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Post subject: Feelings on the Frontman 212
Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 11:53 am
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Hey,

I'm trying to find myself a new amp for gigging and band use and so on, and I was pretty well decided on getting the Deluxe Reverb Reissue, because, you know, it's great, but then I thought about the fact that I never even considered the Frontman. I'm well aware it's solid state and not going to live up to the hallowed sound of tubes (or so I'm told), but has anyone actually used the Frontman 212 extensively, or at least enough to tell me what the deal is? I'm all about not spending $1000 if theres a good sounding amp that's like 1/4 of the cost.

So, any opinions?


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Post subject: Re: Feelings on the Frontman 212
Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:03 pm
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Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Feelings on the Frontman 212
Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 2:35 pm
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Well the sheriff is back!

Welcome back. Hope all is ok.

:D :mrgreen: :D


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Post subject: Re: Feelings on the Frontman 212
Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 4:22 pm
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Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 2:27 pm
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jhardy3 wrote:
Hey,

I'm trying to find myself a new amp for gigging and band use and so on, and I was pretty well decided on getting the Deluxe Reverb Reissue, because, you know, it's great, but then I thought about the fact that I never even considered the Frontman. I'm well aware it's solid state and not going to live up to the hallowed sound of tubes (or so I'm told), but has anyone actually used the Frontman 212 extensively, or at least enough to tell me what the deal is? I'm all about not spending $1000 if theres a good sounding amp that's like 1/4 of the cost.

So, any opinions?


I like the solid state Fenders. I think they do cleans well, take pedals well, and have adequate reverb. I have some older ones, and I tried a Frontman 25R for a few days. I don't own a DRRI, but I've spent several hours playing around with them at the store. I do not like the drive channel on the solid state Fenders, for what that's worth.

I think it really depends on your style of music and the environment you're playing in and how much $1000 means to you.


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Post subject: Re: Feelings on the Frontman 212
Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 6:13 pm
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I've used a Frontman 212 for the last three years running a Line 6 Pod into the clean channel. At low volumes it outputs from the pod nicely but I always wind up cranking the thing up to around 7 and the tone changes and gets more "thick" and compressed. I'm not sure if the preamp is causing the difference or the speakers working harder.
It's around 50lbs so I wish it could be lighter, but it gets the job done.
I do have to dial the treble down to about 3, the mid up to 7 and the bass down to 3 for the pod.
I sould try running the pod right into the power amp-in and control the volume with the pod output.
I tried the dirty channel once and didn't like it.
Really a powered monitor would probably work a bit better.


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Post subject: Re: Feelings on the Frontman 212
Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 11:22 am
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Its a fine amp and sounds good. It is certainly loud enough for any gig. If you are playing in a band you will eventually buy a tube amp because you will be able to hear the difference, but the audience can't. That 50lbs weight isn't anything. I have a 65lb Twin and I manage it. The DRRI weighs 45lbs., but it will not keep up with the Frontman 212.


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Post subject: Re: Feelings on the Frontman 212
Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 12:07 pm
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Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 5:03 pm
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Location: Texas
The Fender solid state amps are fine. This model is well built and I know some folks that gig with one constantly. No issues. Tube useres will say that a SS amp is nothing to tubes. That's fine and dandy. I've been playing since 1963 and all we had then were tube amps. In that time, the solid state amps have improved. Those that "put down" the SS amp, having a loyality to tubes, are simply displaying their own affection to one style of amplification. They're, of course, welcome to retain their loyality. You won't hear any bad trash talk form me on this. Loyality is fine by me.

I worked as a luthier and amp tech for 35 years or better and am now retired. In the time I was active, I witnessed the SS amp evolve into it's own. Of the 6 amps I personally own; one is all tube, two are SS modeling types, one is a hybrid modeling/tube, and two SS amps. The one I play the most now is a Fender SS model. The tube amp sits mostly unused. The others are used far less.

Being retired and living on a fixed budget, I have little to spend on new gear. If I had a touch more coin lying around and was still gigging, I'd be playing a FM212R and be having a great time doing it. In my opinion there's not a thing wrong with a solid state amp made by Fender.

Wade


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Post subject: Re: Feelings on the Frontman 212
Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:59 pm
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Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2011 8:44 am
Posts: 604
Location: Richmond, VA
I agree with a lot of the comments on this thread. The Frontman 212 (and all the Frontman series amps) are good amps for the money and sound great with the famous Fender sparkling clean tone. But the drive channel does take some time to get it to sound somewhat decent. You have to tweak the bass, mid, treble, to something (sort of) suitable if you can.

The good news is that individual pedals work great with Frontman amps. Some multi-effect processors won't "play nice" with the amp and you really have to mess with both the amp and the ME processor to get them in sync with one another.

I have the Frontman 65r and it is a great amp for the money. It is LOUD!!! for 65 watts! If my 65r almost blows me out of the room - even with my volume on "2", then Holy Mother of God, I can't imagine what the 212r would be like, with it being 100 watts!!!! :shock:


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