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Post subject: Lost my high end on two Mustang iv's.
Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 12:43 pm
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Ok, I have 3 Fender Mustang amps...1 x III and 2 x IV. Both of my IVs have lost their brightness on the high end. The III still has it so I can definitely hear the difference with the same setting being used on both amps...#47 Gomez Clean is the best to hear that high end setting....lots of jangle on it.
The loss is not only on that setting, it is across every setting.
Before you provide your input, please know I have done the following:
1. Replaced the speakers on one of the two ( just to make sure )
2. Done a factory reset
3. Done a fuse upload
4. Used different cables ( i do not use any footpedals) so I plug straight in.
5. Used two different Ric 325s
Still no brightness......

I have also contacted Fender who states I am the first person who has ever brought this to them...remember, my problem is on BOTH iv's...there one day, gone the next.

I am in a Beatles Tribute group so I
1. only use clean settings.
2. never go louder than 5 as we are always mic'd.

Can anyone provide any input on what is wrong here? Of course, both the iv's are out of warranty, the III is still in warranty but has no issues.


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Post subject: Re: Lost my high end on two Mustang iv's.
Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 1:09 pm
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My best guess after reading what you have already tried is both amps sound different now because the speakers are "broken in" from frequent use. Maybe you like the sound of fresh speakers?

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Post subject: Re: Lost my high end on two Mustang iv's.
Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:11 pm
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Appreciate the thought and that makes sense, but is not the case. As I stated, I replaced the speakers with exact same from factory....no high end.....


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Post subject: Re: Lost my high end on two Mustang iv's.
Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 3:53 am
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Different firmware?
The III is a bit toppy - not played a IV but reputed to be less so. They won't sound identical.
Comparison can be a minefield and your ears can become hyper sensitive!


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Post subject: Re: Lost my high end on two Mustang iv's.
Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 9:47 am
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Thanks for the input and you are right, two different models can and does present an acoustic difference.
In this case, both models are using the same programming and settings which majorly have the same sound ( albeit subtle differences taking 2x12 and larger cabinet, etc) it is the high end on BOTH IVs which has gone.....meaning it was there and is not now.....( I replaced the speakers on one to make sure it wasn't speaker settlement over time....no change).
The III didn't lose that high end.....supporting the 'major high end difference' in the sound of the IVs ....imagine if the high end on your amp stopped...you would hear the difference immediately.....same here......on both IVs.
It is completely baffling and even Fender doesn't have an answer.....


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Post subject: Re: Lost my high end on two Mustang iv's.
Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 10:00 am
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Yes - clutching at straws - read this last week and can't think of an explanation.

You didn't overdrive both IVs and damage something? But you'd remember that.
And we have to discount damp or termites in the cones..
An electric spike blew the same thing in both?


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Post subject: Re: Lost my high end on two Mustang iv's.
Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 11:30 am
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All good points indeed.
I don't use foot pedals, straight into amp with cord ( yes, I tried different cords as well as different guitars of the same model, Ric 325.)
I never push amp beyond 5.
I only use clean settings, no distortion.
The loss of high end resulted after performing at two different locations and I am always surge protected.
( Remember, I am using the III in the same locations under the same circumstances and there is no issue.....so far.)


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Post subject: Re: Lost my high end on two Mustang iv's.
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 12:30 pm
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saltersystems wrote:
The loss of high end resulted after performing at two different locations and I am always surge protected.
( Remember, I am using the III in the same locations under the same circumstances and there is no issue.....so far.)

Just to be devil's advocate... Could there have been a set-up of the IV that hammered your ears more than the set-up with the III, causing a temporary reduction in high-end at the wetware side? I know first-hand that every year, my ears can take just a little less before the high-end suffers for a day or two, and that musician's earplugs is not a silver bullet (but still very helpful).


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Post subject: Re: Lost my high end on two Mustang iv's.
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 1:41 pm
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I was just rereading the list of things you tried. You certainly covered a lot, but one thing I don't see is trying to reload the amplifier's firmware. Try doing a firmware restore and/or update. This should be a more extensive reset of the amp than the "factory reset". It's very odd that both of the IV's went at the same time. That really points to a firmware issue.


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Post subject: Re: Lost my high end on two Mustang iv's.
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 10:40 pm
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Pdawg,
Good thought, but I had performed an upload from Fender fuse.....no change. One would think that would resolve it as it puts everything back to original....nope.


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Post subject: Re: Lost my high end on two Mustang iv's.
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 4:11 pm
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My guess is you've put more miles on your Mustangs than most users,
and perhaps on many hot stages, and that it's a simple componant failure.
A good tech should know what parts are related to the high freq tone.
Fender should have one familiar with the schematic, I hope.
See if they'll give you a pdf copy.
Would you say the hours/locations on them are roughly equal?

Around here, a tech won't sneeze for less than $80, I think
in the interim, you should get a lightly used Mustang V head,
and use the IV as a cab, (ohms match?) until you can find a tech you trust.
Maybe someone at the head-fi forum, or a more general google search,
will turn up some related troubles on other gear, hopefully with solutions.
Chears


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Post subject: Re: Lost my high end on two Mustang iv's.
Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2017 4:45 pm
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You did the Fuse update but did you go into Fuse and dial in what you need for your sound?


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Post subject: Re: Lost my high end on two Mustang iv's.
Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 10:33 am
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Have you tried running the Mustang IV speakers one at a time from the III?

You might have to use male and female spade connectors and some speaker wire, but at least you'll get a true comparison if it's at the IV speaker level.

Then do the same thing going in the other direction (i.e. use the III speaker) to test the IV amp .

Also, if you replaced the stock speakers in the IV with something other than the exact speakers, you're going to be comparing apples and oranges no matter how you slice it.

EQ responses of different speakers even with the same rating WILL color the sound.


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Post subject: Re: Lost my high end on two Mustang iv's.
Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2017 12:58 am
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There are some good suggestions here.

That is odd that both IVs reacted that way. Regardless, software/firmware can do strange things. I would definitely go with the firmware you began with to check things out. That is to say if you started and lost highs with the original firmware use that as a reference. But, if you used other firmware (such as an update) and tweaked Fuse presets before losing the highs then that's the reference. It could be difficult to recall the original playback response.

You are able to compare the IVs with each other or the III which, I agree, is more or less moot; but, is there any remote chance of comparing it with another IV of the same version from a store or an associate? Doubtful most likely, but that would be great. I would also check out the basic amp presets without any tweaks (with and without Fuse).

I have a IV v1 that was at the end of the run just a month or 2 before v2 was introduced. No issues other than some switching presets problems where it would hang up on a preset instead of engaging the selected one. Sometimes the volume did not engage correctly. Those problems have seemed to iron themselves out.
Both original and updated firmware were affected back then.

I'm guessing you pushed the speakers somewhat even though you use 5 for the setting per se? Try setting everything to 5 and see what you get. I often start there to give me room to add or remove settings. It won't make a big difference, but it won't hurt either.

This is a long shot. This may not work as there is a distinct difference in how the sound will reach you. If you think you can detect a difference between original headphone response and current headphone response that would be another step in troubleshooting all things being equal using the same headphones throughout. Maybe, you'll hear more or less high end than before. I know it sounds crazy, but it all seems crazy and might be of interest.

Again, doubtful, you might want to check the Cabinet settings on the presets. While you're at it check the Bias and Sag. This won't have much of an impact across all presets, but when and if using one specific preset or a few similar presets to troubleshoot they can make a difference.

The odds of both of your amps reacting as you described when put up against the biggest selling Fender amps ever certainly doesn't meet the odds.

Best of luck, and keep us posted.

FSB

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Post subject: Re: Lost my high end on two Mustang iv's.
Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 10:19 am
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Why don't you try and plug in a headphone and then listen if the high end is still missing?
You won't lose anything.


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