Fender Princeton Reverb Tonemaster

[GearGasms]

Ever since Fender started making the ToneMaster line of amps, I was curious as to just how close they sound to the real tube amps that they model. Some of the advantages are low maintenance, longer life, a lot less weight and a little less money. But if it doesn't sound like the real deal, or at least give you a sound that you like, it's all for naught.
Thanks to Earle Teat Music in Delmar, Delaware, I got a chance to take the Fender ToneMaster Princeton Reverb home for a week and see just how good it is as an amp all on its own! Are all of the savings worth it or are there major compromises?
We'll find out together. Shop Local Music Stores, wherever you are!
Have a Mediocre Weekend!
alan

 

[TotallyRadGuitars]

Cool video.

It’ll be a cold day in hell before I drop 900 bucks on a solid state fender though. May as well get a used axe fx or other modeler that can do multiple SS clean sounds.

I also think it’s really sad to use the name “Tonemaster” on these. I used to have a Tonemaster head and still have the 4x12, 100 watt tube amp with (for the time) innovative features/tone for a Fender. The new tonemaster line seems to be a way to cash in on a recognizable name in the lowest effort, cheapest to produce way possible. Nothing unique about it.

That’s not a dig at your video btw, I really enjoyed watching it even if I don’t like that particular amp. Cheers

 

[chumbucket]

You would think when considering the topology of this amp that they could have included an effects loop?

 

[GearGasms]

You would think when considering the topology of this amp that they could have included an effects loop?

I think maybe they were trying to keep it more like the tube version without one but I also wondered about that. I did a video testing it as a pedal platform with everything in the front that will be out in a couple of weeks.

 

[GearGasms]

Cool video.

It’ll be a cold day in hell before I drop 900 bucks on a solid state fender though. May as well get a used axe fx or other modeler that can do multiple SS clean sounds.

I also think it’s really sad to use the name “Tonemaster” on these. I used to have a Tonemaster head and still have the 4x12, 100 watt tube amp with (for the time) innovative features/tone for a Fender. The new tonemaster line seems to be a way to cash in on a recognizable name in the lowest effort, cheapest to produce way possible. Nothing unique about it.

That’s not a dig at your video btw, I really enjoyed watching it even if I don’t like that particular amp. Cheers

Yeah the price is a thing for me too. I think they didn't want to eat at the tube versions too much with too low of a price but in my mind it's not even close to what the price should be.