This is how reviews should be. You not only go deep on what the settings are, you explain when and why you might use them or change something. The spreadsheet is incredible. Thank you! Amazing work!
This amp is INCREDIBLE. Incredible. I have several tube amps - Marshall, Mesa/Boogie, Orange, Egnater, Randall, and Fender. I’ve played through nearly everything through the years. They have the MODELING RIGHT on this unit. Just throw away your speaker and go straight into your DAW with the headphone jack. I’m the pickiest fool you’ll meet and I have a love affair with this thing. Have owned and sold the Code, Cube, Kemper, and Katana. Take an afternoon and learn this thing. It pays dividends.
Wow. In both cases of mystery amp 1, I guessed the GT-40 was the second one. In other words, the better sound actually came from the modeling amp than the vintage tubes.
Hear the reverb tank start to feedback slightly on the GT-40’s Deluxe Reverb. They might as well both be DRs but different years with in slightly different condition. People don’t talk about this much, but that’s absolutely insane. 😮😮
Wow. Magnificent, my good brother! Is Fender paying you for this? They should! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Can't wait to get back in there. P.S. I've always loved my GT40 for what it is. To be able to store all that versatility, albeit, it one little "box," and pull any of it up with the twist of a wrist makes this the greatest of times IMO. (A lot of tone still comes from one's fingers, yes?) Oh, and thanks for the downloads, Sven. You rock!
Good review, except there really is no such thing as a "stage amp" and a "practice amp." If it sounds good, it is good. I don't know why anyone would let another guitarist simultaneously plug into their amp, and if you need extra volume from the amp to fill a stadium, put a mic in front of it. You don't necessarily need a line out. Years ago I worked a festival and the Go-Go's were playing one stage and David Lee Roth was playing another stage. The Go-Go's had these tiny little 5 watter's that were mic'd up while Dave's gunslinger had a wall of stacks of Marshalls, (only one cab was actually turned on and mic'd up though). The Go-Go's Front of House volume was ear-drum rupturing loud while Dave's volume level was normal. Why? It had nothing to do with the amps. It was because the guy in charge of the sound board had jacked the Go-Go's little 5 watter amps through 10,000 watts of FOH monitors. I would have no problem playing a gig with a Mustang GT 40 mic'd up through the sound board. Now, some clueless members of the audience like to see that wall of Marshalls, (even if they aren't hooked up). LOL! I remember playing one gig with an empty 4x12 cabinet and running a modeler direct into the soundboard. All the wankers were coming up to me at the break telling me how great my tone was and how loud and full the sound was and weren't Marshalls so great and the only true amp for real rock n; roll... It was all the modeler.
I agree 100%! I purchased this amp, along with the foot-switch. I purchased this amp as a portable practice amp. I chose this amp specifically, because of its connectivity; bluetooth, wifi, usb, audio input. Also, I am totally blind, and the Tone app is fully compatible with my accessibility software, unlike its competitors. The foot-switch makes for even more functionality, and was worth the extra cost, considering the versatility and portability.
Steve, the subjects and organization of your content is SO lwell and professionally done, I'm subscribing immediately. I'm just imaging all the repetitiveness and nitpicking involved in adding all your graphics, edits, supplementary materials like that spreadsheet--you are a giant among creators. Just want you to know that here's someone else who knows how much work you're putting in, and that Yes, this is a splendid SERVICE to US ALL. Your vids are TOP NOTCH! THANK YOU!! 🥰
Amazing job man, thanks a lot, i was thinking about buying this for my every day practice, this is the most complete review i have found, EVER!! thanks
I've watched a couple dozen videos on the GT40 and this is by far the best one. After fussing with mine for an entire weekend I already had most of this down but I sure wish I watched this first! Great job and thank you! I love this amp. For under $300 it's definitely what I would recommend to people who want a living room amp.
Much appreciated. Muddy no more. This is starting to sound like a pretty decent little amp. Why on earth are the default fender settings so universally crap? It's like I got rid of the dud amp and bought a good one. Yee haa.
Really want this amp but I've read a lot of negative reviews. Would you still recommend this amp in 2020? Looking for something to practice with at home. Thinking about this or the newer LT models.
Outstanding review, exactly what I needed when looking for a new amp, went over all the little details while explaining them in terms even a beginner could understand, definitely the best gear review I've seen in a long time
Had the GT 200 for more than a year now. Excellent work-horse amplifier. I specifically bought GT 200 to avoid paying extra for the 40 and 100 since it comes with the footswitch. There is an EQ 7 setting now, so even distortion can sound heavy as hell. My guitar learning experience really took off because of this amp
Oh my god thank you so much. The tones I used sounded so awesome on my strat, but I got a new Jackson and they didn’t sound very good. This video allowed me to make some awesome tones thank you so much!
Nice, most extensive review I've ever seen! Kind a wish you had modeled the acoustic guitar as well. Just out of curiosity, what model acoustic guitar do you have?
@@hikefishmakemusic What does the set you use for acoustic look like? I tried a few with the preset before your video, but I didn't think they sounded very good. What do you suggest?
In my opinion, the LT25 is like free crack. It will get you hooked at a low price and then you'll want the bigger/better stuff soon thereafter. You may just want to save and spend the $100-$150 extra to get a GT40 with WAY more functionality.
Great tips! This amp is perfect in my opinion. These tips have made this amp open up exponentially. I have also found that it sounds absolutely incredible through headphones as well. You can really hear the stereo effects much better and each amp/setting feels different and completely authentic. I use Sony studio monitor headphones and everything comes through crystal clear. Might I also add that you can patch the sound out via the headphone jack & aux plug.
Thanks, I’d really like to love this little amp, I bought one about a year ago and lost interest in it almost immediately, then I started messing with it a few days ago and had an interested infant turning all the knobs while I was playing and fortunately stumbled across a few presets while I was playing that actually sounded pretty good so I’m trying to find it’s actual potential now, I’m fairly sure there is a really decent little amp in there... thanks for the info...
I liket the Mustang GT40 so much, I sold it to upgrade to the Mustang GT100, now I have more power, a Mid EQ know, and extra audio connectors on the rear. I play on a small band so this amp gives me great room to explore hundreds of sounds before committing money on specific expensive pedals. I also ended up buying the Footswitch to move across effects live.
Soap McTavish tell me please, is the sound on the same level better on the gt100 ? I only use mine in my bedroom and wondering if the gt100 is worth it ? I never go beyong 11 on the master volume but feel like the bigger speaker of the gt100 would be worth it. Thank
It seems that many inexpensive modelling combos suffer from a similar 'boxy' sound. I think the main reason for this is that they use cab simulation and a broadband speaker instead of just guitar speakers. The first method should theoretically work, and has the benefit that tnhe user can choose different cabinets and speaker sims. This approach works very well for recording and even while practicing with full range headphones, both of which were the originally intended use. The next logical step ofcourse was to also use this approach to play live, at home, in a rehearsal space or on stage. While it does seem to work well for PA's, msny guitarists find the guitar tone from full range speakers on stage or at home from a modelling combo less than satisfactory (to say the least ;)) Even top modelers such as a Kemper paired with expensive studio monitors often does not provide the same experience as a much less expensive actual guitar amp. One reason is likely that any modelling based on profiling always includes the effect of the microphone used to create the amp profile. This likely explains why this approach works well for recording and live PA's, where there is normally also a mic, but not home playing, rehearsal and s6xge monitoring, ehere we zte usedyo hezr the zctual amp ;). A second reason could be that although this approach should work theoretically, it is very difficult to make it work well in reality, even with high end studio monitors, let alone in any inexpensive modeling combo ,) It seems that not all manufacturers have read the memo (Fender, Line6 ). Many of their 'boxy' or unnatural sounding modelling combos will suddenly sound surprisingly good if connected to an external guitar cabinet and the cabsim bypassed ;) Modelling combos from a company such as VOX tend to sound much nicer, because they do not have a full range speaker. And Boss managed to repackage their fairly impopular CMOS modeling technique in a combo without full range speakers (as far as i know :)) and it became one of their most succesfull product series ;)
Stratospheric review -Thank you so much for your GT-40 science ! I was considering buying a Spark amp, but I think soundwise the Fender will be fuller sounding and seems more like a real guitar amp... hopefully it will be a better mate for my Sterling (AL-40) and her small sister, an indonesian Strat Affinity ... ah I just realize : the 40 is common to the guit and the amp ! good sign !
Thank you so much for your amazing video! 1) Have you played with Firmware v3, and if you did - what are your thoughts on it? I bought the GT40 because the reviewers said it improved the amp a lot and because the amp will now have pre-set settings for each of the 600+ Fender Songs 2) Do you plan to create an updated video incorporating v3 updates?
Hi. One issue I have had with this GT 40 amp is that there seems to be some form of incompatibility with the Wi-Fi function as described by fender. It seems that after a period of playing for about 20 minutes for no particular reason, the volume will cut down almost to a muffle on me. I don’t know why it happens. It happens regularly. It was deemed unfixable by an amplifier expert here in my city and it was such that the distributor that sold me the amp just gave me my money back saying that fender couldn’t fix this it was too expensive to fix. I wonder if anyone else has had this issue and if they have found a fix for it yet. Presently, this amp is just sitting on my floor and I wish I could use it again because I really do like all the good features that you described in this article.
I have another modeling amp I think sounds better, but for size, features and the used market prices, you really can't beat this one! Perfect desktop practice amp.
Any one else have an issue with thie GT40 cutting out every minute or so while playing? Like it almost fqdes out, then gets a scratchy and sometimes loud noise bomb until getting back to where it should be, all of which takes about 10 seconds. It’s one of the most reliable things I have noticed, despite it being not desirable. It amost sounds like digital distortion via WiFi or Bluetooth. The only thing I haven’t tried is to move it closer to thd WiFi router, but such things are probably not interfering with the sound. It’d too late to send it back - I’m just wondering if anyone else had this issue?
Informative and makes sense, many of these reviewers of this amp maybe just plugged in had bit of play , then came to the conclusion it's crap then went on their fanboy Katana praises, not saying the Katana is bad but to be honest I never heard what all the fuss is about , but this video is very informative, and maybe I might purchase this AMP, I just need something to practice or play at home, I do not see the sense of getting a 100 watt amp and never really be able to use it at it's full capacity, my current amp is a VOX VT 20X it's a strange one somedays it sounds great and other days it sounds like a wet fart , and frustrates me I do not mind playing around the amp reading what makes it tick, I am going to keep this video as fav for sure
Wow! This is a super vid! I bought a GT40 recently and I was looking for a video just like this: one that would give me a LOT more than just another review. You really go in depth on this amp and it's very helpful. I'll continue to use it as a guide as I learn more about my GT40. I have one question: When I'm adjusting presets, I sometimes get a yellow box behind the preset number. No, not red...not blue. Yellow. I have no idea why it's yellow, but I suspect the Fender engineers allowed the yellow for SOME reason. Have you any idea why this is so? Thanks! I'm subscribed so I'll watch for your reply. Thanks again!
Hey Sven - I really appreciate this review. I like that this is not the typical cookie cutter "buy this amp" type of review; you bring out a lot of useful points that are not even mentioned in the manual (go figure!). We're strangers, so I appreciate your taking the time to put this together as it has greatly benefited me and properly using the amp. I like that one of your tips is to create presets specific to your different guitars. I find that one of the biggest strengths of this amp (that guitars sound different through the amp - which is what one would expect with an amp!!!). I find it really disturbing that with some modeling amps, every guitar sounds the same as if the preset overrides whatever type of guitar and pickup combo you use (which is the opposite purpose for an amp in my mind). I almost gave up on modeling amps for this reason b/c I really like to modify guitars with different pickups to go for specific sounds. With this amp, it seems to work better than most of the modeling amps I've tried. Anyway, great review. My only complaint is that the amp does not seem very loud. Even with headphones on, I have to crank the Master knob up to the max. Is that your experience too? I'm hoping it is not something defective in my specific amp.
Thanks for the comments and watching my video. I agree, the amp is not a loud amp, by design I presume. Like I said in the video, it's really meant for practicing. I suppose it can be mic'd and run thru a PA board so you can keep up with the volumes needed for a band. I have contemplated doing so, but haven't yet.
hi, please, can you tell me, i'm beguiner, ojective : get some knopfler sounds, like on money for nothing, calling elvis , but more lean like sultans of swing, do you think it's possible ? i should like to play some pink floyd, hendrix or stevie ray vaughan ... i play on a hohner £l75 thank you :)
Awesome review! I had the LT25 for several years but I noticed from 2022 onward there was no way to connect to Fender Tone nor could I do any updates using my PC (they said it was some compatibility issues with Windows!!!). Prior to that the LT26 was awesome because you could download various tones etc. So had to finally do away with it. I am going to buy this GT-40 after watching this review. What's the difference between WIfi and Bluetooth. What can you do with a WIFi connection with the amp (maybe a silly question but just curious)?
Hello the preset shown at 13:32 "every breath you take" is one of mine created with Fender Fuse on my Fender Mustang 1amp. As fender fuse discontinued I just want to know if its possible to use old preset created with Fuse on this new Fender mustang Amp. I've save a lot of presets made with Fuse but, I've sell my Mustang 1 and I'm no more able to use them. don't know if you've got the answer to this question but I'll try my luck ;) Thanks
My father got me the gt200 ...I wish he didn’t..Because he knows nothing about music nor plays any instruments.....still it is the thought that counts...but 200 watts (100w stereo) is crazy loud!! Also I play more heavy metal and doom...I did manage to get a great Swedish chainsaw tone 😅 with the tube preamp and eq ....and even a nice tight 5150 metal sound..I have been toying with the idea of closing the back to give,it more bottom end ....but at the end of the day it is a cool amp and damn does it shine on the cleans and even mid gain rock...still 200 watts hurts the ears
chris haffer i have a first year tweed blues jr too. did i say in the video it was exactly like a blues jr.? don’t think so. remember the GT40 is a PRACTICE amp :)
Great video! My pop just got a GT-100 somewhat my suggestion bc I felt it would serve his needs at 72 yrs old. I have spent a little time experimenting and I have mixed feelings. Although I felt tweaking presets would help. Your video is fantastic and I can’t wait to tweak the amp with these tips. 👍. My pop wouldn’t really know where to start with that... I don’t blame him.
I used the '65 Princeton amp with a 15-watt 1x12 BB15 speaker cab. (The '65 Princeton has a 10" speaker cab as stock) Tweak the tone settings to your liking.
Big thanks for sharing all that with us! A lot of time spent exploring, testing and comparing! Really appreciated! I had tweaked a little with the EQ settings and few adjustments on the amps, and already noticed BIG improvements on the sound. So big that It makes me think that Fender spent a lot of time "converting" the classic amps into digital models on the system, but forgot to "match" them to the limited speakers + cabinet size of the GT40. Your video just made this impression stronger! Oh, and it seems the spreadsheet link is not working anymore =[
yes, the settings and general advice on how to use the settings and features would apply. However, I am not intimately familiar with the menu structure and organization of the software to ensure this video is 100% on track with the LT50.
When I tried your lifetime suggestion all that happened was it highlighted that row. Not sure if it's something that no longer works or I just made a mistake
Great video Sven! Will the tips you talk about work with a Fender Mustang III as well? I have a v2 I got a few years ago that I like a lot, not ready to replace it yet but I want to get the most out of it that I can. Thanks mate!
I can't understand why Fender is not equal to or more than the sparks 40 watt amp, Fender sound effects suck, the Sparks 40 amp will blow you out of the water, Fender should have at least the same sound effects options as the Spark 40, shame on you. Fender you should quit sticking all the money in your pocket, start making your customers happy, and you should start doing it soon before you go out of business.
Thank you very much for this article. It helps realy to get a better sound out of my GT-40 and also on my GT-100. But your link to the spreatsheet is broken. Can you please provide this Excel again? It would be very kind of you and I would be appreciated it. Thank you.
thanks for visiting the video. The link is not broken...it depends on what device you are using to access the file and how you are choosing to save it. I sent you the file in an email. Best of Luck!
Tip# 21- Solder an ext. speaker jack so you can run it into a 2x12 cab, or build a new cabinet for the Gt40 with 2x12's in it, take apart the Gt40 and install the amp section in it.
I wonder is replacing the speakers with something like the Eminence 620H 6.5" Hemp Guitar Speaker would step up the tone a notch? I have not found any info on whether people have tried to do so.
I am a big fan of eminence speakers. I think that would be a worthy upgrade. Ive seen a video where a speaker swap was done. It wasn't entirely easy to do.
This video alone has raised the value of every mustang gt40 amp on the planet! Thank you!
super famous Ha! you are too kind :)
This is how reviews should be. You not only go deep on what the settings are, you explain when and why you might use them or change something. The spreadsheet is incredible. Thank you! Amazing work!
This amp is INCREDIBLE. Incredible. I have several tube amps - Marshall, Mesa/Boogie, Orange, Egnater, Randall, and Fender. I’ve played through nearly everything through the years. They have the MODELING RIGHT on this unit. Just throw away your speaker and go straight into your DAW with the headphone jack.
I’m the pickiest fool you’ll meet and I have a love affair with this thing. Have owned and sold the Code, Cube, Kemper, and Katana. Take an afternoon and learn this thing. It pays dividends.
Hands down one of the most excellent reviews I have seen! Well done sir. Please continue!
Thank you so much for putting in all this effort to help us get the most out of this little amp. I'm very grateful
Wow! People need to hear this review! Great job 🙌🏽
The best review of fender mustang GT-40
Wow. In both cases of mystery amp 1, I guessed the GT-40 was the second one. In other words, the better sound actually came from the modeling amp than the vintage tubes.
Hear the reverb tank start to feedback slightly on the GT-40’s Deluxe Reverb. They might as well both be DRs but different years with in slightly different condition. People don’t talk about this much, but that’s absolutely insane. 😮😮
Wow. Magnificent, my good brother! Is Fender paying you for this? They should! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Can't wait to get back in there.
P.S. I've always loved my GT40 for what it is. To be able to store all that versatility, albeit, it one little "box," and pull any of it up with the twist of a wrist makes this the greatest of times IMO. (A lot of tone still comes from one's fingers, yes?)
Oh, and thanks for the downloads, Sven. You rock!
I bought the Fender LT-40 S but only one speaker works - excellent amp .
Good review, except there really is no such thing as a "stage amp" and a "practice amp." If it sounds good, it is good. I don't know why anyone would let another guitarist simultaneously plug into their amp, and if you need extra volume from the amp to fill a stadium, put a mic in front of it. You don't necessarily need a line out.
Years ago I worked a festival and the Go-Go's were playing one stage and David Lee Roth was playing another stage. The Go-Go's had these tiny little 5 watter's that were mic'd up while Dave's gunslinger had a wall of stacks of Marshalls, (only one cab was actually turned on and mic'd up though).
The Go-Go's Front of House volume was ear-drum rupturing loud while Dave's volume level was normal. Why? It had nothing to do with the amps. It was because the guy in charge of the sound board had jacked the Go-Go's little 5 watter amps through 10,000 watts of FOH monitors.
I would have no problem playing a gig with a Mustang GT 40 mic'd up through the sound board.
Now, some clueless members of the audience like to see that wall of Marshalls, (even if they aren't hooked up). LOL! I remember playing one gig with an empty 4x12 cabinet and running a modeler direct into the soundboard. All the wankers were coming up to me at the break telling me how great my tone was and how loud and full the sound was and weren't Marshalls so great and the only true amp for real rock n; roll... It was all the modeler.
WOW. Unquestionably the best review I have ever seen.
Thank you do much for this! I just made ny Telecaster sound amazing!!!!! What a great video.
Thanks for your effort :)
Good stuff here.
This was/is incredibly helpful! Thanks for taking the time to do this, and for sharing!
Thank you so much for this! I had no idea most of this was available.
I agree 100%!
I purchased this amp, along with the foot-switch.
I purchased this amp as a portable practice amp. I chose this amp specifically, because of its connectivity; bluetooth, wifi, usb, audio input.
Also, I am totally blind, and the Tone app is fully compatible with my accessibility software, unlike its competitors.
The foot-switch makes for even more functionality, and was worth the extra cost, considering the versatility and portability.
Hi! I have a question about the footswitchand the looper...can you help me?
What foot switch is?
@@PugiTheDogYT Fender MGT-4 Mustang GT Footswitch
Steve, the subjects and organization of your content is SO lwell and professionally done, I'm subscribing immediately. I'm just imaging all the repetitiveness and nitpicking involved in adding all your graphics, edits, supplementary materials like that spreadsheet--you are a giant among creators. Just want you to know that here's someone else who knows how much work you're putting in, and that Yes, this is a splendid SERVICE to US ALL. Your vids are TOP NOTCH! THANK YOU!! 🥰
Amazing job man, thanks a lot, i was thinking about buying this for my every day practice, this is the most complete review i have found, EVER!! thanks
Wow ! Thanks for the shortcut to the Mids control !
Samuel you can second that! 👍🏽
I was going to sell mine, after watching the video, I have changed my mind. Thanks for putting the time and effort into doing the video
I've watched a couple dozen videos on the GT40 and this is by far the best one. After fussing with mine for an entire weekend I already had most of this down but I sure wish I watched this first! Great job and thank you! I love this amp. For under $300 it's definitely what I would recommend to people who want a living room amp.
How does this compare to the Boss Katana 50?
@@AxemanMessiah beats me, never even seen one.
@@AxemanMessiahthis amp kills the katana and ships it back to Japan for burial
Much appreciated. Muddy no more. This is starting to sound like a pretty decent little amp.
Why on earth are the default fender settings so universally crap?
It's like I got rid of the dud amp and bought a good one. Yee haa.
Really want this amp but I've read a lot of negative reviews. Would you still recommend this amp in 2020? Looking for something to practice with at home. Thinking about this or the newer LT models.
Outstanding review, exactly what I needed when looking for a new amp, went over all the little details while explaining them in terms even a beginner could understand, definitely the best gear review I've seen in a long time
Appreciate the Excel sheet!!! Cheers for SHARING :)
Oh my word! Thank you so much for this amazing video and documentation! Upped the value of my amp. Cheers from Spain
Wow! All that hard work just for the community. Thank you.
I'm very impressed with this review and "How To." Your style kept me engaged. Thank you for posting!
Had the GT 200 for more than a year now. Excellent work-horse amplifier. I specifically bought GT 200 to avoid paying extra for the 40 and 100 since it comes with the footswitch. There is an EQ 7 setting now, so even distortion can sound heavy as hell. My guitar learning experience really took off because of this amp
Oh my god thank you so much. The tones I used sounded so awesome on my strat, but I got a new Jackson and they didn’t sound very good. This video allowed me to make some awesome tones thank you so much!
Nice, most extensive review I've ever seen! Kind a wish you had modeled the acoustic guitar as well. Just out of curiosity, what model acoustic guitar do you have?
I have a Taylor 914ce and s Breedlove C25/SCe.
@@hikefishmakemusic What does the set you use for acoustic look like? I tried a few with the preset before your video, but I didn't think they sounded very good. What do you suggest?
Wow! Great review and tutorial. Thank you!!
Great video. I’m thinking of getting the smaller newer LT25 for practice and tone versatility. Any comments on that?
In my opinion, the LT25 is like free crack. It will get you hooked at a low price and then you'll want the bigger/better stuff soon thereafter. You may just want to save and spend the $100-$150 extra to get a GT40 with WAY more functionality.
Good question. Thanks for the answer!
Great tips! This amp is perfect in my opinion. These tips have made this amp open up exponentially. I have also found that it sounds absolutely incredible through headphones as well. You can really hear the stereo effects much better and each amp/setting feels different and completely authentic. I use Sony studio monitor headphones and everything comes through crystal clear. Might I also add that you can patch the sound out via the headphone jack & aux plug.
Thanks mate, I'd fallen out with my GTX100 and was heading back to my tube amps, however you've thrown light on what I was missing, very grateful.
Excellent excellent review. Thorough and to the point, supported with great examples, others should learn from you.
Thanks, I’d really like to love this little amp, I bought one about a year ago and lost interest in it almost immediately, then I started messing with it a few days ago and had an interested infant turning all the knobs while I was playing and fortunately stumbled across a few presets while I was playing that actually sounded pretty good so I’m trying to find it’s actual potential now, I’m fairly sure there is a really decent little amp in there... thanks for the info...
best help video on the net
I liket the Mustang GT40 so much, I sold it to upgrade to the Mustang GT100, now I have more power, a Mid EQ know, and extra audio connectors on the rear. I play on a small band so this amp gives me great room to explore hundreds of sounds before committing money on specific expensive pedals. I also ended up buying the Footswitch to move across effects live.
Soap McTavish tell me please, is the sound on the same level better on the gt100 ? I only use mine in my bedroom and wondering if the gt100 is worth it ? I never go beyong 11 on the master volume but feel like the bigger speaker of the gt100 would be worth it. Thank
It seems that many inexpensive modelling combos suffer from a similar 'boxy' sound. I think the main reason for this is that they use cab simulation and a broadband speaker instead of just guitar speakers. The first method should theoretically work, and has the benefit that tnhe user can choose different cabinets and speaker sims. This approach works very well for recording and even while practicing with full range headphones, both of which were the originally intended use.
The next logical step ofcourse was to also use this approach to play live, at home, in a rehearsal space or on stage. While it does seem to work well for PA's, msny guitarists find the guitar tone from full range speakers on stage or at home from a modelling combo less than satisfactory (to say the least ;)) Even top modelers such as a Kemper paired with expensive studio monitors often does not provide the same experience as a much less expensive actual guitar amp.
One reason is likely that any modelling based on profiling always includes the effect of the microphone used to create the amp profile. This likely explains why this approach works well for recording and live PA's, where there is normally also a mic, but not home playing, rehearsal and s6xge monitoring, ehere we zte usedyo hezr the zctual amp ;). A second reason could be that although this approach should work theoretically, it is very difficult to make it work well in reality, even with high end studio monitors, let alone in any inexpensive modeling combo ,)
It seems that not all manufacturers have read the memo (Fender, Line6 ). Many of their 'boxy' or unnatural sounding modelling combos will suddenly sound surprisingly good if connected to an external guitar cabinet and the cabsim bypassed ;)
Modelling combos from a company such as VOX tend to sound much nicer, because they do not have a full range speaker. And Boss managed to repackage their fairly impopular CMOS modeling technique in a combo without full range speakers (as far as i know :)) and it became one of their most succesfull product series ;)
a true masterclass
Stratospheric review -Thank you so much for your GT-40 science ! I was considering buying a Spark amp, but I think soundwise the Fender will be fuller sounding and seems more like a real guitar amp... hopefully it will be a better mate for my Sterling (AL-40) and her small sister, an indonesian Strat Affinity ... ah I just realize : the 40 is common to the guit and the amp ! good sign !
This is an extraordinarily helpful resource, very well-organized and produced. Thank you!
Tnx brthr
Thank you so much for your amazing video! 1) Have you played with Firmware v3, and if you did - what are your thoughts on it? I bought the GT40 because the reviewers said it improved the amp a lot and because the amp will now have pre-set settings for each of the 600+ Fender Songs 2) Do you plan to create an updated video incorporating v3 updates?
@fender
Hi.
One issue I have had with this GT 40 amp is that there seems to be some form of incompatibility with the Wi-Fi function as described by fender. It seems that after a period of playing for about 20 minutes for no particular reason, the volume will cut down almost to a muffle on me.
I don’t know why it happens. It happens regularly. It was deemed unfixable by an amplifier expert here in my city and it was such that the distributor that sold me the amp just gave me my money back saying that fender couldn’t fix this it was too expensive to fix. I wonder if anyone else has had this issue and if they have found a fix for it yet.
Presently, this amp is just sitting on my floor and I wish I could use it again because I really do like all the good features that you described in this article.
I have another modeling amp I think sounds better, but for size, features and the used market prices, you really can't beat this one! Perfect desktop practice amp.
Any one else have an issue with thie GT40 cutting out every minute or so while playing? Like it almost fqdes out, then gets a scratchy and sometimes loud noise bomb until getting back to where it should be, all of which takes about 10 seconds. It’s one of the most reliable things I have noticed, despite it being not desirable.
It amost sounds like digital distortion via WiFi or Bluetooth.
The only thing I haven’t tried is to move it closer to thd WiFi router, but such things are probably not interfering with the sound. It’d too late to send it back - I’m just wondering if anyone else had this issue?
Thanks for the hard work you put into making the video. Appreciate it.
Just picked up a GT100 with the 4-button footswitch and Fender's expression pedal for $250. Thanks for the tips.
You found a good deal. Have fun with it.
Michael Loomis III where did you get that deal?
Informative and makes sense, many of these reviewers of this amp maybe just plugged in had bit of play , then came to the conclusion it's crap then went on their fanboy Katana praises, not saying the Katana is bad but to be honest I never heard what all the fuss is about , but this video is very informative, and maybe I might purchase this AMP, I just need something to practice or play at home, I do not see the sense of getting a 100 watt amp and never really be able to use it at it's full capacity, my current amp is a VOX VT 20X it's a strange one somedays it sounds great and other days it sounds like a wet fart , and frustrates me I do not mind playing around the amp reading what makes it tick, I am going to keep this video as fav for sure
Very useful video. Thank you.
Wow! This is a super vid! I bought a GT40 recently and I was looking for a video just like this: one that would give me a LOT more than just another review. You really go in depth on this amp and it's very helpful. I'll continue to use it as a guide as I learn more about my GT40. I have one question: When I'm adjusting presets, I sometimes get a yellow box behind the preset number. No, not red...not blue. Yellow. I have no idea why it's yellow, but I suspect the Fender engineers allowed the yellow for SOME reason. Have you any idea why this is so? Thanks! I'm subscribed so I'll watch for your reply. Thanks again!
It is a preset that is part of your favorite set list. Just keep pressing the main encoder button to add or remove a preset from the favorite list
This is an excellent video thanks for sharing
Hold on, you cant use the looper without the footswitch? Not even with the celphone app or something?
Nope, only with the footswitch.
@@hikefishmakemusic oh great to know, thanks!!
Honestly I think they should have made this the LT 25 and put a 12” speaker in the 40. Just seems backward to me.
Good comment. At least put a 10" in the GT40 would have been a fairly logical thing to do.
Do you know why my fender mustang gt40 amp is buzzing randomly (it’s not the guitar)?
Why does the amp cut out after 10-20 minutes?
Alexia Christian you may have a bad amp. check with who you purchased it from for exchange or warranty claims. it should not cut out at all.
Sven Svenson Thank you. I’ve heard reviews that it can cut out because it’s electronic but mine cuts out all the time now
@@singerstarac mine does as well, can't find a solution to the issue either. I'm about to return it.
Hey Sven - I really appreciate this review. I like that this is not the typical cookie cutter "buy this amp" type of review; you bring out a lot of useful points that are not even mentioned in the manual (go figure!). We're strangers, so I appreciate your taking the time to put this together as it has greatly benefited me and properly using the amp. I like that one of your tips is to create presets specific to your different guitars. I find that one of the biggest strengths of this amp (that guitars sound different through the amp - which is what one would expect with an amp!!!). I find it really disturbing that with some modeling amps, every guitar sounds the same as if the preset overrides whatever type of guitar and pickup combo you use (which is the opposite purpose for an amp in my mind). I almost gave up on modeling amps for this reason b/c I really like to modify guitars with different pickups to go for specific sounds. With this amp, it seems to work better than most of the modeling amps I've tried. Anyway, great review. My only complaint is that the amp does not seem very loud. Even with headphones on, I have to crank the Master knob up to the max. Is that your experience too? I'm hoping it is not something defective in my specific amp.
Thanks for the comments and watching my video. I agree, the amp is not a loud amp, by design I presume. Like I said in the video, it's really meant for practicing. I suppose it can be mic'd and run thru a PA board so you can keep up with the volumes needed for a band. I have contemplated doing so, but haven't yet.
Amazing job
Thank you !!
Nearly got this and realised i dont want to be on the phone the whole time.
hi, please, can you tell me, i'm beguiner, ojective : get some knopfler sounds, like on money for nothing, calling elvis , but more lean like sultans of swing, do you think it's possible ?
i should like to play some pink floyd, hendrix or stevie ray vaughan ... i play on a hohner £l75
thank you :)
Awesome work man. Thanks!
Can you still use it without an ipad or iPhone?
Absolutely! Everything you can do on an iPad can be done onboard.
Great video.. thanks bro I learned a lot
Awesome review!
I had the LT25 for several years but I noticed from 2022 onward there was no way to connect to Fender Tone nor could I do any updates using my PC (they said it was some compatibility issues with Windows!!!). Prior to that the LT26 was awesome because you could download various tones etc. So had to finally do away with it.
I am going to buy this GT-40 after watching this review. What's the difference between WIfi and Bluetooth. What can you do with a WIFi connection with the amp (maybe a silly question but just curious)?
I have a GTX 100 but hey I'm bored
Hello
the preset shown at 13:32 "every breath you take" is one of mine created with Fender Fuse on my Fender Mustang 1amp.
As fender fuse discontinued I just want to know if its possible to use old preset created with Fuse on this new Fender mustang Amp.
I've save a lot of presets made with Fuse but, I've sell my Mustang 1 and I'm no more able to use them.
don't know if you've got the answer to this question but I'll try my luck ;)
Thanks
I wish you would played more riffs instead of just strumming one chord. One could hear the sound much better.
I don't agree with that. A chord is more complex offering more tonal varieties to study sound.
My father got me the gt200 ...I wish he didn’t..Because he knows nothing about music nor plays any instruments.....still it is the thought that counts...but 200 watts (100w stereo) is crazy loud!! Also I play more heavy metal and doom...I did manage to get a great Swedish chainsaw tone 😅 with the tube preamp and eq ....and even a nice tight 5150 metal sound..I have been toying with the idea of closing the back to give,it more bottom end ....but at the end of the day it is a cool amp and damn does it shine on the cleans and even mid gain rock...still 200 watts hurts the ears
A great video - thanks!
Sorry nothing like the jr. I have a jr and although this sounds good it is way off. Nice pickin btw.
chris haffer i have a first year tweed blues jr too. did i say in the video it was exactly like a blues jr.? don’t think so. remember the GT40 is a PRACTICE amp :)
Great video! My pop just got a GT-100 somewhat my suggestion bc I felt it would serve his needs at 72 yrs old. I have spent a little time experimenting and I have mixed feelings. Although I felt tweaking presets would help. Your video is fantastic and I can’t wait to tweak the amp with these tips. 👍. My pop wouldn’t really know where to start with that... I don’t blame him.
Hi Sven, this is an awesome review. Thanks! Could you share the settings you used to emulate the Blues Jr?
I used the '65 Princeton amp with a 15-watt 1x12 BB15 speaker cab. (The '65 Princeton has a 10" speaker cab as stock) Tweak the tone settings to your liking.
Thx so much!!!!!
Very nice review! Will you be trying out the new Mustang GTX series? 50 or 100 watts
How about the fender mustang lt25 ,?
Elias Music don’t have one, so i cannot comment on it.
Big thanks for sharing all that with us! A lot of time spent exploring, testing and comparing! Really appreciated!
I had tweaked a little with the EQ settings and few adjustments on the amps, and already noticed BIG improvements on the sound. So big that It makes me think that Fender spent a lot of time "converting" the classic amps into digital models on the system, but forgot to "match" them to the limited speakers + cabinet size of the GT40. Your video just made this impression stronger!
Oh, and it seems the spreadsheet link is not working anymore =[
Would this apply for the lt50?
yes, the settings and general advice on how to use the settings and features would apply. However, I am not intimately familiar with the menu structure and organization of the software to ensure this video is 100% on track with the LT50.
When I tried your lifetime suggestion all that happened was it highlighted that row. Not sure if it's something that no longer works or I just made a mistake
Great work...thank you for the help.
Thank you so much for the spreadsheet! It is SO helpful!
Great video Sven! Will the tips you talk about work with a Fender Mustang III as well? I have a v2 I got a few years ago that I like a lot, not ready to replace it yet but I want to get the most out of it that I can. Thanks mate!
What a beautiffuly done instructive video! All I have to say is BRAVO
Thank you!
I can't understand why Fender is not equal to or more than the sparks 40 watt amp, Fender sound effects suck, the Sparks 40 amp will blow you out of the water, Fender should have at least the same sound effects options as the Spark 40, shame on you. Fender you should quit sticking all the money in your pocket, start making your customers happy, and you should start doing it soon before you go out of business.
I've got a Spark 40 and a Spark Mini. Like them both for different reasons.
@@hikefishmakemusic Have the Sparks replaced the GT40 for you?
@@sboistan they have for now, but just for practicing.
You should make a comparison between this and the Monoprice 15W
It's just common sense that majority of these modelling amps need some sort tweaking, I am looking at this amp, but some really good points,
Great tutorial and tips/tricks!
Best best review
Thank you very much for this article. It helps realy to get a better sound out of my GT-40 and also on my GT-100.
But your link to the spreatsheet is broken. Can you please provide this Excel again? It would be very kind of you and I would be appreciated it. Thank you.
thanks for visiting the video. The link is not broken...it depends on what device you are using to access the file and how you are choosing to save it. I sent you the file in an email. Best of Luck!
Shouldn’t it be bigger than the LT25?
Tip# 21- Solder an ext. speaker jack so you can run it into a 2x12 cab, or build a new cabinet for the Gt40 with 2x12's in it, take apart the Gt40 and install the amp section in it.
Interesting - not sure why you would want to do that to a practice amp. just buy the gt100 or 200 and save time, hassle and money.
I can plug to this pedals or multi effect?
I wonder is replacing the speakers with something like the Eminence 620H 6.5" Hemp Guitar Speaker would step up the tone a notch? I have not found any info on whether people have tried to do so.
I am a big fan of eminence speakers. I think that would be a worthy upgrade. Ive seen a video where a speaker swap was done. It wasn't entirely easy to do.
This amp needs to have battery power option.
I just got this amp and the MGT-4 foot switch for 220 w/ tax out the door. I believe I got a good deal.
Yes, a very good deal. Congrats!
How you Making the display brighter???
Adariuss Artz don’t know