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

[deadpool_25]

Try the link here:

https://thegearforum.com/threads/fender-fr-12-finally-unboxed.4591/post-182612

1 demerit issued to house Los-D for posting a link to The Bad Place when there's a link to The Good Place in the link to The Bad Place.

 

[deadpool_25]

I just got another FR-12 from SW. It doesn't seem hissy. Guess I should check the board to confirm but...meh. Seems fine. I'll get to it eventually. Maybe even before I replace the preamp with a V3 lol.

 

[Los-D]

1 demerit issued to house Los-D for posting a link to The Bad Place when there's a link to The Good Place in the link to The Bad Place.

 

[paisleywookiee]

1 demerit issued to house Los-D for posting a link to The Bad Place when there's a link to The Good Place in the link to The Bad Place.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Someone buy the EVH version, and see if the Archangel fits correctly. So I can order one.

 

[deadpool_25]

Someone buy the EVH version, and see if the Archangel fits correctly. So I can order one.

Not out til March or I would have!

 

[molul]

The thing with the fr12 and the mod is as ridicule as the one with the Fender Panorama tremolo. Shows poor QA from Fender, resulting in extra cost for having an already expensive product working fine.

 

[paisleywookiee]

The thing with the fr12 and the mod is as ridicule as the one with the Fender Panorama tremolo. Shows poor QA from Fender, resulting in extra cost for having an already expensive product working fine.

Except that the FR12 isn't that expensive.

 

[Lysander]

Except that the FR12 isn't that expensive.

It's a $599 instrument amp. Honestly, the issues the FR line had are pretty inexcusable; i've owned $100 PA speakers which manage to be noiseless without input.

 

[molul]

Except that the FR12 isn't that expensive.

600 is not 200. An amp at that price tag, should have no flaw the the user has to fix on his own.

 

[paisleywookiee]

It's a $599 instrument amp. Honestly, the issues the FR line had are pretty inexcusable; i've owned $100 PA speakers which manage to be noiseless without input.

While I agree, there are other "FRFR" units costing more than sound like dogshit, and aren’t fixable.

 

[Snax Panther]

While I agree, there are other ""FRFR"" units costing more than sound like dogshit, and aren’t fixable.

Agreed.

I know the hiss thing is a pain, but all of mine have been silent, and how much better the FR-12 sounds than ANY other solution I've had for my Fractal devices is staggering.

The only thing I've had that was even remotely close was the Laney LFR-12, but regardless of how I tweaked it, it never sounded as lively.

Fender cheaps out on a lot of stuff, and definitely leans on their brand name, and it sucks, but the FR-12 sounds amazing, modded or not, so I'm thrilled with it.

I'll definitely be trying to snag a V3 mod for my two, but am in no hurry as they rock as-is.

 

[deadpool_25]

Except that the FR12 isn't that expensive.

And the FR-12 I just got seems fine. So much so that if the first ones had been like this there wouldn't have been any real problems imo.

Fender built a really great sounding piece of gear that was definitely a bit dorked up in the engineering stages. And then again in the testing stages. AND they initially were blind to the fact that they might have a mistake or two. At least they eventually fixed it though...mostly lol.

Regardless, it's really good imo and doesn't need anything now (debatable that it needed anything initially but the change was certainly an improvement). But that doesn't mean the V3 isn't desirable. We can swap pickups in a really good guitar, or swap speakers in a really good cab, or swap tubes in (or put an overdrive in front of) an excellent amp. This isn't so different imo. No change needed but you might like to upgrade that fucker anyway

 

[Jkist7]

Regardless, it's really good imo and doesn't need anything now (debatable that it needed anything initially but the change was certainly an improvement). But that doesn't mean the V3 isn't desirable. We can swap pickups in a really good guitar, or swap speakers in a really good cab, or swap tubes in (or put an overdrive in front of) an excellent amp. This isn't so different imo. No change needed but you might like to upgrade that fucker anyway

Yeah I'm really glad Liam went through the trouble for us. Good to see Fender seems to have implemented a fix, or better QC, or something. The V3 felt necessary on launch. Now it feels like a nice way to hotrod the shit out of your FR series. I'm still all for it lol.

 

[Stratzrus]

We can swap pickups in a really good guitar, or swap speakers in a really good cab, or swap tubes in (or put an overdrive in front of) an excellent amp. This isn't so different imo. No change needed but you might like to upgrade that fucker anyway

I was going to say the exact same thing but you beat me to it,

The cost of a FR plus a V3 is still quite reasonable IMO, Plus it's light, loud, and sounds really good,

Yes it would have been great if Fender had made them with the better parts from the beginning but as it stands, with Liam's preamp, it's a wonderful thing that costs well below $1K, I'm pretty happy with it as a amplification solution for the FM9.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Really thinking I want a EVH Hypersonic, an Archangel preamp, and some gaffer tape to cover up “Hypersonic”.

 

[deadpool_25]

Really thinking I want a EVH Hypersonic, an Archangel preamp, and some gaffer tape to cover up “Hypersonic”.

I like this idea. Honestly though the Fender versions ain't bad when the grille cloth is painted.

 

[paisleywookiee]

I like this idea. Honestly though the Fender versions ain't bad when the grille cloth is painted.
View attachment 37374

Yeah you did a nice job with that for sure.

 

[deadpool_25]

Yeah you did a nice job with that for sure.

Thanks! Credit goes to WKSmith for that idea. That duplicolor flat black vinyl and fabric spray paint works really well and is incredibly easy to use.

 

[Stone]

I like this idea. Honestly though the Fender versions ain't bad when the grille cloth is painted.
View attachment 37374

That's a very nice setup there Dead



That book on the shelf in the background should be renamed "Patch and Tweak" with Fractal