tried this in store..seriously so good. Curious to see how it handles fuzz. I know the princeton struggled a bit but nothing a ge-7 couldn't fix. This amp is seriously impressive, i would think if you did a blind test it'd be quite hard to hear the difference vs a valve.
In my part of the world, amp technicians are either a dying breed, charge too much, take to long to finish a job and can't be trusted ... The Tone Master is an enticing option, not just on weight, but no amp tech needed.
@@Ri-Ci Funny to think that is the same weight as my Marshall Origin 20 with its single 10” speaker. I have to admit, as much as I like the idea of making amps a more comfortable weight, I feel like after a certain point, the brain will start to perceive too much lightness per size as feeling “cheap”.
This is a really good amp, I agree that the reverb sounds meh, but nice to have.. a pedal in the FX loop is better. The emulated outputs are really good to enhance the sound of the main cab, however I don't suggest recording with them, they sound awful on their own. You would need to really eq them in a mix to make them sound better, but on their own they're very bright and thin, including option 3 which is supposed to be a Dynamic + Ribbon. I also found the emulated output seems to lack some gain as perceived via amp in the room. If you're going to record the amp, use a mic
Harmonica players rejoice! ... Great tone, responsive / dynamic, lightweight (lift with 1 finger!) and of course, the power selector switch! Usable volume & tone without the typical feedback issues. Yes it's a great amp, but I'm still undecided if I really should get one ... In my city, music store "A" has the Tone Master Bassman amp and 2 miles away music store "B" has the Tone Master Super Reverb, so I wasn't able to do an A/B test (haha). The Super Reverb wins on looks and price, but it's all about tone and for the price premium the Bassman still gains my lust, plus it has the effects loop feature. But that price tag .... Hmmm, let's see what I can do with a Tonex One, a Bassman 'capture' file, and a powered speaker / PA connection. Fender, your lovely lightweight T/M Bassman needs to be less than half your asking price!!! I still want one!
@@chrisbalding3128 What's your overall impression of the Tone Master Bassman Chris? (ignoring the price tag). Do you play it direct from the mic, or do you use an impedance transformer and any effects?
The thing I've always found with modelling amps is they just don't hit the speakers in the same way that a tube amp does. It's not that they don't sound good, they do but it's just something in the way they feel. I've not tried the Bassman tonemaster though, so really can't put this in the same category at this point
Absolutely agree. But I haven’t played any of the Tonemasters either. They make very curious cuase they sound powerful. But ya I wanna know how they “feel”.
The Tone Master is actually modeled after the current production ‘59 Bassman LTD, according to a Fender rep who posted on a couple of the major guitar forums.
Man I don't know why.. but even though this thing, and all the other tone masters for that matter, sound great, it just sits kinda weird with me to see a classic design, but completely digitized. Just doesn't feel right. Maybe it's cause I've already spent more than I'd care to admit on a vintage Deluxe Reverb and a few other vintage amps 😅Might just have to take one of these for a spin to see for myself. Nice video guys
According to a Fender rep, this amp is modeled after the current production ‘59 Bassman LTD; not a vintage specimen. Their reasoning was consistency. Too many variations with vintage amps. Current production is easier to model and have consistency with its tube counterpart.
the million dollar question is without all the advantages it has over a real bassman does it actually sound as good or better as well ? not many if any real comparisons , great playing by sebastian , love his playing ...
The real fender bassman reissue is warmer and organic tweed sounding than this.. this is ok and it gets you about 70 % there , but if you heard the real one you would not be buying this
Hello !? For that price you could have a real tube amp. Proper 5f6a circuit from someone like Ceriatone ... all handwired. These things are computers shaped like amps. The amp equivalent of a vegetarian hamburger. Lol And fyi my tweed deluxe tube amp weighs less than a tonemaster deluxe reverb..
@Jonathan-L I actually built mine. I watched a series of videos Low Head Room youtube channel posted. He outlines every last connection in the build . I bought the cheap eBay kit he uses, but I upgraded most of the parts. I used a Pine beekeepers box to make the cab. I think it weighs just over 20lb ? They're really a unique sounding amp . I eneded up after a year or so , modding it. I incorporated somebody the Dumble mods.
Ya but have you played one yet? I’m a tube guy too - but it seems like these might actually “feel” like real amps. Curious to get some more feedback on that from people have played them.
@@kfr5018 I'm a harmonica player and I've had a go on the new Tone Master Bassman. First up, it's a one-finger pickup, so light for it's size, however the attached price tag adds weight, which makes it hard to pick up and take home from the store. The output power switch on the rear panel is really good, but I would have liked to have seen Fender put a stepless 'master volume' control on the amp to do the same thing (on the top panel please Fender). The reverb it typical Fender style, ie it comes on strong just above zero and isn't the sound I like (I prefer room & plate, not spring, but that's just my taste). For amplified harmonica, the amp seems responsive / dynamic ... unless I did a proper A/B test between the Tone Master, a Bassman re-issue and an original '59 Bassman, it's hard to confirm if the new Tone Master has the exact characteristics of the tube amp. But it sounds nice and I do have a strong desire to own one. Currently I'm not in a band (remember those?) ... so the dwindling of the live music scene in my part of the world makes it hard to justify the purchase of this amp. Did I mention that I really want one?
Damn. As someone who owns a vintage tweed deluxe, that thing sounds great! Great playing too my man
Dude , watch so many guitar videos and your my favorite. I know you’re a real player. It totally shows.
Thank you!
Great honest review. Love your playing too.
would love to here your opinion on one of these compared to your reissue ...
tried this in store..seriously so good. Curious to see how it handles fuzz. I know the princeton struggled a bit but nothing a ge-7 couldn't fix. This amp is seriously impressive, i would think if you did a blind test it'd be quite hard to hear the difference vs a valve.
I’d love that combo of the gold top and this amp. Gold top for 2025!!!
This nod to the past is surely the future.
As far as the production of tubes go dissapear or be as expensive as they get, the Tonemaster are a nice move.
I’ll wait for the tweed Deluxe
In my part of the world, amp technicians are either a dying breed, charge too much, take to long to finish a job and can't be trusted ... The Tone Master is an enticing option, not just on weight, but no amp tech needed.
Nice Playing!
Sounds great. Wondering how overdrive pedals in front would do...
Either in front, or via the FX loop, it handles pedals well. And so does the Tone Master Twin Reverb, which is a lot cheaper.
That's my dream guitar there.
How much does it weigh? Can't find it even on the Specs page of your web site.
It’s in the video 1:18, 32 lbs
@@Ri-Ci Funny to think that is the same weight as my Marshall Origin 20 with its single 10” speaker. I have to admit, as much as I like the idea of making amps a more comfortable weight, I feel like after a certain point, the brain will start to perceive too much lightness per size as feeling “cheap”.
You can pick it up with 1 finger. But the price tag needs to be removed first.
This is a really good amp, I agree that the reverb sounds meh, but nice to have.. a pedal in the FX loop is better.
The emulated outputs are really good to enhance the sound of the main cab, however I don't suggest recording with them, they sound awful on their own. You would need to really eq them in a mix to make them sound better, but on their own they're very bright and thin, including option 3 which is supposed to be a Dynamic + Ribbon. I also found the emulated output seems to lack some gain as perceived via amp in the room. If you're going to record the amp, use a mic
Sounds good, sounds like old music
Send all Tone Master repairs to FMIC , Scottsdale , Az.
Harmonica players rejoice! ... Great tone, responsive / dynamic, lightweight (lift with 1 finger!) and of course, the power selector switch! Usable volume & tone without the typical feedback issues. Yes it's a great amp, but I'm still undecided if I really should get one ... In my city, music store "A" has the Tone Master Bassman amp and 2 miles away music store "B" has the Tone Master Super Reverb, so I wasn't able to do an A/B test (haha). The Super Reverb wins on looks and price, but it's all about tone and for the price premium the Bassman still gains my lust, plus it has the effects loop feature. But that price tag .... Hmmm, let's see what I can do with a Tonex One, a Bassman 'capture' file, and a powered speaker / PA connection. Fender, your lovely lightweight T/M Bassman needs to be less than half your asking price!!! I still want one!
I play harp and I own one. Have to use the low gain input number two…can’t swap tubes in this one! Love my TM Bassman, though!
@@chrisbalding3128 What's your overall impression of the Tone Master Bassman Chris? (ignoring the price tag). Do you play it direct from the mic, or do you use an impedance transformer and any effects?
So could this still be used as a bass amp, or is it only true for the original ?
The thing I've always found with modelling amps is they just don't hit the speakers in the same way that a tube amp does. It's not that they don't sound good, they do but it's just something in the way they feel. I've not tried the Bassman tonemaster though, so really can't put this in the same category at this point
Absolutely agree. But I haven’t played any of the Tonemasters either. They make very curious cuase they sound powerful. But ya I wanna know how they “feel”.
You got that Social Distortion Mike Ness rig
Little earlier than the official release? 😄
I'm thinking this doesn't sound anything like Millstap's '59. With that said, not a bad sounding amp.
I own a '60 Bassman with original speakers and I concur. It does sound good though!
The Tone Master is actually modeled after the current production ‘59 Bassman LTD, according to a Fender rep who posted on a couple of the major guitar forums.
That’s so good
Definitely cool amp ! that cab emulator is terrible sounding
Yes, another feature that you pay for that isn't very good.
It sounded ok on the Les Paul, but WOW, the Strat sounded awful through it.
Where is this manufactured? Genuine question
China of course, do you like commy products?
As opposed to a false question?
Man I don't know why.. but even though this thing, and all the other tone masters for that matter, sound great, it just sits kinda weird with me to see a classic design, but completely digitized. Just doesn't feel right. Maybe it's cause I've already spent more than I'd care to admit on a vintage Deluxe Reverb and a few other vintage amps 😅Might just have to take one of these for a spin to see for myself. Nice video guys
The classic design means that Fender can put on a premium price tag.
Suena muuuuy bueno
According to a Fender rep, this amp is modeled after the current production ‘59 Bassman LTD; not a vintage specimen. Their reasoning was consistency. Too many variations with vintage amps. Current production is easier to model and have consistency with its tube counterpart.
All I can focus on is the single-coil hum. To me it's not worth any perceived sonic gains.
the million dollar question is without all the advantages it has over a real bassman does it actually sound as good or better as well ? not many if any real comparisons , great playing by sebastian , love his playing ...
We currently don't have an original Bassman at the shop but as soon as one comes in that'll be a video we'll definitely make
@@waltgracevintage8620 can't wait
What's the point of a attenuator on a solid-state amp. It's just a gimmick. What are you doing over driving the transistors and then attenuating it
Its an emulation of how the original amp (that didnt have a master volume) would sound if attenuated for lower volume use.
You really should have included some dirty tones
The real fender bassman reissue is warmer and organic tweed sounding than this.. this is ok and it gets you about 70 % there , but if you heard the real one you would not be buying this
Hello !? For that price you could have a real tube amp. Proper 5f6a circuit from someone like Ceriatone ... all handwired.
These things are computers shaped like amps. The amp equivalent of a vegetarian hamburger. Lol
And fyi my tweed deluxe tube amp weighs less than a tonemaster deluxe reverb..
Cry harder
Is yours a tweed Deluxe from the 50s or a modern day re-issue? A friend has the modern day one and it really sings.
@Jonathan-L I actually built mine. I watched a series of videos Low Head Room youtube channel posted. He outlines every last connection in the build . I bought the cheap eBay kit he uses, but I upgraded most of the parts. I used a Pine beekeepers box to make the cab. I think it weighs just over 20lb ?
They're really a unique sounding amp . I eneded up after a year or so , modding it. I incorporated somebody the Dumble mods.
Ya but have you played one yet? I’m a tube guy too - but it seems like these might actually “feel” like real amps. Curious to get some more feedback on that from people have played them.
@@kfr5018 I'm a harmonica player and I've had a go on the new Tone Master Bassman. First up, it's a one-finger pickup, so light for it's size, however the attached price tag adds weight, which makes it hard to pick up and take home from the store. The output power switch on the rear panel is really good, but I would have liked to have seen Fender put a stepless 'master volume' control on the amp to do the same thing (on the top panel please Fender). The reverb it typical Fender style, ie it comes on strong just above zero and isn't the sound I like (I prefer room & plate, not spring, but that's just my taste). For amplified harmonica, the amp seems responsive / dynamic ... unless I did a proper A/B test between the Tone Master, a Bassman re-issue and an original '59 Bassman, it's hard to confirm if the new Tone Master has the exact characteristics of the tube amp. But it sounds nice and I do have a strong desire to own one. Currently I'm not in a band (remember those?) ... so the dwindling of the live music scene in my part of the world makes it hard to justify the purchase of this amp. Did I mention that I really want one?
nice playing .. tho im not a fan of this amp, not a patch on the original , and a A/B or side by side would deff show how , not close they are ..
I fully agree ... A/B tests or no sale for me.
Buy a Roland Blues cube
No. Get out. Additionally. No.