Fender Performer 1000

This is a 5 watt tube amp without any frills like tone or gain, just simply a power switch, volume knob, and a 1/4" standard guitar input. Any tone shaping can be done with effects equipment, but not in a loop, prior to the gain/volume stage.


UTILIZATION

This amp really opens up the louder you put it. There really aren't any choices, such as through using different settings, to get a good sound because there are no amplifier settings: simply on/off and whatever volume level you dial up. That being said, this amplifier sounds pretty good, especially in a bedroom or for a home studio environment.

SOUNDS



There is a lot of versatility in that there isn't anything to fiddle with this amp - just whatever effects equipment that gets set up in front of it. So, this amplifier is capable of producing many different tones that all encompass the type of "tube warmth" that us guitar players seem to strive for. This could be the clean kind of tones, the ultra-clean tones used in New Wave (like the Cars) or lots of heavy metal distortion from a pedal for thrash and hardcore music. The higher the volume knob is set, the more the tube is driven, the warmer the tone. Fortunately, with only 5 watts, it doesn't take a whole lot of volume to start driving the tube.

OVERALL OPINION



This is a neat little practice amp, even if it is kind of expensive since it doesn't come with any type of tone shaping controls at all. Still, nice, clean tones are easily delivered from this amp, making it a great combo for someone who just "has to have" tube warmth in their bedroom rig. I ended up passing on this amp, but did go back and forth for a long time, agonizing over whether I'd pick one up or not. I've played a couple different ones for a couple different hours; I would suggest being able to play one the one that you intend to purchase, because they don't all sound the same.

Nice big Fender performer 1000, mainly solid-state amp but with a tube for the preamp on the lead channel.

According to Fender, it is rated at 120 watts, but I'd say its more like 200. This amp is a true bombshell. I have never dared crank it beyond 6.

Treble-Middle-Bass for the clean sound and 2 gain-treble-body-bass for distortion. Nothing could be simpler. Everything controlled with a 3-button footswitch (clean/distortion, Gain1/Gain2 and Reverb on/off).

Regarding distortions/effects, you have two distortion channels with two independent gain controls. It's ideal for solo/rhythm mode. It also features a reverb, which is quite good and very useful live.

A small drawback is the absence of a master and the lack of restraint at low levels.

UTILIZATION

Nothing is easier than using a Performer 1000. There's no head breaking. Just plug your guitar and rock on.

Now, when it comes to sound, I found the love of my life. The famous clean fender sound, very round and balanced. I don't like to drive the gain too much with distortion, so I always have a nice and round sound, perfect to play some blues. It's true that if you want something more powerful you need to resort to effects (personally, I use the legendary electro harmonix Big muff and a boss ds-1)

I recommend this amp to blues guitarists, even if I use it mainly with a rock/psycho/ska band.

SOUNDS

The sound is magical. I use it with a Fender cyclone humbucker model and a single coil Strat.

It sounds just like you expect a Fender to sound. It's perfect for blues, and it's also very good for rock, but metalheads should look elsewhere.

A small amp with a huge power. However, you have to use it with good effects. If you use a pedal like the metal zone, your ears won't tolerate it very long. Aim for a more bluesy distortion.

OVERALL OPINION

I've used it for 1.5 years and have never been disappointed.

I paid CAN$300, secondhand. I have never found a better value for money.

I would buy it again anytime. I love it and will never part with it. However, I'm starting to find the sound a bit weak live.

I love everything about this amp, but it does lack a master, which poses some problems when you use the distortion channels frequently.

A nice little gem, especially for blues lovers.

See other reviews where everything is detailed.
Big power reserve, comprehensive connections (speaker, send return, direct line).
Three channels, controls on the front panel, like on a Deluxe reverb or a Twin.
Nice black color.
The pots are a bit cheap, like the handle.
Grey speaker covering, Fender Made in USA logo.
Rather light (big plus!). Footswitch included.
Nothing negative in this regard.

UTILIZATION

Nothing too complicated.

SOUNDS

Its biggest advantage is the clean sound: ultra simple settings, Volume, Treble, Mid and Bass.
It unquestionably has the Fender touch: Brilliant and responsive sound — a classic. This Performer is really worth trying out, at this price point it's impossible to find something better
The lead channels are quite usable, the tube plays well its role.
These are my dialings:
- Clean: Treble set to 5, Mid to 5 and Bass to 7.
- Distortion: Gain set to 2/3 on the rhythm channel, 5 on the lead channel, Treble to 5, Body to 3/4 and Bass to 6. You only need to adjust the power with the volume.
- Reverb at 4 (I agree with the other reviews, it's excellent).

I get a nice clean sound, but it's not aggressive, since I reduce the Treble.
A very nice crunch.

Reading some reviews, I have noticed that certain lucky owners of the Performer are annoyed by the power of the amp. Don't worry, every problem has a solution! You only need to link the Line Out and the AUX Send on the rear. And, oh miracle, the Effects Mix pot on the front works as a Master control! What's more, you will be able to use your amp at home without risking bothering your neighbors. And the sonic capabilities of the amp also increase by mixing the Master you created with the volume and gain controls. Isn't life nice?

The pros: I use it with a cabinet that I made myself with a 15" Eminence, which boosts the low end!!! (Careful: 8 Ohms min)

Don't forget that it's solid-state, meaning that the sound is almost the same, regardless of the power used. On a tube amp the sound changes, evolves, benefits when being pushed. This Performer is generous but it doesn't have the compression nor purity of a tube amp. It has a somewhat clinical side, which is characteristic of solid-state amps.

OVERALL OPINION

I solved the speaker issue, the amp's only drawback.

For $325 it's an excellent deal.
My advice is to add to that around $120 for a good speaker or cab with a 15 incher: Is there an amp capable of rivaling with it in terms of sound quality and connections, but also aesthetically, for $450?

It's a hybrid amp (1 tube for the preamp and solid-state)
The connections are more than enough for what I use it.
You can use it zapping the preamps with a footswitch, it's awesome!!!
Normally, it comes with a footswitch with 3 switches, 2 for distortion and crunch and 1 for the reverb!
In terms of controls, it's very simple: volume, bass, treble, and middle for channel 1
Channel 2 has volume, bass, middle, treble, gain 1, gain 2 and reverb

UTILIZATION

Yes, it is very simple!
I don't have the manual but you can find it online!
Generally speaking, FENDER has a superb clean sound but less so in terms of distortion; and this is no exception to the rule! As long as you know how to dial in an amp! The distortion is more limited, but still credible!!!
Be careful, this amp is very loud!! When the volume is set beyond 2 the level is pretty high!! Read the tricks on the product page to solve this problem, it works great!!!

SOUNDS

Yes, it suits the music I play, which is mainly punk but it also allows me to surf different musical waves and I use it together with a jcm 900 4501 so I won't complain!! I have the FENDER treble and the MARSHALL bass, so it's unfair to whine about it.
I play a JACKSON DX10D guitar equipped with DIMARZIO SUPER DISTORTION and PAF PRO pickups! For effects, I have a ZOOM G92TT pedalboard.
I LOVE ALL THE SOUNDS THAT COME OUT OF THIS AMP

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for 11 years now. I know it by heart. It's a good companion, but it's a bit heavy. It's quite the bigmouth even if it hasn't had too much to drink. They don't make amps like these anymore!!!!