Fender Mustang 1 V2 Review

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If you want to be a serious musician, you need to have the right equipment. Cheap and second-rated gear can affect and downgrade the quality and impact of your sound. For a guitarist, having the best guitar amp is part of having the right equipment. You want one that produces crisp, clear sound and one that offers tons of good options. Throw at an affordable price, and you get a steal! The Fender Mustang I V2 20-Watt 1×8-Inch Combo Electric Guitar Amplifier can deliver all and more.

Just from the name Fender, you know you will be getting a quality product. Moreover, the Mustang I V2 amp has a pretty good reputation in the guitarist community as a solid choice for home practice and gigs.

First, let’s look at what this amp has to offer and what not.

Features

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The Fender Mustang I V2 is the smallest amp in the Mustang series, with a black and silver sleek design. It’s a compact and portable amp; weighing just 17lbs with a single 8” Special Design speaker. The range of features found on the Mustang I V2 can rival some of the larger, more expensive amps on the market.

Tech Specifications

Type	Solid State
Total Power	20W
Speaker Size	1 x 8″
Number of Amp Models	17
Presets	24
Effects	Delay, Echo, Tremolo, Phaser, Chorus, Reverb
Input	Input Jack / USB
Output	Headphone / Aux
Footswitch Included	No
Power Source	The standard IEC AC cable
Height	14.5″
Width	15.5″
Depth	7.6″
Weigh	17 lbs.

Here are the main features worth looking into:

Controls

The controls on the Mustang are knob-driven and on top of the amp. It has a single knob each for Gain, Volume, Treble, Bass, and Master. The Preset Select has a preset that you can dial through, and some effects are under master headings called Modulation Select and Delay/Reverb Select. The amp models light up individual LEDs for each model type. The control panel features a Treble knob to control the high frequencies and a bass knob to control the lows, but there is no Middle knob to control over the mid-range. It may seem a bit confusing at first. However, you will get used to it in no time.

There are buttons for saving, an exit button, a button to access the built-in tuner, a headphone jack, a jack for connecting an audio player, a jack to plug in your guitar, a jack for the optional footswitch, the power control, and a USB jack to interface the amp with Fender Fuse or other audio software.

Related Read: Fender Champion 20 Watt Guitar Amp Review

Amp Models and Effects

There are 17 amp models ranging from ’57 Deluxe to ’65 Twin Reverb with British and American styles as well. In addition to the 17 amp models, the effects are divided into four categories. These are Stompbox, Modulation, Delay, and Reverb. Among them, Stompbox effects are only accessible through the FUSE software.

The preset selection is made up of eight amp models, each with three presets for a total of 24 presets in all. You can directly save 24 presets on the amp, but you can also use the Fender FUSE software to add another 12 presets. Overall, you can save up to 36 presets. As an amp suitable for beginners, the range of effects and presets it offers is huge, compared to other models.

Amp Model	Based On	Suitable For
’57 Deluxe	1957 Fender Deluxe	Blues and Rock
’59 Bassman	1959 Fender Bassman	Blues and Rock
’65 Twin Reverb	1965 Fender Twin Reverb	Blues, Rock, Jazz, and Country
British 60’s	Vox AC30	Rock, Pop, and Country
British 80’s	Marshall JCM800	Rock, 80’s Hair Band
American 90’s	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier	Rock, Metal
Metal 2000	Peavey 5150	Modern Metal
Super-Sonic	Fender Super-Sonic	Rock

USB Connectivity and Fender FUSE Software

Adding versatility to the model, Fender Mustang I V2 comes with a USB port along with the Fender FUSE software for PC/Mac. This software makes the controls function a breeze, as you can edit and save your presets online without turning a knob. Saving a new preset means you have to delete the old one, but with FUSE software, you can save it online and use it again later. Also, you can access a great deal more effects and tones available online. Furthermore, there isn’t much problem with the mobility of the amp itself, as it comes with 3 feet long USB cable.

AUX Input and Headphone Output

Another convenient feature is its auxiliary input and headphone output. The aux input helps you to use the amp as a speaker, perfect for a jamming session. And the headphone jack will help you silently practice at home with a guitar, without any complaints from the neighbors, even at night.

Performance

The Mustang I V2 amp is a small powerhouse. Even though it’s famous for being a practice amp, it’s suitable for smaller gigs too. The speakers may seem slightly lesser than average, but having 20 watts of solid-state power delivers a volume level louder than expected.

The key to having the best use out of this amp is the Fender FUSE software. The software compatibility adds versatility and flexibility to the Mustang I V2 model, which cannot be achieved only by rotating the knobs. It offers and delivers a range of different needs. For beginners, getting a vast array of different options and features at an affordable price is something to look for.

Sound

If you consider the specs and the price of this model, the sound quality actually comes off as a pleasant surprise. This model is considered more as a budget amp, suitable for beginners to practice at home. However, the effects and tone are full, complex, and of very high quality. Fender’s Mustang amps are recognized and praised for their great sound and quality, and this Mustang I V2 is not an exception to that. This amp sounds clean and warm for Twin, Deluxe, and Bassman models compared to hard rock and metal tones. Even though having digital effects, the sound actually feels like it came from your guitar, not just some heavily digital made-up sound.

Quality

Despite having sturdy quality, the amp doesn’t feel too heavy. Rather it feels quite well made. The amp is smaller in size, therefore, easy to move around. Also, there is less chance of serious damage in the case of dropping it. The USB cable adds to the flexibility. Overall, it is quite a reliable model in terms of quality.

Pros

Easily portable and reliable
Great quality effects
Great quality modeling amps
Satisfying fender tone
Versatile and flexible
USB connectivity and Fender FUSE
Suitable for practice and small gigs
Great value for money

Cons

Complicated Settings
Some functions difficult to access

Final Verdict

Fender’s Mustang series offers solid choices meeting every guitarists’ requirements. The Fender Mustang I V2 is an impressive option for its vintage-inspired tones, price, and modern technology. It includes a good portion of the features found in the larger and more expensive models in the series. This is ideal for any guitarist looking for a great practice combo. Who needs a collection of amps when you can have the whole range in just one?

Let’s check out a video review here now!

More Info about this Guitar Amp in this Video