Fender Tone Master

Late 1993 tube amp head with hand stamped serial - The QA sticker code on back is used to date this model. Sold with matching 2x12 cab. One input, 2 channel amp - each channel with its own effects loop volume & tone controls and "fat" switch (Adds a 3dB boost in gain to the Ch A, mostly to the low and midrange frequencies) but NO master volume. Single channel floor foot switch, speaker and extension speaker output. 2 Pre-amp and 1 Phase inverter12AX7's and 4 6L6GCs. An inspection of the PTP did not reveal any mods from previous owners. Switchable output transformer impedance thats confusing as hell to use as to what it does unless you stick with the original 16ohm cabs that came with the head - Used for alt and classic rock. Rated 8 for features as it is a basic non-master amp circuit with little frills.

Read up on this amp before purchasing - the designer (B. Zinky) was looking for a "brown sound" switching amp circuit with flexibility. This is not your Daddy's Fender Blues amp. Clean side Ch A begins to break up at about 3 due to the volume control placement and OD Ch B side gets nasty crunchy with the gain and volume up. Volume Ch A and Gain Ch B are placed before the respective channel preamp circuit so its expected the clean channel to get dark and dirty with increased volume and a dimed guitar. Volume B is after the preamp and phase inverter tubes and before the output tubes so that any front end attached pedals will be greatly colored by the gain tone and power tube volume circuit. I use a line 6 M13 with Ch A and bypass it when going to Ch B. It can get "Marshall like" all by itself on Ch B but with a tighter low end. Each string will be heard through this amp.

I use the original lower output humbuckers found on Gibson Standards and Deluxes but have not tried it with EMG's or other high output PU's - as some early reviews have stated one needs to know what they are doing when using this amp. Advice Bit 1 is to get the tone you want out of each side and then leave it. Advice Bit 2 is to use your guitar controls to adjust on stage. Advice Bit 3 is to use you pedals sparingly where needed on Ch A. Advice Bit 4 is that this amp responds to playing dynamics more than my Marshall 2210 or Mesa TR ever could - so if you suck this amp will not let you hide even on high gain.

This amp appears particular to the type of preamp tube used. Expect to try a few brands and variations of 12AX7 in all 3 sockets to your tastes - I settled for GT gold C's across the board and my review is written with this combination. The previous owner had a menagerie (tung-sol in the PI, a non descript chinese in CH B and a Mesa Russian in CH A) going on in the circuit and the personality of the amp changed drastically (to my enjoyment) when I made the final change. I tried an old RCA 12AT7 as recommended by some earlier here in the phase inverter but it made the output a bit muddy. I have not had an issue with the "ice-pick" treble output others here and on web pages have mentioned. Sovtek 6L6WGC's recently placed in the power section and bias adjusted by tech.

I like this amp as the tone controls are very responsive across the dial and will influence the output differently according to the volume setting selected. I've been able to dial both nice tube breakup and clean tones in Ch A and thick distortion on the B side at high channel volumes. So be prepared to spend some time getting to know this tiger and once you have it record your dial settings.

As previously mentioned by others this mother is LOUD - I've tamed the output for practice purposes with a Magus Ultimate attenuator while retaining the clarity of the tone from the output section. I gave it a nine as it is versatile but takes quite a bit of work and patience to get to a "holy grail" tone. But I'd rather have the diversity this amp offers than to spend the same amount and get a one trick pony.

I had this tiger for about 5 years and gigged on and off with it, switching at times with a Marshall 2210 depending on the band I'm with. The Marshall cannot get the switched cleans the Tonemaster has which is why I keep coming back to it.

I had the circuits inspected by my tech who stated this thing is built like the proverbial brick outhouse and all that was needed was changed tubes to taste. I do keep spare tubes and fuses but I now trust that it will not fail me aside from these expendables.

Bought used - Fender has manuals and schematics online. Techs can take it from there.

Been playing seriously for last 12 years - I am a converted bass player. I have or have owned other Fenders Marshall Mesa/Boogie and Line 6 amps which have their own positives. This is a unique amp in its own right - and that it can come close to other tube makes in tone has helped make it my number 1. If this amp were lost I'd replace it if I could find one. I love its versatility (a tweekers delight) , but conversely I hated using the amount of time it took to get there - definitely not a plug and play amp.

1993 Tone Master. Used for Alternative Rock. Loud. Really loud.

The advice provided by the reviewer below is golden: replace the Phase Inverter tube with a 12AT7. I really liked this amp but found it a bit pointy and loud at times, and replacing the Phase Inverter tube with a 12AT7 instead of a 12AX7 was the best investment: much creamier sounding, darker, better distortion. The second best replacement was putting in TAD 6L6WGC short-bottle tubes which improved the amp considerably. Tung-sol 12AX7's helped the preamp tone as well. I play this with a Marshall 4x10.

I play this with a Jazzmaster or Jaguar, and while the RAT used to be my standard pedal, I'm happier with the built-in distortion. The RAT can be too abrasive in the top end.

So far, so good. Built like a tank.

No repairs yet.

I've been playing for 18 years, and this is the best amp I've ever owned.

features have been covered, min you would expect for a modern amp

OK I review this about 5 years ago and wasnt too happy. I never sell gear and pulled this out of storage with its matching 2x12 to give it a go. I found the clean would break up to early and the OD had a bit of fizz to it. So i decided to change the Phase Inverter tube from a 12ax7 to a 12AT7. HOLY CRAP!!!!!! what a difference!!!! The clean is now excellent like a darker twin and the OD is thick/fat with a hot rodded marshall type tone. I've played session guitar for years, took this to a new project I'm working on and the guys were like WOW!!!!! Give the AT7 a try, it makes so much difference!!! (I prefer JJ tubes!)

Point to Point!!! No probs

never delt with them

with the 12ax7 in the phase inverter position I'd give it 5-6/10. with the 12at7 I'll give it 10. It eats my Budda superdrive (which I love!!!) and my Matchless DC30 sounds sterile next to it. I'm so happy i didnt sell it!!!

Hmm, don't know the year but since they don't make them anymore and didn't for very long guess it's heading for the Fender collectables arena which is always nice. I just play instro surf and this has the look of the old blonde Showman amps and mine is super loud & clean. Perfect surf amp imho. Two channels but I never use the dirty one. Channel switching is onboard if you want it. No need for any other features. This amp is the most powerful Fender clean amp I've owned. I normally run the volume on 4 to 41/2. Power is very flexible. With a 16 ohm cabinet the switch allows you to run it at 30, 60, or 100 watts. So if you're playing clean you've bought 3 amps in one. Very versatile for gigging. This thing is heavy and seriously loud when the 100 watts are switched on. Throw an outbaoard Fender tube reverb in front of it and just start grinning. So awesome.

Well, I bought it as a one trick pony for instro surf and besides a vintage 60's blonde Dual Showman nothing can touch (it if you want extremely powerful & rich & clean surf guitar). Hands down. Variety? There's a ton of it if you're playing a Jaguar cause it brings out the uniqueness of the switching only a Jag has. If you play a boring Strat you might need something else. This thing is perfectly matched to the needs of a Jaguar. At high volumes this thing is still clean. I couln't tell you about the distortion cause all distortion sounds like sh** to me. Very quiet amp - quiet enough to record with.

Bullet proof & I never bring a backup (I've been playing Fenders for 35 years with out backup). I just do periodic tubes changes every few thousand hours and I've never had any problems with Fender tube amps.

Never needed it.

I chose this just to try someting different from Fender and this is the most impressive Fender amp I've owned. Tone to kill for - best since the first Dual Showman. If you play clean this is a natural (not compressed like a Meas) high power workhorse. Unbelievable piece of craftsmanship from Zinky that does Leo proud. Fender - you lost a good man when Zinky left.

ok.. I admit it... i have MAJOR GAS... but i saw a good deal on a tonemaster with Vibroking 2X12 ext cab at Guitar Center (I know, i was shocked too!)and I checked it out.. and... well.. you know the story. This is IMO the perfect gigging set up for me. I get a pretty decent clean chanel, and a usable overdrive. I just put my 808 in front, and a delay pedal, and I'm happy. Features are basic, but suite my needs

I use primarily my ES 137, stock, and i get the tones i need. I also use my Les Paul special DC with P 90's and get more bite in this set up. I dig the tones, raw, straightforward, but with great clarity. You can hear the notes clearly defined, and the amp makes u better because it does not mask your mistakes

PTP, built fairly well... I'm hoping this amp outlives me. I'm not really one to swap tubes out a lot, so just the usual maintenance and it should be happy. This puppy does get HOT though!

um... yah, not so much..

I'm rating this pretty high... I try not to buy crap, and I really dig this amp. I think i got a pretty decent deal, and I haven't been playing my others which is usually a good sign with a new peice... and you gotta love the beige tolex with brown grill look.. great mojo is icing on the proverbial cake

You know the features - 2 f/sw ch's, fat switch on both, seperate FX loops for each channel(annoying), 3 way impedance switch(30/60/100watts).
And its a pretty blond colour. Kinda wish it had reverb, but I guess its just something else to stuff up!

I use fat strats but also have a PRS which I dont like as much thru this. With the strat its very versatile, the whole gamut - Clean-crunchy clean-dirt-holy crapballs dirt. No super saturated over the top gain, but I got a pedal to jump on for that.

I leave it on the lo (30watts) setting for all my playing - makes the clean break up nice with the strats. Havent played a big enough venue to go the whole 100 watts yet. Tried it on the med 60watts a couple of times, but the clean was too bright, and the OD lost a bit of balls, because of not as much natural compression.
Not overly noisy, especially considering I use a strat and a bunch of pedals!

I used a Fender pro reverb before this and was always having to fiddle to keep it reliable, so far with 6 mths of gigging under its belt, the TM hasnt even hiccuped. It still has the original tubes in it as the guy who had it before me only drove it to church on Sundays (WTF??)
I havent taken a backup for this ever. Just keep some valves handy.

I got it second hand, so I havent been bothered with a warranty. I know Fender in Australia are pretty good, having worked for a Fender Dealer for 5 yrs, I did ask them about the matching cab for this and they answered pretty darn quick. Cant really comment here.

Ive had a room full of amps and gigged with a bunch of them, other Fenders (will it work tonight?), marshalls(clean - wot clean?), boogies (hello fart town), Soldano (well this one rocked but it was single channel!).
So far this has been the easiest to squeeze extremely satisfactory clean and dirty tones out of, and is very FX friendly.
When I first got it, the cab I was using it with made it ear piercingly bright. I finally got some V30's (which it was designed for) for my soldano 2x12 - goddamn - what a difference. It was one of those moments where you just couldnt stop smiling and giggling to yourself. Reverb would be nice, but I had that on my last amp, and it caused dramas, so I guess theres ups & downs. The seperate FX loops kinda shits me too, but I just use pedals in line now.
I like it a lot.

I had a 1999 Tone Master that came with a 4 x 12 Cab. I bought separately a 2 X 12 Cab. Both had V30's. 2 channels and two effects loops which I found a complete pain.

Looked amazing though! Very pretty amp in blonde tolex. Plenty loud enough at 100W the power cut down switch was good too.

I'll knock 3 points off for that separate effects loop.

I'm not the only one that was HUGELY disappointed by the gain channel - sounded so brittle and harsh. No sign of a nice fat overdrive in sight.

I got rid of the entire set up because of this - I've now got a vibroking which although lacks the headroom, sounds infinitely better.

No probs

A big let down - I wanted a much better overdrive - this sucked. Half the total points for that.

I bought my Tone Master new in 2000? somewhere around there.
The Amp is very versatile although I must say I haven't found a way to get a perfect (subjective of course) dirty sound. 2 channels with Fat options. Of course I wish it had reverb. I don't use the dirty channel as I'm not a fan of Fender distortion but the clean sounds are all I really need anyways,

I play American Standard Tele's and occasionally a Strat. Single coils for the most part. The Amp is not noisy under optimal conditions. The only time I have trouble is if I'm on a circuit with some ground issues. I've never messed with the Ohm settings, I need to research that. The clean channel will distort a little when I crank her up around six (ow...).

Amp definetly has a characteristic Fender "sweet spot". Unfortunately It's a little too loud for some situations. Yeah right!

I've never changed the tubes and I gig / jam constantly. The amp has given me zero problems.

N/A

I've been playing 15 years or so. I own lots of Fender (and Martin) guitars and a couple of Twins reverbs in addition to the Tone Master.

The thing I love most about this amp is the pure power it pushes. It just jums out and physically thumps you in the chest. Solid state amps simply cannot do this and even my 100 watt twins can't do past 15 feet or so.

The thought of losing my amp is unfathomable and I refuse to even think of life without it. This amp is not for amateurs, buyers beware!

I don't know why so many guys complain about the lack of reverb. Do you dog Marshall amps for not having reverb? Bruce Zinky designed this as a hard rock amp, as he said in an interview I read. I like the separate effects loops. I don't think the tone controls are entirely independent. Tweaking the clean channel controls seems to affect the drive channel somewhat. I like having separate effects loops for each channel. This allows more flexibility for the user.

Articulation. Every note is separate and distinct. No overemphasis on the bottom, like a Marshall, or twanginess like in traditional Fenders. The Celestion Vintage 30s give it a softer attack than Jensens or Oxfords. I rarely use the clean channel. I can A/B the TM with my '65 TR or my Magnatone 260A (even better), if I want outstanding cleans. If I want to use effects, then the TM gets the call. The OD channel is OUTSTANDING. I can't get off it. It makes a casual guitar player like me sound like a pro. No chops? No problem! Great crunch, great single note tone. It is brighter than my roommate's '74 Plexi, but I consider that a plus.

I've had it for 6 months and so far, so good. It should be easy to repair -- no PCBs. I am concerned that it runs so hot. In that case, a SS rectifier was a good choice.

N/A

I've been messing around on guitar for about 20 years. Now it seems like my home has become a guitar museum. Now my main axes are a '79 LP 25/50 Anniversary, a '59 LP Jr. 3/4, and a Firebird V. I also have a modified American Standard Strat, a G&L ASAT, a Rickenbacker 381V69-12, a DeArmond Silver Jet copy, and a Jazzmaster and Gretsch Double Anniversary sitting around waiting for me to work on them. If I ever went pro, I would probably get another TM as a backup. I much prefer it to a Marshall.

2 channels both great. Made in 2001 I believe. Reverb is always good but kind of nice NOT to have that crutch. Makes me play better and more consiuos of what I'm doing. A little too loud for the guys I play with but I like it loud. Gets a 9 for no reverb.

I use mine on the lowest ohm setting. It's supposed to be 30 watts, seems more like 300. Very quiet but not very clean on the clean channel set like this, which I prefer. You can boost the ohms to clean it up easily. The distortion channel is great too. I go back and forth with this amp but I have been using my twin amp and splitting the speakers so I have two amps running at once. Effects are run through the twin. I tried running the twin cab alone with the tome master and like the last reviewer said it really does have a more open feel and sound in this config. Our sound man asked me which amp was on which channel because one of the speakers sounded WAY better than the other. Guess which one? So I play without a reverb from time to time and I have not missed it much. Will sacrifice reverb for tone any day.

Never a problem...yet.

not needed

playing almost 30 years and would have to find another if I lost this. I had a chance to open up the "clean" channel set to low ohm setting in my garage recently and once it gets over 3 or 4 it never really gets louder just more crunchy and creamy. Totally SRV but in it's own Strat kind of way.