Rating: 8.5/10
Summary
* Amazing clean tone
* Incredibly loud
* Distortion is lacking
* Inexpensive $799 CD list
It may look like a run of the mill typical vintage combo, but this amp packs an unbelievable punch. Plugged in, hit the clean with too much volume thinking "a volume setting of 3 should be ok" and nearly soiled myself. After everyone stopped yelling (including the dog and wife) I stared in wonder at this little power house.
Disclaimer: I'm not going to regurgitate the technical specs on this amp, ifOverview
you want, read the Owners Manual courtesy of the fine fender folks. This review is based on my experience and needs.
Three channels, "Normal" which I find ironic given the insane "OOMPH" of the clean, "Drive", and "More Drive". I think a bit more effort in the terminology/nomenclature/label department wouldn't have hurt.
Typical deep fender spring reverb, footswitch (included) for switching between each of the channels. Standard effects loop and eq all present and accounted for. Speaker out is available which really increases the versatility of this amp, more on that later.
Test Conditions
Plugged it in, turned it on and thats it. Was constantly fiddling with the eq, so I'm not even going to attempt to tell you what settings were what. Reverb is pretty "roomy" and expansive so I kept it fairly low.
"Normal" Channel
One word: Caution. The fact that the volume knob goes to 12 should have been my first clue. Gorgeous rich tone with serious punch is all that is available. If your looking for a crummy clean sounding amp, look elsewhere. In all seriousness, I was quite impressed. I have yet to come across a combo with the volume, tone and clarity that emanates from the bowels of this little monster!
Drive Channel
The gain is ok, not to my liking, but if my distortion unit took a nose dive mid way through a show, I could easily get by with the "drive" channel. Its hard to describe, but similar to, that type of girl you meet once in a while that has a husky sort of voice, and while you think its kind of neat at first, the more you hear it, the more you wish she would clear her throat.
Not much to say here really, at $799 CA list you cant expect the world. Not to say that Fender does not have amps with great gain and distortion. The super sonic head is a real kick in the pants if your looking for some solid distortion.
Anyways, regarding the distortion sound on this amp, from what I've observed, read and heard, seems the herd is divided, between love it or "meh...its ok". There is no hate. All features of this amp can stand on their own. Just that my style calls for more bottom, and grind. (blush)
More Drive Channel
As the name implies, there is more. Re-read the aforementioned section entitled "drive channel" and just think more. Seriously though, the extra level of gain offered up some adequate saturation. Changing out the 12AX-7 pre-amp tubes and the and 6l6 Groove Tubes (power tubes) for the Mesa Boogie (insert) just for fun, yielded marginal results. Stick with the tubes shipped with the amp.
Overall
While many players like the distortion channels on this amp, Fender should have scaled it back to a 1 trick pony, actually the term Clydesdale is more appropriate, with a well built 1-channel-loud-as-hell-amp with reverb, I'm guessing 200 could have been shaved off the sticker price, making this a VERY popular amp.
The good: The tone across all three channels is glorious.
This is a great amp for those looking to cut their teeth on a decent tube amp, that could grow with you as your requirements change and/or budget evolves. I added a Mesa Boogie 212 closed back cabinet to this amp just for fun, resulting in a surprising amount of heart thumping, air-pushing, goodness. Typical fender clean tone, but with a closed back cab, it was hot. Add an eq and distortion through the effects loop and with the right settings, you have a pretty rocking tone applicable to a wide variety of situations with the exception of being the opening act at a slipknot show. However, you have to ask yourself, "do i really want to carry a combo AND a 212 closed back up the 50 some back-stairs to my local upstairs music venue?". Regardless, this combo delivers, just ensure before you buy, you know what you need to get the sound you want.
The ugly: The gain and distortion sound left me a little disappointed.
Would I buy this amp? Most likely, a couple of stomps with that crazy clean, and I'd feel comfortable in a variety of situations.
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