Summer NAMM 2019 Video: Fender debuts Tone Master amp series, upgrades Champion 100XL

Summer NAMM 2019 is here and Fender has announced a bevy of interesting amp updates. New to the amp category are the Tone Master Deluxe Reverb and Twin Reverb. Significantly lighter than their fabled predecessors, these amps rely on digital modelling to create what the brand calls a “tubeless tube” amp tone. The brand has also spruced up its solid-state Champion 100XL with an edgy appeal. Here’s a snapshot:

Tone Master amps

The Tone Master Deluxe Reverb taps on digital processing power to replicate the original’s circuitry and 22-watt output. Its key components include a 100-watt digital power amp and a single Jensen N-12K neodymium speaker. The former is responsible for producing headroom and dynamic range reminiscent of the actual Deluxe Reverb, while the latter is capable of “pronounced sparkle and clarity”, according to Fender.

Like the amp above, the Tone Master Twin Reverb uses digital modelling to recreate its forebear’s circuitry and 85-watt power output. Its internals comprise a 200-watt digital power that’s designed to emulate the headroom and dynamic range of the vintage Twin tube amp. And in the same vein of the original, this amp is loaded with two Jensen N-12K neodymium speakers.

Both amps boasts in-built reverb and tremolo effects. They also each come with an output power selector, a balanced XLR line output with IR cab simulation, as well as a USB port for firmware upgrades.

Watch Fender demonstrate the Tonemaster amplifiers below:

The Tone Master Deluxe Reverb will be available at £869/$899.99, and the Tone Master Twin Reverb at £999/$999.99. Both are available now from Fender.com

Refreshed Champion 100XL

This two-channel amplifier comes in a slick “black on black” design and boasts a wealth of digital amp models and effects. It’s packed with four stompbox-like effects – compressor, overdrive, distortion and octaver – 12 classic effects per channel, as well as 16 amp tones. The tones range from “pristine cleans to full-on metal distortion”, Fender claims.

The Champion 100XL is also loaded with two 12-inch “Midnight 60” speakers that are touted to enhance both output and expressiveness.

Available in October at £329/$449.99.

For more info, head over to fender.com. Keep up with the latest from Summer NAMM here.