Fender Tone Master Deluxe vs. Original Tube Amp: Can You Hear the Difference? | Reverb Tone Report

Classic Fender tube amp or DSP? Fender unveiled the Tone Master Deluxe Reverb and Tone Master Twin Reverb at Summer NAMM 2019, and we're doing a shootout! Can you hear the difference between the original tube amp and its lightweight DSP emulation before Andy tells you which is which at the end?
Read more on Reverb: bit.ly/2kAL9jS
Buy the Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb: bit.ly/2mzdvvr
Buy the Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb: bit.ly/2l87RjI
Andy's Setup:
Guitars: Redtail Custom T, G&L Legacy, Suhr Classic Antique, Gibson Custom CME Les Paul
Pedal: Thorpy The Dane (intro song)
Recording Gear: Universal Audio Apollo 8 QUAD, Royer R-121
Strings: Ernie Ball 2720 Slinky Cobalt .010 - .046
No picks

[@seanhealey2007]

God help me, I preferred amp 1 the whole time and knew in my heart it had to be the tubes. I guess it’s time to surrender to the machine

[@jwright123456789]

I preferred Amp#1 as well; I thought it had more clarity and wasn't as dark. But I think all that does is show that on the same settings, Amp#1 has more treble. They're pretty comparable otherwise. Also, tone through a KZbin video is going to suffer. Probably the only thing to do is go to a shop and compare for yourself!

[@seanhealey2007]

Jeff Wright great points. I guess I really didn’t expect the virtual amp to sound so good.

[@jwright123456789]

@@seanhealey2007 Cheaper and lighter too!

[@hulkb0gan]

Yeah I know! I preferred amp 1 the whole time also. I was convinced it was the valve amp. Gonna have to get a tone master!

[@charleshill9649]

Me too! Although I surrendered six months ago and got Quilter MP-2, quite happy with it. Like to A-B it and Tonemaster

[@tonyfdesign]

Andy is the Tone Master™

[@intheblues]

Absolutely! 😀

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

and holy shit is using a pic

[@marccolon6297]

"hateful" don't hear that song in demos great song choice as always

[@WyattScott]

Marc Colón kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3-zZq2ClJh4Y7M

[@dylanris6209]

I could tell the difference more than I thought I might be able to... but I liked the digital one better! My hat is seriously off to Fender. If they designed an amp that's half the weight, draws less power, is easier to maintain, AND might actually sound 10-15% better than the original... that is seriously impressive. Wow.

[@harleyhexxe9806]

I did hear a difference in the low end between the two amps, and I guessed that amp 2 was the tube version because the low end was not as tight as the first amp. This is typical of tubes that have some hours on them. All in all, both do sound really good, so the real question for me is; which would I prefer to take out to a gig? Answer: The Tone Master, for a couple of reasons. 1) I would never worry about a tube getting cracked or broken during transport to a gig, which has happened with my tube amps. 2) A tighter, more focused amp would allow me do dial it in with better clarity in a band mix. 3) The attenuation control can let me bring it down to a sane level when driving the amp harder. 4) The direct line with mic'ed IR's will eliminate the need for stage mics, and cross-talk from other instruments. 5) I'm not getting any younger, and these are easier to carry.

[@richjohn2497]

It was your last point for me :)

[@redironbird3857]

Will a 22W solid state amp be loud enough for gigs though?

[@SunbearBluesBand]

@@redironbird3857 The Tonemaster has a 100W power amp which is supposed to be as loud as a 22W tube amp, which is loud enough for most gigs (especially considering the speaker simulation which allows you to go straight into a mixing console).

[@kestutisbagusauskas8323]

Tubes are yesterday's heroes!

[@davidsalinas4872]

fooled me, and i'm been playing fender deluxe's for over 55 years

[@goldcoins9311]

He was in fact playing into the orange amp head all along!

[@anthonybrock9435]

L O L !! 🍀🍀

[@TrentSolo]

I own a recording studio in San Francisco and have plenty of vintage amps there, including Fenders, and this amp can hang with them...first time I have EVER been 100 percent satisfied with a solid state/digital product. My rehearsal space has a silverface Deluxe with a Reverend replacement speaker, the tonal differences between it and the TMD are almost negligible and can be easily matched by slight knob adjustments. For pedals like Shane (intheblues) I agree back off tone knobs slightly, matches up great. I understand people thinking it's overpriced but to get this iconic tone plus attenuation, solid IRs, light weight and no tube issues makes it worth every penny for me as a gigging musician. A lot of you might feel the same, check it out!

[@facetono]

Life Goal: Be able to live somewhere that I can turn my Fender deluxe Reverb to 5!

[@daveryan2148]

Yeah I would take getting the Princeton to 5...

[@amosdriedger8972]

I had a Deluxe and a Princeton reissues in my room cranked up to 10, things started falling off the walls and shelves lol

[@bravotronalpha3787]

@@daveryan2148 5 is as high as I have gone with my Princeton so far. Heads start exploding after that. Well, that is, if you're inside my bedroom.

[@anthonybeers]

The tone master has an attenuator built in.

[@Aguitarguy03]

I'd love to turn the Blues Junior up to 5, but the Swamp Thang speaker I put in it is LOUD.

[@ryanbirabent-genone9219]

Amp 1, can’t believe that was the tone master! The reverb seemed to integrate with the sound better. Amazing

[@skittlybeepbop13]

There were moments where I thought amp #2 was worse so I assumed it was the digital. Wow. Wish it was 699 or 750 no 1000. I'll wait till they are used on reverb.

[@msmoniz]

I agree! I can't wait till these start showing up used. Will definitely consider picking one up used if the price is right!

[@OniDasAlagoas]

Yeah, it is too expensive atm.

[@antoonhermans8953]

i think you are gonna have to wait a long time then , i have the tonemaster now , and i'm for sure are never going to sell this amp ( thats how good it's sounds) .

[@msmoniz]

@@antoonhermans8953 Based on the reviews and now having played one myself at a music store, I think you're right! The sound is unbelievable! I can't believe it's taken this long for amp manufacturers to figure out that to use all this DSP tech to just make the same sound as a classic tube amp. No bells, no whistles, no 200 patches, just make the DSP make "THAT" sound!

[@zentropy8533]

yes, they're a bit much. but they have a whole line of tube amps that they need to keep relevant.

[@strangebirdsir]

I liked the way the tone master sounded better all the way through. I guess I’m going to have to grab one of these. Great job Fender, and Andy for the demo

[@redielg]

I’m guessed the tone master is amp #2. I was wrong. I liked the driven sound of amp #1 more.

[@pstrokeslibsarctic]

I’m opposite

[@Jeremy-ob4gm]

Same here, at least on my shitty phone speaker. It wasn’t as muddy as amp 2.

[@TDig.]

Same here, more tight drive sound on the tonemaster

[@dumbdickler670]

I have no other way to put this but amp 1 just sounded wrong when overdriven. Especially on the bending parts

[@vintagecharlie5969]

The recorded sound depends very much on selected microphone and positioning, room, etc. In this particular comparison the DRRI was miced in a way that was not complementing the overdriven tones. It can sound as good and better as the DSP version, if miced accordingly (most of Andy's recordings are proof of that :) )

[@cornelius5595]

Honestly I thought most of the difference was in the reverb circuit. The amps tones themselves are really faithful, but the reverb sounded like it’s got a much wider range then the tube version. Pretty good stuff there 👍

[@roseparade.]

Can everyone please stop innovating fantastic new amps and pedals? I spend more time looking at things to buy than I do practising and I don’t think that’s very good

[@CMHobbies]

Rose Parade same 😑

[@silverfr3ak]

That’s a huge trap. Fortunately, I realized and I’m not wasting time anymore as before. And it’s happening with other things as videogames, there are a lot of people that prefer watch someone playing rather than properly play.

[@JeremyHalterman]

It was pretty clear to me that amp #1 was the Tone Master and amp #2 was the tube amp. That said, the Tone Master sounded better in almost every example! Seems like Fender’s approach was to digitally recreate a tube amp and then remove all the downsides, and I’m all for it!

[@justiceforall6412]

I felt the same way. I just plugged in my old Fender Champ hybrid after many a year of non-use and the problems are already evident.

[@KeithShelley1]

I plugged into a Tone Master Twin Reverb at my local music store without even realizing it was a Tone Master. It sounded great and exactly like the tube one. It wasn't until later that I realized I wasn't playing on a standard Twin. Time to start saving up!

[@DuelingDragonsMusic]

Recovering tube amp snob here. I used to gig with a tube amp but with all that hauling I wondered whether it was worth it. Enter the tone master - I was sold. Bought one of these. Frankly hard to tell the difference, and much more for your average person in the audience. My back loves it! Really happy with this amp.

[@RPSartre01]

I really like the fact that the tone master has 100-240 voltage so you can travel anywhere in the world with it.

[@armandj3]

I bought one yesterday after demoing it for about 45 minutes. Played Strat, Les Paul (humbucker and P90 versions), and a Tele through it...put an Archer, OCD, TS10 and Flashback II in front of it. Am TOTALLY impressed, very happy with it...Tomorrow will be the test, though, as I'll be using the balanced (XLR) out into a PA

[@TheThinker39]

I liked #1 better, but I had the feeling it was a little louder than #2, and I wondered whether that caused me to prefer it. I was pleasantly surprised that #1 was the Tone Master. I really want this amp to be great, and it seems it is great. I have read reviews in which I thought the reviewer was afraid to say the Tone Master sounds just as good as the tube version because they know it would trigger a lot of hateful and insulting comments from the tube dogmatists. So, they chicken out and say something like, "It's very close, but it seems to lack a little of the tube sparkle." I believe they could not reliably determine which was which in a proper blind comparison test. This was a good demo. Thanks!

[@brianfoutch3806]

I want one of these. Mainly for the weight, longevity, safety, no need for mic on stage,...list goes on. However, I really preferred all the tones with Amp #1...then, BAM! That's the Tone Master. I'm getting one.

[@jackjosefowicz2975]

I liked the Amp#1 (Tone master) better for every example of the comparison with the tube amp version. The Tone Master sounded cleaner and more brilliant, and it sounded more present than the tube version. The tube amp sounded a bit distorted, even when it was being played clean. Also the clarity of the solo notes was more distinct and more defined with the Tone master. This was a great demonstration and changed my view about the Tone master. I will be buying it soon. Thanks

[@dancandersen]

Number one sounded way better! But the tone master is also modeled after some perfect vintage examples that the reissue will never come close to be.

[@PhillipMcKnight]

Great video. I got to lift one, but not hear one. Very cool

[@DeltaJazzUK]

The price of the Tone Master is an incredible simulation of an expensive valve amp.

[@singlefin254]

🤣🤣🤣🙌

[@ChrisJimenez2010]

Good one lol. They even simulated the price of a deluxe reverb

[@chopperking007]

Second hand half price but .

[@cemsarioglu5947]

I believe it is even harder to tell the diifference between the two amps in a band situation. Impressive!👏👏👍🏼

[@Big_Bag_of_Pus]

Five tests in the video. Liked: 2, 1, 2, 1, 1. I preferred the clean tone on the tube DR, but usually preferred the tonemaster once overdriven tones started to come in. Which really surprises me. We live in interesting times.

[@thebadterrorists5323]

Just wait until summer 2022 you won't believe, "interesting". Crash of the $$, WW3, insane green policies, phew, enjoy 2020 while you can.

[@nothingbutyoumultimediaser7626]

I just recently bought the Tone Master Deluxe Reverb Amp and used to play through a Pro Reverb Twin tube amp with 2x12 cabinet. The vintage tube amp is dead now (blown vibrato circuit) and was getting to the point of really needing tubes and a good bias adjustment. I love my new Tone Master which sounds, reacts and feels as close to identical as possible (there is no hearing, or feeling any difference) and has none of the disadvantages of the vintage amp such as weight, heat, and need for maintenance that are part of owning a vintage tube amp. I just can't stop playing it! Thanks for the great video that really reaffirms what I already thought and felt about my new amp!

[@tswrench]

Where it really had me sold was on the tremolo. I thought you can't juke me on tube-driven tremolo--but you did! So, now I'm at the point where I'm willing to test drive one. Good job, Fender!

[@joeloschiavo1237]

I'm a Tube guy my entire 47years playing life - have more Fenders than I should .....Got A TONEMASTER LAST YEAR AND ITS MY MAIN WORKING AMP A++

[@intheblues]

Great video, Andy! :-)

[@msmoniz]

Initially I thought amp 1 was the tube one, but then I started to notice how it "sparkled" more than amp and noticed how more rounded off the high end was on amp 2 which ended up being the tube version. I prefer amp 1, which surprised me. Sounded more "sparkle-y" without being shrill.

[@PeekCandy]

Exactly what I found. I have a Deluxe Reverb and I swear I prefer this tone master! At least in this demo.

[@thebenderbunker]

Solid demo - thanks! My take - the new amp is close enough to the original (which is a reissue anyway...) that the audience would never tell the difference in a live band setting. Light weight and no tubes to worry about makes it a decent choice for frequent live players. I'd go Tone master live and tube reissue at home and in the studio. Wonder why they didn't make the Tone Master in their Mexico plant instead of China?

[@shaunfoy5835]

It would cost more in mexico

[@BurningPandama]

I guessed correctly, the thing that "gave it away" (or the strongest hint) was the high picht clicking of the tube amp spring reverb. It felts so "analog" i dont know how to explain, but other than that they were pretty impossible to tell apart

[@TheJofrica]

BurningPandama I use a reverb pedal anyway lol

[@rajnat2010]

I love the original Tube amp #2 tone which has a lot of mids and lows present while #1 is quite bright and has enough mids and lows to cut fine into a mix, perfect for a DAW/recording. Original Tube amp still rocks!!!

[@ckallaher]

I agree with many of the comments here. I was so hoping the Tone Master was amp 1 because I like it better in every example, it weighs half as much and has modern features you just can’t get in the original. Well done Fender! And, of course, it’s always a pleasure to check out Andy’s playing.

[@ICACJ]

The reverb made things pretty obvious. Clean #2 also sounded warmer. Did not expect to prefer the OD of the Tone Master. But I did.

[@jayclark725]

I thought the Tone Master sounded like the better amp. Maybe the bass could be tightened up with the controls on the tube amp or maybe a speaker swap but off the shelf based on this comparison the TM wins hands down

[@TR-zf6io]

My guess is that a speaker swap on an amp like this wouldn't work out well, unlike more traditional amps. I suspect they tweaked the modeling algorithms to work best specifically with the neodymium magnet in this amp.

[@TrentSolo]

@@TR-zf6io Jay is saying that the speaker swap needs to be done on the tube amp to bring it up to the quality of the TM. The tube amp's bass sound was definitely flabbier than the TM and a speaker could address that. Incidentally one person on one of these videos says they did swap the stock TM speaker for a Celestion and they prefer it, which is interesting!

[@melvins1992]

I preferred the sound of the tone master throughout, the trem especially surpassed the real deal imo, but I think I'll stick with my DeVille until the prices on these drop; a speaker change took that thing from good to great.

[@AdamSJarrett]

What speaker did you put in your DeVille if you don't mind me asking?

[@melvins1992]

@@AdamSJarrett Eminence red white and blues and cannabis rex, happened to find a deal on the pair from a guy that had them sitting around still in the box, $70 for both. Turned out to make a great pairing for the DeVille, the top end is no longer harsh and the mids are smoother, though I still have to keep the bass on zero to tame the excessive low end of the DeVille circuit. The speaker change was a vast improvement to the drive channel too, to the point that I use it instead of drive pedals for my main dirt tone now.

[@paulgambon3510]

This is the second shootout demo where I routinely liked the TM better. The reverb and trem sound great!

[@danielhoskins4690]

I love the clash almost as much as I love Andy. “You’re my Guitar Hero......”

[@RumzDizzle]

You can really tell the difference when the amp is cranked to 7 but even the cleans seem to have a little more definition on the tube amp. Still you can't beat all those features and they sound damn close. A DRRI is way too loud at home in a bedroom setting but is such a good pedal platform.

[@mdsveda]

Fender didn't model the TM on the DRRI, they modeled vintage DR's

[@shootgroundhog]

All you amateurs saying you could hear the difference because of a specific thing he played or a setting he used. My ears are so tuned in that I could tell which amp was which before he even started playing.

[@lukecreel7293]

Kentucky Windage 22 before you watched the video right

[@cirjames2540]

This is a brilliant idea, similar to the Orange CR120 and Roland Blues Cube. Have your favorite tube amp in SS format that is bedroom, stage and studio friendly. The idea is not to have a SS amp of a Fender Deluxe, its having a extremely versatile amp that sounds great.

[@andreasatlars4281]

Agreed. This is the modelling amp I've wanted for years.

[@kroadster3249]

Did Not expect that. Thought nr.2 was worse in crunch but it was the Tube driven ohne.

[@emeraldchan7770]

I came into the video blind and listening to it on my nice tv speakers and it was #1 for me all the way. The mids were super clear and nice especially when overdriven. Gotta love that digital is sounding so good now.

[@wimdewild9345]

Luckily I guessed right, owning a Deluxe Reverb for over 20 years ... but the Tone Master sounds great, and I think the attenuation is a nice option to have. On many stages or at home it's just not possible to push the tube amp.

[@_guitar_dad]

Amp 2 was definitely warmer, however you can't beat the sparkly nature of the cleans on the solid state Amp 1. Amazing

[@cyrusfontaine2598]

My guess is #1 is the Tone Master, only because #2 reads a little darker to me, which makes me think it may have the heavier speaker! It could be the difference between part tolerances in regular old Fender amps though, as far as the recording is concerned! They both sound great!

[@geekcornucopia4085]

I am shocked by the fact that I prefer amp #1! Well done, Fender. That's crazy.

[@jeramyashlock]

I thought Amp #1 sounded better the whole way and expected it to be the tubes. What a time to be a guitarist.

[@BaronsDuju]

Wow, I preferred the tone master pretty much every time. I can totally see a future where a Kemper style lightweight combo made in china hits the market and we can get a million amazing tones for $100. Tube amps might not be long for this world..

[@pastorkev777]

Could be the speaker.

[@drocks362]

Tube amps will always be the best. Keeper is shit and so is anything digital.

[@pastorkev777]

@@drocks362 wow, digital is bad but different. I prefer tube amps most of the time, but digital doesn't equal bad tone, just like not all tube amps sound good.

[@TooLooze]

The Tonemaster had some beautiful sounds, to my ear some better than the DR. But not the same sound, especially at high volume. Technology is quite amazing.

[@steveo44]

Amp 1 was very slightly better to my ears. Both sound so sweet. Especially with a slight crunch. Modelling has come on no end

[@PedalboardoftheDay]

they both sounded great to be honest. Amp 2 sounded a little quackier and the overall eq seemed a little tighter. I honestly could not guess which was tube and which wasn't. It terms of preference, I thought the first Amp sounded better.

[@terranceturner7972]

I thought #1 sounded better when it was overdriven and the reverb or trem was engaged. I thought for sure it was the tube amp, and I was super bummed lol. Already got the tonemaster and have been loving it.

[@CentaurusRelax314]

Well, I got it wrong. Thought the ‘more polite, slightly rolled-off’ tone was the Tonemaster.... Wow. So I actually preferred the new amp. That’s impressive.

[@ptrisonic]

I got it the right way around. I'm not boasting because I usually get it totally wrong in comparo's like this (because I suspect all the compression/expansion that your signal goes through from your fingers to my PC speakers)... The tube powered original was just more finely detailed and richer all round - to my ears at least. Funnily enough I've got the small Fender Mustang LT25 sitting next to me in my small office/studio at home. With this model I can get into finessing the sounds with detail without having to connect it to my PC. I quite like that. Thanks, Andy! Best Pete.

[@scottdavidson6066]

I preferred the Tone Master consistently. And I grew up playing tube amps since age 10 (I’m 44 now)!

[@b.a.peters5534]

Great demo.. As soon as you hear amp 2 it's so clear that it's the deluxe reverb. The Tone Master sounds great but there's that looseness and almost an extra dimension to the sound of the tube driven Deluxe. The digital sounds great but next to the tube amp you can hear that tight, controlled tone that comes from digital emulation.. They're getting closer all the time and I think the difference is so slight that it wouldn't bother me to use one live but I still wouldn't pay a tube amp price for a digital amp.

[@larsfrederiksen3005]

Try factoring in the cost of new tubes, services etc. over the lifetime of the amp (assuming the TM will last as long). It's still an expensive amp and I agree, seems expensive when you see the price at first, but for gigging I would believe that the TM is the better option. Lighter, more reliable (I would think) and less maintenance during its life.

[@robi1483]

It would be good to hear a comparison demo with a full band mix. Both very cool sounding amps, I liked that the "real" amp was a little more nasty as it turned it!

[@ZRJZZZZZ]

I am shocked about this. I was listening on headphones so obviously I was not in the same room with the demonstrator to be able to say what’s the difference in the room would be, but amp number one sounded better on my headphones with better dynamics and greater frequency range.

[@johncollier6303]

I preferred amp 1 the whole way through, I really am shocked and delighted that it was the tone master

[@ellovy]

I totally thought amp 1 was the valve! I’m impressed!!

[@MrJahvah]

Wow! I was wrong all the way! I GREATLY prefer there Tone Master! It even seemed to have richer harmonics while heavily driven!

[@nathansnyderart]

Best way to tell the difference is that the tonemaster/any solid state amp, holds the clarity and harshness of the raw guitar signal. So the sound of a solid state, no matter what emulation is happening, still isn't rounding the tone down like a tube does. Plug your guitar direct into a console or interface with no modeling on it. That sound is harsh and spikes a lot. Solid state and emulations still haven't figured out how to smooth that out like a tube amp. As for the spring and vibrato settings its even easier to tell. Listen to how prominent and in your signal the spring is jumping on top of the signal. Real spring reverb sits slightly behind it, because the springs are vibrating and need time to transfer that signal to the circuit. That's why short delay and reverb sound similar sometimes. Digital spring reverbs react too quickly. Same with the vibrato setting. It's too in your face. The optocoupler in a tube amp doesn't react with that level of prominence. Still a great sounding amp and would never be noticeable in a live situation, but still not a tube amp. Great concept of focusing a modeling amp with just one amp tone rather than 10,000 though.

[@vorschmack]

Loved that mashup of Take Me To the River and Riders on the Storm at 2:35!

[@shred5]

Amp 1 has more treble and 2 has more bass but overall they sound pretty darn close -- the differences could also be the speaker (the Tone Master has a speaker that is designed to sound like the Jensen but weigh less and handle more wattage and that could have an effect on the EQ). The overall timber of these is nearly identical. EDIT: I don't even know which one is what yet. I'm just waiting for the Super Reverb Tone Master.

[@defrigge]

I urgently would like to hear the tonemasters with a Rhodes electric piano. Any chance?

[@nobup7]

Thanks for the excellent video. Tone Master is a smart product because it clearly showed that Fender's digital technology is attractive as old tube amps.

[@AdADglgmutShevanel]

Wow they sound so close, and both sound amazing! I knew which was which, but I couldn't say which I liked better. I would probably choose the TM though, just because of price and reliability.

[@MrOzzy15]

The way the amp breaks up into overdrive tones and the playing dynamics are what gave it away as being Amp #2 being the real tube amp. The digital amp doesnt sound bad and they both have almost identical tone when the amps are played at cleaner tones but the true tube tone still shines through when being pushed hard.

[@TheWarfen]

Picked one of these up. I have a handwired Vintage Sound DR and a Vintage Sound Princeton to compare too. It is damn close. I feel the weakness of the Tone Master is the speaker. I know it saves weight but I am just not a fan of how it sounds. Granted Jensen’s take forever to break in but I much prefer the sound of alnico. I installed a fully broken in Weber 12A150 alnico speaker and it sounds amazing. Clean or dirty it is very close to my handwired DR. I can see myself ending up playing this amp most of the time and selling the tube amps though I’ll hang on to it for a while. I especially love the attenuator. The sweet spot on a DR is 3.5-5 on the volume dial and you can get that sound at reasonable levels.

[@davidcudlip6587]

I bought the Blonde version and the speaker is way better. Different sound when compared to the black version. The extra price was worth it. I love this amp and am thinking about getting the Twin version, too. Why? I have no clue. Just want 2 12's driving the sound but the ability to tame the overdrive volume.

[@FiragoMusic]

Good god it's good. I can hear the slightly more dynamic response of the real amp but I actually preferred the Vol 5 overdriven sound on the tone master, maybe more than the flabby OG deluxe. Definitely thought the tube deluxe won on full send, but for low volume recording situations I can absolutely get behind this...might be ordering one

[@johnbrooks7074]

The thing this video needs is an honest assessment of the two from the player. It is interesting to think about how they sound different, but most people are listening to the A/B comparison on computer or phone speakers, so user technology probably has a massive effect on how each sounds. I'd be interested to hear from Andy how it 'felt' to play the tone master amp and the tube amp side by side, if the response was similar or not.

[@worldwideguitarman]

The tone master sounds more like a vintage fender than the tube amp did. Very impressive. I think though that with more tweaking you could those two sound so similar that there would be no audible difference or at least the difference would be negligible.

[@DrKevGuitar]

This is why I love blind tests! I wish everyone doing comparisons would do this.

[@Vaughn6886]

For the majority of the comparison I preferred the Tone Master, I only preferred amp 2 (tube amp) at the very end when the volumes were on 7. There's just some low/mid nastiness/punch that the tube has that the digital one doesn't.

[@buddhamus]

I honestly could not tell the difference. I kind of leaned toward amp #1 (A), but I would not have guessed that it was the Tone Master. Good job.

[@ChaosEmerald85]

They've done a fantastic job with this, I like the Tone Master better in some of those clips

[@caseyking8394]

Heard the first few chords and I instantly knew this was gonna be a good demo, great song choice

[@johnpaulpatton9786]

There's a definite difference between the two, with the second being rounder, wider and warmer. The Tone Master is more direct and clear, which is great. I'm sure the age and type of the two speakers makes a huge difference, too. Not sure if it was the recording or the amp, but I hear some digital clipping when the Tone Master is pushed. The overdrive sounds between the two aren't even close to each other.

[@mattmanley7118]

Dead on accurate Glad to see reviews coming out and I really do hope these sell well. It's about time fender put built-in attenuators on their amplifiers. I do think it's something every manufacturer should do as in this day and age gigs are quieter there's no need to have your amp full volume even half volume nowadays.it's also great for people that want the legendary tones but live in small apartments or even houses. Had I not just bought a 65 Princeton Reverb these would most likely get my money.

[@StephaneBergeronPixelyzed]

I preferred Amp A throughout and would have pegged it for the tube amp because it was way more dynamic. It was the Tonemaster ;) The trem sounded way better on the Tonemaster. Less muddy overall and better clean. I'm used to the super high headroom clean tone of my trusty "Red Knobs" Twin so I'm not that surprised although my Twin is full on tube. Great job Fender! (and Andy! :)

[@Lukehart1953]

I GUESSED THAT AMP 2 WAS TUBES....WAS I RIGHT? yes i was, it sounded warmer

[@carlhardwickofficial]

I knew from the beginning as well. The last demo really gave it away when Andy hit the A power chord; it sounded smooth in the tube amp and more of a square wave in the Tone Master...and you really will notice a difference when you use a solid state distortion pedal with a solid state amp compared to a tube amp. In the market for a Deluxe Reverb and this convinced me to stay with tubes.

[@echopark78]

No I did not.

[@snodgraz]

🍪

[@slickpicker]

Amp 1 sounded more diminsional.

[@GuyNarnarian]

Correct, I thought after a few minutes it was fairly obvious

[@flytebandtampa2499]

I own a 95 Fender hot rod deluxe with a red back speaker, as well as other amps yet was very curious on this one. I made the splurge and was nicely surprised. That being said, there is a note definition difference as well as a midrange difference between the two that I noticed. I came back here and relistened to your vid and it is very evident and confirmed what i hear with mine as well. There is no replacing a tube amp however for a gigging musician, this amp definitely holds its own. The weight ( or lack thereof) is a blessing as well. Nice overall amp for the right shows.

[@dannyharvey7398]

Both sounded pretty close. I guessed right, but there were times I doubted myself - more at the end when amps were driven. What was a tell-tail to me was that solid state always seems to thin out when it trails, particularly on individual notes or lead, something that always seems to be inherent. Overall though a pretty convincing comparison.

[@elbik95]

I honestly had no idea which was which in the clean tones, the gain gave it away but because i'm super used to hearing it, what a nice amp!

[@TheKirby366]

I knew #2 was the 65' reissue from the start, but those drive sounds had me questioning it! Nastyyy

[@doctorskull8197]

I’ve watched every review of the Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb that I could find, this is the best one! LOVE the reverb surf sounds and over driven rock sounds. I’ve been using one of these for a year and love it. I just wish it had an extension speaker jack.

[@stevedavis8329]

I've read a comment somewhere expressing that it's actually logical for there not to be an extension cab for these, but I can't remember what it was now. I guess the most pragmatic reason would be that they figure if you want two speakers, you'll get the twin reverb, which is what I've done, if FedEx can ever get it out of the pile in Ellenwood, GA.

[@symmie666]

I thought the tonemaster was the first amp.. i preferred the cleans in the second amp although they were fairly close.. but I loved the overdrive sound on the first amp. Goes to show you.

[@jonl7819]

F***! I was wrong. Amp one sounded better the whole way. Damn it.

[@peopledonotexist]

every tube amp sounds a little different due to how they’re made. the digital amp gives the best of all the tube sounds and will not change with age unlike tubes. it’s the best of both worlds AND it’s cheaper.

[@andresgaron]

The dsp one sounds amazing!!! The Tone Master nailed it.

[@superreverbking]

Damn - I like the TM much better, and I happen to own and gig a 1965 Deluxe Reverb! I'll have to look into one of these.

[@HaraldEngels]

I assume that one important reason why Amp #1 sounded so much better is going back to the Jensen Neodymium speakers. These speakers are just phenomenal. I swapped one Jensen Tornado 100 Classic (with Neodymium magnet) into my Boss Katana 100 and the result is just mind-blowing.

[@carlmasondrums]

Love to hear the clash cover at the start!

[@gslide06]

Andy cheers for stating at @7:00 what sooooo many reviewers fail at - demoing the natural drive of the amp when pushed. So many of even the best interviewers plop an OD pedal down and say this takes pedals well. That is no help. But you seriously have helped me with a purchasing decision. Was going with A Black Magick Reverb but this has too many features to ignore.

[@veerchasm1]

It sounds so much like tubes Fender is going to charge me the same amount 💰 WTH?!? Are they sharing the same stash of weed Gibson has been smoking?

[@luckysynar9539]

Just wait for the price to drop in a year. Those amps are worth no more than $300. Seriously, my Mustang IV couldn't even sell for $300 used.

[@marvinmealer4993]

You will make up the cost in fewer back surgeries from carrying around the tube version of those amps.

[@brianfoutch3806]

@@marvinmealer4993 Yep. Plus, these are forever amps, sound doesn't need to "warm up", safer, no need for mic on stage. Love this amp!!

[@cavanray6742]

So because the sound doesn't get to the speaker the approved way, you think you're entitled to have a high quality amplifier for nothing. Di with cabsim, attenuation that doesn't kill the tone like the real thing, custom neo speakers and a cab designed to get the most from the circuit. It's way more then just a circuit board and a chip and far more effort was put into getting these amps to sound like their analog tube counterparts then the mustang series could ever dream of, yet you expect to pay mustang prices? People are happy to pay a fortune for strymon, why should a quality digital amp be any different to a quality digital pedal. It's not like it's a cheap pos made to a price point. It's a no expense was spared dedicated digital amplifier. Hint, no expense was spared.

[@wallyg3]

Really excellent execution on the tone. But the price is going to keep a lot of them on shelves. If it was $5-600, and had an effects loop, I'd probably be in the market.

[@RPSartre01]

wallyg3 they are selling like hot cakes

[@wallyg3]

@@RPSartre01 good to hear, I hope they do well with it.