I just got a G-Dec 3-15 without realizing that it is not a plug and play general amp, and you have to play through a preset. I guess I'm asking then is, can you only play clean and without effects, by changing an existing preset's parameters?

Looking at the manual, have you tried to put it into amp mode and select one of the clean amps (BlackfaceCln) for example? While there will be some digital processing going on, I would imagine it to be fairly unobtrusive.

Yes I've tried that, but it's a nuisance to go to a relatively clean number and so on. I have also tried to change a setting, but when I try to memorize it, it says "Memory Locked" Ideally I'd like to change the first 00 preset to clean permanently. I'm not good an manual learning. I dread attempting the Albeton stage.

So I guess my next question would be: how important are the modelling attributes and other bells and whistles? It could be that it isn't the amp for you, or maybe it is...

You might be right. I built a "Tele" for my son and lent him my Frontman R25. I thought this little amp could help me play along with a band. I do like it, but there's too much crunchy fuzzy stuff. I am going to have to change presets eventually with a better mixture of rock/country/blues and what not.

Ok, I've got it now. I phoned Phoenix and talked with a Fender guy. On utilities I could scroll to Memory and unlock it. Now I've changed the 00 which is the opening preset, and changed the amp to clean Blackface. Also I imported a gentle bluesy band from another present as a warm-up background.