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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.