New "toy" from Fender: Tone Master pro

[sabasgr68]

It´s too early, but what do you think about this new, expensive toy from Fender? Only $1700.

Tone Master Pro.

[tlarson58]

Lots of questions. Just playing devil's advocate...

Would it inspire you to play or could paralysis by tweeking rob you of that time? Personally, I like tinkering.
Is it $1000 better than some other less expensive (but still really good) floor units out there?

[Tonray's Ghost]

Lots of questions. Just playing devil's advocate...

Would it inspire you to play or could paralysis by tweeking rob you of that time? Personally, I like tinkering.
Is it $1000 better than some other less expensive (but still really good) floor units out there?

A little pricey but then Fender pedals have always been premium priced but generally solid. I guess it's essentially all the ToneMaster amps in one unit sans speakers and power amp. I think it solves the problem for the gigging guys of not being locked into 1 specific ToneMaster amp. I think it's probably fairly priced for a working musician but not for the home enthusiast

[tonebender]

I am seeing a trend where modeling, SS and digital stuff is starting to exceed pricing for tube amps. I watched the video and concluded that I am a dinosaur.

[mickey]

I am seeing a trend where modeling, SS and digital stuff is starting to exceed pricing for tube amps. I watched the video and concluded that I am a dinosaur.

"Tonebendasaurus" ???

[Rollin Hand]

I have watched a video on this one. The interface looks like the best I've seen -- dead simple and intuitive. It has a lot of processing power too.

But for the price, it only has 27 amps at the moment, mostly Fender brands, and no bass amps or cabs.

Now there are a ton of effects, but too many for a man of simple tastes like myself. I would rather have more amps and cabs, with perhaps a few fewer drives and choruses. And delays. And flangers. And....do we need thousands of IRs? I can't imagine sorting that out -- I don't have that kind of time!

Fluff's review called this "a great start", and I think that is what it is. Will it convince people to give up their Helixes? I really don't know.

[sabasgr68]

Lots of questions. Just playing devil's advocate...

Would it inspire you to play or could paralysis by tweeking rob you of that time? Personally, I like tinkering.
Is it $1000 better than some other less expensive (but still really good) floor units out there?

Good question.

Aside from having that money AND willing to spend it on a modeler, not sure about it.

I know for sure that, even if money were no object, I don´t see myself buying one of those.

[sabasgr68]

I think it's probably fairly priced for a working musician but not for the home enthusiast

Totally agree. And I´m sure Fender didn´t aim at the "home enthusiast/bedroom player" target with this

[sabasgr68]

I am seeing a trend where modeling, SS and digital stuff is starting to exceed pricing for tube amps. I watched the video and concluded that I am a dinosaur.

Haha!

[sabasgr68]

I don't have that kind of time!

Another super important thing to consider!

[tonebender]

Tonebendasaurus" ???

Good one MIckey! I think it is time for this again. This is the one of the best samples of less is more when it comes to a solo, a fill or even a riff of any sort.

[Tonray's Ghost]

Tonebendasaurus" ???

Good one MIckey! I think it is time for this again. This is the one of the best samples of less is more when it comes to a solo, a fill or even a riff of any sort.

"100 channels nothing is on"

Amen to that...if not for the GF watching her Korean series on Netflix I'd bin the whole setup !

[Chocol8]

I am seeing a trend where modeling, SS and digital stuff is starting to exceed pricing for tube amps. I watched the video and concluded that I am a dinosaur.

Have you seen the prices of good tube amps lately? This device can replace multiple tube amps and an entire pedal board worth of effects, plus some other gear like a mic pre. It is way cheaper and smaller than the analog gear it can replace and much easier to transport and setup. For gigging musicians, I don't think this thing has to worry about competing with tube amps.

It's not that different than a Helix, Kemper stage, Fractal FM9, or QC and it is solidly in their price range. The big question is given the others, why buy a Fender?

[Rollin Hand]

I am seeing a trend where modeling, SS and digital stuff is starting to exceed pricing for tube amps. I watched the video and concluded that I am a dinosaur.

Have you seen the prices of good tube amps lately? This device can replace multiple tube amps and an entire pedal board worth of effects, plus some other gear like a mic pre. It is way cheaper and smaller than the analog gear it can replace and much easier to transport and setup. For gigging musicians, I don't think this thing has to worry about competing with tube amps.

It's not that different than a Helix, Kemper stage, Fractal FM9, or QC and it is solidly in their price range. The big question is given the others, why buy a Fender?

That's the question, isn't it? The interface looks awesome and...simple, but what is this thing delivering that others don't. With all the processing power (this thing has 8 cores, or whatever they are) I was lind of expecting more stuff.

But the interface is key, because a lot of Fender users might not get into modelling because it looks too complex. This looks easy.

[Chocol8]

Yep, things like interface, ruggedness and reliability, support, quick easy replacement when on the road etc. are going to be part of the decision for a pro user.

For example, does an FM9 sound a touch better and have more tweakability? Maybe, but if one fails while on the road, how many MONTHS is the wait list to get a replacement? I have heard a number of pros say that's why they stick to Boss pedals. "If one breaks, I can get a new one nearby"

It sounds like they plan to support it with updates that will bring more amps and features. It could grow into a solid competitor in the space...or fall flat as an also ran. I learned a while ago that I can't predict the market to well so I will sit back and wait to see how it plays out.

[andrewsrea]

Unlike @tonebender, I identify as a curmudgeon.

These seem good for fly gigs or home creators who can't blast a tube amp. However, there are reasonably priced plugins that could do the same 'nice replica.' Especially in a band mix.

However, I personally find modeling amps to be reasonable facsimiles and prefer the nuances of the real deal for my uses. When you are surrounded by seven outstanding tube amps which have been pampered and properly set up and you can achieve 100dB+ without a single complaint, the real deal is highly convenient.

As @tlarson58, that is a lot of choices and whether I was doing cover or my own stuff, I'd find one 'amp' which fit me and use that. making the remaining 20 selections moot. I'd personally be better off with one of those foot pedal versions.

[nomadh]

1700?! I'm still pissed about my fender mustang floor and how the dropped updates then support then even deleted the webpage and user history.
And that was only $200.
I'd never trust fender to Sw support a 1700 device.

[Partscaster]

They'll have to come out with one that also captures all the nostalgic foibles of failing tube sounds, scratchy pots, etc. Like tape decay, the old failing analog amp sounds could become sought after in SS version.

For me it depends on how pristine and rich the clean sound is, as a base. Im not a practically minded gigging musician. I'm more a home player who goes out once a week to play with friends. I want great sound for small to medium spaces, and I dont mind lugging it around. Plus, what do you do when one gets finicky? A point to point tube amp can be worked on at home. While I have tons to learn about fixing tube amp problems, I'm much worse with SS.

[BatUtilityBelt]

1700?! I'm still pissed about my fender mustang floor and how the dropped updates then support then even deleted the webpage and user history.
And that was only $200.
I'd never trust fender to Sw support a 1700 device.

I think that's fair and I also hate planned obsolescence. I can play a 35 year old amp just fine, but no software based device from that long ago even functions anymore (none that I had, anyway). It all becomes bricks whenever the manufacturer stops supporting it unless it is user-serviceable.

Edit: I'm currently bent against such issues because this week a very expensive piece of software I run just stopped recognizing its dongle and the vendor says it's out of support so I'm screwed.

[Tonray's Ghost]

1700?! I'm still pissed about my fender mustang floor and how the dropped updates then support then even deleted the webpage and user history.
And that was only $200.
I'd never trust fender to Sw support a 1700 device.

I think that's fair and I also hate planned obsolescence. I can play a 35 year old amp just fine, but no software based device from that long ago even functions anymore (none that I had, anyway). It all becomes bricks whenever the manufacturer stops supporting it unless it is user-serviceable.

Edit: I'm currently bent against such issues because this week a very expensive piece of software I run just stopped recognizing its dongle and the vendor says it's out of support so I'm screwed.

Unfortunately, Fender has a long track rercord of dropping support for legacy digital products. GDEC amps, Mustang Floor, etc and even when they don't officially drop them the websites seem to magically disappear overnight leaving nowhere to download documentation or firmware even if all you need to do is refresh it back to where it was on issue.