Update: with the "no bright cap" firmware update it just got even better! Google it up, try it to see if it fits you.
As a regular tube snob, I really wanted a Fender tube amp to accommodate my Fender Tele for classical country music. Once I checked out this series as I heard if from a friend, but I thought it's overpriced for what it is and didn't trust the sound of digital world.
Then the hunt went on and I had to realize that what I was looking for is a practice amp with the ability to sound good enough on gigs also, and although I was somewhat skeptical about digital (but read some good reviews), with the send back possibility of Thomann I pulled the trigger.
On arrival I liked the amp, it was almost everything I was looking for: light weight, fendery sound, tubey response, scalable volume. Sound was good, but I was missing something for my Tele tone. It was a bit harsh, biting top end, that I didn't like, and somehow lows were not what I wanted them to be, maybe a bit too loose.
Today I love the tone, and it seems only 2 things were needed for that:
- medium volume practice/gigs to burn in the speaker (now harsh top end is gone, lows are much nicer)
- change pick type to a thicker, different shape one (because what worked with the previous amp didn't work with this one)
And maybe I had to get used to the amp, too :)
I like to use the input 2 of the Vibrato channel, I find that this input is somewhat softer in the highs. Volume is somewhere around 5-6, with 5 being clean with my setup and 6 being slight crunch if I really dig in. Then I adjust the power scaling on the back to the sound level I need. The 0.2W mode sounds a bit thinner, but it's OK for home practice, and then starting from 0,5W it get's better (and louder). Didn't need to go above the 5W setting with the slightly driven sound yet.
I had the opportunity to run the amp though DI on one of my first gigs after COVID, and the thing worked flawless in position one (simulating Shure SM57). It was so good, that the sound guy (guitar player also) put back his SM57 in the drawer with a smile, and I didn't even try position 2 on the switch.
If you want to increase the look with some hundred euros (because the guys in the audience hear with their eyes) and want to remove the Tone Master decal, just put a not too sharp flat head screwdriver under the decal in the middle (let's say from the top), pull that part away from the grille by twisting the crew driver slightly, then do it from the other sides also, and than just easily remove the entire label including the 4 small nails in the corners by hand. I managed to remove mine without a trace.
The footswitch could be more vintage looking, lights on it are too bright (put some masking tape over them), but the amp comes with a protective cover, which at the time being was not listed on the Thomann site (it's on now). Reverb is nice (if you're looking for this type of long reverb), but never goes over 2 or 2,5 (and the dial starts on 1), tremolo seems to be vintage correct also.
So if you're in hunt for a fendery amp with some flexibility (scalable volume, DI out, light weight), this can be just the right thing. And if you don't like it, you can still send it back to Thomann.
I wish I could buy the same in the form of a VOX Tone Master AC15 :)
