eoginsburg
TDPRI Member
I say don't sweat it. I've got the blonde and love it despite the limitations the review brings up.
Just bought a used fender Tone Master-then I saw Rob Mc Nights review
- Thread starter fred4321
- Start date
I say don't sweat it. I've got the blonde and love it despite the limitations the review brings up.
AustinPaul
Tele-Meister
He (the d-bag), later said he regretted selling it. He's not a very good player; definitely not an artist, but a hobbyist, like the majority of us, and that includes those of us who play out, gig, record, etc. So why do so many people look to him like he's the pinnacle of facts and information? Why? Because far too many people fawn over their YouTube heroes and treat them like a 13 yr old girl going all googly over the latest pop boy band (yes, "pop" and "boy band" in the same sentence is redundant).
It's a legitimately excellent amp. A tool that is more useful for home-only players who would find a '67 RI to be far too loud for home use. Among my stable of amps is a Tonemaster DR. It's running at this very second. My wife is home and not feeling well, so I'm using it on the lowest power setting. Definitely not something I could do with my old Super Reverb.
But, it is definitely an excellent solution for many gigging players too.
It's a legitimately excellent amp. A tool that is more useful for home-only players who would find a '67 RI to be far too loud for home use. Among my stable of amps is a Tonemaster DR. It's running at this very second. My wife is home and not feeling well, so I'm using it on the lowest power setting. Definitely not something I could do with my old Super Reverb.
But, it is definitely an excellent solution for many gigging players too.
AustinPaul
Tele-Meister
He's also become a shill - like most are these days. He should have stuck with tech videos, how-to vids, and whatnot.
Supertwang
Tele-Meister
Touché,…but I’ve heard that argument since @ 1985 and tubes are still available. In fact,…there is so much $$$ in AUDIO tubes 2-3 new factories have come into production in the last few years. JJ built a new factory. Shuguang built 2 new factories. New production Russian tubes maybe a thing of history
Screw what anyone else says about a particular amp, guitar, pedal, or whatever. Let YOU decide if it works for you. Some videos of product reviews are ok but how can they know what YOU want for tone or sounds??? General feature reviews are of some benefit but what is most important to YOU! I bought a TMDR new a few years ago amidst all the criticism of the price and it being a limited one sound modeling amp is BS. I can dial in some nice sounds with a PRS, Strat Tele and even an electric/acoustic with no disappointments. I have other tube amps in my stable but the TMDR is my go-to amp most of the time. You can watch tons of product review videos from many sources and does little to help you find your sound! Play with it and enjoy it!
Sure, new factories have been built, but others have been shut down. My point is, there is no more certainty that tubes will be around long term than there is certainty that a Tone Master amp will fail in 10 years. All speculation...
76standard
Tele-Meister
Everyone has buyer’s remorse over the years of purchasing gear. Did I pay too much? Is it the right amp for my style of music? The list can go on forever. If you don’t like it, sell it. There’s always another buyer looking for some piece of gear you own. Each of us has to decide what gear clicks with us. One thing you will appreciate is it’s weight over its tube based brother and the expense of buying tubes. I have a ‘74 Pro Reverb that has tone for days but, it’s easily a 60-65 pound beast. There will always be trade offs. Stop doubting your purchase and enjoy the wonders of a new amp.
northernguitar
Poster Extraordinaire
Yeah, that argument has been kicked around for so long, it’s got no bite. Tubes aren’t going anywhere.
birv2
Tele-Afflicted
I got mine about 5 months ago and LOVE IT. The weight and the tone were the 2 deciding factors for me. YMMV.
I play mostly old school Chicago blues, and it's got the "Fender sound" in spades. Add in the attenuator and the DI out, and it's hard to beat.
A few other people also mentioned that Phil also did 10 Reasons to Buy the TMDR. So pick your poison. Try it and see what you think. Depends on what you need, but I can attest that it's got that Fender sound. And the reverb and tremolo are great to my ears.
I play mostly old school Chicago blues, and it's got the "Fender sound" in spades. Add in the attenuator and the DI out, and it's hard to beat.
A few other people also mentioned that Phil also did 10 Reasons to Buy the TMDR. So pick your poison. Try it and see what you think. Depends on what you need, but I can attest that it's got that Fender sound. And the reverb and tremolo are great to my ears.
Wow. 9 pages of replies to a question about buying a Fender amp. And a lot of shade thrown at Phil McKnight. Here's my take;
- It sounds like a Fender. If the feature set matches your needs, give it a shot. It's a tool.
- lots of advice not to read the comments on YouTube channels because they're worthless. From a chat room with 9 pages of replies to THIS question. Also, comments are sometimes more entertaining that the content!
- I've watched Phil's channel for many years. Long before he was a YouTube success. When he ran a music store and lesson studio. He's taken great pains to limit corporate influences and goes out of his way to discuss/advise those of us with gear questions. In fact, the joke on his channel is that if you ask "should I buy this guitar?", the automatic answer is "yes!" Sort the details out later. If you think he's a douche-bag (really?) watch a few of his live chats. He's a normal fella.
I'm usually happier when I keep an open mind take opinions as simply that; someone's opinion.
- It sounds like a Fender. If the feature set matches your needs, give it a shot. It's a tool.
- lots of advice not to read the comments on YouTube channels because they're worthless. From a chat room with 9 pages of replies to THIS question. Also, comments are sometimes more entertaining that the content!
- I've watched Phil's channel for many years. Long before he was a YouTube success. When he ran a music store and lesson studio. He's taken great pains to limit corporate influences and goes out of his way to discuss/advise those of us with gear questions. In fact, the joke on his channel is that if you ask "should I buy this guitar?", the automatic answer is "yes!" Sort the details out later. If you think he's a douche-bag (really?) watch a few of his live chats. He's a normal fella.
I'm usually happier when I keep an open mind take opinions as simply that; someone's opinion.
fred4321
Tele-Meister
I am surprised on the response as well-but nice.
I quite enjoy some of Phils videos. Been watching him and a few over the years. My 'remorse' was fleeting.
I have made some bad decisions in the past re gear. I have 2 guitars on sale at the moment that were a bad choice, well, maybe just not for me, after the initial flush of excitement.
But very happy with my purchase of this amp-in fact been discussing the amp with the seller this morning (courier pickup etc) as I found out he builds teles! Uses a Hot Rod as he main amp.
Bandboy
TDPRI Member
I bought one over a year ago. All of my other amps are tube amps. Everything from BF Fenders, old tolex Ampegs, and a Victoria 5e3.
The TM has two compelling features, its weight and attenuator feature. It can go from rehearsal space to up to a midsize venue with ease. You can line out to the PA. I have not looked back. I love this amp.
The TM has two compelling features, its weight and attenuator feature. It can go from rehearsal space to up to a midsize venue with ease. You can line out to the PA. I have not looked back. I love this amp.
ETMusic777
Tele-Meister
McNight used to own a music store and knows quite a bit about how manufacturers/vendors work with music stores. He also has a good working knowledge of guitar setups and general gear info.
Supertwang
Tele-Meister
Yep,…you pick your poison and cast your lot. Myself,…I’ll stick with tube amps I can repair when they need repaired. I don’t want an amp that “almost sounds like a tube amp”, or meatless meat, or butter less butter. Just give me real beer, real meat, real butter, real chocolate, and real tube amps.
FSRCustomTeleHHGT
Tele-Meister
Without wanting to delve into the specifics of the original post as those have been addressed cogently by others, purchasing decisions made following advice from the likes of Rob McNight are usually going to be really bad and much regretted. Even on Youtube there are better people to learn from. Some of them even younger and less experienced than McNight.
Jay Jernigan
Tele-Afflicted
I'm going to chime in with the notion that amp builders are, and have been for a while, building better and better sounding SS amps as a result of demand. I have a couple of the Champion series (20&40) and had an experience with a 50 just last week. These guys are among the bottom feeders at Fender and they sound pretty good. Really good for their intended purpose, actually, which I am certain was not as a primary gigging amp. Could I/would I take one to a gig? The 40 or 50: yes. Wouldn't be my first choice, of course, but I bet I'd get paid, anyway. YMMV.
Havins
TDPRI Member
One thing about Tonemasters that I didn't mention is Fender's track record on amps in general. A lot of models don't last long in the line up. They may come with a 5 year warranty but many aren't repaired but rather replaced if the price of the amp is low. If the amp is no longer being built you may be out of luck because if it's one that they simply replace your warranty is worthless as Fender has no policy of moving you to a different amp. I experienced this first hand with a cheap model Vibro Champ XD. I found another new one cheaply to replace it and actually found a repairman that fixed the first one for $50. I had a Mustang III amp that I didn't like and sold it after the first gig. It didn't last long in the lineup and I wonder how they would approach warranty on that one. On the TM is jury is out. Will they or won't they......in a choice of buying a new one or getting the real thing I'd probably get the real thing as they are both expensive as hell....a cheap used TM only if the price is low.
fred4321
Tele-Meister
Yes, I agree.
But I have played old fender SS amps that are years old and still going strong- a mates Fender Champion 100 for example, old Peavey Rage, Vox etc. I really think sometimes its down to how you treat them.
I'd bet the loudest critics of these amps are probably the worst players/musicians (this is also true for some of the YouTube "reviewers"). The Tone Masters sound fine and they're a handy tool to have if it fits your criteria. If it sounds good to you then go ahead and make music with it. And just use it.
Repairability and longevity may or may not be a factor for these amps, but that can be said for a lot of other gear that musicians use. For some reason guitar amps in particular are seen as fragile little devices that break frequently and must be repairable immediately.
I love tube amps and I own a very nice one. I had a Tone Master DR and thought it was great for what it was. I no longer have it but I'd absolutely play a gig through one and I'd be fine with it.
Repairability and longevity may or may not be a factor for these amps, but that can be said for a lot of other gear that musicians use. For some reason guitar amps in particular are seen as fragile little devices that break frequently and must be repairable immediately.
I love tube amps and I own a very nice one. I had a Tone Master DR and thought it was great for what it was. I no longer have it but I'd absolutely play a gig through one and I'd be fine with it.
colnago
Tele-Meister
I purchase gear when it’s been about for at least a year. This way the bugs are worked out hopefully.
I too was looking at the Tone Master Deluxe Reverb. I became concerned about its sound and performance when I saw a bunch of them for sale on the used market. So many Tone Masters, but no regular DRRI amps.
That tells me that there is something off about a product, when the used market becomes saturated a year into it hitting shelves?
I didn’t buy the Tone Master version, but found a reasonably priced used one fairly local to where I live so I could try it out. It came with a brand new set of tubes as a bonus as well.
Tubes should last a long time, there are 1960’s amps with original tubes that are still fine. Don’t go down the rabbit hole of tubes, just don’t.
Anyways, just my opinion. Even after trying the Tone Master Deluxe Reverb, I’m not entirely sold on them, something isn’t there and I don’t know what it is, but it’s not quite there. Eventually, I hope it is.
I too was looking at the Tone Master Deluxe Reverb. I became concerned about its sound and performance when I saw a bunch of them for sale on the used market. So many Tone Masters, but no regular DRRI amps.
That tells me that there is something off about a product, when the used market becomes saturated a year into it hitting shelves?
I didn’t buy the Tone Master version, but found a reasonably priced used one fairly local to where I live so I could try it out. It came with a brand new set of tubes as a bonus as well.
Tubes should last a long time, there are 1960’s amps with original tubes that are still fine. Don’t go down the rabbit hole of tubes, just don’t.
Anyways, just my opinion. Even after trying the Tone Master Deluxe Reverb, I’m not entirely sold on them, something isn’t there and I don’t know what it is, but it’s not quite there. Eventually, I hope it is.
