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mooseherman « Cheap reliable combo amp »
Published on 08/23/11 at 13:05This is a solid-state amp from Fender. It has been replaced with the Stage 100 DSP but is still decent if you can find one.
There are two 1/4" connections. The first is high-impedance and the second is low, unless you use both simultaneously in which case they are the same. There are two channels, Normal and Drive. The Drive channel also has a boost channel, or "More Drive". The normal channel has a volume, 3-band EQ, and reverb control. The Drive channel has its own set of identical knobs except for the inclusion of a drive knob which controls gain. There is a switch to change channels and a switch to kick on the "More Drive" sound on the Drive channel. Both of those switches appear on a footswitch that is compatible with this amp as well. The amp also sports an effects loop and external speaker output as well as a balanced XLR line out.
UTILIZATION
Getting a good sound out of this map is not exactly that easy, because it doesn't really have that many good tones to begin with. It's not the hardest amp to use, though it certainly does have a lot of features for such a cheap amplifier. The manual will definitely come in handy for those who do not understand how to use effects loops, balanced XLRs, or any of the extra features, though honestly they shouldn't be too much for anybody. It's not the heaviest amp in the world for its size, which also is a nice plus.
SOUNDS
This amp simply doesn't sound that great. I can't really believe what bad tones I got out of it, considering it's a Fender product. The clean sound is uninspiring, it almost sounds like a slightly souped-up DI signal with an EQ. I actually use the Drive channel for a clean sound, just don't put too much on the "Drive" knob. If you're looking for actual dirty sounds, though, this isn't a great amp for those either. It has too much pure, clean sounds with no bite. I can get those sounds with a tube amp by playing lightly, however, I do need an amp to have some bite to it when I pick up the dynamics. This amp fails miserably on that front. I've tried it with Les Pauls, Teles, Strats, and Hollow bodies like the Guild Starfire, and I found that it didn't really work with any of them, at least not to my liking.
OVERALL OPINION
I think in all honesty that this amp was once again made for beginners who need it to play with a band. School bands, church ensembles, and places where tone is not a real priority could use this amp. Individual players who really are on a quest for great tone should avoid it. I really couldn't believe this amp when I tried it. I was very disappointed. I've recently discovered other fender solid-states that put it to shame, like the Deluxe 112 plus. There's definitely better stuff out there for more money, you're better off saving up for a longer period of time.
There are two 1/4" connections. The first is high-impedance and the second is low, unless you use both simultaneously in which case they are the same. There are two channels, Normal and Drive. The Drive channel also has a boost channel, or "More Drive". The normal channel has a volume, 3-band EQ, and reverb control. The Drive channel has its own set of identical knobs except for the inclusion of a drive knob which controls gain. There is a switch to change channels and a switch to kick on the "More Drive" sound on the Drive channel. Both of those switches appear on a footswitch that is compatible with this amp as well. The amp also sports an effects loop and external speaker output as well as a balanced XLR line out.
UTILIZATION
Getting a good sound out of this map is not exactly that easy, because it doesn't really have that many good tones to begin with. It's not the hardest amp to use, though it certainly does have a lot of features for such a cheap amplifier. The manual will definitely come in handy for those who do not understand how to use effects loops, balanced XLRs, or any of the extra features, though honestly they shouldn't be too much for anybody. It's not the heaviest amp in the world for its size, which also is a nice plus.
SOUNDS
This amp simply doesn't sound that great. I can't really believe what bad tones I got out of it, considering it's a Fender product. The clean sound is uninspiring, it almost sounds like a slightly souped-up DI signal with an EQ. I actually use the Drive channel for a clean sound, just don't put too much on the "Drive" knob. If you're looking for actual dirty sounds, though, this isn't a great amp for those either. It has too much pure, clean sounds with no bite. I can get those sounds with a tube amp by playing lightly, however, I do need an amp to have some bite to it when I pick up the dynamics. This amp fails miserably on that front. I've tried it with Les Pauls, Teles, Strats, and Hollow bodies like the Guild Starfire, and I found that it didn't really work with any of them, at least not to my liking.
OVERALL OPINION
I think in all honesty that this amp was once again made for beginners who need it to play with a band. School bands, church ensembles, and places where tone is not a real priority could use this amp. Individual players who really are on a quest for great tone should avoid it. I really couldn't believe this amp when I tried it. I was very disappointed. I've recently discovered other fender solid-states that put it to shame, like the Deluxe 112 plus. There's definitely better stuff out there for more money, you're better off saving up for a longer period of time.