NAD: and I hate it.

[JeffB]

I got one of those new v2 Mustang 1s. Returning it on Friday.

3 Major Reasons.

Being beholdento the FUSE software to tweak the amp controls is a PITA. As my music room.and computer are in two separate places in the house, and are vastly different acoustically, having to run downstairs with guitar and amp, plug in, tweak the amps,.and whatever effects I have going and hope for the best when I get back upstairs is not worth it.

I do not think it sounds any better than my 6 year old VT15. Its more plasticky, and sounds even more fake/like I am playing through a CD player. And this is with my own patches from scratch. The presets are even worse. The VT is warmer, and at least is much easier to tweak, though it does not have ediing software.

Volume wise, to get the best tones it has to be up pretty loud. Too loud for when the family is around or at night. I can use the headphone output on my Class 5 and a pedal to get far better sounds if I want to go that route.

Yes, I realize it is a $120 amp, but there are more user friendly interfaces and tones out there for same/similar money.

 

[CTN]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

View attachment 40498

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

Yeah, if you're not hooking it up to a computer full time it's not that much fun. You really need the Fuse software to take full advantage of what the Mustangs can do.

I'm also not using the speaker in mine at all - have it piped through my monitors. The stock speaker is terrible, as one would expect. Tone improves dramatically if you go through the headphone out into good headphones or monitors.

I'm basically treating mine like it's a Pod. Other than turning it on and off I don't even touch the controls. And interestingly enough, the home practice amp I had before the Mustang I was a VT30, which I never got along with at all.

 

[JeffB]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

The 10" speaker Vox VTs have always been the worst of the three different lineups. Horrendous speaker. I have had 5 of them over the years and the 10" was the only one I could never get to sound worth a damn.

That said, I hear ya.

Also, I am sure the full amps with a real LCD screen are better.

 

[Inkstained]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

The IIIs with the LCD screens on board are easier to deal with.

But I can't really blame you. I spent a lot of time around Xmas trying to dial in my MIII (version 1) so that the amp sounded something remotely like the other amps it supposedly "models." I finally gave up, and it was only then that I started to enjoy the thing for what it is: A loud, cheap modeler.

I decided to keep mine, but I know it's not for everyone.

 

[xxxplorer]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

I stand by my Marshall MG10 for practice.

 

[JeffB]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

The IIIs with the LCD screens on board are easier to deal with.

But I can't really blame you. I spent a lot of time around Xmas trying to dial in my MIII (version 1) so that the amp sounded something remotely like the other amps it supposedly "models." I finally gave up, and it was only then that I started to enjoy the thing for what it is: A loud, cheap modeler.

I decided to keep mine, but I know it's not for everyone.

yeah. I think the big ones would suit my needs for tweaking much better, but it defeats the purpose of having a small lower volume amp I can do some recording with or use as a practice tool. 30 day money back guarantee, FTW

I stand by my Marshall MG10 for practice.

The new MGs are not bad sounding at all, and that is a amp lineup I had neglected to think about recently. I fiddled for 3 days with this Mustang 1/V2 , and while I got it to sound better tweaking sag, bias, cab types, etc...it still needs way too much volume to sound worth a damn, and then loses any good tone once you alter the volume the slightest bit..just like the Line6 stuff I have owned in the past.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

I stand by my Roland Cube 30 for practice.

 

[JeffB]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

I had the micro cube RX or whatever (the 4 speaker jobby, w/ rhythm section) ) before Simon, loved a few of the models, but not the one I needed the most (Classic stack).

The original MicroCube however sounds alot better than the RX does on the Classic Stack mode...not sure why.

Is the Classic Stack what you are using most of the time on your 30? (I should hope so, being the Marshall dood that you are!)

I am not insane and looking for/expecting total authenticity to a vintage Plexi in a $150 practice amp, but I cannot really get into practice if I absolutely HATE the tone I am getting, ya know?

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

I cannot really get into practice if I absolutely HATE the tone I am getting, ya know?

Honestly, no. I've never found a tone so bad that it made me not want to play, even when I went back to mess with the first (very ****ty) amp I had. Seriously, If I'm just practicing, my tone doesn't matter to me. Example - I'm learning a Pantera cover for my band's cover set coming up in a few weeks on acoustic because my electrics and amp/pedalboard are at my rehearsal space. Do I give a **** that it sounds bad? No. My hand just hurts from trying to cop Dime on an acoustic.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

Is the Classic Stack what you are using most of the time on your 30? (I should hope so, being the Marshall dood that you are!)

Yeah, I use the Classic Stack model most of the time, sometimes the Tweed or JC Clean. The Classic Stack is a bit bright (even compared with my Marshalls!) but the tone controls on the Cube 30 are wider ranging than a Marshall so I can dial it in how I like it, and it's pretty responsive to changes in guitar volume and picking strength. The Cube I have is about 10 years old - don't know whether they've changed them since. The digital FX are pretty horrible but I only ever use light delay or reverb.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

If the amplifier more or less obliges the user to be hooked up to a computer to obtain full control, would it not be simpler to switch to software amp modelling and be done with it?

Also, if you have a Class 5, why are you even bothering with digital modelling?

 

[Ball&Chain]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

I fully stand behind my Silvertone Smart III for practice. Its easily worth double what I paid for it and I would most certainly pay double what I paid for it, which was nothing. So that would make it easily worth double of nothing.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

This thread hurts my brain.

You're mad because you bought a practice amp that's specifically designed to be used with a computer and you don't want to, and you already have practice amps?

Consumerism is a scary thing.

 

[ErikH]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

Guys, he has a family and when his daughter and wife are sleeping or the wife would like some somewhat quiet time, he needs something that works and sound good through headphones or at low volumes. His practice area and the computer are in different places (it's not just his computer, pretty much the family computer).

IMO, modelling is the answer. It's just a matter of find the right one to satisfy the need. The Vox Tonelab SE is nice. Just a simple floorboard.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

Valvetronix has a good headphone out no? I use (hell, I BOUGHT) my Class 5 for the headphone jack all the time...

I duno man. I watched 'Fight Club' again recently and it's messed with my mind.

 

[JeffB]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

You're mad because you bought a practice amp that's specifically designed to be used with a computer and you don't want to, and you already have practice amps?

No. You fail at reading comprehension, no wonder your head hurts :bigthumb:

Besides that, the amp is not specifically designed to be used with a computer, that ability is a feature, sure, and one I like to have available. But when a basic amp control, like "middle" is not accessible, nor any effect parameters besides tap tempo are accessible without taking all my **** downstairs, and plugging in and booting up, it is a problem, AFAIC.

ErikH Nailed it. I want something for low volumes that sounds decent. When it is time to practice in the evening after the little one is in bed, if my wife is on the computer, I cannot even modify anything on the amp at all. The M1V2 also needs to be nearly as loud as my Class 5 to sound worth a damn...another strike. If I NEED to use headphones, I do have the Class5 option which I mentioned. if the Wife is in bed watching TV (bedroom near my music room) , then having something portable and low volume helps a great deal. I can go into another room, or during nice weather, out on the deck.

I do have a VOX VT15 that is half fried and has been dying a slow death for 3+ years: it turns on and off by itself, makes all kinds of pops and scratchy noises, switches amp models and effects on and off by itself, etc. even after several re-boots.Thus why I am looking for a new similar amp to replace it, though with a MP3 jack.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

I do have a VOX VT15 that is half fried and has been dying a slow death for 3+ years: it turns on and off by itself, makes all kinds of pops and scratchy noises, switches amp models and effects on and off by itself, etc. even after several re-boots. Thus why I am looking for a new similar amp to replace it.

Is the MP3 jack critical to whether or not you will use the amp? Because it sounds like you could just get another Vox and be happy.

 

[JeffB]

Re: NAD: and I hate it.

Is the MP3 jack critical to whether or not you will use the amp? Because it sounds like you could just get another Vox and be happy.

The new version has an MP3 jack,..it is not a deal breaker but as I have no normal stereo system, it makes learning songs/parts easier. I am returning the Mustang tomorrow , as I could not make it on Friday. I will try some other stuff.