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Post subject: Would a speaker change improve the tone of these ?
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 1:05 pm
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Right now I have a 1988 Fender Studio 85 combo which I installed a Eminence Texas heat in, and it definitely improved both the sound and tone of that amp. Plus with it being 26 years old, I'm sure that had something to do with it as well. I'm considering buying one of the Mustang II combos but would like to know if installing a Eminence Texas heat in it like I have in my Studio 85 , would be a improvement over the stock speaker that are in these amps ?


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Post subject: Re: Would a speaker change improve the tone of these ?
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 1:22 pm
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If you are going to buy a $200 amp then change out the speaker to one that costs nearly $100, why not just get a Mustang III? Then you have the added foot control options and the LCD screen.

I have a Mustang II and am happy with it but in hindsight, had I known I was going to be this pleased with it, I’d have traded in my Boss GT6 at the time I purchased the mustang and opted for the MIII so I could have the extra features.

IMO better off not voiding the warranty and just go for the Mustang III. Are you unhappy with the tone already? I got the feeling from your post that you haven’t bought it yet

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Post subject: Re: Would a speaker change improve the tone of these ?
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 1:50 pm
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Personally, and as a bit of an aside, I don't really get the whole change-the-speaker thing. Why buy an amp that doesn't have the sound you want, then spend more money modifying it. Why not just find an amp that sounds right in the first place?

To answer the question specifically: you shouldn't need to change the speaker on the Mustang. First, I think the Mustang range are equipped with pretty good speakers as standard. Also, as 'captainc' notes, if for some reason you don't like the sound of the Mustang 2 speaker, a better upgrade would be to go for the Mustang 3. You get all sorts of other improvements (100 presets, more on-amp controls, etc) for your money too.

(If your objection to the Mustang 3 is that it's too high-powered for your needs, don't worry about that; all the Mustangs work fine at lower volumes).

The whole point of the Mustang is that they are modelling amps, so software-configurable. If you want the sound of a different speaker, just change the cab emulation setting within the amp. You have the sound of at least a dozen different types of cab and speaker to choose from, already built-in to the amp. It seems to me completely unnecessary to change the real speaker on these amps.

Just an opinion.


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Post subject: Re: Would a speaker change improve the tone of these ?
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 4:57 pm
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As usual, scott-uk is right on the money. The MIII comes with a Celestion speaker and I have always felt like you buy a Celestion if you want the British-voiced sound and buy a Jensen or Eminence or Weber, etc. if you want an American voiced speaker.

HOWEVER, in the case of the Mustang series, when you select an American cab, you actually get an American sound (IF you have selected an American amp). For example, the Twin Reverb and Deluxe Reverb models really DO sound like American amps, even though the real speaker is a Celestion.

I recently bough the new 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb. Nice sounding tube amp, but it had cheesy sounding Celestion 10" speakers which didn't give this fine Fender amp a fine Fender sound. So I installed two 10" Eminence Ragin' Cajuns. What a difference! It brought this amp to life!! So changing speakers works well with tube amps, but you don't need to change speakers in the Mustang line. Fender got that one right on!


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Post subject: Re: Would a speaker change improve the tone of these ?
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 4:58 am
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I can't speak for the II but the speakers in the MIII (and IV for that matter) are definitely good stock speakers considering the whole cash investment at stake with these combos.

Oh and I would also suggest to just go for the III if you can swing it.

It's absolutely worth the extra cash for what you get in return.


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Post subject: Re: Would a speaker change improve the tone of these ?
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 3:08 pm
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captainc wrote:
If you are going to buy a $200 amp then change out the speaker to one that costs nearly $100, why not just get a Mustang III? Then you have the added foot control options and the LCD screen.

I have a Mustang II and am happy with it but in hindsight, had I known I was going to be this pleased with it, I’d have traded in my Boss GT6 at the time I purchased the mustang and opted for the MIII so I could have the extra features.

IMO better off not voiding the warranty and just go for the Mustang III. Are you unhappy with the tone already? I got the feeling from your post that you haven’t bought it yet


No I haven't bought it yet and after reading your posting you make a lot of sense . Why spend 200 bucks for a amp and blow another 90 or so for a new speaker ? I did some research on the Mustangs today and they seem to be 50/50 with some folks loving them and others not liking them because they're too hard to program if you're not tech savvy. I think I'll stay with my Fender Studio 85 for now and just see about buying a effects processor to go with it. Thanks.


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Post subject: Re: Would a speaker change improve the tone of these ?
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 2:26 am
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Mustangs ... seem to be 50/50 with some folks loving them and others not liking them because they're too hard to program if you're not tech savvy

I'd disagree with that conclusion; please don't be put off by a very small minority of users who've had that difficulty (actually, without meaning anyone in particular, I suspect a few of those posters are trolls deliberately trying to give the amps a bad reputation).

It is VERY EASY to get good sounds out of the Mustang. As far as amp emulation goes, it's one of the best products currently available. Everyone agrees that out-of-the-box its settings are too heavily-laden with additional effects - I guess Fender just wanted to showcase everything it could do - most users dial those back, and that is very quick and simple to do. You do not need to be tech-savvy to use the amp.

I think experienced guitar players with a good understanding of amplifiers and the interplay between fingers, guitar and amp, will benefit from using the amp's advanced controls to get the most out of it - but then that applies to any amp or mustical instrument/equipment. The rest of us mere mortals can still get 99% of the way there very intuitively.

So if you're happy with your current amp, I'm not suggesting you change for the sake of it, or that you should definitely get a Mustang - I'd recommend anyone to go to a store and try one before purchase, to make sure it's right for them. But don't mistakenly dismiss the Mustang based on a wrong perception that it's difficult to use.


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Post subject: Re: Would a speaker change improve the tone of these ?
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 7:18 am
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I did some research on the Mustangs today and they seem to be 50/50 with some folks loving them and others not liking them because they're too hard to program if you're not tech savvy.

(Allow me a few kilobytes to reinforce Scott's reply..)

Not true at all with the MIII, IV and V. These are all LCD based for the User Interface, honestly it couldn't be easier. The other reason for going for the MIII verses the II is the III has the LCD for edits.

That is all moot if you hook up to Fuse on a PC. (Fuse is usually just step 1: install fuse, step 2: hook up the usb cable, step 3: edit your presets as desired.)

There IS a learning curve, yea, sure, but it's NOT "Too Hard" very intuitive actually.
The complaints that "it's too complicated" with a grain of salt, it's bunk.

Once you get your presets in order, and decide how to configure the foot pedal, the amp is then tweaked like any other guitar amp with familiar controls for, Gain, Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass, Reverb, Master. Honestly, it's not rocket science.

with the LCD editing effects, cab emulation etc.. is all just the push of a button and you're there. look online for some demos or go out and try one. within like 10 / 15 minutes, you'll probably be on your way.

(and hey here's a hint, spend some extra dough for the 4 button foot switch, which vastly improves the access to the amp from the floor)


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Post subject: Re: Would a speaker change improve the tone of these ?
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 8:26 am
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All i can say is if it's hard for someone to tweak the mustang, god help them when they try and use a computer or a cell phone etc ! It's dead simple, simpler than those. In a way i can almost tweak it faster on the fly then some regular tube amps. I don't even use the physical tone controls for a few reasons, just the buttons and data knobs. And i can change things surprisingly quick. But as far as people having a time figuring it out? Well, i just can't fathom that. It's as simple as can be and THE #1 simplest digital interface i have ever used. It's intuitive and quick. Couldn't ask for simpler.

Now, that said, there IS a learning curse that applies to what some of the settings do and how they affect the feel and tone. Some even change from one model to another. So yes, it takes time to begin to hear what each does to the point that you can listen to a patch and be able to know exactly what setting is likely to change the tome in the way you want. But the thing is, it's not a steep curve and the rewards are great. You have to weigh everything in life and look at the effort it takes and the rewards you get and decide whether the effort is worth the reward. In this case it couldn't be more worthwhile.


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Post subject: Re: Would a speaker change improve the tone of these ?
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 12:19 pm
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Howdy... want to add a few other considerations as well... actually... they're advantages built into the MIII's platform:
1. no need for pedalboard... If you get the 4 button footswitch... you have a virtual pedalboard in front of you... OD's... Distortion... Verbs... Delays.. Phaser... Chorus... Vibro... these amps have all those in them... and they sound killer too.

2. lightweight... after 30+ years of lugging tube amps to Gigs & rehearsals... my back is a lot happier these days... my last amp weighed 80 lbs! My MIII only weighs 32 lbs!

3. POWERFUL for it's size... these puppies are capable of SERIOUS volume... and they sound great low... or loud... you don't lose the "Sweet Spot" at any volume level.. it's always there. Can't say that about the Tube Amps I've owned over the years. Honestly... they were generally too friggin' loud but I had to open them up for the sweet spot... Not the case w/ the MIII

4. Line Out... This is a god send!... literally... the newer V2's have a way cool XLR out to the sound board... AFTER the cab emulation!.. It's a lot easier.. and it also sounds better than a mic on the cab... I'm using a V1... no line out but... it's an easy fix... just go thru a RedBox from the "Effects Send"... problem solved... I love it... makes life sooooooo much easier at the Gig. And I still have the amp's speaker for my Stage Volume... Downright awesome! Mentioning this because... you may find a MIII V1 out there on Craigslist or something... They're awesome amps and you get one in excellent working condition for about $200.00... just something to think about...

5. Easy to use... yes... a learning curve to get the in's and out's of these amps... but like others have said... It's not that bad... listen... If an Anolog type guy like me can get it... anyone can...

Rock On 8)

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Post subject: Re: Would a speaker change improve the tone of these ?
Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 7:32 am
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oczad wrote:
All i can say is if it's hard for someone to tweak the mustang, god help them when they try and use a computer or a cell phone etc ! It's dead simple, simpler than those.


Agreed... i'm still trying to wrap my head around how you get confused by these. If you are buying one and you know how to use an amp and the standard stomp boxes and fx, how is this any different? Sure MAYBE the finer nuances of which effects work best post gain, pre gain etc but seriously. Even Fuse is easier to figure out than Facebook.

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