REVIEWED
Fender Mustang V FENDERMustang V
Fender’s 150 stereo watt digital modeling amp packs heaps of cool effects and some monster tones…at a price that might blow you away! Words: Tim Slater
Delay and Reverb. A heavy-duty four- button footswitch is helpfully included to activate the onboard digital tuner, select the different effects types and also scroll between separate presets. Fender also offers a simpler two-button footswitch for the Mustang V but onstage the four- button version feels like the most practical due to its superior hands- free control.
Fender might not be the obvious choice when it comes to modeling amplifiers but the US behemoth is no slouch when it comes to embracing digital technology. Since Fender first dipped a toe into the digital domain when it first launched the G-Dec series, its digital guitar amps have improved with each subsequent generation and the latest Fender Mustang series modeling amps, which were launched in January 2011, continue to demonstrate that cutting edge technology doesn’t necessarily demand wallet-busting prices. Rippling with a muscular 150 watts the Mustang V head
FENDER Mustang V
Mustang V Amp £286.80 Mustang V Cab £286.80
All prices include VAT CONT
ACT
Fender GBI T:
W:
01342 331 738
www.fender.com
24 3pickup
represents the most powerful of the Fender Mustang series in terms of sheer output, and matched with its Celestion-loaded 412 cabinet this looks like a pretty formidable combination.
Features
In common with its stable-mates in the Fender Mustang series the Mustang V can be taken at face value and used straight from the box or else its USB port can link up with a computer (Mac or PC) to delve deeper for more detailed editing using Fender’s proprietary FUSE editing software. Fender also thoughtfully provides some extra ways to enjoy their flagship digital amp’s computer-friendly features: Ableton’s entry level Live Lite 8
DAW (which interfaces the amp with the Ableton multi-track DAW) and IK Multimedia’s Fender Amplitube software can both be downloaded for free from
www.fender.com/support. As it comes, the Mustang V arrives with a comprehensive arsenal of 100 preset tones comprised from a choice of 12 different digital amp simulations, plus 37 different effects that are helpfully divided into four categories: Stomp, Modulation (chorus, phasing, flanging etc.),
In use the Mustang V and its footswitch both feel very intuitive, a large LCD window on the amp’s control panel indicates which type of amplifier model and effects are active at any one time and once in edit mode the display shows a row of virtual controls whose individual settings can be edited and stored as a preset patch. Fender deserves credit for its user-friendly editing because whilst the Mustang’s display still looks a little lo-res and a bit hokey compared to some of the competition Fender’s actual editing process is very simple and the Mustang V’s sounds are based on some really great- sounding presets. The amp models aren’t all restricted to classic Fender amps, either. There are some very tidy-sounding Marshall and Mesa/ Boogie-based models that do a fine job of nailing their target tones (i.e. a classic hard rock overdrive from the
Marshall-based models compared to the more aggressive sounding ‘scooped’ metal tones from the Mesa-inspired model). The really nice thing that comes with this sort of modeling set up isn’t just the quality of the tones, but their sheer diversity also sidesteps the natural limitations of a single ‘real’ guitar amp. OK, digital modeling it might not be your thing but consider the options for a moment: For example, it’s widely acknowledged that classic Fender tube amps like the Bassman or Twin Reverb are treasured for their sparkling clean tones and a warm crunchy-sounding overdrive but when it comes to out-and-out distortion Fender amps aren’t usually most guitarists first choice. The modeling completely negates this compromise by allowing the user to set up each preset as a virtual amp channel in order of preference; want a nice classic Fender clean tone, switchable to a fat British crunch followed by face melting über high-gain distortion? It’s all in there, plus the effects sound respectable and generally very usable; fulsome vintage choruses and phasers rub shoulders seamlessly with a choice of vintage or modern style delays and echoes, it all sounds rather plush and very convincing. PM
SHOULD I BUY ONE?
Even taking into account the extra flexibility afforded by the USB port, this rig’s sheer size renders it largely impractical for home use compared to the smaller, more versatile combo versions available in the Mustang series. However, even purchased as a pair the Mustang V head and cabinet both represent incredible value for money and in our opinion Fender definitely seems to have got the whole modeling thing down to a very fine art. If you are looking for a serious setup for live work and can live with the idea of physically humping this rig in out of your Hot Hatch, then the Mustang V head offers a lot of great sounds for a relatively modest amount of cash. However, if the head and cab option doesn’t appeal then check out the more portable but no less effective Mustang III and IV combos. You won’t be disappointed.
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