Fender FR-12 compared to PXM-12. My experience so far.

[aflynt]

Can the JFET be replaced without changing other component values? If so, have you tried socketing it and seeing of other jfets reduce (or increase) hiss?

-Aaron

 

[WKSmith]

Yes. This is most likely what they have been told to reply with.

Who are you talking to at Fender?

 

[wesjon]

Who are you talking to at Fender?

Just a gear advisor from Fender EMEA

 

[WKSmith]

Can the JFET be replaced w/o changing other component values? If so, have you tried socketing it and seeing of other parts reduce hiss?

-Aaron

Nope. I am not trying to fix their noisy eq design. I'm building a much cleaner one. For about 1/3 of the cost.

 

[Deadpool_25]

Got my FR-10 and sadly the hiss is very noticeable. I think it sounds very cab like and I’m overall very happy with it. I’m going to try the 12” version soon. Even at home I play with more than bedroom volume so the hiss is tolerable to me but disappointing for sure. Other than that the unit is literal a dream come true for me since I got into modeling. I finally hear the FM3 in a way that makes me feel like I’m playing an amp. I mostly use the Princeton Reverb fyi.

Try turning the cut knob up to about 9 or 10 o'clock. That tames the hiss and also reduces the high end a little and I personally think it sounds even more cab like that way, but if needed you can compensate by turning the highs up a little in the FM3.

 

[skolacki]

Nope. I am not trying to fix their noisy eq design. I'm building a much cleaner one. For about 1/3 of the cost.

That’s awesome! I’m hoping when you have your design done that perhaps you’ll sell kits etc. Or get contracted by Fender to fix their design. In any case I appreciate your work. I plan on buying the FR12 for Christmas.

 

[mtb]

Try turning the cut knob up to about 9 or 10 o'clock. That tames the hiss and also reduces the high end a little and I personally think it sounds even more cab like that way, but if needed you can compensate by turning the highs up a little in the FM3.

This is exactly what I did as I continue to test out the FR-12.

 

[Piing]

Hey all. This is what Fender say:

We understand your concern and in this instance, the level of hiss you refer to is to be expected. The amplifier creates 1000 Watts of audio output. At “idle”, the level of the background sonic output is much greater than guitarists typically hear from any conventional amplifier. The FR amplifiers also have a 1-inch, wide dispersion, high-frequency driver, something the majority of guitarists are not at all familiar with having in their amplifiers. This driver handles only the highest of frequencies, so at idle it is obviously emitting a level of pure, high frequencies.

A direct correlation is that the sound of a high-performance automobile at idle is considerably greater than the sound of a family car at idle. The same concept applies here, in that the Tone Master FR amplifiers are hugely capable and purposely designed for stage use. They will easily out-perform any challenger and to do so requires a great deal of “muscle”, which is what you hear at idle.

Not sure what to even think of this….

That is utterly ridiculous and unprofessional. Very surprising that it comes from a big and well established company like Fender. The correlation with the sound of a car and the need of "muscle" makes it even more absurd.

This guy obviously knows nothing abut professional amplification (for PA, keyboards, stage monitors, or any other FRFR application). A guitar FRFR is nothing but a powered monitor with the "guitar FRFR" label on it. And the modern ones are dead silent

A while ago I made a comment about the noise floor of a 1000W guitar tube amplifier, but that was just a silly joke to comfort ourselves like "ok, this is not that bad". It doesn't sound funny when it comes from the mouth of Fender defending their product.

Furthermore, as @WKSmith has demonstrated, the noise doesn't come from the power section but from the EQ circuit. So the theory of the "need for muscle" doesn't make any sense. They haven't even investigated where the noise is coming from. That Fender representative is nothing but a car seller

 

[wesjon]

That is utterly ridiculous and unprofessional. Very surprising that it comes from a big and well established company like Fender. The correlation with the sound of a car and the need of "muscle" makes it even more absurd.

This guy obviously knows nothing abut professional amplification (for PA, keyboards, stage monitors, or any other FRFR application). A guitar FRFR is nothing but a powered monitor with the "guitar FRFR" label on it. The modern ones are dead silent

A while ago I made the joke about the noise floor of a 1000W guitar tube amplifier, but that was a just silly joke. It doesn't sound funny when it comes from a Fender specialist defending his product.

Yes..this is what I thought too..

 

[WKSmith]

That amp wouldn't create 1000 watts unless lightning hit it

 

[mtb]

That amp wouldn't create 1000 watts unless lightning hit it

I live in FL, so mine is at least 2000 watts.

 

[WKSmith]

I live in FL, so mine is at least 2000 watts.

I'm just over the Fl/Ga line by 6 miles. I can relate.

NOAA lightning red zone

 

[wesjon]

I never understand why they make these claims.. All marketing..Do they not know there are people out there who understand these things?

 

[WKSmith]

They should be truthful and call it 200 ish watts

Or call it 3000 watts. Ftw

 

[wesjon]

They should be truthful and call it 200 ish watts

Or call it 3000 watts. Ftw

I like the ‘ish’ Better and more truthful than saying 1000!

 

[Piing]

@wesjon you should reply to that Fender representative with a link to my post #269 above. "Hey man look what they're saying about your need for car muscle!"

 

[wesjon]

@wesjon you should reply to that Fender representative with a link to my post #269 above. "Hey man look what they're saying about your need for car muscle!"

He is missing out on his true calling!!!

 

[marsonic]

They should be truthful and call it 200 ish watts

I honestly wonder what that would do.

Seriously....even some of the big YT review and store channels have been saying, at least in passing, that they don't believe power ratings for a while. The damn marketing departments have turned it into meaningless fluff. It might as well carry the same weight as the color of the box.

Actually....the color (or at least design) on the box is probably more information - at least in general it seems like the fancier the box, the sooner the thing inside it is going to break.

 

[WKSmith]

He probably drives a Prius.

*message sent from my Maserati GT Sport

 

[wesjon]

I honestly wonder what that would do.

Seriously....even some of the big YT review and store channels have been saying, at least in passing, that they don't believe power ratings for a while. The damn marketing departments have turned it into meaningless fluff. It might as well carry the same weight as the color of the box.

Actually....the color (or at least design) on the box is probably more information - at least in general it seems like the fancier the box, the sooner the thing inside it is going to break.

Meaningless fluff…love it!