Upgrade to Mustang v2?

[smokeyman]

I currently own a fender mustang 1 v1 but with the recent release of the v2 that has 5 new amp models and a bunch of new effects, has made me consider making an upgrade from v1 to v2. the whole move is going to cost me around 80 bucks.
So has anyone played the v2 and is it worth the upgrade?
I considered buying a tube amp but I wont be able to crank it up because I play at low bedroom volumes and they are not versatile.

 

[NYC LP player]

If you are going to upgrade it should be to something besides another Mustang I. $80 for the same amp with 5 new presets doesn't make a lot of sense especially when you are playing out of an 8inch speaker.

Tube amps can be very versatile and if you have a master volume they can play quietly too. Plus there are pedals.

Upgrade when you are really ready to upgrade...even if its to a M2 (12in) or M3 (upgraded speaker and 100 presets).

 

[Rhust]

my buddy was getting back into playing and bought the mustang v2... the 5 new models are in the fuse software... so you might already have them... if you have access to the british watts(hi-watt), british colour(orange), "pawn shop"(supro/silvertone) in fuse. then the v2 gives you nothing... you can only access the new models by using fuse, so I wondered if the amp changed at all, or if it was just a firmware update...

he left the amp with me for a few days to see what I thought... I liked the new models... and I did! the hi-watt model sounded really killer, as did the pawn shop... pawn shop is very led zep/white stripes...

but I agree with the above sentiment... imo, if you love your mustang enough to get the v2(assuming the fuse update doesn't just GIVE it to you), go for the m3 + or a tube amp... the m3+ gives you the expression pedal, etc and even more effects... and can still be tamed for home/bedroom use...

 

[smokeyman]

I think ill stay with the v1.
I was considering a small tube amp (posted a bunch of threads here) like the blackstar ht1 or the orange micro terror and the general answer I got(I have not tried them) is that in order to get that "tube sound" you need to crank them up, if not they would not be that different from a solid state, and I play at low volumes.
so I decided to keep my mustang in order to play around with the different models.
My ideal amp would be something like a small marshall jmd, tube sound and solid state versatility and effects.
but thanks for the help

 

[Rhust]

I think ill stay with the v1.
I was considering a small tube amp (posted a bunch of threads here) like the blackstar ht1 or the orange micro terror and the general answer I got(I have not tried them) is that in order to get that "tube sound" you need to crank them up, if not they would not be that different from a solid state, and I play at low volumes.
so I decided to keep my mustang in order to play around with the different models.
My ideal amp would be something like a small marshall jmd, tube sound and solid state versatility and effects.
but thanks for the help

ummm, not really...

1) the HT1 is 1 watt... and you don't have to dime it. it has diode clipping to help you get a cranked sound without diming the amp...

2) micro terror... it's a hybrid, doesn't need to be cranked at all... it's a tube preamp, solid state power section... you can crank the gain, and set the volume as needed

there are some small tube amps you have to crank, a fender champ... a marshall class 5... epiphone valve JR... if it only has a volume knob + EQ... you will probably need it loud to get the amps natural overdrive... but even these you can put a pedal in front of for drive and control the volume... so tube amps are always an option...


I'm not all down on modellers, mind you... but I don't want you to think "I HAVE to get a modeller because I can't crank any tube amp" in reality, you can probably even crank a 1 or 5 watt tube amp at times... I do


the JMD marshall is a nice amp, but a little pricey compared to other modellers... the new blackstar ID series are also really cool/versatile solid state/digital really, people looking for small, versatile amps nowdays... the world is our oyster

 

[mdubya]

I bet you can download the new models in Fuse.

If you are playing at low volume the 8" speaker is fine.

I am a tube amp snob and I think I get better tube tones at low volume out of my Mustang I than I can from an actual tube amp at the same volume. JMHO.

 

[mdubya]

Aso, you can get a V2 for $110. At $80 with your V1 as a trade, they are only giving you $30 for your amp. Not a very good deal, IMHO.

But, hey, it's only money. Right?

 

[NYC LP player]

Two things....

1) Check out the video for the cabinet mod in my signature. You could run your M1 into a 1x12 low watt speak like a Celestion Greenback and your ears will be in heaven.

2) Search youtube and this forum for the BadCat Unleash which would allow you to use any tube amp at reasonable volumes for down the road.

 

[smokeyman]

its not that I have to get a SS because I cant crank tube amps, but if at the volume I play they sound similar then Id rather have the versatility(models, effects) of a SS and sacrifice the tube warmth and dynamics that I might get at that same volume(I play my m1 with the master volume at 3).

the blackstar id seems a bit overpriced(its 300 bucks)but it does look good, I think ill wait for the release of the blackstar ht1 metal or wait for any new release.
again, thanks for the help guys.

 

[Rhust]

ok, fair enough... I like the mustang and ID modelling amps.. part of the ID modelling amps being priced higher is that they are louder(real valve power they call it) and it's also not a modeling amp in the normal sense of the word... it's new tech and that always comes with a premium.. it's a little over priced, but imo a lot of modelling amps are...


btw. as far as I'm concerned, the "metal" ht1 and 5 are just for looks... the ht1 and 5 already have a TON of gain on tap way more than you should need...

 

[Ed hunter]

I am not saying to do the upgrade but what i noticed on the mustang IIIv2 i played today is that the amp models sounded better overall, the fizz the original had is gone and thre amp now has more presence
If you were going to go with a V2 i would go all out and get the Mustang III since everything can be tweaked on the amp, this way if you dont have a computer or you computer is not working you still can modify all the settings.
I think the Mustang IIIv2 is the best bang for the buck amp out there.
I had the new peavey vypyr VIP 3 but took it back to exchange for the mustang IIIv2.
IMHO the MIII destroys the VIP 3 and both are $300 new.