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Post subject: Mustang I & II vs. Mustang III & IV Question
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 1:54 pm
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I was wondering if the amp sims and effects are the same quality in the Mustang I & II as they are in the III & IV.

Also, do you get more effects in the III & IV than with the I and II and if so, can you load the ones that are missing (if they are) into the I & II via the FUSE software?

And what about recording using the USB out? Do you get the CAB sims out of the USB or is it better to mic it?

Any other pros/cons between the 2 would be most appreciated.

Thanks!
SEA


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Post subject: Re: Mustang I & II vs. Mustang III & IV Question
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 3:20 pm
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It's my understanding that plugged into a computer they're basically all on par with one another. If you're planning on gigging with it, I'd suspect you'd want the 12'' speaker(s) found in the III and higher. I have the III and am super happy with it, though haven't used it w/ a computer.Cheers.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang I & II vs. Mustang III & IV Question
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:21 pm
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Via FUSE, the I and II have access to all the same amp models and effects as the III, IV and V.

The II also has a 12inch speaker, although of lesser quality than the III, IV and V.

The I and II appear aimed mainly at home playing, unless miced up, while the III, IV and V are loud enough for gigging 'as is'.

The I and II, although they only have 24 'onboard' presets, can access and load all of the 100 presets on the other amps, via FUSE.

The main differences therefore appear to be :
I and II - tone modelling and access to presets split between amp and FUSE.
III, IV and V - all tone modelling and all presets accessible on amp itself, without FUSE, via LCD screen on amp.
III, IV and V - higher wattage.
III, IV and V - better speakers.
III, IV - open back cabinets.
Price !


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Post subject: Re: Mustang I & II vs. Mustang III & IV Question
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:34 pm
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I had wondered this, too, before I made my purchase...and to put my comments in perspective, I ended up purchasing the Mustang I.

As has been stated already, if you hook the amps up to a computer and use FUSE, you have access to all the same stuff regardless which amp you buy. If you just use the amp by itself, the I and II are significantly more limited. Mine is just used at home, so if I need to tweak something that's beyond the amp controls, I just hook it up to my PC and use FUSE.

Another great thing about the MI and MII is that while you are more limited in the number of presets, you can completely customize everything that's stored on the amp itself...not only the amp models (with or without effects), but also the effects that are assigned to the two wheels, Mod and Dly/Rvb (and you can store as individual effects, or 2 or 3 combined together in a single preset), etc. I've found this quite handy.

However, just to second what has already been stated, if you plan to use the amp for gigging, I would pass on I and II...speaker quality is so much better on the III and IV, plus you can also tweak everything on the amp itself. Not to mention, with the MI and MII, you can only have two footswitchable presets...much better switching with the MIII, MIV and MV.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang I & II vs. Mustang III & IV Question
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:04 pm
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A few other things to consider...

the I & II cannot use the four button footswitch that the III & IV can.

The rotary encoder and LCD display make the III & IV much easier to program on the fly.

All the amps can use FUSE the same way.

The III comes with a two button footswitch. ($20 - $30 value) So you really are only paying $70 - $80 extra for the extra power, better speaker, and easier programing on the III verses the II.

The IV comes with the 4 button footswitch ($40 - $60 value) so you are really only paying an additional $40 - $60 to get a IV instead of a III. and you get two speakers and 50 watts more power than the III.

It all comes down to what you want and can afford. But consider the extra cost of footswitches, and value of convenience as you consider the price.

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1976 Alvarez Acoustic w/fishbine pickup; '98 American Series Strat (custom rewired); Modded Gibson Les Paul.
Mustang III; Crate v33 2-12; Raven G20; Digitech RP-2000; Morley Bad Horsie 2; various Danelectric stomps ...


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Post subject: Re: Mustang I & II vs. Mustang III & IV Question
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 4:29 am
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Wow! Thanks for all the info guys! I sure appreciate it ;-)

Currently I'm not gigging out but working in my home studio on original music so the I or II might workout at this time then later upgrade to the III or IV. If I decide to go gig down the road I might use the Mustang or go with something like the AXE FX or the SansAmp PSA-1.1. direct into a PA.

Currently I have the VG-99 for the studio but I don't have any other amps to play thru so if I want one of my other guitars to just plug and play, I have to go thru the VG-99 and mess around with it's cabs and stuff which I'd rather not do. Besides... the Mustangs seems like it has some great modeling and a different "flavor" that could be way cool on tracks.

A few other questions I have are:

1. Is it better to mic the amp or go out the USB or Line out when cutting tracks? On the product description is says "Line Out: Speaker emulated USB output; 1/8" headphone jack doubles as speaker emulated line out"

2. When going line out or USB out... are the FX cut in stereo or mono?

3. Is there a way on the II or III to connect to another 12 in cab? This would be very cool for stereo FX when you spread the cabs 5 to 10 feet apart.

4. Is the IV and V the only stereo cabs?

5. Also... are the presets in the vids below stock presets on the I or can they be downloaded from the community?

Here are the links to the vids.

Fender MUSTANG 1 - part 1 (vintage tones)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHjcj-dn ... re=related

Fender MUSTANG 1 - the CLEAN tones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HC7GkRym3E

Fender MUSTANG 1: the heavy (metal) tones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xnpM95H ... re=related

I also see the guy mic'd the cab. Maybe that's the way to get the best tone. :)

Thanks again!
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Post subject: Re: Mustang I & II vs. Mustang III & IV Question
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 6:37 am
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Good info on comparisons here.

nm9p wrote:

The IV comes with the 4 button footswitch ($40 - $60 value) so you are really only paying an additional $40 - $60 to get a IV instead of a III. and you get two speakers and 50 watts more power than the III.



Actually, the IV is $500, so depending on how you value the pedal, $140-$160 more than the III ($300). I chose to go with the IV and I am glad I did. Also, both the IV and V have stereo effects, the others do not.

If I can get my Vox VT50 working again, I'm gonna sell it and replace it with a Mustang III. These are really nice amps!

The 4 and 2 button switches are nice! I am using both with my IV.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang I & II vs. Mustang III & IV Question
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 6:56 am
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The text accompanying at least one of the you-tube videos states that the presets being used were made/tweaked through FUSE. The clean/vintage demos also seem to make use of some pretty snazzy guitars, like the Gretsch, that are undoubtedly contributing to the tone achieved.

Having said that, some of the 'out of the box' presets on the Mustangs are very good indeed, especially the cleaner tones based on Fender amps, which I guess is not too surprising !


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Post subject: Re: Mustang I & II vs. Mustang III & IV Question
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 7:27 am
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jcwillow777 wrote:
Also, both the IV and V have stereo effects, the others do not.

Just to clarify... the IV and IV have stereo effect coming from the amp speakers. The other models only have single speakers so stereo isn't possible on them.

However, All the amps have stereo effects coming from both the headphone and USB outputs.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang I & II vs. Mustang III & IV Question
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 7:43 am
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p90sdude wrote:
jcwillow777 wrote:
Also, both the IV and V have stereo effects, the others do not.

Just to clarify... the IV and IV have stereo effect coming from the amp speakers. The other models only have single speakers so stereo isn't possible on them.

However, All the amps have stereo effects coming from both the headphone and USB outputs.


Thanks for clarifying that! :D

Perhaps a good idea would be get two 1X12 cabs... load them with some nice speakers... then get the V and run stereo out (one to each cab.) That way you could move the cabs a few feet away for some nice stereo imaging! :mrgreen:

So... has anyone tried recording out of their mustang via the USB or line out? If so... how does it sound compared to micing the amp?


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Post subject: Re: Mustang I & II vs. Mustang III & IV Question
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 6:03 pm
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jcwillow777 wrote:
Good info on comparisons here.

nm9p wrote:

The IV comes with the 4 button footswitch ($40 - $60 value) so you are really only paying an additional $40 - $60 to get a IV instead of a III. and you get two speakers and 50 watts more power than the III.



Actually, the IV is $500, so depending on how you value the pedal, $140-$160 more than the III ($300). I chose to go with the IV and I am glad I did. Also, both the IV and V have stereo effects, the others do not.

If I can get my Vox VT50 working again, I'm gonna sell it and replace it with a Mustang III. These are really nice amps!

The 4 and 2 button switches are nice! I am using both with my IV.



You are correct, jcwillow, I was working from memory and forgot that there was an extra $100 price jump between the III & IV. I was just climbing the ladder... $99 for a I, $199 for a II, $299 for a III, and then $499 for a IV, and about $598 for a V with 4-12 speaker cab. In any case, these are great amps and IMHO the III gives the greatest bang for the buck. But that is me. I wish I could have afforded the additional $160 for the IV. The stereo effects would be nice, but I probably wouldn't use them much anyway.

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1976 Alvarez Acoustic w/fishbine pickup; '98 American Series Strat (custom rewired); Modded Gibson Les Paul.
Mustang III; Crate v33 2-12; Raven G20; Digitech RP-2000; Morley Bad Horsie 2; various Danelectric stomps ...


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Post subject: Re: Mustang I & II vs. Mustang III & IV Question
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 7:58 pm
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Another thing about the pedal, is that the Mustang I&II can only use the one-button pedal which changes between two presets of your choosing. And if you don't have a compatible pedal already, you'll have to buy it separate, if you even want one.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang I & II vs. Mustang III & IV Question
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 1:52 pm
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I bought a MII a couple weeks ago and took it back to Guitar Center yesterday. I traded it in on a MIII and like it way much better. I like having the controls for everything on the amp itself , the speaker , and the open back. I really did not need the 100 watts though but nice to have the head room.

I did like the way i could get the MII to sound like my original December '64 Fender Princeton Reverb so i could keep it for other times. That's why i went with another Mustang amp. Only thing i wished they had on these Mustang amps, is a real spring reverb in the cab.

I think my fav is the Deluxe Reverb and the Champ.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang I & II vs. Mustang III & IV Question
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:44 pm
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As far as recording goes, with the Mustand I or II, I'm thinking you'll get your best tone by USB or Line-Out (I think the tone's are nearly identical between the two). Though you might find you prefer the speaker for certain models...you'd just have try and compare.

If you get one of those with better speakers, you might find mic'ing works better...just a guess as again, I have the MI.

Personally, if the speakers are good, I generally prefer mic'ing. But again, with the MI I'll probably go direct if I use it to record.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang I & II vs. Mustang III & IV Question
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:58 pm
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So... the M1 and II have only 8 amp models but with Fuse they have all 12?


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