Find A Better Way (Fender Mustang II Amp test)

[Bluesberry]

I decided to try recording something with my new Fender Mustang II amp.  I quickly came up with this blues song and used my Epi Sheraton for the basic rhythm guitar, Strat for solo #1&2, and Les Paul for solo #3.  Basic settings were Tweed, Twin and Vox, all with just a touch of 65 spring reverb.  It sounds pretty good, recorded from headphones out, it sounds even better out the 12" speaker.   What a great little amp.  I recorded this from amp line out to line in on my microBR.  Drums are from mBR.  I left the effects to a minimum to try to capture the sound of the amp models.  This thing really sounds good out the 12" speaker at a low volume, so full and rich.  This recording comes close but still not as good as out the speaker itself.  Really the perfect home use small amp for just plugging in and playing whenever the mood strikes.

[stoman]

Mr. Waits goes Blues!

Very nice, Dave! I think I'd maybe play it even slower - if I could play at all, that is.

Regards,
  Steffen

[Tony W]

delicious music. 2nd listen, that bass line is so delicious, its perfectly inviting for the tasty blues chops. The percussion? wavedrums?

that strat is so crisp, you don't use it often enough. You have those double stop bends down to a science. Great lyrics, and musically outstanding. I think the tempo was perfect btw.

[Ferryman_1957]

Nice Xmas present Dave, already being put to great use. Love the duelling double stops, and the les Paul has got a real bite to it as well, just wonderful. The Tom Waits-ish vocal is fabulous.  You should do a vocal duet with The Rev 48 - more gravel than a whole quarry. Great feel to this, looking forward to hearing more.

Cheers,

Nigel

[AndyR]

Cool!

I've been wondering about these amps - there's a fair old buzz going round about them on the web...

At the moment (subject to my moods), I'm digging the basic rhythm tone the most - that just does it for me this morning. The strats and the LP sound great too.

Lovely playing, and a fine blues:)

I'd like to hear it slower as well, btw. It works fine like this, but I'd be very interested to hear you try something like this s-l-o-w-e-r and leaving more space in the guitar parts - I reckon you've got the tone in your fingers for that "say less and mean more" kind of blues playing

[Oldrottenhead]

damn you bb thats another thing i need to add to my wish list.

[j.g.]

That's a great little amp, You have already got some good sounds coming from it. You certainly know how to set up your guitars for tone and then in the right place for the production.
Singing and playing like you do, does set you apart from the rest before you even start. The song does work at this tempo, but would love to hear a version slower.
Geoff

[Bluesberry]

Hahaha...slower...thats a hoot guys...I don't know if I can get any slower...I thought this was pretty slow...I kept trying to fight the tempo and speed up...I do that when I play, I have a hard time playing slow, I just can't stop my fingers from moving...I need to explore this slower idea some...I need to get in the right mood...horizontal...3:00 AM...hmmmmm lets see.... leave more space...crazy idea guys.

[AndyR]

Yep, that's exactly what I was thinking - another guitarist like me who can't slow down when the blooze is flowing

Listen to chaps like BB King - I remember hearing somewhere that someone said "he might only play one note, but it's a goodie..."

I can't always follow my own advice on this, but holding back really does pay dividends.

The big thing is, you really have got the tone in the fingers to make it sound interesting if you try it. If you're like me, while you're playing, you're thinking "uh-oh, this is starting to sound boring, better play some more notes..." it's just NOT TRUE - don't listen to that little demon...

Er, have a listen to ZZ Top's Blue Jean Blues as well - I was able to relate to that more than, say, BB King when I was trying to figure this out years ago.

[Bluesberry]

Real good advice Andy, something to work on...