All user reviews for the Fender G-DEC 3 Thirty Country

This amplifier is a special edition model based on Fender's bestselling G Dec modelling platform. For 2011 Fender has released several new G Dec models paying homage to various stylistic genres. This particular model is the "Country" edition and is geared towards people who wish to have a spankin' tone that would fit right in in a Bakersfield nightclub or a Texas roadhouse. The G Dec itself has too many features to list of my own accord, so here's what Fender says about the G Dec:

Model Name: G-DEC® 3 Thirty COUNTRY
Series: G-DEC®
Amplifier Type: Solid State
Color / MSRP* / Part # :

N/A
$549.99
235-4500-800

Electronics
Inputs: 1/4” on front, 1/4” on rear (for teacher or friend), Aux input
Auxiliary Input: 1/8" stereo for media player, USB connection
Channels: One channel (second input on rear panel); 100 presets
Power Handling: 30 Watts
Horn Tweeter: Hi-Frequency Tweeter
Controls: Analog: Guitar Tone, Band Level, Volume. Digital: Start-Stop Button, Quick Access Button, Tap/Tuner Button, Phrase Sampler, Display Screen, Four Soft Keys, Save Key, Exit/Utility Mode Key.
Hardware
Cabinet Material: Western "Cowboy Tooled" Textured Vinyl
Handle: Molded Black Handle
Amplifier Length: 8.25" (21.6 cm)
Amplifier Width: 16.75" (42.5 cm)
Amplifier Height: 16.25" (41.3 cm)
Amplifier Weight: 27.3 lbs. (12.4 kg)
Effects: Digital amp modeling & DSP effects
Speakers
Speaker: Special Design 10" 8 Ohm
Impedance: 8 Ohm

There are many features on this amp that make it excellent for a grab and go amp or a great practice tool for anyone needing that sort of thing. This one specializes in country tones but you can coax other things from this amp.

UTILIZATION

So far I've only tried the stock presets in this amp, but I feel that they're great and very well matched to the backing tracks that they're mated with. The band tracks are live, so they sound very authentic and 'real,' which is a definite bonus overall. I have used the standard G Dec as well and created my own patches on that one and I can say the interface, once you figure it out for yourself is very intuitive and makes patch creation and storage a very fun activity. There are many great amp models and effects types within the G Dec, so even in a country edition version like this, there are still many great tones that ape many classic amps and effects and do a good job of it.

The amp, being geared towards country players, has most of the stock presets being very twangy Tele loving tones. However, I've put the amp through its paces with some of the other tones that it offers (as an example, I tried the G Dec with a seven string EMG loaded Jackson into a modern metal preset and was suitably impressed with the tones I was getting.) If you're into another stylistic genre other than country, it might be wise to look into another version of the amp, but even though it's called the country edition, that doesn't mean the amp can't do other tones.

SOUNDS

I've primarily tried the amp with various Fender guitars (Strats, Teles, the odd Jazzmaster) as well as a few others for variety (Gibson Nighthawk, Jackson Soloist 7, etc). As I expected, the amp excelled with the Fender style guitars that I tried (the top two were a stock Fender American Standard Telecaster and a new model Squier Vintage Modified Jazzmaster with Duncan Designed pickups). The vast majority of the preset tones in the amp were very bright, glassy sounding tones designed to ape those classic Fender tube country tones of yore. There were a few cool presets utilizing some effects like vibrato or chorusing as well as delay and reverb on occasion. The few higher gain presets that existed within the amp in its stock form were fairly decent as well, though I would have definitely wanted to tweak them given more time. That all being said, this amp's function was designed for chicken pickin' tones... the high gain demon tones should lie in its sister amp, the Fender G Dec Metal edition...


OVERALL OPINION

Overall I would say the amp is a great sounding piece for sure, but this edition is only for those who want country tones primarily. For me I love an amp like this to continue to mess around with those wicked country licks and phrases as it's a stylistic area that is newer to me, so I'd like to hone my chops playing it. The tones are great for those chicken pickin' type licks for sure, and you can also pull off some other styles. I'm sure if you dialed in your own presets you'd have no problem getting any style out of the amp tone wise, since tone is a subjective thing.

I would have to say my favourite thing about the amp is the live backing tracks... they really sound great and are far superior to any of the free country tracks I've found online. I found particular enjoyment with the Greg Koch type speedy country tracks that allowed me to throw some quasi rock/blues licks in here and there where I could mix them in. I also applaud Fender for matching the tones and backing tacks very well... it's a great mix.

If you are looking for a great grab and go sort of practice amp/tool and have an affinity for country licks and tricks, you cannot go wrong with the G Dec Country Edition from Fender. If you want something different, you could try the G Dec Metal, G Dec Blues, or even just the regular G Dec Thirty. All of them are excellent amplifiers/practice tools to be sure.

Out of all the 30 series models I prefer the sound of the metal version. I like how it sound and I more of a high gain player. However, the best looking one of the bunch is by far the country version. It looks like a leather tool cowboy tolex case. It is very impressive to say the least. I would like the metal version in the country case. That would be the ultimate 30 series amp.

What I love about this amp compared to other amp modelers is the backing tracks specific to the version you have. So this one is the country version so there all a tone of backing tracks so you can play along with. Plus the Fuse software allows you to jump online with the amp and get more tracks and share tracks with other users. Very cool feature for these amps.


Fender G-DEC 3 Thirty Country 30-watt Combo Guitar Amplifier with MP3/WAV Playback

* Features at a Glance:
* Covering: "Cowboy-tooled" vinyl with wheat grille cloth
* Amp type: Solid state
* Inputs: 1/4" guitar input, second input, USB, aux input for CD/MP3 player
* Footswitch input
* Output: 30 watts
* Line out: Stereo outputs
* Impedance: 8 ohms
* Speakers: 10" Fender special design with high-frequency tweeter
* Effects: Digital amp modeling and DSP effects
* 100 factory presets made by Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, James Burton, and others country greats
* Dozens of loops covering country, rockabilly, Americana, and more classic American styles
* MP3 and Wav file storage and playback
* 30-watt Guitar amp with 10" Special Design speaker and high-frequency tweeter
* USB connection for user programming and audio recording output
* USB cable included
* SD card slot for unlimited storage of presets and audio content
* Onboard phrase sampler with overdub and export functions
* Onboard chromatic tuner
* Stereo line outputs for performance and recording

UTILIZATION

Details
Type Solid State
Number of Channels 1
Power 30W
Speakers 1 x 10" Special Design, Hi-frequency Tweeter
Effects Yes
Reverb Yes
EQ Yes
Amp Modeling Yes
Number of Models 100 Presets, 22 Amps
Number of Tubes 0
Preamp Tubes No Tubes
Power Tubes No Tubes
Inputs 1 x Instrument
Outputs 1 x Headphones (1/8")
Footswitch I/O Yes
Effects Loop No Effects Loop
Height 16.25"
Width 16.75"
Depth 8.25"
Weight 27.3 lbs.
Notes SD Card Slot, USB Port

SOUNDS

Even though this is the country version, it has some very cool tracks for you to jam along with. The tone from this amp is going to be lower in the gain structure but a very usable and fun tones. if you own this amp you must use a Fender Tele. There really isn't another guitar you should be playing with this amp. Otherwise you would have bought the standard or the another one.

The tone from the amp is cool and very vintage sounding. You can play other style with the tones available but the backing tracks are geared towards the country music.

OVERALL OPINION

For me I would buy the metal versions since I like the tones from that amp better and the backing tracks are more up my alley. However, the tracks and tones available here will have you chicken pick-in for hours. Jumping online with this amp is very cool as well.

At new these units com in at around $400. I little bit pricey for amp modelers but the online features and the SD disc to make your own tracks and sharing tracks with other users online is where this price come sin. If you don't care amp that stuff and just want and amp then there are many other modelers that will do that for much less of a price.