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Fender Stage 185
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Fender Stage 185
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Published on 02/22/08 at 15:23
In ocazz it is scarce but there are still a ridiculous price (~ € 200) and since this amp is really not bad for the stage, I start a small personal opinion.

For specifications:

- Any amp transistor, CMOS technology, "tube simulator" (I finally reminds me that what was written on the record )
- 2 channels, eq SEPARATE
- Settings cannal 1: 3-band eq with a switch that I call "medium cut"
- Settings cannal 2: 3-band EQ + gain + contour + sw + gain boost presence
- A well-typed reverb "fender 80's" (we like it or not ...)
- An effects loop with adjustable flight
- 1 HP 12 "that sounds (from memory it was an Eminent, I have not thought checker)
- Output for an external firm
- Footwitch channel / reverb / boost
- A considerable weight (~ 25 kg)
- Power: 160W announced in the manual, I personally would say it sends the same as a good 50W Tube ...

UTILIZATION

Simple, Eq efficient power sympatoche. Personal I never exceeded the 4.5 in live use.

To play at home is enough cotton for the potentiometers are exponential, not linear (and therefore to play a low volume is not clear).

Anyway it's more of a combo amp that scene work.

By controlling the boost via the footwitch provides ease of use in live ...

SOUNDS

Its very very clear! It is "transistor", but honestly the sound is straight and shiny with a touch of velvet.

The eq is effective, the medium sw is useless in my opinion but some will find their account.

The report is very clear sound convincing. In short a nice little Fender clean sound ....

Drive sound is rather a very successful time for a vintage Fender transistors. !

Let's say that the saturation is variable and flexible . It is a bit of a crunch degeu, to a good OD to a saturation thickest approaching some of the mesa to Santana (I say "closer"). Of course this is not a metal amp, but for blues rock & roll ca ....

I have rarely met a saturated channel as good on a Fender transistor. Also the eq of this channel is fairly comprehensive and provides good sound modulations.

Rendering a high volume is very correct in the clear as saturated. I think the HP 12 "is good and receives well the power of the beast.

OVERALL OPINION

Having owned and used a number of smaller transistors Fenders in the last century, I think this one stands out from the rest by a saturated sound that is really nice which is rare enough not to be stressed ...

3000F purchased from OCCAZ in '93, sold for the same price in '97, I never seed with. The next owner was very happy for the next 2 years as well. In short, I think at the time were built of solid in the range from fender.

Also the sound quality (clear _AND_ saturated) was much higher at different Valvestate & co that was at the time, for a similar price and less power.

It allowed me to do a lot of little scenes and various student oxen, 2 times the Feast of the zik outdoors, and it sounded!

In conclusion I would say it's a good "little" amp, versatile, sounds great plain and the channel is saturated well above average "Fender transistor".

It was the era of 'simulation of tube amp via a CMOS circuit' Fender ... Personally I have never made any reconciliation with his "lights", but the dynamics and warmth of his appointment were.
In short, if you make small / medium scenes in a book rock / blues / pop and you find this amp to OCCAZ qq hand, do not hesitate to try it and if the HP holds up I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

As the price occazz is rather ridiculous to the possibilities of the beast, I think it's a very good deal!