Some background about me/this opinion for those new to the channel: I’m 51. I’ve been doing this a while but I’m not exactly old. I was a technical escalations specialist for IBM, then a network contractor for the Navy, then did freelance IT/database/web development. Then I designed and built my own line of guitar pedals using cutting edge opamps running at 30V rail to rail from a 9V DC supply, with all switching done by optocouplers. All the while I worked on tube amps and eventually focused on amp design, restoration, and repair. I have played hundreds of restored vintage Deluxe Reverbs as well as many more reissues. I know how they are supposed to sound, and I know the difference between a Deluxe Reverb compressing and a Dyna-comp. I tried this Tone Master expecting to like it. I ran through the same tonal checks on this I do with all Deluxe Reverbs. Full chords, double stops, complex chords, open and fretted strings, and testing the attack. When I discovered both channels of the Tonemaster have a much more compressed attack than any healthy Deluxe Reverb, I pointed it out. I also mentioned that this could be due to a combination of the Rev 1 firmware and the N12K speaker, and the amps with the Rev 2 firmware and the Neo Creamback might not have this problem. I recorded this opinion in 4K at 24fps on an iPhone 13 Pro then AirDropped the files to an M1 MacBook Pro 16. Editing was done in Premiere Pro and in Logic Pro. The thumbnail was done in Photoshop and Illustrator. I uploaded it at a local coffee shop with 5G WiFi. And then I read I’m “just another old man who doesn’t understand technology .”
Hahaha! One of the many benefits of getting old is being able to write comments such as this ;) I had exactly the same experience a couple of weeks ago with a kid trying to explain modern audio plugins to me 🙄.
Some people are just rude once they're on the internet and anonymous. I for one appreciate your video and channel immensely. I've been a professional guitarist and singer since I left high-school. Amps and guitars are my bread and butter. Having someone who has so much experience in their workings is invaluable to me. I notice that many of the channels on here that give advice on amps are made by people that have probably never played a stadium gig or been a resident band, or played in a recording session in their life. I'd be willing to bet the rude ones fall in that category too. Just ignore the trolls and keep doing what you're doing. So many of us love it.
@@danielmunromusic Ain't that the truth. I think that unfortunately anyone putting themselves out here on RUclips (and social media in general) faces the same problems. I'm 47 and have also spent pretty much my whole life involved in music and music technology - by this point I know a fair bit about things. I'm not so arrogant as to say I know it all because I don't and take great pleasure in learning and keeping my mind open - one of the reasons I watch Lyle is because I learn so many things, for which I'm immensely grateful. It's got to a point where I don't even really bother commenting much on RUclips videos, other than to say thanks to the creator, because I just can't be doing with the often crazy and unhinged replies. I always take heart though when I see that there are still some good people around in the comments section. The perils of modern life! Back in my day....
I've been gigging for 58 years using mostly Fender B.F. Fender ampd or Boutique, Marshall.... . I severely injured my back four years ago. I'm 70 years old, I've played all types of music but I mostly play blues. I can no longer do regular gigs but I show up at my jam jam night that I hosted for many years. A friend is hosting it for me now. I go once a week and I can only play for an hour, that's all my back can take. Anyhow (finally), I bought a Tonemaster DR right after my injury because of the weight. I started going back to my jam night about a year ago. I'd bring my 1965 Deluxe Reverb, 66Vibrolux or 66 Super. About 3 months ago I figured I'd try the Tonemaster. Well I'm thrilled with it. I run it at the second click, I believe 12 watts. It sounds just as good as my real DR. It really needs to be cranked to get a good sound. In the house it's kinda blah but playing at a volume of around 6-7 with a 335 it's a great little amp. It was going to change the Jensen to a Celestion but at louder volume I'm very satisfied with the amp and the speaker. It definitely has more headroom than the regular DR. Anyhow, playing with a 4-5 piece band is the only way to really test the amp out. Playing in a little practice room at a music store isn't fair to demo the amp. I am kind of embarrassed with the Tonemaster name plate on the front but it's not fair to remove it. I get many compliments on my tone with the amp. ......and I'm a Tube Snob!
Well that's great but it sounds middling to me and many others. It's funny how everybody who wasted way too much money on these scam amps always run defense for and make the same points. I swear it's like you lot are reading from a script
i own the TM deluxe blonde for over 6 months. and it can get loud as shit i gig 2 to 4 times a week and love it and I'm a tube snob. even outdoors i use the 12-watt setting.
Awesome, thank you for this. I am 48, have played (poorly) for 29 years, and never owned a tube amp (yet). I bought the Tone Master Deluxe Reverb blonde over a year ago and I love it. I didn't do a direct comparison with the tube version, as I wanted the attenuator on the back - I only play at home (with close neighbours). The TM works great for me in my home setting, takes my pedals well, but I can understand why others might prefer the tube version. Cheers!
Thank you for the review/demonstration, finaly someone who plays the same notes on the same strings to compare the channels. Love your playing and vids, keep up the good work.
Great video, sir. I have a Tone Master Deluxe that I love. I heard about you on @The Guitar Amp Tech, another great channel where I have learned a lot. Thank you!
Glad you've gotten to try out the TMDR v1...😎👍 Now for v2🤣😎👍 Hoping to see if you get these in the shop for repairs/upgrades and if/what can be done with them 😉😎👍 Thanks for your honest review... I for one appreciate your input very much😎👍
Howdy everyone. Just my thoughts on this amp. I've owned it and gigged with it for about a year. I have 40 + years stage experience and I think it's sounds pretty darn good. It has a great clean tone and the few pedals that I do use sound pretty good thru this amp. I have a boogie and peavey tube amps and the heat always 🔥 worries me. Plus the tone of your guitar changes throughout the night as those tube continue to get hot. I like my tone to stay steady and consistent. I like to end with sound I started with. I use single coil and humbucking guitars 🎸 and I think this amp delivers every time I use it. I knew I wasn't buying a tube amp when I bought it. I bought the amp for all the features that it has and my 57 year old back appreciates the weight of this amp. The compliments people give me on my playing, and I do get lot, focus on the music that I create with my instruments and not necessarily on the instruments themselves . I learned a long time ago that most of the time your individual performance and the people in front of you, are more important than equipment you have behind you. It really is important to remember all amplifiers are unique and special in there own way . Just respect the differences for what they are and make good music with what you have. Comparing and judging this and that all the time takes away from the magic of making music. Just my thoughts.....peace my brothers and sisters and rock on.
If your tubes are getting hot, a fan helps to cool them down, makes the amp continue sounding good for hours on end. My old GA-40 is like that too, gets hot and loses its great sound after a couple, few hours - depending on ambient temperature. Fans are hot tubes best friend..!
Love my Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb, had it for 2 years now and my Hot Rod Deluxe sits in the studio. No problems loading in and out because of the light weight. My sound guy loves the DI output, 1 less mic on stage. I added the tilt back legs so I can hear myself so no need to take my tilt amp stand. Overall a great amp.
I recently went to a shop and got put on a Tonemaster. I straight away could tell it wasn't tube. I also tried a Pro Jr and a 68 vibro champ and loved both. They just sounded real.
Great review. And when I tried it out I thought it was my older than you lead guitar player damaged hearing. My old 1978 silverface DR sounds way better than the Tonemaster, cost me the same or less at the time, and only goes in to the amp tech every couple years. Has lasted me 20 years and still going strong. Keep up the excellent work sir!
I play a Tonemaster Twin for three years now at many gigs. Never sounded better. The amp replaced a Silverface pro wich was always too loud and a Silverface Princeton which could not fill the room. I tried a player strat as well. That was a really lifeless instrument. For gigging musicians like me the Tonemaster is heaven sent.
I’m Heavily considering the tone master deluxe reverb I have a real deluxe reverb and a super owl black magic I like amps that are about 20 to 30 W I like low wattage amplifiers. I tried the original toner Laster and I also tried the blonde tone master I think the blonde sounds nicer for my style my concern is how does it hold up at a gig since you use when I gigs how does it sound in the mix And does it react like a real Amplifier and if you plug into the IRS to the PA how does that sound I’d appreciate the feedback thanks a lot
I like your new phone/laptop/camera set up! You know your stuff. I appreciate this demo and the store for the gear hookup. My first set up age 16 was a Kingston 2 pickup $29 (Eckerds drug store) and a Silvertone 1482 $80 ish ( Christmas gift from Dad). Today’s $ = $952 As a kid I would be over the moon with this gear.
"And then I read I’m “just another old man who doesn’t understand technology .” " LOL!!! That is priceless. I'm 60 and have been involved with high tech and embedded systems technology since the mid 80's but guy like you and me no nothing. :D I appreciate your candidness here. I was curious about these Tone Masters but looks like I'll be moving on.
I thought your review and opinion of this amp was dead on. You played stuff that demonstrated the shortcomings of this amp, and also played stuff that showed that it could have a good sound depending on what was being played. The "it gets small when it should get big" comment was exactly what I thought the last time I tried out a solid state Fender amp. The "ugly guitar face" comment had me laughing so hard, I had to pause the video for a few seconds! So, in summary, another informative and good video from you Mr. Psionic! But then again, what do I know. Being a little older than you, and a semi-retired electronic engineering technician, (who also builds tube amps as a hobby), I may just be another "old man who doesn't understand technology"... ;-)
I was in Melbourne last November, and I went out one evening to a jazz cafe. They had a nice live performance, and the guitar player was using this amp. He sounded great! It was then that I decided I need to get one of these.
Thanks for your honest opinion Lyle. I have bought amps based on your experience and recommendations and have been totally satisfied. Tonemaster's do sound good for what they are, but not quite as good as the real thing. Currently they are pushing a grand so I would rather just pay the extra for the real thing.
Totally agree with your assessment of the stock Neo Jensen, even when it’s been broken in. The later firmware helps a bit, but clean and breakup tones improved drastically when I transferred the Weber Alinico P12Q copy from my 5E3 into the Tonemaster. It’s still more compressed than a good point-to-point DR, but not to a point that I would find annoying.
I agree with you regarding the TM Deluxe Reverb. I played one in a GC with basically the same rig as you did and was like “meh”. That was a original FW with the Neo speaker, BTW. I honestly thought the Fender GTX50 sounded better. That really is a great little practice amp, BTW. Then I saw the Super Reverb TM in GC and gave it a try. I was much more impressed with the Super. It felt more like an honest to goodness tube amp, like my one Vibroverb hand wired ‘64 reissue. It had attack, sag and bloom like a real tube amp. I don’t know if it’s close to a real tube Super but it sounds great. I bought it and gig with it now and it’s been amazing. I absolutely love the power step down but I find the 0.5 W and 1 W setting fairly useless. I.e. lifeless. I like the 5 and 12 W settings while practicing at home. 12-45 for gigs. Anyway, my $0.02.
Sounds like a 50w or 100w Katana is still ahead of these... As you say these could be something special... suspect over time they will get better and better... thanks for sharing Love your channel!
I’ve been using TM Deluxe about 2 years. Does it sound exactly a tube amp? No, but close enough for rock n roll. I absolutely LOVE that it only weighs 23 pounds 🔥😎‼️
Always enjoy your vids and thanks for sharing again. Wondering if you can try the blonde version and seeing if you like it any better. I hear that it's a large improvement. Curious. Thanks
Very insightful review. I have a very similar approach to testing gear. Play softly and listen. All said and done it will never perfectly replicate its big brother because it isn't swinging 450 Volts from preamp to final. The headroom doesn't compare, hence your perfectly phrased "Gets small when it should get big" statement. On the other hand it is by no means a bad amp and will do just fine in most settings outside the studio. Maybe even better than many other solid state amps.
Good review. I own a blonde one and use it as a living room noodling amp (attenuator on the lowest wattage setting) while watching tv. Works fine for that but I would never record with it. I could make it work live if I needed to.
For what you pay, which is virtually nothing, those fender champions amps are actually pretty good. I bought the smaller champion 20 just to have for 75 bucks off of marketplace and it sounds better than it should. They’re not the real deal obviously but for the money they’re not bad at all.
My Blonde ToneMaster Deluxe Reverb is incredible. It sounds awesome, and the light weight makes it so easy to bring along on gigs or jam sessions. The reverb is perfect, too. I've seen no need for an effects loop, as I don't play highly distorted tones.
Finally. Someone who addresses the attack of these amps. I bought it, upgraded it, put the neo cream in it and it still didn’t feel right. Had to return.
I had a Tonemaster Super Reverb for a year. I did okay clean but when i would drive it it would get fizzy. These amps are great but there is no replacing the feel and sound of tubes. I find this guy opinion to be spot on. Tonemasters are too compressed and miss the vibe that tubes give you. A boss katana artist sounds more like a tube amp than these Tonemasters. I have had both. Experienced players will miss the feeling and nuance of tubes. This guy bringa up a good point. When you dig in you can hear that compression and fizzyness. You don't keep that warm clarity and response like a tube amp. The Tonemaster almost had me sold for over a year. There were times i could get it to soyld absolutely wonderful but even through those time i always battled with my sound. Something was always missing. Tubes man! I was a believer but after jamming one of these for a year Im wishing thay i had returned it right away. I traded it in for a made in USA blues deluxe that is currently on its way and i cant wait to have some real tube tone and the feel of tubes under my finger. If you are looking to go solid state a better choice would be the katana artist or and orange super crush. Great review. Keep on rocking.
Thanks for another informative video! That amp and I would never get along. I think it's more than just the speaker that's causing it to clamp down and not respond properly when you push it by plucking the strings or strumming hard.
"It gets small when it should get big" - That sums up every solid state amplifier I have ever played. I have a Katana 2 100w and an old Yamaha g50 112ii that I still enjoy, but nothing feels or blooms like electrons in a vacuum.
@@constantk8780 "Better" is purely subjective. I was referring to how it feels to me when I am playing. I can get great sounds from all of my gear, but so far for me, the feel and dynamics I get from tube amps has yet to be recreated in the digital realm.
I think it’s mostly in the mind… when you think it should sound better it always does, and when it’s loud it definitely sounds better 🤘😀…. There’s no real difference between the latest modeling and the real thing as far as how they sound, and if they sound exactly the same then they feel exactly the same, it’s just that the modelers get you that same tone at a lower volume… in my case I hook my Helix and Kemp to a 12,000watt PA with 4 15 tops and 4 18 inch subs, and assure you everyone thinks it sounds and FEELS better than the real amp sitting right there, because it literally moves everything 😛😉
@@robertw1871 That may be true. All I know is my Helix, Katana, Podxt are worth nothing compared to what I paid for them. But my Deluxe, Vox, and Badcat just keep going ⬆💰 😉
"That sting is not there, it gets small when it should get big" - Deal breaker for me :) Seriously, your channel is awesome. And after that review I know exactly how the amp will feel. There are a lot of demos that make it sound great. And maybe it sounds great recorded. I was looking for a real good critic of the amp, because I wanted to buy one of the Tone Master amps. I'll try to play one in a store. Thanks for this review!
Maybe it's because I'm listening on a phone to a recording made on a phone, but that TM deluxe sounded lame, even the Rivera-era solid states sounded more dimensional than that, when it should snap and snarl it just stayed flat
@@DeltaJazzUK - It depends how the amp is modelled, as if they have accounted for power tube/amp distortion as you turn up the master volume and added that characteristic (which seems likely), it isn't just a clean solid state 'master volume' control anymore, but a part of the tone model and will directly influence and shape the sound at louder volumes. That part of the emulation/voicing just won't occur if the amp's volume control isn't turned up enough so the 'attenuation' is really a power mode selection switch so you can change down to a lower power output and keep those characteristics at lower volume. Not really an attenuator in the strictest sense either... But I'll blame Fender's marketing department for that!
I have had a tonemaster deluxe rev for about 6 months, almost perfect amp for me. The big miss imho was not including an effects loop. Although I knew that when I bought it.
Fender does tend to be very stingy when they could easily make the product better. Same for the headphones. Sure you can use the XLR out, but it’s an extra haste/purchase. An aux in would also be nice for bedroom practicing.
Great video! Since some days I am addicted to this channel. Talking about cones, what's your opinion about the widely used Celestion seventy 80 for Marshalls? It would be creat to hear you talking about some improvements that can be made, even if this is very subjective... Thanks for the channel!
i really like the tremolo and reverb on these, but thats about it. I know theres a $500 difference but I shot the TMDR out with the 68 custom DR and its a world of difference. the 68 is just so full in the exact right way you'd expect from it. the TMDR sounds about 80% there to me, but it just isn't a DR, and it won't be without some sort of extra something added to it.
I was going to challenge you on the few thousand amps a year but based on your bio I dunno. No doubt you have a ton of technical as well as playing experience so i found your insights to be well, refreshing actually. So thank you for your honest review
You are clearly an expert with many years of experience working with this stuff. I trust your feedback. But what you said is true, some people might be perfectly happy with this amp. For their style of playing, it might be great. Not everyone needs a tube amp. I have a 50-watt 6V6 tube amp designed by Lee Jackson back in the 90's. I love it. But I spend more time playing my Boss Katana head, than anything else. It's just easier to operate, sounds great at lower volumes, and it doesn't get hot after playing it for 3 hours. Also, no tubes to wear out. I play metal, so I go back and forth between clean, and very high gain tones. I also use many different effects. A mix of a few pedals, and other stuff built-in to the Katana. Do I like the sound of the EVH 100-watt Stealth head? Absolutely. Do I want to spend $2,500 to own one? NOPE.
I get what your saying "Not everyone needs a tube amp" but this amp is advertised as having the tone of such amp. Ya know. A lot of people may buy this anticipating its gonna rival a tube amp and it does not. Theres def a place and player for this amp, itll be interesting down the road how many firmware updates they do and how much better they get these amps sounding. Thats the one plus about the firmware upgradability etc. I wish theyd modeled the speakers after JBLs from that period instead of the C12K. But what can ya do haha.
@@ctcards2636 Marketing strikes again. I wish they would stop labeling everything "tube-like tone!". It's just stupid. The Roland Jazz Chorus 120 is a legendary amp, used by pro artists for many years. Nobody says, "It sounds just like a real tube amp!". It's like they are trying to market this stuff to kids.
I liked the clean sound. Could not get it to break up or use a pedal to get a great sound ok-ish was easily obtained. Light gain or heavy just wasn’t right, Bobby. Clean was surprisingly good .
Thanks for saying what my ears have been hearing. Any number of people talk about weight or convenience but I’m not buying for a second this sounds like the real thing but people buy gear whether it’s an Epiphone or a tonemaster and they’ll have plenty of things to say about why a Gibson Les Paul is a waste of money entirely there’s no difference at all. Only a cork sniffer can hear a tube vs a tone master the audience doesn’t know yada yada.
Thanks for your review, when I looked up the specs on the amp on Fender it actually is 100watts at 8 Ohms. I think the wattage listed on the attenuator is the tube wattage it is simulating and not the actual wattage it is running at.
@@PsionicAudio A video explaining this would be awesome, so is the Tonemaster just a 100 watt solid state amp and the attenuation switch is really just a master volume?
This has probably been said hundreds of times by now, but yes, the speaker is critical to the sound and response of this amp. I bought a TMDR when my back problems forced me to stop touring but still wanted to at least be able to do local shows. Luckily, I already had a Celestion Neo-Creamback and it went in almost immediately. Also, that firmware update is essential as well. It’s quite literally a different amp with those two upgrades, which come stock on the blonde version. I wouldn’t play it with that awful neo Jensen. And for the record I’ve owned an original Deluxe and played many reissues in backlines. Some were better, some were worse, occasionally one was magic.
I have the twin,if what I'm hearing on here is sonically truthful there is a mile of difference between the deluxe tonemaster and twin. I've got plenty of amps to chose from and I'm sadly far from a snob. I'd love to own a vintage twin to compare to the supposed inferior tonemaster but it's a pipedream. Im not in a position to condemn as I do like both the weight and the sound. I recently got a Princeton 68 custom and a speaker swap improved it markedly ,the possibility of any of my amps will die a miserable death,especially if it proves impossible to repair , would play on my mind but that is a fact of life. Shiny new anything is great till it goes bad and yes old stuff behaves the same. In a perfect world we'd all be satisfied but that's not happening any time soon. Thankyou psionic for giving us your wisdom and insight,despite your thoughts Ive committed serious misjudgment in purchasing amps that I shouldn't,even though they make me happy ,short term maybe?
Yeh. These amps sound pretty amazing. And son, having had five bad lower discs and two hip replacements ... I would really appreciate their light weight. I just wonder how long these things will take even weekend jobbing ...
I have the reissue princeton and I just bought the Fender super reverb. You need to plug in to the super reverb. It has all the snap you could ever want. I play country with telecasters. Have been playing for 58 years with countless amplifiers. This super reverb would tear a steel guitar amplifier up. I know, have a peavey session 400 as well.
I'd love to hear your take on a Jazz Chorus 40. Which is what I bought instead of a Tonemaster. I used to play a Mesa, but after the third time in the shop within a year, I thought I'd try a solid state. I've been very happy with the JC40.
I love my JC-40, although a friend of mine just prevailed upon me to buy his Fender Supersonic. I got attached to the JC series when I was living in New York City and playing in rehearsal spaces on the amps provided. I'd see a tube amp that I'd always wanted to play, and it would invariably be in horrible condition. Pretty soon, I started making a beeline for the JC-120, which always sounded the same. I've also never been to a show where I thought the guitar player sounded bad because they were playing a JC. They do need a bit of pedal help, though.
Sold my 65 reissue deluxe for the same reasons you state here. Maybe it was the C12K, maybe it was the brightness of the vibrato channel or the mundane thing of the normal channel…. Still looking for a replacement without breaking the bank, since I don’t gig out regularly enough to justify the price. I’ll keep my tweed champ clone I guess 🤷♂️
Where ya been, Lyle!? Nice having ya back! These amps seem like they were made for home recording through mediocre systems. The average player won’t have a problem with these. Amp and guitar snobs need not apply ;-) I DO like using the one in my local mom/pop music store to try out pedals at low volumes ,tho.
A modeler that I never see mentioned ever is the Vox Cambridge. I'd love to try one. I've only ever seen reviews on RUclips but I'm an AC guy and the AC30 setting sounded damned convincing
i have a vox 14:43 cambridge and i really like it. enough oomph to cut through with a drummer and a pretty good emulation of my valve ac30. the inboard effects are good and it’s not fiddle - switches man, no menus! i mainly play my telecaster and gretsch nashville through it.
through the headphone I actually like my solidstate better, PR 2x10 chorus, and Frontman FM 212 both do not have that comression that I hear in that amp and I hate compression. That just does not cut it. I guess that is why so many are on the resale market.
What are some of your favorite current made speakers for a vintage 65 super reverb? I got mine with 4 modern Jensen p12rs in it. I actually like Jensen, but wondering if I would be better off swapping out some or all of them for something else. I play mostly funk, r&b, blues and reggea
The old Jensen Neo12-100 was a pretty decent lightweight speaker (in my limited experience) but they seem to have deliberately made a new version to sound like the K which from my understanding has only been used in recent reissues: should have tried for a higher power handling emulation of the vintage correct model maybe...it looks like they may produce a whole range judging by Jensen's website but not yet.
I agree with you that when you start to "dig-in" a bit the amp loses its personality. Just does not seem to want to play nice compared to a well designed tube circuit. Also, Fender should take you up on adding more watts and power scaling. It would increase versatility and sales to those players needing higher headroom and/or a few more watts.
Recently I bought a Quilter Superblock UK as a backup for a tube amp at a gig. Is it as good? No! Can I use it to get through the gig, and not have to haul a second tube amp with me, just incase? Yes!
I have one of these on the stock firmware. I really like it. I have a Princeton/ AC15/ Blues Deville /DS40/ Blues Jr and a few other tube amps. I love them. What I don’t have is a real Deluxe Reverb. I’ll admit my ear is nowhere near his. Anyway I really love it. I think I’ll buy a real one but a 68. Just so I won’t have a TM 65 and a real 65(Reissue) Should I get a 68 you think? Oh and I have the Tonemaster Twin also. Hardly turn it on. Anyway that’s my thoughts/question. I wish I had an ear like this dude… or do I? Maybe it’s a curse lol
I just recently purchased a fender champion 100 so I don’t have to use my Marshall DSL 40CR all the time but after buying the fender and liking it I noticed that it didn’t have the same sparkle on the high’s as the DSL, would you recommend new speakers and if so what kind. Mind you that I perfer the old high gain Metallica ride the lightning type sound and I understand that it’s not a tone that fender is known for. Just want to at least get closer.
its actually 100 watts, i keep the front volume less then 4 (much like a real DR) and boost the front end to get the attack and feel right. Even at outdoor venues i never use the full 22 watt setting
@@PsionicAudio are you 100% sure on that? Because what they said back when these first came out was that it took 100 watts solid state to emulate the volume feel of 22 watts tube.
I'll never give-up my tube amps simply because I love looking at glowing tubes.........................! (plus nobody makes anything that sounds as good to me as my '58 GA 40, JMI AC-10 clone head, or other golden era Gibson amps, or my Ampeg '61 Reverborocket with 6V6, or B12X fliptop portoflex for guitar but also gets that "James Jamerson" bass sound, and bass players say the 12" speaker records better, but they're not blowing the original C12N in mine!
I'm 52 and there's nothing that will replace a tube amp for me. After 15 years of Peavey's solid state amps back in the late 1980s and 1990s, I bought a cheap Bugera 6262 head and 4x12 cab. Then a Peavey Valve King, then a Mesa DC5 , sold all the heads and cab and bought a Mesa Mark III combo. I won't sell this amp. I am looking at maybe buying a vintage Fender combo of some sort for blues but not sure which one I want to get.
Thanks Bill! We had two days there and are now in the wilds of NC. I edited this video at the Pub downtown (good burger, better Shiner Bock) then uploaded it at Open Door Coffee on N Roan (I recommend the Toffee iced latte on a hot day). Pretty (good sized) little town you got there.
@@PsionicAudio it’s a jewel for sure! I recommend Sahib and their great Indian food, Freiberg’s German food and shows at the down home as well. Maybe not great on a long day of travel but certainly enough to adventure on! Love the channel, keep it up!
can you still jumper the channels nobody has talked about that. I mean putting the guitar into input 1 channel 1 then a 6 inch patch from preamp 1 into channel 2 the reverb side like we used to do to conture the gain.
Only reason if get a tone master is for the attenuator, but if go for the super. That being said, I have a captor x and that does the attenuation I need just fine for a real super
I have a Fender 50 XL. Suppose 50 watts. OK reverb and a few amp styles. It has a Celestion of some kind in it. For my casual use it seems just fine. It cost tad over $200. Great review thanks.
so essentially if you want soft lounge jazz or CCM rhythm with this works but if you want Hendrix, Dick Dale, or SRV, maybe go with the tube version? I wonder if you can use laptop or desktop PC parts to replace that CPU part . . . just have to match the random access memory, clock speeds, and power draw . . .
I purchased the blonde deluxe TM twin. It’s not a tube amp, therefore doesn’t sound just like one, but it still sounds very good especially on the higher attenuation settings. I find an EQ pedal also helps to thicken up the sound. Takes OD and delay pedals well too. If you must have that pure tube sound and feel, don’t buy one, but if you want an amp with attenuation for home use, while still having plenty of balls for a live setting, then these amps are well worth looking at.
I commented on someone else’s channel that compared this amp to the tube version. And I wrote that it did sound like there was some form of compressor pedal in front of it.
@@gavinw5469 I don’t think there are any absolutes when describing characteristics of amplifiers. I think the desirable compression people are referring to is when an amplifier is distorting. But they want the wide range of dynamics when it’s clean…..then they will go stick a compression pedal in front of it….go figure? I think guitarists are loopy. Personally, I disagree with him if you only have 2-3 amplifiers and love the tone. Why tone chase if you’re perfectly happy? It’s supposed to be all about the playing and inspiration you feel. If you already know you’re unhappy, fine - try something else. If you’re like me and think a Vox AC10C1 is the best thing since sliced bread, why try to prove yourself wrong with unobtainium vintage amplifiers?
I bought a Tone Master Twin 1st edition and it was OK. The attenuator was a nice touch but I sold it. I thought it sounded OK but at the price point it is a one trick pony modeler and who the heck could fix it besides the factory?. You sound like the actor Titus Willever from the Amazon series "Bosch". I like watching your vids as I learn a little each time.
While is may not replicate the exact tonal/feel/response of a Deluxe Reverb, what about considering the amp for what it is? Long ago I realized that all instruments and amps have a "voice" of their own, and it's a lot easier to embrace what it has to offer than lust for something it does not. Sure, it is marketed as a Deluxe Reverb, but I think most will accept that it will deviate to some degree from the tube original. With that in mind, and the obvious advantages of the lower weight and cost, time will tell if it becomes a popular (and reliable/serviceable) amp.
The amazing thing about these is that the models are upgradeable when modelling tech and captures improve. It will likely be a free upgrade too. Seems like everything is going digital anyways.
I had a 1980's Boss Jazz Twin with a Reverb Tank made by preety women's on Osawageo Wisconsin, The one you is got there it sounds Almist as good as the Roland Jazz Twin . I would feally love if you Analized a Roland Jass Twin and cpmpared to Todays Fanct Trbe Type Guitars, I seen Hard Rockers and etc with Stacks of Rolands even Z.Z.Topp and Canadia RUSH etc. Them older ones well Thet Hold their Value! I bought mine 2009 for $300 from Musicians Friend in Plymouth Landing shipped to me in Jones Oklahoma. I moved to California in 2012 and could not bring it to me to San Francisco.
Do you think your experience with hearing different amps and speakers relate to hearing them in a full band mix? This part of the conversation is often left out but is important to consider since maybe most of the guys using these amps are just using them at a gig at full band volume. Often times, the subtleties of speakers and such are barely noticeable. Not that they don't matter, but a sound engineer might even have a hard time picking out what is what
I recently recorded some demos with a TM deluxe reverb. I cranked it and got some mushy distortion which worked in the context of a garage punk band. Not the best tone I've heard and I'll stick with my univox stack, but definitely serviceable for a demo. If they were a lot cheaper, I could see these being huge for somebody's first "real" amp. They certainly beat the hell out of my line 6 spider III
‘It gets small when it should get big…’! My missus has been telling me that for years. I commented that I married a Twin Reverb and ended up with two four by twelves with a knackered head.
May I ask you a question Mr psionic? Harmony has come out with 3 new tube amps , 5 watt, 20 watt, and 50 Watt. Do you have any opinion on what the company has produced so far in their history of amps? I’m definitely thinking on purchasing the 20 watt soon.
I have the h605! It’s alright, doesn’t have much of a “voice” as far as I can tell. Lows are compressed and highs aren’t exactly sparkling, reverb leaves much to be desired. But it’s a nice little home practice amp due to the line out and effects loop. I too would love Mr. Psionic to have a go at one for comparison because it’s my only amp.
that C12K speaker does cut through a mix at high volumes when you need the DR to hang w loud bandmembers. Otherwise i agree w your assessment of the TM.
and yes, they shouldve made it 50w. No extra weight involved. The bloom around the note a valve amp gets and is important to reach the 'sweet spot' is just not an issue w ss amps
I played through one at a gig earlier this year. I thought it sounded good, but it didn't seem as touch sensitive to my picking as I hoped it would be. To be fair, I had very little time to experiment with it - we were one of many acts at City Winery that night, so it was kind of plug in, twist a few dials, and count off the first song. I'd love to sit with one for a while and see what it can do. The weight is a big plus - I still have the Twin Reverb I bought when I was 17, and it's put on a lot of weight over the last 53 years!
It is all about saving money on iron I have been told, and I may way be wrong, but The Blues Deluxe, and the 60watt Blues series , have the same transformers. Is that correct?
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Some background about me/this opinion for those new to the channel:
I’m 51. I’ve been doing this a while but I’m not exactly old.
I was a technical escalations specialist for IBM, then a network contractor for the Navy, then did freelance IT/database/web development.
Then I designed and built my own line of guitar pedals using cutting edge opamps running at 30V rail to rail from a 9V DC supply, with all switching done by optocouplers.
All the while I worked on tube amps and eventually focused on amp design, restoration, and repair. I have played hundreds of restored vintage Deluxe Reverbs as well as many more reissues. I know how they are supposed to sound, and I know the difference between a Deluxe Reverb compressing and a Dyna-comp.
I tried this Tone Master expecting to like it. I ran through the same tonal checks on this I do with all Deluxe Reverbs. Full chords, double stops, complex chords, open and fretted strings, and testing the attack.
When I discovered both channels of the Tonemaster have a much more compressed attack than any healthy Deluxe Reverb, I pointed it out.
I also mentioned that this could be due to a combination of the Rev 1 firmware and the N12K speaker, and the amps with the Rev 2 firmware and the Neo Creamback might not have this problem.
I recorded this opinion in 4K at 24fps on an iPhone 13 Pro then AirDropped the files to an M1 MacBook Pro 16. Editing was done in Premiere Pro and in Logic Pro. The thumbnail was done in Photoshop and Illustrator.
I uploaded it at a local coffee shop with 5G WiFi.
And then I read I’m “just another old man who doesn’t understand technology .”
Hahaha! One of the many benefits of getting old is being able to write comments such as this ;) I had exactly the same experience a couple of weeks ago with a kid trying to explain modern audio plugins to me 🙄.
Some people are just rude once they're on the internet and anonymous. I for one appreciate your video and channel immensely. I've been a professional guitarist and singer since I left high-school. Amps and guitars are my bread and butter. Having someone who has so much experience in their workings is invaluable to me. I notice that many of the channels on here that give advice on amps are made by people that have probably never played a stadium gig or been a resident band, or played in a recording session in their life. I'd be willing to bet the rude ones fall in that category too. Just ignore the trolls and keep doing what you're doing. So many of us love it.
@@danielmunromusic Ain't that the truth. I think that unfortunately anyone putting themselves out here on RUclips (and social media in general) faces the same problems. I'm 47 and have also spent pretty much my whole life involved in music and music technology - by this point I know a fair bit about things. I'm not so arrogant as to say I know it all because I don't and take great pleasure in learning and keeping my mind open - one of the reasons I watch Lyle is because I learn so many things, for which I'm immensely grateful.
It's got to a point where I don't even really bother commenting much on RUclips videos, other than to say thanks to the creator, because I just can't be doing with the often crazy and unhinged replies. I always take heart though when I see that there are still some good people around in the comments section. The perils of modern life! Back in my day....
Great response! Thanks for your videos and EXPERT opinions.
OMG you're younger than me!
I've been gigging for 58 years using mostly Fender B.F. Fender ampd or Boutique, Marshall.... . I severely injured my back four years ago. I'm 70 years old, I've played all types of music but I mostly play blues. I can no longer do regular gigs but I show up at my jam jam night that I hosted for many years. A friend is hosting it for me now. I go once a week and I can only play for an hour, that's all my back can take. Anyhow (finally), I bought a Tonemaster DR right after my injury because of the weight. I started going back to my jam night about a year ago. I'd bring my 1965 Deluxe Reverb, 66Vibrolux or 66 Super. About 3 months ago I figured I'd try the Tonemaster. Well I'm thrilled with it. I run it at the second click, I believe 12 watts. It sounds just as good as my real DR. It really needs to be cranked to get a good sound. In the house it's kinda blah but playing at a volume of around 6-7 with a 335 it's a great little amp. It was going to change the Jensen to a Celestion but at louder volume I'm very satisfied with the amp and the speaker. It definitely has more headroom than the regular DR. Anyhow, playing with a 4-5 piece band is the only way to really test the amp out. Playing in a little practice room at a music store isn't fair to demo the amp. I am kind of embarrassed with the Tonemaster name plate on the front but it's not fair to remove it. I get many compliments on my tone with the amp. ......and I'm a Tube Snob!
Well that's great but it sounds middling to me and many others. It's funny how everybody who wasted way too much money on these scam amps always run defense for and make the same points. I swear it's like you lot are reading from a script
"It gets small when it should get big" Thats what she said.
i own the TM deluxe blonde for over 6 months. and it can get loud as shit i gig 2 to 4 times a week and love it and I'm a tube snob. even outdoors i use the 12-watt setting.
I don't own one but I would buy the blonde.
Awesome, thank you for this. I am 48, have played (poorly) for 29 years, and never owned a tube amp (yet). I bought the Tone Master Deluxe Reverb blonde over a year ago and I love it. I didn't do a direct comparison with the tube version, as I wanted the attenuator on the back - I only play at home (with close neighbours). The TM works great for me in my home setting, takes my pedals well, but I can understand why others might prefer the tube version. Cheers!
Thank you for the review/demonstration, finaly someone who plays the same notes on the same strings to compare the channels. Love your playing and vids, keep up the good work.
Great video, sir. I have a Tone Master Deluxe that I love. I heard about you on @The Guitar Amp Tech, another great channel where I have learned a lot. Thank you!
I enjoy your videos. Great job as always!
Glad you've gotten to try out the TMDR v1...😎👍
Now for v2🤣😎👍
Hoping to see if you get these in the shop for repairs/upgrades and if/what can be done with them 😉😎👍
Thanks for your honest review...
I for one appreciate your input very much😎👍
Howdy everyone. Just my thoughts on this amp. I've owned it and gigged with it for about a year. I have 40 + years stage experience and I think it's sounds pretty darn good. It has a great clean tone and the few pedals that I do use sound pretty good thru this amp. I have a boogie and peavey tube amps and the heat always 🔥 worries me. Plus the tone of your guitar changes throughout the night as those tube continue to get hot. I like my tone to stay steady and consistent. I like to end with sound I started with. I use single coil and humbucking guitars 🎸 and I think this amp delivers every time I use it. I knew I wasn't buying a tube amp when I bought it. I bought the amp for all the features that it has and my 57 year old back appreciates the weight of this amp. The compliments people give me on my playing, and I do get lot, focus on the music that I create with my instruments and not necessarily on the instruments themselves . I learned a long time ago that most of the time your individual performance and the people in front of you, are more important than equipment you have behind you. It really is important to remember all amplifiers are unique and special in there own way . Just respect the differences for what they are and make good music with what you have. Comparing and judging this and that all the time takes away from the magic of making music. Just my thoughts.....peace my brothers and sisters and rock on.
Well said.
If your tubes are getting hot, a fan helps to cool them down, makes the amp continue sounding good for hours on end. My old GA-40 is like that too, gets hot and loses its great sound after a couple, few hours - depending on ambient temperature. Fans are hot tubes best friend..!
I love your channel and reviews, insight and opinion. Its important to listen to others. I come here for no bs anaylsis of shit im looking into !!!!
Love my Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb, had it for 2 years now and my Hot Rod Deluxe sits in the studio. No problems loading in and out because of the light weight. My sound guy loves the DI output, 1 less mic on stage. I added the tilt back legs so I can hear myself so no need to take my tilt amp stand. Overall a great amp.
I recently went to a shop and got put on a Tonemaster. I straight away could tell it wasn't tube. I also tried a Pro Jr and a 68 vibro champ and loved both. They just sounded real.
Great review. And when I tried it out I thought it was my older than you lead guitar player damaged hearing. My old 1978 silverface DR sounds way better than the Tonemaster, cost me the same or less at the time, and only goes in to the amp tech every couple years. Has lasted me 20 years and still going strong. Keep up the excellent work sir!
I play a Tonemaster Twin for three years now at many gigs. Never sounded better. The amp replaced a Silverface pro wich was always too loud and a Silverface Princeton which could not fill the room. I tried a player strat as well. That was a really lifeless instrument. For gigging musicians like me the Tonemaster is heaven sent.
I’m Heavily considering the tone master deluxe reverb I have a real deluxe reverb and a super owl black magic I like amps that are about 20 to 30 W I like low wattage amplifiers. I tried the original toner Laster and I also tried the blonde tone master I think the blonde sounds nicer for my style my concern is how does it hold up at a gig since you use when I gigs how does it sound in the mix And does it react like a real Amplifier and if you plug into the IRS to the PA how does that sound I’d appreciate the feedback thanks a lot
Have you had a chance to try it direct out to desk and using iems at a gig? How did the breakup sound?
These amps sound like a gaping mans assho le, but maybe some people like that.
i had a neo creamback in my hot rod deluxe for 3 or 4 years. i'm liking it.
I like your new phone/laptop/camera set up! You know your stuff.
I appreciate this demo and the store for the gear hookup.
My first set up age 16 was a Kingston 2 pickup $29 (Eckerds drug store) and a Silvertone 1482 $80 ish ( Christmas gift from Dad). Today’s $ = $952
As a kid I would be over the moon with this gear.
"And then I read I’m “just another old man who doesn’t understand technology .” " LOL!!! That is priceless. I'm 60 and have been involved with high tech and embedded systems technology since the mid 80's but guy like you and me no nothing. :D I appreciate your candidness here. I was curious about these Tone Masters but looks like I'll be moving on.
I thought your review and opinion of this amp was dead on. You played stuff that demonstrated the shortcomings of this amp, and also played stuff that showed that it could have a good sound depending on what was being played. The "it gets small when it should get big" comment was exactly what I thought the last time I tried out a solid state Fender amp. The "ugly guitar face" comment had me laughing so hard, I had to pause the video for a few seconds! So, in summary, another informative and good video from you Mr. Psionic! But then again, what do I know. Being a little older than you, and a semi-retired electronic engineering technician, (who also builds tube amps as a hobby), I may just be another "old man who doesn't understand technology"... ;-)
I was in Melbourne last November, and I went out one evening to a jazz cafe. They had a nice live performance, and the guitar player was using this amp. He sounded great! It was then that I decided I need to get one of these.
The title alone coming from this guy meant that I could not click fast enough
Thanks for your honest opinion Lyle. I have bought amps based on your experience and recommendations and have been totally satisfied. Tonemaster's do sound good for what they are, but not quite as good as the real thing. Currently they are pushing a grand so I would rather just pay the extra for the real thing.
Totally agree with your assessment of the stock Neo Jensen, even when it’s been broken in. The later firmware helps a bit, but clean and breakup tones improved drastically when I transferred the Weber Alinico P12Q copy from my 5E3 into the Tonemaster. It’s still more compressed than a good point-to-point DR, but not to a point that I would find annoying.
I agree with you regarding the TM Deluxe Reverb. I played one in a GC with basically the same rig as you did and was like “meh”. That was a original FW with the Neo speaker, BTW. I honestly thought the Fender GTX50 sounded better. That really is a great little practice amp, BTW. Then I saw the Super Reverb TM in GC and gave it a try. I was much more impressed with the Super. It felt more like an honest to goodness tube amp, like my one Vibroverb hand wired ‘64 reissue. It had attack, sag and bloom like a real tube amp. I don’t know if it’s close to a real tube Super but it sounds great. I bought it and gig with it now and it’s been amazing. I absolutely love the power step down but I find the 0.5 W and 1 W setting fairly useless. I.e. lifeless. I like the 5 and 12 W settings while practicing at home. 12-45 for gigs. Anyway, my $0.02.
Sounds like a 50w or 100w Katana is still ahead of these... As you say these could be something special... suspect over time they will get better and better... thanks for sharing Love your channel!
I’ve been using TM Deluxe about 2 years. Does it sound exactly a tube amp? No, but close enough for rock n roll. I absolutely LOVE that it only weighs 23 pounds 🔥😎‼️
Always enjoy your vids and thanks for sharing again. Wondering if you can try the blonde version and seeing if you like it any better. I hear that it's a large improvement. Curious. Thanks
Very insightful review.
I have a very similar approach to testing gear. Play softly and listen.
All said and done it will never perfectly replicate its big brother because it isn't swinging 450 Volts from preamp to final. The headroom doesn't compare, hence your perfectly phrased "Gets small when it should get big" statement.
On the other hand it is by no means a bad amp and will do just fine in most settings outside the studio. Maybe even better than many other solid state amps.
Good review. I own a blonde one and use it as a living room noodling amp (attenuator on the lowest wattage setting) while watching tv. Works fine for that but I would never record with it. I could make it work live if I needed to.
You are 100% correct. It gets small when it should get big!! Glad I didn't run out to buy one:))
Had a tonemaster and sold it. Now Ive got a Champion 40 and can get exactly the same tones at a far cheaper price.
For what you pay, which is virtually nothing, those fender champions amps are actually pretty good. I bought the smaller champion 20 just to have for 75 bucks off of marketplace and it sounds better than it should. They’re not the real deal obviously but for the money they’re not bad at all.
I love my champion 20. It sounds great. I also run my Tonex into the aux port and it sounds awesome. Great amps for the money.
My Blonde ToneMaster Deluxe Reverb is incredible. It sounds awesome, and the light weight makes it so easy to bring along on gigs or jam sessions. The reverb is perfect, too. I've seen no need for an effects loop, as I don't play highly distorted tones.
I always learn something from each video
Finally. Someone who addresses the attack of these amps. I bought it, upgraded it, put the neo cream in it and it still didn’t feel right. Had to return.
So you bought it, changed speaker and then returned it? You're full of shit.
what's your main amp now?
I had a Tonemaster Super Reverb for a year. I did okay clean but when i would drive it it would get fizzy. These amps are great but there is no replacing the feel and sound of tubes. I find this guy opinion to be spot on. Tonemasters are too compressed and miss the vibe that tubes give you. A boss katana artist sounds more like a tube amp than these Tonemasters. I have had both. Experienced players will miss the feeling and nuance of tubes. This guy bringa up a good point. When you dig in you can hear that compression and fizzyness. You don't keep that warm clarity and response like a tube amp. The Tonemaster almost had me sold for over a year. There were times i could get it to soyld absolutely wonderful but even through those time i always battled with my sound. Something was always missing. Tubes man! I was a believer but after jamming one of these for a year Im wishing thay i had returned it right away. I traded it in for a made in USA blues deluxe that is currently on its way and i cant wait to have some real tube tone and the feel of tubes under my finger. If you are looking to go solid state a better choice would be the katana artist or and orange super crush. Great review. Keep on rocking.
Thanks for another informative video! That amp and I would never get along. I think it's more than just the speaker that's causing it to clamp down and not respond properly when you push it by plucking the strings or strumming hard.
"It gets small when it should get big" - That sums up every solid state amplifier I have ever played. I have a Katana 2 100w and an old Yamaha g50 112ii that I still enjoy, but nothing feels or blooms like electrons in a vacuum.
You're correct. Nothing does quite sound like that. But we've got mountains of technology that sounds better.
@@constantk8780 "Better" is purely subjective. I was referring to how it feels to me when I am playing. I can get great sounds from all of my gear, but so far for me, the feel and dynamics I get from tube amps has yet to be recreated in the digital realm.
well valves are destroying the planet
and are unsustainable, good riddance
I think it’s mostly in the mind… when you think it should sound better it always does, and when it’s loud it definitely sounds better 🤘😀…. There’s no real difference between the latest modeling and the real thing as far as how they sound, and if they sound exactly the same then they feel exactly the same, it’s just that the modelers get you that same tone at a lower volume… in my case I hook my Helix and Kemp to a 12,000watt PA with 4 15 tops and 4 18 inch subs, and assure you everyone thinks it sounds and FEELS better than the real amp sitting right there, because it literally moves everything 😛😉
@@robertw1871 That may be true. All I know is my Helix, Katana, Podxt are worth nothing compared to what I paid for them. But my Deluxe, Vox, and Badcat just keep going ⬆💰 😉
"That sting is not there, it gets small when it should get big" - Deal breaker for me :)
Seriously, your channel is awesome. And after that review I know exactly how the amp will feel. There are a lot of demos that make it sound great. And maybe it sounds great recorded. I was looking for a real good critic of the amp, because I wanted to buy one of the Tone Master amps. I'll try to play one in a store. Thanks for this review!
Maybe it's because I'm listening on a phone to a recording made on a phone, but that TM deluxe sounded lame, even the Rivera-era solid states sounded more dimensional than that, when it should snap and snarl it just stayed flat
It’s a trade off. Super light with modern features like attenuation and direct out for a compromised tone and feel.
What use is attenuation? it's not a valve amp that you want to overdrive at lower volumes. Just turn it down if you want it quieter.
@@DeltaJazzUK - It depends how the amp is modelled, as if they have accounted for power tube/amp distortion as you turn up the master volume and added that characteristic (which seems likely), it isn't just a clean solid state 'master volume' control anymore, but a part of the tone model and will directly influence and shape the sound at louder volumes. That part of the emulation/voicing just won't occur if the amp's volume control isn't turned up enough so the 'attenuation' is really a power mode selection switch so you can change down to a lower power output and keep those characteristics at lower volume. Not really an attenuator in the strictest sense either... But I'll blame Fender's marketing department for that!
@@NFMorley
It certainly isn’t the first time Fender has misnamed something.
I have the blond TM Deluxe Reverb, and it sounds pretty much like the '71 DR which I gigged for a few years.
I have had a tonemaster deluxe rev for about 6 months, almost perfect amp for me. The big miss imho was not including an effects loop. Although I knew that when I bought it.
Fender does tend to be very stingy when they could easily make the product better. Same for the headphones. Sure you can use the XLR out, but it’s an extra haste/purchase. An aux in would also be nice for bedroom practicing.
Great video! Since some days I am addicted to this channel. Talking about cones, what's your opinion about the widely used Celestion seventy 80 for Marshalls? It would be creat to hear you talking about some improvements that can be made, even if this is very subjective... Thanks for the channel!
i really like the tremolo and reverb on these, but thats about it. I know theres a $500 difference but I shot the TMDR out with the 68 custom DR and its a world of difference. the 68 is just so full in the exact right way you'd expect from it. the TMDR sounds about 80% there to me, but it just isn't a DR, and it won't be without some sort of extra something added to it.
I was going to challenge you on the few thousand amps a year but based on your bio I dunno. No doubt you have a ton of technical as well as playing experience so i found your insights to be well, refreshing actually. So thank you for your honest review
You are clearly an expert with many years of experience working with this stuff. I trust your feedback.
But what you said is true, some people might be perfectly happy with this amp. For their style of playing, it might be great.
Not everyone needs a tube amp. I have a 50-watt 6V6 tube amp designed by Lee Jackson back in the 90's. I love it. But I spend more time playing my Boss Katana head, than anything else. It's just easier to operate, sounds great at lower volumes, and it doesn't get hot after playing it for 3 hours. Also, no tubes to wear out. I play metal, so I go back and forth between clean, and very high gain tones. I also use many different effects. A mix of a few pedals, and other stuff built-in to the Katana. Do I like the sound of the EVH 100-watt Stealth head? Absolutely. Do I want to spend $2,500 to own one? NOPE.
I get what your saying "Not everyone needs a tube amp" but this amp is advertised as having the tone of such amp. Ya know. A lot of people may buy this anticipating its gonna rival a tube amp and it does not. Theres def a place and player for this amp, itll be interesting down the road how many firmware updates they do and how much better they get these amps sounding. Thats the one plus about the firmware upgradability etc. I wish theyd modeled the speakers after JBLs from that period instead of the C12K. But what can ya do haha.
@@ctcards2636 Marketing strikes again. I wish they would stop labeling everything "tube-like tone!". It's just stupid. The Roland Jazz Chorus 120 is a legendary amp, used by pro artists for many years. Nobody says, "It sounds just like a real tube amp!". It's like they are trying to market this stuff to kids.
@@TheCyberMantis ^ Very true
Really hard to beat katana. Performance for the price is untouchable
I am waiting on the tone masters to flesh out and maybe include a few more models
I liked the clean sound. Could not get it to break up or use a pedal to get a great sound ok-ish was easily obtained. Light gain or heavy just wasn’t right, Bobby. Clean was surprisingly good .
Thanks for saying what my
ears have been hearing. Any number of people talk about weight or convenience but I’m not buying for a second this sounds like the real thing but people buy gear whether it’s an Epiphone or a tonemaster and they’ll have plenty of things to say about why a Gibson Les Paul is a waste of money entirely there’s no difference at all. Only a cork sniffer can hear a tube vs a tone master the audience doesn’t know yada yada.
I agree with your assessment
Thanks for your review, when I looked up the specs on the amp on Fender it actually is 100watts at 8 Ohms. I think the wattage listed on the attenuator is the tube wattage it is simulating and not the actual wattage it is running at.
This is not correct. I’ll do a little video on it. There is no difference between “tube watts” and “solid state watts.”
It’s an easy misunderstanding.
@@PsionicAudio A video explaining this would be awesome, so is the Tonemaster just a 100 watt solid state amp and the attenuation switch is really just a master volume?
This has probably been said hundreds of times by now, but yes, the speaker is critical to the sound and response of this amp. I bought a TMDR when my back problems forced me to stop touring but still wanted to at least be able to do local shows. Luckily, I already had a Celestion Neo-Creamback and it went in almost immediately. Also, that firmware update is essential as well. It’s quite literally a different amp with those two upgrades, which come stock on the blonde version. I wouldn’t play it with that awful neo Jensen. And for the record I’ve owned an original Deluxe and played many reissues in backlines. Some were better, some were worse, occasionally one was magic.
I have the twin,if what I'm hearing on here is sonically truthful there is a mile of difference between the deluxe tonemaster and twin. I've got plenty of amps to chose from and I'm sadly far from a snob. I'd love to own a vintage twin to compare to the supposed inferior tonemaster but it's a pipedream. Im not in a position to condemn as I do like both the weight and the sound. I recently got a Princeton 68 custom and a speaker swap improved it markedly ,the possibility of any of my amps will die a miserable death,especially if it proves impossible to repair , would play on my mind but that is a fact of life. Shiny new anything is great till it goes bad and yes old stuff behaves the same. In a perfect world we'd all be satisfied but that's not happening any time soon. Thankyou psionic for giving us your wisdom and insight,despite your thoughts Ive committed serious misjudgment in purchasing amps that I shouldn't,even though they make me happy ,short term maybe?
great review. I had been put off by comments from others but I'm floater not a digger so it should be fine for me. Thanks.
Yeh. These amps sound pretty amazing. And son, having had five bad lower discs and two hip replacements ... I would really appreciate their light weight. I just wonder how long these things will take even weekend jobbing ...
I have the reissue princeton and I just bought the Fender super reverb. You need to plug in to the super reverb. It has all the snap you could ever want. I play country with telecasters. Have been playing for 58 years with countless amplifiers. This super reverb would tear a steel guitar amplifier up. I know, have a peavey session 400 as well.
I'd love to hear your take on a Jazz Chorus 40. Which is what I bought instead of a Tonemaster. I used to play a Mesa, but after the third time in the shop within a year, I thought I'd try a solid state. I've been very happy with the JC40.
I love my JC-40, although a friend of mine just prevailed upon me to buy his Fender Supersonic. I got attached to the JC series when I was living in New York City and playing in rehearsal spaces on the amps provided. I'd see a tube amp that I'd always wanted to play, and it would invariably be in horrible condition. Pretty soon, I started making a beeline for the JC-120, which always sounded the same.
I've also never been to a show where I thought the guitar player sounded bad because they were playing a JC. They do need a bit of pedal help, though.
Sold my 65 reissue deluxe for the same reasons you state here. Maybe it was the C12K, maybe it was the brightness of the vibrato channel or the mundane thing of the normal channel…. Still looking for a replacement without breaking the bank, since I don’t gig out regularly enough to justify the price. I’ll keep my tweed champ clone I guess 🤷♂️
Where ya been, Lyle!? Nice having ya back! These amps seem like they were made for home recording through mediocre systems. The average player won’t have a problem with these. Amp and guitar snobs need not apply ;-) I DO like using the one in my local mom/pop music store to try out pedals at low volumes ,tho.
Would love to hear your thoughts on a Trainwreck circuit and build.
A modeler that I never see mentioned ever is the Vox Cambridge. I'd love to try one. I've only ever seen reviews on RUclips but I'm an AC guy and the AC30 setting sounded damned convincing
i have a vox 14:43 cambridge and i really like it. enough oomph to cut through with a drummer and a pretty good emulation of my valve ac30. the inboard effects are good and it’s not fiddle - switches man, no menus! i mainly play my telecaster and gretsch nashville through it.
Curious to hear your thoughts on the Tone Master Super Reverb.
through the headphone I actually like my solidstate better, PR 2x10 chorus, and Frontman FM 212 both do not have that comression that I hear in that amp and I hate compression. That just does not cut it. I guess that is why so many are on the resale market.
What are some of your favorite current made speakers for a vintage 65 super reverb? I got mine with 4 modern Jensen p12rs in it. I actually like Jensen, but wondering if I would be better off swapping out some or all of them for something else. I play mostly funk, r&b, blues and reggea
The old Jensen Neo12-100 was a pretty decent lightweight speaker (in my limited experience) but they seem to have deliberately made a new version to sound like the K which from my understanding has only been used in recent reissues: should have tried for a higher power handling emulation of the vintage correct model maybe...it looks like they may produce a whole range judging by Jensen's website but not yet.
I agree with you that when you start to "dig-in" a bit the amp loses its personality. Just does not seem to want to play nice compared to a well designed tube circuit. Also, Fender should take you up on adding more watts and power scaling. It would increase versatility and sales to those players needing higher headroom and/or a few more watts.
the firmware update (vintage spec) really makes the amp sound better
The TMTR Blonde is the benchmark TM right now! Needs more publicity!
Recently I bought a Quilter Superblock UK as a backup for a tube amp at a gig. Is it as good? No! Can I use it to get through the gig, and not have to haul a second tube amp with me, just incase? Yes!
so what are the best speakers to buy and try with fender style amps....and Marshall style amps? in your opinion
I have one of these on the stock firmware. I really like it. I have a Princeton/ AC15/ Blues Deville /DS40/ Blues Jr and a few other tube amps. I love them.
What I don’t have is a real Deluxe Reverb. I’ll admit my ear is nowhere near his. Anyway I really love it.
I think I’ll buy a real one but a 68. Just so I won’t have a TM 65 and a real 65(Reissue)
Should I get a 68 you think?
Oh and I have the Tonemaster Twin also. Hardly turn it on. Anyway that’s my thoughts/question. I wish I had an ear like this dude… or do I? Maybe it’s a curse lol
I just recently purchased a fender champion 100 so I don’t have to use my Marshall DSL 40CR all the time but after buying the fender and liking it I noticed that it didn’t have the same sparkle on the high’s as the DSL, would you recommend new speakers and if so what kind. Mind you that I perfer the old high gain Metallica ride the lightning type sound and I understand that it’s not a tone that fender is known for. Just want to at least get closer.
It probably should be noted that the blonde version of this is considered to be the better version.
Some necessary tweaks were made.
I have the bright cap removed on my SF DR, a common mod. I think that is switchable in the update. And the speaker upgraded.
its actually 100 watts, i keep the front volume less then 4 (much like a real DR) and boost the front end to get the attack and feel right. Even at outdoor venues i never use the full 22 watt setting
It uses a 100W ICE module limited to 22W. I can see why that might be confusing. But it’s not a 100W amp.
@@PsionicAudio are you 100% sure on that? Because what they said back when these first came out was that it took 100 watts solid state to emulate the volume feel of 22 watts tube.
I'll never give-up my tube amps simply because I love looking at glowing tubes.........................! (plus nobody makes anything that sounds as good to me as my '58 GA 40, JMI AC-10 clone head, or other golden era Gibson amps, or my Ampeg '61 Reverborocket with 6V6, or B12X fliptop portoflex for guitar but also gets that "James Jamerson" bass sound, and bass players say the 12" speaker records better, but they're not blowing the original C12N in mine!
I'm 52 and there's nothing that will replace a tube amp for me. After 15 years of Peavey's solid state amps back in the late 1980s and 1990s, I bought a cheap Bugera 6262 head and 4x12 cab. Then a Peavey Valve King, then a Mesa DC5 , sold all the heads and cab and bought a Mesa Mark III combo. I won't sell this amp. I am looking at maybe buying a vintage Fender combo of some sort for blues but not sure which one I want to get.
Fender vibrolux reverb can do it all.
Dang man if I knew you were here I’d take you out and get you a beer! Enjoy the mountains
Thanks Bill! We had two days there and are now in the wilds of NC.
I edited this video at the Pub downtown (good burger, better Shiner Bock) then uploaded it at Open Door Coffee on N Roan (I recommend the Toffee iced latte on a hot day). Pretty (good sized) little town you got there.
@@PsionicAudio it’s a jewel for sure! I recommend Sahib and their great Indian food, Freiberg’s German food and shows at the down home as well. Maybe not great on a long day of travel but certainly enough to adventure on! Love the channel, keep it up!
can you still jumper the channels nobody has talked about that. I mean putting the guitar into input 1 channel 1 then a 6 inch patch from preamp 1 into channel 2 the reverb side like we used to do to conture the gain.
Only reason if get a tone master is for the attenuator, but if go for the super. That being said, I have a captor x and that does the attenuation I need just fine for a real super
Why do you need an attenuator on a digital amp? there are no valves to overdrive. The attenuator is a glorified volume pot.
@@DeltaJazzUK Because of the way the amp is modeled to work like a real tube amp... which all seems pointless. Just buy the real thing.
I have a Fender 50 XL. Suppose 50 watts. OK reverb and a few amp styles. It has a Celestion of some kind in it. For my casual use it seems just fine. It cost tad over $200. Great review thanks.
I tried a tone master deluxe reverb in a shop. I quite liked it actually. Wouldn't buy one though lol
I've heard that they are more power under the hood, so the '22 watts' is really a 100 watt class D power amp.
It’s a 100W ICE module being limited to the level of a 22W DR. Notice the Neo Creamback is a 65W speaker.
Took me 25 years to figure out that Fender tube amps have amazing clean tones.
Exactly what I thought after trying one.
so essentially if you want soft lounge jazz or CCM rhythm with this works but if you want Hendrix, Dick Dale, or SRV, maybe go with the tube version? I wonder if you can use laptop or desktop PC parts to replace that CPU part . . . just have to match the random access memory, clock speeds, and power draw . . .
I think that digital amps are nearly there. The missing part now is punch and dynamic range.
Facts
I purchased the blonde deluxe TM twin. It’s not a tube amp, therefore doesn’t sound just like one, but it still sounds very good especially on the higher attenuation settings. I find an EQ pedal also helps to thicken up the sound. Takes OD and delay pedals well too.
If you must have that pure tube sound and feel, don’t buy one, but if you want an amp with attenuation for home use, while still having plenty of balls for a live setting, then these amps are well worth looking at.
I commented on someone else’s channel that compared this amp to the tube version. And I wrote that it did sound like there was some form of compressor pedal in front of it.
Ironic considering the desirable trait about tube amps is compression...
@@gavinw5469 I don’t think there are any absolutes when describing characteristics of amplifiers. I think the desirable compression people are referring to is when an amplifier is distorting. But they want the wide range of dynamics when it’s clean…..then they will go stick a compression pedal in front of it….go figure? I think guitarists are loopy. Personally, I disagree with him if you only have 2-3 amplifiers and love the tone. Why tone chase if you’re perfectly happy? It’s supposed to be all about the playing and inspiration you feel. If you already know you’re unhappy, fine - try something else. If you’re like me and think a Vox AC10C1 is the best thing since sliced bread, why try to prove yourself wrong with unobtainium vintage amplifiers?
I bought a Tone Master Twin 1st edition and it was OK. The attenuator was a nice touch but I sold it. I thought it sounded OK but at the price point it is a one trick pony modeler and who the heck could fix it besides the factory?. You sound like the actor Titus Willever from the Amazon series "Bosch". I like watching your vids as I learn a little each time.
While is may not replicate the exact tonal/feel/response of a Deluxe Reverb, what about considering the amp for what it is? Long ago I realized that all instruments and amps have a "voice" of their own, and it's a lot easier to embrace what it has to offer than lust for something it does not. Sure, it is marketed as a Deluxe Reverb, but I think most will accept that it will deviate to some degree from the tube original. With that in mind, and the obvious advantages of the lower weight and cost, time will tell if it becomes a popular (and reliable/serviceable) amp.
The amazing thing about these is that the models are upgradeable when modelling tech and captures improve. It will likely be a free upgrade too. Seems like everything is going digital anyways.
When are these upgrades available?
I had a 1980's Boss Jazz Twin with a Reverb Tank made by preety women's on Osawageo Wisconsin, The one you is got there it sounds Almist as good as the Roland Jazz Twin . I would feally love if you Analized a Roland Jass Twin and cpmpared to Todays Fanct Trbe Type Guitars, I seen Hard Rockers and etc with Stacks of Rolands even Z.Z.Topp and Canadia RUSH etc.
Them older ones well Thet Hold their Value! I bought mine 2009 for $300 from Musicians Friend in Plymouth Landing shipped to me in Jones Oklahoma. I moved to California in 2012 and could not bring it to me to San Francisco.
Do you think your experience with hearing different amps and speakers relate to hearing them in a full band mix?
This part of the conversation is often left out but is important to consider since maybe most of the guys using these amps are just using them at a gig at full band volume.
Often times, the subtleties of speakers and such are barely noticeable.
Not that they don't matter, but a sound engineer might even have a hard time picking out what is what
I gigged for years. I know what works on stage in band context. This amp would disappear.
@@PsionicAudio that's good to know! Do you think a different speaker could fix that? Something more mid forward like a Vintage 30?
@@PsionicAudio Same here. Live in a band setting, is a whole other ballgame. Reaction is where it's at, with an amp.
Give me a valve amp every time.
I recently recorded some demos with a TM deluxe reverb. I cranked it and got some mushy distortion which worked in the context of a garage punk band. Not the best tone I've heard and I'll stick with my univox stack, but definitely serviceable for a demo. If they were a lot cheaper, I could see these being huge for somebody's first "real" amp. They certainly beat the hell out of my line 6 spider III
Excactly! A demo like this is Useless in the real world. It needs to be heard in a band context!
‘It gets small when it should get big…’! My missus has been telling me that for years. I commented that I married a Twin Reverb and ended up with two four by twelves with a knackered head.
I didnt like my deluxe reverb tonemaster and sent it back.
I bought a super reverb tonemaster and i love it.
May I ask you a question Mr psionic? Harmony has come out with 3 new tube amps , 5 watt, 20 watt, and 50 Watt. Do you have any opinion on what the company has produced so far in their history of amps? I’m definitely thinking on purchasing the 20 watt soon.
Haven’t had one come in, so no opinion.
I have the h605! It’s alright, doesn’t have much of a “voice” as far as I can tell. Lows are compressed and highs aren’t exactly sparkling, reverb leaves much to be desired. But it’s a nice little home practice amp due to the line out and effects loop. I too would love Mr. Psionic to have a go at one for comparison because it’s my only amp.
Well, there goes your Fender sponsorship out the window. But hey, who knows, they might take some notes... :)
that C12K speaker does cut through a mix at high volumes when you need the DR to hang w loud bandmembers.
Otherwise i agree w your assessment of the TM.
and yes, they shouldve made it 50w. No extra weight involved. The bloom around the note a valve amp gets and is important to reach the 'sweet spot' is just not an issue w ss amps
I played through one at a gig earlier this year. I thought it sounded good, but it didn't seem as touch sensitive to my picking as I hoped it would be. To be fair, I had very little time to experiment with it - we were one of many acts at City Winery that night, so it was kind of plug in, twist a few dials, and count off the first song. I'd love to sit with one for a while and see what it can do. The weight is a big plus - I still have the Twin Reverb I bought when I was 17, and it's put on a lot of weight over the last 53 years!
Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb would make a good on the road amp as it is mucho lighter than the 'vintage' Deluxe........unless one is a young band member !
It is all about saving money on iron I have been told, and I may way be wrong, but The Blues Deluxe, and the 60watt Blues series , have the same transformers. Is that correct?