Fender Tone Master Pro: Episode IV - A New Hope

[Tritium3H]

I really enjoyed the time I spent with a TMP last year. It’s WAY better than some around here would lead you to believe

Here , here. It is a bloody fantastic device. Me thinks 99% of the people who dismiss it have NEVER owned the TMP.

And no, IMHO, it does not count playing it at some music store for a few minutes to an hour. There is NO WAY one has the ability to properly setup and audition any digital modeler in such an environment…at least not to do it justice. So much depends on the sound reinforcement/FRFR/speaker as well as the selection and tweaking of the built-in IR/speaker simulation.

Yes, one can be up and running with the Fender TMP faster then just about any other digital device— nevertheless, I feel one still needs a controlled environment with little to no distractions.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Here , here. It is a bloody fantastic device. Me thinks 99% of the people who dismiss it have NEVER owned the TMP.

And no, IMHO, it does not count playing it at some music store for a few minutes to an hour. There is NO WAY one has the ability to properly setup and audition any digital modeler in such an environment…at least not to do it justice. So much depends on the sound reinforcement/FRFR/speaker as well as the selection and tweaking of the built-in IR/speaker simulation.

Yes, one can be up and running with the Fender TMP faster then just about any other digital device— nevertheless, I feel one still needs a controlled environment with little to no distractions.

While I see the merit in that, I spent about an hour in an iso room at Sweetwater, with the FRFR. I couldn’t find anything I liked about it. Why would I then say “you know, I’m just going to buy it anyway, so I can REALLY make sure I don’t like it.”

Not very logical.

 

[ian_dissonance]

Here , here. It is a bloody fantastic device. Me thinks 99% of the people who dismiss it have NEVER owned the TMP.

And no, IMHO, it does not count playing it at some music store for a few minutes to an hour. There is NO WAY one has the ability to properly setup and audition any digital modeler in such an environment…at least not to do it justice. So much depends on the sound reinforcement/FRFR/speaker as well as the selection and tweaking of the built-in IR/speaker simulation.

Yes, one can be up and running with the Fender TMP faster then just about any other digital device— nevertheless, I feel one still needs a controlled environment with little to no distractions.

Takes about two minutes to figure out if I want to deal with the workflow/hardware or if the layout and form factor work for me. I knew I didn’t like the TMP because it’s a “flagship” with no EXP pedal.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Takes about two minutes to figure out if I want to deal with the workflow/hardware or if the layout and form factor work for me. I knew I didn’t like the TMP because it’s a “flagship” with no EXP pedal.

It’s a super easy device. Easiest modeler ever. Very intuitive. Also, you should buy it and keep it a month, just make sure you don’t like it.

 

[Jarick]

Takes about two minutes to figure out if I want to deal with the workflow/hardware or if the layout and form factor work for me. I knew I didn’t like the TMP because it’s a “flagship” with no EXP pedal.

See I can’t stand expression pedals on the device as they take up room I don’t need them to, are another possible point of failure, and if I do use one I’d prefer it on the left.

 

[ian_dissonance]

See I can’t stand expression pedals on the device as they take up room I don’t need them to, are another possible point of failure, and if I do use one I’d prefer it on the left.

I do a lot of volume fades and pitch bend stuff and I don’t want to add another piece of hardware to hold my hardware when there are lots of great options that don’t require that. Also, a flagship with more or less dead features without additional hardware isn’t really a flagship, imo.

 

[Jarick]

I do a lot of volume fades and pitch bend stuff and I don’t want to add another piece of hardware to hold my hardware when there are lots of great options that don’t require that. Also, a flagship with more or less dead features without additional hardware isn’t really a flagship, imo.

I think that's where Helix Stadium was smart, release two versions one with an expression pedal and one without.

I'm keeping the unit on a shelf so I can edit it from my desk and not having the pedal taking up space is really nice.

 

[Jarick]

I've said it before, but I'm sick and tired of using a computer while playing guitar. I've tried a few different approaches and have come to the conclusion that an all in one digital modeler is the best way to go assuming for me I can do everything I need from the front panel. That means I'm very likely going to sell my Axe FX 3 and flip over to something else.

I already tried the Quad Cortex and it's a pretty good device but I don't trust the hardware or the company to continue supporting/enhancing it. I feel like I know what I'm getting with Helix and Fractal at this point. Kemper Player is really neat but still waiting on profiling capabilities and I can't do everything from the device (need a computer).

So I figured I'd roll the dice on Fender. Got mine for under $1500 new. Considering the new Helix Stadium will be $1800-2200 and the FM9 is $1800 that's pretty competitive pricing.

Super early thoughts on the hardware/interface:

• Size of the device is near perfect. It's a tiny bit large but there's no wasted space.
• It feels really rugged. Would gig without concerns. Love the IEC power cable.
• Touch screen is very good although it's not as responsive or high resolution as a modern phone. Seems on par with the QC more or less. I do still have the plastic on it in case I need to return it so that may change things.
• I love that each model looks like what it models in the signal flow. I know exactly what is what at a glance.
• There are some graphic animations/transitions or menu trees that can make it feel a bit sluggish and clunky at times.
• The knob/switch execution is amazing. These feel so much better than the QC, they are stepless knobs with really well dialed acceleration (I can go from 0 to 100 in two turns or precisely go from 50 to 55). And having the scribble strips saying what they are makes it so much easier to figure out what you're doing rather than the QC.
• Because of the knobs and graphics, it may be the closest experience I've had to using a virtual pedalboard.
• Switches feel better than expected, I was expecting an MXR clunk but they are soft switches, again better than the QC.
• The update process felt pretty old school. Connect to a computer, hold down a switch while booting up, drag an ISO file to the external drive. It went really well once I read the instructions but it seemed dated.
• I wish it had wifi/cloud functionality like the QC; I'd love to be able to do updates without connecting to a computer or downloading IR's or presets. That's one thing that feels missing so far.

Generally it feels like a very modern intuitive device. I have zero interest in connecting it to a computer because I'm so tired of having to use a computer to do things for guitar.

No comments on the sound or models yet, I need to explore those a lot more.

 

[mikah912]

It IS a cool device. And yes, the updating process is dated and cumbersome, but there are lots of great sounds and functionality to be had.

 

[Sedaxel]

So I figured I'd roll the dice on Fender. Got mine for under $1500 new. Considering the new Helix Stadium will be $1800-2200 and the FM9 is $1800 that's pretty competitive pricing.

It´s curious how different brains think, For me, the conclussion in your sentence should be just the opposite: considering Stadium and FM9 around 1800, QC for 1600, I think 1500 is soooo absurd for such an inferior unit...

My take on this is... good effort by Fender. Very good hardware. Targeted to gutarists that don´t want to think about tinkering with technology. Very good form factor.

But... subpar modelling. Subpar amp/effects quantity (and compared to top tiers, also subpar quality). Still to reach a mature point where it has all the features that a flagship unit should have (it´s been some time since I don´t keep an eye, but there was several lacking features).

So, depending on the needs, it obviously might be a good option. But in absolute terms (features and tone quality) it´s quite inferior to QC, Helix or Fractal (or even Kemper)... but at the same time Fender is hostage of such a high quality hardware, so the price must be high. Too high.

Just my opinion. I can perfectly understand that some people enjoy it.. but FOR ME it´s just a LOT of money for what it is.

 

[metropolis_4]

It´s curious how different brains think, For me, the conclussion in your sentence should be just the opposite: considering Stadium and FM9 around 1800, QC for 1600, I think 1500 is soooo absurd for such an inferior unit...

My take on this is... good effort by Fender. Very good hardware. Targeted to gutarists that don´t want to think about tinkering with technology. Very good form factor.

But... subpar modelling. Subpar amp/effects quantity (and compared to top tiers, also subpar quality). Still to reach a mature point where it has all the features that a flagship unit should have (it´s been some time since I don´t keep an eye, but there was several lacking features).

So, depending on the needs, it obviously might be a good option. But in absolute terms (features and tone quality) it´s quite inferior to QC, Helix or Fractal (or even Kemper)... but at the same time Fender is hostage of such a high quality hardware, so the price must be high. Too high.

Just my opinion. I can perfectly understand that some people enjoy it.. but FOR ME it´s just a LOT of money for what it is.

“subpar” is highly subjective here.

If I wanted to just plug into a Princeton Reverb and turn up the reverb, or plug into a 6g15 in front of a brownface amp, the TMP would be my first choice over Helix, Fractal, Kemper, or QC. And I’ve owned them all.

The reverbs on the TMP are so much better than all the rest it’s not even close.

There is stuff in it I think is subpar, but there is other stuff in it that is fantastic. And the feel and response while playing is very good

 

[LP59]

I returned mine, but I can see the appeal of how it is quick and easy to use right out of the box. IMHO the problem is after the first 30 minutes you start to see limitations compared to other things in the same price range.

 

[metropolis_4]

I returned mine, but I can see the appeal of how it is quick and easy to use right out of the box. IMHO the problem is after the first 30 minutes you start to see limitations compared to other things in the same price range.

But again, it all depends on what you’re looking for. I saw the limitations and flaws almost immediately, but I also saw the strengths it had. I used it as my main gigging rig for about 6 months, probably played around 100 shows with it, and enjoyed every minute of it. And I don’t even care about “quick and easy to use”.

 

[Sedaxel]

“subpar” is highly subjective here.

If I wanted to just plug into a Princeton Reverb and turn up the reverb, or plug into a 6g15 in front of a brownface amp, the TMP would be my first choice over Helix, Fractal, Kemper, or QC. And I’ve owned them all.

The reverbs on the TMP are so much better than all the rest it’s not even close.

There is stuff in it I think is subpar, but there is other stuff in it that is fantastic. And the feel and response while playing is very good

Yeah, maybe. That´s why I think that, depending on the needs, it can be a good option. I just try to ditch any subjectivity, and if I set myself in that mode, I see a lot of money for what´s offered.

And, in my opinion:

"The reverbs on the TMP are so much better than all the rest it’s not even close."

That´s what I call subjectivity...

 

[metropolis_4]

Yeah, maybe. That´s why I think that, depending on the needs, it can be a good option. I just try to ditch any subjectivity, and if I set myself in that mode, I see a lot of money for what´s offered.

And, in my opinion:

"The reverbs on the TMP are so much better than all the rest it’s not even close."

That´s what I call subjectivity...

Nope, that is an objective fact

 

[Jarick]

I returned mine, but I can see the appeal of how it is quick and easy to use right out of the box. IMHO the problem is after the first 30 minutes you start to see limitations compared to other things in the same price range.

That's why I want to hold off on any sonic evaluations until I've spent a few days getting to know the unit and dialing in different sounds.

I will say the presets didn't do anything for me and I quickly started building my own. Even then, I didn't like the tone until I found a cab that worked for me. Now I'm much happier. That's the same with every unit though, I hate 99% of the factory cabs so I generally dislike the sound until I start using a cab that works for my tastes.

Also I was underwhelmed with the effects when I first was using it, but then I saw the firmware was from last summer. After updating the unit I found some stuff that I like a lot more for what I was trying to do.

I find that interesting, when I bought this last night there wasn't a demo unit anywhere, there wasn't even any signage for the device. It was tucked away on a shelf near the ceiling. Not sure how old the price sticker was as it was $200 less than the current retail. So guessing the price sticker was from a sale earlier this year. And the unit I have had firmware over 15 months old. Guessing these aren't selling at all, but they also aren't trying to sell them at this store anyway.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Depending on how I like it I could dump the HX Stomp

Is that a clever way to ask for a forum ban?

 

[Jarick]

Is that a clever way to ask for a forum ban?

Much like energy, ownership of a Helix can neither be created nor destroyed. It may only be changed into different forms (Stomp XL, HX Effects, Helix Floor).

Fear not, for I still have HX Native

 

[BenIfin]

Rule No. 1 of Digital Amp Forums

HX Stomps are only ever bought. They are never sold.

 

[Chocol8]

Rule No. 1 of Digital Amp Forums

HX Stomps are only ever bought. They are never sold.

Hmmm, I guess I better plead the fifth...