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FDP Forum / Fender Amps: 1985 - Current / Help Chosing an Amp!!!
FDP Forum / Fender Amps: 1985 - Current / Help Chosing an Amp!!!
daozen
Guatemala
Derek Trucks is my God.May 11th, 2012 12:06 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Well, I'm finally getting a band together after about 14 years of playing and making music :D but I know little about live sound.
I've got a cheap Johnson guitar/amp combo I got more than 12 years ago, and I've never really played anything else. I do use a korg effects pedal to get a decent sound, but I can’t play the guitar clean as it sounds like the cheap chinese thing that it probably is, but I actually love how the 30 watt amp sounds!!! I set the knobs on full vol, full overdrive, and on top of that, it gets the full tube overdrive effect and a decent amount of delay and reverb from the pedal. It always sounds like it’s screaming for it’s life at very low vols, but I’m not sure about how much of the sound comes from the pedal and how much from the amp.
I'm getting a deluxe mexican Fender strat soon (vintage noiseless pickups), and I'm thinking about getting the Frontman 212r amp to go with it but I'm not sure about it!!! I feel I won't get the singing overdrive I get from my cheap 30 watt amp. At the same time, I’m not sure if I will be able to mic the amp at every gig, as I own neither an extra mic nor a proper PA so I would have to rely on the local setup everytime, can that be a problem? Or is it rare they won’t be able to mic the amp?
On the other hand, I feel the f212r is perfect in terms of price and usability. I wouldn’t have to rely on miking the amp for starters, and it seems I won’t need a bigger amp unless we start playing stadiums. I play using mostly overdive and delay/reverb but I would love to use clean stuff aswell as my complex chords lose color and get muffled with the overdrive. So, will I still be able to get the crazy overdriven sound I get from the pedal alone if I get the 212, or if not will it still sound better on both the clean and overdriven setup with the help of the pedal?
Thanks Anyone!
Winter
CaliforniaMay 11th, 2012 04:13 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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It may be a good choice, the Frontman 212. I like the 2-12” inch spkrs and the 100 watts. That amp does not get much attention on this forum.
At the same price, I’d consider another Fender 100 watter, the Mustang 3. Only 1-12”, perhaps you can add an extension spker, I’m not sure. Not an owner, but I’d think it would offer lots of tones for those complex chords.
Live sound you say? I’ don’t know. Lots of real players in here do “gig” live, in bands. I believe someone has mentioned that the Mustang 3 might work? So might the Frontman 212. (I tend to be interested in these new modeling amps lately).
Dadical
Contributing Member
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I am not a complete
idiot - I have several pieces missing!May 11th, 2012 04:22 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Nothing wrong with the Frontman 212, but I agree that you should give serious thought to the Mustang.
I have a few good amps, but neither a Mustang or F212. I occasionally play through a Frontman 212 at a local jam night and the clean sound is fine. I use a pedal for OD. The Mustang has more sound choices.
Quackerjack
Contributing Member
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USAMay 11th, 2012 06:21 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Mustang 3 is a far better choice than the Frontman, and has plenty of power for gigging. Get it with the 4 button pedal and you can do everything from pure Fendery clean to Marshally grind - and have your choice of reverbs and other quality effects.
fredocaster
USAMay 11th, 2012 06:30 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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+1 on the Mustang III. If you are considering solid state, I think it is a very good choice. Big range of sounds, just as quarterback says. No need for pedals with this amp, although you certainly could use them if you wanted to.
reverendrob
FDP Data Goon
Moderator
Hero, hero
you have done so well...May 12th, 2012 03:35 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Frontman will work, it's low end and solid state so nobody gives it any respect, but for a clean basis could definitely start with worse.
And it will peel paint off walls.
I agree the Mustang III will probably work just as well or better (or possibly the Mustang 5 head and a used 2x12 cab as well).
telegib
CanadaMay 12th, 2012 04:34 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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If you would like to afford a tube amp but can't right now buy a Mustang III. It is in my opinion the most tube like amp out there right now. It is 100 watts, has delay, chorus, great reverbs, compressor etc all built in as well as a built in tuner. The speaker is a celestion.
Can't go wrong with this amp and it may become one of your favorite amps long after you buy your dream amp.
fendrguitplayr
Contributing Member
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Greater Boston
Where suspense is never in short supply.May 15th, 2012 07:06 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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The Mustang III amps that I've heard other people using have sounded pretty decent.
OASYSCO
USAMay 15th, 2012 11:15 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I found a DRRI and a $50 Zoom mfx pedal to work great for live gigs, whether mic'ed for larger venues or just stage volume for smaller ones. I used single coil and humbucker-equipped guitars with that rig. OTOH, I disliekd the DRRI at home as it was just too bright, but on the stage that brightness added definition to my tone that I needed to cut through. I've tried lots of other amps like SS Fenders, SF Pro Reverbs (good amp, but heavy), Fender Super Amp (heavy), Fender Princetn Chorus (great low volume jazz amp, but a crappy amp for gigging rock, imo). The DRRI came up a winner for my everytime.
Rick Plays The Blues
Austria
May I try that again?May 16th, 2012 02:19 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Daozen,
it is always a compromise - money versus what you get for.
In my opinion, the F212R really gives you a lot for the money.
As you sure know, the F212R has three channels, clean, drive and more drive - so I do not agree your "I feel I won't get the singing overdrive I get from my cheap 30 watt amp." statement. You should get it, but maybe just at higher volumes.
Together with your multi-fx, the F212R should team up to just a perfect budget gigging system.
Sure, others are right, the Mustang series is great as well. But already the Mustang 3 is more expensive than the F212R ... and the more comparable Mustang 4 even more so (more comparable imho, as it also has 2x12).
Even better would be a really good tube amp like the DRRI. If you have the cash to go this route - good option. As many other amps in that price range would be.
But coming back to the F212R budget, I believe you won't find anything more adequate in this price range if you are going to gig.
And while I do not know how conditions are in Guatemala, I know for myself, that I never want to depend on the mics and PA that they have at the gig location ...
So yes, thumbs up for your selection.
jbryan
MinneapolisMay 30th, 2012 04:48 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Go with the Mustang III! You don't need a second speaker- these things are LOUD! I have to watch my volume or get yelled at on stage! I run the master volume on 3 oe 4 at gigs- and we are 6 piece rock/pop band with a heavy hitting drummer! I love it so much, I just posted above I am thinking about getting another one I can leave in my practice room so I don't have to set it up after each gig! LOL! Do get the 4 button switch! Worth every penny and will make gigs easy! Nice to glance down at the foot pedal for a quick tune between songs! Better not even having to unplug the wireless to do it!
brawler
USAMay 31st, 2012 08:05 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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My advice is always the same. Find an amp that gives you the clean sound you like at the volume you will play. This is your foundation, your ground zero starting point.
You will never get a good clean sound if you need one unless your amp has one to begin with, dirty is easy to add but impossible to remove. Start clean, add dirt from pedals or by other amp channels.
I have played a Fender Mustang III. It's a killer amp and plenty loud. You can get sparkling cleans from many of the amp models. Marshall grindy-dirty is there too. If you want uber Mesa Boogie tones, yep, they are there too.
Do you have a Guitar Center or similar store near you? If so, go there and try a few amps. There are so many models and types that you will find something that sounds good and fits your budget.
It's a good time to be a player these days, great sounding gear is available and affordable.
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