It’s almost impossible for a guitarist to practice and perform in the same place for all of their life. Most guitarists play in several locations, like in a studio, on a stage, or even at home.
Can you see where this is going? Yes, that’s right; how are you supposed to play in all of these places and keep your amp nearby to play your presets? Not exactly something that you’d want to do on a long-term basis.
Luckily, an amp modeler like the Fender Mustang GTX100 will spare you the hassle of relying on your amp 100% of the time in a compact and lightweight package.
But how does it stack up? Is it even worth buying? That’s exactly what we’re going to help you decide in our full-blown Fender Mustang GTX100 review!
Fender Mustang GTX100: At a Glance
The 100-watt Fender Mustang GTX100 has all the sweet stuff you’d expect to see in an amp modeler, with a long list of models and effects to choose from. If you’re looking for a portable amp simulator for versatile use and performing small gigs, look no further!
Pros
- 1×12 100-watt Celestion speaker
- 200+ preinstalled presets
- Compact, durable, and lightweight
- Vintage design
- Convenient GTX-7 footswitch
- Wi-Fi, USB, and Bluetooth connectivity with smartphone control
- User preset slots
Cons
- No external cab output
Design
The Fender Mustang GTX100 flaunts a sleek, vintage design that takes you on a trip to the 80s. The Fender logo at the top left corner, coupled with the flat front panel, gives it a retro look that many people would admire.
As far as durability is concerned, the Mustang GTX100 feels pretty solid, and it can definitely take a few hits. It even has Velcro straps in the bottom to keep the footswitch in place when in use, a feature that we really appreciate.
The amp modeler is pretty compact, measuring just 21 inches W x 18 inches H x 10 inches D. It also weighs 22 pounds only.
Dozens of Models
The Fender Mustang GTX100 offers a wide range of models that you can pick from, with 40 amps that include 20 classic and modern Fenders, Hiwatts, Mesas, Marshalls, Voxes Bogners, Friedmans, Rolands, Gibsons, and Silvertones.
What’s more, you get 33 speaker cabinets to pair up with the amps, in addition to a wide selection of effects that include dynamics, overdrive, pitch, modulation, delay, and reverb.
You can also save your favorite presets for quick access when needed. And it doesn’t just end there; you can create your own unique presets and save them for later use.
Clean Tones
The Mustang GTX100 is capable of delivering exceptionally clean tones that are also dynamic and brisk. The distortion tones are somewhat close to what you’d get out of a behemoth amp, with a good level of responsiveness and complexity.
And the best part is that you don’t need to create a complicated setup to enjoy the awesome-sounding distortion.
GTX-7 Footswitch
You don’t even need to buy a separate footswitch when you get the Mustang GTX100 simply because it comes with a free GTX-7 Footswitch. And no, it’s not a cheap one that would fail later; this is actually one of the best footswitches you’d ever use!
The GTX-7 lets you effortlessly switch between presets, adjust the looper and even turn effects on or off. If you want to engage the tuner, just make a long-press with your foot. The looper offers a maximum record time of 60 seconds.
And guess what? The Mustang GTX100 doesn’t even need a footswitch, simply because you can change the presets and edit sounds right on the Fender smartphone app! Some people still love the feel of a physical footswitch, though. Not to mention, it’s your only option when performing on-stage.
The app is available for iOS and Android users.
1×12 Celestion Speaker
The Mustang’s Celestion speaker is more than just an average speaker. It delivers a flat tonal response that takes amp modeling to the next level, with outstanding responsiveness and a dynamic feel. Many amp modelers are equipped with mediocre speakers that sound fake and stiff, but the Celestion is far from that.
Versatile and Ergonomic Top Panel
Unlike many other amp modelers on the market, the Mustang GTX100 doesn’t use a front panel. Instead, all the controls are placed at the top, which means you don’t need to squat to adjust the controls.
The GTX100’s top panel has all the knobs you need to customize your guitar playing experience, including gain, volume, treble, bass, middle, reverb, and master knobs.
It also contains the LCD screen, in addition to FX bypass, tap tempo, save, and menu buttons. Oh, and the headphone out and aux-in jacks are located here, too.
The Back Panel Is Missing Nothing
The Mustang’s rear panel contains the micro-USB output port, power switch, footswitch input, effects loop, and the line outs.
LCD Display
The Mustang GTX100 is equipped with a full-color LCD display. It may not sound like much, but it really does add to the overall experience. It allows you to adjust the features of the amp modeler without breaking a sweat.
You can control the screen with the built-in push-button navigation. The interface is quite user-friendly, thanks to the large encoder dial and the three soft-touch keys.
On a side note, try to place the amp modeler on a chair or something because using the display with the device on the floor is just awkward.
Wi-Fi
One of the most notable features of the Fender Mustang GTX100 is its Wi-Fi connectivity. But why do you need Wi-Fi in a modeling amp, anyway? Well, for starters, Wi-Fi is great for downloading the latest presets off the internet.
What’s more, it makes the whole process of updating the Mustang’s firmware much less of a hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Pre and Post Effects Can Be Used Simultaneously With the Fender Mustang GTX100?
The Mustang GTX100 lets you use a total of 7 pre and post-effects in the signal path for any preset you want.
Can I Use a Volume Pedal With the Fender Mustang GTX100?
Yes, you can use a volume pedal with the GTX100. However, keep in mind that some volume pedals work better than the others for this specific model. It’s preferable that you use a Fender pedal to maximize the amp modeler’s potential.
Fender Mustang GTX100 Review – Final Thoughts
We hope this Fender Mustang GTX100 review was helpful! To recap, the Fender Mustang GTX100 is hands-down one of the best amp modelers you can get at this price range. It’s affordable, lightweight, equipped with a Celestion speaker, and comes with a free GTX-7 footswitch.
It’s also one of the few amp modelers that offer Wi-Fi connectivity. Gone are the days when you had to connect your amp modeler to your computer via USB to update its software. The Mustang GTX100 is obviously not a replacement for a huge 2×12 tube, but it definitely does a great job of imitating it.
