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

[mbenigni]

Circling back to this one as I am now curious about it. What’s the verdict on the FR–12 versus something like a BAM200 + Cab? Is it that close to the amp and cab or should I just stay with the BAM and call it good?

Your “real” cab will sound more like a real cab (i.e. itself), obviously. The FR is only preferred if you need the versatility of mimicking a variety of cabs, or if you’re ever going to feed it some full range content (e.g. vox) in addition to guitar. Otherwise the BAM plus cab will probably be better.

The FRs are great, though - the cut knob can make them sound more like a power amp with conventional closed back 1x12 (or 10, depending), and grab and go in one box always has its appeal.

 

[Fireproof]

Forgive me for not reading through 46 pages of posts…

What’s the general consensus here on these?

My current FrFR of choice for my modelers is a Friedman 1x10 and I get along well with it.

Is the new Fender 10” something to consider?

 

[ian_dissonance]

Forgive me for not reading through 46 pages of posts…

What’s the general consensus here on these?

My current FrFR of choice for my modelers is a Friedman 1x10 and I get along well with it.

Is the new Fender 10” something to consider?

It’s been years since I messed with the Friedman and it was the 12” one. At that time I preferred EV wedges to the Friedman, and I prefer the FR12 to the EVs.

 

[Fireproof]

It’s been years since I messed with the Friedman and it was the 12” one. At that time I preferred EV wedges to the Friedman, and I prefer the FR12 to the EVs.

Ooh that’s very interesting indeed.

I remember the shootouts used the 12” Friedman and some say the 10” solved some of the critiques. I’ve not tried the 12”.

But I’ve been eyeing the new Fenders and wondering how one would compare. I like the tone controls on top.

 

[Chocol8]

I like the time controls on top.

Hey, if it's a time machine I am all in. I don't give a shit where the time controls are at!

 

[Fireproof]

Hey, if it's a time machine I am all in. I don't give a shit where the time controls are at!

Damn typos.

 

[ian_dissonance]

Ooh that’s very interesting indeed.

I remember the shootouts used the 12” Friedman and some say the 10” solved some of the critiques. I’ve not tried the 12”.

But I’ve been eyeing the new Fenders and wondering how one would compare. I like the tone controls on top.

The easily accessible tone controls are nice. I pretty much just use the Cut on stage to make it not too harsh for the space. For some reason I remember the 12” Friedman being kind of muddy or exaggerated in the low/low mid.

 

[Lysander]

My current FrFR of choice for my modelers is a Friedman 1x10 and I get along well with it.

Is the new Fender 10” something to consider?

It's a pretty damn good FRFR, specially for the price. I still own a FR-12 and should've probably gone for the 10" because of size as, by all accounts, they 10" and 12" versions sound very similar. No complaints about the tone.

Having said that, the FR-10/12 still has hiss/noise issues - there're multiple revisions of the hardware to address this, and you risk getting an older version. If i had to buy today i'd investigate alternatives; there's a good bunch of new FRFRs which have hit the market since the FR line first launched.

 

[JiveTurkey]

If you're happy with the Freidman; it's paid for and you already have it. The FR12 with the Archangel preamp is awesome. Cut control and bass knob are the only things beyond the level control that I adjust per room. It "sounds like" a closed back, loud (enough) SS combo that's flat (enough).

FRFR space is really a tough one to get excited about because it's just totally utilitarian in nature.

 

[deadpool_25]

If you get along well with the Friedman, I don't know that you need to change. If the curiosity gets to be too much, I suggest purchasing one from somewhere with a good return policy, trying it out side by side with the Friedman, and then deciding if it's worth keeping.

 

[Jarick]

Forgive me for not reading through 46 pages of posts…

What’s the general consensus here on these?

My current FrFR of choice for my modelers is a Friedman 1x10 and I get along well with it.

Is the new Fender 10” something to consider?

It's a really good FRFR for the price but if you like the Friedman IMO there's no point in swapping out for it. The Friedman is probably better built and I think it's going to have a warmer sound from all I've heard.

 

[Fireproof]

Thanks for all the advice and replies. It’s definitely not a need to have, and I don’t have any problems with the Friedman. It’s more of a curiosity thing, given how fast tech changes. Didn’t want to be missing out.

And of course - gear buying is fun.

 

[Jarick]

Thanks for all the advice and replies. It’s definitely not a need to have, and I don’t have any problems with the Friedman. It’s more of a curiosity thing, given how fast tech changes. Didn’t want to be missing out.

And of course - gear buying is fun.

If it helps I bought one really like it but rarely use it. I think if I were gigging or at least taking my gear somewhere to play with others I would use it a ton. But if I had the Friedman I wouldn't bother looking at anything else.

 

[ian_dissonance]

Having said that, the FR-10/12 still has hiss/noise issues - there're multiple revisions of the hardware to address this, and you risk getting an older version.

I’ve got the FR212 and the EVH Hypersonic 12 and neither does any “hissing” any louder than any other powered speaker I’ve ever used. I guess if you’re trying to play at whisper volumes in a silent room you might notice it, but it seems like the wrong tool for that job anyways.

 

[Jarick]

I’ve got the FR212 and the EVH Hypersonic 12 and neither does any “hissing” any louder than any other powered speaker I’ve ever used. I guess if you’re trying to play at whisper volumes in a silent room you might notice it, but it seems like the wrong tool for that job anyways.

There's almost never going to be a speaker completely free of hiss. Some are definitely worse than others, but I've found the FR-12 to be pretty decent at least the newer revisions.

I mentioned before, but I actually got my FR-12 exchanging a Roland JC-40 that had a really loud hiss. The Fender FR-12 was noticeably quieter than a real amp.

I've also returned or not purchased good studio monitors for noise issues as well including the famous JBL 300 series and even the $1500 Adam A7V's which had a louder hiss than others. In comparison Genelec and Yamaha monitors have much lower hiss.

 

[Lysander]

I’ve got the FR212 and the EVH Hypersonic 12 and neither does any “hissing” any louder than any other powered speaker I’ve ever used. I guess if you’re trying to play at whisper volumes in a silent room you might notice it, but it seems like the wrong tool for that job anyways.

The first revisions definitely did though. It's "still an issue" in the sense that i keep reading stories of people buying new FRs, from Fender even, and getting amps with the old noisy preamp design.

At the very least, shop where you can try before paying - or somewhere with a good return policy, just in case.

 

[madmarcus1960]

I was shocked at how well my FR10 w/Archangel V3 preamp sounded as a bass amp(home levels) with my KPP. This just adds to the functionality for such a small footprint.

 

[Chocol8]

I have been awakened by a screaming cat that hates me, I have caught up on the Humble zoomer cuck DSL thread, and now it’s time to install an Archangel V3 board. Fun times this morning!

 

[Chocol8]

Install complete. I couldn't figure out why I would want to remove the ground lift switch, nor why I would want the clip light on the back where I can't see it easily, so I drilled a hole for the clip LED next to the volume control. I probably should have dusted before taking any pictures.

 

[Chocol8]

The Archangel board is a definite noticeable improvement even without the hiss issues. It has more headroom and is clearer and maybe a little punchier on the attack. I also really like the pots with the detents. The increments are small enough to not be an issue and the pots hold position well.