Fender Tone Master Pro: Episode IV - A New Hope

[KingsXJJ]

Bassbreaker series?

 

[Jarick]

I still think it'd be fun to mess around with one for a while, but I would need to sell of a good chunk of gear to be able to get anything else.

It looks like it'd be great for a virtual pedalboard, there's a lot of effects in the unit and the skeumorphic design would make it seem a little more like working with a real board.

Maybe it's just me but pedals are super fun to play with because the layout and knobs are so intentional, but I hate having to buy individual pedals and physically get them on a board and cabled up and route power. I've got a Pedaltrain full of Boss pedals that needs to be rewired and would take an afternoon.

 

[KingsXJJ]

I still think it'd be fun to mess around with one for a while, but I would need to sell of a good chunk of gear to be able to get anything else.

It looks like it'd be great for a virtual pedalboard, there's a lot of effects in the unit and the skeumorphic design would make it seem a little more like working with a real board.

Maybe it's just me but pedals are super fun to play with because the layout and knobs are so intentional, but I hate having to buy individual pedals and physically get them on a board and cabled up and route power. I've got a Pedaltrain full of Boss pedals that needs to be rewired and would take an afternoon.

It’s definitely not just you! Same here.

 

[Jarick]

It’s definitely not just you! Same here.

Boss just released a single modeling pedal...I know they have the GT and GX series but dammit I really would love if they did some version of the M9.

 

[spawnofthesith]

Boss just released a single modeling pedal...I know they have the GT and GX series but dammit I really would love if they did some version of the M9.

It has micro transactions

 

[metropolis_4]

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

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Maybe the hate comes from the dirt channels? Idk I pretty much always ignored those and never even attempted to work with them

For all I know maybe there’s something there too though

That's why I liked the Landau deville, it has two clean channels instead.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Fwiw, I never got the hate for the HRD. First revision (or revisions?) had that tough to control volume knob, but otherwise it's an incredible pedal platform. Played through one (not mine) for a whole number of rehearsals and two shows, it's been just fine, partially even great. The EQ was working very nicely to adjust your overall sound.

 

[metropolis_4]

Fwiw, I never got the hate for the HRD. First revision (or revisions?) had that tough to control volume knob, but otherwise it's an incredible pedal platform. Played through one (not mine) for a whole number of rehearsals and two shows, it's been just fine, partially even great. The EQ was working very nicely to adjust your overall sound.

I don’t feel like I’ve seen hate for it, it’s just not sexy.

It’s like the Toyota Corolla of guitar amps

 

[Sascha Franck]

I don’t feel like I’ve seen hate for it, it’s just not sexy.

That's why you slap pedals in front.

 

[metropolis_4]

That's why you slap pedals in front.

Yep, and I think that played a role in the rise of pedalboards and AIAB pedals. Lots of places used Hot Rods as backline, so you bring your pedals, use it as a platform, and you’ve got your familiar sounds anywhere you go

 

[Sascha Franck]

Yep, and I think that played a role in the rise of pedalboards and AIAB pedals. Lots of places used Hot Rods as backline, so you bring your pedals, use it as a platform, and you’ve got your familiar sounds anywhere you go

Fwiw, as I've been allowed to take the HRD with me before the rehearsals mentioned, I was able to compare it with my Boogie MkIV, at that time I only used channel 1 as a pedal platform, possibly the best thing for that purpose ever. And all I can possibly say is that the HRD held up way better than expected. Also connected it to my Boogie half slanted (Thiele bottom, opened top) DIY clone and the differences almost weren't distinguishable anymore. For possibly obvious reasons, the MkIV was somewhat tighter, but that was pretty much about it. IOW, exchanging the speaker could make the HRD an even better pedal platform - but then, that was with the older version, Fender was then using something else for the sucessors (some golden Celestion thingy?), maybe that's sufficient already.

 

[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

Agreed and well said.

I really hope people who are on the fence about the Fender TMP, lend more credence to fellow TGF members who concomitantly own multiple modeling/profiling platforms...and can offer non-biased assessments and recommendations. I know I have stated this before, but it bears repeating (for emphasis). I own the Fractal FM9T, the Kemper Power Rack, and the Fender Tone Master Pro. The Fender TMP can easily hang with these top-tier solutions (FM9T and Kemper). It is a powerful, extremely well thought out device. The TMP's UI cannot be beat, and it is a blast to use. It has fantastic tones, and there are even some high gain amps that I actually prefer on the TMP, such as the Soldano SLO-100. The new Convolution-based Plate and Hall reverbs are KILLER.

 

[AlbertA]

 

[laxu]

Fwiw, I never got the hate for the HRD. First revision (or revisions?) had that tough to control volume knob, but otherwise it's an incredible pedal platform. Played through one (not mine) for a whole number of rehearsals and two shows, it's been just fine, partially even great. The EQ was working very nicely to adjust your overall sound.

The volume control was finicky up until the latest revision.

The HRD has a few things going for it: reasonably affordable, 40W and a decent Fender clean channel. But bad volume control and a crap overdrive channel.

It's one of those amps you won't mind using as a pedal platform, but I don't think it's anyone's dream amp.

 

[Jarick]

Picked up one tonight on sale to mess around with ahead of the Helix release. Depending on how I like it I could dump the HX Stomp, Kemper, maybe the Axe 3. Or could return it and apply that towards the new Helix.

I’ve about had it with computer editors so really want something that’s easy to use and fully operational from the device. Also interested to see how it works as a virtual pedalboard with my JJ Junior.

 

[AlbertA]

Was it that good of a sale?

 

[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.