Tone Master Deluxe Reverb - how are you using yours?

TimmyO · June 2023

Oh man - I just had a VERY good noodle through the Tone Master (Blonde) using it a bit differently that I thought I would.

Slightly prompted by this popping up in my YT feed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WInsuBYiKSA

I set it at 7 or 8 on the volume control, adjusted the attenuator to keep the subsequent familial grumbling to the necessary minimum and had at it with the DGT.

Having spent the morning enjoying, comparing and stacking various overdrive pedals so that I could also have easy access to lovely Fender clean when wanted, this was a different approach and if I'm honest, one I think I prefer. I was able to pull back to suitably clean things via the guitar volume (albeit not quite as balanced and lovely a clean sound) but honestly, with a humbucker and the TMDR(B) on 8 I'd only ever need one overdrive pedal.

It was fab.

I may just do this by default now.

stickyfiddle · June 2023

For live I’m playing our more “rock” stuff - into about 4 songs in the set. I usually set everything on 6, attenuation down 2 clicks to tame the on-stage volume, and use Origin RE Compact and Jan Ray to add grit/fatness as needed. Then the DI straight to the PA.

At home, volume on 3 or 4 and used more as a clean platform for pedals

Teyeplayer · June 2023

If you haven’t already, link channels and blend the sound too.

TimmyO · June 2023

Teyeplayer said:

If you haven’t already, link channels and blend the sound too.

I haven't yet no - I'd read that they were out of phase (like in the original) so had assumed it wouldn't sound great - but there's an easy way to find out I guess....

fretmeister · June 2023

These have attenuators built in?

I had no idea.

TimmyO · June 2023

fretmeister said:

These have attenuators built in?

I had no idea.

Oh yes - well probably more true to say that as they have Class D power sections they have different valve-equivalent power settings (rather than being attenuated down like in a valve amp - but that's the familiar terminology) - for the DR version those being 22w, 12w, 5w, 1w, 0.5w, 0.2w

Image: https://www.fmicassets.com/demandware/assets/highlights/amplifiers/tone-amp/Tone_Master_Amps_Highlights_Deluxe_Reverb_5-WAY-SWITCH.jpg

fretmeister · June 2023

I might have to put it on the list, for when the kids have left home anyway!

TimmyO · June 2023

fretmeister said:

I might have to put it on the list, for when the kids have left home anyway!

I'm seriously impressed with my blonde one

guitargeek62 · June 2023

TimmyO said:

fretmeister said:

These have attenuators built in?

I had no idea.

Oh yes - well probably more true to say that as they have Class D power sections they have different valve-equivalent power settings (rather than being attenuated down like in a valve amp - but that's the familiar terminology) - for the DR version those being 22w, 12w, 5w, 1w, 0.5w, 0.2w

This is the main appeal for me, even the Twin model lets you go down to 1w which might even be usable for reasonable home volume levels!

Danny1969 · June 2023

fretmeister said:

These have attenuators built in?

I had no idea.

Not really
The power amp is a general purpose class D amp with integral power supply. It has no power attenuation between it's self and the speaker. Fender actually have no involvement in the power amp design. It was used in loads of things before the Tonemasters.

What the Tonemasters have is another volume control which lowers the audio voltage .. leading to a lower volume from the power amp. Which can be useful as well. But it's clever marketing to lead people to think it's some kind of power amp attenuation.

Alexlotl · June 2023

I've been vacillating on this with my Tone Master Princeton Reverb. I did have it set to 4 (a warm clean) and was using the Keeley Super Phat Mod to take it to edge of breakup.

More tinkering after reading this thread now has me setting it to 6 or so, edge of breakup territory for my Tele. I can roll back the guitar volume to get totally clean, or stomp on the SPM to take it up to the equivalent of 8, which is a very good time indeed. The SPM cleans up very well on the guitar volume too, so I can get into that space between 6-8 that way. Does mean more knob twiddling, but that's necessary on a Tele anyway due to the tone difference between the pups.

I also have a DS-1 clone (MXR M78) on the board for going to 12 when required. Given a flat (or similarly scooped) EQed pedal, the TMPR seems to keep its own character, just with more gain. Kicking in something mid-humped totally changes things, mind.

HandwrittenHero · June 2023

Channel 2 v6 t6 b2 rev2 all approx numbers. Input 2 for humbuckers etc input 1 for single coil. Tumnus in signal chain if want to shape a little. Sweet honey overdrive to give it a little more. Easy peasy.

I’m using a black TMDR but the speaker and firmware are swapped so it’s a stealth blonde.

Teyeplayer · June 2023

TimmyO said:

Teyeplayer said:

If you haven’t already, link channels and blend the sound too.

I haven't yet no - I'd read that they were out of phase (like in the original) so had assumed it wouldn't sound great - but there's an easy way to find out I guess....

I believe that technically it is out of phase, but it’s part of the deluxe reverb magic that they do something special together. It certainly sounds great.

downbytheriver · June 2023

I noticed Chrissie Hynde using a TM DR at Glasto and the other guitarist had a TM SR - first time I’ve noticed tone masters on a big stage - mind you I don’t get out much

TimmyO · June 2023

downbytheriver said:

I noticed Chrissie Hynde using a TM DR at Glasto and the other guitarist had a TR SR - first time I’ve noticed tone masters on a big stage - mind you I don’t get out much

ha - nice

Fishboy7 · June 2023

If Vox made a 'tonemaster' equivalent AC30 everyone would want one.

TimmyO · June 2023

Fishboy7 said:

If Vox made a 'tonemaster' equivalent AC30 everyone would want one.

I think see also Fender Bassman, Marshall JTM45

chrisj1602 · June 2023

downbytheriver said:

I noticed Chrissie Hynde using a TM DR at Glasto and the other guitarist had a TM SR - first time I’ve noticed tone masters on a big stage - mind you I don’t get out much

The SR was actually Johnny Marr’s. He usually has one under his full fat DR.

Musicman20 · June 2023

Fishboy7 said:

If Vox made a 'tonemaster' equivalent AC30 everyone would want one.

Yes!

stickyfiddle · June 2023

Musicman20 said:

Fishboy7 said:

If Vox made a 'tonemaster' equivalent AC30 everyone would want one.

Yes!

And me!

Nerine · July 2023

One of my friends has a Tonemaster Super Reverb.

I heard/played through it at a jam a couple of weeks ago. It sounded pretty awesome. Was also loud. Wasn’t lacking balls, for sure.

Danny1969 · July 2023

TimmyO said:

Fishboy7 said:

If Vox made a 'tonemaster' equivalent AC30 everyone would want one.

I think see also Fender Bassman, Marshall JTM45

I have a kind of Marshall Tonemaster. It does actually use the same module family as the Fenders but mine is stereo.

It started out as a backup module for my Marshall MA valve 2 X12 combo. The idea was If the valve amp died I could use the power amp module screwed in the back and my Pod Go as a front end pre amp. Then I was repairing a Nux Mighty plug and I've always loved the plexi sound on that so I took the PCB out of that for the Marshall.

So effectively it's an all valve Marshall 2 X 12 combo. But it also has a 2 X 75 watt stereo class D amp in the back. A stereo version of the Icepower modules used in the Tonemaster series. And it's got the DSP from the Nux mighty plug. What I'm working on is a step back footswitchable system for the Nux ... so I can go from Fender clean to Marshall Plexi on a footswitch. At the moment I either have to tap through on a push to make switch I wired up or switch directly via a phone and BT

When I have it figured out I will do a little demo and post it.

Danny1969 · July 2023

Oh by the way the idea is if the marshall dies because of a valve fault during a gig I can flick 2 switchs and instantly use it in Tonemaster mode ...as the only shared items are the mains and the speakers. It's not light like a Tonemaster.

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Tone Master Deluxe Reverb - how are you using yours?

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