Fender Frontman 25R short review and sound demo.
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- Опубліковано 20 вер 2024
- A short review and sound demo of my new Fender Frontman 25R. This amp is a good clean sounding amp. The distortion on this is not so great, but the cleans, even at low levels are pretty tight. I bought it new from Guitar Center and paid $99.99 plus tax. I think it's way worth the price.
I think it's sad that Fender discontinued this little amp. I bought one a year or so before and then a second one when they were clearing them out. I upgraded the speaker in each one with a Jensen C10Q, and they sound excellent on the clean channel for most everything I do. I own a few larger amps, but always love the sound of this little one for my style. For large venue volume, just mic it through the PA. Works great, sounds great! (To upgrade speaker, use a little acetone on q-tip to remove the goop on the nuts/screws before trying to un-screw the nuts.)
First use Acetone to remove the thread goop is an important solution.
@@williammontgomery6132 Yes, I actually did this because the nuts are too hard to remove & the studs will become loose in the wood if you twist too hard. Remove the goop before trying.
I know a handful of people who own this amp and they found the perfect metal crunch
Gain 6
mid 7
treb 7
bass 8
reverb 2
Hahahahaha, right...
gain 5 or 6 MAX, treble 5 mid 5, bass 8, reverb 5
Wolfie 24 I personally think, bass 10 treble 10 gain 10 middle 0 and reverb definitely 0
Idk I like. Gain and Vol set to 5. BassMidTreb at 6 6 6 and reverb to 1 1/2
I don't play metal but I would agree with gain at 6. That's the sweet spot for me, I play stuff like The Beatles, Oasis and The Who and it nails it, obviously I mean middle and later era Beatles like Revolver, with single coils it cleans up nicely for a good jangly chime.
I got one of those when they first came out. I use it for my telecaster and I'd say my best drive tone is gain 3-4, high, mid, bass 6,5,4, and reverb at around 4-5 however that depends on which effects I'm using. This amp is perfect for beginners, gigs, and everything in-between.
These amps are only $65 in my part of America. Perfect pactice amp, and takes pedals well.
I just bought this amp Saturday and I love it. Great bedroom practice amp!!
3:07 "like a good neighbour.."
Great little amp. Bought this for surf music
the clean channel is so sick, I kinda like it better than the second
OH and thanks for watching. I hope you enjoyed and got something out of my review.
Have one and love it. Clean channel and reverb are good on this amp. Dirty channel is horrible. That gets fixed by a pedal, tho. I also used a boost pedal to give the amp more balls esp. when playing with drums. Not really a gigging amp--more of a practice amp. I've bought a few of these and they are darn good value for the price. Not everyone has hundreds of bucks for amps costing $6 or more.
when you turned up the reverb and played I said to myself, damn that reverbs nasty, then you said "yeah you can get really nasty with it"... spooooky
I bought one of these on Black Friday at Guitar Center. Used it for a gig on a cruise ship. Then when we got home I built a new cabinet for it 17"x17"x9 ". Took the amp apart and built a new amp with a CannabisRex 12" speaker. This amp is my main gig amp now. Never have mic'd it, just play it straight out. Plenty loud at 3 on the volume. Oh and did I mention - lightweight!!!
Lovely little amp. I played in a blues rock band 12/13 years ago with one when I was a teenager. It looked a little weird next to all the big amps in the rock clubs, but it held its own soundwise. You're right though the distortion isn't too great at all
From the size of the amp, it appears that a 12" could be squeezed in there thus helping out the low end a bit. One thing I can sure say about these (analog) Fender amps is they sure do sound pretty. I got rid of an older Princenton amp, only because it was giving me issues. It was an 1988 model, and it cranked with 2x10's in the cab. Anyways, thanks for the review.
Just acquired one of these and surprisingly nice!
I bought two of these several years ago at Guitar Center when they were on sale at $80. Have hardly used them at all as I am a drummer not a guitarist. they seem really loud for just 25 watts. I thought that they were unusual because of the red tolex. Howdy from Dallas Texas
Hey! Have you used it with another drummer? I wonder if it holds up at cleans with a band.
I've got 1 as well and swapped the speaker out to an Eminence Ramrod 10 inch 75 watt and now it's Amazing and Very Loud, louder than a Marshall DSL40 and a Blackstar Club40, I know I sold the Blackstar and am selling the Marshall now. I learned about this from reading some reviews. Great amp, takes pedals well. Bottom line Great amp Great Value and can Always be upgraded. It is a 75 watt amp, it just come with a crappy 25 watt speaker. I'm actually going to run it through a 2x12 Orange cab next.
My thoughts on a 2-12 exactly
Speaker up grades are easy and a huge improvement
Chiming in from “Down-Under”; finally got one used. Value (AUD150), Fender fascia, mid-range control (4 sculpting that tone), signature Fender clean, genuine spring reverb, 1x10” in a portable yet decent-size cab 2 let that driver breathe, 25W ... home/recording studio to the bar/cafe gig. The clean’s why I got one. Can run thru fx 4 all else. Avoid DSP models for this Series-II model. Classic R&B/Soul/Funk/Jazz 4 me ... perfect. An “industry secret”😉
brought it 3yrs old am satisfied with this amp
I love your particular concept of pedals design. Soooo cool, man! 😅👍🏻
I played with this amp today at Ghitar Center and I thought the distortion was actually good. I played it with the 120th anniversary Gibson Les Paul.
Thx man and nice job on the footswitch!
I like that foot switch hehe
Lol thanks!
yea man, you gotta show us how to do that!
I'm buying one in a few days for $80. I heard if you change the speaker to something like a rajin cajin or a Jensen c10q, the amp improves greatly.
I have this amp and the Champ X@ and I honestly think the Frontman sounds much better and cleaner I am not crazy about the distortion on either, but I use a pedal for that anyway. .With the Frontmans eq set all on 5 and just a touch of reverb., with a Telecaster this amp sounds amazing. And what,,,,$100.00? I think Fender discontinued them so find one while you still can.
Really? Isn't the Champ even a tube amp? I guess the Frontman is better that its sucessor, the Champion, too?
Weekends with... family, this combo and a Tele! Perfect Days!
Got one last year on sale for 80$ and the best damned practice amp [for that Fender clean tone] ever. I have a 112 with reverb but why lug it back and forwards when this little sturdy amp does the job.
THE GAIN CHANNEL SOUNDS VERY GOOD AT LOWER SETTINGS I'M A ROCKABILLY PLAYER AND THIS AMP SOUNDS GREAT WITH THAT MUSIC
love the foot switch man
bobby deere thanks!!!
I stole one of these from a "Sam Goodies" which was closing at a local mall about 8 years ago! I live in a condo and cannot play too loud so the headphone jack is a nice bonus. This review is pretty much spot on...the distortion feature isn't that good, but just as a practice amp...you could do alot worse. I play a Fender Strat, but it really rings when I plug in my Epiphone "Dove Pro" with the reverb set on 5 or 6.
you have a good wife..this is a present with lot of hearts
thank you dude, beautiful amp
Hey Mickey Rosario, I couldnt reply to your comment, so I hope you find this here. I think it sounds good with pedals. The only problem is the speaker is a little lack luster, but other than that, its all good. Thanks for watching.
+Matthew Zella I just put an effects loop in it and it sounds pretty sweet. When I get a chance Ill post a video of it.
Subscribed for that diy switch! That’s epic. Hope you are still around and still playing. What brought me here is that my dad picked this amp up for me knowing I’m in desperate need of one. Tired of stealing his lol. Still have the amp? If not what replaced it? Pros & cons? Strengths & weaknesses?
Is it good for lets say hard rock or a johnny thunders and the heartbreakers sound¿
nice review. I picked this amp up today for the reason you listed. I had a line 6 but i also use a boss me 70 and pog2 EHX. I didnt need alot of on board effects. I wanted a good clean channel to hook my pedals to . sounds good. Only problem , I seem to get hum when I run distortion pedals , more than what i would consider normal. ( using a les paul custom ) do you get the same problem if you about 3 feet from the amp using a distortion pedal. BTW got mine for 79.00 used at GC
Love the footswitch
I found this amp yesterday at a thrift store for $8.99!!!!!
Does it work for $8.99?
Distortion is really good it all right it sound like metal
I love your altoids footswitch!
yup Good review. Thanks matey
I'd like to hear about the foot switch.
Just bought this amp off a buddy of mine for only $50. He only played it twice.
***** Yes it will!!! Great for blues.
Epiphone makes good stuff. If it plays good and sounds good, get it!! As far as the amp, my Wife got it from the store.
***** The Fender Telecaster Modern Player is a great guitar, its only 399 at GC.
***** I don't think it comes with one, mine didn't. But you can certainly make your own. Its very easy!!
***** well, if you make one, you can put it in anything you want. Like an altoids can or anything. But if you dont want to go through the hassle, even though its not much of a hassle, then just buy one online for like $10.
I used mine for open air gigs...micd up of course and even my guitar player using a marshall will tell you that my tone and control blew him away on every gig.
RUBEN AGUIRRE I don't believe you. Either that your your guitar player sucks. This is a bedroom practice amp. And it may be great for what it is. But let's not try to make it what it is not.
I've had this amp for over two years and it stopped working. It turns on but there is no speaker hiss. It cuts in and out. Also, I love the distortion on it; much better than my multi fx pedal.
Is there a short in the input jack? Have you tried taking it apart and looking inside it?
It's working fine now, I did look inside it but didn't see anything wrong.
SO GOOD SOUND!!
sounds nice. thanks for posting...
How can i make a footswitch for my frontman 25r
Very cool footswitch !!!!!!
clever idea with the footswitch :)
The.Green.Day.Idiot thanks!!
Nice demo
I have this amp and love it for the reverb. I purchased it to get a good clean sound like others have mentioned here, but I think the lows sound too distorted even with bass turned down and with volume at 2. I just want to get a good clean sound. Some have suggested swapping out the speaker. Thoughts?
Thats what Ive heard. The speaker isnt top quality and I think its maxed out on this amp. Try it and see and let me know how it works.
ANY speaker up grade is worth doing
And a Celestion is in the box ready for the amp I just bought
dude the foot petal is awesome lmao
hey guys, which one would you say is better, this one or a fender champion 20? they are about the same price here
Fernanda Rioseco I couldn't tell you. I've only played this one.
Hey Fernanda. I'm having the same dilemma. Did you choose one?
I just got a brand new condition one helping that person move out of Las Vegas. The second looks brand new it's a PB model for decomposite or composite data manufacture was 06/2010 so I got a 12 year old one that's like brand new to type PR 498 model huntsman 25r made in Indonesia I want to sell it
IT'S GREAT !! THANK YOU !
+Brian Montgomery, not really.. well it depends on what Im plugged into. Is there a grounding issue on your guitar? Also, are you plugged into the wall by a computer monitor or anything like that? What distortion are you running? Is it running off a power supply or battery? Those factors play a big role in sound dirtying up your amp. I have really enjoyed the amp, especially running the pedals I built into it. Ive built little 1watt amps, but you really dont get a clean channel like this fender does.
Your foot switch keeps you fresh lol
I love your review. And I love your home-made foot switch. Would you please share how we can make our own foot switch? Perhaps a link for the schematics? Thank you.
Thanks for watching, and Ill make a vid oh now I made the foot switch. Its actually easy!!!
Here ya go!! ua-cam.com/video/aMHUyKn6aWo/v-deo.html
Thank you so much!
I had this amp for 2 years ant it was my first one. Ive got to say that the cleans on this is amazing but the distortion channel isnt cutting it for me. its just too bright and has a really grimey ring to it, will a speaker change smoothen out the distortion a bit? Im looking for a smooth, less grainy, sort of thick distortion found in the fm 212r and the 65r but it doesnt seem to come out in the 25r model
We'll I'm sold lol dang this thing looks awesome sounds marvelous and would be perfect for me since I'm kinda a beginner and for only $100 it seems like a great amp for when I switch to electric from acoustic and nice little pedal seems real creative :) also for the distortion it sounds better if you use a separate pedal and not the one hear? Would be great if you could respond thanks :) great video
The distortion on this amp is ok for bedroom playing, or if you are able to turn it up way loud, but I use a POD HD 400 or my clone Eternity Love Pedal (
Thanks for responding and giving a few tips and pointers :) I still have much to learn so things like you said really do help me out a ton :)
In my contry this amp costs 400 Dollars almost 1 minumum salary.
Vitor vieira Wow, sorry to hear that. What country would that be?
Brazil
i agree i have the 15r gain channel is lame but clean is nice and red is killer my band mate has a red supersonic
Are you playing distortion on the neck pup? Thats what it sounded like.
Hi, i want to play ska, i have a telecaster blacktop, i wanna know if this amp is a good idea. I need it to practice and go to parties more less. Thnks
Verny Umaña Paladino Its a nice practice amp, but when you crank it, it gets kinda blatty.
Y'all stole that. It shouldn't have came with the price tag still dawg 😅😅
Hey I'd buy an Altoid Footswitch! That would be cool to have lying around in my studio! Think of selling those or selling me one let me know! :-)
Dewey cox!
i got mine used for 56 bucks. i only paid 36 cause i traded in my old amp and got 20 out of that. to be honest id say its only worth 5 bucks. that what i would have sold it for. so damn. im happy.
I'm watching one on eBay that has 1 day 15 hours left and is at 99p
+Codaddict28 that's about 1.5 dollars I think
so iv had mine for 9 months and honestly i feel like a stole this amp. its worth every cent. i love this amp to death. not fender fan and the only thing i don't like about it is that it gets to loud. which really isn't a complaint. its more of i try to play this at night time when i really should be using a practice amp. other than that. it sounds amazing. its simple to use. i love it codaddict28 get this amp. 99 is right on target.youll love this amp. do remember its not a practice amp so it is louder than most.
The Jack of foot swiche is plug 1/4 mono o stereo ?
what speaker is behind? pa 103105? this is ictf series of amp?
How can you plug in headphones? I mean, I can see the headphones jack, but it's 6.35 mm, while nearly all headphones are 3.5 mm.
I've ordered an adapter in like 50 cent, and it didn't work. I didn't hear what I was playing through the headphones, just through the amp itself.
Any idea on how to fix that? Any specific adapter maybe?
You meed this.
www.zzounds.com/item--KRKCONKSI
You can find them cheaper online.
If that link didnt work, google "1/8 inch female to 1/4 inch male headphone adapter" and you will see what you need.
Thanks, but, are you sure this works? Because the one I bought looked very similar and didn't work. Have you tried it?
Roei Ben Ephraim Yes it does work. Maybe you got a bad one, or your headphones might not work. I do it all the time. Matter of fact, the link I sent you is just like the one I use. Do you have a digital multimeter? When you plug that plug into your amp, its supposed to stop playing through the amp speaker and play through your headphones.
greendunn1 Well, I think the problem was my adapter. It was super cheap, not made just for headphones and I think it was Chinese.
I have really good headphones so I think their not the problem.
About that multimeter, I know remember that it actually didn't play from the amp. All I heard was low, weird sound out of the headphones when I played. So I think that isn't necessary.
If you're sating that the one in the link is the one you use all the time, then I'll probably buy it. I'll try to find it on eBay because it doesn't ship to my country. Anyway, thanks for the help!
Please help,I also have fender 25r but how to make it to sound metal or rock, please answer!
Either buy a different amp or buy a distortion pedal.
greendunn1 Ok,thanks for answering.
No problem, thanks for watching.
Yeah the overdrive on this amp is grim haha get a pedal
get a good pedal. by good, I mean $150 up. for an amp that was $80
How does it sound with pedals? I have a fuzz, distortion, and Clyde wah pedal as my major pedals. Do you think they sound good?
hell yeah lol.
Is the line 6 spider 3 a good contender for the frontman?
....and it'll pick up your local AM radio station too. Had it happen on 2 of them.
Wow thats crazy lol.
is there anywhere on the net that has schematics or instructions for making a foot switch. I have an old fender chorus switch that I use to change channels but the altoids can switch looks sick. thank you.
Here is a link to the video showing you how I did it. Thanks for watching.
ua-cam.com/video/aMHUyKn6aWo/v-deo.html
Thank you very much!
Ye... turn the gain all the way up. God damnit. You are NOT going to get a good sound with the gain all the way up! No matter which amp you choose.
Is it just me or does this clean rival cleans on some boutique amps?? And with a good player...jeez....
can someone help me? im experiencing sound loss or "stuttering" on high volumes on my 25 r, or when i strum the strings too hard some sounds wouldn't project out, in general what might cause this issue on a guitar amp? is this normal on a 25r? or is the problem actually coming from my guitar?
Check your cables first, then check the input on your amp, and jack on guitar. It sounds like something is shorting intermittently or you may have a cold solder joint between connections. A general rule is to work from the outside in eliminating possibilities, ie, try with another cable, or other guitar if possible as well. Also, does it happen on both channels, or just one?
“The distortions not that great”. *doesnt even have treble all the way up*
can I use pedals on the clean channel and mic it to my mixer in church?
Meagann Lalla yes you can.
just picked a mint one in black up for my 12 year old son at a pawn shop for $40.00
That's AWESOME! Merry Christmas to him. I'm sure he will be stoked!
are you apart of gear talk p&w???
How much to make me an Altoids foot switch? Pretty cool!
curt santner I show you how to make one here. Its real easy.
ua-cam.com/video/aMHUyKn6aWo/v-deo.html
curt santner I show you how to make one here. Its real easy.
ua-cam.com/video/aMHUyKn6aWo/v-deo.html
You stole the amp for that price. I'm jealous
How about a bass practice amp is it okay for that
you should get a bass amp to play bass... the lower frecuencies would probably not be audible and you may damage the amp after a use or two
Dude go work for boss of mxr,. You’ll have pedals for days. Probably come up with one of your own design. Wish I new how to make a pedal, I do know how to change out the batteries lofl keep jamming bro
Can this amp stand up to a bedroom drum jam?
I believe it could. It makes a great, light practice amp.
+Anthony Lock I took one to an open mic' show, drummer asked me to turn it down.
Whats the price on one of these ???
$100
Nope what is that?
ทำไมตัวนี้หนังป็นสีแดงอ่ะครับ สงสัยจัง
Gear auto Noodle duck I don't know what you said...
can i use it for bass guitar??
+addthisto I dont know....go to guitar center and try.
hi so would a 12 fit in it?
Not really. There isnt much space in the cab, but you could put a speaker out jack in it and add a 12" cabinet if that makes sense.
I see this video was posted 4 years ago. I hope you’ve discovered your errors, dropped the Altoids tin and graduated to tubes.
K Z well, I do have a tube amp, but I actually use a POD HD 500x.
Good job. There is no substitute for good tubes. Personally I’ve never been a big Line 6 fan but I have to say I’m impressed by the reviews they get these days. The M5 is probably the best way to spend $125 on a single piece of gear.
What is distortion
Its the "dirty" channel on an amp.
its gain not distortion.
clean extra,drive shit.
peavey vypyr and line 6 spider blows this thing out of the water
Well, thats a matter of taste. I like this amp mainly because of the clean channel, and its only $100. Vyper and Line 6 amps are good too, but its like comparing apples to oranges.
Actually I own both amps and Vypyr has better clean channel. Trust me lol
To flashy for my taste. Dam thing looks like a Cadillac
Lol, yeah its a bit LOUD color wise, but they make a black one.
I'm buying one in a few days for $80. I heard if you change the speaker to something like a rajin cajin or a Jensen c10q, the amp improves greatly.