137. FENDER FR-12 UPDATE: "FINALLY...LIVE PERFORMING AWESOMENESS" w/BOSS IR-200!

Highly requested "update" on the FENDER TR-12 & the BOSS IR-200...done on a BEEGEE BENDER with SINGLE COILS...enjoy...I sure am;)

[@Docsjeff]

Glad I found your channel or…..actually it found me in my algorithm on Yt.

[@Docsjeff]

I have 2 new Tone Masters and love them for my Pedal steel. I actually pulled the 2-12’s out of 1 of em and installed 1-15” Black Widow.Sounds awesome w/my steel. Sounds great w/my Tele’s as well.

[@Docsjeff]

Nice riffs,really clean.

[@JasonRichison]

I sure appreciate your 'real world' advice and experience about equipment, not to mention your amazing picking! I always get something good to take away from your wonderful videos. 🤠👏👏👏

[@musicmandan1717]

Brother Jason...thank you for these kind words;) I hope you and beautiful Darlene are doing well and all is well in the "World of Double Bending";) Let's catch up soon with Facetime chat;) My prayers to you both and your family and friends...Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@lewisgeyer1440]

During this demo I never wished for more dirt. Great tone and playing all the way around. Thanks.

[@musicmandan1717]

Just about enough for me too Brother Lewis;) Thank you for the kind words...Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@Emperorjones]

Sounds great, enjoying your double-stop touch.

[@musicmandan1717]

Thank you Emperor;) My prayers to you, your family and friends...Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@ricardbennett6487]

I totally agree with your point of view. A loud, real clean sound is essential to me. I laugh at many youtube players who say "this is my clean sound" and it ain't. Thanks for the review!!

[@musicmandan1717]

Thank you for watching along with your comment;) My "Clean" sound...means "Crystal Clean";) My prayers to you,your family and friends...Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@mojo6778]

As always, I enjoyed your playing and appreciate your honesty and informative content! Have a great week!

[@musicmandan1717]

Thank you for watching and the kind words Brother Mojo;) My prayers to you, your family and friends...Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@Docsjeff]

I had to go to the tone masters because of back issues. I played old orig Twins and the last one I tried to pick up felt like it was bolted to the floor.

[@Docsjeff]

I did buy 2 Hot Rod Deluxes but both are 90’s made in USA. They’ll be the last tube amps I’ll ever buy.

[@GuitarBard96]

I have the IR200 into an fr 10 and am loving it! diamond or twin are my favorites, I also got the tonex one for more amp sim options, but still use the boss for the effects loop and cabinets since the boss has 500ms 96k ir captures, which is more than the tonex. using york audio IRs has improved the sound even more than the stock boss IRs, id recommend trying the 1 dollar sample pack from york audio!

[@musicmandan1717]

Thank you for the valuable insight regarding both your experience, setup and the York info...I will be heading over there later to check that out;) My prayers to you, your family and friends...Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@user-vs6kr3cb2i]

Great Information Dan. Thank you. All the best from Germany Rainer.

[@musicmandan1717]

Thank you for watching & your comment;) My prayers to you, your family and friends in Germany...and everywhere;) Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@jabberwocky7927]

Great quote earlier. "at no time did I crave more dirt on your tone' This was great thank you. I have a BOSS Katana and want to move to a Fender FR12 and a Tonex.

[@musicmandan1717]

Jabberwocky...thank you for your kind words and for watching;) Cool name & I agree re: the quote;) I currently own 3 Katana's...the 112, the 212 and the Artist (and gave away another 112)...all wonderful amps but the "depths to reaching your final tone destination" made have a computer hooked up to the "inner workings" of the amp a necessity...something that doesn't work well in a "live" situation. Additionally...and unfortunately...ALL of my Katana's experienced a unexpected "Factory Reset" during "live" performances over the course of me trying to use them "live". This did not happen "all" the time...but when it did...in the middle of a "solo"...with jumps in tone, volume and/or whatever else...dang it...it was not a "pleasant" experience for those listening nor the Cowboy playing thru them;( I now associate these unexpected "Factory Resets" with the power issues (low to high voltage fluctuations) that have always been in place here in the Keys that only recently have I resolved by purchasing Furman Voltage Regulators to insure the voltage going to my equipment. I do think the Katanas are wonderful sources of sound...but I would now need to "test" them with my voltage regulators to "see" if this happened again but more than likely I won't due to the fact I have 3 Tonemaster amps in addition to the Tonemaster FR-12...and each one of these has been "sonically stable" with no need to be tethered to a computer...and sound incredible just by "turning knobs";) My prayers to you, your family and friends...and thank you for your comment;) Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@jabberwocky7927]

@@musicmandan1717 Thank you, Dan for your real world experiences regarding the Katana The Katana feels like a toy to me, albeit versatile. My last 2 real amps were JCM800 2203 and a Mesa Half stack. I like the way an amp feels. Does the Fender FR12 behind you feel like youre moving enough air to satisfy you in a live situation? I am really leaning towards the Tonex full pedal. To be able to play Bonamassas dumble and other famous amps is really appealing.

[@musicmandan1717]

A great "guitar picker" question you have asked...and one that is not asked with frequency;) The answer...absolutely YES...which I attribute to the enclosed back design along with the fact that the 1000W speaker designed specifically & uniquely by Fender for this cabinet is "legitimate" in it's specs...and intended headroom...which is 100% reliant on your "AMP in a BOX" choice...being sure to hit the FR-12's input with a LINE LEVEL signal...not an INSTRUMENT LEVEL input...the MOST CRITICAL "Piece of the Sonic Puzzle";) I just posted a "live" video sent to me via a friends iPhone recording from last Wednesday's "Cowboy In The Courtyard" performance featuring the FR-12...the Boss IR-200...a Nobels ODR-1 & an Epiphone Goldtop "Les Paul" with yours truly playing the Allman Brother classic, "One Way Out"...when you have a moment, take a listen. It is a solid example of "what" the cabinet is capable of doing "live"...with much more headroom available if needed;) Thank you again...and if you have any more questions...please ask;) Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@jabberwocky7927]

@@musicmandan1717 Thanks Dan. I like the video, thanks for uploading it. Nice pickin' by the way. Great tone, sounds like youre moving air. Long live Dickie Betts!! Headroom is the term is was searching for. Seems like the FR has a lot of perceived headroom. My Marshall stack had loads of it. Your tone is nice. I just need the amp to vibrate my pant legs a bit while I play ;) I used to be leery of getting into modelled tones because of it sounding sterile and just another gear rabbit hole to vacuum up my money. I think I am convinced now. This is the future. Thank you very much Sir. I appreciate you corresponding with me. God bless.

[@musicmandan1717]

My Musical Brother...I appreciate you spending some time with me & if I can offer any help, please let me know;) I am fortunate to have an opinion based upon much experience...which doesn't make my opinion "correct"...but an opinion that I can reflect upon "actual instances of usage" and therefore the "outcome" of those instances being a "result". I will also share that fact that this "Tone Voyage" is a life-long journey...as I can tell you already know. Pickers like us...those use to "turning knobs and getting results from something you can actually put your hands on"...have to "wrap your mind" around this "virtual world that is trying to be real"...as within these "modeled amps"...something that is not "natural" for the many of us who have actually played on many of these amps that now are "popular and desirable models". For me...the combination of the Fender Tonemaster amps and now the FR-12 cabinet along with a solid amp modeling device such as the Boss-IR 200, the Helix or the Tonex...is a "sensible world" that has the "best of both" worlds...actual "physical sources of sound" from the amps/cabinets themselves along with the "source" that sends it to the amp/cabinets that then provides a "sonic result" that someone like yourself that "knows what" they are looking for..."through experience"...can "sonically decide" if you are "tonally satifisfied". Most younger players that "demo" these devices here on KZbin simply have never "played" through the actual "real amps" that these "digital models" are made to "sound like" & therefore...no 1st hand "sonic experience". As for me...I have not played on ALL the "real" amp models within the Boss IR-200, but I am EXTREMELY FAMILIAR with the one that I was hoping would "do the digital job" of sounding "real"...and finally...this Fender Amp/Cab plus Boss-IR200 has finally gotten me to the "place" where I can call the "Sonic Starting Point of Familiarity"...to my experienced ears of "what" I actually "know". And...I am satisfied...EXTREMELY SATISFIED...that I am in the "ballpark"...but knowing my satisfaction level will NEVER BE 100%... for that is the "Nature of Me"...always "wondering & searching"...so much MUSIC TO PLAY & EXPLORE...the Blessings of this Gift of a Journey;) My prayers to you, your family and friends...and please keep me updated as you journey on;) Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@GuyNarnarian]

Sounds great Dan. I've heard great things about the Boss IR-200. I made an impulse buy the other week when I was at a local shop I wanted to support and picked up a UA Lion. Right now, I have it running in 4-cable mode in front and through the effects loop of a Mark V:25 - but I think I need to run it through studio monitors or an FR cab to hear the cab sims as they should be heard. Sounds great through the regular cabinet, and you can switch back and forth between the Lion and Mark V, giving you 9 different amp voicings to play around with. But that defeats the purpose of keeping the tube amps at home. It can definitely be used as a full platform. Can stay clean on the Super Bass mode, especially if you use the low inputs (through the app). I want to test it through a PA or something before I use it exclusively for a performance or practice with others. Doubt anything would beat that Fender FR cab, 4-6 inch speakers on studio monitors are not going to sound like a real 1x12 cabinet. They do have 4x12 FR cabs, but they are expensive and probably more than I need.

[@musicmandan1717]

Brother Guy...something of interest regarding the "viability" of the FR-12...I plugged my friend's Helix HX Stomp directly into the FR-12 before last Thursday's "live" show at Gilbert's as to do a "sonic comparison/sample" as we have only heard his "Helix" thru his sound source...a 15" EV powered speaker that also "doubles" as his "main" speaker for his "solo" gigs...staying "light & compact" is essential for his needs where he performs...but has never heard his "Helix" thru an actual "amp". We hooked it up to both of my "sound sources" I had with me...the Tonemaster Twin Reverb & the Tonemaster FR-12...and although they both sounded fantastic...there was undoubtedly a "favored result" thru the FR-12...extremely clean with high headroom & that "tube" cushion sound as the enclosed cabinet of the FR-12 forces every "sonic result" in a more forward projection. There was not a "wrong" choice between the Twin & the FR-12 but the clear "winner" was the FR-12...specifically designed for exactly "what" the Helix is...along with the IR-200, the UA Lion and all these amp sims. I can't speak highly enough about this cabinet and I'll be trying to "post" a "live" video taken last Wednesday from a friend's iPhone of a snippet of the Allman Brother's "One Way Out" played on my Epiphone Gold Top Les Paul coming thru the FR-12 with a drummer & bass player joining in...and for an "iPhone" recording...it will give you an "idea" of the clarity of the cabinet being "pushed" for "live" performance. My prayers to you, your family and friends.;) Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@GuyNarnarian]

@@musicmandan1717 You are THE man Dan. I actually found a solution at home at least. I can run it through the "flat" setting on my THR 30ii that I bought before my son was born. Turns out he loves loud music and my hound barks so loud that he must have gotten used to the noise in the womb, so I didn't really need it. Anyway, the key was setting the speakers using the THR to "open" instead of "focused". I have no idea why - but that seems to have worked. The preamp gain and power amp master (fake power amp knob, there is a real master output) don't add any dirt when you use them and can just turn off effects or add to taste. I can tell the speaker sims are working because in the 4 cable mode using a real amp, the first speaker sim sounded like crap. Only the JB/GB and V30 cabs sounded good other than bypassing the cab sims. But the FR-12 is probably what I will need in the end, even if this goes straight to the front of house, If I'm playing a small gig I would want to have a cabinet that is loud enough and works well. It is also way more cost effective than buying expensive studio monitors that can only be used at home. I can use the THR as an interface to record into Cubase, and that is enough for me now. Looking forward to the "One way Out" video - seeing the Allmans every Spring at the Beacon Theatre is one of the main reasons I ever picked up a guitar. Have a blessed holiday weekend with you and yours.

[@Bob1Gee]

Brother, you are speaking my language. Great playing by the way too 👍🏻 Super helpful video for me as I’ve been very much eying up one of these Fender FR speakers. As I am approaching 60 years of age, the thought of continuing to hump around a 55 lb tube amp when it’s no longer necessary is not a pleasant thought, not to mention as you said the maintenance and cost of tubes. I recently purchased a Tonex One pedal to try and familiarize myself with this whole world of digital guitardom, but it’s a bit of a learning curve lol 😆 But I am in agreement with you on all points.

[@musicmandan1717]

Brother Bob...thank you for the comment and the kind words;) This FR-12/Boss IR-200 in addition to my "normal guitar pedals" I use has turned out to be the "Perfect Solution" for my "Sonic & Tonal" needs and desires. Your Tonex pedal is "taking the pedal World" by storm and there are a lot of videos out there regarding use as you are probably aware of. Keep at it my Brother and, at near 60 years of age with me not far behind (56) we both are "just getting started" my Musical Brother;) My prayers to you, your family and friends...Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@murraycrawford2741]

Hi Dan, great playing and great video! I see you have a Boss GX-100 but you are focused on demonstrating the IR-200. I have the GX-100 and the FR-12 (and the Twin and Deluxe TM) and have not gotten too far into it as yet (maybe 10-20 minutes of play time) but loved the clean sound produced by the Deluxe model within the GX-100 coupled with the FR-12. What has your experience with the GX-100 and FR-12 been (in place of the IR-200)? I would be interested to know your thoughts!

[@musicmandan1717]

Brother Murray...thank you for the kind words and the questions...you have quite an assortment of "tonal opportunities" with that wonderful "lineup" of sound sources...including the GX-100...a solid "sound source" that is able to provide the "most critical tonal need" I have...an EXTREMELY CLEAN...HIGH-HEADROOM sound. The combination of the GX-100 & FR12 is a wonderful "Sonic World"...as the GX-100 literally has "everything" you need...from amp sims...to effects...and the all the "controls" to fine tune "what" you are looking for. My reasoning for using the IR-200's instead of the GX-100 is simple: it's small footprint allowed me to "add" it to my pedalboard with all those other pedals that I am "familiar" with...and this combination has turned out to be a "Grand Slam" for me...both "Live" & in the "Studio". I have no doubts I could "get what I am wanting" from the GX-100 alone...but it would "eliminate" those other pedals that are on the pedal board as there is simply "no sonic sense" in combining ALL those together...at least for me. The GX-100 has become a "studio exclusive" device that I use with frequency especially for "spacious rhythm sounds". Either unit...when combined with those Tonemasters...are literally "SONIC GRAND SLAMS"...and you can't go wrong;) I hope this is helpful and my prayers to you, your family and friends... Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@MikeB-ki2oz]

Analog! If possable

[@musicmandan1717]

Brother MikeB...analog is wonderful...but not for this Cowboy for "where" I play is simply too harsh and no one to continually "fix" on tube amps that require too much attention;) My prayers to you, your family and friends...Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@milankotevski1663]

If you want to be blown away by super authentic amp tones, try Tonex.

[@musicmandan1717]

Brother Milan, I have heard these Tonex provide a great result. At some point, I will get the opportunity to listening and try one out...but for now...these 3 Boss IR-200 are surely providing me exactly "what" I sonically am searching for;) If you have tried one and have a "video" of this, please let me know as I would like to watch it. My prayers to you, your family and friends...Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@joepassfan]

Great job and much appreciated the explanation. You have sold me on the FR12 as the best solid state platform (better than the Katana, ToneMaster etc) and using it on onstage to hear yourself like a traditional amp. Do you use the tilt back legs on stage? On a completely different topic (or a request)... I think a very useful lesson for me would be a video demonstrating 2 or 3 percussive rhythms you can do on your looper to play against. I really like the simple percussive rhythm you used in this video. It adds so much.

[@musicmandan1717]

Thank you for the kind words JoePassFan;) If needed, I will use the legs...but 99% of the time I put the amp on a rolling plastic tool box container (bought at Home Depot several years ago) that stores gear and "doubles" as an amp riser. It is important to remember "how" a speaker is designed to "throw" sound...as "angles to the ears" are extremely important on how you "hear" the amp...and therefore greatly influences the adjustments you sonically make. Most folks put an amp on the ground...flat...and then stand with their ankles right next to the cabinet...which takes your ability to "hear" the "high end" of the amp...making the user "add" more "highs" while those who are "in front of it" (the audience) is being "pierced" by the "Sword of Treble";) Last I checked...ears are located on your head...not your ankles...and therefore...be sure to "make sure" your speaker angle is "correct to your ears" to make sonic adjustments on stage. Also...I own 3 Katanas...the 112...the 212...and the Artist...(and a fourth 112 I gave away)...and all offer hi-headroom, clean tones. The issue is simple...those amp work best when you are "attached" to a computer that allows you to get into the depths of the menus and all the offering of the amp...which simply can't be done with the "outside" controls. Regarding a "Looper Lesson"...it has been on my mind to do so...and I will very soon. Thank you for the request;) My prayers to you, your family and friends...Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@JimWalkerMusic]

I've been using (2) Peavey Special 130's in stereo with a Zoom G6 Multi. Super Clean and Super Loud if I need the extra headroom. I rarely turn them up passed 2.5 on the clean channel. I have less than $600 in it all. 😊

[@musicmandan1717]

Sounds like a wonderful combinations Brother Jim;) Thank you for sharing...any videos by chance? My prayers to you, your family and friends...Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@tozguitar]

ever tried a tonex through that?

[@musicmandan1717]

Not yet my Brother...but I am considering the Tonex One. Do you have a Tonex? Thank you for your question and my prayers to you, your family and friends... Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@tozguitar]

@@musicmandan1717 cheers Dan and greetings from Ireland. Thanks for the kind words. Yes i have the tonex one but haven't really used it that much as i don't have a FRFR speaker yet. Undecided on whether to get the fr12 or the fr10. Keep up the good work. 👍

[@musicmandan1717]

Brother Toz...here's a little insight regarding the FR-12 cabinet. I have 2 of them...with one of them now having almost 200 hours of "Live" use since I purchased earlier this year. The "unique" 1000W speaker design provides an INCREDIBLE AMOUNT of CLEAN HEADROOM relative to the input you are providing. Additionally...and the MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR in using this cabinet...make sure you are using a "LINE LEVEL" input...not an "INSTRUMENT LEVEL" input...into this cabinet if you purchase one. That is it's DESIGN FEATURE...which is often "overlooked" by many. I have no experience with the FR-10...but I do with my 2 FR-12's in addition to a 3rd FR-12 purchased by my pickin' buddy here in the Keys that I perform a "Duo" show with on Thursdays...and his FR-12/Helix Stomp combo sounds excellent;) I just wanted to pass on a slight bit more "in the field" information regarding the FR-12...it has been and continues to perform INCREDIBLY WELL;) My prayers to you, your family and friends...and all those in Ireland;) Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@tozguitar]

@@musicmandan1717 thanks Dan. Yeah the tonex output is line level so all good.

[@gordonlewis7570]

I enjoyed your video. Small correction though: the product you're referring to is the Fender FR-12, as you correctly stated in your other video.

[@musicmandan1717]

Thank you Brother Gordon and also for watching;) My prayers to you, your family and friends...Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@jonlieberman997]

cool

[@musicmandan1717]

Thank you for watching Brother Jon...my prayers to you, your family and friends;) Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@cwcooper3463]

When I play loud I plug into my peavey session 400. I can kill baby chickens with it. No pedals.

[@musicmandan1717]

Brother CW...those Peaveys are very loud and clean. I have a Nashville 400...a wonderful amp except for the "Compression" circuit that can't be "shut off"...but a very "loud & clean" amp with a 15". I'd like to "hear" your setup...any videos? My prayers to you, your family and friends...Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@andyzpam5441]

Great playing try Tonex

[@musicmandan1717]

Thank you for the kind words Brother Andy;) I have heard the "Tonex" is quite the "IR Sim"...will probably come across one sometime soon. For now...3 Boss IR-200 are providing me an extremely solid "performance" base for both "Live" & "Session" work...and they work extremely well with my existing Tonemaster amps incl. the Deluxe Reverb, Twin & Super Reverb in addition to the FR-12 cabinet. If you have any videos you recommend regarding the Tonex, please let me know and thank you again for the kind words. My prayers to you, your family and friends... Sincerely I am...Dan;)

[@andyzpam5441]

​@@musicmandan1717 Hey Dan, thanks bro, try Tonex works great with Fender FR, Tonex is a journey of Amps and Cabs captures, could be overwhelming when starts but is great at the end. god bless you man

[@musicmandan1717]

Thank you Brother Andy;)