in the band I work for uses a TM Twin. Now that he is using in-ears, he sets it for 12w. That super helps the out front mix, and it sounds excellent.
Thanks sooooo much for the excellent demonstration. I hate when people demo amps at only one level, loud as he'll and full distortion. If I can't get a clean sweet tone I don't want it. 👍
I have the black version tm dr for over 4 years now and it still works and sounds great , i did swap the jensen neo speaker for an jupiter 12 LC speaker and have done the firmware upgrade wich made the amp sound better and bigger/fuller . at least to my ears , i have owned many handbuild tube amps but i sold them all and kept the fender tm , it's just such a practical amp for home use ( you can also play silent if you use an behringer P1 with it ) and gigging ( good sounding direct out ) and with my bad back the weightfactor is a big thing .
Great to have such a comparision by somebody who obviously knows what he is talking about. Thank you. Presently I rehearse and gig with a Hot Rod Deluxe of which I like the sound but not the weight. I‘m seriously considering to get a Tonemaster for using it to play at home and to take it with me for gigs (and leaving the Hot Rod in the rehearsal room). Kind regards from Germany.
I went with the Twin. That I can take to any sized gig and know I'm not getting lost in the mix, regardless of how loud things get. Add the DO and the power attenuator, and it's a winner.
I love mine. I own both the TM Twin and TM Deluxe. I mainly use the Twin for straight ahead jazz gigs where I need a lot of clean headroom and use the Deluxe for everything else. I don’t use much overdrive and like that on the edge tone that breaks up only when digging in. The Deluxe kills at that. The cab simulators cover live PA gigs and recording situations. I’ve sold most of my boutique tube amps and the rest just sit in a closet now along with my Kemper. Sound great and weigh next to nothing, they’re worth the money.
They sound about as different as two normal, vintage 65 Deluxe Reverbs do. I gig with my TMSR using the 1watt setting, on about 7 and love it. The weight and scalable power are amazing and, to my ears, the sound is exactly what it's supposed to be. The only thing I miss is a real spring reverb, the digital reverb is just "ok."
Great review, and this has been my point all along: the Cream TMDR doesn’t sound exactly like a DRRI. But change a couple of tubes and drop in a Greenback, and your DRRI will sound different anyway. Tube and digital are finally in the same ballpark, and I say advantage Tone Master for so many reasons: Fender throws in a free DI and mic’s, an attenuator, and a roadie who magically makes all that feel like it only weighs 23lb. The TMDR won’t last forever, but they’re dirt-cheap used, there’s zero maintenance cost, and if you gig regularly, it’s a tax write-off anyway.
@@justmehere6094 could be. They are both on carpet, the TM is on a piece of carpet, on top of carpet. I like them both, but the TM had to go back to the owner.
I have a drip edge Vibrolux Reverb. Great sounding amp but heavy. Last time I used it regularly it rode in the truck and roadies did the moving. Once those days ended it was all head/cab for me. Now, I likely would have a cream TM Deluxe.
@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer Thanks! I was about 80% there, but your thoughts totally reinforced my feelings. Obviously I'll play it first, but I can't see me not taking it. :-) Thanks again for your video.
Great comparison. Thanks for your video. I have been gigging my 2 x 10" Vibroverb, or my Lo-power 2 x 12" Tweed Twin. Both amps sound fantastic ! Watched a ton of reviews and have ordered a TM Blonde Deluxe. Hope it doesn't disappoint. Looking forward to a 23lb load in and still having great tone. Cheers, Gord
I have several Fender tube amps' Had spent a little time playing the Princeton Reverb TM and Deluxe Reverb TM at band practices....smaller spaces at friends/ other musicians practice areas....not enough time to get the real feel of the amps. Was mainly looking for a lighter weight grab and go amp to replace my 65 Deluxe Reverb and 68 Vibrolux Reverb amps instead of having to use my 65 Princeton Reverb which doesn't have enough clean headroom to gig with.... without having to mic up.... decided to go with the 65 Deluxe Reverb TM.... brought it home and immediately noticed it didn't have the response/feel as my tube version....new amp.... decided to spend some time playing with/tweaking the EQ section and let the speaker loosing up a bit.... did that 2/3 hours a day for a couple of weeks and it gradually started improving.... still not quite the feel/response as my tube amps mostly playing at lower volumes/clean sounds. Decided it was time to put it on stage and give it a go' let it open up.... after the first set I plugged into my 65 deluxe reverb tube version and used that to finish out the night. The TM version didn't have the same feel/response as the tube version....tried it again the next night and was the same thing. Still looking for a lighter weight grab and go amp' I took it back to where I'd bought it for a refund and noticed a black star debut 50 floor model comb amp.... was less than $250.00 thought to myself no way but decided to give it a try and ended up bringing it home with me. More features and better feel/response than the TM deluxe. Can be bought new for less than $300.00 compared to the TM deluxe.
I've never used one on stage. The last few years I've been mainly doing sound man gigs. From that perspective, they sound great out front and are much easier to deal with volume wise than the tube versions. The guitarist in one band used a vintage Deluxe for decades. He's been using a TM Twin for the last two years and loves it. It is a subjective thing, to each his own. My favorite stage amps are a Dr. Z Carmen Ghia for country, and a 65Amps London Pro for rock. I get around the weight thing by using a head, small cab combination.
The « real » Deluxe has more compression and sounds better to my ear. And nothing beats a real tube reverb, I love the one that’s on my Princeton 68´ Reissue 👍🏻, so musical ! But the Tonemaster is a good amp 👍🏻!
To really hear the difference, you need to be in the room. They do sound very much the same to me. I've not had a chance to use one on stage, which I think would really be defining. I certainly see the advantages, weight, direct out, and attenuation. I have a Mojotone Princeton clone which I love. It's my bowling alley gig amp.
Hi! I have the Orange CR60, and I'm thinking the same thing , though I love the tones on my Orange I think it might be a nice upgrade, did you get the TM?
@@diegomedel1359 I rarely gig out anymore, and already have a plethora of amps, so I have not purchased one. When I started this channel in 2016 I would have bought one.
I believe that the Tone Master is perfect for gigging, but I would have a tube amp for home purposes, love to have that perfect sound at home, gigging is different, the Tone Master is great bc of weight and sound, you can't tell the difference on stage with all the other musicians, sounds and guitarist concentrating on keeping it together! Tube at home were sound is what you live for, and great sounding stage solid state, light as possible amps for live work, my humble opinion.
Hey Bob, excellent video. best sounding tone master i've heard. I tried the blackface version and did not like it. it sounded sterile, thin and pretty much like a solid state amp. perhaps i should give the blonde a try after your vid. what do you think of a tweed pro junior iv compared to a blonde tone master deluxe? I'm looking to buy an amp for my travels so it's a toss up between a tone master and a pro junior tweed iv. the tone master amps i am keen on is the blonde deluxe or princeton vs a tweed pro junior iv. what do you think?
The tweed amps are usually a completely different animal. Very little headroom in a tweed, usually. I've never tried the pro junior tweed, though. The deluxe is more of a clean amp, a great pedal platform amp. I do like the blonde tone masters better than the black ones I've tried.
Absolutely agree!! I own a clean birth year 71 deluxe that I had capped/retubed about 6 years ago. Bought the blackface tone master almost 2 years ago…..did the firmware update and put a celestion in it I had laying around. Did this same test with an A/b box…..was almost uncomfortable with how similar they are. Really really didn’t want it to be this good!! Is it 100% exact…..nope, but the difference is easily offset by the weight difference. I’m getting kinda vintage myself. 😢 It does have a slight cardboardy/sterile immediacy to it, but playing live and loud now when I bring an antique tuber I’m noticing more there are things that I don’t exactly love almost as much…….ie loading it in the SUV at 2:00 in the morning!! Well done review
Bob , i have an original 65 deluxe reverb but I’m tired to carry that thing around , i was thinking to get a Princeton tone master but I’m wondering whether it is loud enough without a PA
The TM Princeton is rated at 50w. It should keep up with an actual tube Princeton. No doubt tube amps are louder than solid state. I don't think it will keep up with a tube Deluxe. You might want to try the TM Deluxe. It's rated at 100w and should easily keep up with a tube Deluxe. Check out the new cream ones, they sound great. Those things are way lighter than a tube Deluxe. I guess it depends on how loud your band is. I've done gigs with a tube Princeton clone, but those were small band small club things.
A great side by side comparison Bob. I’m trying to go one step further and not use an amp at all and just run into the pa with stand alone modelers. There are some mighty good tones coming out of these things and MIDI controllers keep me from trying to step on a pedal all night.
Hi, been occasionally watching a few vids on the TM for the last year. The TM princeton reverb certainly sounds real close to the real thing to my ears. But if I recall right, a new set of tubes can color tone slightly from the previous set. Bias could also factor in a smidgen. I have a vintage '66 Baldwin C1 Professional solid state 2x12. It has great tone for clean but it is vintage. And... 2005 Frontman 25 2022 Supro 1822 Delta King 12 My biggest concern for the TM is durability and replacement parts over the long run. Light weight is great. The additional I/O atten. features is nice. The next biggest scare for me is compatibility with pedals. So..... I guess pedal compatibility and repairability are the two biggest concerns. What say you? Thanks
Having used tube amps for the last 50 years, tubes definitely make a difference in the sound. Sometimes even new tubes can change the sound, especially if they are different brands. One thing about the TM is that it is consistent. It will always sound the same. Tube bias also makes a difference in tube amps, and needs to be checked, especially when you change power tubes, or if the amp starts to sound tired. I've been running sound the last four years where the guitarist used a vintage BF Deluxe. Two years ago he switched to the TM Twin. From my perspective out front, I couldn't tell the difference, and he uses the same pedal board with both amps. The power attenuation on the TM makes a big difference out front. He is way easier to mix because he can cut the power of the amp, and still be happy with the sound on stage. With his vintage deluxe, he was always the loudest thing on stage, and I often had to mix the band around his guitar. As for how long the TM will last, who know. The old tube amps are certainly easy to fix and can last for decades. Keep in mind, many of the new tube amps are still circuit board amps, and will not be as easy to maintain as the old point to point vintage amps. Hope this helps and I just didn;t confuse you more! Thanks for the comment.
Gigging wise, as a venue or musician carrying an amp I def. Prefer digital. I love my Boss Fender pedals into peavey or crate. If I had a jazz venue I would go towards Tone Master for the back line nowadays.
I tried to get both amps to sound the same. I had to turn up the treble more in the TM to match them. On my DR I usually run treble 6-7ish bass 3-4ish with single coils. I don’t remember the exact settings. Maybe we see on the video.
I tried to get both amps to sound the same. I had to turn up the treble more in the TM to match them. On my DR I usually run treble 6-7ish bass 3-4ish with single coils. I don’t remember the exact settings. Maybe we see on the video.
Thank you so much for your review - Fender needs to hire you Hah! In all reality, not only are you a real gigging/studio pro (you can really play), but your review on this deluxe and also another I saw on the tonemaster Twin, also by you are by far the best I’ve encountered on TH-cam. You sold me - I’m getting it👍🏻
Thanks much. If I were still gigging every weekend, I'd have either the Deluxe or a Twin. I can't justify the expense at this time. I'm doing mostly sound gigs.
What I love about tube amps is that I feel them in my body, not just my ears. Are you saying the Tonemaster is the same? I was in a guitar store yesterday and I tried the Tonemaster Twin.. it was surprisingly quite lovely.. But.. next to it was a Valve Princton Reverb.. I got to A/B them back and forth. The Princeton killed it.. the tone was almost ALIVE in comparison to the modelled Tonemaster beside it. This is not something you can feel from TH-cam.. so these reviews are useless. You need to be right next to the amp. Tonemaster = sound for the ears.. Valves = sound for the SOUL. Sadly many don't care about their souls.. and even more don't even have one.
I felt the same way about every modelled amp until this one. I've been playing vintage amps since before they were vintage. I had both these amps in front of me in my little studio. There were things I liked and disliked about each of them, but I could easily use either on a gig. The weight, direct out, and power attenuation on the TM would be big advantages when gigging. I do so few guitar gigs these days that I'm not willing to spend anything on a new amp. If I were gigging regularly, I would seriously consider a TM.
@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer I thought that too for. bit.. till I tried one right next to the Tube version. I don't care about weight. I do gymnastic rings.
I know that you want us to think that the TM sounds like the DR it dose not. Nice demo . I have friends that own the TM and like it . I have herd a band that the Guitarist used a TM I could tell as soon as they started. Fizzy high the odd harmonic seem to be more dominant than they should be. Another future land fill amp.
I've been listening to one for two years as a sound man. it sounds great to my ears. This is the one I've been hearing for the last two years. th-cam.com/video/MC6EXz4fjqk/w-d-xo.html
Great video! Unless your Deluxe Reverb has been modified, isn't the bright cap in place? The Tone Master Blonde has it digitally removed. Would make a difference unless both are on 10.
@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer Inflation says in the mid 80s that was roughly $750. The young kids aren't looking for them because they like the digital & modeling stuff. I snagged my '74 Twin Reverb for $900 earlier in the year. Too good to pass up. Next acquisition will be a vintage Super Reverb. Buy them now before the young ones go on their tone quest and realize they need to get them.
Great idea. If I still had it here I would try it. I would think it would work great as your wet amp in a stereo pair, and would save a nice chunk of money.
The thing that does it for me is his real deluxe will pretty much last forever maybe with the odd repair. It sounds incredible too! In 5 years try getting parts for the tonemaster. If im going to spend money on something I want it to last. Real amp for me any day! Good vid!
Go with the hand wired if you can afford it. Those ones are easy to repair. It may cost you more in the long run, though. It all depends on how the TM holds up.
What you say is true only so long as tubes continue to be available in reasonable quantities and at prices the average player can afford. The future of tube production is uncertain at best. In the meantime, my Boss Katana 100 Mk 1, purchased in 2016, is still going strong and sounds as good as new. If it should ever become unrepairable, I can easily afford to buy a new one. (That's obviously not the case with Fender's more expensive Tone Masters.) I won't argue that digital solid-state amps sound quite as wonderful as high-quality tube amps, but they hold their own and are a lot more durable than tube aficionados generally give them credit for.
@@gordonlewis7570 Tubes are an expense you don't have with solid state. I am not familiar with the Boss. The TM is the first solid state amp I've tried that feels like a tube amp. One advantage I see with the TM is it should always sound like it has fresh tubes. Again, the big question is how long it will last before breakdown.
With the exce[tion of the DSP that is the 'engine; of the TOnemaster, the parts are all, pretty much off the shelf compnants, very easy to get ASSUMING China isn't boycotting us (which would make parts for the tube fender just as hard to get INCLUDING tubes). Parts wouldn't make the ToneMaster hard to fix, It's potentially how they were, or were not used. Surface mounted andmini componats, usually will make a tech not touch it. I have no idea what Fender has done, haven't seen the guts of one yet. I have digital amps and gear from the 80s, still work and sound like the day bought.
Well, you’ll be paying about 4x more for the real deal…maybe more. Do the math and add in repairs/maintenance and it doesn’t work. Upside is IF (or when) the ToneMaster doesn’t work and you feel like going tube, you can either run the TM as a cabinet or since it’s the same chassis as the tube one, you can have it built into a wired up custom tube amp. 👊😎
@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayerIt's to listen to people's playing that I watch these videos. If I want to actually review gear I go do it for real, in person, where one can actually experience reality. Keep noodling..
@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer I've not tried either. I just watched some more vids and blonde sounded good by itself and in another vid the black sounded thinner and more brittle compared to the real tube counterpart. I probably won't buy one anyway, I've already got a Fender Hot Rod Deville, a Roland Blues Cube Stage, a Yamaha THR30ii and a Fender Rumble 100. When I see guitars, amps and pedals on TH-cam GAS starts to set in. I've already hit the limit on guitars and basses, 19 in total. I've got nowhere to put anymore stuff. hahaha You did a good vid. 👍
I can relate. I have a bunch of vintage and boutique amps. My favorite is still a Dr Z. Carmen Ghia. I also love my 65Amps London Pro for rock gigs. I do think a TM Princeton would make a great “bowling alley” gig amp.
I like how you put it in perspective of "gigging" . The hernia test made me laugh cause that is one of the reasons I bought a new rig . I have a Fender Hot Rod Deville and I swapped the stock speakers for Vintage 30's . That made the amp even heavier in weight . The handle is made out of hard rubber but over time I know what could happen LOL . There is a difference in tone and the Vintage Deluxe IMO sound better . But the compromises in tone for the weight and durability would make it worth it . Plus vintage Fender amps are going up in price . They are getting harder to find , especially in great shape like yours . Then there's the tube issues . But also , you want to enjoy you vintage amp . You could change it up now and then to lessen the wear & tear on your vintage . Great video , I just subscribed !
Thanks! I gigged with those old BF Fenders for decades. Lately I've been using a Dr. Z Carmen Ghia head/cab, and a 65Amps London Pro head/cab. Having the amp and speaker separate helps with the weight problem. I haven't been doing much gigging recently. mostly sound gigs.
So you wouldn't have to listen to my lame doodling. I didn't set up any mics, so it would be just cell phone audio, which is little help. I have another video with actual audio comparisons.
Doesn't the blond Deluxe have celestrian speakers. What speakers are in the tube Deluxe. The new tonemaster Deluxe black amps have jensen speakers. Trying to decide which of the new tonemaster amps would work bes for keyboards, and guitar given the different speaker choices, of jensen, or celestrian. One less thing to lug if possible.
Wow. In this video, to me the tone master actually sounds better. Im sure its different in the room but Bluetooth through my phone, tone master sounds better.
I agree. It recorded better. If I had it longer, I would have tried both with the same speaker, etc. This test was just to see if it would be worth further investigation. It certainly is.
Weight shouldnt be a concern unless your old. Also qaulity american tubes have a rated run time of over 100,000 hours, they run forever. THe power scaling..you would be miles ahead with a real attenuator like a power station etc. all of this plus the real one sounds better! It will still be working in 50 years and handed down, the solid state one i highly doubt
I am old. Weight would be an issue for me if I were still carrying. My experience with this amp is mainly from a sound man perspective, and only with one band. The guitar player was using a vintage Deluxe, then got a TM Twin. It sounds just as good out front as his Deluxe. He now leaves his vintage amp at home in his studio and uses this TM on the road instead.
Have you seen who is gigging nowadays? Almost all the working bands are full of middle aged guys (and gals) who grew up with the great music of yesteryear, while also staying somewhat current. The guys whose knowledge starts at Blink182 and ends at Harry Styles? Not so much. So lightweight amps have become important. For many scenarios I can leave the Princeton and Marshall amps (and the pedalboard) home, and get it all done on a small lightweight Katana.
Awesome demo!! Thanks for posting. With all due respect... during the 'hernia test', your body mechanics were hernia-causing no matter what the weight. Beyond the hernia... that is a recipe for disaster with your back-- think herniated or ruptured discs. Not fun. Take from one who is from a family of bad backs... my dad, 4 brothers and me. Lift with your legs, Hercules. Thanks again!! 🎸👍
I see this more as a gigging amp. Out in front of the PA, you'll never know the difference. The extra features, power attenuation and direct out, are really helpful for stage use.
Over hear in the communist run Near Islamic state of uk, I’ve noticed manny tone masters for sale second hand And big discounts on new products but if it’s working for That’s grate ,you are obviously a player. Lonnie Mack used a Roland when I saw him. Ps I’m worried now if the labour Government find out I have my own views I could be doing 18 months, enjoy your new amp Graham
Maybe my ears don’t hear as well as they used to but to me The Tonemaster failed to measure up to the REAL Deluxe Reverb in a few areas which in my book = No Cigar. The tone was much more beefy full and punchy on the BFDR. The high volume test was No contest whatsoever. Two different leagues. The overall tone especially with reverb the BFDR sounded much more complex, better definition string to string and top to bottom. All in all the only indisputable plus of the Tonemaster is the weight. And although it wasn’t discussed the “feel” of a real BFDR is so much different and palpable than a Tonemaster. I’m sticking with my real tube amps for superior feel, tone, balls, and the magic that tubes and tubes alone produce. Life’s too short for gimmicky bs. I’m 64 and been playing since 15 years of age. I see zero need to play with modeling when I know how much better the “real” thing sounds feels and is.
From a sound man perspective, dealing with a guitarist that has both, I can't tell the difference out front, other than volume wise it's a lot easier for me to get him in the mix when he uses the TM. He uses the power drop thing set to like 12w or so. I see these amps mainly as a good stage substitute, light weight, and you're not knocking your vintage DR around.
Lot's of hum and noise. Many better options folks. Dr. Z. Two Rock, etc. Spend a little more, get a lot more. You can grab a nice tube head for $500 and connect to a nice two speaker cab.
The audio is direct off of my iphone, no processing at all. other than whatever the iphone does with it. I don't think you could make a true judgement unless you were in the room with me.
Just NO. I have tried them all. TM are decent but if you ever played a real Fender Tube Amp you will immediately know that the SS TM lacks the special sauce. If you are coming off an old no name SS amp, you might love it. It's all relative. I have played really nice gear so I am spoiled. It's not just tone either- it's feel, harmonics and so on.
I could use one easily, especially if I were the one carrying it around. Having said that, I'm still using my Dr. Z head and cab. It takes two trips but the thing sounds great. Separately, neither head or cab is a killer lift in itself.
I’m 63 and still gig about every weekend, I have many top of the line tube amps, like a Fender 59 Bassman, Marshall JTM, Suhr Bella, 57 Tweed Deluxe, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, etc…, but my main gigging amp is my Fender Tonemaster Deluxe, I gig with it mainly because of all the reasons you mentioned in your video. Thanks for the comparison.
That's an impressive list of gear. I gigged just about every weekend until COVID hit. Now I'm doing mainly sound gigs. If I were still gigging regular, I likely would have a Tone Master. 63, you're a baby. I'm 72.
@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer I've seen a few of these demos. I'll point to 2 things. Tube amps are not dead yet! Look at the price point of Tone masters . Roughly two thirds the cost of it's tube brother. One opinion suggests Fender do not want to wipe out the market for their tube amps! That's why it's not selling for $200. Plus they are built and made in the US or Mexico. Aside from the main amp section- but that's like most electronic goods today ..that adds to the cost.
I’ve had a number of high end tube amps over the past 35 years and I have the Twin Tone Master and love it. I’ve played clubs with it and it sounds great. The light weight makes it even better. The really funny part to ALL of this is that the crowd won’t know the difference at all. So funny that tone is so specific and personal to us guitarists. Nobody else really cares.
I agree completely. I run sound for a band where the guitarist switched from a vintage DR to the TM Twin about a year ago. It sounds great! He's sold. His DR is now at home in his studio.
@@sirsean1227 Sounds good to me for half the price and half the weight. I would use one on stage no problem. th-cam.com/video/MC6EXz4fjqk/w-d-xo.html
@@sirsean1227 you ever play in a band? Truthfully a guitar player should be able to sound good through any amp.
True about the crowd- but it's not the same as a real tube amp. Sorry.
What I love about tube amps is that I feel them in my body, not just my ears. Are you saying the Tonemaster is the same? I was in a guitar store yesterday and I tried the Tonemaster Twin.. it was surprisingly quite lovely.. But.. next to it was a Valve Princton Reverb.. I got to A/B them back and forth. The Princeton killed it.. the tone was almost ALIVE in comparison to the modelled Tonemaster beside it.
Happy Blonde Tonemaster Deluxe owner here. I did upgrade the speaker to an Eminence GA-SC64 which sweetened the tone, but the biggest tone upgrade was replacing the knobs with cream knobs!
Ha! I did a similar thing with my old Les Paul. I replaced the black knobs with gold, just because.
thx Sir! finally a REAL sincere comparison, help me a lot.
Glad to hear that! Thanks for watching.
This is the best comparison on TH-cam. Thank you.
Thanks much! I'm learning.
Agree, well done❤
I was going to get a DR Tonemaster but ended up getting a Quilter Cub50 instead which I’m very happy with. It’s all analog and is the best SS amp I’ve ever played. It’s not a distortion monster but has plenty of headroom and takes pedals well, it has a nice tubish tone and feel. It’s a great amp I’m really impressed!
We've got bunches of people using Quilter around here, even pedal steel guys. They sound great. Hope it serves you well.
I own an Aviator Twin 10 and it's really nice but I work with a guy with a TM and it sounds sweet. The TM sounds good to me.
Thank you for that great video. such a pleasure to get a no nonsense and straight to the point comparison.
Thanks! I'm trying.
Thinking of switching from my Roland Blues Cube Artist to one of these. I think the fender just edges it tone wise and looks so much nicer. Thanks for the great video... lovely playing.
I really like it. I REALLY like the weight. I'm old.
Nice video thanks. I enthusiastically bought the TM Twin Reverb when they came out, as an old TR and DR user for years, but it just didn't have the top end glassiness or transparency of the tube amp, especially noticeable in A/B tests I did with friend's amps. Did a few gigs with the TM but ended up selling it- good amp all the same. I tried the TMDRs and the same thing with the top end compared to tube versions, gigged and sold them too. I feel the TM amps are quite good neutral sounding guitar amps put in a Fender case, but the tube versions are noticeably a little better and more distinct. Love the lightweight of the TMs, but now I'm back to my Vox AC15, and a small hand trolley to lug the heavy little sucker around- it's worth it. Fender may still do more software development on the TMs to make that top end a little more natural? if so I think I could be tempted again.
I've never used one on stage, but as a sound man, I love them.
You are bang on my friend....yes the TM's are crazy light, sound pretty good but they ain't the real thing. If you're super anal about tone, you will want the heavier tube amp.
it's close but a wee bit compressed sounding over the real thing. Pretty nice though.
Definitely more compressed than the DR.
The biggest differences you would be hearing would be because those blonde Tone Masters have a software change. With the original black Tone Master Deluxe, people complained that they wanted the simulated bright cap out of the circuit, and they wanted the reverb more mild. The Blonde TM represents a modified Deluxe. It also has a Celestion speaker instead of the proper Jensen (which is sacrilege to me). I bet if you had an original Black Tone Master to compare with that real one, the result would be much much closer.
Thank you for your impressions. It's great to hear from someone who's been gigging a Deluxe
Reverb for years, so is in a great position to make any kind of comparison.
Thanks for watching. I've never gigged with a TM, but I certainly think I could. I have a friend using a TM Twin and it sounds excellent on stage.
Im a working musician every weekend and i use a tonemaster deluxe reverb or flyrig direct,
This is the best bang for buck sounding amp ive ever used and light too😁👍😊
The guitarist in the band I work for uses a TM Twin. Now that he is using in-ears, he sets it for 12w. That super helps the out front mix, and it sounds excellent.
Thanks sooooo much for the excellent demonstration. I hate when people demo amps at only one level, loud as he'll and full distortion. If I can't get a clean sweet tone I don't want it. 👍
Thanks! I try to cover most of the basics.
I have the black version tm dr for over 4 years now and it still works and sounds great , i did swap the jensen neo speaker for an jupiter 12 LC speaker and have done the firmware upgrade wich made the amp sound better and bigger/fuller . at least to my ears , i have owned many handbuild tube amps but i sold them all and kept the fender tm , it's just such a practical amp for home use ( you can also play silent if you use an behringer P1 with it ) and gigging ( good sounding direct out ) and with my bad back the weightfactor is a big thing .
Definitely the best sounding digital amp I've heard. Glad it's working for you.
Works after four years.... I'll try and check back in after 40.
@@williampimblott8373 Ha! Let me know. You'll need one of those ghost contacting people to get in touch with me.
Great to have such a comparision by somebody who obviously knows what he is talking about. Thank you. Presently I rehearse and gig with a Hot Rod Deluxe of which I like the sound but not the weight. I‘m seriously considering to get a Tonemaster for using it to play at home and to take it with me for gigs (and leaving the Hot Rod in the rehearsal room). Kind regards from Germany.
Sounds like a good plan to me. Thanks!
I went with the Twin. That I can take to any sized gig and know I'm not getting lost in the mix, regardless of how loud things get. Add the DO and the power attenuator, and it's a winner.
I good choice. That amp works well for the guitarist in the band I work for these days.
I love mine. I own both the TM Twin and TM Deluxe. I mainly use the Twin for straight ahead jazz gigs where I need a lot of clean headroom and use the Deluxe for everything else. I don’t use much overdrive and like that on the edge tone that breaks up only when digging in. The Deluxe kills at that. The cab simulators cover live PA gigs and recording situations. I’ve sold most of my boutique tube amps and the rest just sit in a closet now along with my Kemper. Sound great and weigh next to nothing, they’re worth the money.
Sounds like a very nice arrangement!
They sound about as different as two normal, vintage 65 Deluxe Reverbs do. I gig with my TMSR using the 1watt setting, on about 7 and love it. The weight and scalable power are amazing and, to my ears, the sound is exactly what it's supposed to be. The only thing I miss is a real spring reverb, the digital reverb is just "ok."
I agree. Speakers make a difference, too. I rarely use reverb on a gig, so I don't have a preference, I guess.
Great review, and this has been my point all along: the Cream TMDR doesn’t sound exactly like a DRRI. But change a couple of tubes and drop in a Greenback, and your DRRI will sound different anyway. Tube and digital are finally in the same ballpark, and I say advantage Tone Master for so many reasons: Fender throws in a free DI and mic’s, an attenuator, and a roadie who magically makes all that feel like it only weighs 23lb. The TMDR won’t last forever, but they’re dirt-cheap used, there’s zero maintenance cost, and if you gig regularly, it’s a tax write-off anyway.
All good points.
Nice video. The amp sitting on rug will make a difference too.
Good point. I didn't catch that.
@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer I think it's why the Tonemaster had more bottom end, a little less top end presence, compaed to the legacy tube amp
@@justmehere6094 could be. They are both on carpet, the TM is on a piece of carpet, on top of carpet. I like them both, but the TM had to go back to the owner.
Really useful! I have a Vibrolux Reverb, but I'm seriously considering a DR Tonemaster for all the reasons you mentioned at the end.
I have a drip edge Vibrolux Reverb. Great sounding amp but heavy. Last time I used it regularly it rode in the truck and roadies did the moving. Once those days ended it was all head/cab for me. Now, I likely would have a cream TM Deluxe.
@hage713 Well, I just done a deal and am picking one up tomorrow :-) Swapping a P bass, which I never use, for it. Will be gigging it on Saturday. :-)
@@davehughes8212 Cool! Hope you like it.
@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer Thanks! I was about 80% there, but your thoughts totally reinforced my feelings. Obviously I'll play it first, but I can't see me not taking it. :-) Thanks again for your video.
Boy, the TM sounded so quiet! That would make a big difference, especially on wedding, corporate and society gigs.
It is quieter than the tube amp, though not significantly.
Great comparison. Thanks for your video. I have been gigging my 2 x 10" Vibroverb, or my Lo-power 2 x 12" Tweed Twin. Both amps sound fantastic ! Watched a ton of reviews and have ordered a TM Blonde Deluxe. Hope it doesn't disappoint. Looking forward to a 23lb load in and still having great tone. Cheers, Gord
Sounds like a great collection! I think you will like Tone Master.
One strum, everyone knows the rule. I give this Tone Master a 7.8. Barstool Music, Dave Fortnoy.
I'd go at least an 8, just based on the weight.
@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer
That’s funny! Well played!
Both sound great. Its nice to have options.
Indeed!
Best comparison review yet!
Thanks!
I have several Fender tube amps' Had spent a little time playing the Princeton Reverb TM and Deluxe Reverb TM at band practices....smaller spaces at friends/ other musicians practice areas....not enough time to get the real feel of the amps. Was mainly looking for a lighter weight grab and go amp to replace my 65 Deluxe Reverb and 68 Vibrolux Reverb amps instead of having to use my 65 Princeton Reverb which doesn't have enough clean headroom to gig with.... without having to mic up.... decided to go with the 65 Deluxe Reverb TM.... brought it home and immediately noticed it didn't have the response/feel as my tube version....new amp.... decided to spend some time playing with/tweaking the EQ section and let the speaker loosing up a bit.... did that 2/3 hours a day for a couple of weeks and it gradually started improving.... still not quite the feel/response as my tube amps mostly playing at lower volumes/clean sounds. Decided it was time to put it on stage and give it a go' let it open up.... after the first set I plugged into my 65 deluxe reverb tube version and used that to finish out the night. The TM version didn't have the same feel/response as the tube version....tried it again the next night and was the same thing. Still looking for a lighter weight grab and go amp' I took it back to where I'd bought it for a refund and noticed a black star debut 50 floor model comb amp.... was less than $250.00 thought to myself no way but decided to give it a try and ended up bringing it home with me. More features and better feel/response than the TM deluxe. Can be bought new for less than $300.00 compared to the TM deluxe.
I've never used one on stage. The last few years I've been mainly doing sound man gigs. From that perspective, they sound great out front and are much easier to deal with volume wise than the tube versions. The guitarist in one band used a vintage Deluxe for decades. He's been using a TM Twin for the last two years and loves it. It is a subjective thing, to each his own. My favorite stage amps are a Dr. Z Carmen Ghia for country, and a 65Amps London Pro for rock. I get around the weight thing by using a head, small cab combination.
Also wanted to say that your amp sounds amazing. Thanks again.
Thanks for watching.
Excellent thread, liking this amp more and more- thanks for sharing! 🎸👍
Thanks!
I really enjoyed your review or was it a comparison 🤔
I could hear the difference but both sounded good 👍
I'll consider it ❤
Thanks 😊
Thanks for watching!
The « real » Deluxe has more compression and sounds better to my ear. And nothing beats a real tube reverb, I love the one that’s on my Princeton 68´ Reissue 👍🏻, so musical !
But the Tonemaster is a good amp 👍🏻!
To really hear the difference, you need to be in the room. They do sound very much the same to me. I've not had a chance to use one on stage, which I think would really be defining. I certainly see the advantages, weight, direct out, and attenuation. I have a Mojotone Princeton clone which I love. It's my bowling alley gig amp.
Thank you , I really appreciate this honest review , I needed to see this .
I will purchase this Amp now .
God Bless! J... Toronto
I think you'll be happy. Here's a TM Twin in action on stage: th-cam.com/video/MC6EXz4fjqk/w-d-xo.html
Tubes = Tone. Thanks for the demo.
Especially fresh one.
Indeed. I have two that I like a lot, even with the loose neck pocket.
Switching from my Orange CR120 to the Fender Deluve TM. So excited
Hope you like it, Thanks for watching.
Hi! I have the Orange CR60, and I'm thinking the same thing , though I love the tones on my Orange I think it might be a nice upgrade, did you get the TM?
@@diegomedel1359 I rarely gig out anymore, and already have a plethora of amps, so I have not purchased one. When I started this channel in 2016 I would have bought one.
I believe that the Tone Master is perfect for gigging, but I would have a tube amp for home purposes, love to have that perfect sound at home, gigging is different, the Tone Master is great bc of weight and sound, you can't tell the difference on stage with all the other musicians, sounds and guitarist concentrating on keeping it together! Tube at home were sound is what you live for, and great sounding stage solid state, light as possible amps for live work, my humble opinion.
I totally 100% agree with your statements. You summed up my feelings way better than I did in my own video!
Totally agree!
Hey Bob, excellent video. best sounding tone master i've heard. I tried the blackface version and did not like it. it sounded sterile, thin and pretty much like a solid state amp. perhaps i should give the blonde a try after your vid. what do you think of a tweed pro junior iv compared to a blonde tone master deluxe? I'm looking to buy an amp for my travels so it's a toss up between a tone master and a pro junior tweed iv. the tone master amps i am keen on is the blonde deluxe or princeton vs a tweed pro junior iv.
what do you think?
The tweed amps are usually a completely different animal. Very little headroom in a tweed, usually. I've never tried the pro junior tweed, though. The deluxe is more of a clean amp, a great pedal platform amp. I do like the blonde tone masters better than the black ones I've tried.
I just bought one. Thanks for the reassurance!
I think you'll like it.
Absolutely agree!! I own a clean birth year 71 deluxe that I had capped/retubed about 6 years ago. Bought the blackface tone master almost 2 years ago…..did the firmware update and put a celestion in it I had laying around. Did this same test with an A/b box…..was almost uncomfortable with how similar they are. Really really didn’t want it to be this good!! Is it 100% exact…..nope, but the difference is easily offset by the weight difference. I’m getting kinda vintage myself. 😢 It does have a slight cardboardy/sterile immediacy to it, but playing live and loud now when I bring an antique tuber I’m noticing more there are things that I don’t exactly love almost as much…….ie loading it in the SUV at 2:00 in the morning!! Well done review
Those vintage BF units do seem to get heavier at 2M. Thanks.
Born in 71 as well.
Bob , i have an original 65 deluxe reverb but I’m tired to carry that thing around , i was thinking to get a Princeton tone master but I’m wondering whether it is loud enough without a PA
The TM Princeton is rated at 50w. It should keep up with an actual tube Princeton. No doubt tube amps are louder than solid state. I don't think it will keep up with a tube Deluxe. You might want to try the TM Deluxe. It's rated at 100w and should easily keep up with a tube Deluxe. Check out the new cream ones, they sound great. Those things are way lighter than a tube Deluxe. I guess it depends on how loud your band is. I've done gigs with a tube Princeton clone, but those were small band small club things.
A great side by side comparison Bob. I’m trying to go one step further and not use an amp at all and just run into the pa with stand alone modelers. There are some mighty good tones coming out of these things and MIDI controllers keep me from trying to step on a pedal all night.
I can do that in the studio, but on stage, I want an amp and a wedge. It's the old dog, new tricks thing.
With the bright cap removed on the blonde, what is the tonal difference between the 2 channels, other than reverb and tremelo?
It works for me.
didn't check that out while I had it here. Good question.
Hi, been occasionally watching a few vids on the TM for the last year. The TM princeton reverb certainly sounds real close to the real thing to my ears. But if I recall right, a new set of tubes can color tone slightly from the previous set. Bias could also factor in a smidgen.
I have a vintage '66 Baldwin C1 Professional solid state 2x12.
It has great tone for clean but it is vintage.
And...
2005 Frontman 25
2022 Supro 1822 Delta King 12
My biggest concern for the TM is durability and replacement parts over the long run.
Light weight is great.
The additional I/O atten. features is nice.
The next biggest scare for me is compatibility with pedals.
So.....
I guess pedal compatibility and repairability are the two biggest concerns.
What say you?
Thanks
Having used tube amps for the last 50 years, tubes definitely make a difference in the sound. Sometimes even new tubes can change the sound, especially if they are different brands. One thing about the TM is that it is consistent. It will always sound the same. Tube bias also makes a difference in tube amps, and needs to be checked, especially when you change power tubes, or if the amp starts to sound tired. I've been running sound the last four years where the guitarist used a vintage BF Deluxe. Two years ago he switched to the TM Twin. From my perspective out front, I couldn't tell the difference, and he uses the same pedal board with both amps. The power attenuation on the TM makes a big difference out front. He is way easier to mix because he can cut the power of the amp, and still be happy with the sound on stage. With his vintage deluxe, he was always the loudest thing on stage, and I often had to mix the band around his guitar. As for how long the TM will last, who know. The old tube amps are certainly easy to fix and can last for decades. Keep in mind, many of the new tube amps are still circuit board amps, and will not be as easy to maintain as the old point to point vintage amps. Hope this helps and I just didn;t confuse you more! Thanks for the comment.
Gigging wise, as a venue or musician carrying an amp I def. Prefer digital. I love my Boss Fender pedals into peavey or crate. If I had a jazz venue I would go towards Tone Master for the back line nowadays.
A Princeton TM would likely be my Bowling Alley gigging amp.
What did you have the tone knobs set on with the tonemaster
I tried to get both amps to sound the same. I had to turn up the treble more in the TM to match them. On my DR I usually run treble 6-7ish bass 3-4ish with single coils. I don’t remember the exact settings. Maybe we see on the video.
I tried to get both amps to sound the same. I had to turn up the treble more in the TM to match them. On my DR I usually run treble 6-7ish bass 3-4ish with single coils. I don’t remember the exact settings. Maybe we see on the video.
Thank you so much for your review - Fender needs to hire you Hah! In all reality, not only are you a real gigging/studio pro (you can really play), but your review on this deluxe and also another I saw on the tonemaster Twin, also by you are by far the best I’ve encountered on TH-cam. You sold me - I’m getting it👍🏻
Thanks much. If I were still gigging every weekend, I'd have either the Deluxe or a Twin. I can't justify the expense at this time. I'm doing mostly sound gigs.
@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer I feel ya - I do both gigging on guitar, and doing sound as well. Thank you for responding👍🏻
To my ears, the TM doesn't have near the "presence" of the '66. Great comparison. It convinced me that I'm still better off with my vintage gear.
I'm still using my vintage combos. If I were lugging them around, hmm......
Seems the tube amp was set way louder
Could be. This was a first look to see if further consideration was deserved. It is.
What I love about tube amps is that I feel them in my body, not just my ears. Are you saying the Tonemaster is the same? I was in a guitar store yesterday and I tried the Tonemaster Twin.. it was surprisingly quite lovely.. But.. next to it was a Valve Princton Reverb.. I got to A/B them back and forth. The Princeton killed it.. the tone was almost ALIVE in comparison to the modelled Tonemaster beside it. This is not something you can feel from TH-cam.. so these reviews are useless. You need to be right next to the amp. Tonemaster = sound for the ears.. Valves = sound for the SOUL. Sadly many don't care about their souls.. and even more don't even have one.
I felt the same way about every modelled amp until this one. I've been playing vintage amps since before they were vintage. I had both these amps in front of me in my little studio. There were things I liked and disliked about each of them, but I could easily use either on a gig. The weight, direct out, and power attenuation on the TM would be big advantages when gigging. I do so few guitar gigs these days that I'm not willing to spend anything on a new amp. If I were gigging regularly, I would seriously consider a TM.
@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer I thought that too for. bit.. till I tried one right next to the Tube version. I don't care about weight. I do gymnastic rings.
@@jacksprat2333 Understood. I'm old.
I know that you want us to think that the TM sounds like the DR it dose not. Nice demo . I have friends that own the TM and like it . I have herd a band that the Guitarist used a TM I could tell as soon as they started. Fizzy high the odd harmonic seem to be more dominant than they should be. Another future land fill amp.
I've been listening to one for two years as a sound man. it sounds great to my ears. This is the one I've been hearing for the last two years. th-cam.com/video/MC6EXz4fjqk/w-d-xo.html
Great video! Unless your Deluxe Reverb has been modified, isn't the bright cap in place? The Tone Master Blonde has it digitally removed. Would make a difference unless both are on 10.
If Fender put a bright cap in it, I would assume it's still there.
For the price of a new Tonemaster you can find a used example of the real deal. It takes a little searching but they are out there.
I paid $250 for my 66, but that was back in the 80s. Good deals are getting harder to find.
@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer Inflation says in the mid 80s that was roughly $750. The young kids aren't looking for them because they like the digital & modeling stuff. I snagged my '74 Twin Reverb for $900 earlier in the year. Too good to pass up. Next acquisition will be a vintage Super Reverb. Buy them now before the young ones go on their tone quest and realize they need to get them.
Cant wait for the tonemaster baseman!!🎉
Is one coming? Interesting.
Following for the Tone Master owner’s Pittsburghese
Ha! I'll try to talk more.
LOL I thought you was actually playing your guitar that fast and then I realized it's in fast motion
Ha! Nobody needs to sit thru my lame noodling.
How is the tone master wet dry with a tube amp?
Great idea. If I still had it here I would try it. I would think it would work great as your wet amp in a stereo pair, and would save a nice chunk of money.
Nice sound and .... Lol weight is a plus🎶👍
Weight is a big plus. How you doing Greggie?
Great video!
Thanks!
The Tone Master is worth at least twice as much, simply because it made him play incredibly fast during the noodling section!
Worth every penney! If only it worked like that on stage.
Not even close to the tube amp, but it is good enough for me.
A great stage amp. I still prefer my Dr. Z, and 65amps stuff.
Bob love the video . 🤟
Thanks Nick! Have fun at Frankie I's.
The thing that does it for me is his real deluxe will pretty much last forever maybe with the odd repair. It sounds incredible too! In 5 years try getting parts for the tonemaster. If im going to spend money on something I want it to last. Real amp for me any day! Good vid!
Go with the hand wired if you can afford it. Those ones are easy to repair. It may cost you more in the long run, though. It all depends on how the TM holds up.
What you say is true only so long as tubes continue to be available in reasonable quantities and at prices the average player can afford. The future of tube production is uncertain at best. In the meantime, my Boss Katana 100 Mk 1, purchased in 2016, is still going strong and sounds as good as new. If it should ever become unrepairable, I can easily afford to buy a new one. (That's obviously not the case with Fender's more expensive Tone Masters.) I won't argue that digital solid-state amps sound quite as wonderful as high-quality tube amps, but they hold their own and are a lot more durable than tube aficionados generally give them credit for.
@@gordonlewis7570 Tubes are an expense you don't have with solid state. I am not familiar with the Boss. The TM is the first solid state amp I've tried that feels like a tube amp. One advantage I see with the TM is it should always sound like it has fresh tubes. Again, the big question is how long it will last before breakdown.
With the exce[tion of the DSP that is the 'engine; of the TOnemaster, the parts are all, pretty much off the shelf compnants, very easy to get ASSUMING China isn't boycotting us (which would make parts for the tube fender just as hard to get INCLUDING tubes). Parts wouldn't make the ToneMaster hard to fix, It's potentially how they were, or were not used. Surface mounted andmini componats, usually will make a tech not touch it. I have no idea what Fender has done, haven't seen the guts of one yet. I have digital amps and gear from the 80s, still work and sound like the day bought.
Well, you’ll be paying about 4x more for the real deal…maybe more. Do the math and add in repairs/maintenance and it doesn’t work.
Upside is IF (or when) the ToneMaster doesn’t work and you feel like going tube, you can either run the TM as a cabinet or since it’s the same chassis as the tube one, you can have it built into a wired up custom tube amp. 👊😎
Why is the playing sections on fast forward. I don’t get it?
To cover the lame noodling.
@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayerIt's to listen to people's playing that I watch these videos. If I want to actually review gear I go do it for real, in person, where one can actually experience reality. Keep noodling..
More mids in the blonde vs the tube black
They've got different speakers.
I think I'd pick a black Tone Master and do the firmware update.
Speakers were different. I really liked the Blonde. I've not tried the Black version.
@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer I've not tried either. I just watched some more vids and blonde sounded good by itself and in another vid the black sounded thinner and more brittle compared to the real tube counterpart.
I probably won't buy one anyway, I've already got a Fender Hot Rod Deville, a Roland Blues Cube Stage, a Yamaha THR30ii and a Fender Rumble 100.
When I see guitars, amps and pedals on TH-cam GAS starts to set in. I've already hit the limit on guitars and basses, 19 in total. I've got nowhere to put anymore stuff. hahaha
You did a good vid. 👍
I can relate. I have a bunch of vintage and boutique amps. My favorite is still a Dr Z. Carmen Ghia. I also love my 65Amps London Pro for rock gigs. I do think a TM Princeton would make a great “bowling alley” gig amp.
Nice Sir😊✌️🎸
Thanks!
I like how you put it in perspective of "gigging" . The hernia test made me laugh cause that is one of the reasons I bought a new rig . I have a Fender Hot Rod Deville and I swapped the stock speakers for Vintage 30's . That made the amp even heavier in weight . The handle is made out of hard rubber but over time I know what could happen LOL . There is a difference in tone and the Vintage Deluxe IMO sound better . But the compromises in tone for the weight and durability would make it worth it . Plus vintage Fender amps are going up in price . They are getting harder to find , especially in great shape like yours . Then there's the tube issues . But also , you want to enjoy you vintage amp . You could change it up now and then to lessen the wear & tear on your vintage . Great video , I just subscribed !
Thanks! I gigged with those old BF Fenders for decades. Lately I've been using a Dr. Z Carmen Ghia head/cab, and a 65Amps London Pro head/cab. Having the amp and speaker separate helps with the weight problem. I haven't been doing much gigging recently. mostly sound gigs.
Why did you speed up the playing. Totally alters the sound. Just like if you speed up someone talking. Takes it towards chipmonk pitches
So you wouldn't have to listen to my lame doodling. I didn't set up any mics, so it would be just cell phone audio, which is little help. I have another video with actual audio comparisons.
Doesn't the blond Deluxe have celestrian speakers. What speakers are in the tube Deluxe. The new tonemaster Deluxe black amps have jensen speakers. Trying to decide which of the new tonemaster amps would work bes for keyboards, and guitar given the different speaker choices, of jensen, or celestrian. One less thing to lug if possible.
Good point. I believe it had a Celestion Cream. I didn't consider that.
What’s up with the video/audio out of sync??
So you don't have to listen to as much of my lame noodling.
I think the fender tube amps sound way better then the tone master series
Lots of players agree with that. The TM is the best digital I've heard yet, though.
The Tonemaster Super Reverb is the best amp out of the Tonemaster series.
Could be. I haven't tried one. I like the TM Deluxe and Twin.
You didn't do the 6 inch drop test. Or the technicians tap.
Ha! If it were mine I might consider it.......maybe.
Wow. In this video, to me the tone master actually sounds better. Im sure its different in the room but Bluetooth through my phone, tone master sounds better.
I agree. It recorded better. If I had it longer, I would have tried both with the same speaker, etc. This test was just to see if it would be worth further investigation. It certainly is.
@@hage713 awesome. I think you've convinced me to take a hard look at a tone master deluxe or possibly a twin. Thanks for your videos.
I can tell that you make beautiful ladies cry every night with your guitar : ))
Ha! They cry, "Please stop that noise!"
Thanks! I think you'll like the TM soundwise and weight-wise.
Weight shouldnt be a concern unless your old. Also qaulity american tubes have a rated run time of over 100,000 hours, they run forever. THe power scaling..you would be miles ahead with a real attenuator like a power station etc. all of this plus the real one sounds better! It will still be working in 50 years and handed down, the solid state one i highly doubt
I am old. Weight would be an issue for me if I were still carrying. My experience with this amp is mainly from a sound man perspective, and only with one band. The guitar player was using a vintage Deluxe, then got a TM Twin. It sounds just as good out front as his Deluxe. He now leaves his vintage amp at home in his studio and uses this TM on the road instead.
Not true
Have you seen who is gigging nowadays? Almost all the working bands are full of middle aged guys (and gals) who grew up with the great music of yesteryear, while also staying somewhat current. The guys whose knowledge starts at Blink182 and ends at Harry Styles? Not so much. So lightweight amps have become important. For many scenarios I can leave the Princeton and Marshall amps (and the pedalboard) home, and get it all done on a small lightweight Katana.
Twin reverb cranked to ten-itus!
Ha! Yep, I had it since those days.
@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer enjoyed the video. Thanks !
Awesome demo!! Thanks for posting. With all due respect... during the 'hernia test', your body mechanics were hernia-causing no matter what the weight. Beyond the hernia... that is a recipe for disaster with your back-- think herniated or ruptured discs. Not fun. Take from one who is from a family of bad backs... my dad, 4 brothers and me. Lift with your legs, Hercules.
Thanks again!! 🎸👍
Ha! Advice taken. Thanks!
Tone and hernia are insuperable in mho. But the Tone Master sounds good.
Good tone is heavy and hard to carry, according to Uncle Larry. He's the master.
Vale state is a Marshall
AH! You are correct. I forget the name of the Vox thingy.
@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayerValvetronix.
subscribed. great vid
Thanks for the sub!
Why compare too a 66 when obviously it is based on the new RI models??
I assume both RI and TM are attempting to be a vintage DR.
"Just as good as a xerox"
the tone master sound flat much les open than the deluxe the notes meld together on the valve amp
I see this more as a gigging amp. Out in front of the PA, you'll never know the difference. The extra features, power attenuation and direct out, are really helpful for stage use.
Over hear in the communist run
Near Islamic state of uk,
I’ve noticed manny tone masters for sale second hand
And big discounts on new products but if it’s working for
That’s grate ,you are obviously a player. Lonnie Mack used a Roland when I saw him.
Ps I’m worried now if the labour
Government find out I have my own views I could be doing 18 months, enjoy your new amp
Graham
Sounds like some sad things going on over there. I wish you the best.
Maybe my ears don’t hear as well as they used to but to me The Tonemaster failed to measure up to the REAL Deluxe Reverb in a few areas which in my book = No Cigar. The tone was much more beefy full and punchy on the BFDR. The high volume test was No contest whatsoever. Two different leagues. The overall tone especially with reverb the BFDR sounded much more complex, better definition string to string and top to bottom. All in all the only indisputable plus of the Tonemaster is the weight. And although it wasn’t discussed the “feel” of a real BFDR is so much different and palpable than a Tonemaster. I’m sticking with my real tube amps for superior feel, tone, balls, and the magic that tubes and tubes alone produce. Life’s too short for gimmicky bs. I’m 64 and been playing since 15 years of age. I see zero need to play with modeling when I know how much better the “real” thing sounds feels and is.
From a sound man perspective, dealing with a guitarist that has both, I can't tell the difference out front, other than volume wise it's a lot easier for me to get him in the mix when he uses the TM. He uses the power drop thing set to like 12w or so. I see these amps mainly as a good stage substitute, light weight, and you're not knocking your vintage DR around.
If tone master deluxe and blonde are good enough for Mike McCready, its good enough for anyone!
👍
Tube amp sounds way better. my Kemper sounds better than the tome master. Sorry you can't replace tubes with solid state.
Well to each his own. One of the beauties of music is its subjective nature.
Lot's of hum and noise. Many better options folks. Dr. Z. Two Rock, etc. Spend a little more, get a lot more. You can grab a nice tube head for $500 and connect to a nice two speaker cab.
Maybe you noticed the Dr. Z and 1 x 12 cab in the background. That's been one of my main gigging amps for years.
@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer No. I did not notice but good. Dr. Z is quality.
Soooo much audio compression in this video skews what we are hearing.
The audio is direct off of my iphone, no processing at all. other than whatever the iphone does with it. I don't think you could make a true judgement unless you were in the room with me.
For 750 you can get a real one and BTW they're not that heavy
Heavy is a relative thing. At my age, a Princeton is heavy.
Give me tubes....or not at all.
Understandable. I like the TM, but I am still using my tube amps. If I had to carry them around, though, I might reconsider. But, I'm old.
alright one strum everyone knows the rules
Ha! This one required a few strums.
???????? What??????
Just NO. I have tried them all. TM are decent but if you ever played a real Fender Tube Amp you will immediately know that the SS TM lacks the special sauce. If you are coming off an old no name SS amp, you might love it. It's all relative. I have played really nice gear so I am spoiled. It's not just tone either- it's feel, harmonics and so on.
I could use one easily, especially if I were the one carrying it around. Having said that, I'm still using my Dr. Z head and cab. It takes two trips but the thing sounds great. Separately, neither head or cab is a killer lift in itself.
SLOW DOWN- YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SHOWING OFF THE TONE OF THE AMP NOT YOUR CHOPS.
???
truths.... tonemaster overpriced,,, and digitalis
I wouldn't call it overpriced compared to a vintage DR, or even the hand wired new ones. I' haven't tired any of the circuit card reissues.
Why is he sped up???