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Post subject: Re: First impressions of Mustang III - take two!
Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 5:30 am
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Hi guys - well, I've had the Mustang III for a little while now and I think its tremendous bang for buck and I do like it. If I had no other decent rigs I would definitely keep it....but having thought long & hard I've reluctantly decided to return it and to change it for a Laney Cub 12R all-tube class A/B 1x12" combo.

My reasons are as follows:

1. Modeling & tone wise it's very good - but actually the modeling is no better (surprisingly, even the Fender models), than the modeling in my Vox AD120VTX (with EQ, BBE Sonic stomp in the FX loop). In fact, it's reminded me just how good the modeling & tonal quality of the AD120VTX is. Because of the 2x12AX7 valves in the power amp section the Vox is actually warmer, & more responsive & valve-like than the Mustang. The modeling differences between the Fender models in the M III are very largely down to EQ, and I've not found a Fender tone in the M III that I can't pretty much nail between the Bassman, Blackface, & 1x12" tweed models in the AD120VTX. The Marshall models are IMHO better in the AD120VTX - the US High Gains are very similar. Whilst the variable cab models are useful, I'm not convinced that some of these are as 'right' as they should be - and again, the tonal variations are very much down to EQ.

2. The LCD rotary dial combination is clever and effective, and the M III certainly has more fine tuning parameters than the AD120VTX, but it makes it harder to tweak on the fly. When Vox designed the AD120VTX they knew what they were doing for the gigging guitarist with rotary controls and quick tap buttons to engage reverb, delays, modulation, that are very easy to use.

3. The floor control via the VC12 which includes volume and expression pedal, last patch recall and full stomp box style switching is way superior to the Mustang III, even with the 4-pedal footswitch. To gig, I'd have to splash out (even at the new reduced price) another £50 on the 4-pedal, which I don't want to do.

4. The M III has no extn speaker out, which for an amp aimed at gigging players is IMHO a big omission. A further feature that I'd recommend Fender considers is a variable boost setting control with a boost switch on the floor-pedal that allows gigging players to kick in the volume uplift they need for a lead solo, without changing tone. The Vox doesn't have this either (which is why I use a BBE Boosta Grand in the FX loop) but the Laney Prism does, which I think is a very useful feature for gigging players.

5. As I already have my AD120VTX rig and my all-valve Laney VC30-210 & 1x12" extn cab rig for gigs, I wanted something smaller and lighter that gave me that real valve compression and punch which is missing from the M III. I have a pedalboard and a small Tonelab ST to use with the Cub, so effects and modeling options are still available to me, but with a full valve response.

6. To a very large extent the M III is therefore not really giving me anything I don't already have. I will miss its compact package with light weight for a 100w amp, its patch-naming facility, & upgradeability. Also, its wider selection of reverb and delays which is nice to have.

But having read various issues on the forum here, and from my own ears, my view is that Fender still has a few gremlins it needs to sort out with the Mustang. I am very impressed though with Fender's customer service and responses and I'm sure that they will iron these things out. I would fully expect a Mustang MkII to follow within say 18 mths (this is a very fast moving sector) and it will be interesting to see how it will evolve.

7. A further reason that I've decided not to go with the MIII is that I'm very interested to try out the new very recently announced Vox Valvetronix VTX150 Pro Neodymium, which should be out in a few months. The big change as compared to any previous Valvetronix is that it uses an EL84 power tube in the redesigned valve-reactor circuit in place of a 12AX7. Reportedly, this makes a very big difference and should replicate valve response, natural compression, and valve-feel much more closely. This is a light (partly thanks to the Neodymium Celestion speaker), 150w 1x12" combo with 44 amp models that I could use my VC12 floorcontroller with - so if it lives up to the hype & I really like it I might get one of these too. But even then, space is a real problem in my little 'den' - so I'll have to see!

Anyway, I thought I'd share the above which I hope you can see has been well thought through and which I hope makes sense. Like everyone here, it's not just about whether an amp is good (which the M III definitely is) but about how well it fits with each of our individual needs - & that will be different for each person and will depend not just on their ears, but what other gear they have and whether or not they are gigging players.

Rich :wink:

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Post subject: Re: First impressions of Mustang III - take two!
Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 8:55 am
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I'm not sure what I'm the most disappointed with. Rockcat returning his Mustang or Rockcat leaving this forum :(

We're gonna miss you. Thanks for all of your valuable insight.


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Post subject: Re: First impressions of Mustang III - take two!
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 7:42 am
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Location: Dublin, Ireland
So Long, Rockat,

All those Footswitch buyers can thank you for the better deal.
Hope you'll say like Arnie - " I'll Be Back ".
( Maybe when the new Mustang Pro Neodymium comes along ?. Ha. )

Good luck & stay in touch.
Jim


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Post subject: Re: First impressions of Mustang III - take two!
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 10:56 am
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Hi guys - not going anywhere just yet. Thought I'd still hang around for a while. :wink:

Going back to my comments that the III really should come with the 4-pedal....the irony is that if it had done, I'd most probably have kept it as it would have tipped the scales back in its favour. But the 2-pedal is useless for gigging and without it, it doesn't do what I need and I didn't want to have to spend another £50 (even at the new reduced price, once it filters through to the stores) - as I said, its because I'm getting the Laney Cub 12R for £225.

This re-emphasises my point to Fender that the M III is a gigging amp & thus its positioning here re the 4- button that comes with the IV & V is illogical & just plain wrong, & that it's losing them sales. Ah well, maybe they'll take my reasoning on board & see the light later on.

Rich :wink:

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Post subject: Re: First impressions of Mustang III - take two!
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 12:22 pm
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Rockcat wrote:
Hi guys - not going anywhere just yet. Thought I'd still hang around for a while. :wink:


Cool, I've appreciated your thoughtful posts (along with everyone else's of course).

Quote:
Going back to my comments that the III really should come with the 4-pedal....the irony is that if it had done, I'd most probably have kept it as it would have tipped the scales back in its favour. But the 2-pedal is useless for gigging and without it, it doesn't do what I need and I didn't want to have to spend another £50 (even at the new reduced price, once it filters through to the stores) - as I said, its because I'm getting the Laney Cub 12R for £225.


FWIW: I don't gig, but it was still worth it to me to purchase a 4 button foot switch for my MIII separately (I did not plan to at first--in fact, I originally planned on purchasing the MI). Go figure.

PITA


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Post subject: Re: First impressions of Mustang III - take two!
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 3:00 pm
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Thanks for the honest unbiased review.

I have/had a VT50. It died 5 months after the warranty went out. I loved the tones I could get out of it, even more so than my AD30VT, which still lives and is working fine. I was a few days away from ordering the FX Loop mod (on the Valvetronix forum) when my amp died. I sure am glad I didn't get it now.

After my bad experience with the VT50 I opted for the MIV. I have someone looking at it now, not a verified Vox Tech, but he isn't having any luck. (He has built several scratch tube amps.)

The 5 year warranty was a major factor for me. The tones are great on it and there are some added features that my VT50 didn't have, tuner for one, FX loop for another.

I totally understand getting the Laney. I have a few tube amps and I won't get rid of them, but my modelers have a place and are staying. I am extremely happy with my MIV. Hope you stay so we can get some of your insight.


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Post subject: Re: First impressions of Mustang III - take two!
Posted: Mon May 09, 2011 11:41 am
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+1 on Rockcat staying! :D


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Post subject: Re: First impressions of Mustang III - take two!
Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 11:38 am
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ya stick around Rockcat.........did you happen to save to your pc or Mac some of your custom settings you could let us try out?


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Post subject: Re: First impressions of Mustang III - take two!
Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 4:45 pm
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I never connected the MIII to my computer or saved any custom settings, sorry. But lowering the sag makes a huge difference to most patches. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: First impressions of Mustang III - take two!
Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 8:39 pm
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bclarke675 wrote:
+1 on Rockcat staying! :D


Agreed! Rockcat, your posts are some of the most well reasoned and clear thinking on the forum. I regret that you have decided to take back your MIII. I was looking forward to more of your insights and suggestions to help me get the most out of mine!
Do stick around...

Ken - NM9P

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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: First impressions of Mustang III - take two!
Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 11:37 am
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Thanks guys - appreciate the kind words. As I said, I'm happy to stick around for a while. In fact just posted under the 4-button pedal thread re the (IMHO) unfair Fender warranty issue. :wink:

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