Stone
Rock Star
- Messages
- 5,737
100%, the "FRFR" Noise floor def would not be an Issue for me
Last edited:
Fender Tone Master FR-10 and FR-12 "FRFR" cabs
- Thread starter Lysander
- Start date
JiveTurkey
Goatlord
- Messages
- 16,043
I'd say I prefer the F12X powered by the Boogie over the FR-12. For obvious reasons. The FR12 has a TON of punch. And I still dig it after a week of having it and playing it a number of times. There is a lot more high end from the F12X's I'd say, though. And I do gravitate towards that.
yeky83
Roadie
- Messages
- 977
Sounds like the real winner here as Fender dives into the modeling waters.
JiveTurkey
Goatlord
- Messages
- 16,043
I'll know definitively this afternoon after the unboxing.Sounds like the real winner here as Fender dives into the modeling waters.
Baba
Shredder
- Messages
- 1,297
Ahhhh. Thanks guys.
Yeah, I don't WANT hiss or noise, but this thing would only be on if I'm playing guitar, and when I'm not, it would either be off, or I wouldn't be next to it, or listening to it, so I don't think it would bother me much.
From the playback, I agree. I know better than to trust the recorded sound of a miked up PA/"FRFR". Would have to hear in the room and play it myself. I see a bakeoff at a local GC in my future.....
CP8 is cheaper, lighter, smaller, and has a better dispersion angle? Just needs an EQ and a faux speaker cabinet facade to compete!
Spaced Out Ace
Shredder
- Messages
- 1,196
I'm currently thinking about whether or not to go for something like a Powercab 112, Powercab 212, another "FRFR" entirely, or getting a poweramp and 212 cabinet with maybe some Creamback H75/M65 mix goin'.
aflynt
Roadie
- Messages
- 156
FYI - got my FR-12 today, and it’s definitely got some white noise hiss. Measured it at around 42db noise floor 2-3’ away. My EV PXM12MP is about 32db in contrast. It’s definitely not enough hiss to have an issue on stage, but some people seem to be experiencing significantly less hiss on theirs, more in line with my EV. Has me wondering about manufacturing tolerances.
-Aaron
-Aaron
yeky83
Roadie
- Messages
- 977
Might also be a case of "point it to my face" vs. "point it to my shins" users?
aflynt
Roadie
- Messages
- 156
That’s why I brought up measuring it with db meter. At least getting somewhere near objective data… :)
I definitely didn't think of that.
I also much preferred it not pointed up at me. I'm probably wrong, at least from the POV of many people, but I think wedges are better for that application. I also didn't like the PoweCabs tilted up.
Lysander
Shredder
- Messages
- 2,197
Absolutely. Note how he even points out in the video that the clip is not very representative of how the thing sounds IRL. I concur - the FR-12 sounds spectacular on the room.
Last edited:
Lysander
Shredder
- Messages
- 2,197
Spent more time with the FR-12 and, noise gripes aside, it's a keeper. It plays really well with Helix, sounds great, looks sexy, and it's overall a lot of fun.
Regarding noise though, one thing it noticed (and this is from memory, as i don't have a Powercab anymore) is that the noise spectrum of the FR-12 doesn't seem to be as high-pitched as the normal hiss on other amps, PC 112 included. Wonder if that makes it more noticeable, or i'm just hallucinating.
Colored noise would also likely mean the preamp doing funny things, but i digress.
Regarding noise though, one thing it noticed (and this is from memory, as i don't have a Powercab anymore) is that the noise spectrum of the FR-12 doesn't seem to be as high-pitched as the normal hiss on other amps, PC 112 included. Wonder if that makes it more noticeable, or i'm just hallucinating.
Colored noise would also likely mean the preamp doing funny things, but i digress.
aflynt
Roadie
- Messages
- 156
Agreed about the FR-12 sounding amazing. I got some time to A/B it against my EV PXM12-MP this evening and I definitely prefer the Fender so far. I really like the EV too, but it sounds smaller and boxier and the tone controls on the Fender are perfect. That hiss is still freaking me out, though. It's like a full spectrum white noise.
-Aaron
-Aaron
Lysander
Shredder
- Messages
- 2,197
I'm tempted to crack mine open and see if there're any obvious grounding problems at play. It does seem to be a widespread issue.
Last edited:
aflynt
Roadie
- Messages
- 156
I'm trying to resist the temptation to open it up since I'm on the fence between keeping it and returning it. I'm going to leave it on for a day or two and see if things change noise-wise or it starts to fry or something...
-Aaron
Stratzrus
Roadie
- Messages
- 795
Wouldn't grounding problems cause hum as opposed to hiss? What are the usual sources of hiss?
Lysander
Shredder
- Messages
- 2,197
AC power ground loops are normally related to hum. Internal ground loops can cause noise; the other common source is a poorly regulated power supply (voltage and/or current noise), or thermal noise which gets amplified.
I'll give it a stab sometime tomorrow. There're some odd things on those teardown images @jellodog shared which immediately caught my eye - f.ex. the back panel has two big grounding point posts, but only the preamp PSU and the AC connector are wired to them; everything else seems to be daisy-chained. I have a vague hope that proper star grounding may improve the amp's noise floor.
Last edited:
