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Post subject: Bronco 40: One-month Review Part II
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:34 pm
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Is it perfect? Is anything perfect? Nope. I've already mentioned on another post tonight I'd like to see more information offered on each of the amp models, much like Vox does with their Valvetronix line. We're as much hobbyists as players and I think the added info would be appreciated by those who own this fine piece of equipment.

Also, like with all software, FUSE must continue offering us updates as they continue to improve the brains behind the unit. I haven't suffered any glitches as of yet, but I know that relying on programming can be equivalent to rolling dice and this will only be as good as the software behind it, even for casual play. I have not used the recording software as of yet so I cannot comment on that, but it's nice just the same to have the availability.

Finally, as sweet as it is, the amp's limited to playing real loud in a large area. Again, it's a practice amp with light jamming ability. Feel free to disagree, but I've jammed with it in a large living room and had to keep the volume at noon most of the evening. That 1-10 is only going to be able to move so much air. Now a 300-watt Bronco amp pushing Fender's 410 cab might be a different story. Or at least a bass pedal version of what looks like a new Mustang pedal on the website. If sales are strong, who knows?

Bottom line, it is worth the money. While there are some of you still upset that Fender ditched the B-DEC, I truly believe this amp offers much of what made that amp fun to own. The looper function would be nice, but for those of us who skipped that amp, this one for the dollar is hard to beat. To me, Line 6 is nowhere near the level of tonal quality the Bronco 40 is, and, according to the store mgr, general interest as well as sales at my local GC store have proven that. If you're in the market for a reasonably-priced, practice/jamming bass amp, then you'll have to look pretty hard to find a better value than the Bronco 40.

If you have any questions concerning something I failed to mention, please hit the reply button and I'll do the best I can to answer them. Thanks for your patience in reading this long review! I hope you found it worth it.


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40: One-month Review Part II
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:38 am
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Bronco head removed from the cab :oops:

Pluged to an Ampeg 2x10 SVT210AV :D

Great sound

Now 3 lb for the Bronco head and 26 lb for the SVT210AV

Later I will replace the speaker of the Bronco cab for an Eminence 150 w taken from a Traynor cab.

And find a nice pine box for the head ...


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40: One-month Review Part II
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:40 pm
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rickbass55, you are one serious musician. After hearing what the Bronco sounds like with the 'Peg models, this makes total sense. My question to you is how good/bad would you say the stock Fender speaker is compared to the speakers you're using now? I know the 2-10" is gonna offer a nicer bottom end, but how much difference do you perceive? Does the stock speaker hold its own or do you see this as a mod most owners will make in time?


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40: One-month Review Part II
Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 10:43 am
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iabssplyr wrote:
rickbass55, you are one serious musician. After hearing what the Bronco sounds like with the 'Peg models, this makes total sense. My question to you is how good/bad would you say the stock Fender speaker is compared to the speakers you're using now? I know the 2-10" is gonna offer a nicer bottom end, but how much difference do you perceive? Does the stock speaker hold its own or do you see this as a mod most owners will make in time?

The stock speaker had a small buzzing sound on low frequencies and sound more like a hi-fi speaker than a bass speaker. I decide to remove the head and plug it to another 8 ohms cab 2x10 no horn (Ampeg SVT210AV) to make a test (please note this can void your warranty) and I'm happy with the result :D. I don't care about the stock cab for now.
Now I can hear a real bass sound even at 3 on the master volume (5 is the best).
You can also test the sound with the xlr out to another bass amp (I will buy a xlr to 1/4 instrument cable), headphone/line out to another bass amp doesn't sound very good (noisy).
My conclusion:
I have a good low power bass head (3 lbs with the wood case) with a spare cab (29 lbs) :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40: One-month Review Part II
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 1:03 pm
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viewtopic.php?f=23&t=60988

I did a lot of research on the g-decIII series and now the bronco and this is a link to my post.
Fender has short changed its bass playing community and i explain in great detail why.


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40: One-month Review Part II
Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 10:31 pm
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rickbass55: The stock speaker had a small buzzing sound on low frequencies and sound more like a hi-fi speaker than a bass speaker...

I'm starting to hear the same low frequency buzz myself, just this past weekend. Admittedly, it's with the bottom-heavy models such as my tweaked Ampeg, but I usually drop the bass level from where the preset had it and usually have the volume set at about 10:30. I even took off the grill and tightened the speaker screws. I'm also wondering if this is less a bass speaker and more of a stock hi-fi speaker (like you mentioned) compensating for all different the models. If I drop the volume down or switch to a more bass-shy model it cleans up, but I think the stock speaker is not keeping its part of the bargain up and should be able to handle what Fender creates for their presets.

I used to own Line 6 Spider amps where it was quite difficult to find a decent replacement speaker that would work for every tone, but I may have to consider a better quality driver in case this one goes south on me. Any ideas, rickbass55?


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40: One-month Review Part II
Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:31 pm
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iabssplyr wrote:
I used to own Line 6 Spider amps where it was quite difficult to find a decent replacement speaker that would work for every tone, but I may have to consider a better quality driver in case this one goes south on me. Any ideas, rickbass55?


Hi iabssplyr,

Maybe a 8 ohms bass speaker from another cab with a good layer of fiberglass wool (small enclosure compensation) inside the cab.
A PA speaker could sound more hi-fi.

Rick


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40: One-month Review Part II
Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 5:58 pm
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Thanks for the reply. I'm going to put some thought into before deciding. Did you know (abd I'm sure you do) there are only four screws holding the speaker in the enclosure? Maybe it has nothing to do with it, but that's a corner I wish wouldn't have been cut. Anything else that goes in, unless I'm going to modify the box, will not gave the same sturdiness that another cabinet would have for its speaker.

With certain models, like Rockin Peg, I can't run a lot of volume without a bunch of moody coming out. The more I play through it, the easier it is to see its a $250 combo. I still like it, but there won't be any jamming with it. Low level practice, that's it.


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40: One-month Review Part II
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 4:46 pm
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iabssplyr wrote:
Thanks for the reply. I'm going to put some thought into before deciding. Did you know (abd I'm sure you do) there are only four screws holding the speaker in the enclosure? Maybe it has nothing to do with it, but that's a corner I wish wouldn't have been cut. Anything else that goes in, unless I'm going to modify the box, will not gave the same sturdiness that another cabinet would have for its speaker.

With certain models, like Rockin Peg, I can't run a lot of volume without a bunch of moody coming out. The more I play through it, the easier it is to see its a $250 combo. I still like it, but there won't be any jamming with it. Low level practice, that's it.

Yes, only 4 screws. You can unplug the speaker and plug the wires to a speaker cable and try on another 8 ohms cab or just try to change the speaker. For me it is a $200 head on a $50 cab. This why I removed the head. With my 2x10 cab I keep the volume under 5 with modified presets.


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Post subject: Re: Bronco 40: One-month Review Part II
Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 6:43 pm
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Here I am in Oct 2017, wishing for a time machine, so I can talk to these two guys - looks like iabssplyr and rickbass55 are no longer active on the forums. I've had my Bronco 40 almost 2 years back & am finally seriously researching how to use the thing.

Anyone have experience with replacing the stock speaker with a real bass speaker (presumably 8-ohm)?

Like these two guys, I am experiencing buzzing on low-frequency models like the Pegs. A couple of models even give me ( of all things) mid-to-hi-freq fretting noise, where the models apparently use higher frequencies (Rockin' Peg OD for instance). Play something through Aux input - this is clearly a full range speaker.

Anyone done this, or have thoughts?


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