Fender has given its much-praised Mustang Micro amp some key quality-of-life upgrades with the Fender Mustang Micro Plus.
The pocket-sized amp plugs directly into guitars and provides a host of tones and effects from the Mustang series modeling amps, and presumably its flagship floor modeler, the Fender Tone Master Pro, too.
These new upgrades increase its tonal diversity and improve its usability, which Fender has managed to do without hiking its price. The Mustang Micro Plus is available from $149, with its older brother currently going for around $99.
Its in-built bank of amp and effect models has more than doubled from 12 to 25 to give the gadget far greater milage. “Unparalleled customization,” Fender says, “allows players to experiment and tailor their sound for any genre or style.”
Now able to store 100 editable presets, with the Mustang Micro Plus coming with a score of factory-made presets as standard, drastic tone changes can easily be executed on the fly.
There are a variety of clean and dirty amps baked in, ranging from classic Fender amp cleans and twangs to full-boar distortions – Fender doesn’t want to limit its application.
A variety of overdrives, phasers, tremolos, reverbs, and delays – including mono and tape varieties – have also been squeezed in, and its heightened tweakability is bolstered by its compatibility with the Fender Tone app.
Available on iOS and Android, it offers a more intuitive way to sculpt tones and build the perfect rigs. Further still, the Fender Tone app allows for Bluetooth audio streaming with audio and video sync.
The app also allows presets to be stored if users take up its 100 save slots, as well as download and share yet more presets with the Fender community.
The user experience has been upgraded too, with the mini amp now featuring an OLED screen, and bestowed with an onboard chromatic tuner.
The same, albeit limited, parameter controls, EQ, and master volume controls return, meaning its operation will be familiar to Mustang Micro users, as is a headphone port for hearing what this small but powerful amp can do.
Away from the headphone experience, it can be connected to DAWs via USB, which Michael Ross found to be the best way of enjoying the Mustang Micro in his Guitar Player review.
“The latest evolution of our widely-acclaimed Mustang amplifier series represents a significant leap forward in both technology and user experience, offering unparalleled versatility and tone in an incredibly portable package,” enthuses Fender's Justin Norvell.
“The Mustang Micro Plus is designed to inspire musicians at every level, providing a powerful, intuitive, and accessible way to create and explore new sounds.”
The Fender Mustang Micro Plus is available now and is priced at $149.
Visit Fender to learn more.
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It might not be the latest model but I still think the Fender Mustang Micro punches above its weight - get it for even less in the Cyber Monday sales
