Are you a fan of the Tone Master series? This one and the Super-Reverb are my two favorites so far. Thanks to Fender for sending this out. I'll test this in the context of a band mix soon so stay tuned for that. 😄 Check it out. 🎸 🛒 Sweetwater - sweetwater.sjv.io/zNzVLm 🛒 Thomann - bit.ly/3pHPFOW 🛒 Fender - bit.ly/3fZiRMF 🛒 Guitar Center - guitar-center.pxf.io/75XNj3 🛒 Sky Music - bit.ly/42UXIqp (affiliate links)
Hi Shane great review as usual. Yep I'm a Tone Master fan. I recently got the Tone Master Super Reverb, it sounds so good (and even better after a firmware update) and does everything I need for the stuff I play. As an older, 66, yet relatively new player (about 2 1/2 years at this point), I'll probably never get to hear a Tube Super Reverb, or afford one or be able to lift one, so the Tube vs Tone Master thing is a mute point for me. I did get the chance to play a '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb and a Tone Master Deluxe Reverb back to back at my local Music store, I could not pick one over the other sound wise. I was a bit surprised that Fender released the Princeton as the next Tone Master, I was hoping for a Super Sonic 60. Having said that this Princeton really does sound sweet, and like my Super Reverb, the attenuation and cab sim XLR gives all of these amps the versatility for a wide range of uses. Cheers Pete
I’ve never played one in person but I like the concept and they seem to sound good in videos. My only concern is I’ve seen some videos where I thought some pedals (especially fuzz) didn’t sound great. Curious your thoughts on that point.
Some great XLR headphone interfaces on the market! As small as an effects pedal… 👌
Рік тому+17
I drove 25 miles to my local Guitar Center on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood and picked up the Deluxe Tone Master. It doesn't disappoint at all! What I love about the Tone Master series is the real close emulation to the tube version at all levels. The light weight is the best feature to me it's so refreshing to carry it. As a "Boomer" like my children call me I'm not as strong as 35 years ago lugging those 64 pound Fender Twin Reverbs etc....plus the the attenuation helps so much to play at bedroom levels! Great series from fender. I knew you were going to like it! Thanks por the review!
Greetings from Los Angeles as well, friend. You ever try plugging a Nobles ODR-1 into it, run the pedal at 18 volts and it gives you more headroom (the pedal). I’m 44, you’re still a young man in my eyes. : )
The ToneMaster series is a great way of getting those classic Fender amp sounds in a lightweight frame and without spending too much money compared to their tube counterparts. I really enjoy the tones you got from this Princeton,Shane!!
@@beableish There are two things about the price to think about. These amps are not 100% Chinese or Indonesian built. Just the main amp section. It seems Fender do not want to destroy the market for their tube amps
I'm doing gigs with an Elvis backing band and wanted a Twin. The Tone Master sounds great, and sound engineers have told me many times that running direct out also sounds great. Love the look, sound and portability - just hope it lasts a long time!
Thanks for this Shane. It's nice to see that amp builders are considering the home recording users. The power attenuation is a great feature and the back panel controls for cab sim is very usable. My only gripe is the dirt tones. Maybe it's just me, but they feel a little ice picky and unnatural. If this is supposed to emulate a tube amp, I'm missing the warmth. If you're running effects before it and don't need the dirt in the amp then it's less of an issue, but often it's the over driven tones of an amp that often give it its character.
YES. I bought a brown and black Deluxe Reverb Tone Master(s). Neither produced the mid-range growl my 65 Deluxe Reverb could crank. ONLY advantage of the TM is light weight.
This is so cool Shane, thanks for the demo! As far as Fender though, I still prefer the Mustang III v2, but it's great how Fender is making the amps and with their options!
Good stuff Shane, I tried one of these in Tokyo earlier this year; killer tones! The sound of the reverb wasn't very convincing vs a true spring reverb to be honest, but it works if you want a reverb sound regardless. In the end, I managed to find a second-hand '65 Princeton Reverb Reissue with upgraded components and a beefier speaker that all together got me about 85% of the way towards an actual vintage 65 Princeton Reverb I tried in Portland, OR at Thunderroad Guitars. Sidebar: If you ever get your hands on their new silverface '68 Custom Vibro Champ, do it; you won't regret it!
Played this in my local shop, beside the tube version. I liked it, though the tube version felt bigger somehow. Anyway, at one point I had the Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb blonde, and liked it too. This Princeton is a cool amp for those Fender tones at a light weight, decent for those looking for the options it has.
With the gf ac footswitch and tax, cost me 600 total. I usually play it at .5 watts, but at 50 watts it starts to come alive. When i get better "someday" i would like to get a tube amp and pedals, until then the katana kicks ass.
I have the Tone master Super reverb and I am very happy with it. I like this idea better than a modeling amp that emulates everything else. I also like the way Fender designed these amps so the volume is up there with the original tube amps.
Thanks, Eric. This and the Deluxe are a perfect little home/studio tool. It'll be interesting to see how it holds up at a gig. I hope you're doing well mate.
Good work Sean ✨👌….great video 👏…. I bought the original Tonemaster Twin within days of their launch and I still love that amp….it’s been a few years now and it’s rock solid 💥
I did the virtual bright cap removal mod and changed the speaker to the Celestion neo Cream back on my Tonemaster Deluxe to match Fenders cream tolex version. . I like it even better now, especially when using pedals.
The output power switch is an amazing feature that some amps have because most people practice in homes and apartments (like me), which helps keep the tone but ins a lower volume. I have a boss Katana 50 MK2 that has the same feature; all new amps should have it.
I've got Amplitube.. and the Princeton is one of my favourite amps.. definitely my go to when i need sparkly cleans.. i actually like it more than Twin & Super & Deluxe reverbs.. the only other amps i use more than the Princeton are the Fender Champ (i like its edge of breakup sound) & the Orange OR50 for distorted sounds..
What a terrific review, I am impressed by this amp, you are right the tremelo system is a little tame, but the sound overall is classic Fender they have done well!
I just returned my Princeton Tone Master for the tube version. The Tone Master never sounded right with fuzz or anything over light overdrive. When I returned it the shop set up an A-B switch so we could go back and forth between the two amps. They sound similar without pedals but very different with them.
No matter how accurate the Tone Masters are to the real deal, in a studio or for home jams, they sound absolutely fantastic.. And i a mix, for anyone creating actual music, they're simply perfect.
@@jroobz I agree with your points, no reason for a lack of FX loop and phones out on a digital amp at that price.. But other than that, they're terrific.
@@jroobz they’re really afraid the tube sniffers won’t take them seriously if they add those features. I feel like the tube sniffers already avoid them…
I couldn’t agree more. After 50 years of playing I’m fed up with changing tubes and „schlepping“ weight. So far as I can hear, it’s a great amp. Well worth the money. Thx for the review!
Glad to see you finally review this. I love my tube version, but given the conflict in the world it’s even harder to get tubes now. My attenuator is a bit of a pain to hook up given more wires… oh joy. So it’s between maintenance of a traditional amp or absolute ease of use and features hmmmm . Sounds great to me I could never tell a difference but hey I’m not one of these mythical hyper sonic hearing humans! Everything is give and take compromise I’ve been waiting for this so it’s time to decide
I have owned several Princeton reissue, one that even had a tube issue, making noise. I must say that I have this Tonemaster Princeton and do not miss the tube versions. It feels and sounds like a tube amp. Also, you don't need maintenance.
I do like the sounds of the tonemaster series, but I still haven't bought one. I have Fender & Vox amps and would love to have a lighter amp. My lightest amp is a Vox AC15 which is around 45lbs. What keeps me from purchasing a tonemaster is that they are all digital and I worry years down the road what happens when the cpu components go out. I have a Pro Reverb over 40 years old that I still play through and can still work on or have worked on.
This thing is $900. I am actually shocked at the price. Is Fender crazy? I seriously expected the price to be $199. 12-watt. Solid state/digital. Crappy reverb. 10" Jensen speaker. NO effects loop. $900? Is someone on drugs? Who is stupid enough to pay $900 for a 12-watt digital 1x10 practice amp?
Been gigging a princeton TM recently, and what I find almost eerie is how it 'feels' like a valve amp. Infact, there are ways in which it is actually preferable to a real valve amp. It has the immediacy of a SS amp, but the compression sensation that comes with valves.
Really good review. You hit all the important points. I've had them all and these Tonemasters are really good. Great for gigging musicians since they are lightweight and should not have the normal electronic issues with tube amps but also good at home with the attenuation, line out with emulations, and speaker off possibilities for recording.
I have played one. The only improvement I can see is filtering out the transients known to that circuit. And when its not mic'd and just the room it's very very thin. The Princeton was just a beginner's amp that found its way into the recording studios due to being so easy to tote around. KNOWING: That it would be mic'd and the final sound pro eq'd. The best small all around amp remains the Deluxe Reverb. And if you take a Blues Deluxe or Blues Jr and replace the Plexi Tone Stack (that Fender put in these to compete with Marshall) with Vintage Fender Tone Stacks.........They are just as good. And mod the bias as well. The Princeton Tone Master is just another new mouse trap. Now.......The 65 Princeton Reverb Limited Edition is a complete different story...And as a side note: No amplifier or guitar is going to make you sound like Sean !!!!! He is a Pro of Top Shelf Quality !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's his Soul and Hands you hear. Not the gear !!!
Nice piece of kit, but I think my Champion 40 is more usable for home and gigging use, and provides way more sound variety, given that it is a modelling amp🤗 Thanks Shane!
I have the Champion 40. It's great. I got it brand new for $170. The Tone Master Princeton amp is $900. Is Fender on drugs? How did they arrive at that ridiculous price? It looks like a $150 amp to me.
So many great things about this amp. Classic Princeton sound without the tubes, a built in attenuator (which i think should be a standard feature on all amps) and of course that classic tremolo. Also, did you keep the Charvel Shane? Personally i love Charvel guitars, people see them only as shred machines but the feel and sound of those guitars is great for everything.
I love tube amps but would 100% use this. Fenders digital emu's of their own amps have been very good for many years now and have presumably only gotten better over time
Great review and demo Shane! The Tone Master Princeton amp can be an excellent solution for those who can't always play loud and prefer the lighter weight.
This amp is very handy and lightweight. It will suit a lot of people's needs. However I do have a Princeton reverb point to point that I built as a kit, and I have to say I wouldn't trade it for this one. It's a modding platform and I've done plenty of modding. I can also repair it very easily, although it's never broken down. If I didn't have my home-built Princeton I think I would have given it a try.
thanks Shane for the test and the great tones. I also tested the Princeton Reverb. First impression was great because of the power attenuation and the weight and the clean sounds are fantastic. But if you use overdrive-pedals in front of the amp the amp is completely overextended. In particular with a fuzz pedal (Big Muff) i get the feeling the amp was completely lost with the "information" from the pedal, so the opposite to the tube amp which get to blossom out. A great guitar combined with a tube amp could create a "kind of magic" which is hard to explain - in my opinion this "magic" doesn´t exist with the Tone Master Amps. For me the digital technology can´t reproduce the "organic-magic".
Fender for years has produced great reliable amps. Recently I saw the Blackstar id core 100 in true stereo so I traded my Fender amp in and purchased the Blackstar 😮
Primarily the amount of processing power that goes into the modeling, however at a certain point tone is almost entirely in the eyes, this amp mostly exists for people that want a Princeton look
Love fender amps, never met one I did not like .... One of my favorites is the Princeton 65 dsp ... not expensive on the used marked , paid $69 for mine.... only one of many different fender amps. This new one you are reviewing looks and sounds really good. Thanks for showing us the way it looks and sounds !
So this has attenuation! Great feature. I have a 6-watt 6L6, honestly it's too loud for my house and ears. I didn't expect tubes to be really loud even at 6-watts at around 6oclock. So I'm looking for a digital amp now. I'll keep two amps.
The Achilles heal with Digital amps has always been, ...."What do they sound like cranked.?" "How do they respond when pushed."....If there is enough power and headroom on tap, they can be a beautiful thing in their own right. I have an old G-Dec 30 (Metal Series).....To this day that little 30 Watt monster holds up beautifully. Cheers!
I'm 70 and I just can't get my head into non-valve amps, I just love the sound of an amp when the valves get nice and hot. Am I just old fashioned or do the new digital amps replicate that tone that we all love so much. I'm getting too old to drag these valve amps around so please someone convince me that I'm just being stuck in the past.
your demo of the tonemmaster princeton is good the digital Amp sounds really good and you can buy one if ya look at the other princeton Modells ya find the hint availeble in 4 month so im glad if have mine a 68 princeton reverb and if i buy another than the 65 reissue and in general when ya take a look at Fender Amps it´s fun like christmas Fender since 1946❣always ready always there
Great vid Shane ..I always wanted a princeton but some weeks ago ,I was sold on an Artist tweedtone 20w..got it ,love it and think maybe thats all I'll ever be needing ..Although ,I wonder how that Princeton amp would go with a 12 inch speaker mod ?
Tweedtone is an excellent amp,had mine for several yrs now,no problems and half fender pricing. I've got a 68 Princeton also but the Artist is my live amp
I wonder if this model is trying to replace the SuperChamp amp ... It was a hybrid, only about 30 pounds, & 15 amps making it my favorite until tube replacement time
Not quite, the hybrid Super Champ XD or X2 (15W, 24lb) had multiple amp voicings and a much lower price tag. I have played the XD for four years, and it's just started to make some unexpected noises, so it may be time for some new tubes. Meanwhile I have switched over to a second spare XD that I snapped up a couple of years ago at a very good price. Hopefully I can cure the first amp with some new matched tubes that I have in stock.
I have the blonde version of the Deluxe Reverb Tone Master. IMO, the Princeton is not a different enough sound to have released it. The Princeton makes sense if we are talking about tube amps, but with the ability to attenuate the Deluxe Reverb, I don't see the need for both. Just my opinion. I have played the amp, and it sounds great.
It’s not the tube purists that are bashing it. It’s the average Joe consumers who are just not really jiggy with paying near tube prices for a glorified plugin with a Fender brand slapped on it.
@@valentinch0 Price is the only issue I have with TM PR. Vibro Champ is all tube, 10 inch speaker Fender amp and it’s cheaper. That said I enjoy both of these amps.
Have the tube version of the Princeton (which I love) because I didn't need anything more powerful. But with the Tonemaster's built-in attenuator, I would choose the Deluxe Reverb.
While it is a pretty close representation, I would still opt to pay the extra 400 bucks and buy the 65 tweed edition with the 12" Canabis Rex speaker and go old school.
I don't really have a need for one of these, but they sound cool. If I was gigging all the time I might pick one up to save on the weight and not have to worry about getting a decent tone at lower volume.
My take… sounds pretty good clean but sounds fizzy with higher gain I’ve never owned a valve Princeton so don’t know how close this is but the intensity on the trem could use a few more notches.
Sounds excellent very warm n tube like, and well presented and demonstrated here. what I dont get with the product is why if its designed to satisfy home users as well, does it not have a normal jack output for headphones and/or a looper pedal
Tone Masters vs Tube (small-sized combos) - 1. ‘65 Deluxe Reissue 2. ‘68 Princeton w/ Greenback 3. ‘65 Princeton Tone Master 4. ‘68 Deluxe Reissue 5. ‘65 Deluxe Tone Master In the Tone Master series, the smaller amps respond better in the low end. I was surprised by the Princeton Reverb. It sounded great on 6-7 volume and had XLR outputs to compensate for its lower wattage. HUGE upgrade from the Twin and Deluxe TMs imo. At the price, tho, it’s not replacing my SuperSonic 22 Live (or a Blues Jr IV Tweed) and it’d be tough to justify over a used SuperChamp X2 for home use…tho, it IS sexy in all black.
you'll see a lot more of this going forward. Big fat transformers & rectifiers are outdated, especially when you consider tube amp sounds are possible via a PC plugged into a decent set of speakers.
Interesting. Next demo would love to hear stat neck with those bluesy/Jazzy nuggets you have thru all power settings, some reverb. Min crunch to moderate crunch not so much speakers flub out. Really need to hear the bedroom setting. How loud is it?. Is there a sweet spot to ne found?
I love the idea of the whole series, but I just can't get past the cost when there are so many far more versatile (and of equal quality) options for half the price. I understand that there's a premium that comes with the amp names themselves, but there's a limit to what I'd be willing to spend on what amounts to royalties.
The big expense for these type amps is R&D certainly not parts or components like it a tube amp. Seems after a few years the R&D costs would be less and less. However, the retail rule is charge waht the market will bare.
@@tubetone74, I'm taking all of that into account when I look at cost vs value. I'm not saying people shouldn't buy them, I'm just saying I could never justify the cost if I were looking for an amp in this class.
@@tubetone74 It’s a semi open secret the real reason they’re as expensive as they are is to not demolish reissue sales, while R&D is expensive its not double the cost the amps should be expensive. Honestly I don’t fault fender for the pricing it makes perfect sense from a business perspective, though probably not the best for the average player
@@flyingrat492 it will be interesting if Fender just replaces the revenue stream of Tube with digital amps, and stops caring about the tube amp market much at all. Exploding resale prices for tube amps, and lots of used ToneMasters for sale keeping prices in check.
Sounds pretty good, i think its would have to be side by side with the tubed version to hear its short comings. Fender made some digital amps back in the early 1980s that sound very much the same, They sell for about $200usd.
That pedal show compared a tonemaster with its valve counterpart they sounded the same apart from the mids the valve Amps mids were completely different, maybe they’ve tweaked the tonemaster since ?
It sounds great and very useful features for home use/recording. BUT it’s nearly €1000 which is ridiculous for a small solid state amp with ho fx loop, no headphone out and one channel. I’ll stick with my Katana mk2. If it had been around €300 I might have been interested.
I wonder how the modeling sound on Fender Mustang 3 v2 stacks up against the same modeling sound of a Tone Master??? The same, similar, or not even close. I have a Mustang 3 and all your downloads.
Shane, how do you think this Princeton compares to a Roland Blues Cube Hot? I have a Blues Cube and like it. Wondering if purchasing the Princeton will upgrade the sound quality significantly? Many thanks!
@@TheCyberMantis i paid 200 for a used fender champion 100 I use the clean channel as a mute and the modeling channel in Jazz mode. It’s worth 200 bucks.
Are you a fan of the Tone Master series? This one and the Super-Reverb are my two favorites so far. Thanks to Fender for sending this out. I'll test this in the context of a band mix soon so stay tuned for that. 😄 Check it out. 🎸
🛒 Sweetwater - sweetwater.sjv.io/zNzVLm
🛒 Thomann - bit.ly/3pHPFOW
🛒 Fender - bit.ly/3fZiRMF
🛒 Guitar Center - guitar-center.pxf.io/75XNj3
🛒 Sky Music - bit.ly/42UXIqp
(affiliate links)
I love the ToneMaster series, however I’d love it if Fender could make any of the’68 versions with this technology !
Everything is spot on, only thing wrong is your playing your axe left handed, lol.
Thanks Ruderik
Hi Shane great review as usual.
Yep I'm a Tone Master fan.
I recently got the Tone Master Super Reverb, it sounds so good (and even better after a firmware update) and does everything I need for the stuff I play.
As an older, 66, yet relatively new player (about 2 1/2 years at this point), I'll probably never get to hear a Tube Super Reverb, or afford one or be able to lift one, so the Tube vs Tone Master thing is a mute point for me.
I did get the chance to play a '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb and a Tone Master Deluxe Reverb back to back at my local Music store, I could not pick one over the other sound wise.
I was a bit surprised that Fender released the Princeton as the next Tone Master, I was hoping for a Super Sonic 60.
Having said that this Princeton really does sound sweet, and like my Super Reverb, the attenuation and cab sim XLR gives all of these amps the versatility for a wide range of uses.
Cheers
Pete
Thx Shane.
I rely on your reviews.
All the best for always.
~ Mark, Briso. 🎸🎸🎸
I’ve never played one in person but I like the concept and they seem to sound good in videos. My only concern is I’ve seen some videos where I thought some pedals (especially fuzz) didn’t sound great. Curious your thoughts on that point.
Great amp and great playing! The only thing I hope Fender will one day add to the ToneMaster amps is an output jack for headphones.🤞🏼
Some great XLR headphone interfaces on the market! As small as an effects pedal… 👌
I drove 25 miles to my local Guitar Center on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood and picked up the Deluxe Tone Master. It doesn't disappoint at all! What I love about the Tone Master series is the real close emulation to the tube version at all levels. The light weight is the best feature to me it's so refreshing to carry it. As a "Boomer" like my children call me I'm not as strong as 35 years ago lugging those 64 pound Fender Twin Reverbs etc....plus the the attenuation helps so much to play at bedroom levels! Great series from fender. I knew you were going to like it! Thanks por the review!
With a treble booster it will be amazing I think.
Greetings from Los Angeles as well, friend. You ever try plugging a Nobles ODR-1 into it, run the pedal at 18 volts and it gives you more headroom (the pedal).
I’m 44, you’re still a young man in my eyes.
: )
hahaha. humourous and useful feedback
The ToneMaster series is a great way of getting those classic Fender amp sounds in a lightweight frame and without spending too much money compared to their tube counterparts. I really enjoy the tones you got from this Princeton,Shane!!
these are not cheap almost $1000 for solid state
@@beableish well compared to the tube version, it’s cheaper.
indeed so ! @@jamalabdul2009
@@jamalabdul2009 "cheaper" does not mean affordable
@@beableish There are two things about the price to think about. These amps are not 100% Chinese or Indonesian built. Just the main amp section. It seems Fender do not want to destroy the market for their tube amps
I'm doing gigs with an Elvis backing band and wanted a Twin. The Tone Master sounds great, and sound engineers have told me many times that running direct out also sounds great. Love the look, sound and portability - just hope it lasts a long time!
I absolutely love the ToneMaster series amp. I have 2 of the Deluxe Reverb models, while my tube amps gently weep. Great review Thanks.
Thanks for this Shane. It's nice to see that amp builders are considering the home recording users. The power attenuation is a great feature and the back panel controls for cab sim is very usable. My only gripe is the dirt tones. Maybe it's just me, but they feel a little ice picky and unnatural. If this is supposed to emulate a tube amp, I'm missing the warmth. If you're running effects before it and don't need the dirt in the amp then it's less of an issue, but often it's the over driven tones of an amp that often give it its character.
YES. I bought a brown and black Deluxe Reverb Tone Master(s). Neither produced the mid-range growl my 65 Deluxe Reverb could crank. ONLY advantage of the TM is light weight.
This is so cool Shane, thanks for the demo! As far as Fender though, I still prefer the Mustang III v2, but it's great how Fender is making the amps and with their options!
Good stuff Shane, I tried one of these in Tokyo earlier this year; killer tones! The sound of the reverb wasn't very convincing vs a true spring reverb to be honest, but it works if you want a reverb sound regardless. In the end, I managed to find a second-hand '65 Princeton Reverb Reissue with upgraded components and a beefier speaker that all together got me about 85% of the way towards an actual vintage 65 Princeton Reverb I tried in Portland, OR at Thunderroad Guitars.
Sidebar: If you ever get your hands on their new silverface '68 Custom Vibro Champ, do it; you won't regret it!
+1 for new 68 Vibro Champ, all tube, celestion 10” speaker, and less than the Tonemasters… love mine
Played this in my local shop, beside the tube version. I liked it, though the tube version felt bigger somehow. Anyway, at one point I had the Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb blonde, and liked it too. This Princeton is a cool amp for those Fender tones at a light weight, decent for those looking for the options it has.
Nice amp, but $900 is an insane rip off. The Boss Katana 100w is $379.
Fender wants you to pay tube amp prices for a modeling amp.
With the gf ac footswitch and tax, cost me 600 total. I usually play it at .5 watts, but at 50 watts it starts to come alive. When i get better "someday" i would like to get a tube amp and pedals, until then the katana kicks ass.
The 40 watt fender champ at around $200 sounds quite close to this, plus many more sounds available.
I have the Tone master Super reverb and I am very happy with it. I like this idea better than a modeling amp that emulates everything else. I also like the way Fender designed these amps so the volume is up there with the original tube amps.
I love the Princeton and I’ve been dying to try one of the tone master amps. You’re making this one sound great!
Thanks, Eric. This and the Deluxe are a perfect little home/studio tool. It'll be interesting to see how it holds up at a gig. I hope you're doing well mate.
Good work Sean ✨👌….great video 👏…. I bought the original Tonemaster Twin within days of their launch and I still love that amp….it’s been a few years now and it’s rock solid 💥
Thanks, Steve. Awesome stuff mate! I hope you're digging the Twin. Thanks for the comments.
I did the virtual bright cap removal mod and changed the speaker to the Celestion neo Cream back on my Tonemaster Deluxe to match Fenders cream tolex version. . I like it even better now, especially when using pedals.
Great playing and I really loved this demo, Shane. You brought out those classic Fender tones quite nicely. I am certainly interested in this amp.
The output power switch is an amazing feature that some amps have because most people practice in homes and apartments (like me), which helps keep the tone but ins a lower volume. I have a boss Katana 50 MK2 that has the same feature; all new amps should have it.
Nice review Shane. I have been looking for a Princeton. I would purchase this Tone Master series if it had a 12" speaker.
I've got Amplitube.. and the Princeton is one of my favourite amps.. definitely my go to when i need sparkly cleans.. i actually like it more than Twin & Super & Deluxe reverbs.. the only other amps i use more than the Princeton are the Fender Champ (i like its edge of breakup sound) & the Orange OR50 for distorted sounds..
What a terrific review, I am impressed by this amp, you are right the tremelo system is a little tame, but the sound overall is classic Fender they have done well!
I just returned my Princeton Tone Master for the tube version. The Tone Master never sounded right with fuzz or anything over light overdrive. When I returned it the shop set up an A-B switch so we could go back and forth between the two amps. They sound similar without pedals but very different with them.
No kidding? That’s a shame.
I hand made a org fender f51 champ amp with old parts and tubes from the 40s and sounds way better then anything digital
No matter how accurate the Tone Masters are to the real deal, in a studio or for home jams, they sound absolutely fantastic.. And i a mix, for anyone creating actual music, they're simply perfect.
Yes, this!
If they put a headphones out and an fx loop on them, then perfect
@@jroobz I agree with your points, no reason for a lack of FX loop and phones out on a digital amp at that price.. But other than that, they're terrific.
@@jroobz they’re really afraid the tube sniffers won’t take them seriously if they add those features. I feel like the tube sniffers already avoid them…
I couldn’t agree more. After 50 years of playing I’m fed up with changing tubes and „schlepping“ weight. So far as I can hear, it’s a great amp. Well worth the money. Thx for the review!
Glad to see you finally review this. I love my tube version, but given the conflict in the world it’s even harder to get tubes now. My attenuator is a bit of a pain to hook up given more wires… oh joy.
So it’s between maintenance of a traditional amp or absolute ease of use and features hmmmm .
Sounds great to me I could never tell a difference but hey I’m not one of these mythical hyper sonic hearing humans!
Everything is give and take compromise
I’ve been waiting for this so it’s time to decide
@intheblues your take?
I imagine I’ll have to save up some cash in addition to the trade in but that’s just how it all works
Sounds Amazing especially at lower wattage settings. AWESOME ! Blues On....💙
I love that Fender keeps producing home friendly amps like this. I truly believe this is a must in 2023.
Wish VOX would do similar with AC15 and AC30
They kind of do. Have done for a long time. I have the vox Cambridge 30R purchased in 2002. They are made in Korea dead light vox sound
Wowwie that sounds fantastic. I love that they did this series. If they were to make a Blues Jr Tone Master I'd buy it immediately.
I have owned several Princeton reissue, one that even had a tube issue, making noise. I must say that I have this Tonemaster Princeton and do not miss the tube versions. It feels and sounds like a tube amp. Also, you don't need maintenance.
Great playing ! Great demo. ! Thanks !
Thanks, Brian!
That white Strat of yours sounds great with ANY amp!
I do like the sounds of the tonemaster series, but I still haven't bought one. I have Fender & Vox amps and would love to have a lighter amp. My lightest amp is a Vox AC15 which is around 45lbs. What keeps me from purchasing a tonemaster is that they are all digital and I worry years down the road what happens when the cpu components go out. I have a Pro Reverb over 40 years old that I still play through and can still work on or have worked on.
I'm torn between the Princeton and the Deluxe Reverb for a tone master amp. They are both fantastic
This thing is $900. I am actually shocked at the price. Is Fender crazy? I seriously expected the price to be $199. 12-watt. Solid state/digital. Crappy reverb. 10" Jensen speaker. NO effects loop. $900? Is someone on drugs? Who is stupid enough to pay $900 for a 12-watt digital 1x10 practice amp?
Been gigging a princeton TM recently, and what I find almost eerie is how it 'feels' like a valve amp. Infact, there are ways in which it is actually preferable to a real valve amp. It has the immediacy of a SS amp, but the compression sensation that comes with valves.
Really good review. You hit all the important points. I've had them all and these Tonemasters are really good. Great for gigging musicians since they are lightweight and should not have the normal electronic issues with tube amps but also good at home with the attenuation, line out with emulations, and speaker off possibilities for recording.
I have played one. The only improvement I can see is filtering out the transients known to that circuit. And when its not mic'd and just the room it's very very thin.
The Princeton was just a beginner's amp that found its way into the recording studios due to being so easy to tote around. KNOWING: That it would be mic'd
and the final sound pro eq'd. The best small all around amp remains the Deluxe Reverb. And if you take a Blues Deluxe or Blues Jr and replace the Plexi
Tone Stack (that Fender put in these to compete with Marshall) with Vintage Fender Tone Stacks.........They are just as good. And mod the bias as well. The
Princeton Tone Master is just another new mouse trap. Now.......The 65 Princeton Reverb Limited Edition is a complete different story...And as a side note:
No amplifier or guitar is going to make you sound like Sean !!!!! He is a Pro of Top Shelf Quality !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's his Soul and Hands you hear. Not the gear !!!
This is what I'm looking for now that I'm older and still gigging . I've been a Peavey man since 1976 . Now their amp are like ship anchors.
Nice piece of kit, but I think my Champion 40 is more usable for home and gigging use, and provides way more sound variety, given that it is a modelling amp🤗 Thanks Shane!
I have the Champion 40. It's great. I got it brand new for $170. The Tone Master Princeton amp is $900. Is Fender on drugs? How did they arrive at that ridiculous price? It looks like a $150 amp to me.
I got a Champion 40 too, great amps, also have the Mustang LT 25, thats great too.
Shane you’re a killer guitarist, always super cool demos. The Amp, I’m sure has it’s purposes.
So many great things about this amp. Classic Princeton sound without the tubes, a built in attenuator (which i think should be a standard feature on all amps) and of course that classic tremolo. Also, did you keep the Charvel Shane? Personally i love Charvel guitars, people see them only as shred machines but the feel and sound of those guitars is great for everything.
I love tube amps but would 100% use this. Fenders digital emu's of their own amps have been very good for many years now and have presumably only gotten better over time
Great review and demo Shane! The Tone Master Princeton amp can be an excellent solution for those who can't always play loud and prefer the lighter weight.
This amp is very handy and lightweight. It will suit a lot of people's needs. However I do have a Princeton reverb point to point that I built as a kit, and I have to say I wouldn't trade it for this one. It's a modding platform and I've done plenty of modding. I can also repair it very easily, although it's never broken down. If I didn't have my home-built Princeton I think I would have given it a try.
My favorite Fender Amp is the Tweed Pro Junior I wish they would include it in the series just for the attenuator alone and maybe pine cabinet.🤨
thanks Shane for the test and the great tones. I also tested the Princeton Reverb. First impression was great because of the power attenuation and the weight and the clean sounds are fantastic. But if you use overdrive-pedals in front of the amp the amp is completely overextended. In particular with a fuzz pedal (Big Muff) i get the feeling the amp was completely lost with the "information" from the pedal, so the opposite to the tube amp which get to blossom out.
A great guitar combined with a tube amp could create a "kind of magic" which is hard to explain - in my opinion this "magic" doesn´t exist with the Tone Master Amps. For me the digital technology can´t reproduce the "organic-magic".
Fender for years has produced great reliable amps. Recently I saw the Blackstar id core 100 in true stereo so I traded my Fender amp in and purchased the Blackstar 😮
So what makes this different from all the other Fender digital recreations or the classic amp tones?
Primarily the amount of processing power that goes into the modeling, however at a certain point tone is almost entirely in the eyes, this amp mostly exists for people that want a Princeton look
@@flyingrat492 makes sense.
Love fender amps, never met one I did not like ....
One of my favorites is the Princeton 65 dsp ... not expensive on the used marked , paid $69 for mine.... only one of many different fender amps.
This new one you are reviewing looks and sounds really good.
Thanks for showing us the way it looks and sounds !
Great review shane! Well i brought my first fender player strat on monday...this amp could be a go ! Sounds awesome.
Enjoyed this and your review of the 68 vibro champ 5w amp. I am deciding between these two for at home use. Would you recommend one over the other?
Great tones! I am surprised at the low end from a smallish amp. All together a nice package!
So this has attenuation! Great feature. I have a 6-watt 6L6, honestly it's too loud for my house and ears. I didn't expect tubes to be really loud even at 6-watts at around 6oclock. So I'm looking for a digital amp now. I'll keep two amps.
The Achilles heal with Digital amps has always been, ...."What do they sound like cranked.?"
"How do they respond when pushed."....If there is enough power and headroom on tap, they can be a beautiful thing in their own right. I have an old G-Dec 30 (Metal Series).....To this day that little 30 Watt monster holds up beautifully. Cheers!
Great little amp and a nice review. Only the price is quite high 😬
I'm 70 and I just can't get my head into non-valve amps, I just love the sound of an amp when the valves get nice and hot. Am I just old fashioned or do the new digital amps replicate that tone that we all love so much. I'm getting too old to drag these valve amps around so please someone convince me that I'm just being stuck in the past.
your demo of the tonemmaster princeton is good the digital Amp sounds really good and you can buy one if ya look at the other princeton Modells ya find the hint availeble in 4 month so im glad if have mine a 68 princeton reverb and if i buy another than the 65 reissue and in general when ya take a look at Fender Amps it´s fun like christmas Fender since 1946❣always ready always there
Great vid Shane ..I always wanted a princeton but some weeks ago ,I was sold on an Artist tweedtone 20w..got it ,love it and think maybe thats all I'll ever be needing ..Although ,I wonder how that Princeton amp would go with a 12 inch speaker mod ?
Tweedtone is an excellent amp,had mine for several yrs now,no problems and half fender pricing. I've got a 68 Princeton also but the Artist is my live amp
Sounds fantastic! Love the tasty playing mate.
I wonder if this model is trying to replace the SuperChamp amp ... It was a hybrid, only about 30 pounds, & 15 amps making it my favorite until tube replacement time
Not quite, the hybrid Super Champ XD or X2 (15W, 24lb) had multiple amp voicings and a much lower price tag. I have played the XD for four years, and it's just started to make some unexpected noises, so it may be time for some new tubes. Meanwhile I have switched over to a second spare XD that I snapped up a couple of years ago at a very good price. Hopefully I can cure the first amp with some new matched tubes that I have in stock.
Great playing!
I have the blonde version of the Deluxe Reverb Tone Master. IMO, the Princeton is not a different enough sound to have released it. The Princeton makes sense if we are talking about tube amps, but with the ability to attenuate the Deluxe Reverb, I don't see the need for both. Just my opinion. I have played the amp, and it sounds great.
This is probably my next amp. There’s a lot of tube purists out there but give this a try before bashing the TM. I think Fender really nailed it.
It’s not the tube purists that are bashing it. It’s the average Joe consumers who are just not really jiggy with paying near tube prices for a glorified plugin with a Fender brand slapped on it.
@@valentinch0 Price is the only issue I have with TM PR. Vibro Champ is all tube, 10 inch speaker Fender amp and it’s cheaper. That said I enjoy both of these amps.
Have the tube version of the Princeton (which I love) because I didn't need anything more powerful. But with the Tonemaster's built-in attenuator, I would choose the Deluxe Reverb.
Thanks Shane. I have the TM Deluxe Reverb Blonde and it’s magnificent.
I love the light weight especially.... sounds good to my ear Shane !
Thanks, Todd! Rock on mate and I hope you're doing well. :)
While it is a pretty close representation, I would still opt to pay the extra 400 bucks and buy the 65 tweed edition with the 12" Canabis Rex speaker and go old school.
I don’t know if I can justify $899 for a solid state amp though… other than a Jazz Chorus
Love it. Love your playing too. My best guitar playing buddy is left-handed.
I don't really have a need for one of these, but they sound cool. If I was gigging all the time I might pick one up to save on the weight and not have to worry about getting a decent tone at lower volume.
For Home use it's hard to beat the Tone Master series of amps. I love my Deluxe Reverb TM!
It sound good but 900 USD for a circuit board and a speaker is insanely expensive
I have the TMDR blonde with a Celestion speaker…it’s awesome
My take… sounds pretty good clean but sounds fizzy with higher gain
I’ve never owned a valve Princeton so don’t know how close this is but the intensity on the trem could use a few more notches.
Digital versions of any gear always sound better. I just can't wait for the digital Tubescreamer!
Sounds excellent very warm n tube like, and well presented and demonstrated here. what I dont get with the product is why if its designed to satisfy home users as well, does it not have a normal jack output for headphones and/or a looper pedal
Great review Sean, that sounds awesome and it is pretty versatile!
Thanks mate - Shane
Tone Masters vs Tube (small-sized combos) -
1. ‘65 Deluxe Reissue
2. ‘68 Princeton w/ Greenback
3. ‘65 Princeton Tone Master
4. ‘68 Deluxe Reissue
5. ‘65 Deluxe Tone Master
In the Tone Master series, the smaller amps respond better in the low end. I was surprised by the Princeton Reverb. It sounded great on 6-7 volume and had XLR outputs to compensate for its lower wattage.
HUGE upgrade from the Twin and Deluxe TMs imo. At the price, tho, it’s not replacing my SuperSonic 22 Live (or a Blues Jr IV Tweed) and it’d be tough to justify over a used SuperChamp X2 for home use…tho, it IS sexy in all black.
I like my Fender Stage 100, and my Harley Benton Mosfet Lead for jazz with my strat...😎
you'll see a lot more of this going forward. Big fat transformers & rectifiers are outdated, especially when you consider tube amp sounds are possible via a PC plugged into a decent set of speakers.
Interesting. Next demo would love to hear stat neck with those bluesy/Jazzy nuggets you have thru all power settings, some reverb. Min crunch to moderate crunch not so much speakers flub out. Really need to hear the bedroom setting. How loud is it?. Is there a sweet spot to ne found?
Hi Shane, Sounds real good to me and being I live in an apartment, that amp sounds good at low volume.
I love the idea of the whole series, but I just can't get past the cost when there are so many far more versatile (and of equal quality) options for half the price. I understand that there's a premium that comes with the amp names themselves, but there's a limit to what I'd be willing to spend on what amounts to royalties.
The big expense for these type amps is R&D certainly not parts or components like it a tube amp. Seems after a few years the R&D costs would be less and less. However, the retail rule is charge waht the market will bare.
@@tubetone74, I'm taking all of that into account when I look at cost vs value. I'm not saying people shouldn't buy them, I'm just saying I could never justify the cost if I were looking for an amp in this class.
@@tubetone74 It’s a semi open secret the real reason they’re as expensive as they are is to not demolish reissue sales, while R&D is expensive its not double the cost the amps should be expensive. Honestly I don’t fault fender for the pricing it makes perfect sense from a business perspective, though probably not the best for the average player
@@flyingrat492 it will be interesting if Fender just replaces the revenue stream of Tube with digital amps, and stops caring about the tube amp market much at all.
Exploding resale prices for tube amps, and lots of used ToneMasters for sale keeping prices in check.
Really solid review. Thank you.
Sounds pretty good, i think its would have to be side by side with the tubed version to hear its short comings. Fender made some digital amps back in the early 1980s that sound very much the same, They sell for about $200usd.
Of course.. how bout a rack mount
That pedal show compared a tonemaster with its valve counterpart they sounded the same apart from the mids the valve Amps mids were completely different, maybe they’ve tweaked the tonemaster since ?
Only downside is fuzz face circuits seem to react and work best seeing tubes
Love that intro track!
Thanks, Lincoln. I wanted to show off the clean tones this amp is capable of. Those rhythm tones were some of my favorite so far.
I'm waiting for the Tonemaster Tweed Deluxe. Can they pull that one off?
Sweet just got one❤
It sounds great and very useful features for home use/recording. BUT it’s nearly €1000 which is ridiculous for a small solid state amp with ho fx loop, no headphone out and one channel. I’ll stick with my Katana mk2. If it had been around €300 I might have been interested.
Light Quiet Reverb Tremolo got me
I wonder how the modeling sound on Fender Mustang 3 v2 stacks up against the same modeling sound of a Tone Master??? The same, similar, or not even close. I have a Mustang 3 and all your downloads.
Shane, how do you think this Princeton compares to a Roland Blues Cube Hot? I have a Blues Cube and like it. Wondering if purchasing the Princeton will upgrade the sound quality significantly? Many thanks!
I’m curious as to how well it takes pedals? Great video
$1300 at sky music! I bought one few weeks ago . Loving it.
I’m not moving amps around, would you still buy a tonemaster or spend a little more for a tube version?
Great amp and viseo. I want one. I'm a lefty too!
I feel it’s a bit pricey for 12 watt 1 10 combo but it sure sounds nice.
"a bit pricey"? Seriously... $900 is CRAZY. This thing is worth $150, tops. Fender is on drugs. This is a cash-grab scam.
@@TheCyberMantis i paid 200 for a used fender champion 100 I use the clean channel as a mute and the modeling channel in Jazz mode. It’s worth 200 bucks.
@@PooNinja Champion 100 is great. I have the little Champion 40. I paid $170 for it brand new. Totally worth it.