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Post subject: Mustang, the 'forever' amp ??
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 9:42 pm
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My first amp was an old cream and ox blood 60's "The Twin". Unfortunately it's long since gone from my arsenal but I should think it's somewhere out there, alive and well and being put through its paces on a Saturday night. Can we say this about these new tech Fenders? Will they even work under Windows 8 or whatever the new Mac system may be? Will they be a throwaway item like an old plazma? I dont see forty years in them somhow. What cha think?


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Post subject: Re: Mustang, the 'forever' amp ??
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 11:03 pm
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I donno.

I like my Mustang II...loads of fun.

Needed strings today...went to the store...saw a very old AC30...played for 30 minutes...very sweet.

Not sure if that will be said for the Mustangs...perhaps something much better will come along...who knows?

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Post subject: Re: Mustang, the 'forever' amp ??
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 12:34 pm
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Things will be different in 40 years. At least according to Futurist Ray Kurzweil:

2045: The Singularity

$1000 buys a computer a billion times more intelligent than every human combined. This means that average and even low-end computers are vastly smarter than even highly intelligent, unenhanced humans.
The technological singularity occurs as artificial intelligences surpass human beings as the smartest and most capable life forms on the Earth. Technological development is taken over by the machines, who can think, act and communicate so quickly that normal humans cannot even comprehend what is going on. The machines enter into a "runaway reaction" of self-improvement cycles, with each new generation of A.I.s appearing faster and faster. From this point onwards, technological advancement is explosive, under the control of the machines, and thus cannot be accurately predicted (hence the term "Singularity").
The Singularity is an extremely disruptive, world-altering event that forever changes the course of human history. The extermination of humanity by violent machines is unlikely (though not impossible) because sharp distinctions between man and machine will no longer exist thanks to the existence of cybernetically enhanced humans and uploaded humans.

In other words, Mustangs are going to Freaking Rock in 2045, so don't worry about your couple hundred bucks, mkay?


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Post subject: Re: Mustang, the 'forever' amp ??
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 6:48 pm
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Ray Kurzwell says some pretty cool things but isn't part of humanness being able to cope with illogical thinking. Are the zeros and ones machines going to have the capability of irrational thinking? However, yep, there will be a Mustang that will plug directly into the brain by then and they will be cheaper than an iPad app but I would think the old '61 Twin Amp (and the AC30) will still be out there chugging away. My current Mustang will have long since lost any support, the chips would have been well and truely over fried, the composite wood cabinet would have gone to powder but yep, I've already had my couple of hundred bucks of fun out of it and I probably would have a Mustang brain app if I was to be around in another thirty years. Hang on, they may not want to risk implanting a brain app in a 95 year old. I might have to settle for a nice old VibroKing, there sure to be a few of those still around by then.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang, the 'forever' amp ??
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 7:38 am
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Lol, in 40 years, those who embrace digital amp technology will be assimilated into the machine world. Whereas the hardcore tube snobs will be forced underground and remain the last hope for humanity.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang, the 'forever' amp ??
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 9:21 am
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Scorpaeon wrote:
Lol, in 40 years, those who embrace digital amp technology will be assimilated into the machine world. Whereas the hardcore tube snobs will be forced underground and remain the last hope for humanity.


I have both a Blues Junior and a Mustang III. I'll be the guy running amp parts back and forth from the triode caverns to the surface.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang, the 'forever' amp ??
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:05 am
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I think the concept of an amp that does many things, "Does it All," will continue for some time. The hardware and software, like any computer, will continually and consistently be upgraded, which is a fancy word for changed. The interesting thing though is that many of the modeled amps we like to play are vintage. The notion that any piece of hardware nowadays is going to last forty years is highly unrealistic, given what we know about technology. That is, unless the modern amp you've bought is a 65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue. I think that as older players die out and younger players become the older players, I suspect that only collectors and an under ground community of players will be interested in traditional tube amps. Modelling amps will probably become the standard for most folks, except for the pros making millions and the under ground folks.

Just my random musings, humble opinion, blah blah blah.

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Post subject: Re: Mustang, the 'forever' amp ??
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 12:19 pm
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I don't know about the next 40 years but I wish somebody would develop a solid state tube that sounds exactly like its filament driven predecessors so that we can stop the ecologically horrid tube manufacturing process. I know that chip manufacturing is also filthy but it is a whole lot less polluting than making tubes. I truly believe the tech is already here but maybe the demand isn't high enough to replace to old tube factories. I don't know.

Imagine being able to replace the tubes in your old deluxe with cooler running, cheaper and more consistent sounding "tubes". Because of the nature of tubes getting good tone can sometimes be a crap shoot. I've heard too many tube amps sound like poop from bad tubes.

O.


Last edited by Orcatraz on Sun Feb 19, 2012 6:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Mustang, the 'forever' amp ??
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 3:35 pm
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mw13068 wrote:
Scorpaeon wrote:
Lol, in 40 years, those who embrace digital amp technology will be assimilated into the machine world. Whereas the hardcore tube snobs will be forced underground and remain the last hope for humanity.


I have both a Blues Junior and a Mustang III. I'll be the guy running amp parts back and forth from the triode caverns to the surface.


I know it's apples and oranges, but how would you compare the tone and usabilty of the two, both of which I'm considering.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang, the 'forever' amp ??
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 4:09 pm
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jrporter wrote:
I know it's apples and oranges, but how would you compare the tone and usabilty of the two, both of which I'm considering.


They are both great amps, and as you mentioned, very different. It really depends on the type of person you are, and what features you need from an amp.

The Blues Junior is really a one-trick pony all by itself. I happen to love that one trick, so I really enjoy the amp. It sounds lovely and has very nice tube responsiveness. To get more versatility in sound, you'll need an array of pedals. I have a pedalboard with an tuner, overdrive, delay, chorus, and tremolo. It's also light and compact and easy to practice with at home or take to my pub gigs.

The Mustang III is a 100-watt box of fun. There's huge versatility in there. I had a Mustang II previously that I didn't like as much because it was lacking the presence and punch that the Mustang III has. I was lucky enough to pick one up used that doesn't seem to have any of the "fizz" that others describe. I also like that the Mustang III has aux input and headphone/line out. I'm using it as my practice amp plugged into a small mixer with my other practice gizmos and it's a lot of fun, and has great sound.

The one big problem with the Mustang products is that they're made to be disposable. If the MIII breaks, it's basically trash (I don't have the original warranty). The Blues Junior can be fixed. I'd probably be able to fix it myself.

So, what it comes down to is: what do you require your amp to do?


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Post subject: Re: Mustang, the 'forever' amp ??
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 5:48 pm
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I just looked into my crystal ball and i have seen the future of amp technology,first there will be a transition from old school glass tubes to solid state digital tubes that will fit in the old glass tube sockets.

This will be necessary so that you still can keep your tube amps for some time before a total transition to the new breed of super high tech digital amp modeling around the year 2018(the demand for glass tubes will be much lower and the cost will be much higher in the future and with the new super hybrid shark and new crystal micro chips plus super fast CPU processor's there will not be a need for glass tubes to be produced anymore).

The sound of the new super high tech digital modeling amps will sound so good that you will forget old school tube amps even existed before because by comparison the tube amp will sound like a AM radio vs a $5000 hi fi audio system!


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Post subject: Re: Mustang, the 'forever' amp ??
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 8:12 pm
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"This means that average and even low-end computers are vastly smarter than even highly intelligent, unenhanced humans."
Uh, like your stuff Kurt, but no. That's already been covered with Spock in Star Trek. Of course part depends on how you define "smart"
Gee maybe we can get to the point where it can read your mind and you won't have to deal with that awful thing known as learning how to play the guitar. You'll just think of what you want to hear and it will come out.
Look how much technology has improved singing: we now have auto tune. So much better than those old fogies like Janis and Otis et al who actually had to have a voice and talent. Glad that has been eliminated as a requirement! :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Mustang, the 'forever' amp ??
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 9:43 am
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Seeing as the Mustang is basically a computer with a speaker, it will pretty much have the lifespan of any computer today. So in short, NO, the Mustang will likely not be around in 40 years...except maybe in a few people's storage units collecting dust! Think about, how many people are still using the first generation of Line 6 stuff, or even the Fender Cyber amps...probably a few, but not many. Fender doesn't even make the Cyber series amps anymore.

Digital amps are probably here to stay, and no doubt will keep getting better...but I would expect no single digital amp will have much shelf life, or ever be iconicized enough to be considered for a "Reissue" run down the road.

I also think tube amps will continue to thrive...as long as tubes continue to be available...despite the non-eco-friendly nature of tube production. It seems that I heard tube production is actually up from what it was 10 years ago...there are certainly more tube amps on the market. I think well built tube amps from today will still be around in 40 years...not necessarily in production, but still around and being used. I'd like to think I'll keep my Marshall JVM that long...though time will tell!


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Post subject: Re: Mustang, the 'forever' amp ??
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 2:30 pm
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Hi,
Very entertaining input to this thread. That's the way it's goin' to go.
What else ? We've already got on the bandwagon by acquiring the current
Mustangs so as to emulate the early amps - warts 'n' all. So we can look
forward - (some of us/you !) - to the 2025 version of the series having
a 2011 Mustang included in the Basic Amp simulation selection - but which
Amp model would it be ?. Would'nt that be a " Planet of The Apps " scenario ?.
Just poking fun at the future, as usual.
Rgds.
Jimfdr


Last edited by JimDub on Mon Mar 19, 2012 5:22 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Mustang, the 'forever' amp ??
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 6:19 pm
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The USB port is the one component on the Mustang which will be obsolete within five years. Being a computer component, it is subject to the industry's planned obsolescence program. Soon after that you will either be limited to the knobs and LCD screens in order to adjust your tone, or have to keep an old laptop running in order to use Fuse.

Trust me. I thought it was ridiculous when they showed a Macintosh Plus in the antique store in Back to the Future II. It happens.


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