Buying a budget guitar amp? Watch this first

Summary

This video compares three popular Fender amplifiers for beginner and practice guitarists: the Fender Frontman 20G, Champion 2, and Mustang LT25. The speaker breaks down the features, including wattage, speaker sizes, and sound options. The Frontman 20G is an affordable, simple option but lacks reverb, while the Champion 2 offers more tones and effects for a reasonable price. The Mustang LT25 provides extensive features, like preset saving, foot-switching, and USB recording capability, making it ideal for more advanced users. The speaker ultimately recommends the Mustang LT25 for those who want variety and flexibility without overwhelming complexity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Fender Frontman 20G is an affordable entry-level amp priced at $99, but lacks reverb and has limited features.
• 🎸 The Fender Champion 2, priced at $129, offers more versatility with a voice knob for different amplifier models (classic, modern, British, high gain) and built-in effects like reverb, delay, and chorus.
• 💡 The Fender Mustang LT25, priced at $160, provides advanced features like 30 presets, the ability to save 20 custom tones, and USB recording output, making it ideal for those looking for more control and versatility.
• 🔊 The Frontman 20G is a basic amp with 20W power and an 8-inch speaker, ideal for beginners who need a simple, budget-friendly option for practice.
• 🌟 The Champion 2 is a step up from the Frontman with 25W power and more tonal options, but it remains easy to use without overwhelming the user with too many features.
• ⚡ The Mustang LT25 features a digital menu that allows users to save and name custom presets, offering greater customization and more sound options.
• 🎶 All three amps have AUX inputs for playing music through the amp, but only the Mustang LT25 offers USB recording capability, making it more suitable for musicians who want to record their sound.
• 💪 The Champion 2 is 3 lbs lighter than the Frontman 20G, making it a more portable option while still providing more effects and tonal flexibility.
• 🎚️ The Mustang LT25 allows users to experiment with different presets for various genres, including rock, metal, and country, and save them for later use, which is perfect for players looking for a broad range of sounds.
• ⚖️ The Frontman 20G’s simplicity might be ideal for players who want no-nonsense operation, but its lack of reverb and fewer sound options could feel limiting for long-term use.

Q & A

What is the main difference between the Fender Frontman 20G and the other two amplifiers?

The Fender Frontman 20G is the most basic of the three, offering simple controls like gain, volume, and EQ knobs without any built-in effects or reverb. It's ideal for beginners who need a no-frills, affordable amplifier, but it lacks versatility compared to the Champion 2 and Mustang LT25.

Why is reverb considered an essential feature for an amplifier, and why is its absence a 'fatal flaw' for the Frontman 20G?

Reverb is essential because it adds depth and atmosphere to your sound, making it more dynamic and less sterile. Without reverb, the sound from the Frontman 20G feels flat and dry, which makes it less enjoyable for players who want a richer tone, especially when playing with others or recording.

What extra features does the Fender Champion 2 offer compared to the Frontman 20G?

The Fender Champion 2 offers more sound customization, including a 'Voice' knob with different amp models (classic, modern, British, and high-gain). It also has built-in effects like reverb, delay, and chorus, making it a more versatile amp for those who want more tonal variety.

What are the differences in size and weight between the three amplifiers?

The Frontman 20G weighs 15 lbs, while the Champion 2 is slightly lighter at 12 lbs. The Mustang LT25 weighs around 12.75 lbs and is slightly larger in dimensions than the other two. Despite these differences, all three are portable and easy to move around.

How does the Mustang LT25 differ from the Champion 2 in terms of sound customization?

The Mustang LT25 offers much more sound customization with 30+ presets and the ability to save 50 total slots for custom tones. It allows you to create and recall specific sounds, whereas the Champion 2 is more limited to the 'Voice' knob for basic tonal shaping and effects.

What is the purpose of the USB output on the Mustang LT25, and how can it be useful?

The USB output on the Mustang LT25 allows you to connect the amp directly to your computer for recording purposes. This feature is especially useful for musicians who want to record their guitar directly into a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) without needing additional equipment.

What are the primary advantages of the Champion 2's built-in effects compared to the Mustang LT25?

The Champion 2's built-in effects are simpler to control, with tactile knobs for reverb, delay, and chorus. It’s ideal for those who prefer a straightforward, no-fuss experience. In contrast, the Mustang LT25 offers more advanced effects and presets, but it can be overwhelming for beginners who want something more intuitive.

How does the presence of presets in the Mustang LT25 benefit users?

The Mustang LT25’s 30+ hand-selected presets cater to a wide range of musical styles, from rock and blues to metal. Users can quickly switch between these presets to find the right sound for their genre or mood, making it perfect for both practice and performance without the need for constant adjustment.

What is the purpose of the 'Voice' knob on the Fender Champion 2, and what sounds does it emulate?

The 'Voice' knob on the Fender Champion 2 allows you to select different amp models, emulating classic Fender amps (like the Fender Twin and Fender Deluxe), modern amp tones, British-style amps (like Marshall), and high-gain sounds for metal. This feature provides a versatile range of tones with just a turn of the knob.

Why might some users prefer the simplicity of the Champion 2 over the more advanced features of the Mustang LT25?

Some users might prefer the Champion 2 because it offers a more straightforward, intuitive interface without overwhelming digital menus or presets. It allows players to quickly dial in a sound and focus on playing, making it a better choice for those who don’t want to spend too much time adjusting settings or experimenting with effects.