Fender Mustang Micro Review – Worth it?
Fender Mustang Micro Review
The Fender Mustang Micro is a portable clip-on electric guitar amplifier that works with any electric guitar. The compact Micro amplifier is an excellent way of practicing guitar quietly, thanks to its 3.5mm headphone jack socket. This review will cover everything you need to know about this great little practice amplifier from Fender.
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Fender Mustang Information
The Mustang Micro is the newest addition to the Fender Mustang range. Over the years, Fender has released many iterations of their Mustang amplifiers and a discontinued Mustang pedalboard. The new Micro is designed to not only be a silent practicing option but also highly portable.
Guitar Tones and Effects
The Fender Mustang Micro comes loaded with 12 classic amplifier models that feature a mix of clean and dirty sounds. A great selection of classic sounds makes it a versatile unit for various music styles and genres. Additionally, selected effects can add effects to your sound. These effects work in conjunction with the amplifier presets. These effects include Delay, Reverb, Overdrive, Compression, and various modulation effects.
There’s a great selection of amplifier models from Fender, Marshall, Friendman, Vox, etc. Fender has renamed the above to names prominent enough that you’ll know what you’re using. The LED light on the unit corresponds to each amplifier preset.
Along with the main effects, you can also change the EQ and volume settings to suit your needs. EQ allows you to change the overall tone of the amplifier selection. The benefit of this is if you run a line output from the Fender Mustang Micro to a soundcard. The direct output recording feature is an excellent addition for recording directly into a soundcard or mixer for live performances.
Ease of Use
This Micro amplifier is straightforward to use. All of the + and – keys on the unit denote what settings you are changing. While Mustang Micro has a digital brain, the hands-on experience is effortless. You only need to plug in, turn the unit on, and adjust the settings via the side keys. Simple!
Does the Fender Mustang Micro work with Bluetooth Headphones?
The Fender Mustang Micro will not work with Bluetooth headphones. If you want a dedicated Bluetooth headphone practice amplifier, you’ll need to check out the Boss Waza Air Headphones. Personally, the Boss Waza Air set is far too overpriced from what you get.
Boss Waza-Air or Fender Mustang Micro?
The main selling point of the Boss Waza-Air is the virtual space setting. This virtual feature allows you to mimic the amp in the room when you move around. People report various issues with this, and I enjoyed it far more turned off.
The Mustang Micro is a less-expensive wired alternative to the Boss unit. As a result, Mustang Micro might be the better choice for those who already own a good set of headphones.
Below is a video I shot about the Boss Waza-Air headphones. I would instead use a standard set of headphones with the Mustang Micro and save a few hundred dollars.
Does the Mustang Micro work with Bass?
Thanks to its intelligent rotating input plug design, the Fender Mustang Micro will work with any electric guitar. The Fender Mustang Micro will also work for electric Bass. While the unit is made for electric guitar, nothing stops you from setting up a clean Fender amp preset for use with your favorite low-end bass guitar.
Jam Along
Jam along with your favorite tracks, thanks to Bluetooth connectivity. While you can’t import tracks directly to the Mustang Micro, you can play songs from your mobile phone and hear them through the Mustang Micro. But, of course, for Bluetooth to work, You must first pair your Mustang Micro with your phone.
Fender Mustang Micro Firmware Updates
Firmware updates allow for additional features and to fix any potential bugs. You can update the Fender Mustang Micro with either Mac or Windows PC. Unfortunately, there is no Linux software available for the Fender Mustang Micro. You can find all of the Fender Mustang Micro Firmware updates here.
Is the Fender Mustang Micro Worth it?
The Fender Mustang Micro will be worth it for guitarists who want a portable and silent practice amplifier. While the price could be out of some people’s reach, it’s far cheaper than some other alternatives. The unit itself does feel very plastic, but it will be durable enough for regular use.
Battery Life and Charging
The Fender Mustang Micro allows you to jam up to 4 hours before recharging the internal lithium-ion battery. Charing is done via USB-C and is fast and easy to recharge with a mobile phone charger, computer USB port, or any 5w charger.
Buy it Thomann | Sweetwater | Sky Music Australia | eBay US
Affiliate links – These links earn me a small commission with every purchase.
Official Specs and Information
- All-in-one personal headphone amplifier with onboard DSP
- 12 amp models for a wide range of clean and dirty tones
- 12 effect combinations with parameter modify control
- Adjustable EQ
- Convenient volume control
- Bluetooth audio streaming with audio/video sync for playing along in real-time
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery (charged via USB)
- 4 hours of continuous playtime
- Rotating input plug for compatibility with most guitars and basses
- USB interface for recording output and firmware updates
