Why the Fender Tonemaster Didn't Live up to the Hype for Me
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So, the build quality is neat, and it's a lovely lightweight 4*10. But. That line out...Sounds a bit...flat?
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This may be counterintuitive but you’ve just convinced me to buy one. Some of the tones you got sounded really quite good
Tonemaster twin owner here,as well as many other non valve and valve amps, absolutely wrapped with my twin, by itself and adding pedals it's just a great sounding amp. Opinions vary if course so just my 2 cents
Same
BTW, maybe the best intro play-in so far. That was really soulful.
I totally agree. John is a truly fine player. Two Thumbs up... God bless him!! 👍👍
You can generally only get the tone you'd want from a valve Deluxe Reverb, Twin etc by cranking the amp. The sound from the Tonemasters may not be quite as good as the valve equivalent... but I don't think anyone in an audience would notice the difference...and you can also get great tones at bedroom volumes which, I think, is the point.
Well said. Not to mention tubes are finicky and required maintenance. They can be very picky to the environment they are in, hence why you have to “chase the tone” with them often. The Deluxe Reverb reissue was the best amp I’ve ever owned. Maybe if it has an attenuator I’d buy it again, but the TM will do just fine.
For in my studio, the Tonemaster Princeton is great for lo vol Jazz w/o pissing off my downstairs neighbor(a Jazz fan as well) I can work stuff out at 6watt, make all the mistakes I can, then once worked out, flip the lever down to 12 watts and go for it - back in my rock days, I had a 66’ bandmaster that everyone in the neighborhood could hear - that all being said, to record, I’m just going to buy a SM57 - only my Line6 Tone port does decent direct, because that’s all it’s designed to do
As far as the TM Princeton is concerned, it’s a bit spikey, but when playing my 335 through it, that edge or boxy aspect adds snap and better definition to my notes - that was a problem with my 66’ 6L6 bandmaster which had a propensity to bonk out - that never happens on my TM Princeton and it replicates the basic black panel tone w/o causing spinal stenosis when you carry it
This amp sound incredible! By far the best sounding tonemaster to my ears. I’d get one in a heartbeat if I had the cash 😊 the blond deluxe tone master is a close second
I agree. It sounds great and it’s very affordable compared to a full tube amp. A lot lighter too!
@@officialWWM two thirds the cost of the tube version...there's a reason they wont sell it for $200
John, the little jam at the intro was very tasty. I am not able to imagine anyone would or could complain about the tones. It’s an awesome amp.
I've got a Twin version and I think they can be a bit underwhelming until you find the right setting. It's almost as if certain tones are recreated by the tech better than others. Cranking the volume to max and then just attenuating down seems to work best as well - on the twin at least where you don't get any drive until you go high on the volume.
I have one of this, and is by far the best piece of gear I have bought in many, many years. It sound awsome to me. Every one has its preferences, of course, but it sounds and feel better than the Helix, imo.
How long have you had one? Any issues? I’m thinking about trading in my tube Princeton for the tone master for various reasons in the comment I just posted above.
it probably feels better for the simple reason that it has an actually guitar cab. did you ever try a helix without cab sim through an actual guitar cab? that would be kind of an interesting comparison. you'd need a poweramp probably. not sure if helix has a model with one.
I have the Blonde Version. It sounds absolutely gorgeous.
@@mattmanley7118I would say try and find a music store and play it 1st. The Blonde version is more convincing to me. The original is brighter. So depending on what you want is going to make the difference. They do have updates so that is a huge plus. So again, check it out if you can.
I now own two Deluxe Reverb Tonemasters and have upgraded them to the Blonde model specs. Does all my gigs just fine.
As soneone else said below, you have just convinced me to buy one, the playing at the start was brilliant, the best demo ever for a tonemaster.
Forget what you buďdy thinks of it, its a keeper. I do the same sitting for hours looking at others play on YT, instead of playing one of my numerous guitars.
I bought a black tone master 1x12" and liked it so much I got a second, a blonde cab. I run them together out of a Line Six M9 and I don't even use my tube amps anymore. Thanks for your take and the video.
I have had countless tube amps and modellers over the years, vintage and new. The maintenance, specifically re-tubing, has always been a bane for me. Modellers have been ok, particularly love what my GT1000 has been able to do, but FRFRs haven't been able to get that amp in a room sound.
Been using a TMDR for a few years, and it hasn't skipped a beat. It isn't a furnace or temperamental to temperatures, it has volume and attenuation to cover a bunch of situations, and actually sounds like an amp - better than the best Deluxe Reverb I've owned, a silverface '74.
Paired with the GT1000 for effects modelling and a few choice pedals (specific OD, fuzz, and a fun reverb), the Tone Master has become essential to the best sounding and lightest rig I've run in years.
I get why it isnt for everyone, but for gigging musicians who don't want back pain and classic Fender tone, it delivers.
Best discussion of any comments section I’ve seen. Largely I suspect cos of your open minded approach and obvious experience 👍🏼
I bought a TM Super Reverb at a rediculous low used price. I liked it a lot. For a conventional gig with amps, it fills a room and sounds like a real Super Reverb. I think it took pedals as well as my vintage 1965 Fender Deluxe Reverb. However, as our band is all direct, I never ended up using it. It sat looking pretty in the gear room untouched for months until I passed it along (at a profit!). I wish Fender would build the same guts of the amp into mini head (with an effects loop!) as I could see using something like that with a small board for our band and have the option of connecting a speaker for a conventional gig.
I lately discoverd ( in my ZOOM G2, ha!) the wondrous basic clean tone: Fender TwinReverb 65: 11 valves....,two speakers.....), I still have my own clean setting and many pedals, but The ZOOM G2s ( have 6 or 7) have saved me alooot of money, and: still havent found asingle pedal that would give me a heavy solo tone, except the ZOOM,
maybe my cheapo Nux Amp Sim, or the mighty MI AUDIO CrossOver V2, which I stupidly sold,
anyways I usually end up respecting more the dynamics in the tone than the distorted part...
I love mine. I sold my old Hot Rod Deluxe and haven’t missed it for a second. The Tonemaster has a great sounding IR and takes pedals really well.
I've seen a cheap TM Super and I'm thinking about selling my Blues JR tweed ed to get the Super. I can't try the Super though... it would be 99% for home use only...
I love my Twin Reverb TM , really best amp I've ever owned. and I'm 68
Which vintage Fenders did you own so far?
68 and the best you owned' so is it the first amp you've owned or have you owned others?
@@BryanClark-gk6ieOld = smart
@@RobbenBanks153
I'm trying to ask TM compared to what other amp/ amps?
I've seen some old people who are pretty dumb....
Do you understand?
I find this amp to be a reasonable replacement for the actual Super Reverb. I own two vintage 65 Super Reverbs. I suspect this amp may not sound exactly like mine, but it’s close enough to use live as taking the vintage amps out is often problematic and yes they are heavy, but also a bit temperamental and prefer to honestly stay home. I don’t see the line out that emulates a 57 to be dramatically different than what I might expect playing out live under most conditions. I find some validity to your points, but I don’t think a direct comparison to the actual amp provides context to these complaints. It is in essence representative of what it professes to be. It’s not my Kemper or anything even close but it will keep my vintage amps home and cozy in their preferred habitat.
I bought a TM Twin and the two DRs and gigged them all over the last few years, nice amps in a way, but they all lack the mid high complexity or shimmer of the tube versions. I've used TRs and DRs since the '70s, and it was the first thing I noticed with the TMs. I have now sold them off- they are good amps, but not quite there- it probably doesn't show up on compressed You Tube Audio. Now searching for other amps.
I absolutely love mine.
I found a used one for $700.00 USD.
I Made a Andy Timmons pedalboard and it sounds amazing.
To each their own, I really like mine, I recon it’s not perfect, but I consider the weight not breaking my back ! Too my ears is sound fantastic and about as close as you can get to a tube amp ! My only concern is parts availability and repairs, otherwise it’s a yes for me. Buy the way really enjoy your videos and your fantastic playing.
Thats exactly how I feel, a bit worried about the parts
It’s beyond the hype for me. Have the deluxe reverb version, has done countless gigs for me, studio sessions etc. and I’d played valve fender amps for 15 years before getting one. Can’t recommend them enough. In a mix, literally no one can tell the difference, and feels like a valve amp to play. But that’s just me ;) and the IR out sounds great (not the 57😂) but for functions where there’s sound limiters or even recording at home - my board going into it, it’s super handy
How does it take pedals?
@@chilipeet4610 really well in my experience
Hi John, did you ever consider buying a quilter tone block? It was used by Allan Holdsworth and the newer version of it has a FRFR mode.
Nice playing as always!
I love mine. The attenuation is the killer feature for me.
Indeed? I read some comments it was just aa volume knobs. But it keeps characteristic of high output at low volume?
Wow, the Tone Master sounds great and lite weight. I’m going to pull the trigger on it. I gig 4 nights a week and I’m the frontman with a strat. I think 4 speakers are going to sound fuller than my Blues Jr 1-12. Thanks for the audition
I absolutely love mine! In my 50s, I like light and powerful! It does both. Plus, it takes pedals really well (I use a lot of ambient textures) 😊
Shoot man, I've got a '68 Super Reverb (had it for about 23 years), along with Marshalls, Mesa, PRS, an old-school Egnater (50w 2x12 all-tube), had a Super Reverb RI, and more. My Deluxe Reverb Tm hangs with all the them. I've used mine every time I play the guitar - which is almost daily.
As others have said - you skipped over the best feature for at-home use, the attenuator or the headphones jack. It changes everything!
In front of an audience? NO ONE WILL NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE! It's the ONLY modeling amp I've ever bonded with that's dead simple to operate and not crazy expensive (yes, I'm talking about Fractals and Kempers).
The anger and frustration is really visceral when you own an amp that a reviewer is bagging on. Criticizing the line-out and cost of a tone-master while praising the Line 6 products (the XL is $750), and the UA Dream ($400 and then you need a monitor)... It just feels really capricious and not very well argued.
My Deluxe Reverb Tonemaster is awesome for gigs , at home, etc... light weight, no maintenance, .attenuated wattage. Great with pedals . I won't come back to any tube amp.
i just tried one today. I thought it sounded fantastic. The clean sound was rich and buttery. No noise or hum.
I don’t know man sounds good from here. Again, really curious about what you’d make of a Roland Blues Cube.
While I have not tried the Super, the Twin has been doing all that I could ask for for over three years now. You do need to play with all those "DO" settings a bit, but there again, I'm getting the performance that I expect.
Considering the size, cost and weight, it might be better to look at Roland's Jazz Chorus instead if there is no burning desire for any particular type of Fender tone or aesthetic. Those beautiful silver grills and Fender logos do look rather lovely as part of the furniture though.
My choice was between the Roland jazz chorus 40 and the Tonemaster Super Reverb. It was a tough choice. I chose the Tonemaster. I absolutely love it! It’s a beast and sounds great! However, the Roland amp is still for sale…I keep trying it at the store…I might get that one too! Haha
Try the blonde version. Celestion Creamback and has the bright cap mod to take the pedals better.
Does it have a different IR output? If not it won’t address John’s main complaint. Also looks like they don’t make a Super Reverb version.
@@r0bophonicyes
Stopped using a Helix Floor about a year ago and began gigging with the TMDR. Sounds great to me. I use the amp onstage with a five piece function band - volume at around 5 (not using in ears), and use the line out into the PA just to top it up a bit.
One of the best intro playing imo!
I have the blonde deluxe reverb and I LOVE IT but I agree that the cab sim out isn't great, particularly with drive, it gets very fizzy, I've been meaning to try it with an IR myself, might experiment with that this evening!
Have you done the firmware update?
@@timholtguitar6999 mine was running the later firmware as far as I’m aware, nothing from the website suggests there’s been anything new for some time.
Can you load IR’s into the amp?
@@officialWWM no, it has two built in IR’s or you can turn them off and use your own in a DAW or something like the BOSS IR-200 or TC Electronic impulse loader.
@@JasonWharton82 ahhh, ok. Cheers.
I have 2 original Twins, a Bassman head and cabinet, a reissue Deluxe Reverb, Hot Rod De!uxe and a number of Peavey tube ans SS amps. The Tonemaster Twin is working for me in the clean tone category. It took a while to find my tone because the knob don't work the same as my older amps. But once I fond the sweet spot I'm very happy with the tone. To me it's not that much different than my old Twins. I even patched back and forth between cabinets to compare and I can dial in the matching tone of the old tube twins no matter which cabinets.
You got to understand that these Tone Masters are essentially just computers attached to a speaker. You should treat these as computers. They may not last very long.
Actually tubes are notorious for going out at the worst possible times. Tube amps require a lot of maintenance and replacement of capacitors, etc. Anything can fail, but for the cost these are probably cheaper over time unless you’re able to do all the maintenance that a tube amp requires yourself
Really glad you did this follow up, I have the same amp I also have a Victory 2x12 and valve head. The super reverb sounds great and I’m really happy with it but something is missing and I don’t know what! I have the kraken head so not great for super clean, so considering a duchess but would mean selling the super reverb. Would absolutely love to see a review on something like a V4 duchess??
I gig with either Epiphone or Gibson Jumbos through a Fishman 220sa. However, I learn new music and work on speed, accuracy and dexterity with a Gibson SG Standard and either this amp or a Princeton tube amp with a 12. Trying to keep up with the wizards like Johnny Winter really increases my playing level. That said, love my Super Reverb Tone Master and it sounds fine with a Boss ME80 pedal arrangement. Yes, for learning at home in my basement and sharpening my playing skills, both the SG and the ST Tone Master are overkill, but I'm looking for the day I'll perform with them, but right now the Jumbos produce a rich, full sound that I'm not ready to give up. Excellent amp here. Incredibly convenient weight, and man 4x10s. I'm happy. Your playing is incred. So thank you! Worthy video.
*correction...I meant "SR Tone Master"
Found a Tone master deluxe reverb in new condition for $600,.took it to my local blues jam last night and blew everyone away. Best amp I ever owned
Well you sounded real good
I don’t get what your saying
That intro was off the hook bro. The sound was awesome
I’m buying one today. Lol
I'm confused by the commentary here. The opening tones sounded terrific. What corks are being sniffed that make the amp tones demonstrated not worth keeping? That said, I've playing and gig with the Twin TM since it came out. Love the consistency of tone. Great pedal platform. Attenuator and XLR are great for gigs and recording. And lightweight, which was a huge selling point. I lugged around tube Super, then Hot Rod Deluxe. The Twin TM has been so good for playing and hauling around. I call it a "digital tube" amp. When you're cranking with the band, no one is going to say, "oh that's not a tube sound." Great sound. Lightweight. Attenuator. No maintenance. What's not to love?
I wonder, comparing price, weight, and tone, which is better: a Tone Master Super Reverb, or a '65 DRRI or PRRi?
I want the Princeton just for late night practice and the local jams I go to. I think it'll do the job that I want it to. I've been using a Super Champ X2 which is a great little practice amp but time for an upgrade.
Damn good amp. I dig the Super over all the other TM models. I gig it all the time and it does the job nicely. 4 real Alnico 10's make a difference. Something about the way they move air - just like the tube version. The tube version does sound better I think - I've owned one and loved hearing them my whole life. But 80 pounds is for the birds! Always tradeoffs.
Years of ‘tube snobbery’ from Fender fans and the like, totally killed the Idea of Tone Master even before the idea was hatched!
Except they’re really popular, especially among gigging musicians
I usually skip that parts of videos where people are playing, but I really dug what you were putting down, not just the tone, but the tune. It was really good. The thing I find about models and profiles is they just seem like a snapshot of a rig. Like it's already been processes in the studio and sent back through the monitors. Not like you're in the room with a tube amp. More like there was one in a room someplace, sometime. It's almost like a recording. And though I've never played one, I'm guessing even a Kemper is the same. I feel like If I needed an amp like that I'd just take a Mustang. For that kind of dough I'd get a tube amp.
I played one for a bit and when I cranked it, it felt like it collapses when it’s supposed to attack. Hard to explain. They sound great at lower volumes though.
I was scrolling through reverb while listening to the intro and heard John play the lick, chuckled to myself lol
Yep those IR's sounded very muffled..I will just stick to a tube amp and a mic or do the whole thing with my FM9 ...
Been playing with a tone master for 2years love it
I'm not sure about the amp but I'm totally convinced that your guitar playing in the intro was sick af in the best way possible way lol😊😮😊😮
Not really an all out fan of modeling(gave it a try for a year, wasn’t my thing) but I can’t deny these amps sound great! Even to a tubes and solid state guy like me. Now if Fender makes a ‘59 Bassman tonemaster….
The intro sounded alright to me, a bit thin on cleans but driven leads fine. The bluesbreaker pedal will always sound pretty decent though tbf.
True the Bluesbreaker is a total cheat code!!
My favorite Go To Rig is still my Line 6 Spider V 240HC and two Marshall Code212 Cabs but I bet two Boss Katana Artist 100watt Combos hooked up in "Stereo Link" Mode would blow this supposed Tonemaster thing away and cost less!
Sounded pretty damn good to me on that intro piece!
Bought it and returned it. Excellent sound playing by and oneself, but in a band context was way to far in the background even when cranked. I played it during a jam session the other guitarist had a old Peavey classic 30 and it absolutely destroyed this amp.
Old Peaveys are some of the best values on the used market, and the low-rent stigma is dissipating now that peaveys have attained vintage status and most anything made in America is ridiculously expensive
I use my pedal board with a Stryman Iridium when using our own PA, but if we have to use someone else’s with potentially dodgy monitoring I use an amp, generally a 4x10bassman.
Hi John, have you tried the Blackstar St James amps at all? I have the 6l6 50w combo and am really happy with the light weight/cab SIM (did take a bit of tweaking the cab sim)
Love all your videos, been really useful with finding gear and settings for gigs, thank you!
i might be missing something but not having one digital amp with all the amps in it but instead have digital but also physical copies of all of them seems like a a straight up rip off. especially at that insane price while sounding like any fender like amp plugin or worse. really odd
Being over 50 and lugging heavy tube amps to my gigs usually 3 to 4 nights a week. Tone Master Super will save my back and is good enough for audiences I play for.😉
On an iPad Pro the sound is best with the cabinets sim 2. Nice sounding set up.
Damn that intro was super super tasty 🎉🎉🎉
It sounds like if Fender would put a 12" speaker in it as well as add a effects loop - where the modeler could be used in the amp in jack of the loop, they may have a winner -now that there are sooooo many modelers available today . . . I use my HX Stomp in the effects loop - as reviewed on That Pedal Show a while back - and sounds great!
(Of course its just at home - I dont play out anywhere -but works fine thru my HotRodDlxe IV)
Get a Quilter Toneblock 202. You won’t look back. That’s 40 years of gigging the best tube amps speaking. Never again! 5 lbs, 200 watts, no hiss or noise. Tone better or equal to the best silver face Super Reverbs. Absolutely dependable. Tube amps are simply Stone Age nostalgia.
Spot on! I switched my bass rig to Quilter Bass Blocks in 2018 and can use them in any context across the globe. Just got a Tone Block and it is incredible on both guitar and bass. They sit in a mix phenomenally well aside from all the other pros... have compared with all of my Fenders and always prefer the Quilters. I think it's the limiter. Secret sauce!
My cousin is a pro guitarist and he uses a quilter through a Marshall cab. His strat sounds incredible live.
In the interest of fairness, I do a gig with a friend who plays with uh, rhymes with dates and pears (HUGE pop artist?) I always compliment her on the sound she gets from her Tone Master; she's always had an impeccable ear regardless and it translates perfectly to this amp. YMMV, I guess.
@@ianrossmusic as I said, I’ve played the best tube amps from vintage fenders to boutique hand made…I love the sound of Fender amps! But the tone of the Quilters is impeccable with none of the annoying weight issues carrying it to gigs night after night, tubes going bad, or noise from the amp. I’m not saying the Tonemaster isn’t perfect for your friend. Just saying the quilter is just as good with MANY advantages.
@@bradrapp3697 It sounds like you missed my first comment in which I say exactly the same thing about my Quilters. Understandable if so... TH-cam comments are hard to keep up with.
By my house, they only sale caps that have the brim in the middle. Where can I get one like he is wearing?
For sometime i really wanted this amplifier, but i don't know why (price 😂) i give up and i got a Fender Deville 4x10 USA 1996 and the Fender Champ 12 Red knobs USA . I still think i may have made a bad decision in not getting the Fender Tone Master but only time will say . To practice at home the Fender Champ 12 really is great and in my opinion a very underrated amplifier that just happened born in the lowest Fender era , when money really was like these days , very rare 😊
There's something very special about valve/tube amplifier i believe , the smell the warm waiting time and the standby option
i played one at a jam. it felt ok. it sounded like a picture of an amp. i prefer the katana.
I bought a Catalyst 100W due to the hype and low cost. The high price of the Tonemasters kept me away but I did try one at the NAMM. The Line6 is ok for practice but not exactly tubelike. My Mesa & Vox tube amps are for gigging.
Should have tried the Blonde Deluxe Reverb Tone master instead.
The line out does work great in gigs that have that set up. So that is misleading.
This is a fantastic video and the comments are brilliant, so many players all giving their views and so constructive, I keep saying to myself , ye thats a good point or no I would prefer another feature, I love guitars and gear.
I think your argument for how you can pick up a Deluxe Reverb or similar tube amp for cheaper misses a major point for considering a Tone Master. Wanting to move away from tubes. To me the major appeal of TM amp is not that it’s a light weight. It’s that it gives the sound of a tube amp but without the maintenance or the need to make an addition purchase for an attenuator in order to be able to use an 85, 45, or 22 watt amp in your bedroom. I’ve owned a number of tube amps over the years. I still have four, one of which is a beautiful sounding 1966 Princeton Amp. But all four of those tube amps are overdue for some work; 1 no longer works at all, 2 sound like they are on the verge of blowing up if I try to play through them, and now the other one, my Princeton, is starting to get really noisy and sounding like it’s getting close to failing. Rather than try to come up with the money to have them repaired (which is going to cost as much as just buying a new amp), I’ve been using my old faithful late-80s Fender solid state. I’ve always liked analog solid state amps when a company has put the effort in to make them sound good as Fender once did. But now I’m considering a Tone Master, for the reasons I stated above.
As someone with a 1965 Pro Reverb that likes to make annoying crackles and pops despite being "fixed" by techs twice in the last few months, I hear you....
I think the tone masters sound amazing, but I agree that they don’t take drive pedals well.
Having a power amp in would be a game changer, or maybe they could release powered cabinets for a really good price.
This amp was made for those who didn't want any bells and whistles. Just one great tone without the hassle of tubes blowing and the weight savings. It doesn't compete with modellers even though it's a "digital amp". It certainly shouldn't be compared to any of the BOSS products, like the katana. I don't think you would shop between the TM and something like the Boss Katana anyways. First of all, the TM price is more than 2x to 3x the Katana and while the Katana sounds great, the Fender does the Fender clean/drive better.
I do agree this is quite expensive in a vacuum, but not unreasonable. Here in Canada, it costs over $1700 CAD. But it's mimicking an amp that is over $1000 more. What this should be compared to is the '65 Super Reverb which costs $2900 CAD. And for that, it's steal. No one in the audience will be able to tell the tube vs digital amp Super Reverb. And you get the bonus of playing this amp at home and in the studio without getting evicted. Fender did a great job!
All I've ever owned were Fender tube amps, starting with a brand spankin' new Champ in '72. I'm 69 now, and used (and still have) a '68 drip edge Super Reverb for most of my gigging career. Amp royalty in some circles, and rightfully so if you ever had a chance to use one in it's true element (cranked live). I sprung for a Blonde Deluxe TM a couple of years ago, not a regret in the world. These TM's are pretty damn close to the ancestors they represent, which was their intention. Your gripes seem to be focused on the bells & whistles missing on the latest modeler of the day. Not the TM line's intention, never was. Return it and get a Katana, etc. You'll be better served for what you're looking for I think.
I thought the Fender cab sims sounded better than the IRS you loaded. But I’m listening through youtube.
Honestly, considering world events, I am really considering trading in my tube Princeton for the tone master simply because I will not have to hook up an external attenuator, and I will not have to worry about finding tubes for when I will inevitably need them. I think it’ll do the job just fine for my apartment playing, but at the current MSRP probably not
Thoughts? Anyone.
Keep your tubes and an attenuator. I just sold my Princeton tonemaster. It doesn’t sound like a Princeton. I tried modeling for a solid year (hx stomp and UA Dream). I was never satisfied, so I bought a tonemaster and tried that for a few months. Still wasn’t satisfied. Sold my tonemaster, bought a Suhr Hombre. Never been happier. I play full time in nashville (250+ shows a year). I keep my Dream on my board for when I play silent stages, but 9 times out of 10 I’m using a tube amp.
I should note that my experience primarily comes from live use. Hx stomp and dream are amazing for recording, but on-stage I never could get the feel I desired until I went back to tubes.
Hang on to the Princeton@@mattmanley7118
I loved your tone
I just worry that digital amps are near-future landfill. Plenty of people out there gigging 50 year old valve/solid state amps but 50 years from now do you really think that anyone is going to know what the hell a USB cable is?
I have the Deluxe and it sounds far better than any Deluxe Helix sound I have ever heard.....it isnt even close.
Lovely playing… started recognizable and then went into the ether….
yes, but what if you want the super reverb sound and don't want to break your back or go full on direct.
I don’t understand the negative review here as it sounded great ? The input comment is a valid point though but then they sell the FR’s for that .
Interesting review. I was also underwhelmed by the TM, but for different reasons. I rehearse in two nearby studios, one has a Fender TM Twin in the room, the other studio has an "actual" valve Fender Twin. Of course, I am unable to do a side-by-side A/B comparison, but having played through each amp pretty close in time, I swear the valve Twin has a punchy attack that the TM Twin lacks. The TM Twin sounds kind of dull and flat in comparison to the more sparkly, punchy chime of the valve Twin. The valve Twin also seems to cut through a band mix better. Anyway, that's my experience and opinion.
I second that. My experience is also with the TM Twin. It's thin and ice picky and easily lost in a mix. Never tried the Super Reverb though. If only the price is way cheaper it would be great for home use or alone practicing.
Well I own both and not only did a side by side but also patched the speakers across to each other to make sure it wasn't a speaker issue. My tube twin was better to my ear with that blossoming tone that gives it air and sweet tone. The Tonemaster was close and after some serious tweaks very close. The controls responded differently on the TM Twin. It requires way more mids nearly maxed to get there. I am keeping it because of the weight issue and 2 channels. But it is not the same as the real tube twin. Hard to explain the difference but it's there.
Why not have a power amp in or an effects loop or something? Because an actual blackface Fender amp doesn’t have them either, and Fender is STILL selling them 60 years later. The idea of using one as a fancy powered cab for a Helix or whatever is missing the whole point. A big part of the attraction is that it sounds and WORKS like a classic Fender amp - just the right amount of control, and it does one absolutely classic sound incredibly well, rather than sounding like mediocre emulations of a hundred different amps. You’ll never get lost scrolling through menus, because it doesn’t have them! You’ll never find yourself trying presets rather than playing, because it doesn’t have them! The Tone Master series brings back the simple joys of playing guitar again, while picking up stuff from modern tech that matters - the light weight and reliability, the ability to get your tone at any volume, and being able to just get an XLR out rather than miking an amp onstage or in the studio.
I use a TM Deluxe mostly for pedal steel and some regular guitar, and it’s by far my favorite gigging amp ever. I do a lot of small shows at breweries, and never know what I’m stepping into PA-wise (including nothing but vocals, and no sound engineer!). Being able to get a consistent tone from acoustic volumes to keeping up with a loud drummer is awesome. Being able to have the engineer just plug into the XLR out rather than miking the amp is awesome. Being able to self-monitor at all times is very important to me, because I don’t trust sound engineers to give me a good monitor mix - that is the #1 reason I won’t go pure direct anymore. And my TM Deluxe weighs literally a THIRD of what my old beloved Mesa weighs! (When you’re lugging around an instrument that weighs 76 pounds in its case, you don’t want to add a 70 pound amp as well!)
For a gigging musician who finds computerized interfaces distracting and frustrating, and just wants something that rocks, the Tone Master amps are the best solution I’ve ever seen.
I think TM’s sound great but I do have reliability concerns long term. Wish they were more affordable for sure.
I ended up buying one at a discount from Sweetwater lol. We’ll see how it goes.
Try the fender custom shop 100w Tonemaster from the 90s. It’s a tube amp. Great for quiet stages. Ha.
What’s the secret to getting every rig to sound identical like he does? Post production?
Fingers crossed for an FX loop and IR loader on V2
Two months later. "Why I'm revisiting the tonemaster" .
Your feedback on the possibility to run a modeler into the power amp is the same with the Blackstar Debut 50R. honestly got it as i thought i could use it just as a simple practice/small gig speaker to get my quad cortex loud - but that's not possible :( so i have to dial in some kind of a flat eq to my tasting.
edit/update: i just connected the input and the send with an instrument cable and now the quad vortex works perfectly straight into the return of the fx loop - just need to use the master volume of the QC as the master volume of the blackstar doesn't work in this setup.
I thought it was just brilliant that Fender put all that computing power and a class A amp behind the tried-and-true volume and EQ setup we've all gotten used to, instead of tap-dancing on buttons and squinting at displays.
But making them in China? BAD idea. If they started making Tone-Masters here at home I'd gladly pay the premium, but I can't see giving money to The Peoples' Liberation Army.
Great playing, great tone. What's the problem?
I just had to play at a festival outdoors. They swore backline would be excellent. I jokingly said to our singer “It’s probably two Deluxe Reverb reissues” and guess what…. It was two Tonemasters!
Not a bad sounding amp, but outdoors at a festival with the wind blowing there was no hope in hell of hearing myself no matter where the volume was set. Very annoyingly underpowered. Amps these days are made for bedrooms.
you can run your modeler through the effects loop
I love the tone master sound, but they’re too expensive, my local store had a reissue 65 deluxe for $600 that was a lot better deal IMO. I agree that the xlr out doesn’t sound good, tone master wont hold value as much as a reissue, it wont be as easy to repair whenever it needs repair. For a disposable amp I would rather get a boss katana. If I’m going direct, a digital pedal is way more convenient and cost effective, and if you can make noise on a stage might as well go with the actual tube version. The tone master was a great idea but it missed the mark, there’s so many other options that are more cost effective.
Easy On A Thursday Morning
funny enough, I thought both on-board cab sims on the fender sounded better than the IR you loaded.
The only thing that can live up to hype is hyper-hype.
I like mine just abit annoyed how so many people reckon it's quiet enough to crank at home. it VERY much so isn't you need pedals lol
A modeling amp with only one model seems kinda dumb. Only advantage I can see is it looks like a beloved amp and it is a single speaker in an open cab so that would enhance the authenticity of the sound. My only beef with using modeling pedals is that two way passive monitors with tweeters make the sound too brittle unless you turn the treble down on the pedal and the sound is never the same as a straight 10 or 12 inch guitar speaker. Great for clean sounds but irritating for crunchy tones and you run the risk of destroying the tweeter if you push it too hard.
Hi John. Do you program your drums or use loops? If you use loops, where do you get them?
I program them!
differences between tone master and American vintage ?