The FM9T review from a non-newbie. Yeah, it's good

Ok, a month in and still loving it. It takes some getting used to after using my Axe FX rig for so long. Mostly it's the RJM thing... 22 buttons per page is a hard drug to kick! On the other hand, I discovered that my Mastermind GT also works just fine with the FM9 Turbo, so OFM31G might be in the offing!

Seriously, though, the FM9 is a beast of a machine. I like the control layout using the OFM9G settings, and although it takes a bit more button pushing than on the Axe FX setup, it's totally workable and easy to plan. It's driven me even more towards an all-in-one single preset for the whole gig, and just a few special ones for specific uses. Not to go all Mando on you, but it's the way.

I didn't really care for the 59 Bassguy in previous incarnations, but it is just killing it these days. I could literally do a gig right now on the factory settings. And that Jumped version of the Bassman is pretty darned awesome sounding. I can say, easily, that there is no variation between the sounds coming from the FM9 and the flagship Axe FX... they're both kicking some major butt in every way.

Following the Waitlist, it also looks like we are dangerously close to "checking out on register 12 with no waiting." The guys in Plaistow have done a monster job on working through it, and my hat's off to them for all their effort and tolerance of our hounding. Good job!

The FM9T is a winner.
 
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Rick said:
I didn't really care for the 59 Bassguy in previous incarnations, but it is just killing it these days.
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Totally agree... I was stuck on that for months!

Today I'm enjoying blending 2 Amp blocks, but it's still one of them.

Rick said:
Following the Waitlist, it also looks like we are dangerously close to "checking out on register 12 with no waiting."
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I have 2 buddies who recently joined the wait-list.

One got his invite last week - first Fractal. Playing my FM9 for an hour a couple months ago sold him.

The other is one I converted back in the XL+ days. He got his invite and purchased today.
 
Thought I’d update/complete this thread for anyone who ran into it some 1 1/4 years later…

The FM9T has become my one and only stage rig. The Axe Fx IIIT and RJM controller were sold about 6 months after I started using the FM9T. Not because I didn’t like them, for certain… I love that setup and it remains the most powerful and stage-ready out there. It was because I simply didn’t need all of what it did, and am in a very light version of downsizing a lot of unused gear these days. “Light” because selling unused gear hasn’t stopped me from adding new gear I will use!

I did, as I thought I might, add an FC6 and it was a stellar upgrade for me. I normally keep scenes on one and effects on the other, and it works great. Because, as Yngwie is fond of pointing out, “more is more,” I’m currently testing the FC12 in conjunction with the FM9 and, quite unshockingly, it’s working well and opening up even more switching options. I may finally move to all per-preset with this setup and have everything on one page for the first time since the RJM left me.

To put a coda to this review, I can let you know that the FM9T not only earned a place onstage, but became all I needed in a modeler with the addition of some more switches via the FC series. There is always room to improve aspects of a design, but I can confirm I am very happy with its performance in over a year of use, and looking forward to whatever it is Cliff is envisioning as its evolution in the future.
 
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