New Digital Modeling Amp Day!
I got a Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb this past weekend. At around 23lbs, it has a neo Jensen speaker and pine cab. It also has a power attenuator on the back (sort of a stepped master volume) and direct XLR out with 2 impulse response mic selections.
Does it sound like a tube Deluxe? Sort of. I've never heard 2 tube Deluxes sound the same, but it is about as different as 2 tube versions would sound from each other. It has a mute switch on the back to mute the speaker for silent recording, and a USB port for updates (they came out with a few already). The reverb is a spring convolution type and sounds glorious.
I got this Deluxe for a few reasons:
- I have a 6v6 Mesa Blue Angel already. It is about 50lbs.
- I can get it to break up at a lower volume with the attenuator
- 23 lbs. This is important.
- direct XLR to the PA. No more mic stands and mics. Less to carry, with a cleaner mix (one less open mic onstage).
- It looks great.
Now I am sure it sounds different than most late 60s or early 70s Deluxes. But I don't care, as it responds and sounds like a Deluxe to me. If I had someone carrying & maintaining my stuff, I'd go for a 1970 Pro Reverb. But 'the pros' here outweigh the 'cons'. I also use a Fractal, and have used a Helix and Kemper. This is the best digital replication of a Deluxe I've ever heard.
There are lots of videos out there comparing this Deluxe to a reissue tube version. On some of them, the one I liked was the tube one, but just as many, I liked this one. Good enough for me.
