6:32 nice line from What About Me, Snarky Puppy. Love the idea of sneaking things in there, worked perfectly as the exit for your solo!

Absolutely stunning version of I Can't Make You Love Me

Dude, that heartbreaker of an intro ❤

Great info. Bought one a couple weeks ago (FR12) but haven't had the chance to gig with it yet, worked great in rehearsal last week. Gig this weekend & can't wait to try it out. Worked out great in rehearsal.

For anybody looking for some of these benefits who already has a katana, they are great to run a non cab simmed signal into if you can rig that up w/ your modeler of choice. Works for me as im not a pro w/ a budget for new gear. Cordy… playing as inspiring as ever… keep on killing it.

I can say that I have used this and John is right, I really enjoyed this as an option for my pod go. It's amazing! I'd happily purchase one.

For the longest time, I didn’t realize that was a mic you would clip to your hat. I thought you were stealing them and those were the security tags hanging from the bill.😂

+ 1 for that Bonnie Raitt intro! So good!! I would love to hear more about the songs and playing that you do in the intros

I’m using an HX stomp and FR12 with my cover band as well. Our live schedule doesn’t start until March so I haven’t used the XLR out to FOH yet.

Thanks for all the good stuff you put up on this channel John. I bought an FR-10 (same specs as FR-12 except size/weight) after your second video on the FR-12. I wasn’t aware of this speaker prior. My experience after two weeks… it works/sounds nice. This is a definite game changer for live sound. I’m using a Helix. The XLR out is a pass through and works with the unit powered off. The “hiss” is not present on this one any more than a high quality powered PA speaker. It’s been through a couple rehearsals using a PA with monitors and a couple pub jams as a stand alone amp on stage. The sound is superior to the QSC K10.2 that I have been using for over a year. A couple notable differences… it is not as sensitive to listening angle relative to the tweeter and nice not to need so much EQ’ing to get a good sound. Maybe Fender set the crossover frequency somewhere different than a typical PA speaker, something more appropriate for guitar frequencies? The hi cut generally takes care of the any shrill sounds. Note the shrill increases with volume, so be sure to get used to adjusting for that. One fender clean like preset got boomy/bassy on stage and I did not like how reducing bass on the speaker changed the tone, so ultimately adjusted the preset to correct. I need to explore the active EQ more… as of now it stays flat except the cut. I’m now building presets while listening through the FR-10 because live sound is my priority, however, it sounds good through the PA with minimal PA EQ too. It’s plenty loud as an amp on stage with a full band (registering 90-100 dB on the back wall sound meter) with volume set to 10-11 o’clock after adjusting the Helix output. It sounds good at low volume practicing at home too. I tried a Mooer Prime P2 and it generally sounded good with built in presets… need to build my own presets and see how it goes. Highly recommended after trying multiple powdered PA speakers (favorite QSC K10.2) and a PowerCab over the last 1.5 years. Oh and it weighs less than the K10 which is nice. My total rig (no guitars) weight is now about 45 lbs. This is very practical after hauling around over 100 lbs multiple times per week for years.

FWIW... on 3rd gig with FR12 (using helix) and it has been outstanding, even in rooms where it has always been really hard to get a usable guitar sound. I am getting much better/easier results than ever. Super happy with this purchase (so far).

Lovely interpretation of one of my favourite songs. I watch this channel more for the playing than the gear.. any chance of a video on how you put the front session together?

I Can't Make You Love Me is one of the most beautiful songs ever written and this arrangement was pure gold! Not sure if you've done a video on just that, but would love to hear it if not? Also, just upgraded from a PodGo to a Helix so I'm going to be watching a LOT, and I mean a LOT of your videos soon to get some good tones!!!

Great video and nice real life stuff. As a live player myself I get fed up of amazing tones from modellers into FRFR which would not cut live with a full band. This is a geat over view of how this works with another companies modeller and favourite pedals live, exactly what I would do in the real world. Thank you sir great job.

John will be at 100K subscribers before the end of this YEAR. WAY TO GO for our Screaming Legato Boy!!!!!!!!!!!

Can hear the buzz soon as the demo starts. Surely this is a deal breaker?

Those intros man, superb.

One of your best clean tone intros I have heard...

Would love to get an idea of your set list for your 80’s gigs.

Good review. I've got about 2 dozen gigs with it and it works really well especially as a stand alone amp. I run L/R to the FOH but there's a hole in the middle of the stage and it covers it. I use a Helix floor but for rehearsals I've been using a TC Electronics Nova System into a Strymon Iridium and that sounds great too. I still haven't noticed a hiss in mine but I run the cut at 12 o'clock. Until something better comes along at this price point the Fender is a winner.

Thanks for the update. Debating buying one to replace my Powercab+. Any plans for a side-by-side comparison?

Great song choice 👌

I also bought the fr-12. So far I LOVE it! I suspect that fender will sell A LOT of these. I'm thinking about getting the fr-10 and running stereo for the first time, also to compare with my koch amps "greg", and my vibrolux, both of which have 10" speakers.

I'm using an FR12 with my Quad Cortex, and it brought back that "amp on stage" feel that was missing since I switched to a modeler.

I use a DI from my board with my pedals, UAFX Dream and Ruby to XLR to my FR12. And I go from FR12 to PA for a touch to even out the room sound.

Matchless Lightning ⚡️excellent choice,sir.

Love that song Mike Reid wrote for Bonnie Raitt.

Less than 400 until the 100k. I think to celebrate John Cordy should do a 100,000 note legato run.

Really useful, thanks!

2:44 those harmonics are so magical

Be interested in your thoughts between this and the laney 212 - not sure how much heavier that one is. And like you say - when you need to carry something like that plus a modeller or a larger board..... isn't it just best to take an amp and look after it over the years.

Hey John, great video, I was looking for an FRFR with some EQ scope a while back, would have tried the fender tonemaster for sure. Can I ask, have you ever tried the G66 MF.10's? I bought a pair and think they are the closest 'amp in the room' I have tried. However there is no EQ which I expect is well useful. I currently use FM9 through the MF. 10's, I do like them but I expect a little more head room with the Fender tonemaster..

Great video! Do you like the Fr-12 or the power cab 112 more?

I ordered one about a week ago in the US and is backordered with no estimate of when it might arrive. Fender must be selling a ton of these even with the hiss issue. Its crazy that virtually no other manufacturer produced an FRFR cab with power amp that looks like a real guitar amp. Line 6 got close and a few others but all seemed to miss the mark. Instead for the most part they went with the PA monitor concept which I think put off a fair number of prospective buyers off a bit. I currently use a stagecraft Birch Ply cab with an celestion FX12--200 in it and powered by a blackstar amped1 power amp in clean mode. It weighs about 42lbs. (minus the amped1) and sounds ok, but to move it around sucks. If the hiss is to much for me I will modify the preamp in the FRFR 1x12 with better op amp components as others have done to reduce that issue. Really interested in comparing what I use now with the Fender cab when it arrives.

Beautiful playing! Still watching. Full sound!......Was the intro piece in stereo?

Hi,think this my nxt purchase. Would like to hear your views on the Effectrode Blackbird preamp

Great review

Thanks for all things guitar! … the hiss issue, i didn’t catch if you were using a balanced trs cable between the left output (hx stomp) and the fr12 instead of a ts (like a guitar cable) could help if not, i would realy like to know!!! Chears

Hey John on your website what would be a good preset for a all-around tone for covers like D Purple Early BS and Zep i use a Helix Floorboard and just purchased This FR12 tone master

So does this really feel like sitting in röntgen of an amp? Really tempted by this and a stomp/FM3/QC for mainly home use but don’t want to lose that feeling of being in front of an amp.

@johnnathancordy, Could you please share if your HX Stomp presets are changed at all from the ones you post for download for the Fender Fr12? Using full AMP + CAB blocks? Or just AMP? Thank you!

That intro was sweet

Nice Snarky Puppy quote in the second clip

Didn't the sans amp people bring a powered cab for live work out about ten years ago, and wasn't there a THD cab available then?

Great review. The Fr-10 vs FR-12.?? Anyone have thoughts after trying both? I keep seeing mixed reviews on which one sounds better. More natural....love to know which has the better tone. Weight and volume aren't a concern.

When using a modeler with an amp, do you get the same 'resonance' you would get with a standard Guitar amp with pedals? For example can you still get feedback? I assume yes but very curious. On a budget so I am getting a Pod Go (Santa delivers to 52 year olds right?)

Can you compare Laney LFR with tone master FRFR?

Would be good for you to do a video with the FR12 and FM9 if possible John?

Nice! How does it sound with a boss ME-90?

1 Year ago you explained to us, why you stopped using FRFR :-). What made you change your mind?

Now I like the song “I can’t make you love me”. Lol.

Just a bedroom noodler here, but i run my FM9 through an ElectroVoice PXM-12mp wedge monitor and couldn't be happier... but the rigs I played on for ~20 years before dipping my toes into the sim/ modeling world were never that great, either lol

I saw a video on yoytube somewhere from someone who said that you can remove the noise by turning something off in the global settings software of the fm 12

I'm in a band we do some 80s-90s classic rock. The new guitarist wants to use his Fractal unit with FOH but we don't have the power in our rehearsal PA. I love the sound of these modelers I have one myself. I don't perform live with one though. I've been playing 40 years with vintage tube amps you don't just walk away from that a switch to one of these systems. He's bringing this Fender Tone Master. I hope it's the 12. I use 2 4x12x two heads. My master head is a Friedman BE100D and the slave is a JCM800. I hope it can keep up on the Judas Priest and the other really heavy stuff we do.

All my amps hum or hiss due to the shit wiring in a 65 yr old house. Only one room doesn't cause the issue, so if I end up getting this FRFR, it'll be tested in the room that doesn't cause issues with my amps. I wanted the FRFR as I'm sick of using house amps at rehearsal studios and got a Boss IR-2 to run into it to control my sound and volume better.

I’d be interested to know your thoughts on how this compares to the Laney versions, that folks like Guthrie are currently using…?

John, I just got my HX Stomp. Do you think it goes better with a Boss Katana 50w mk2 or a Fender FR-12? Pls help me out 😅

How would you compare this to using the Catalyst in power amp mode? I’ve been doing that when I need stage volume and used two Catalyst 60’s in stereo last night and thought they performer outstanding personally. Same trick you did before with leaving speaker emulation on and just sending it right to the input on the back.

Ahh, that Bonnie Raitt tune is one of my favorite songs. Well done!

Thanks John for the video! It is a phenomenal speaker. Do you think you could use a db meter to measure the hiss? I’m genuinely curious if there really is a big difference between unit’s hiss levels.

Intro 🔥🔥❤️

so when you're using a real cab like the FR12, in helix do you have to use presets without a cab?

Exquisite playing and phrasing, sir.

Almost 100k

would this cab work with UAFX Dream 65?

Best FRFR for the Money... Boss Katana Artist MKII. Using Kemper. Right out to Katana, left out to house (nice wide stereo). If the Kemper ever failed, 30 seconds I'm back up and running before the song is over. Love my rig!

That intro was gorgeous. Do you have a transcription of that?

Did you stopped using the fr12 in live sessions?

John’s wife wears the trousers but as the Patreon is going ok, he’s hoping to buy a second pair soon.

Hey John, how would you compare this FRFR to just an active PA speaker? Shouldn't they be practically the same? What does the Fender brings to the table that a normal active speaker wouldn't?

Loud enough for band practice w no PA?

I have been thinking about one of these but would like to know if it sounds any better than running hx stomp into power amp input on my katana mk2 100 artist. This is my first katana amp I bought before I bought the hx stomp and it sounds fantastic through the power amp in. Don’t know if it’s the Waza speaker I’m my katana model or what but would love to compare a modeler through the FR-12 sometime to see if it’s any better than what I’m getting now. Cheers

Please do a fingerstyle lesson on this song

John, can you get “articulate” and “detailed” sounds from a Helix/modeler? To me this means amplifying the most subtle details of a performance, like finger noise, pick dynamics, etc. I hear these elements when you play through the Bad Cat without effects. I’d love to hear it compared against the Helix + FR12 in attempt to achieve an “articulate” tone. People say these things are missing with modelers but I haven’t seen anyone explore it in a real sound test.

I'd really like to hear something like The Dutchess(Victory) through one of these. A real amp but with a cab sim and XLR line out.

Is there a difference worth looking into between the FR10 compared to a FR12?

Loved the playing, and the music and nice guitar too. And usually, I really love the tones. But, just for once, I'm not sure I love the sound on this Fender Tone Master FR12. To me, it has a bit of an unpleasant edgy graininess. Something that reminds me of the sound of not amazing sounding Class D studio monitors, or even NS-10s - revealing but not at all flattering. It's all subjective, but idk, there's something bright maybe at 4k. But not sparkly like a Vox AC, more grating like a sandy scratchy violin tone about the sound. Though, I reckon, live, and projected in a room, the air would soften it, and it might sound quite good.

+++ best Solution for "CAB MIC" best Sound .... cool idea, i like!!!+++

Curious, did you use the kick-back arms or was the amp set flat on the floor?

The hiss was very prevelant in your intro playing. Fender has to solve that issue for this to be a real contender. IMHO.

I really wonder if Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin truly understood the level of song they wrote with “I Can’t Make You Love Me”

Pls more live footage

I would be curious if the hiss is related to the tone stack / amp controls and is not present in the direct output. I don't mind a little hiss from a stage amp / monitor but would not want to send a dirty signal to FOH

3:56

Can anyone tell me if this fender sounds better than a mission engineering 2x12 cab? I know it will definitely be easier to carry around but if the sound isn’t at least as good then it won’t be worth it to me.

Love my ToneMaster Pro and FR12. I switched from the Helix and it's the best guitar-related decision I've made in a long time.

90's Fender Solid State amps always had a hiss

No hiss in my fr-10 at all. Projects well and keeps up with other performers on stage. Might start to fade if more then a five or six piece band. Although in my experience, a good FOH level will keep you in the game.

"JCB Assman preset" 😂😂😂

I think i think i think

I've been using the PodGo, which has the Helix sounds and plenty of options, for a third the price of a Helix. I don't use the amp models at all, but just use it as a pedal board in front of a 1964 (vintage) Princeton. Sounds great, but takes a while to get control over the volume/tones. I used this set up at practice the other night (we're all veteran musicians in our 60s), and I plan to use it on a gig for New Years. My over arching opinion is that about 95% of the tones in all the amp modelers (and virtually all of the factory presets) are not very useful.... too fizzy and brittle for my ears. That said, it is a great alternative to a pedal board and all those cables, etc.. My advice to anyone new to the modeler world is to start out very simple.

No excuse for having hiss in this unit.

How does it compare to the Headrush 112? Great vid brother.

jcb assmann😂…

Terrible buzz...

Hiss is not acceptable in 2023. The playing was great as usual- the tone was meh. A bit scoped sounding IMHO. I built my own cab and it's amazing. Paid $400 for a handwired tube amp 5w- plenty loud at home and zero hiss. I have a few really nice pedals. Tone for days.