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Post subject: Mustang or G-Dec?
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 9:02 am
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So isn't the Mustang a better verision of the G-Dec? If so, why bother having the G-Dec? Or is there a difference? Can anyone tell me?

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Post subject: Re: Mustang or G-Dec?
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 11:09 am
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There are advantages to both and unfortunately you can't get everything in either package.

The GDEC 3 series have the ability to play backing tracks through them that can be loaded on with Fender Fuse or through an SD card. You can also record directly onto your SD card on these amps. The 30W version of the GDEC 3 is also optimized to play the backing tracks with a special speaker configuration that enhances the tone of the backing track. The Limitations of the GDEC 3 vs. the Mustang III, IV and V's are that editing sounds and tones is not as easy or straightforward as it is on the Mustangs with all of the controls, and, in my opinion, the Mustangs have a much more refined sound. The GDEC 3's don't have separate knobs for all of the EQ parameters, and adding effects like stompbox models is far easier if you use the FUSE software rather than try and do it on the amp itself.

The Mustang III, IV and V amps. Have easier and more straightforward tone capabilities on the LCD screen built into the amp itself. (The GDEC 3 also has a cool LCD screen, but editing is easier and more straightforward on the Mustangs.) The Mustangs have access to the FUSE community as well and have tones that were designed specifically for the Mustang. The New Mustangs have very great Celestion speakers built in and, in my opinion, have a much more full sound. In fact, these are the best modeling tones that I have ever heard out of any amp by any maker. The Mustangs can only play backing tracks while hooked up to your computer or if you plug an MP3 player or audio device directly into the amp. The Mustangs can only record while plugged directly into your computer with the included Ableton software. The Limitations of the Mustangs vs the GDEC 3, is that you don't have built-in ability for backing tracks and built in ability to record with the Mustangs. (You can certainly do these things through your computer with the included software, but it is obviously more cumbersome.)

If you are considering the Mustang I and II, both are great amps. Neither has the LCD screen, neither have a Mid control and they contain fewer amp models and effects.

If you are going for the best tones, at all volumes and the easiest on-amp editing, you should choose the Mustang III, IV or V.

If you are going for an amp that allows you to practice to a backing track, or to even perform live with a backing track all contained in one unit, you should choose the GDEC 3.

If you just want great sounds at the cheapest price, the I or II will certainly be amazing practice amps with great vintage tones.

Also, I have heard that Fender GDEC 3 is teaming up with Hal Leonard who puts out instructional guitar books and sheet music. Apparently they are going to be providing backing tracks and guitar sheet music and tabs for the GDEC 3 amps. I am assuming that the backing tracks will be on an SD card or downloadable. This is one of the coolest partnerships for a learning guitarist that I have ever heard of. Very cool stuff.

Though I am just starting to play with more backing tracks, I choose the Mustang III, because of it's tone, value and the ease of selecting different sounds. I always know that I can play a backing track through my ipod or through my computer. I have had no buyers remorse on the III.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang or G-Dec?
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 11:22 am
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There's quit a few differences mainly in comparison to the I and II:

GDECs have 100 on board presets VS 24 for the Mustangs I and II
Different and more amp models on the GDECs although some are the same for both
Looper on the GDECs VS none on the Mustangs I thru V
Additional Effects onboard the GDEC such as pitch shift, Mustangs I and II have less
No built-in backing tracks on the Mustangs I thru V
Can slow down, speed up and change pitch to backing tracks on GDEC whether through the amp itself or within Fuse. Mustangs I thru V can't do either.
Mustangs have Sag and Bias setting accessible through Fuse, GDECs do not
GDECs 10" speaker, Mustangs I, II and III have 12"

These are some of the differences I know. Although, I have a Mustang II and have no complaints about it as there are ways around to getting these GDEC features. My Mustang is great!


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Post subject: Re: Mustang or G-Dec?
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 6:29 pm
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A couple of nice things about the backing tracks on the GDEC 3 are:
- The presets have been matched to the tracks
- There is a variety of tracks that you probably wouldnt try out usually.

Its really opened my playing up to other styles. I would never try a country sound or track before, but the GDEC has given me the chance to try that style and I am enjoying it ;-)

Other than that the mustangs appear to be better in every way. There are some extra models on the GDEC, but these are the acoustic models and they are not great. The looper is nice, but you can do that with a laptop plugged in (although I have heard the looper is much more useful with the GDEC pedal to trigger it?).


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Post subject: Re: Mustang or G-Dec?
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 7:34 pm
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bluesdelux wrote:
There's quit a few differences mainly in comparison to the I and II:

GDECs 10" speaker, Mustangs I, II and III have 12"

Mustang 1's have an 8" speaker

Aside from that, from what Ive read, the Gdecs only gain by having backing tracks. But besides that, they arent that great. I cannot comment as I havent played, but just passing on what Ive read and heard from others who have. The sound on them isnt amazing, and the Mustangs (Any) just absolutely beat the crap out of them.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang or G-Dec?
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 8:06 pm
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Firewall wrote:
Aside from that, from what Ive read, the Gdecs only gain by having backing tracks. But besides that, they arent that great. I cannot comment as I havent played, but just passing on what Ive read and heard from others who have. The sound on them isnt amazing, and the Mustangs (Any) just absolutely beat the crap out of them.


Are you sure you are talking about the new G-DEC3's? They sound very similar to the mustangs - they are possibly even using the same chips I think.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang or G-Dec?
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 8:22 pm
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duncane wrote:
Firewall wrote:
Aside from that, from what Ive read, the Gdecs only gain by having backing tracks. But besides that, they arent that great. I cannot comment as I havent played, but just passing on what Ive read and heard from others who have. The sound on them isnt amazing, and the Mustangs (Any) just absolutely beat the crap out of them.


Are you sure you are talking about the new G-DEC3's? They sound very similar to the mustangs - they are possibly even using the same chips I think.

They definitely aren't sounding as good as the Mustangs. Although I am wondering if the new Blues, Country and Metal editions will have some really great upgrades.

The new Mustangs are just on a whole new level. In my opinion.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang or G-Dec?
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 8:53 pm
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paztormike wrote:
The new Mustangs are just on a whole new level. In my opinion.


Would you say the mustang I and II are better sounding than the GDEC3 or is it just the Mustang III and above?


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Post subject: Re: Mustang or G-Dec?
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 9:28 pm
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You might be asking the wrong guy. I have said over and over that just the Bassman tone on the Mustang I is worth more than the entire price of the whole amp...and then you add the other tones...and then you add the FUSE community...then you add the ableton software...etc etc.

The GDEC 3 had a few good sounds...but FOR ME...none were nearly as good as the Bassman on the I and II.

The Mustang III just takes it all to a new Level.

FOR ME...the only reason to play around with the GDEC 3 would be the new Hal Leonard Series. I am thinking that having all of those books along with the backing tracks might be a really cool learning experience.

I'd still choose the Mustang III though.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang or G-Dec?
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 9:57 pm
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duncane wrote:
Firewall wrote:
Aside from that, from what Ive read, the Gdecs only gain by having backing tracks. But besides that, they arent that great. I cannot comment as I havent played, but just passing on what Ive read and heard from others who have. The sound on them isnt amazing, and the Mustangs (Any) just absolutely beat the crap out of them.


Are you sure you are talking about the new G-DEC3's? They sound very similar to the mustangs - they are possibly even using the same chips I think.

As I said, nothing of my opinion is first hand with Gdecs. Ive only read, and yes it was the 3's I read up about as I was looking at one as a nice started amp. But the reviews Ive found were not very loving with it. Not to say it isnt a GOOD amp, but a lot of it was "Just get a Mustang, they are a lot better"


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Post subject: Re: Mustang or G-Dec?
Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 2:51 pm
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I tried the mustang II today. I was impressed with the ease of changing different amps. However, I was annoyed with each amp having preassigned effects with the amps. Got a little crazy. I did like cranking a Les Paul through the vintage British amps. Very AC/DC like.

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Post subject: Re: Mustang or G-Dec?
Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 7:41 pm
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A lot of misinformation here: The G-DEC 3 series (note: the new 3 series) uses the same Cyber II tech as the Mustang series, just a few slightly different models and EFX, but essentially they use very similar hardware and firmware/software which is why they can share FUSE so completely.

Individual models in both lines all sound different from each other because they have very different speakers in different cab configs. But if you put a tone up off USB on any Mustang, I guarantee I could near clone it on any G-DEC 3 USB out. That's because they both use virtually the same modeling engine.

Just make sure you're talking about G-DEC 3s, not the old ones.


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