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Post by gwbluesman on Jan 17, 2020 12:19:11 GMT -5
I bought one of the Tone Master Twin Reverb Amps a few months ago and I have to say, I really like it.
I had read all the hype and watched the early review videos, but finally got to do my own side by side A/B with a new tube type Twin at a local music store, and bought the Tone Master on the spot.
It looks like a Twin and sounds like a Twin, and only weighs 33 lbs. Also, it works very well with the pedals I use.
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Jan 17, 2020 13:03:45 GMT -5
They got some good reviews on FDP.
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nawlins dawg
Quarternote
There’s no place like tone
Posts: 38
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Post by nawlins dawg on Jan 17, 2020 13:05:15 GMT -5
I’ve watched a fair amount of YT demos on this series, and in my opinion there’s nothing about them not to like. Modeling technology has gotten to the point where you’d about have to be a pro sound engineer to have the kind of ears to hear the difference, and so why the heck not take the step? I particularly like the attenuation capability which allows for significant SPL reduction without the drawbacks that standard type attenuators bring to the party. And of course the best feature of all - it weighs less than half of the traditional model.
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carsten
Quarternote
Posts: 15
Formerly Known As: carsten
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Post by carsten on Jan 17, 2020 16:15:17 GMT -5
Hi!
I'm sure they're nice amps!
I listened to an a/b-"blind"-test between the Tonmaster-Deluxe and a ´65 Deluxe Reissue and I could tell the difference right away. Like, it was apparent to me, but it might not be apparent to anyone who doesn't know how a Deluxe Reverb sounds - or cares enough to tell a difference ;-)
cheers - C.
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Peppy
Wholenote
Guitar gear guru at Milano Music Center
Posts: 180
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Post by Peppy on Jan 17, 2020 23:15:01 GMT -5
Played through both the Deluxe and the Twin. Had originals and reissues years ago. Much prefer the Tonemasters. So will the audience, your ears, your back, and your wallet.
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McCreed
Halfnote
Posts: 76
Formerly Known As: Mick Reid @ FDP
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Post by McCreed on Jan 18, 2020 18:02:39 GMT -5
Very happy TM Deluxe owner here. Got mine the week they were released. (actually pre-ordered - a first for me!) I was happy with the tone and performance from day 1, but the last two rehearsals I noticed the speaker has broken in and it's just sounding great now!
I've only played at home and in a rehearsal studio, but with a trio (electric bass & acoustic drums) I'm still only running it on 5w! The volume on 4.5 is just right, and I used OD/Dist pedals for dirt.
So far the more I play it, the more I like it. So I'll go out on a limb and say it doesn't appear to be a honeymoon phase.
edit to add: I owned an original '65 DR, and despite being over 20 years ago, the TM sounds like I remember the '65.
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Post by walshb 🦒 on Jan 19, 2020 13:35:07 GMT -5
Some people can hear a difference when A/B'd one right after the other. Put the amps into a band setting, and I doubt that anyone could tell which was the real one.
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Post by sleeperny on Jan 30, 2020 18:39:10 GMT -5
I bought the TM Twin when they first cane out. Love it. I have played gigs almost every week since I bought it, still love it. The other members in the band can't believe it has no tubes. They all love the sound also. I have a few tube amps at home and they will not make a gig any time soon. If these hold up long term then Fender has a bid winner. Only time will tell.
Jim
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Post by chronicinsomnia on Jan 31, 2020 9:22:46 GMT -5
I'm highly tempted to get the Deluxe. I use a (gasp) Cyber Twin SE at church and the 65 Deluxe Reverb setting is almost all I ever use (occasional Princeton). If the CT ever craps out I will probably pull the trigger the next day.
If Fender were to make a Super Sonic Tone Master I would pre-order, do a happy dance for quite a while and retire the CT.
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Post by archiestone on Feb 1, 2020 21:26:00 GMT -5
Very interested in the TM Deluxe but have one problem... I think I own the *perfect* DRRI; It would be REALLY hard to part with it (but can't see owning both.)
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Post by bluzcat on Feb 6, 2020 7:05:25 GMT -5
I have a TRRI and have played it mostly in church. I was loaned a JC120 for that spot at the moment so the Twin is at home. Thankfully it’s on wheels! I’m very curious how they compare so look forward to playing one in person. If they’re as close as people say the weight savings would be great.
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Post by LTB on May 8, 2023 14:38:02 GMT -5
After getting a Sire Larry Carlton H7 (ES-335 style guitar) and using it on my 1990 Fender Ultimate Chorus amp I have had since 2011 I decided after listening to many video reviews and reading reviews of various newer Fender Amps (tube and solid state) I decided to order a new Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb (Blonde edition) amp with two Celestion Cream Back Neo speakers from Sweetwater. It weighs about 33 lbs which is a big reduction from the Vintage Twin Reverb and Super Reverb amps.
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Post by LTB on May 8, 2023 17:30:10 GMT -5
Start at about 3:21
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Post by pcalu on May 8, 2023 19:00:28 GMT -5
Solid state are not my thang! but, the reality is.... On a modern stage: One can almost play through anything now and sound good doing it! 37 yrs ago when I started... One needed watts and lots to be a working musician. That meant big amps and big $$$$
Modern P.A. systems with their mixing and EQ's capabilities .... It doesn't really matter what you play through nowadays. I've played on stages that used boxes/floor monitors or ear pieces, and the stage volume was so marginal we could talk to each while playing ... yet get outside that stage bubble and the P.A. was stadium level. A 10 watt 1x10 combo would have worked beautifully in that scenario..
I once listened to a 8 piece band (horn section and all ) ... top 40 and funk/disco band kill it all night long... Couldn't see what the guy was playing through... when the lights came on, he was using one of the solid state Mustangs! Firm believer that if I couldn't tell, the audience can't either. Like me, they hear the musician playing notes and chords and his/her timing with the rest of the band.
It's 2023 with small venues being the majority of what working musicians play and the level of sophistication, efficiency of P.A. those systems as come into their own.
If weight is a factor .... Why not just roll with a Blues Jr? or a Pro Jr... or some other low budget 1-10 or 1x12... Let's add.... One doesn't need a hand wired Princeton, a modern P.A/ sound man will mix over any defects in your tone/sound... Put you right in the mix.. Make you sound like your playing through top shelf gear. heck .. some dudes are going direct!
The modern sound guy walks around with a tablet adjusting the sound throughout the night as the dynamics change. (unheard of back when I started)
For the price of a new hand wired Princeton (a professional amp) One could by 5 Blues jr IVs. rotate them in and out on tour, always have a back up, and probably after 3 decades, have 2 still working (all 4 if you took them to a tech annually and took good care of them) So why get anything bigger or more expensive that a low budget 1x12? Reality wise .. doesn't make a lot sense
*Side note: Has anyone stopped and listened to those low budget 1x10s or 1x12s? ... just like the overseas guitars... those amps are sounding really good for their price points!
Reality is reality... Right? Really doesn't matter what one plays on stage as long as it's an approximation, the sound man will take you the rest of they way.
(the above is meant to highlight gear "Cork sniffing" is in reality Dead.....it's moot )
If one is happy with the gear they have... really that is all that matters. You can't take a Pro jr up on a stage sit it next to an original 57 Tweed Deluxe and after the sound man get's done, the audience won't know what amp cost $4k and what one cost $500 (You are also going to be shocked at how good that PCB amp really sounds next to an Icon of amp.. but that's for another thread)
I'm a old school guy... Outdoor event, Beer Tents? The all Tube 85 watt Twin Reverb gets the gig! Most of the amps I use are vintage and 30 watts or more. I know the sound man can mix me good or bad regardless of what I'm playing through. I know that the audience hears my playing and not my gear. Yet, I choose what I want to play on the basis of what makes me happy..
If a Tonemaster makes you happy I say roll it.. it's your playing that I'll be listening to, not your gear.
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Post by LTB on May 8, 2023 19:34:36 GMT -5
I looked at Blues Jr, Fender Deluxe Reverb, 68 Pro Reverb, 68 Deluxe Reverb, Peavey Classic 30, Peavey Delta Blues 15”, Marshall (several). I chose the one I did because it closely models the Twin Reverb tube amp. Wasn’t just weight I considered it was tone and other factors. I have a Fender Ultimate Chorus solid state. I wanted clean tube amp sound and this does that. So yeah, for me this one is it. It wasn’t just grab for it, I weighed lots of things. I fully expect some to hold their noses because it doesn’t have tubes but that is ok with me. I mainly want it for clean tones of the Twin Reverb Amp and that it has. I do not do howling overdriven stuff so yes it works for me. I used to repair tube amps and a 72 Silverface Pro Reverb came in. That was a beautiful sounding clean tone. I was going to get the Fender 68 Pro Reverb amp but many reviews complained of rattling tubes (supposedly from cheap sockets) and the wood vibrating in the cab. That was a let down. I have never really liked the 22 watt Deluxe Reverb with 6V6’s. My favorite amps were the 1972 Pro Reverb and 1965 Super Reverb amps but they were way way to heavy. I mostly play bass but started on guitar in mid sixties but then started playing bass because some friends needed bass. As a result My guitar playing is not the best but I plan on changing that. We’ll see how that turns out. I am used to the fatter tone of two 12’s that is why I went with this amp instead of the single 12 of the Tone Master Deluxe.
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Post by LTB on May 9, 2023 14:59:11 GMT -5
One other item I left out. As I thought about a Blues Jr. I saw where they are now using MDF partical board for the Cabinet. That turned me off. I have used MDF for a speaker board with good result. But do not want it for the Walls and back though.
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Post by LTB on May 9, 2023 15:01:01 GMT -5
One other item I left out. As I thought about a Blues Jr. I saw where they are now using MDF partical board for the Cabinet. That turned me off. I have used MDF for a speaker board with good result. But do not want it for the Walls and back though. That is a shame as I really liked the Dark Green tolex and about to jump on it.
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Post by cedarchoper58 on May 9, 2023 17:11:40 GMT -5
i like a little break up and the twin is to clean. Glad ya like it though. i wish they would make a TM pro reverb or vibrolux or vibroverb
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Post by LTB on May 9, 2023 18:58:35 GMT -5
i like a little break up and the twin is to clean. Glad ya like it though. i wish they would make a TM pro reverb or vibrolux or vibroverb I would have loved the 68 Pro Reverb if it were not for the negative things like tube rattle and cab rattle several reviewers found with them. That was THE amp I was going for. Most guitar players like breakup. I like a more jazzy clean tone myself but then again I mostly play bass but wanting to play guitar more now that I have a 335 style Sire H7 semi hollow. When I find a guitar that doesn’t fight me I get inspired to play again.
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Post by LTB on May 10, 2023 15:32:13 GMT -5
The Blonde Tone Master Twin Reverb Amp was delivered today but haven’t had a chance to open it. Hope to do that this evening
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Post by cedarchoper58 on May 10, 2023 16:57:24 GMT -5
The Blonde Tone Master Twin Reverb Amp was delivered today but haven’t had a chance to open it. Hope to do that this evening are there models that are not black face?
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Post by LTB on May 10, 2023 17:50:01 GMT -5
Not in the Tone Master series. I saw a new Silverface 68 Pro Reverb, Custom Deluxe Reverb, and Vibro Champ
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Post by reverendrob on May 10, 2023 17:53:10 GMT -5
i like a little break up and the twin is to clean. Glad ya like it though. i wish they would make a TM pro reverb or vibrolux or vibroverb Twin gets breakup, just not at anything less than death-inducing volumes. Tonemaster should get there without the piercing death howl.
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Post by LTB on May 10, 2023 21:52:06 GMT -5
Got to use the amp (Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb)some tonight. I am surprised the Tremolo seems to nail the tube tremolo of the original Twin Reverb amps. In years past I tried Tremolo pedals but they just didn’t have that sound of the Fender tube amp’s Tremolo. The amp is extremely quiet until you strum the guitar. Removing and reinstalling the 1/4" cable plugs is fairly quiet also. Pedal looks to be heavy duty. The surprising thing about it they for some reason put a delay on power up. Is this to emulate tube warm up or do is if for other reasons such as stabilization upon power up? Who knows. It is lighter even though a little larger than my 1990 Fender Ultimate Chorus SS amp probably because of the Celestion Neo speakers.
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Post by cedarchoper58 on May 11, 2023 12:49:30 GMT -5
I wonder how the twin Tm compaires to the super tm
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Post by reverendrob on May 11, 2023 17:06:05 GMT -5
Got to use the amp (Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb)some tonight. I am surprised the Tremolo seems to nail the tube tremolo of the original Twin Reverb amps. In years past I tried Tremolo pedals but they just didn’t have that sound of the Fender tube amp’s Tremolo. The amp is extremely quiet until you strum the guitar. Removing and reinstalling the 1/4" cable plugs is fairly quiet also. Pedal looks to be heavy duty. The surprising thing about it they for some reason put a delay on power up. Is this to emulate tube warm up or do is if for other reasons such as stabilization upon power up? Who knows. It is lighter even though a little larger than my 1990 Fender Ultimate Chorus SS amp probably because of the Celestion Neo speakers. The delay on "power up" isn't to emulate anything - you're literally booting a computer! Unlike your previous SS amps, which were all analog, there's a little dedicated DSP section (ok, not so little) that has to fire up!
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Post by LTB on May 11, 2023 22:09:50 GMT -5
I wonder how the twin Tm compaires to the super tm I think the Tone Master Super Reverb may be one of the best sounding of them all. Having said this, I am still totally happy with the TM Twin Reverb. Great amp!
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Post by LTB on May 27, 2023 22:20:24 GMT -5
My New Tone Master Twin Reverb only weighs 33 lbs but I have a set of Fender Casters I will be putting on it so I can roll whenever possible around room and carry only when needed. BEING almost 71 and all but one lumbar vertabrae not fused I need all the help one can get therse days. And yes the more I play this amp the more I love it! I am smitten! 🤗
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Post by Cal-Woody on May 29, 2023 10:11:16 GMT -5
As a new dawn rises on "vintage remodels of vintage amps", why won't they include an effects loop? I love and use a pedalboard and run my dirt pedals through the front of the amp and time based effects through the loop. This is my only gripe with a lot of the new amps. Once they have worked hard to recreate a great piece of gear, why not include an effects loop? I know you can use the inserts on the back of the amp, but I prefer an effects loop as not to color the effects by the preamp section and have them sounding as they should. Or am I missing something here? These new Tone Master amps are amazing but would wish that Fender would install an effects loop with either a: +/- db level or a control for the effects level. This has been most of my reservation to actually buying one. It's a modern amp and should have the tools for the working musicians. So, do I have it right about the preamp in and return on Fender amps or am I mistaken in my thoughts? Thanks, Woody
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Post by reverendrob on Jun 13, 2023 8:07:50 GMT -5
The thing you're missing on the modellers is that the power amps themselves are DEAD clean.
That means no speaker emulation/EQ, no fake speaker distortion/output section distortion, etc. It's a boring as can be dead clean SS power amp going into a VERY neutral speaker more often than not.
Don't get me wrong, for what fender is charging for hte TM amps, they can certainly afford to put in a second set of A/D and D/A converters to allow for "preamp" bypass but keeping the power amp and speaker section modelling intact if you so chose, but...I make sense.
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