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Post subject: Mustang 3 v2 first impressions and findings
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 12:32 pm
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Hi guys,

Today I received my M3v2. I did not have time to dig it much so far but some first impressions:

First from the aesthetics.
-The tolex, while not as beautiful as the carbon covering of the V1s, is not as disgusting as in the photos I saw (less shiny) and probably livable.
-The font on the faceplate is worse in that in the pictures :)
-The Fender logo in the front looks cheaper than the V1, kind of skinnier letters, but not 100% sure about that.
-Apart from that the cabinet looks as sturdy as the V1
-It was shipped from Fender as a big box inside another big box, not sure why, but very sturdy packaging :)
-Date of manufacture says January 2013.
-The controls look the same, if anything changed is probably the big dial, it feels less prone to jump across presets as my previous M3V1
-All connectors are as cheap as V1s
-The 2 button pedal is the same as V1

Weird fact:
-The first time I powered the amp it did a loud and ugly screech for a split second, it never did it again since.

Connectivity:
-After reading all the trouble some people have with the new amps and Fuse running on windows I decided to connect it first to a Mac I have. Nothing to comment here, no firmware update requested by Fuse2.7 and started working immediately. Just a quick "Syncing" bar going across the screen and done.
-Then I connected the amp to a windows 7 machine with Fuse2.7. I connected the amp before launching Fuse and windows decided to install new USB drivers for the mustang for some reason. Then I opened Fuse2.7 and something fishy happened: The driver for the mustang was installed again!. I suspect Fuse bundles new drivers for the mustangs and are those drivers that are causing the headache to a lot of people.
-After that another strange thing: I saw a "syncing" bar going across and then immediately after, a second "syncing" bar going across... why twice? strange again. But after that it worked well, no firmware upgrade asked by Fuse, and all back to normal.

Sound:
I just did a quick sound check, here are some first impressions:
-I saw some reports about the M1/2 v2 been brighter than the v1's. That is not true at least for the M3, if anything it sound a little bit more middy than the v1 but a tiny bit, but not middy from the tonestack, as if the Bias control that previously was 10 now is the new zero.
-The fender models are improved, particularly the tube dynamics, the V2 simulates better the pre overdriven tube compression. For example now the Twin amp sounds as an in-between of the v1 twin and the v1 deluxe, for a more credible tube sound but still extremely clean.
-Did not test other amp models or effects so far, will take a look later.
-Overall it sounds less hi-fi than the M3v1 but in a subtle way, very difficult to pinpoint.
-The fizz is gone, forget about it, I tested it with my infamous "fizzmaster" preset, no artifacts whatsoever

I have also a mustang floor. If i have the time I will try to do a A/B between the M3 itself and the MF going trough the M3 FX-return.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang 3 v2 first impressions and findings
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 1:17 pm
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Thanks for the info! I'm looking forward to hear about more impressions.

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Post subject: Re: Mustang 3 v2 first impressions and findings
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 1:49 pm
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jedi2b wrote:
I have also a mustang floor. If i have the time I will try to do a A/B between the M3 itself and the MF going trough the M3 FX-return.


Unfortunately, you can't change the presets on the MIIIV2 with the floor... that would've been Heaven!

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Post subject: Re: Mustang 3 v2 first impressions and findings
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 4:18 pm
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I played a bit more with the new amp.

About metal emulations:
a,erican 90's and Metal 2000 have been both supercharged. Now they have more mids and highs and sound overall heavier I would say. Not the stuff I use normally anyway so not much to say here.

Some impressions about some the new effects:
-Booster Ranger: probably the best addition, previously the compressor was used mostly increase signal level but this thing is much better at it and it has more tone controls, will take a closer look at it later.
-Greenbox: obviously a Tubescreamer, sounds close to the original, it is possible to do a decent emulation of the Tubescreamer with the overdrive stomp, but this sounds a bit better, particularly on mid tones. It goes very well with any of the fender amp emulations.
-Blackbox and Orangebox: Pro Co Rat clone and Boss DS-1 clones, not my specialty but I think sound close to the original too.
-Fuzzface clone: sounds much better than the original fuzz stomp, very close to the original fuzz face

Some impressions about the new amp models:
-studio preamp: not much to say, very transparent unless you mount the gain. Sounds close to the V1 Twin emulation IMO
-Twin 57: in-between sound between Deluxe 57 and Twin 65, need to experiment more with it. Nothing totally new, the same sound could be obtained from the twin 65 amp emulation with some tweaking.
-Orange: It sounds 95% the same as the Orange OD preset I created with the Supersonic v1 (available on Fuse) with some more highs imposible to attain with the Supersonic emulation itself.
-60's thrift: clone of a Silvertone 1484, interesting sound. Is like some sort of in between of the Vox and Deluxe emulations that drives quite easily, sounds kind of cheap and goes very well with a variety of stomps.
-British Watts: clone of the HiWatt DR103, possibly the best of the new amp models, relatively close to the marshal JCM800 but with a more articulate sound, you can even play open chords without sounding muddy, but at the same time with a driven sound. Very promising sound.


EXP-1:
I do not have a EXP-1 pedal but I saw that now the way and autowah effects are both under the stomp and mod categories, so now you can have overdrive or compressor + way for example, not possible with the V1s (but possible with the MF)


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Post subject: Re: Mustang 3 v2 first impressions and findings
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 6:26 am
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Hi Jedi2b,
you mentioned the fuzz face emulation.. but ... i thought it was the generic fuzz included in M3 v.1... so it would be a good news if it has an improved sound (i didn't like so much it in version 1)
and what about the new Big Muff fuzz emulation? you forgot to talk about it.. and i'm interested to it for some Gilmour tones.

Dimitri


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Post subject: Re: Mustang 3 v2 first impressions and findings
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 10:03 am
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I am interested in your review as well. I just purchased a Fender Floor about 2 weeks ago - and LOVE it! (so much that I sold my Pod HD500 as it was more work that it was worth to get great tones). I run my Strat into the Floor through my Boss Rc3 looper into a TECH 21 Power Engine 60 - VERY HAPPY with my tones!

A few questions:
1. Are you more happy with the Mustang 3 v.2's sounds? Are they that much improved over the Floor's in my setup? I am really thinking about returning the Floor for the improvements but have reservations about spending an extra $200-300 bucks for the amp and footswitch/expression pedal as I already have them with the Floor.
2. Are the new effects worth getting the Mustang and returning the Floor?
3. I understand that the looper in the effects loop would be an issue.... If I did return the Floor and get the M3 v2, could I go from effects loop out into looper out to the Power Engine and have nothing connected into the effects loop return? I am worried this would mute the amps speaker.
4. Are there any other reasons to swap/exchange to the Mustang amp?
5. Does the harmony and pitch shifter warrant the exchange?
6. Will there be a "firmware update" to add models/pitch shifter/harmony to the Floor (as from what I've read, the Floor is very similar to the new M3v2)?
I do love the fact that all the buttons/wah-volume pedal are built in (as I use them often) and would have to buy extra 4 button switch and expression pedal. These would cost more money....
Any thoughts would be appreciated.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang 3 v2 first impressions and findings
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 11:00 am
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Hi Agile70strat,
i start to answer just 1 of your questions.. as i have to go in 1-2 days to pick up my M3 v2... it is just arrived to the guitarshop.. (instead the correct model of 4 button switch seems to be not yet available from the Italian distributor).

it seems that will not be a firmware update for the Mustang Floor... it was already answered in another precedent post.. i don't remember which.. try to search for it.

anyway i think it would be nice or at least if that kind of updates would be available sooner or later for all amp Mustang Vers. 2 and so take advantage of the feature of a certain future expandability within the limits the memory and the processing power will allow..
it is an information that at today is neither confirmed nor denied from Fender support... i asked for it to Fender TSL some times ago.. perhaps is not the qualified email address for this kind of questions..

Dimitri


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Post subject: Re: Mustang 3 v2 first impressions and findings
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 11:44 am
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Great review jedi, thanks for all the info. Its good to hear that there is at least some perceived improvement of the overall tone quality of the modeling. This is enough to get my GAS going for a V.2.

I like the idea of the Booster Ranger, But is that one of the Stomp effects? So you can't use it along with any another stomp effect, a la the unfortunately categorized compressor?


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Post subject: Re: Mustang 3 v2 first impressions and findings
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 1:19 pm
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frondizi wrote:
Hi Jedi2b,
you mentioned the fuzz face emulation.. but ... i thought it was the generic fuzz included in M3 v.1... so it would be a good news if it has an improved sound (i didn't like so much it in version 1)
and what about the new Big Muff fuzz emulation? you forgot to talk about it.. and i'm interested to it for some Gilmour tones.

Dimitri



mmm now you make me doubt, but it makes sense it emulates the Big Muff (because of the name of the effect!). Anyway, it sounds way better than the base fuzz effect. a more brighter tone a better control over the fuzz amount


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Post subject: Re: Mustang 3 v2 first impressions and findings
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 1:26 pm
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agile70strat wrote:
I am interested in your review as well. I just purchased a Fender Floor about 2 weeks ago - and LOVE it! (so much that I sold my Pod HD500 as it was more work that it was worth to get great tones). I run my Strat into the Floor through my Boss Rc3 looper into a TECH 21 Power Engine 60 - VERY HAPPY with my tones!

A few questions:
1. Are you more happy with the Mustang 3 v.2's sounds? Are they that much improved over the Floor's in my setup? I am really thinking about returning the Floor for the improvements but have reservations about spending an extra $200-300 bucks for the amp and footswitch/expression pedal as I already have them with the Floor.
2. Are the new effects worth getting the Mustang and returning the Floor?
3. I understand that the looper in the effects loop would be an issue.... If I did return the Floor and get the M3 v2, could I go from effects loop out into looper out to the Power Engine and have nothing connected into the effects loop return? I am worried this would mute the amps speaker.
4. Are there any other reasons to swap/exchange to the Mustang amp?
5. Does the harmony and pitch shifter warrant the exchange?
6. Will there be a "firmware update" to add models/pitch shifter/harmony to the Floor (as from what I've read, the Floor is very similar to the new M3v2)?
I do love the fact that all the buttons/wah-volume pedal are built in (as I use them often) and would have to buy extra 4 button switch and expression pedal. These would cost more money....
Any thoughts would be appreciated.



I have a floor too, I paid 175$ for it and is definitely a keeper for me as I use it every week at church. I you are happy with the MF combination with your existing amp I do not think that it justifies the extra expense. The improvements are there but not enough to make a business case out of it. I do not have a EXP-1 so I do not know how well or bad it works with the M3v2 but I would expect it to be identical to the MF pedal. I do not think there will be any more updates for the Floor, they will surelly eventually come out with a Floor V2 or ditch the floor entirelly, but your guess is as good as mine.

In my case I got a M3v1 but sold it and got the v2 for almost the same money. The reason I have it is because I love the sound through a 12" speaker and many good powered guitar monitors are close to the price range of the M3 anyway... I think the tech 21 is even more expensive than the M3 for some crazy reason.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang 3 v2 first impressions and findings
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 1:27 pm
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Scorpaeon wrote:
Great review jedi, thanks for all the info. Its good to hear that there is at least some perceived improvement of the overall tone quality of the modeling. This is enough to get my GAS going for a V.2.

I like the idea of the Booster Ranger, But is that one of the Stomp effects? So you can't use it along with any another stomp effect, a la the unfortunately categorized compressor?



You are correct, you can not use the ranger and the compressor, but I found myself replacing the compressor by the booster plus the Amp sag and gives me better results (except for Jazz presets where I still prefer the compressor alone)


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Post subject: Re: Mustang 3 v2 first impressions and findings
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 1:33 pm
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agile70strat wrote:
I am interested in your review as well. I just purchased a Fender Floor about 2 weeks ago - and LOVE it! (so much that I sold my Pod HD500 as it was more work that it was worth to get great tones). I run my Strat into the Floor through my Boss Rc3 looper into a TECH 21 Power Engine 60 - VERY HAPPY with my tones!

A few questions:
1. Are you more happy with the Mustang 3 v.2's sounds? Are they that much improved over the Floor's in my setup? I am really thinking about returning the Floor for the improvements but have reservations about spending an extra $200-300 bucks for the amp and footswitch/expression pedal as I already have them with the Floor.
2. Are the new effects worth getting the Mustang and returning the Floor?
3. I understand that the looper in the effects loop would be an issue.... If I did return the Floor and get the M3 v2, could I go from effects loop out into looper out to the Power Engine and have nothing connected into the effects loop return? I am worried this would mute the amps speaker.
4. Are there any other reasons to swap/exchange to the Mustang amp?
5. Does the harmony and pitch shifter warrant the exchange?
6. Will there be a "firmware update" to add models/pitch shifter/harmony to the Floor (as from what I've read, the Floor is very similar to the new M3v2)?
I do love the fact that all the buttons/wah-volume pedal are built in (as I use them often) and would have to buy extra 4 button switch and expression pedal. These would cost more money....
Any thoughts would be appreciated.



Forgot to mention. The fx-loop on the V2s is pretty much useless (nearly as useless as the MFloor effects loop) so for a looper use I think the MF unbalanced output + looper + powered amp shoud be better.

I would only recommend to get the M3v2 if you want to get rid of the Tech21 (or for anybody else that still does not have a power amp for the floor) as for the price, I would prefer the M3 over the Tech21 (looks like more versatility on the same package, for a similar price to me). But if you like the tech21, rock-on!

PS: I just found a way of using a looper with the V2s, look my other post for more details


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Post subject: Re: Mustang 3 v2 first impressions and findings
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 5:40 pm
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jedi2b wrote:
You are correct, you can not use the ranger and the compressor, ...

Or any combination of the ranger or compressor with any overdirve. Curse you Fender!


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Post subject: Re: Mustang 3 v2 first impressions and findings
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 1:53 pm
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Thank you very much for your insight Jedi.
Still on the fence ATM. Can you get an accurate Kerry King tone and sound from the Brit Watt amp, just curious.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang 3 v2 first impressions and findings
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 7:58 pm
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Here's a Full List of all the built in Amps and StompBoxes...
http://notelr.com/roheylivne/The-Definitive-Fender-FUSE-List


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