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Post subject: Bronco 40 Owners: Thoughts and Opinions
Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2011 9:53 pm
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To anyone who either owns this amp or has used it enough to offer an opinion,

I tried it out at my local GC today and really enjoyed it. I've been wanting to demo the amp and they just got one in. Even though I was playing at a lower volume level in a large room, I liked what I heard with most of the presets. And that was coming from a cheap Ibanez bass (I'm a lefty and that's all the had in stock). My original intent was to look for a new bass, but I have to admit the little amp made an impression on me (the onboard tuner was slick) and now I'm half-thinking about picking one up for Christmas and holding off on the guitar.

Can anyone out there give your impressions of the overall tone at playing volume, the presets you like/dislike, the use of the FUSE software, and any other tidbits to help those of us who might want to grab one on Black Friday?

Thanks in advance!


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40 Owners: Thoughts and Opinions
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 9:39 am
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iabssplyr,

I just bought this amp less than a week ago but I can say that you wont be disappointed. The user interface on the amp itself is extremely simple to use but still affords you a nice amount of control without the use of a computer. The sound is, IMO, terrific and the various built-in presets stay within a useful range (almost to a fault). Where this amp really becomes outstanding is when you connect it to your computer and use FUSE to program presets. The expanse of amp models, compressors and effects plus the amount of control you have over each of these is difficult to overstate. Fender has really hit the ball out of the park with this.

I have shown this amp already to two other bass players and they both immediately declared that they intended to buy one. It's that good!

I have two complaints about the amp:

1.) the gain level when recording to computer is pretty darned low so you have tons of unwanted headroom in your recorded track. You will either have to normalize your recorded track or bump up the channel fader for playback. Fender issued a new firmware for the Mustang amps (the guitar amp equivalent) which allows you to control this gain level. I have asked Fender if this was going to be done for the Bronco and they have not yet responded. I'm giving them credit that it is a holiday week so I'm not sitting on the edge of my chair waiting for the response but I WILL regard it as poor customer service if they never respond.

2.) It's a 40 watt amp. I had my first band practice with the amp last night and it kept up pretty well but realistically it lacks the oomph for a louder band. I would have bought a 100 watt version of this amp in a heartbeat if they made one. Fender take note! If this is a concern, understand that it DOES have an XLR line output so you could easily pipe the sound into a larger amp or a PA for reinforcement if 40 watts isn't enough.

Hope this helps (hint: buy it, you wont regret it)
Braveness23


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40 Owners: Thoughts and Opinions
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:11 pm
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As I mentioned in the other post, firmware version 1.1 gives you USB gain control. You'll have to connect to Fender FUSE and update the firmware using the Bundled option. Just hold Exit and turn the Comp knob to adjust USB gain.

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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40 Owners: Thoughts and Opinions
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:01 pm
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Braveness23, thanks so much for the ringing endorsement. I know those who read forums appreciate it when someone in a position to speak about equipment gives a detailed summary and throwing in their thoughts. I've played through a Mustang IV and know what you're talking about. Tons of versatility. Almost too much tweakability, if there is such a thing. I sometimes find myself twiddling knobs more than actually playing!

I know where I played the amp last Saturday (big room at Guitar Center) she didn't seem have a ton of gain, but I'm sure in my music room there would be plenty. It's good to know any firmware updates are getting out; thank you Loren for that note. Braveness23, I'm impressed you thought enough of the amp to try it out at band practice. How loud is your group? I play in a 25-member pops band and let me tell you, 500 watts is barely enough to cut through those horns, even two feet away!

It's between the Bronco 40 and a Squier VM Jazz 70s bass. I can't decide which so I'll head down to GC on Black Friday and try to make a decision. No pressure, I'm enjoying the hunt.

Thanks again!


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40 Owners: Thoughts and Opinions
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:23 pm
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To all of you left sleepless until my final amp vs. guitar decision: I'm going with the amp!

As you most likely read, I had been debating between an addition to my bass guitar or a new amp for bedroom noodling and/or small jams. The Bronco 40 has been out of stock at GC until just recently, and so tonight I pulled the trigger and phoned in an order for the amp. I'm really looking forward to messing around with it over winter break, seeing how it'll sound with my Rogue Beatle bass. I can't wait to try out the Bassman TV model, which I thought sounded like a bass should sound at the store...old school!

I picked it up for $225, which I didn't think was too bad for a unit in somewhat short supply compared to demand. I had $107 on account so for around $130 I have a new amp on its way to my home in time for Christmas. My son owes me $150 for an Ampeg combo I sold him recently so it all paid for itself. God bless America!

I will offer Fender forum readers a full description and opinion after I put some time in with it. For those also looking at the Bronco 40, I decided to go with it over a multi-effects pedal because I can get pretty much the same features (minus a drum program), what I think is better tone, and simplicity in moving it from one place to another without hauling my main rig.

We'll see what happens. Stay tuned! posting.php?mode=reply&f=44&t=64087#


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40 Owners: Thoughts and Opinions
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:02 am
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Congrats on your purchase. I can't wait to hear your feedback.

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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40 Owners: Thoughts and Opinions
Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 2:01 am
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the bronco is far short of what fender could have and should have offered if they like the g-dec upgraded the b-dec series.
I looked at the broncos and put it through the test and was not impressed at all.
check my other posts on the issue of fender dropping the b-dec series like a hot potatoe and then not giving me any reasons.
My other posts go into great detail the differences and what could have been if fender continued the b-dec series.

my opinion fender dropped the ball on this one and the bronco is far short of a b-dec3 series if fender ever decides to do its bass playing customers a service and develop the line.


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40 Owners: Thoughts and Opinions
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:41 pm
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muskokamillwright wrote:
the bronco is far short of what fender could have and should have offered if they like the g-dec upgraded the b-dec series.
I looked at the broncos and put it through the test and was not impressed at all.
check my other posts on the issue of fender dropping the b-dec series like a hot potatoe and then not giving me any reasons.
My other posts go into great detail the differences and what could have been if fender continued the b-dec series.

my opinion fender dropped the ball on this one and the bronco is far short of a b-dec3 series if fender ever decides to do its bass playing customers a service and develop the line.


I am not impressed with the factory presets but when you begin to work with Fuse the possibilty of this amp is incredible and better than the Bdec. My favorites amps are the Rocking Peg, the Redhead, the GK 800 and the Bassman 300.


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40 Owners: Thoughts and Opinions
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:29 pm
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I'm also into the Rockin' Peg, but like the Bassman TV as well. In fact, depending on the music I'm playing along with I can pretty much find something to go with the song. I agree, tweaking of the presets is definitely needed, but they offer the player a good starting point.


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40 Owners: Thoughts and Opinions
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 4:39 am
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iabssplyr wrote:
I'm also into the Rockin' Peg, but like the Bassman TV as well. In fact, depending on the music I'm playing along with I can pretty much find something to go with the song. I agree, tweaking of the presets is definitely needed, but they offer the player a good starting point.

I'm using a VM Jaguar bass with Fender flatwounds for a classic vintage tone with these amps (usually on the P pickup). But for the jazz sound I'm using the SWR with the J pickup.


Last edited by rickbass55 on Wed Jan 18, 2012 11:05 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40 Owners: Thoughts and Opinions
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 6:57 am
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Nice gear, rickbass55! I'll bet that dual coil with the flats sounds mighty fine when you need that rumbling tone. I'm running with Chrome flats and would never go back to roundwounds again. What I'm wishing for is Fender at some point produces a small-scale bass for lefties. Asking a lot, I know, since there's probably like twelve of us. It's just I'm a former guitar player and am comfortable with that sized neck.

I'm glad you're into this little amp too. It's gotten me to play more during my off-season and for that it's worth every penny. Thanks for responding to the posts and keeping this going.


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40 Owners: Thoughts and Opinions
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 5:43 pm
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I am not impressed with the factory presets but when you begin to work with Fuse the possibilty of this amp is incredible and better than the Bdec. My favorites amps are the Rocking Peg, the Redhead, the GK 800 and the Bassman 300.[/quote

When you read my link you would see that i researched the g-decIII, which is what the B-decIII would have been if they continued the line.
The b-dec its self was not perfect but the g-decIII is amazing.
so to compare the b-dec to the bronco is apples to oranges.


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40 Owners: Thoughts and Opinions
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 9:46 pm
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I have no experience with the G-dec either so I'll take your word for it. I look at any presets as color samples on a large pallet. Yeah, they' not perfect, but I think a reasonable beginning to creating one's own sound. While the Peg is a tad bass heavy with my violin bass, I've come to like it the best so far. The Bassman TV is a great tone too, but to me the SWR is too clanky-sounding. The GK isn't bad either. They all need to be tweaked, but that's half the fun if this amp. I totally agree with you that the FUSE software is far better than it's nearest competition. I'll still take one in a pedal-form for Christmas, okay Fender? :D


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40 Owners: Thoughts and Opinions
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 12:33 pm
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oh yeah really i do not know where to start with the options the bronco dosnt have bud really.
I wouldnt be so militant about this topic if it wasnt such huge difference.
The number of jacks in and out on the g-decIII was one point.
The looping effect was unreal the g-decIII not only loops but you can do multiple overlays.
The other huge option is the onboard memory why is this so huge?
With the onboard memory you can play your backing tracks through the amp and actually not have your computer hooked to the g-decIII.
With the multiple ports on the g-decIII you can use it as a monitor and line into a mixing board and then pump your sound through anything.
The one thing the G-dec sries didnt have that the b-dec did was the cradle cabinet which is perfect for a monitor i believe fender had this in mind when they desighned the b-dec cabinet.
Lastly not to mention the foot pedal options the g-dec and b-dec have.
I hope you can see these are just a few of the options that are missing.


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