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Post subject: M1 Vs X2
Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 4:59 am
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Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 11:12 pm
Posts: 520
Location: Perth, Western Aus.
Really didn't like the Mustang when I started out a year or so ago. Or any modellers really. Recently decided it was worth another look given the versatility, really disappointed in the Vox VT20, liked the X2 a lot, especially the simplicity. But it's $500 here.

I can pick up a new M1 for $150ish. Tried one the other day, and after realising I could turn off many of the naff flange/phase FX at the mod knob, that are overdone on many of the orange presets imo, there was some really nice clean and dirty sounds to be had, especially from the Fender models. It's looking like a nobrainer for the cost and features.

It is worth hanging out for the X2? Are there any tone-offs I should try before making a decision? The price difference is pretty significant just to say I got me some toobs.


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Post subject: Re: M1 Vs X2
Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:54 am
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Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2013 6:30 am
Posts: 375
Well, I ended up getting BOTH. The X2 came first, then I found an almost new Mustang on Craigs List.

I was actually thinking of recommending a Vox VT to you, lol. Simply because the "build your own sound" philosophy of the layout seemed to fit your requirements better. You don't have to do anything to use all the amp's models w/o any fx. The "effected" and "Song" presets can simply be ignored. Imo, they're worse as far as over the top fx than the Musty's. I own a VT 20+ as well, and never used the effected or song presets. Just the 33 amp models. As for the sound, I'm thinking a speaker swap would have done wonders for it. ( that, or getting one of the bigger ones with a bigger cab and speaker- an 8" speaker will always sound kinda boxy)

But, since you didn't like it:

It depends on YOUR ears, and what features you want most. For example:

Mustangs all have headphone outs- the X2 does not. ( I have neighbors and needed a stfu option for early morning or late night use.)

X2 is a 2 channel amp- the Mustang has one.

The modelling is different.

The Mustang uses a newer set- it has to, because it models the power amp of each modelled amp as well as the preamp. The solid state power amp is transparent, and there just to make the signal louder. All the color and tone comes from the models themselves.

The X2 has a tube power section, and 16 voicing options on the second channel. Channel one is a "black Face" style clean channel. It stays clean well into high volume levels. I cranked mine up to 8 or 9 on the dial, and while it did warm up a bit, it did not overdrive or clip at all. Fender did a good job making the volume knobs on this amp FAR more linear than on many of their other smaller tube amps- many of them jump from a whisper to a flat out bellow between 1 and 2 on the dial...

The X2 is also quite a bit louder than the Mustang. Like pretty much all tube amps, it likes to be driven to get the best amp tones. The Mustang, being a digi modeller, can get any tone it makes at any volume. If you can use the volume, then that's a non-issue.

Some other differences:
M I- 8" speaker w/closed back cab. No speaker out.
X2- 10" speaker w/open backed cab. Has a speaker out- which the combo's speaker is plugged into. Also has a line out.

Both amps can be connected to Fuse for a wealth of other options.
X2- no way to save settings on the amp- that must be done with Fuse. Honestly, this amp is intended to be used more as a traditional amp than as a full on modeller. FX are limited to reverb, delay, chorus, vibratone, and tremolo. They're not fully adjustable from the amp, aside from level (more or less) and tap tempo, but are in Fuse. Perfectly usable as is, however. You do get several options for each, as well as combos. ( deep chorus, fast chorus, chorus +delay, etc.) The reverbs, especially are very nice. Channel 2 has a bunch of "dirty" settings, but other than that you'd need to use pedals for anything else- just like any other traditional amp. The owner's manual lists what each position on the voicing knob is. If you hook up to Fuse, I believe those can be changed to taste.

M I- Revolves around presets. Some can be programmed with YOUR sounds, others are fixed. The Mustang series was designed to be a "chameleon"- to allow you to dial in pretty much any sound you want. The factory presets are simply examples of what can be done. That's why some of them are so extreme- to show you that it's possible. I own an MIII, so I won't get into what can and cannot be done from the physical Mustang I amp. The I and III have very different control panels.

The modelling is astonishingly good, and the smaller Mustangs are surprisingly loud. You'll definitely get your money's worth.

Bottom line:

For simple plug and play, the X2 is the winner. There's also plenty of room for tweaking in the future, and it's already set up for live use. For what you want, leave it on channel one, and play away- it doesn't get any simpler. Plenty of clean and clean-ish settings on ch 2 as well.

For variety and programmability, it's hard to beat the Mustang. The learning curve is a bit steeper, but it's WORTH the trouble. You really will need to use a computer with Fuse to get the most out of it. The Mustang 1 is a bedroom/practice amp. If you decide later to join a band and gig, you'll eventually end up needing to buy an amp more suitable for that use.

There's a GREAT thread a few pages back, called Fuse and effects, or some such- that really helps you to understand how these amps work. ( and thus, how to get the best out of them) I'm sorry I'm not more specific, I followed a link to it from another thread...


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Post subject: Re: M1 Vs X2
Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 12:51 am
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Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 11:12 pm
Posts: 520
Location: Perth, Western Aus.
pyroman wrote:
There's a GREAT thread a few pages back, called Fuse and effects, or some such- that really helps you to understand how these amps work. ( and thus, how to get the best out of them) I'm sorry I'm not more specific, I followed a link to it from another thread...


Thanks, I grabbed a Mustang. I'll save my pennies for a schmick amp when I can get the best from it. In the meantine the mustang offers lots of features.

Can you help with a link to that thread? Cant find it anywhere. The thing that put me off this amp in the first place was so many of the mods and FX were overdone on some models, and finding a way to wind back some of the gain on the high gain stuff would be handy. Just turning down the gain doesn't seem to do a lot.


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Post subject: Re: M1 Vs X2
Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:47 pm
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Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2013 6:30 am
Posts: 375
I'll have to go look for it, It was buried several pages back, and I wasn't paying much attention... I'm a computer idjit, though- I don't know how to post links :oops: .

I believe most of the fine adjustments in the M1 are done through Fuse. The high gain models, the 90's and esp the metal 2000 are kind of one trick ponys. They're intended to be highly distorted. Turning off the overdrive stompbox helps, but you'll need to look elsewhere for rock type sounds. The '90s metal is based on a Mesa Dual rectifier, and the M2000 is a Peavey 5150 ( which is itself a wild beast of an amp- it does massive distortion and not much else.)

I typically avoid the high gain models, Metal amps really aren't Fender's forte' anyway.
For dirt, I stick to the Marshall models ( 70's and 80's rock), the Supersonic, or the Vox (60's rock).


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Post subject: Re: M1 Vs X2
Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:52 pm
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Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 11:12 pm
Posts: 520
Location: Perth, Western Aus.
Thanks, I've created another thread for specific help, as I'm dragging this one OT.


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Post subject: Re: M1 Vs X2
Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 8:19 pm
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Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2013 6:30 am
Posts: 375
The thread is called "Fender Mustang controls and Fuse".


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