Hi guys,
I was thinking of getting a Mustang V because i read so many reviews claiming that it is a wonderfull amp, and that it sounds just like many fender vintage amps. So i would like to know if any of you had experience with it? I was particularly interested in the Bassman model. If it did a good job modelling it, i would have a bassman for less than 400 hundred dollars. Well, opened for suggestions.
Best Regards
So does anyone have an opinion about the mustang?
So does anyone have an opinion about the mustang?
It's.... not a Bassman that's for sure.
The biggest issue you'll find with it is the fact that the effects are extremely gimmicky and it has quite a "solid state" vibe to it. Very little dynamics in terms of playing styles, all the amp settings are really close to one another and don't do much to really vary.
If you want a fender I'd suggest you try to find an old Champion 5w tubey and put some good pedals in front of it, heck you can sometimes find old Vibro Champs for not a bad price, you'll be thankful that you skipped the mustangs, they're beginners amps and are designed for bedroom use and for people who like "presets".
I've seen too many of them have problems with the processor/power amp/speakers/everything to feel good about purchasing one, just not my thing.
^yeah I'm not a huge fan of modeling amps. If it were me, I'd go for Traynor, Palmer (eins), old Ampegs, Bassman clones, etc. The chinese-made Belcat amps actually sound pretty good too
Yeah, they're a 50/50 amp as far as I can tell. 50% of the people 50 feet away from the amp will think it sounds OK.
If you're looking for a more affordable Fender variant, used Traynor's are a good way to go (in North America at least, don't remember if their distribution goes much beyond that). Picked up a YCVQ-80 (a 4X10 combo very similar to a Super Reverb) for a ridiculous price last week (in fact, I haven't paid more than $350 for any of my used Traynors, excellent VFM).
Alternatively, the older Vox Valvetronix units do a decent job of emulation, and they can be picked up for real cheap as well.
It's $300 and doesn't include a cab -- a 4x10 isn't cheap. If you're patient, you can get a real bassman RI combo for under $800 used, and it will be MANY times the amp.
The Traynor suggestion is good. I think the Ampeg suggestion is even better, though.
Quote from: GammaFlex on June 17, 2014, 04:43:49 PM
It's.... not a Bassman that's for sure.
If you want a fender I'd suggest you try to find an old Champion 5w tubey
... The champion is a 5W, 6V6, 6" speaker (that needs to be replaced), and a hardwired silverface tone stack ... there's no planet on which it'll sound anything like a bassman, even with modification. There are several other amps (Hot Rod Deluxe, or even better the Hot Rod Deville) that will at least have the big amp sound that are far better choices if he can't get a bassman.
Thanks for the replies! I'll check those amps you told me.
So for a good bassman sound, what would be the best option? I'm searching for an hendrix vibe, maybe that catfish tone would be a good example, and i read he used bassmans to get his tone. I know he used marshalls as well, but i think fenders are more versatile.
Quote from: HailToTheBlues on June 17, 2014, 06:45:12 PMi read he used bassmans to get his tone. I know he used marshalls as well, but i think fenders are more versatile.
Hendrix used tons of gear, and knowing what he used in any given recording session is nearly impossible. Live he most often used Marshalls based on many photographs.
An early Marshall is a Tweed Bassman built with British parts. And getting a tweed Fender, or an early Marshall repro, is going to be much, much more expensive, but if you want to get into modding amps, you can at least get a bit more tweed flavor with some tone stack modifications.
My advice is that you should focus on getting an amp you think sounds good, not focus on reproducing a sound based on spurious internet information. Go to the guitar store and try out several amps. Make a note of what you like. Use pedals in front of them. Make a note of what works and doesn't work. Try everything, solid state, tube, etc. Many classic recordings were made with solid state amps, so just because many people like tubes doesn't mean that you will.
I'm not trying to replicate his tone, i'm just using his tone as a starting point for my own. That's why i asked for an amp that sounded like hendrix (although i know his fingers are not for sale :p), but i can change my question for, what would be a good choice for an amp? I can try several amps, and almost sure i will, but it would be cool to have some amps to look for.
I'd also look into 18w amps, organ amp conversions, broken amps (if you feel like you can fix 'em). There's some great deals out there to be found. I only recommend shying away from modeling amps because I know I'd regret it later. Yeah some solid state stuff is good...I worked a gig with a great player using a Roland Jazz Chorus--and I probably won't be selling my Vox Pathfinder 15 soon...As far as budget and wattage, that's up to you and your situation/needs...imo anything over than ~20-30 watts has gone out of style since there's PA systems and mics everywhere. SS stuff can be great for practicing with headphones but can lose some of the dynamic feel of a tube circuit.
I heard somewhere that the JTM45/100 was the Band of Gypsies amp. Plus Malcolm Young uses it.
Quote from: HailToTheBlues on June 17, 2014, 08:16:26 PM
I'm not trying to replicate his tone, i'm just using his tone as a starting point for my own. That's why i asked for an amp that sounded like hendrix (although i know his fingers are not for sale :p), but i can change my question for, what would be a good choice for an amp? I can try several amps, and almost sure i will, but it would be cool to have some amps to look for.
If you're looking to stay in the $400 range and you want something with Brit/US tones, the general goto amp around here for that is the Egnater Tweaker. Works well with pedals, gives you vintage-y and more modern sounds for Marshall/Vox/Fender, has an effects loop, great VFM.
The Traynor YGL-1 (a 1X12 version of the Ironhorse w/reverb) is nice as well, a little more pricey.
Make sure (as I'm sure you will) that you take your own guitar(s) when test driving the amps. Take a couple of your fave pedals too (though don't smoke the front end of the amp - that generally frowned upon).
Quote from: GermanCdn on June 17, 2014, 09:17:23 PM
Quote from: HailToTheBlues on June 17, 2014, 08:16:26 PM
I'm not trying to replicate his tone, i'm just using his tone as a starting point for my own. That's why i asked for an amp that sounded like hendrix (although i know his fingers are not for sale :p), but i can change my question for, what would be a good choice for an amp? I can try several amps, and almost sure i will, but it would be cool to have some amps to look for.
If you're looking to stay in the $400 range and you want something with Brit/US tones, the general goto amp around here for that is the Egnater Tweaker. Works well with pedals, gives you vintage-y and more modern sounds for Marshall/Vox/Fender, has an effects loop, great VFM.
Do you mean the 15w head model?
15W head or the 1X12 combo, you can usually pick them up used for under $400.
I still haven't had the chance to hear how it sounds, but i really liked the look of it and the specifications. What's your opinion about the sound of it? Would it sound close to those 60's fender tones?
It's definitely better on the Vintage settings than the modern settings. I've got the head, so I can't comment on the combo, but I've run it through a 1X12 sealed w/12" Eminence, 1X12 open back w/ 12" Jensen, 2 X 12 closed w/ 12" Celestions, and a 4X12 Marshall cab. Sounds good in all arrangements (but different, speaker and cab play a big part in it), currently it's dedicated to the 2X12 combo. Takes pedals really well. You've got five knobs and five switches on it, good chance you can dial what you're looking for).
It's a good fit for most musical styles, I wouldn't venture too far past hard rock with it. Between it and my Darkhorse, I actually prefer the Darkhorse, but it's a whole lot more limited than the Tweaker (tone band tone stack, no fx loop, no Vox setting).
Long story short - it's a good amp that covers a lot of ground. Is it my go to amp? No. But that's probably more to do with the fact that I've got a dozen other amps in the man-cave to choose from.
Thanks for the "review", i'll check some demos to see if i like it. I'll also check those amps people here suggested, but i don't think i can find those brands here in Portugal.
Ps: that 4-0 on monday was heavy!
Quote from: HailToTheBlues on June 18, 2014, 05:42:52 PM
Thanks for the "review", i'll check some demos to see if i like it. I'll also check those amps people here suggested, but i don't think i can find those brands here in Portugal.
Ps: that 4-0 on monday was heavy!
You can get some Traynor products from Thomann in Germany (limited and mostly used, but they do have a Darkhorse in stock right now).
I've been searching lately for amps, and i liked one that was spoken here, that was the traynor YCV-80. It is a 4x10, like the bassman. What do you guys think of it? Especially you Curtis, because you said you got one. Also, what do you guys think about the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III? My budget is relatively short, but i wanted something with a good tone, that i could rely on, not an amp that i would feel like to change soon. I wanted to keep my budget around the 600 dollars. I know i can't get a professional amp for 600 dollars, but i wanted something with a bassman feel. Maybe the tweeker that was also spoken here.
I don't mind paying a little more, if i know that a specific amp is worth the extra money.
Also, of course i would love to get a real Bassman, but a new one here, usually costs around 1500 euros, which i think is near 2000 dollars, and i can't seem to find any used ones around here. Maybe the bassman isn't that famous around here, or no one's willing to sell theirs.
Quote from: HailToTheBlues on June 30, 2014, 02:53:14 PM
I've been searching lately for amps, and i liked one that was spoken here, that was the traynor YCV-80. It is a 4x10, like the bassman. What do you guys think of it? Especially you Curtis, because you said you got one. Also, what do you guys think about the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III? My budget is relatively short, but i wanted something with a good tone, that i could rely on, not an amp that i would feel like to change soon. I wanted to keep my budget around the 600 dollars. I know i can't get a professional amp for 600 dollars, but i wanted something with a bassman feel. Maybe the tweeker that was also spoken here.
I don't mind paying a little more, if i know that a specific amp is worth the extra money.
The YCV-80Q 4X10 was a limited run of the amp and has been discontinued, so you're stuck on the used market for it. THe YCV-80 2X12 is still in production.
Tone wise, the clean channel is very Fender-ish, complete with the Bright Switch and the Expander switch, so you can toy around with the settings there as well. It's a Master Volume amp, so you can crank the volume on the clean channel and the choke it on the Master if you have to.
The dirty channel is not as Fenderish. Like I said in my NAD thread, if you dime the gain and hit the mid scoop scoop, and your are well into the realm of metal.
I haven't used it a whole bunch yet, as it's still airing out in my garage because cigarette smoke has infiltrated every porous surface on it, so I can't give you a rundown on how it plays with pedals, but my three other Traynors (YCV-20, Darkhorse, and Custom Special 100) all take pedals very well, though the CS works better with line level pedals in the FX loop, have to figure that one out yet.
Thanks for the "review", there's an ycv-80q on ebay for 530 dollars, but don't know if it is secure.
As for the hot rod deluxe, does anyone as an opinion?
So any thoughts on the Hot Rod Deluxe III?
Quote from: HailToTheBlues on July 01, 2014, 04:16:08 AM
So any thoughts on the Hot Rod Deluxe III?
I've had one and it's a fine amp. I didn't care for the od channel but the clean channel is great. Very pedal friendly and very loud, can keep up with a drummer nicely.
And what about the bass of the amp, was it any like the bassman, or is the hot rod not that bassy?
Quote from: HailToTheBlues on June 30, 2014, 10:54:57 PM
Thanks for the "review", there's an ycv-80q on ebay for 530 dollars, but don't know if it is secure.
$530 would be a decent European used price on the Traynor. Typically here (Canada, and they're a Canadian company) their resale is 40% of new or less (and the new price on a 80Q was $960), but used prices are a lot more reasonable over here than in the EU in my experience (some days I think I should pallet up a crate of guitars, ship it to my office in Germany, take a two week vacation and ebay them all off, I would make a killing).
Quote from: GermanCdn on July 01, 2014, 02:22:13 PM
Quote from: HailToTheBlues on June 30, 2014, 10:54:57 PM
Thanks for the "review", there's an ycv-80q on ebay for 530 dollars, but don't know if it is secure.
$530 would be a decent European used price on the Traynor. Typically here (Canada, and they're a Canadian company) their resale is 40% of new or less (and the new price on a 80Q was $960), but used prices are a lot more reasonable over here than in the EU in my experience (some days I think I should pallet up a crate of guitars, ship it to my office in Germany, take a two week vacation and ebay them all off, I would make a killing).
Unfortunately, i forgot to check the customs and shipping, and it adds more 200 euros, so, it is not worth the pain.
As for the used gear in EU, you're right, people here sell their amps usually for less 100 euros than new ones, and for a product without guarantee, and usually a little beaten, it makes buying used gear not worth the pain....