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Which do you prefer for home practice?
Mustang II 35%  35%  [ 11 ]
Mustang III 65%  65%  [ 20 ]
Total votes : 31
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Post subject: Home use only -> II or III?
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:51 am
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Hello Mustang owners!

I'm a beginning guitarist and will be buying my first electric guitar and amp in a few weeks. I've already tried out several guitars through the Mustang II, and I liked what I got from it.
My guitar will probably be something semi-hollow from Epiphone. I liked the Dot I played, but I also spotted a limited edition Riviera P93 and they also had Sheraton's I didn't try at the time. I will have to decide on that the next time I get back there. :)
I will be playing blues/rock and will probably be practicing a lot on chords and stuff.

The Mustang's attracted me because of their sound and the features. Although I liked what I got from the Mustang II in the store, I'm not sure if I could live with having to use Fuse all the time to make changes to my presets. The Mustang II will be more than plenty for me as far as volume is concerned. But I do like the Mustang III for having an upgraded speaker and most of all, for the LCD screen.


I want to ask all Mustang II and III owners around here to share their experiences with me on these amps for playing AT HOME, AT MODERATE VOLUME LEVELS. Is the upgraded speaker and LCD screen enough reason to go for the III, or is it perhaps too loud and not worth the extra cash for a beginner? Even if you haven't played both of these amps, please share your experience.

I hope you guys can help me out with this, because I can't really make my mind up. Thanks in advance!

(I added a poll, but am mostly interested in longer replies!)


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Post subject: Re: Home use only -> II or III?
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:36 pm
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Well if the price difference doesn't matter much to you then I would say the III is the way for you to go because you can tweak away without needing a computer except that there's this "fizz" issue with the IIIs that has never really been resolved by Fender.

If you go with the III you may get a fizzer, you may not, you may get a loud fizzer, you may get a soft fizzer, it may start out not fizzing and then fizz later. And since you're new to playing guitar it may be hard to sort this out. Because of that, if I were you, I'd go with the II. Your time will be better spent practicing actual music than tweeking anyway. Set up a few good settings with fuse and then forget about tweaking.

I actaully have a Mustang I. I wanted something small for practice. Really, for a new player that's all you need. Unless you have amzing talent the amp isn't going to be the weak link in the chain of someone knew to guitar. For the price you can't go wrong so I think it's a great beginner amp. That's what I would recommend. Take the money you save and buy some good headphones so you can practice where and whenever you want - that will make a more important difference in how you sound. Then in a few years when you're a better player, and Fender had a chance to get their act together on the higher end Mustangs you can get a more serious amp.

While I'm giving advice, I'd spend a lot more time deciding on the guitar. The ones you mentioned are fine choices but I'd make sure that they feel comfortable to play for long periods of time. I say that because I have a 335 dot that I rarely use because it's just not as comfortable to hold as my solid body guitars. Also, over the years I've come to like the sound of single coil pickups more than humbuckers. You might find it usefull to have a guitar that offers a coil split option so you can experiment with what works best for you.

Also, for the price difference between the Mustang i and III you could get a looper- that would really help your practice sessions. (although an amp with an effects loop works better with a looper ...)

The other thing to consider is scale length.... But I'll stop.


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Post subject: Re: Home use only -> II or III?
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 1:56 pm
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Well, if you say you prefer to edit the presets on the amp directly, I would recommend to go for the Mustang III. It has a lot of advantages over the Mustang II:
- Dedicated controls for Mid EQ and Reverb (missing on the Mustang II)
- Dedicated Edit buttons for Amp and FX, dial for selecting presets (Mustang II has combo buttons for modulation and reverb/delay effects and their send levels, the settings tend to jump to unexpected positions).
- Display (missing on Mustang II)
- Connectors for footswitch and FX loop (missing on the Mustang II)
- Mustang III holds 99 presets (Mustang II 24 presets)

Volume wise both are more than loud enough for home use. Probably the speaker of the Mustang III sounds better. But be aware the Mustang III has an open back cabinet, so if the volume is OK on the front of the amp, it will be as loud on the back. Very useful on stage, but most likely not what you want at home.

For me the Mustang III has no disadvantages apart from the price (which it pays back in more versatility), and the open back cabinet, which may spread the sound more than useful at home.

Just another note on the guitars: You mentioned some Epiphone guitars you may want to purchase. I own a couple of Epiphones, and also Gibson, Fender and Duesenberg guitars. Be aware the customer level Epiphones have not the best pickups available. They tend to sound somewhat pale, the neck humbuckers sometimes muffled, at least compared to the Gibson counterparts. While the Mustang sounds great and sparkling with a Gibson ES-335, or even more with a Duesenberg Starplayer TV, it may sound somewhat flat with an Epiphone. OK, the Gibson/Duesenberg guitars are 10 times the price tag of the Mustang II, but you will here the difference very clearly. Don't blame the Mustang for it.


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Post subject: Re: Home use only -> II or III?
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 2:49 pm
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I would definitely say go with the III, IMHO it is a much better amp and although you say you're not gigging and just playing at home, you just never know. In my book it's better to have the rig ready to go if you can afford it and at the price they are selling the III for new I think it's a no brainer . . .go for the III


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Post subject: Re: Home use only -> II or III?
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 3:23 pm
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I'd go w/ the III. Try it out first if you can, and if you get it from Guitar Center or the like, the extended service plan might be worth paying for as well should things go fizzy down the road.

Why the III? Well, granted it has more juice than you'll need for jamming at home but the LCD screen and ability to change effects etc w/o having to use FUSE are both nice feartures. It's still pretty light and portable (I carry mine a 1/2 mile to my friends house to jam) and the sweep on the volume knob works great...you can play at a low volume and it still sounds great. For the extra dough it will cost you. you'll have a great practice amp and an amp that will be fine for gigs when you get to that point... or even just jamming with buddies.


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Post subject: Re: Home use only -> II or III?
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 3:34 pm
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For home use I think the MII is plenty - maybe even overkill. Even the MI is LOUD for its wattage rating and size. I got the MII because I gig with the amp but I miss the MI every now and then for its size convenience. I also love the look of sheer disbelief that some people get when they hear the thing.

As for editing, at a gig, the MIII's LCD panel and Midrange control certainly is convenient for minor tweaks but as far as I know you still have to use Fuse to access Pre or Post Gain effects positioning. Also, when I'm tweaking the amp at home I'd rather look at my computer's screen than that dinky little LCD. My eyes are hurting just thinking about it.

O.


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Post subject: Re: Home use only -> II or III?
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:31 pm
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I have owned both the II and III over the past few months.

The II was fine at home, although a bit harsh to my ears at louder and distorted settings. Having played one gig with it, I felt I needed the extra headway and more balanced tone at equivalent volumes offered by the 100 watt III with its larger, open cabinet and improved speaker.

The other MAJOR plus of the III for me has been the on-amp editing allowed by the LCD screen, so that my amp and computer can live in diiferent rooms. The screen is not huge, but it is very clear and readable. I wouldn't use it for detailed editing mid-gig, but even having the current preset clearly described in my own preferred words is a plus for me, rather than relying on the cryptic colour coded preset system on the II.

But if you really are only going to play at home, and being near/hooking up to a computer to do deeper tone editing doesn't bother you, then the II (or as Orcatraz says, even the I) would probably fit the bill.


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Post subject: Re: Home use only -> II or III?
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:11 pm
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As per usual, some great friendly advice from the regulars on the forum.

My only piece of advice would be, make the decision on the amp first, based upon what the guys here have told you. Once you have decided on which amp you are going to get, then and only then, should you look at which guitar.

Go to your local music stores and try the different guitars that you mentioned through the exact amp you have made your mind up about. You will then find the right sounding match and the guitar that feels comfortable for you to play.

Don't pick the guitar that sounds best through the Mustang II if you intend buying the Mustang III. As mentioned here, they are different sounding amps through their design and while the DOT may sound good through the II, it may be a different story through the III.

On another note, if you are looking at a cheaper hollow body like the ones you mentioned, you might want to try a Gretsch 5120 Electromatic. You might be pleasantly surprised. My opinion only though.

8beggars


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Post subject: Re: Home use only -> II or III?
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:39 pm
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Thank you for all your responses so far.

The III will be to loud for me, as I had thought. But the real problem I have with the II is that I have to keep it connected to a pc or laptop. Actually, now that I think about it, how long is the provided USB cable? How do you like Fuse on a Windows pc?


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Post subject: Re: Home use only -> II or III?
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:46 pm
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The II doesn't have to be permanently connected to the PC, but it does need to be connected each time you want to any deeper editing.

The USB cable provided with the amp is about 2m long, so you have a bit of play there (and could presumably use a somewhat longer cable if necessary ?).

Fuse on my Windows (Vista 32 bit) based laptop runs without problems and looks great, especially full screen on a decent monitor !


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Post subject: Re: Home use only -> II or III?
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:49 pm
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BlackPatch wrote:
I want to ask all Mustang II and III owners around here to share their experiences with me on these amps for playing AT HOME, AT MODERATE VOLUME LEVELS. Is the upgraded speaker and LCD screen enough reason to go for the III, or is it perhaps too loud and not worth the extra cash for a beginner? Even if you haven't played both of these amps, please share your experience.


I have only the MIII. I originally set out to buy the MI, but LongMan touched on all the important differences that ultimately made the III worthwhile for me.

Specifically, I preferred the enhanced foot switch capability of the III and the ability to tweak presets without FUSE.

So, if you won't miss the extra $, I think the added features are well worth it.

(E.g., I can also stick my ME-25 in the FX loop, and use its loop function to record chord progressions and [pitch-shifted] "bass" lines, then solo over them.)

It is not too loud for home use at all, there is enough usable volume between 0 and 2 for pretty low levels (as in, someone sleeping in the next room--although late night practice may be better done with headphones for better clarity).

HTH,

PITA


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Post subject: Re: Home use only -> II or III?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 8:34 am
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Master volume between 0 and 2 does mean it's going to be rather loud if I turn it up further.
And I will need to be very precise about my volume settings, because a small turn of the volume knob will probably make quite a difference in volume. Not ideal for home use.
This and the possibility of the 'fizz' are holding me back from buying the III.

On paper, the III is better in every single way. But advantages also have their disadvantages. And I could save some money by going for the II.

So, back to the core of my question: I have enough money for the Mustang III, but do you think it will be overkill for home use? How do they bothsound at low to moderate volume levels?


Thanks to everyone so far. Really interested in some more opinions, or comparisons of the II and III!


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Post subject: Re: Home use only -> II or III?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:09 am
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I simply cannot see any advantages in getting the MIII for home use. Even the MII is hyper-sensitive in the 0 to 2 settings on the Master Volume in my house. This has not been helped by my installation of the Eminence Cannabis Rex and the open back mod I did. For me, it seems to have exacerbated the Fletcher-Munson effect and in turn made it more difficult to edit patches at home when my wife is around. I may have to take the thing to our local performance theater along with my laptop and tweak it there. Good thing I'm friends with the director.

One thing to try to alleviate the Master Volume sensitivity is to lower all the preset volumes. Mind you this is only practical if you never plan on using the amp for gigging or jamming with friends. You can however, duplicate all the patches you use on another bank and give them higher volume settings for gigging and jamming.

If I could spare the cash, I'd buy the MI again for experimentation. I really want to hear that thing as an open back combo with a more efficient speaker that has better bass response. I think its "meager" 20 watts could be made to sound stellar. I know it would if it were powering the C-Rex.

O.


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Post subject: Re: Home use only -> II or III?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:22 am
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Orcatraz wrote:
I simply cannot see any advantages in getting the MIII for home use. Even the MII is hyper-sensitive in the 0 to 2 settings on the Master Volume in my house.

One thing to try to alleviate the Master Volume sensitivity is to lower all the preset volumes. Mind you this is only practical if you never plan on using the amp for gigging or jamming with friends. You can however, duplicate all the patches you use on another bank and give them higher volume settings for gigging and jamming.

If I could spare the cash, I'd buy the MI again for experimentation. I really want to hear that thing as an open back combo with a more efficient speaker that has better bass response. I think its "meager" 20 watts could be made to sound stellar. I know it would if it were powering the C-Rex.

O.


So you'd say the Mustang I would be the best choice for me? Isn't the 8" speaker slightly limiting? I don't plan on experimenting with it in that sense, I will leave everything stock at first. I've heard from pretty much everywhere that the 12" speaker alone is really worth it. Improved bottom end and overall just a better sound.

I think the Mustang III might indeed be a bit too much for me. I have pretty much decided on the II. How much of an improvement is it over the I?


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Post subject: Re: Home use only -> II or III?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:41 pm
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BlackPatch wrote:
Master volume between 0 and 2 does mean it's going to be rather loud if I turn it up further.
And I will need to be very precise about my volume settings, because a small turn of the volume knob will probably make quite a difference in volume.


BlackPatch, I'm not trying to sell you something you don't want, but perhaps I wasn't clear; 0-2 (depending on preset) for me is the "someone sleeping in the next room" volume, and there is sufficient range on the volume knob that I don't find it at all difficult to dial down to quite low volumes. Of course I never crank it all the way, but as I said, the other features still made it a win for me. Certainly if you plan to learn how to play the guitar, that in itself requires a good bit more digital dexterity than needed for manipulating the MIII's volume knob.

Do try it out for yourself before you write it off.

Orcatraz wrote:
Even the MII is hyper-sensitive in the 0 to 2 settings on the Master Volume in my house.


I have to disagree with this, it hasn't been my experience at all with my MIII.

PITA


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