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Post subject: Mustang II or III?
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 10:22 pm
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I'm going to be buying a fender mustang, but I'm torn between the II or the III. I would get the III, but I'm going to be using it for practice and at home the majority of the time so i fear the 100 watts being way too much for me.. I like the celestion speaker, additional features, and sounds the III comes with, but I also like the size and power of the II for the purpose its gonna be for. Also, does the foot pedal for the III work nicely? I'm also going to need to buy a foot pedal if i get the II.. Anyone give me some help? Would the watts be too much or are the extra features on the III worth it? Would I have to find a way around the extra power or would having it on really low volume the majority of the time sound fine? I've always had a small amp so I'm not used to the idea of 100 watts at my fingertips. Any help would be appreciated.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang II or III?
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 11:00 pm
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I would go for the 2 if :
- you REALLY are only going to play at home; and
- you don't mind hooking up to a computer to carry out several of the editing functions, through Fuse.

However, if you think there is any chance that you might play out in future and you also like the idea of having nearly all of the edit functions available on the amp itself, without Fuse, then maybe the 3 is the way to go.

The 3 is certainly loud. It can be played at low volume but ramps up pretty fast on the master volume control.

I had a 2 and sold it for a 3 for the better headroom when playing gigs, (and also the on-amp editing). The 2 could just about keep up volume wise in a pretty loud band, but was working too hard and sounded unpleasant -the 3 sounds way better at the same volume.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang II or III?
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 11:09 pm
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The amp will be played at home the majority of the time, if not all of the time so I'm thinking the two might be the choice. I might be limited on space too so that also discourages me from the III.. I like the idea of doing my things on the computer since I do almost everything else on it. How is the speaker in the II compared to the one in the III? Do you find the extra effects of the III necessary compared to the II? Thanks for answering my questions.. I'm probably putting too much thought into this and should just get the II haha.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang II or III?
Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:49 am
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keith121 wrote:
I'm going to be buying a fender mustang, but I'm torn between the II or the III. I would get the III, but I'm going to be using it for practice and at home the majority of the time so i fear the 100 watts being way too much for me.. I like the celestion speaker, additional features, and sounds the III comes with, but I also like the size and power of the II for the purpose its gonna be for. Also, does the foot pedal for the III work nicely? I'm also going to need to buy a foot pedal if i get the II.. Anyone give me some help? Would the watts be too much or are the extra features on the III worth it? Would I have to find a way around the extra power or would having it on really low volume the majority of the time sound fine? I've always had a small amp so I'm not used to the idea of 100 watts at my fingertips. Any help would be appreciated.
....
The amp will be played at home the majority of the time, if not all of the time so I'm thinking the two might be the choice. I might be limited on space too so that also discourages me from the III.. I like the idea of doing my things on the computer since I do almost everything else on it. How is the speaker in the II compared to the one in the III? Do you find the extra effects of the III necessary compared to the II? Thanks for answering my questions.. I'm probably putting too much thought into this and should just get the II haha.


I think that you would do well to get the II. There are •no• extra amp simulations, sounds, or effects in the III; once you have the FUSE software, you will have access to •all• of the same sounds, including the original 100 patches from the III-IV-V (if you poke around here, you'll find them), as well as all of the Fender-created and user-created sounds available on the web.

No two speakers sound the same, so you might gain some fullness from the bigger and open-backed speaker on the III, as compared to the closed-back smaller driver and enclosure on the II. However, I am really happy with the sound quality of the II; it certainly exceeded my expectations. And, it gets plenty loud not only for home use, but also for playing out in smaller venues in quieter styles. I play jazz, and it would be plenty loud for lots of jazz venues. Now, if you play seriously loud styles like metal with an aggressive drummer, forget it with the II (you could always mic the speaker and run it through the PA, of course).

Both the II and the III will sound great at lower volumes. That's one of the biggest advantages of modeling amps. You don't have to push them hard to get certain tones; you can get any tone at any volume.

The III does have some advantages, such as the four-button footswitch (as opposed to the one button option with the II), effects send/return, more wattage, and the front-panel editing. However, the III is vulnerable to the "fizz" problem (you can find lots of info about that on this site), while the II is not. That's what pushed me to get the II (I really need clean sounds), and I'm glad that I did.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang II or III?
Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 2:45 pm
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Hmm well that really helps me decide. I'll definitely be getting the II. Thanks so much for the help!


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Post subject: Re: Mustang II or III?
Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 3:15 pm
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I also have the MII and am quite happy with it, but I am using it only at home. You mentioned needing a footswitch for the MII, and I wanted to make sure you understand that the footswitch for the MII is only a 1-button switch that allows you to switch between 2 presets.

While I don't have it, the 4 button footswitch you can get for the MIII does allow you to do more.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang II or III?
Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 3:50 pm
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I like my M2. If you only have a couple settings it workks fine out.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang II or III?
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 5:58 am
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keith121 wrote:
I'm going to be buying a fender mustang, but I'm torn between the II or the III. I would get the III, but I'm going to be using it for practice and at home the majority of the time so i fear the 100 watts being way too much for me.. I like the celestion speaker, additional features, and sounds the III comes with, but I also like the size and power of the II for the purpose its gonna be for. Also, does the foot pedal for the III work nicely? I'm also going to need to buy a foot pedal if i get the II.. Anyone give me some help? Would the watts be too much or are the extra features on the III worth it? Would I have to find a way around the extra power or would having it on really low volume the majority of the time sound fine? I've always had a small amp so I'm not used to the idea of 100 watts at my fingertips. Any help would be appreciated.


My response seems to be running contrary to the earlier posts, but here's MY take on the question...

I started out with a Mustang II back in October and ended up giving it to my son (who's learning guitar) in moving up to the III. Really, between the power (absolutely contollable) and speaker upgrades for tone, along with the vast GUI improvements, it was an absolute no-brainer (IMO) for someone who likes the II. (I also gave my brother a Mustang I for Christmas. He's a bassist and more of a talented dabbler on guitar, but he absolutely loves it, too. Esp. the clean sounds. He also loves the tiny size of the M-I.) BTW, in comparing the II and III side-by-side when I had them both, the III was *clearly* the better sounding amp, IMO (possibly because of the upgraded Celestion speaker and open-back design). Really, IMHO, there's no comparison, esp. for the relatively meager increase in price.

Point: Recently, I've also been using a M-II at a local store (all they had) on several occasions when checking out some guitars, then went home and plugged back into my M-III (even using the very same guitar only an hour later). No comparison. Of course, the M-II functioned fine, but comparatively-speaking, it definitely seemed, well, smaller, and even a bit muffled and "canned". The M-III has all this relative "air" and dynamic quality to it that *I* personally find lacking in the M-II. I could even see myself actually doing (at least) smaller gigs with the M-III, but that store audition only reminded me again of the M-II's sound as more of a practice amp (for *my* purposes and to *my* ears. YMMV, of course). (BTW, since I've been using the M-III, my wonderful collection of tube amps have been upstairs pretty much collecting dust. I keep meaning to go up there and play them, but I'm so happy with the M-III that that never seems to happen. :cry: )

Personally, since I started out with the M-II as more of a great, versatile, smaller practice amp, I was also buying into the very light weight of the thing. "Graduating" up to the M-III was purely because of the vastly improved sound and overall interface (with dedicated Mid and Reverb knobs, not to mention the couple of additional onboard amp models). The trade off with the M-III is that it's just a bit more to move (for my purposes), and so therefore, I would not have ever considered the M-IV. Again, you'd surely need to, er, "weigh" what mattered most to you. :lol:

Anyway, for the money and features, I don't think you'd be going wrong with any of the Mustangs. (And I still haven't gotten around to using it with my Mac.) IMO, they're all great amps, but esp. the III. :D


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Post subject: Re: Mustang II or III?
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 7:51 am
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I would get the III. At some point you may regret not having enough power, but you will never regret having power to spare, you just turn down the volume. The sound of the open back cab with Celestion speaker can't be matched by the II.

Heck, I have the V head with the 4x12 cab and I can still play it with great sound in a small room, the good thing about a solid state amp is that you don't have to turn it loud to get good distortion, even at low volume this thing rocks!! If I ever play a larger venue I know the power is there, and that feels good :)


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Post subject: Re: Mustang II or III?
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:37 am
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I can break it down this way...

0. Speaker/cabinet configurations not withstanding, you can get the same preset tones from any of the models.

1. If cost/size is a significant parameter...go with the MII...just as much fun in a slightly smaller package. I would not consider the MI a viable choice.

2. If you (ever) consider playing outside of your living room, go for the MIII...You might not think you need all that power, but a big room filled with furnature and people can suck the power out of an amp as well as that drummer of yours and small SS amps (unlike tubes) really start to behave poorly when pushed.

3. If you (ever) consider changing preset settings without an attached computer, go for the MIII...the user interface in the lower models is completly brain-dead. Fortunately I have a dedicated computer for my amp, otherwise I'd never change anything on my MII.

4. Footswitches. The MII has a simple favorite-two-toggle configuration. (See user inteface complaints above.) Again, fine for working out at home, but you really can't manage a live performance by resetting your two available options for every song. Need three? There are so many more options available on the MIII for hands-free adjustments.


HTH.

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Post subject: Re: Mustang II or III?
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 10:02 am
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I agree with previous comments, particularly the better on-amp preset/effects editing and footswitch options of the Mustang 3 (including the ability to add the expression pedal).

One further thing in the Mustang 3's favour that I don't think has been mentioned yet is that is has an effects loop.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang II or III?
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 10:16 am
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To me the difference being 100 bucks, over the life of the amp, the III is a no brainier.

I was at the same cross road, but I bought the III because of the fact that I know I'm going to be taking this to jams, and the drummers that will be there, are heavy hitters,

the III's horse power will come in handy and the LCD interface is way more user friendly and the ability to engage the two and four button foot switches?

game, set, match - M-III


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Post subject: Re: Mustang II or III?
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 3:31 pm
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I have an MII and it's taken me a while to get to grips with it - Fuse is fine but the laptop is just another thing to have in front of you and I hate moving knobs with trackpads.
If you sit to play, manoeuvring with a guitar strapped on, and laptop and amp in comfortable reach, is not so easy. But I'm getting less need to adjust presets now and you can do a good amount of adjusting from the amp alone. I reckon they all sound better once you are a bit loud..

I kind of wish I'd gone for an MIII but the wife would have complained at the size [no chuckling at the back].
Still the MII is very good and I can always trade up for an MIII


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Post subject: Re: Mustang II or III?
Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:16 pm
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Ax Man Nano wrote:
I would get the III. At some point you may regret not having enough power, but you will never regret having power to spare, you just turn down the volume. The sound of the open back cab with Celestion speaker can't be matched by the II.

Heck, I have the V head with the 4x12 cab and I can still play it with great sound in a small room, the good thing about a solid state amp is that you don't have to turn it loud to get good distortion, even at low volume this thing rocks!! If I ever play a larger venue I know the power is there, and that feels good :)
+1 Buy the Mustang III ! You won't be sorry! BTW mine sounds GREAT a low level(bedroom). You will out grow the MII.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang II or III?
Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 10:42 pm
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mickey66 wrote:
Ax Man Nano wrote:
I would get the III. At some point you may regret not having enough power, but you will never regret having power to spare, you just turn down the volume. The sound of the open back cab with Celestion speaker can't be matched by the II.

Heck, I have the V head with the 4x12 cab and I can still play it with great sound in a small room, the good thing about a solid state amp is that you don't have to turn it loud to get good distortion, even at low volume this thing rocks!! If I ever play a larger venue I know the power is there, and that feels good :)
+1 Buy the Mustang III ! You won't be sorry! BTW mine sounds GREAT a low level(bedroom). You will out grow the MII.

Absolutely in agreement with all of the above. :!:
Besides the vastly improved sound (at whatever level), you also get a VASTLY improved interface. Plus wattage and headroom. Plus FX loop.
A total no-brainer for the $100 difference, IMHO. :D


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