Lysander
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I had a PC 112 which i ran exclusively in "FRFR" mode. Sounded great.
Fender Tone Master FR-10 and FR-12 "FRFR" cabs
- Thread starter Lysander
- Start date
I had a PC 112 which i ran exclusively in "FRFR" mode. Sounded great.
molul
Roadie
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- 339
Didn't know that. Very cool. Still, the price tag is higher than I'd like. Without the modeling it could be priced as the Fender models.
pipelineaudio
Shredder
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I like how this thing is simultaneously claimed to be flat and full range while at the same time claimed to have "something" that makes it "better" for guitar than flat.
I don't even need to know what the magical "something" is, just let me know what "better" means
I don't even need to know what the magical "something" is, just let me know what "better" means
molul
Roadie
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Probably "the opposite of worse".
Baba
Shredder
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It’s “better” to me, because:
1. It’s not as directional (somehow), as other solutions are.
2. It sounds closer to a conventional guitar cab than other solutions do, especially the plastic ones.
3. It’s light.
4. It’s priced at a lower point, than a lot of other solutions, that are pretty good, but don’t sound as good, IMO.
I guess some of us got a little too wrapped up in the REAL "FRFR", when what some of us really wanted, was something that sounded more like a conventional amp, in the first place.
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deadpool_25
Roadie
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WDW??
deadpool_25
Roadie
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As baba said, it sounds (feels?) more like a traditional cab than other ""FRFR"" systems I've tried. I'm not sure why that is. I suppose it could be tied to the EQ curve but that doesn't make sense to me as that characteristic remains even when I adjust the onboard knobs. I'd guess it has something to do with the way the actual cabinet resonates whether that's the wood, the shape, both, or something else about it. Regardless, the damn things just sound good. Really good.
IMO
pipelineaudio
Shredder
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I think someone said its not concentric. On the other hand, once I'm like 6 feet away from a divorced woofer/tweeter, they don't really sound so much different to me than concentric
In what way would that be good? Or what does this mean? If it changes the frequency response, it may be better sometimes but would be worse at other times. What does a conventional guitar cab sound like? If you have an impulse of that cab, this would then make it sound LESS like a conventional cab
That's a big plus
That's an even better plus
I really don't understand how this would work. Like is it closer in frequency? Directivity? Dynamics?
pipelineaudio
Shredder
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He already had me at cheap and light!As baba said, it sounds (feels?) more like a traditional cab than other """FRFR""" systems I've tried. I'm not sure why that is. I suppose it could be tied to the EQ curve but that doesn't make sense to me as that characteristic remains even when I adjust the onboard knobs. I'd guess it has something to do with the way the actual cabinet resonates whether that's the wood, the shape, both, or something else about it. Regardless, the damn things just sound good. Really good.
IMO
I really like the alto TS410, but I like the directivity of the Celestion FX12-200. I put one inside a Katana and its pretty good except for the known frequency dip in the upper mids.
I'm really hoping you guys are wrong about the FR12 and that it is just pretty much flat and doesn't do anything weird to the sound unexpectedly, it seems like the perfect cab if so. How loud is it compared to the Powercab?
jellodog
Rock Star
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Yeah, it's really not flat at all at default settings. You have to cut bass and boost mids and treble to flatten it out and even then, it's not really flat.
And yet... it's still enjoyable to play.
deadpool_25
Roadie
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- 424
It's not like we're just guessing here. WKSmith posted some response charts on the fractal forum.
Fender FR-12 preamp mod : The Hissterectomy
So here’s a question, @WKSmith. Given your news about the phase reversal in the stock preamp, what happens if I install my reserved unit you built then down the road add another FR for stereo purposes. Do I need two of your preamps?
Regardless, it sounds great and gets very loud.
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deadpool_25
Roadie
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Saying it sounds more like a cab is basically saying that it evokes more of the feeling of the IR you're using than some other FRFRs. Like when I load up a 4x12 cab IR it doesn't sound as much like a 4x12 in a cardboard box and sounds more like a 4x12 is supposed to.
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How does it do with "pretending" to be an open-back Fender, 1x12, then a closed-back 4x12, etc.? I know you can't get something from nothing, but is it capable of representing cab sims "upstream" - at least better than a conventional 1x12?As baba said, it sounds (feels?) more like a traditional cab than other """FRFR""" systems I've tried. I'm not sure why that is. I suppose it could be tied to the EQ curve but that doesn't make sense to me as that characteristic remains even when I adjust the onboard knobs. I'd guess it has something to do with the way the actual cabinet resonates whether that's the wood, the shape, both, or something else about it. Regardless, the damn things just sound good. Really good.
IMO
I'm mostly interested in being able to throw synths/ samples at it in between (or sometimes layered with) the amp sims.
EDIT: LOL @deadpool_25 we sorta crossed in the mail on this one.
deadpool_25
Roadie
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I the 10 apparently sounds very close to the 12 (I've personally only tried the 12) but is smaller and less expensive. There are people who've had both and then preferred one or the other.
I went with the 12 because I traditionally use 12" speakers in my guitar cabs so it was a natural choice. Also I figured I'd never find myself wishing for a smaller speaker, but I could potentially wish I'd gotten the bigger speaker.
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It's definitely better if you're hungry enough to eat $100 worth of pizza. Or if, like @MTB1973, you live in a shoebox.
deadpool_25
Roadie
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Still sounded great with my Hydrasynth Explorer even with knobs at noon. Sounded maybe even a tiny bit better with a slight boost to the mid knob.
JiveTurkey
Goatlord
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Synths sound great through it. Acoustic sims are a little 
but every other synth sound I've thrown at it sounds great.
but every other synth sound I've thrown at it sounds great.
molul
Roadie
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- 339
I'm still struggling with the form factor. Having gotten used to Headrush 108 for the last 3 years, getting back to this size is a difficult decision, because in my band there are very few cars and so much equipment to carry xD
But I'm very interested in the audio improvement. I've seen a comparison of these Fenders and the Headrush 108 and it's quite noticeable.
I'll still wait a few months in case Line6 launches something like this, but I'm definitely moving away from the Headrush. It's being useful but I want to sound better.
But I'm very interested in the audio improvement. I've seen a comparison of these Fenders and the Headrush 108 and it's quite noticeable.
I'll still wait a few months in case Line6 launches something like this, but I'm definitely moving away from the Headrush. It's being useful but I want to sound better.
