Fender Tone Master® Deluxe Reverb®

[@gregriddle5163]

I just bought one! And Damn!!! Is right!!!! I've played for 30 plus years......this thing is just so incredible guys! Buy it!!!!!

[@45zapatero]

Still happy with it ?

[@Jaysteenn]

I played one of these at Guitar Center, it was great!

[@jburdsinfuse]

I’ve never kept my Fenders because they’re just too loud. Until now. Way expensive for a solid state, but I’ll be grabbing one of these for sure.

[@patrikfaming9047]

A fantastic demo Brett. You nail the Keith Richards guitar sound with the tele spot on. One of the reasons me buying the amp. The best amp I have owned.

[@josephmittiga2373]

Seriously their are only a very limited number of people who can review a piece of gear that makes you want to have it ASAP and Brett is one of them , he always knows how to dial in a tone to match the gear he is reviewing and he knows what to play to match the the gear . I've said it before , if I ever win lotto I'm booking 2 first class tickets to America and Brett and I are going on a gear buying holiday for both of us .

[@BrettKingman]

I'm so in, Joey. Thanks!

[@shfnderrock]

I have to say I purchased this amp and I think it’s amazing. I own and have had a lot of tube amps and this amp is very very impressive and takes pedals beautifully. The weight of it and having the Attenuator is awesome.

[@johnwriterpoet1783]

It sounds really good, as good as any.

[@Paul-lj3qw]

This is best demo of this amp.

[@doctorskull8197]

I took delivery of one of these amps 10 days ago. I play in a hard edged rock band (think MC5, maybe). Worked one gig last Saturday night in a local tavern. Wow! Great amp! Used 5 watt setting. The sound man is my new best friend! Plenty loud enough and has plenty of crunch when I needed it! Only 23 pounds. Only drawback: price tag.

[@comicblueswithjonygitar36]

Mc5? 5w setting in a bar? I'm banging my head on the table now

[@muttomatic]

I spent an hour with one of these today and they are jaw dropping good!

[@qprater]

These are very interesting. I have wanted a reissue Deluxe for a while, and these sounds so good. The attenuation is a bonus also. Of course your videos are always the benchmark for me to check out gear.

[@Neil-Aspinall]

Fender amps definitely have their place and this one is sweet.

[@mypal1990]

Hey Brett! This amp is dead on with the amp tone. Even down to the warmth of it. And it's lightweight to carry, too!

[@anthonyward8587]

Another great demo Brett. The tone/timbre sounds incredibly like the real thing. T.

[@stephenlennartz3466]

Awesome as always demo, Brett. Thank you! So glad I found your channel this past summer.

[@src248]

Might have to get one of these, always wanted a DRRI but I knew I'd never be able to crank it all the way up

[@MrDavemiley]

Please do another one showing how well it takes drive/dist pedals please !!

[@henrymillsiii4961]

Yes! Yes! Yes!

[@richardbrown9069]

That hot rodded tele is my favourite burgs weapon of choice atm 🍻

[@Nosferatu981]

I like everything about this amp except the price.

[@lefty1949]

I just got one used for $740 US! I love it....

[@user-wq2eu7ej8r]

@@lefty1949 But I got my Deluxe Reverb '65 RI for 800cad.

[@guitarocd9984]

It seems that's the problem he got one used for 740. Unfortunately Asian products have no resale value.

[@lefty1949]

@@guitarocd9984 I'm 70 years old and can't carry heavy tube amps anymore, but I'm still playing. I'll let my heir's worry about the resale value after I'm dead.

[@guitarocd9984]

Where are you carrying it to. LOL

[@BerndThomasSchuller]

Sounds absolutely spot on

[@gman6107]

Great demo and great playing :-)

[@patdavidmusic]

Holy cow, amazing tones here burgs, they are onto a winner. Looking forward to the twin demo mate

[@haldumille5594]

i traded one of my amps for this amp. I own a '65 DRRI and a '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb Reissue and a few other (5) Fender amps. This ToneMaster is certainly lighter. I use it for shows, as I still carry my own gear. It sounds good mic'ed up. It can replace my tube amps on certain occasions. I'm not selling the tube amps anytime soon though. The ToneMaster is handy to have but I would not have spent money to buy one.

[@veerchasm1]

People keep saying “hey, it’s light weight!” So is my wallet...

[@mattmanley7118]

Had I not just bought a Princeton this would get my money these are fantastic and snobs will be hard pressed to find any reason not to give these amps their due

[@robertmailloux3720]

It sounds very good! Missing an effects loop! It IS a modern amp after all .Thx for posting.

[@johnpalmer1005]

Killer playing and tone man!

[@MrTupeloFlash]

Hi Brett, what about an update video on the TM Blonde ? Would like to hear your opinion

[@guitarocd9984]

The only way it would sound like a tube amp is if you turn it up to eight and it sounds better. I was surprised when you gunned the amplifier. It didn't sound bad. Generally solid state amps sound like crap the louder they are.

[@kyp1969]

Love this!

[@Clambelly]

Great review Brett !

[@flammingcarrot]

I had chills when you played the Tele bridge pickup! Wow! Quick question, does it take fuzz and OD pedals well?

[@BrettKingman]

Haha. The KR crunch! I haven't tried any pedals through it, Andy. Didn't want to go there because it ends up being, "Why didn't you try this one or that one..?" You know..? So I don't.

[@flammingcarrot]

@@BrettKingman Ah gotcha! I understand! ... but without making any demo about it, would you say that it takes fuzz and OD pedals well?

[@tjnugent62]

One word... "DAMN!"

[@brettvincient]

Tasty tones! Thanks for the vid Brett P.S That Hot Rod Tele is my all time favorite Tele (besides the Antigua)

[@katie_editzz2430]

Impressive mate!

[@AlexAquarius963]

I think the 57 IR is offset from cone 4"

[@alans1313]

great demo brett,,,a mate of mine fancies this amp and i think once he see's this demo that will push him over the fence cheers,,,,does it handle pedals well ???

[@frankie4321]

Alan Shillington your friend just got one, takes pedals like a champ, beautiful tones and projection on this amp, Fender has done very well capturing the sound and feel of this classic amp, I imagine more of their classic line up may follow this direction.

[@alans1313]

Good onya mate. Sounded great the other day Look forward to opening up the throttle at my place one day lol

[@leewarren]

I really enjoy your reviews. AND what about the bound neck on your Strat?!

[@mp9508]

Fender’s new lines always come close but finish shy of the finish line - where’s the Tone Monster Bassman?

[@dhruvpendharkar488]

I dont think any ss can emulate that legend.

[@joolz999]

@@dhruvpendharkar488 computers can emulate anything, I think fender is doing this with two very popular amps to see the market and if people will like them. Wait a year or two and more models will be added.

[@namplifier]

Can’t wait to hear the twin, not sure if this would stay clean enough in a loud band mix

[@henrymillsiii4961]

I wondering the same, I play in a four piece band with a horn section . We play Pop, Motown. Funk and a few classic rockers? Most solid state amps that are 100 watt are plenty Loud enough. Fender said that this is 100 watts design to simulate 20 watts tube!

[@petergraham9267]

Looking at all the “its Solid State so it should be much cheaper” comments........no, it a Modelling Amp, not a Solid State amp...........that makes it more expensive...........and sounds superb! 😎👍

[@mechmat12345]

Was this supposed to be a joke? Modeling amps are solid state by definition.... unless they have tubes in them.

[@robertholyroller6413]

What mini hum bucker do you have in the 52 telecaster? Great video I have the Twin Reverb Tom Nestor it’s great at a little above four and the setting in the back at 12 W

[@waynewayne3709]

I've restored many fender amps over the years from valve to solid state amps and do prefer fender amps over my marshall ones..

[@TheBigGuppy]

It’s alright if you accept that it’s a disposable purchase, usable until a proprietary component fails that will not longer be available.

[@KentBuchla]

Someone is trying to hard to be insightful. You have no idea as to what is in it and your claim can be pressed into use against Lexicon, Sontec, capacitors in vintage guitars & amps as well. And what about output transformers in vintage amps? Do you just wish to appear clever or are you com-Ellen to hate this amp for some undisclosed reason?

[@TheBigGuppy]

I'll tell in two years when they start coming into the shop.

[@tonedowne]

I think they run on SHARC chips, which are used by a few different companies. It will be circuit boards with processors on them, just like any other bit of digital audio equipment.

[@stargroves14]

It should have been 799 for the twin 599 for the deluxe

[@HeliBenj]

why?

[@tomolewine5743]

@Ben because Quilter can do it and the Quilters sound even better.

[@stargroves14]

5 years later i bought one..lol..Great demo as always Brett

[@klaas5282]

Song played at 6:04. Its from Black Crowes if I recall correctly, but what song exactly?

[@jakestadium]

It sounds a little too “quick” compared to an actual dr, some of that magical squish isn’t there. But it’s still a fantastic sounding amp and certainly the best sounding solid state I’ve heard. Also kudos to fender for getting the reverb dead on

[@benjaminluscombe7199]

And just too thin, lacking tube mids.

[@frankie4321]

Great demo Brett, did sound the part, wondering how it handles the old green stomp boxes tone wise if you have had a chance to try. Amps natural drive in-house sounded pretty fine.

[@alanr.johnson7222]

Any sign of the twin review you mentioned?

[@mjb182]

Hi Brett. Just wondering if this is alright as a bedroom amp as well. I mean how do the pedals respond on low volume? Thanks

[@pabloperez4063]

I did not know THIS amp came with ATENUATOR!!

[@michaelogden5093]

I'm listening to this through headphones (because headphones work in my house). This amp is nice but all solid state's need a headphone jack cause some of us don't practice in a bar.

[@bilnabiln]

You can connect this to your audio interface, flip the Mute switch, and monitor via the audio interface/computer

[@Seren_5th]

When you demo the twin, can we have some humbuckers please?

[@BrettKingman]

Yes.

[@henrymillsiii4961]

Brett , good test of the Tone master Reverb, is this amp Loud enough to play in a cover band . We play Pop , Motown, few classic rockers and funk.

[@johnnymovz]

😂 it definitely is! In reality its a 100w amp that simulates 22w.

[@baronvonchickenpants6564]

I'd buy one tomorrow if it was cheaper, I'll stick with my Katanas and Marshalls till the dust settles, the bugs have been sorted and there's a few second hand ones about, is 40watts loud enough?

[@skinnykarlos710]

Not so much of an attenuator (no jibe to Mr Kingman) and more of a Master Volume there on the back. Sounds pretty nice on the cleans especially.

[@rickhill6277]

Brett, how much Clean Head Room can you get in 22w Mode? Is it loud enough Clean to work with a Band? Thanks Sir, please keep up the Good Work! Cheers from Ohio USA!

[@holgerbogen]

Great review! I have a question. Does the xlr line out volume depend on any front vol. settings or just the knob on the back. I don't want the front p.a. vol to change, when I tweak my stage vol. Thanks!

[@rgbplumbinghilton]

Xlr is independent from the amp settings. Has it's own volume output

[@holgerbogen]

@@rgbplumbinghilton thanks!

[@zorzum]

hello;)) and with pedals ? good ?

[@lestelie4410]

Hi Brett. As you are the most tech savvy reviewer I know, I’ve saved my tech questions for you. As you know, solid state sounds fine…until it clips, and which point modelling fails. There are 2 points of clipping: (i) high input from let’s say from a Clean Boost as a distortion pedal might cloud any input stage clipping. This is important because what we put in to the amp is out of the control of the amp designer. (ii) Clipping in the output stage when the amp is dimed to maximum. It’s possible that Fender purposely limit the output so we don’t get the nasty transistor hard clip. Did you get a chance to try the Tone Master in both of those scenarios?

[@BrettKingman]

Hey Chris. Thanks for the kind words. I haven't stuck anything into the front end of these amps that's made them clip. So I can't offer any enlightenment in that regard. It wouldn't take much to walk into a store that sells them and jam an OD in front with the volume wound up to max to see what happens, though. However, if I was a gambling man, I'd bet that Fender have accounted for such things. But I could be wrong..!

[@johnnymovz]

Hey Chris, in reality this is a 100w amp simulating 22w. To me that sounds very much like what you’re asking about fender liming the output.

[@lestelie4410]

Brett Kingman , I’m not sure if you know Shane from the Bondi Cigars but he brought around his tone master twin. I must admit it sounded excellent. We cranked a boost into the input stage. Sure, it pushed the amp into clipping but not solid state clipping. The modeling was always in control. As an amp tech, I could hear the difference, but it has so many benefits I see why a traveling pro like Shane would choose it. Thank you for you videos.

[@lestelie4410]

Jon , I gave a Twin TM a good run last week in my workshop. Very impressive. Consistent. Light weight. Cab Sim DI. I couldn’t get either the pre or power stage to clip. They did the same thing you mentioned with the Deluxe. The power stage in this is 200W so as to avoid clipping when it’s putting out it’s modeled 85 W. Very impressive ... but if you’re not a touring musician, I’d prefer the amp it’s modeling.

[@johnnymovz]

Chris Tarakson I had a hot rod deluxe (3) for a few years but dialing in that wonderful tone meant a hell of lot of volume. Comparing the ToneMaster reverb to the original one I honestly preferred the ToneMaster. I just love being able to get that sweet sweet tone with a lower volume. I’m selling off my Vox and getting a TM later this months. 😃

[@MegaBrebis]

Too bad you did not use a dirt pedal with it like you usually do with amps.

[@elij.doummar4623]

Is it loud enough to gig with ?

[@doctorskull8197]

Eli J. Doummar I own and gig with of these Tonemaster Deluxe Reverbs. I play in a punk/power pop band (think MC5) and it’s plenty loud enough.

[@bartvschuylenburg]

But how good is it with pedals?

[@Mainstreet2006]

It takes pedals great! I just bought one...m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3419915874692688&id=100000229280663&sfnsn=mo&d=n&vh=i

[@Mainstreet2006]

It is great with pedals...Here is a clip...www.dropbox.com/s/i4o1u0aub0z3nz8/Tone%20Master%20Pantheon%20Pinnacle%20%281%29.m4a?dl=0

[@marcpaola1371]

@@Mainstreet2006 sounds sweet. I love it. Im seriously considering one of these, just waiting on my local shop to stock them

[@mailvilla]

03/05/2020: If I am plugged into the clean channel, can I hit footswitch to activate reverb or tremolo? Also, is there a difference in volume and tone with the 1x12 vs 2x12 speakers?

[@chriscarrillo967]

I reckon if you're on the Vibrato channel or you've got the normal channel jumped/bridged then yes. If you're on the normal channel there is no way (As far as I know) to include the onboard reverb or trem, but the footswitch does have Reverb & Vibrato/Tremolo buttons. From what i've seen, the footswitch can come additional with the Deluxe for extra money, but is standard/included with the Twin.

[@mailvilla]

@@chriscarrillo967: Thank you for your reply.

[@chriscarrillo967]

No problem! Also I don't own these two amps in particular but I do have a 1x12 cabinet and a 2x12 cabinet that I run with a Fender Bassbreaker 45 and I can definitely hear a bit more low end rumble and some more low-mids (muddiness, warmth, whichever you call it) in the 2x12 vs the 1x12 having slightly less pronounced bass to low-mids. Both are plenty loud but definitely dependent on the amp. In this case the Deluxe is a 22 watt and the Twin is an 85 watt. Likely the Twin would be able to achieve much more headroom & a bit more volume (without distortion) at let's say 4-5 in volume than the Deluxe would be able to at around 8 on volume -- *At least that's what I would assume, any other Tone Master owners feel free to correct me here*. Hope this helps good sir.

[@kcd2120]

kuro9795 The Deluxe Reverb comes complete with the reverb/tremolo footswitch as well as a cover.

[@mailvilla]

@@chriscarrillo967 Thanks again for your speedy reply. Very informative!

[@drippinglass]

Sounds great Burgs! Normally I’d say because you’re playing it. But if it was a turd... nah. 😉

[@stratofig]

Please turn the Bass down when you crank the Volume up. :)

[@OniDasAlagoas]

To be honest, sounds amazing, but $900 is too much. If it was 600 I would buy without thinking.

[@johnscarratt7783]

Thanks for your excellent demonstration of the Deluxe Brett. I'm really looking forward to seeing your demo of the Fender Tonemaster Twin. I love the sound of the Deluxe but it's just a bit under powered for my needs. Do you think it might be possible to get the Tonemaster Twin to sound like the Deluxe if the Twin was played at the 22 Watt setting? Or do you think they are voiced totally differently? Great playing by the way. Regards, John Scarratt

[@BrettKingman]

Thanks, John. The TT Twin is louder and generally cleaner up to a point (where it gets REALLY loud!). But you can attenuate this one which is a great thing. I'll put a demo up shortly. Cheers.

[@comicblueswithjonygitar36]

Deluxes always sound better in small gig than Twins IMO, it's not just wattage, it's speakers and projection. Twins are designed for sound to "assemble" 50-100 ft in front of the stage. Try a 40w Fender like Vibrolux, 2x10 speakers, that's my perfect bar gig amp.

[@capitanvonchickenpants8492]

Love to see valve snobs losing their shit, but this should be a cheaper option

[@strangequark420]

Real speakers and microphones always beat the *hell* out of digital simulations. But this amp sounds pretty good.

[@DannyBrooks1]

It does sound good but give me a tube amp any day!

[@ministeriopromessaeterna]

Show

[@Bobby_Digital37]

Fender did a great job on this one with everything except the price... it’s all solid state with basically 1 channel and two IR’s... there are no components in this amp that should cause it to cost $900 US... from a manufacturing perspective it’s essentially an striped down Boss Katana 50 with 1 channel that is a Fender Clean channel and two effects... this amp costs less to manufacture than the Boss Katana 50 but costs 3 times as much 😳 Fender is providing a great but massively overpriced product... still want one but might have to get one that mysteriously falls off the back of a truck 😄

[@tommc49]

Keep in mind, you are not just paying for parts. It took probably 100's of hours of R&D to make it sound like it does and make it work with actual knobs rather than the digital menus found on most modelers.

[@ummagumma7826]

Love that A chord thing you play at kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIHVhJhrjN-Ymsk&t=175

[@Caged63Man]

My eyes see it as a Fender Tube Amp, but my headphones say it is definitely one of the better hybrid kind of amp..and the price, hell, if you pay that, then pay for real tube amp, and stop playing with musicians ears and budgets!

[@slowpoke7888]

These just can't be any good. Otherwise what am I going to do with all my valve amps?

[@BrettKingman]

Keep them and use them, like I do. There's room for all sorts in this world.

[@comicblueswithjonygitar36]

KZbin puts these Tonemaster reviews from somewhere in former British Empire every day, makes it seem overwhelming worldwide pr campaign. I've been writing the same criticisms, some catching attention of a Fender guy in charge of the campaigns. In the hope that Rick will send me one for testing. Mark me down as still unconvinced . These are transitors using emulation. Very impressive if you're alone in a room. Emulation vanishes when competing with other real elements at loud volume. You'll know that if you've ever tried forgoing a real reverb tank or analog delay, for a transitor pedal. Those qualities you hear in this demo vanish in a loud bar when the guy next to you cranks his Vibrolux or Bluesbreaker. Mostly I'm dismayed we're being herded again to abandon something everyone knows is clearly demonstrably better for the "latest greatest" tech. If you think mp3's sound better than records you won't know what I'm saying. For musical gear this is an unprecedented PR campaign, never witnessed more advertising for musical gear. Ok Rick, send me one for testing, I have 64 Blackface Deluxe Reverb here, I'll do side by side A/B and see what's its all about. Cheers from America

[@srinip]

I have to say that, as nice as the amp sounds in and of itself, just about every review on KZbin is less than upfront. First of all, attenuation? Please - this is not a tube amp. All it is is a master volume with indents. Or did they actually power-scale the original '65 DR, or even the reissue, and model it at every output level? If they did, I stand corrected. Secondly, 22W? This has a solid state Class D 100W power amp. These two features, at the very least, smack of nothing but slick marketing. 100 ms IRs? The Strymon Iridium has 250 ms IRs on each of the stereo channels. If you're going to compare it to anything, compare it the other modeling amps out there now, not to the original tube amp. Of course, its going to be lighter, of course a neo speaker weighs less than alnico or ceramic! How are any of these technical breakthroughs? And there's no IR loader for your own IRs? And we're supposed to be impressed? And no silent recording? Seriously? I watched a video comparing the Tone Master to the Boss Nextone (both are combos, so I'll give Fender a break by not bringing in Fractal or Line 6 into the mix), and the Nextone sounded just as good - probably a little better - at much less cost. On the other hand, it looks like a real DR, and has a Fender logo on it - I'll give them that.

[@zordakAU]

Made in China

[@Atttuner]

The main issue is does it sound 'digital' when compared to a tube amp. You have a vibroverb sitting right next to you why not just give us a AB comparison???? If it's as good as the tube amp then prove it for crying out loud

[@BrettKingman]

Dan, the Vibrolux Reverb you refer to is a clone. Not a Fender. If by some chance I get a current model tube specimen of a Deluxe Reverb RI here, I might satisfy your polite request - for us all. But I didn't have that this time, did I? And to be frank, it's about THIS model, not the tube model. For crying out loud.

[@Atttuner]

Brett Kingman respectfully I disagree Brett, Fender are explicitly and implicitly marketing this as a “tone/sound equivalent” to the orig DR tube amp....but “lighter, cheaper, more reliable, etc, etc.” is it not the reviewers duty to test the assertions a product purports to be true? I think it is and I think by excluding an AB comparison you risk being seen as an extension of Fender’s PR and Marketing staff vs the trustworthy and independent critical voice I’ve seen you act as previously.

[@BrettKingman]

@@Atttuner I respectfully disagree. I have no duty to anyone but to demonstrate the goods they've sent to me. I am not reviewing these amps, I am demonstrating them. If I did critical 'reviews' my channel would be very different indeed because I am fairly unforgiving. I make demo videos. If I don't own tube versions of these two amps, it's not my fault ...or theirs. If I did, I'm not sure I'd do it anyway unless I felt like it. My channel, despite its patronage from small and large companies alike (something which I'm thankful for) is pretty independent because I do what I want to do. I am not beholden to anyone as far as content goes. I make as many creative videos (free presets for Fractal Audio users, etc.) as I do product demos. Fender's PR and Marketing staff know how I work, what I do, what sort of person I am, and they know I won't polish something that I think is crap. I've had many substandard products come through these doors and I always give the builder or manufacturer a second shot at getting it right before I go live with their wares - or I simply don't run them for their own sake. I'm sorry I can't do your comparison this time. Maybe in the future.

[@kevinjohnbetts]

@@BrettKingman Nice discussion. An A/B comparison is essential but there is no reason why it has to be you that does it. It does sound as though Fender have cracked the problem of making amp without valves crunch like one with. I think this is one for Dan & Mick #thatpedalshow because they have an ideal setup to compare this with the real thing and find out how well it takes pedals. I've learned over the years of watching your channel that you don't demo gear you don't like and your taste in gear is pretty good. I have no idea how this amp would sound in my hands but you manage to make it sing. 👍

[@venemataylor]

Dan Brian the comparison you seek: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZano2qrlM2qfaM