Fender Tone Master FR-10 and FR-12 "FRFR" cabs

[jellodog]

I support this idea. Especially if it winds up a simple fix....though there's no way to know that without putting in the work.

If a fix turns out to be achievable via changing 2 or 3 components, then I have a nice Japanese soldering iron and I'm not afraid to use it! In any case, I'd welcome the information.

 

[Lysander]

I support this idea. Especially if it winds up a simple fix....though there's no way to know that without putting in the work.

@marsonic , you diabolical...

 

[fretworn]

Check out this preamp mod …..

Fender FR-12 preamp mod

I hacked the 1st 2 amp stages chasing the hiss. The hiss is still apparent and is probably in the eq. More on that later. I have a much cleaner eq design for this thing. The FR12 has a true balanced differential front end and can take +4dB line levels. The first 2 stages are using a nasty...

forum.fractalaudio.com

 

[la szum]

Fender FR-12 preamp mod

I hacked the 1st 2 amp stages chasing the hiss. The hiss is still apparent and is probably in the eq. More on that later. I have a much cleaner eq design for this thing. The FR12 has a true balanced differential front end and can take +4dB line levels. The first 2 stages are using a nasty...

forum.fractalaudio.com

 

[Lysander]

Check out this preamp mod …..

Noice! That's a cool mod, but i'm bit skeptical about changing resistor types and dual opamp chips making a significant tonal difference. Reminds of people that swear how switching chip A for B on their pedals completely transforms the sound. OPA2134 is a very good opamp, but the main thing it would have over a 4558 in this application would actually be slightly less noise.

Our friend, however, graced us with this:

I might have something to do this weekend...

 

[paisleywookiee]

Noice! That's a cool mod, but i'm bit skeptical about changing resistor types and dual opamp chips making a significant tonal difference. Reminds of people that swear how switching chip A for B on their pedals completely transforms the sound. OPA2134 is a very good opamp, but the main thing it would have over a 4558 in this application would actually be slightly less noise.

Our friend, however, graced us with this:

View attachment 12154

I might have something to do this weekend...

You and that WKSmith guy should do a superhero team up. Wonder Twins......Activate!

 

[jellodog]

Our friend over at the FAS forum has also made some FR-12 EQ plots:

Fender FR-12 Eq measurement and charts.

To get a mic placement well inside the convergance of the speaker, horn, and ports I plotted the waveguide and cone angles, and went with 12" out from the grille . 4 3/4 down and 6 1/2 in from the right side

forum.fractalaudio.com

 

[laxu]

Seems like Fender is doing some strong marketing gymnastics to claim a 1000W poweramp. Peaks for 0.1s?

 

[Lysander]

Seems like Fender is doing some strong marketing gymnastics to claim a 1000W poweramp. Peaks for 0.1s?

Yeah. WKSmith shared a couple photos of the power section in the FAS forum, and it's clearly a 350w/4Ohms class-D power amp. Or, 150w at 8Ohms - which is exactly the speaker rating.

Marketing this as a 1000W "FRFR" is pretty inexcusable, IMHO. And it's not like the amp can't get freaking loud.

 

[jellodog]

Marketing this as a 1000W "FRFR" is pretty inexcusable, IMHO. And it's not like the amp can't get freaking loud.

And it's not like people like us wouldn't open it up and discover the truth!

 

[laxu]

And it's not like people like us wouldn't open it up and discover the truth!

I mean the first thing I did was try to look which ICEpower module was 1000W just to see if it actually exists, as I thought Fender might be using one of those.

Like why not just state that it's 150W and also say "max volume up to x decibels" with it to say "yeah it gets loud."

 

[JiveTurkey]

And it's not like people like us wouldn't open it up and discover the truth!

Translucent tortilla chocolate chip cookie crew, checking in. "Look it fits in this Gator Case!!!!!!"

 

[Lysander]

Like why not just state that it's 150W and also say "max volume up to x decibels" with it to say "yeah it gets loud."

Thing is, this is a very good sounding "FRFR"... but still a "FRFR".

It's hard to market an amp which should, by definition, be flat as better than the alternatives when it pumps 40% less power.

 

[Cactusprick]

Marketing this as a 1000W "FRFR" is pretty inexcusable,

yes.. charming..

 

[JiveTurkey]

1000

 

[lolainnb]

I expected this thread to be closer to the top

 

[yeky83]

So much work going in just to end up with what is anyway a mediocre designed monitor...

but I appreciate the nerdage

 

[Baba]

Thing is, this is a very good sounding "FRFR"... but still a "FRFR".

It's hard to market an amp which should, by definition, be flat as better than the alternatives when it pumps 40% less power.

And, other companies have been marketing the same way, for many decades now. Tis nothing new.

 

[aflynt]

So much work going in just to end up with what is anyway a mediocre designed monitor...

but I appreciate the nerdage

A mediocre designed monitor that somehow sounds amazing. Strange how things can work out that way sometimes.

-Aaron

 

[jellodog]

A mediocre designed monitor that somehow sounds amazing. Strange how things can work out that way sometimes.

Yep. Still enjoying my FR-12, despite a couple of questionable design and marketing decisions!