Fender Mustang® LTX50 amp | Fender Music Australia | RRP $649.00
Guitarists of all levels will understand the pain of chasing a guitar tone or effect for a specific song, only to realise that you’re missing a key component in replicating the sound. It can be something of a roadblock for new guitarists who aren’t sure they can justify purchasing a new pedal or effects unit while they’re still getting the hang of the instrument, but who may also want to explore different styles of playing in a bid to develop their skills. We don’t usually think of guitar amps as providing a complete solution to our tone and effects limitations; however, the Fender Mustang® LTX50 gives us a reason to change our approach.
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I can’t think of a more perfect example of a guitar amp that is designed to just be plugged in and played than the Fender Mustang® LTX50. Straight out of the box, this amp gave me everything I needed to get lost in the world of exploring tones with a few simple button presses. After a quick tune-up using the integrated chromatic tuner, I selected the first of the 70 amp presets and began playing. Before I knew it, I was in a harmonious haze cycling through the sounds that replicate some of the most loved guitar songs in history, playing the riffs that have become synonymous with these tones. When you’ve spent most of your life learning famous guitar riffs, it’s a real treat when you are given the chance to play a good number of them tone-perfect (I wish I could also say “note-perfect”), without needing to make a number of complex EQ and FX shifts as you jump from riff to riff. Needless to say, it was a while before I put my guitar down.
The Mustang® LTX50’s design is simple and unassuming at first glance. In line with a classic Fender design, the wooden enclosure and textured vinyl covering of the LTX50 provide protection and durability when taking the amp on the road. The black grille cloth and subtle Fender logo complete the low-key look that oozes cool as it sits in the corner of your lounge room between jams. Amongst all the standard offerings you would usually expect on a combo amp, such as gain and frequency control knobs, the front panel of the Mustang® LTX50 features a colour screen, onboard chromatic tuner, stereo auxiliary input and a tap tempo control. The back panel includes an XLR line-out (+24dBu max level, +4dBu nom level with ground lift), effects loop and the connection for an optional LTX-5 footswitch. Also on the back panel is a USB-C port for bidirectional recording, allowing you to record and monitor audio on your PC or Mac using the free Fender Studio app, also available for iOS and Android.
This 50-watt combo amp (8 ohms, 1% THD) is fitted with a 12″ Celestion® G12P-80 speaker, which delivers high-end stage volume and an impressive low end that feels like you’re playing through a much larger amp. One of the more underrated features of this amp, in my opinion, is that upon turning the amp on, you are given the option to select the output power. Being able to select between a wide range of output options (1/2 watt, 6 watts, 12 watts and 50 watts) really allows you to tailor your amp settings to the environment you’re playing in. Whether you’re practising at home while trying not to upset your neighbours who simply don’t understand the importance of a pre-bedtime shred, or performing live, this feature allows you to have more control over your master volume — unlike some amps where it feels near impossible to gradually increase level and maintain the desired tone without a major volume jump.
Aside from the 70 factory presets the amp comes with, you also have the ability to create your own with up to 100 available preset slots. With 25 amp and 25 effect models available, you’re able to explore a multitude of sounds and onboard effects to create your own combinations. The onboard effects include distortions, overdrives, compression, modulation, reverb, delay and octave effects. The optional LTX-5 footswitch allows you to effortlessly recall your favourite sounds and presets, along with tap tempo control, all at your feet when playing live. On top of this, the built-in chromatic tuner is also visible on the footswitch’s screen, keeping you in tune on stage.
The Bluetooth compatibility of the amp allows you to take your creativity to another level with the Fender Tone app for iOS and Android devices, which allows a hands-on approach to editing, creating, downloading and even sharing presets online with the wider user community. Bluetooth compatibility also means you can pair the amp to your devices and jam along with your favourite songs.
It’s the perfect size and weight for taking between rehearsals and shows. Weighing in at a mere 9.88kg and with a compact form factor (width 48.26cm x height 44.45cm x depth 24.13cm), this amp will have no trouble being loaded into the car for a gig.
The Fender Mustang® LTX50 cuts straight through the noise of an increasingly crowded modelling amp market — easy and fun to play straight out of the box, and deep enough to reward those who want to dig in. Whether you love getting creative with sounds by building and layering your own presets, or you simply want an amp that lets you cycle through great-sounding, familiar tones at an accessible price point, the Mustang® LTX50 is well worth your attention.
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