Mustang III Amp Club

[TDPRI]

Got a M III? Let's talk about it here.

I've had mine three days now and I'm really liking it. I'm using it solely as a practice amp. I'm using headphones with it about 50% of the time.

While I think it's cool to use the Laptop with it, I don't really have much need other than eye candy right now.

How are you using your M III? Let's see 'em.

[Kestrel]

I've got one and think this amp has lots of potential. I think most of the amp models are good as are the effects, my fave amp model being the '65 Twin Reverb. I like how the controls are laid out in an intuative manner making it easy to control the parameters of the amp models your dialing in and I also like how easy it is to store your own settrings. Using the FUSE software is pretty cool too. My only issue is that the cleans don't sound particularly clean. I've noticed a bit of fizziness as the notes decay even with the gain turned all the way down. Not much of an issue if you like to crank the gain level and rock out, but if you like using clean settings that fizzy effect gets annoying fairly quick. I've read elsewhere that some people compare it to the effect you hear when you're playing into a dying tube amp, but to me it just sounds like a digital artifact. Fender is supposedly working on a firmware upgrade for the Mustang III to correct this anomaly, but until then it's something one has to deal with. I kinda wish there was a Jazz Chorus amp model for cleans, but I suppose you'd have to go with one of the Roland Cubes for that. Anyway, I prefer to use my pedals rather than the built in effects so I run my OD and fuzz pedals in front of the amp and my modulation, delay and reverb pedals through the effects loop.

[Jack]

I'm in. I've just had mine for a couple of days, but am liking it allot. Haven't tried anything other than just messing with a few of the pre-sets. Like mine so much I put my SCXD on the block and am considering the 2 X 12 mustang. Fender's been doing allot of good stuff the past few years and I think this one will be another hit for them.

Can't wait for folks to start sharing their favorite settings. :0)

[tele salivas]

I got a chance to play with one today. This thing looks to be the perfect practice/home recording amp for about any style. It actually did a feasible Thrash-sound, a la Slayer, which is something Fender would not normally be known for. I myself like the clean sounds, and this was really excellent for a great variety of cleans. I too liked the '65 Twin Reverb presets. I got to pull a little volume, but didn't get to crank it, so don't know how these sound with a full band. Anybody try it this way yet? For the scratch, it is very impressive and good to see Fender continue R/D in this area.

[toddfan]

I just joined today! Been messing around with it all night. So far, VERY pleased. It won't replace my Genz Benz Black Pearl 112, but, it has already replaced my Digitech RP-1000!

Plus....right now, I am (literally) playing with the handicap of a "mallet finger' on my fretting hand...but I am STILL having a BLAST with this amp! I never thought a solid state amp could be so much fun!

[Durtdog]

Bump.
Anxiously awaiting more reports on these amps now that you guys have had more time with them. Seriously thinking of getting the IV.

[hooch1]

I have the III.

I have not had it long and I started just A/Bing with a Tweaker as I am trying to decide whats best for me being a hobbyist only.

So far I must say I am very impressed. The cleans compared very well. Tonight I want to try more gainy stuff.

The one negative I found is that it didn't like my SD-1 with the pedal gain cranked. It was very harsh sounding. So I guessing the first gain stage that brings up the line level signal for the DSP to handle doesn't like a really hot input.

Luckily there's an OD built in that sounds fine.

[rolling56]

Originally Posted by TDPRI

Got a M III? Let's talk about it here.

I've had mine three days now and I'm really liking it. I'm using it solely as a practice amp. I'm using headphones with it about 50% of the time.

While I think it's cool to use the Laptop with it, I don't really have much need other than eye candy right now.

How are you using your M III? Let's see 'em.

Do you have to leave those Mustang amps hooked up to a pc or mac? or just to get the settings the way you want them and then they can be stand lone?

[blonde52]

Originally Posted by rolling56

......or just to get the settings the way you want them and then they can be stand lone?

This.

[kennesawbob]

I'm in!

I love this amp. (Even the buzz sounds the "tubes" give. nice touch). I have sold several of my pedals because, well, they are not not needed. I kept my MXR compressor, Boss SD-1 and CH-1.

I am using the FUSE program alot. I even uploaded a few settings. I will download a setting that interests me and tweek it for my ears. I downloaded a "Police" setting that someone has and altered it alittle to get that "Andy Summers" tone for my tele. This amp is a gas. A few more months of practice and I will be looking for a few guys my age (late 40's) to start a garageband, practice and hopefully play a few local clubs.

[StrattyLove]

i don't know guys. i know i'm a newbie here and everything but about three months ago i tried out the MIII at my local Long & McQuade and i dont know if it was defective or something but it really sounded terrible. it wasn't the guitar either. i was using an EC Signature Strat. i ended up getting a Bugera V22 and so far it has been pretty kick-ass.

[blonde52]

The Mustangs obviously aren't for everybody.

Some of the Fender presets are, perhaps, a bit "over the top" maybe in an attempt
to show off the effects. I wonder if some folks test driving the amp in stores are
missing the more toned down or "pure" amp presets.

Plus once you get to fine tuning the amp with the Fuse software, you can dial down the effects to taste and play with bias and sag and amp cabinets and such.

Just a thought.

Or maybe some folks just genuinely don't like the sound!

[hooch1]

Mine has started resonating pretty bad when I play my LP through it. Someone on the Fender forums suggested the speaker might be loose. I will try tightening the screws but was wondering if anyone else had this problem and fixed it?

[highwayman]

I have a Fender Mustang 4 button footswitch thats brand new still in the box .I bought it because i liked the idea of having more flexibility and a tuner on the floor in front of me.Sadly I fell out of love with my Mustang lll and took it back for a few reasons.Anyways if anyone wants to make me an offer or trade i can save you quite a bit of $ off a new one.I paid $50.Like I said its hardly used...Thanks

[boinkeee]

Greetings Mustangers, I had a chance to go toe to toe with a Princeton RI last night at a club, the other cat ended up playing on my mustang III for a couple of songs just to make sure its not my playing, and i got to sit up front and get to hear how it really sounds on the princeton sim...needless to say the light 36lb amp got good props and can hang there with the big boys and not be ridiculed to death....not bad for a $299 SS! Didnt know it would sound that good with a sennheiser E609 mic in front...

[nalod]

Just yesterday I was shopping for an amp. I was convinced I wanted a Fender Frontman 212R. Went to Alamo music in San Antonio. They gave me the universal price of $299.99. I said good, what will you give me form my Fender Super Champ XD. I was told I was already getting a discount and they couldn't take a trade in. I sai, see ya.

Went to Guitar Center on San Pedro in San Antoino. Played thru a Fender Mustang III. Price was $299.99. The gave me $115.00 for my amp plus $30.00 for the upgrade in their store. Just sayin'.

Used the Fuse software a bit today. It was quite easy to modify presets, rename them and dump the on the amp. I refuse to pay $1,000 for technology I was using 40 years ago. Besides, at 69 years young moving the Mustang III is much easier than a Twin Reverb.

[ce24]

I'm in and lovin it! Got the 4 and 2 button foot switch...wish I could have 2 stomps at the same time tho.....maybe you can but I haven't found the way yet. there is a lot of good sound in this amp with tweaking...love most of the amp models all are useable for the right songs. Plus the fuse forums to download presets others have made is a real bonus. Some very good tones thee that are close so you can tweak for your own guitar setup or style without having to start from scratch.

Cheers
ce24

[rolling56]

I bought the MII a couple weeks ago and decided to take it back and get the MIII yesterday. I like it way better with the lcd screen, speaker and open back. So i guess i belong to this club now

[Sandwedg]

I just ordered one, and the 4-button pedal.... should be here Monday or Tuesday.

I like that you can assign presets to a quick access list (i.e setlist) and then turn the individual effects on and off like stompboxes - the only ones I do that with during a song would be overdrive/distorion.

I hope the Fuse works with my netbook - that would be sweet. Looking forward to not lugging around a 65lb 2x12!

[BigDaddyLH]

Originally Posted by nalod

Used the Fuse software a bit today. It was quite easy to modify presets, rename them and dump the on the amp.

That's good to hear. I'm a computer programmer, but I've always been irked when I see people with laptops are part of their "gear". Maybe I look at music as a chance to step away from the computer and use some ancient technology!

Ah well, time to catch up on technology.