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HI all,
As many of you know, Fender recently launched the new Mustang amp line called GT. Since I am the number 1 fan of the Mustang series, I’ve owned a Mustang III v2 for over 3 years now and swear by it. So the big question for Mustang owners is, should we upgrade to the new platform? Most of the reviews out there are ra-ra this is great obviously funded by people interested in selling the amp. As far as I am concerned Shane at the IN the Blues channel is the most knowledgeable user of the Mustang III series in the world. His channel is full of blind comparisons to the tube amp originals modeled in the Mustang, where usually the Mustang wins, and his patch/presets are some of the best in the world, I have them all.
So Shane has done a real review of the new series in the link below, as far as I am concerned there is nothing new in the series that will be better than my Mustang III, so I decided not to upgrade. What I will be doing is looking for deals now on the Mustang IV v2 which is a 2×12 combo! Comments and thoughts welcome:
Roberto
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Roberto
I have to agree with you that Shane has one of the best review channels on You Tube. He gives every piece of equipment a fair shake and speaks objectively about it, whether pro or con. Shane is also really good to respond to any question that you send to him.
As many here are aware, I’m critical of Fender as a corporation because they are one of the worst to put a different color lipstick on the same pig and try to give it a different name. For example, how many versions of the Strat & Tele are currently available and how much difference is there between those models? I’ve seen them put a different color of Tolex on an amp model and then charge $100 more for that amp. The recent release of the American Professional line of guitars – how much improvement did they make to their previous line? Not much…..
It sounds like the Mustang GT may have been one of Fender’s rush to the market. For Shane to mention more than once that some settings sounds more like a hifi system instead of a guitar amp is very telling. Add to that the oversight of the footswitch, problems with Bluetooth, etc – it all sounds like a too quick to market move.
I found it interesting that he used his Peavey Bandit – which is a great solid state amp – to compare the use of OD pedals. The Mustang isn’t the only modeling amp that doesn’t like OD pedals so you have to learn to use the amp’s capabilities to achieve those tones.As far as upgrading to a Mustang IV v2, you will be moving more air due to the 2nd 12” speaker but I don’t know that your overall sound will be that much different. Compared to the Roland JC120 and the Blackstar ID Series 260, both of those amps are true stereo and I can speak from experience with the Blackstar, stereo output make a huge difference in sound.
You will need to spend some quality time with the Mustang IV v2 – suggest that you order one from Musician’s Friend and do an A-B comparison with the amp that you are currently using. If you don’t think the difference is worth it, send it back under their satisfaction guarantee -
I appreciate and respect this guys opinion.
Maybe I’m old school but I don’t trust modeling amps for gigs yet. I think they are great for practicing. I think the thing that prevents me from buying one is it seems more computer than amp to me. Technology changes so fast and I worry about an obsolete amp. I also worry about if it breaks or starts to have one it seems it would be easier to replace than fix. Tube amps may seem old fashion but people know how to fix them. There are obvious pros and cons to both.
I agree with Keith about Fender plethora of model with different names and really how much better are they. I played an American Professional Strat and Tele and did not care for the necks personally or the “new” features. I don’t think they are better than the American Standards. The only thing that was good about the American Professional series is it allowed me to get a brand new American Standard Telecaster (Woody) for $300 less!
Good post Roberto and good discussion!
-Bryce
Anchorage, Alaska-
Bryce you are gigging now? Way to go. Never took that plunge but I did buy the GT100 and it was awful. Returning it this week. I’m mostly into recording so I’m getting a Yamaha THR 10. My amp of choice is Bugera V22 with pedals sound phenomenal. I’ve been checking out the site and played a couple of videos. Been a while for me up here.
–Pat
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Fender probably did rush this. Recently, there have been the new Marshall Code, the Boss Katana, and some other lower end modelers that have probably cut into Fender’s sales. With the first Mustang, there were some problems with “Fizz” at first. Here, a big selling point is the wireless update capability, which anticipates a series of updates and bug corrections.
Bryce, if you like the sound of the amp, then how does it get to be obsolete? I think that’s the point of getting the IVv2. You could buy a half dozen of those for what one good Fender twin reverb would cost. And Shane has already shown that those amps can basically match the twin. So why get the upgrade, since it almost by definition can’t sound better? But also, why get the heavier, more expensive tube amp, which can only sound good at ear splitting volume? People know how to fix tube amps, because they provide so many opportunities. So far, the Mustang has proved to be very reliable, as have other modeling amps. Of course, their expected life is nothing like a tube amp, but I doubt you are using an IBM Selectric for typing, even though WordStar and Word Perfect became obsolete.
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Bryce, if you like the sound of the amp, then how does it get to be obsolete? I think that’s the point of getting the IVv2. You could buy a half dozen of those for what one good Fender twin reverb would cost. And Shane has already shown that those amps can basically match the twin. So why get the upgrade, since it almost by definition can’t sound better? But also, why get the heavier, more expensive tube amp, which can only sound good at ear splitting volume? People know how to fix tube amps, because they provide so many opportunities. So far, the Mustang has proved to be very reliable, as have other modeling amps. Of course, their expected life is nothing like a tube amp, but I doubt you are using an IBM Selectric for typing, even though WordStar and Word Perfect became obsolete.
You have good points Duffy. I will give the mustang a closer look next time I’m in the guitar shop so ensure I’m speaking from a recent experience and not prejudice. I have found most modeling amps lacking in the warm depth of tone that tube amps usually provide. I think it is just preference when it comes down to it. Like vinyl over digital. Like I said I’ll check them out next time I’m at the guitar shop.
I don’t think I would ever buy a Twin because that is too much tube amp. I wouldn’t say all tube amps have to be cranked for good tone. I play my Peavey Classic 30 in the house on 2.5 – 3 of 12 and it sounds good to me. I have a Vox AC15 and the same goes for it.
Bryce you are gigging now? Way to go. Never took that plunge but I did buy the GT100 and it was awful. Returning it this week. I’m mostly into recording so I’m getting a Yamaha THR 10. My amp of choice is Bugera V22 with pedals sound phenomenal. I’ve been checking out the site and played a couple of videos. Been a while for me up here.
–PatPat, I usually play with the house band weekly at a blues jam. Although I’m currently on hiatus due to work, moving, and upcoming vacation. I have heard nothing but good things about that Bugera V22.
-Bryce
Anchorage, Alaska -
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I can relate to the digital v. vinyl comparison, and its one where I finally came out in favor of digital. Vinyl sounds great, provided your record player is outstanding and has a stylus which is in really good condition. And provided that you store the records perfectly to make sure that they never warp. And provided that you play them in a fairly secure environment, so that they don’t get any scratch (and god forbid your roommate decides to put them on with jelly all over his hands, as mine did, repeatedly). Digital may not sound quite as good at first (though I can’t hear the difference anymore and Im not sure I ever could). But after just a few playings, the digital still sounds the same, while the vinyl begins to sound like an old record.
Not pushing the Mustang on anyone, but I do think the answer for almost anyone when it comes to modelers is that, if you don’t like how they sound now, just wait a year and listen again. I don’t think it will be long before the only thing that is keeping people from them is stubbornness. It’s amazing to me that there is this kind of resistance in audio, but not at all when it comes to something like photography. I don’t see anyone clinging to their Kodachrome (not even Paul Simon).
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Bryce, if you like the sound of the amp, then how does it get to be obsolete?
The point of obsolescence isn’t so much the amp itself as it is the interface software. Fender FUSE currently works with Windows 10 and the latest release of Mac OS – but will Fender or any of the other makes of modeling amps update the interface software for the next release of Windows/Mac OS? Or a revision that may be released 5 years from now? Many companies will discontinue support of legacy products in order move on with newer technology and to attempt people to bury their dinosaurs and buy new equipment
An owner may find themselves keeping an aging PC or laptop just to be able to interface with their older modeling amp.One way around this would be to store your patches solely in the amp. Can’t speak for the Mustang or any other modeler except Blackstar but I can store 120 patches on it which I think should be enough to get me thru LOL
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Great discussions, some facts to clear some misconceptions from 3+ years with a MUstang III v2
1. I played/gigged for about 10yrs, it was a nightmare equipment wise…the Mustang is the most reliable amp I have ever had. When one is not Page/Hendrix/Clapton the places where you play are usually not healthy for electronic devices of any kind, putting up, transporting, tearing down, unknown people throwing your stuff around…THAT is the reality for the great majority of gigging musicians….the Mustang does away with the majority of the problems, not to mention weight, it is a perfect gigging amp…oh and by the way no one in the audience can tell…..I’ve been using it out for months now.
2. The Mustang III LOVES pedals, I have a full array, of OD, etc…for the most part for basic pedals that I use a lot, I like real ones to the models….my tube screamer with a 59 Bassman is unmatched….and when played together with a tube amp, IE Supersonic + MUstang on Marshall or Bassman and I challenge anyone to equal that tone!
3. It is impossible, or close to it to hear the real qualities of a Mustang in the store or in a few days. Not because it’s complicated but because:
a you need to know what you’re looking for first in terms of tone
b as with a tube amp, you need to work guitar in hand to develop the eq/pedal/volume combo that does it
for you…and you can save it…
c For the most part, except for the 20 or so amp models, the fender preinstalled presets are awful.
4 It is said that the high gain amps are unusable. False, unusable out of the box because fender seems to think that high gain fizzy sounds are appealing to someone. I played a real life Mesa Boogie Lonestar special and almost had a heart attack at how good it is….so I decide that I would try to replicate it on the mustang Mesa model, I used YOutube videos of the same amp, settings etc….and am 75% there….it is a beautiful tone, pure Santana in thickness …the key was to start without gain…..turns out it’s the secret to all of them….Orange, Peavey 5150, etc.5 Obsolescence – the point about ending support for Fuse would be a problem if you haven’t downloaded every preset there….I have saved and backed up more presets than I can use in a lifetime. The amp itself cannot become obsolete, and it has proven to be very reliable…or I can buy 4 of them for the price of a used Mesa. New features as in the GT line may emerge but as is the case now, my Mustang has no issues.
I have had doubters visit me to test mine, and most went directly to the store to buy one….having said all that, today I own several tube amps and 2 modeling amps…the Mustang and the Yamaha….they all have their place and purpose…and a level of flexibility unimaginable when I was lugging Marshall stacks around in 1978!
Roberto
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