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Post by archiestone on Feb 27, 2021 13:46:21 GMT -5
I'd been flirting with the idea of getting one of Fender's new all-digital "Tone Master" Dlx Reverbs for a while but price plus the fact that I own the *perfect sounding* DRRI prevented me from taking the leap. Well... a 2 month-old Blonde model magically appeared on the tdpri classifieds for a price too good to pass up... so I bought it.
For two weeks I played through it exclusively and enjoyed it. The on-board attenuation (from 22 down to .2 watts) was a joy to fiddle with and brought out some aspects of the DR I'd never appreciated, being mostly a low-volume player. I held off on A/B testing it with my DRRI until I could get my big brother over. My ears are pretty good but his are better, plus his 'musical palate' is considerably more refined than mine. He came over and we placed them side by side. --No comparison-- The DRRI sparkled, shimmered and shone while the TMDR just kind of laid there.
We doubted the experience, we tweaked knobs, we tried hard to get them to sound alike... We failed.
The Blonde TM model has (the equivalent of) a cut bright cap & also sports a Celestion Neo Creamback speaker which I believe makes it sound more "rock-like" (for lack of a better term.) Like a "doped" speaker, it enjoyed being cranked to give up the crunch. The DRRI's squeaky-clean treble splendor could not be attained even when diming the treble knob.
Conclusion: As a stage amp it's probably fine (only weighs 22lbs!) but for clean play at lower volume and simply "sounding pretty" the DRRI shone through *MUCH* better in the test. A week later I sold the TMDR Blonde at a small profit. Note: I have not yet tried the standard (black) TMDR. Perhaps it more closely approaches the DRRI but for now I am 100% sold... on what I already owned! Lesson learned.
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Feb 27, 2021 14:23:03 GMT -5
Thanks Archie, that's very interesting to me as the Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb has been top of the "wish list " for a couple of months now.
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Post by archiestone on Feb 27, 2021 14:43:21 GMT -5
What gets me is the Fender Marketing description reads "... tone, volume and dynamics virtually indistinguishable from the all-tube original."
Er, not by a long shot in my case.
BTW, this isn't to say it's not a fine amp and that future tweaks (it's sw is upgradable via usb) might not improve things.
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DrKev
Wholenote
It's just a guitar, it's not rocket science.
Posts: 416
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Post by DrKev on Feb 27, 2021 15:14:52 GMT -5
Thanks Archie! I'm still really interested in one of these, particularly the blonde version.
I have yet to hear a comparison where they compare the Tone Master DR and a DRRI or vintage DR through the same speaker. I suspect the differences would vanish (except for the bright cap thing). But the marketing blurb was annoying right from the get go. Jensen claimed the Neo speaker in the Blackface version was identical to the C12K in the DRRI. There is no way a neo speaker can ever sound "virtually indistinguishable" to anything ceramic or AlNiCo speakers. I'm mean, jeez, Celestion and Jensen have NEVER managed to copy the sound of their vintage speakers using the *same* magnet technology, but we're expected to believe that a speaker built on tiny Neo magnet will do it? Nonsense. From what I've heard of them, they are GREAT sounding speakers in their own right and there's no reason to lie in marketing blurb.
BTW, there are firmware updates both with and without the bright cap for both the Blonde and Blackface versions.
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Feb 27, 2021 16:09:01 GMT -5
I don't normally bother with YT amp reviews, but I did watch the Anderton's review of the Tonemaster v the "real" DRRI (which costs twice as much). They declared the DRRI the "clear winner" but I'll be honest, I couldn't hear a difference.
Having read other 5 star reviews, I'm still interested in the Tonemaster DR, mainly due to the weight/ price ;-)
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Post by Leftee on Feb 27, 2021 16:41:37 GMT -5
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Feb 27, 2021 17:38:25 GMT -5
You don't happen to be an Eminence dealer by any chance do you Leftee. ;-)
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Post by Leftee on Feb 27, 2021 17:44:51 GMT -5
Just a little.
But seriously... the wheelhouse speakers are killer.
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Feb 27, 2021 17:50:27 GMT -5
Nah, I was just joshing Leftee. ;-)
I'm in the UK but I've been considering Neo speakers for a couple of my amps *if* they sound as good as or better than the originals.
They're quite expensive, but probably worthwhile if they help avoid chronic back problems ;-)
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Feb 27, 2021 18:25:15 GMT -5
Like with so many amps and guitars (and pedals), side by side comparisons are often confusing because of expectations. A case in point. I have one Strat set up with Bill Lawrence Wilde Noisefree pickups. When I play it I wonder why I just don't use them in all my Strats. Its quiet, it quacks, all 3 individual pickups sound good independently. But when I do the side by side with my other Strats setup with Fralins, Fenders and Rumplestiltskins the difference reveals itself. Not a deficiency, but a notable difference.
I choose to take a vive la différence approach.
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Post by budg on Feb 27, 2021 20:01:52 GMT -5
I have a lil Texas neo in my drri and it sounds really good. The total amp weight now is about 35- 36 lbs or so.
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Post by archiestone on Feb 27, 2021 23:19:23 GMT -5
Wait a sec.. not seeing a coupon code on your post, Leftee. Must be a software glitch.  |
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Post by Leftee on Feb 28, 2021 7:46:00 GMT -5
If I could, I would. 😊
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Post by archiestone on Feb 28, 2021 13:26:08 GMT -5
Just kidding, brother. That speaker looks like a winner. Eminence is *getting it done*. |
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Post by Leftee on Feb 28, 2021 13:29:32 GMT -5
They really are knocking it out of the park these days. Great lineup all around.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Feb 28, 2021 15:11:57 GMT -5
I have an Eminence Li'l Texas neo speaker in a 1x12 cab that sounds fantastic both quiet and cranked.
And it's light in weight too!
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Post by archiestone on Mar 1, 2021 22:20:51 GMT -5
Comparison of the hand-wired Pro Reverb (top) and a Tone Master Twin Reverb (bottom). If it weren't for the 2x speakers that thing could be *tiny*.
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Post by justin on Mar 2, 2021 11:59:54 GMT -5
FWIW I chose the blackface TMDR over the Blonde based on the speaker differences. I didn't get to audition the Blonde but based on (Anderton's?) video I liked the Jensen speaker better thant the Celestion. I really thought I'd prefer the Creamback though. I looked at aftermarket prices and it would be cheaper to try the Creamback in the BF TMDR rather than to source a Jensen N12K to install in a Blonde TMDR. To me the best part, other than the great sound is the attenuation feature. Even the 0.5w setting is a little loud for my house most of the time. The 0.2w setting is outstanding IMHO. I still can't believe how lightweight this amp is. I haven't touched my Spark in weeks because of these things. YMMV.
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Post by archiestone on Mar 2, 2021 15:59:53 GMT -5
Yes, the attenuation is a truly great feature. Weight too!
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Post by rdr on Jul 10, 2021 21:55:02 GMT -5
They now offer a Tonemaster Super Reverb. Darn.
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Post by rdr on Jul 10, 2021 21:55:23 GMT -5
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