Fender Stage 112SE

This is an update to an earlier review. I have done a simple modification that swaps out the internal clipping LEDs for germanium diodes. I chose to do this because there was a certain 'icepick' sound to the distortion that I just couldn't dial out. Anyway, anyone tempted to do this mod should heed caution, because there are stray voltages laying around inside the amp chassis, as well as some extremely sharp edges that could pull a Ginsue on your arse if you're not careful.

In the stock configuration I gave this amp an 8, however, after having changed the diodes out to germaniums, it is like a different amp. I always liked the stock distortion sound of the amp, but felt (especially in a live setting) as though there was a high-end, icepick sound (not the typical SS crap either) that is apparent in every LED clipping circuit I've ever heard, spare the Keeley mods which have a lot of high-end filtering to reduce it. Anyay, I had to pair several diodes in series to get the distortion to a reasonably versatile level and tame the compression that happens at high saturation. I ended up with two diodes on one side and three on the other. I think three and four would work fine, as there is tons of gain on hand. Remember that the fewer diodes you use, the more distortion and lower level you'll get. With more, the higher a point at which the diodes clip, and the louder the amp will sound before topping off in saturation land. Now, the amp does a great impersonation of a Bassman on 'roids with the gain set at about 10:30. It cleans up nicely and has a great tube-esque crunch when the volume is full up and you're hitting the strings prety hard. BTW, I play a MIM strat with upgraded PU's and 10-52 strings, so the low end chunk is substantial, to say the least. I think the only thing left to do to this amp is drop an Eminence V12 in place of the stock speaker to round the package out. I'm thinking the pair will go together nicely, as that speaker is known for warming the sound of SS amps. There's plenty of treble on tap in both channels, as I generally set the treble on 3 or less... I'll post again once I've swapped the speakers.

Considering that a person could probably pick one of these models up for peanuts, it can be an invaluable tool in helping a regular guy get good tone consistently and reliably. I think it's a pretty good amp in it's stock configuration, but believe that there's a rock monster laying in wait if one goes to the trouble to beef it up.

IT `s a amp versatile enough for any styles of music you gonna play with big power if you use a another bottom 2 12 inches etc 160 watts almost same power of my twin ( 100 tube watts).perfect amp for all round gig studio shown etc . FOR TRANSPORT not so HEAVY .

the clean channel fender very good distortion is ok .ANYWAY YOU HAVE THE CHOICE TO PUT A PEDAL I give 9.2 for my twin 8.8 for my HOTROD 8.1 for my DELTA BLUES PEAVEY 8.3 MY FENDER 75 ANDDD 8.5 for MY STAGE 112 SE evan it is not TUBE AMP

7 years i got never touch nothing the AMP EXCEPT FOR PLAYING .

NEVER Have dealt with the company NOTHING BROKE .

I have you been playing 33yrs now FOR FUN THE BEST GIG AMP I NEVER HAVE BOUGHT . good sound ( WITH GOOD CELESTION WOW )not to heavy not to big for TRANSPORT AND Big POWER ( with 2 SPEAKERS )If i find a another one I buy it FOR SPARE..

This amp is pretty basic, which is why I'm giving it an 8 and not a ten. Some people may see the lack of features negatively, but I love its basic approach. EQ, reverb, and a distortion channel are the extent of the features but they're certainly sufficient. The clean and distortion channels are footswitchable. There's also a "line out" jack for use with headphones, etc and a speaker cabinet output on the back.

My favorite feature on this amp is definitely the power- there's plenty of it. I use mine through a 4X12 cab (more on that later) and it's overwhelmingly loud. It's been more than enough to play everything from bars to large venues to outdoor shows like the Warped tour. With 160 solid state watts to draw from, that's not too surprising.

I sold my Laney TF800 and Red Bear MK120 to get this amp because it spanks them both so hard. The clean channel is gorgeous and definitely has the twang I expected from a Fender but is also capable of decent jazz tone. It's not the most versatile amp I've ever played, but it's really very good at what it does.

The distortion is flat-out amazing. I took this sweet thing to the studio and turned down the chance to use Triple Recs, AC30s and JCM900s because nothing could touch it. It's not mid-scooped metal sizzle, more like jet-engine rock n' roll tone pushed to the extreme. You can hear the recording (although poorly mastered, in my opinion) at hxcmp3.com/bands/425. If that site is down, check the media secion of soma.hxc.com.

It's not really for everyone- this amp fits into a pretty specific niche. If it happens to be the niche you're looking for, however, running across a value like this is a dream come true.

These things are rock solid. Here's the crap mine has had to put up with:

-A week after I got it, I sawed it in half, tore out the reverb unit, and nailed a bottom onto it to make it into a head.
-It's been dropped several times.
-It's been out in the rain, and is nowhere near water tight in its current state.
-It's been knocked over onstage countless times.

This amp is unbreakable. I've never had to take a backup on tour, and I don't plan on doing so anytime soon.

I got my amp through eBay and have never dealt with Fender, so I can't really attest to the quality customer support department. I sincerely hope they live up to the quality of this product, though.

I've been playing guitar for eight years and have gone through countless amps and guitars. I'm the first to admit that this is because I'm a cheapskate and I end up with incredibly inexpensive equipment. The upside to that is that every once in a while you come across a diamond in the rough, like the Stage 112.

I used tell myself that if it disappeared, I'd save up and get a 5150 or Triple Rectifier or something along those lines, but I'd really have to think about it. It was in the shop once having a jack replaced after I bent one up pretty badly (totally my fault), and I borrowed a Triple Rectifier to play live. I can honestly say I'd choose my Fender again any day of the week. The value of this amp is amazing- you can usually find them used for around $200, and they last forever. If you're not concerned with appearance and you want great bang for the buck, this amp simply can't be beat.

If this amp was made in a head version and I didn't have to borrow my father's hacksaw to "customize" it, I'd be tickled pink. Maybe that's just part of its charm. Either way, I feel incredibly fortunate that I discovered how great this quirky little number can be.

I use this amp in most clubs and venues I do gigs at. After years of the hassle of tube amp upkeep, this is a welcome relief. I use a Robin Medley (www.robinguitars.com) and have a Rocktron Voodu into a BBE Sonic Maximizer in my effects loop. I can get sounds from pristine chime like or in-your-face sonic overdrive with pinch harmonics.

I use this amp with stock, American Strats, a Robin Medley Custom and an ES-335 (Gibson). It is a true road warrior ! The factory settings are very bland, but once you tweak this amp--it howls !

This amp actually fell out of a pickup truck and still powered up at the gig and did it's job. The roadie works at a car wash now I think ?

They send me updates on gear and have been very responding to my needs. I once asked Gary Hoey (Fender Demonstrator)a question on it and even he thought it was the best (non-tube) amp on the market.

I'm older than dirt ! I've been playing guitar for 35 years. I've had Marshall Plexi/Stacks, Mesa Boogies, Twins, Pre-CBS Fenders and if I had this amp stolen, I would try to find another one !!!

Features are OK. Mine doesn't have a 3rd channel (I think newer ones has 3rd channel)... But nothing wrong with the features.

I think this amp is under rated. For the price you can get a used one, it is a great buy... I was looking for the cheapest 100 W possible with good clean sound. I found it. The clean sound is very nice. I have a Marshall JCM 800 that I use along with a Mesa V-Twin preamp (to give more gain)>>and what a nice set up it is by the way<<. I use a Morley a/b switch to get to the Fender Stage. I am so happy with my set up. I got the Fender for 195 $ us (what a deal !).
In addition to this set up, I got a J-Station amp simulator for 100 $ and I select Black Face amp... It is so nice. You close your eyes and you cannot make the difference between a Fender tube amp and my set up. OK, i have to admit that the distortion channel is not that great. I understand that someone who cannot afford a multiple amps set up will be a little dissapointed with the dist. sound. Especially someone, like me, who has always had tube amps (the difference is quite noticable...to say the least).For my set up, I will rate it 9 because of the very good clean sound and the huge power.

I don't know so far.

Don't know.

I have been playing for 15 years. I play mostly with humbuckers pick ups. I play punk rock music (original material). I think I found my ultimate set up. People who come and listen to our band are amazed how good is our sound, especially the guitars. Oh ! I forgot to mention : I tried something very interesting recently that improved my sound. My Mesa V-Twin has a guitar output that I plug into the JCM-800. It has also a "power amp" output that I now plug in the Stage's clean channel. So when I select A on the Morley switch, I have 2 amps pushing the Mesa V-twin, each one coloring the sound on its own. WHAT A HUGE HI-GAIN MELODIC SOUND ! On the B-side, I have the J-Station (on Black face) going to the Fender amp. I DO NOT NEED ANYTHING ELSE, I AM NOW HAPPY. I give the Stage a high rate cause it gives me what I bought it for.

This is one from the mid-nineties. Pretty basic features, but flexible in it's overall design. Fairly typical SS layout; two channels, reverb, mid-shift switch on the clean channel, contour control on the lead channel, effects loop, line out, and a nifty footswitch that changes channels and activates reverb using any 1/4" cable. It's worth mentioning that the amp isn't overly heavy compared to most tube amps, and is loud enough to knock the balls of a rhino at sixty paces...

I play a Mexican strat with some improvements in the crucial areas (pickups swapped for standard americans, master tone control mod, etc.) I play blues-based rock stuff--song-oriented stuff in the style of Live, King's X, Ian Moore, etc. The sounds I get from this amp suit my style perfectly. The amp's not overly noisy, taking it's power output into consideration...this thing gets VERY LOUD! I control the overall volume by using an old Ibanez rackmounted delay unit that has an input control knob (which also tends to 'sweeten' whatever goes through it, a good thing for a solid-state amp). I've also gotten similar volume-reducing results by simply putting a volume pedal in the effects loop and leaving it at a spot somewhere in the middle, and have also used an EQ pedal in the effects loop and adjusted the level and tone favorably. Use your imagination here. The clean channel is superb. I really like how warm this channel can sound, also how chimey but not brittle it can be. Fender clean fan's won't be dissapointed. The drive channel sounds pretty good--standard gain range with added flexibility with the 'countour' control (think VOX mids to scooped metal in the sweep, I keep mine at high noon), but has a much higher output than the clean channel. This is where using the attenuation in the FX loop is necessary. I set the drive channel at 2 and have to turn the clean channel volume up to 8 to match it, so there's an untamed beast in that drive channel. The reverb sounds OK but it could be better, as they used a rather small reverb tank...too bad. I think a larger tank would improve the reverb quality a bit. I'll probably change that out eventually. The speaker is Fender Special Design (read Eminince) but it sounds good in this amp. Another point worth noting is that this amp sounds much bigger than it looks and has ample bottom end for a combo. I once plugged it into a Peavey closed-back cab with a single 15" black widow speaker and the sound was absolutely humongous without being too boomy! I think that with a closed back extension cab and a metal-type pedal that the metalheads might really like this amp. The drive channel cleans up pretty well, the two channels compliment each other well when you get the level matched, and with the volume attenuated, there is absolutely none of the fabled harsh SS high end. Overall a nice sounding amp.

This amp was built sometime in the early-to-mid nineties and it performs without a hitch. I haven't gigged with it yet, but am going to next weekend--without a backup. I think this one will be around for quite a few years to come.

Since I got this used I don't think this category applies. I do know the guy who owned this amp before I did and he said he never had a single thing go wrong with it. You can make your own inferences about customer support from FMIC from others.

I would say that this is a good sounding, fairly flexible, adequately featured amp. It sounds sweet for a SS amp, and I feel is reliable as an Abram's tank. It's light enough to carry around and loud enough to cut through the mix at ANY size venue. A master volume control would be nice, as would a bigger reverb tank, but these shortcomings can be gotten around easily enough. If you see a used one laying around at a music store somewhere, give it a try.

Got it in '92
165 watts, 2 channels (cln, lead), channel/reverb switch included, fx loop, mid shift for clean channel, midrange contour for lead channel
other features given already. Not too heavy.

Wheh I first heard this one, the lead channel caught my ear. . . .and it was loud. Bought it, and never got a tone from the lead channel that I really liked. I eventually ran a SansAmp GT-2 into the lead channel (at a medium Boogie setting) before I got something I could use.

The clean channel was pretty warm and "chimey." Worked with a Strat, a sing/sing/hum Carvin DC-135T (both reviewed on this site), and a '65 ES-335. The Strat/amp combination has that "Fender" sound. It will give you that "ice pick' sound, but has enough bottom to get big and fat. The 335/Stage 112SE get's that "BB" blues feel, and will darken up and do very convincing jazz tones.

I used to use it's fx loop return as a "power amp/speaker" for my ols SGX 2000 rack system when they first came out. That worked very well. I got the impression that the poweramp/speaker combination yielded a flatter response than their tube amps as I usually ran my rack system direct to the house, and the amp tone was not that much different (as opposed to how it sounded through my Blues Deluxe's fx loop).

With my current pedalboard ( the "gain based " pedals going into the front of the amp: Fulltone Fat Boost, FullDrive 2, Distortion Pro, ZVEX Super Hard-On, Cry Baby 535Q wah [set up with a hefty boost], Boss CS-3 Compressor, and a Marshall ED-1 Compressor, it will sound good going everywhere from clean to modern hi-gain.

I recently did a blues gig with another player who also had a Strat, a Tube Screamer, a vox wah, and a Hot Rod Deville. The 2 tones (his setup and mine) sounded pretty close to each other, enough that I went for the warmer, heavier tone. I was pretty surprised at how close the two setups sounded.

At higher volume levels, just running the FatBoost into the FullDrive 2 gives enough breakup for most purposes, and the pedals dynamics and the amp's power really do combine to start feeling "tube-like." Quick response, lot's of punch. Yeah, this amp does blues!

It also sounds great as a "powered extension cabinet" for my Boogie Mark IV (adds that larger bottom end that the Boogie doesn't).

Yeah, it's loud. I don't get it past 1 (I LIKE that!). The clean channel get's an 8. Channel 2 doesn't get touched anymore. That get's a 4. The power available and usefulness of the poweramp/speaker make it a 7, but the lack of useable volume taper between 0 and 2 bring it back down to a 6.

Had it for 11 years, it doesn't blink, it doesn't flinch! It's my backup amp, and I've been using it as my main amp lately. No tubes to worry about, solidly built.

Never had to deal with 'em, so I don't know.

Been playing about 30 years, almost every style. Ampwise, I also have a Boogie Mark IV widebody. My first amp was a small Fender Princeton (trem, but no reverb). Also owned a BLues Deluxe along with the Stage 112SE. Other amps in between. Bunch of guitars, bunch of effects.

While I don't like the lead channel (scratchy and no real definition to my ears), the clean channel does great jazz and is a good platform for good overdrive/distortion pedals. Still has that "Fender" tone quality.

If it were lost or stolen, I think I would go for a higher end Fender Tube amp like a Vibro King, though for a backup touring amp, I would have to look for one of these.

everyone knows the Features from looking at everyone elses, so ill just be moving on now... Wish it had a 3rd Channel, and a 2x12 instead of just 1.

I am Using a Gibson Flying V on this bad boy and the tone output is amazing. I don't use the 2nd channel anymore since I bought my MT-2 Metal Zone from Boss (recommended by Jim Root from Stone Sour/Slipknot) for this amp, and the Equalizer to go along with it. You can get some really really crazy metal tones and Volume with this amp. I would have to agree that this amp sounds awesome.

Broke down once since I got it 5 Years ago. Ever since then its been up and running playing at least 2 hours each day at ear bleeding volumes. Very Solid Amp!

Never Dealt with Fender. Got it repaired at a local Guitar shop for really cheap. $5 repair.

I've been playing for about 8 years and I love this amp. If I were to get another amp instead, I would have to go with one of the great big Marshall Stacks (who wouldn't?) But for someone looking for GREAT volume and tone for a low Price (we know you can't afford that stack) get this great FENDER 112 SE!

2-3 years old. Amp is versatile enough to do any type of music in my opinion although i have not figured out a good setting for heavy metal, I will.
2 channels. But i got it from a pawnbroker so no pedal. FX loop. Headphone jack. Channel Switching.
Wish it had a footswitch.
I use this amp in my room and in my triple garage with all doors open when i feel upto it (vol on 3 and i am dead lol)
AMP IS LOUD!!!
Solid State, Despite what others say THIS IS SOLID STATE, with 'tube-emulation technology' so it sounds tuby.

Fender tele copy double humbuckers. Heavy to jazz to Santana to 60's rock. LOUD, LOUD!!! Narrow sound variety tho. Never had clean up high enough to know if it gets distorted up there, same with od.
Very brutal dis with right settings.

I could drop it from 6 foot and i think it would still work. 20kg. Never broke down, had it for close to 3 hours.

Never dealt with fender except i emailed them and they said i cannot use the warranty cause i am not the original owner, for that fender you get a 5

playing for a year now but apparently im natural, better than ppl that have been playing for longer. If stolen i would get it again if it was this cheap. LOVE IT!
Compared to peaveys, marshalls and newer fenders. For this price its awesome.
Id like to say that Harmony Centeral Rox, and so does the FDP and fender musical equipment

2 Channels: 1 Clean; 1 Gain/Distortion channel
Reverb
Footswitch for channel switching; reverb control
Mid Boost switch for clean channel
160 Watts peak power... Its too much power hehe

160 Watts peak is loud as hell, even for a solid state amp.
That being said, the other reviews are right, its not a good practice amp if you live in places like an apartment complex. It gets loud easy, if you turn the volume down below one you'll find it goes from mildly loud to no sound at all coming out very quickly. Really isn't a quiet setting on this amp.

Sound:
For a solid state amp (before all the digital amps came out) this amp is really a decent amp...
Clean Channel: Decent tone. You won't get the sound of a tube amp out of it ( you shouldn't expect too), but you won't get the sound of a 15 watt practice amp either. I like the sound I get out of this channel with the reverb set around 2-3 and using the humbucker on my peavey predator plus. Gives you a clean, warm, round sound to it.
For distortion I usually put my boss OD-20 pedal through this channel. It gives more choices for the sound I'm looking for than Channel 2 does. My Takamine G series acoustic sounds good through this amp, although it lacks in the bass area a bit. Have wonderred what adding a cab to the setup would do, if it would give it some more punch, but haven't had the chance to try it out.

Channel 2: Not my favorite, gives a good overdrive distortion that works well with modern rock type music. The sound itself is good, but my main complaint here would be that its hard to articulate notes on this channel, they tend to blend (fuzz) together, especially riffs that chunk along...one more reason why I use a good pedal set on channel 1

One other thing, I always have found it hard to match the volume levels of channel 1 and 2 on this amp... if you are playing a show it can be a pain.

BTW; I've owned this amp for 5 years now, bought it back in '97 or '98 brand new.

Never has failed me yet. The cord connecting the footswitch is getting a littel sketchy and cuts out every now and then, but that started a month ago, and it lasted for 5 years, its easy to replace, will probably cost me 5 bucks or so.

Never dealt with customer support. Never had a problem

Overall? Love it for what it is. Been playing about 10 years, and this was my first electric amp I bought. Its a great beginner amp, and even a pretty good intermediate amp. Most things I've mentioned aren't really noticeable until you hook up next to a person playing on a much better setup. Thats when you notice what could be better about your own I guess. Stolen or lost? I've got more than my $$'s worth out of it... I'd tell my homeowner's insurance that it was worth 2 grand and go out and buy me a boogie! hehe just kidding.
Wish it had a 3rd channel for lead, but thats it...

If you are mic'ing your setup at shows, go with a smaller watt'ed amp with good tone (tube?). I'm retiring this amp soon and headed that direction just because I want more control of stage volume ( want a choice other than loud)and after 10 years I can justify buying a really nice amp... :-)