Fender Mustang Micro

26
GUITARIST SUMMER 2021
FENDER
MUSTANG MICRO
£89
WHAT IS IT? An a ordable
headphone amp and recording
interface that’s packed with amp
models and classic e ects
1
2
3
1. A single volume control
sits at the front – with
plus/minus controls on
the side for amp models,
EQ and e ects
2. A headphone output
jack provides monitoring
while the USB-C socket
is for charging, recording
and  rmware updates
3. The on/o switch also
engages the Mustang’s
Bluetooth functions, so
you can jam along to
music streamed from a
phone or other device
9
T
hough it’s smaller than a credit card
(albeit thicker) the Mustang Micro
can do a lot. It can serve as everything
from a silent practice tool to a recording
interface, with 12 classic amp models and an
equal number of effects onboard, ranging
from slapback delay to harmonic tremolo.
Fender wanted the Mustang Micro to offer
a feature-rich but intuitive user experience
and, largely speaking, it achieves it – with
one or two caveats.
To get going, fold out the quarter-inch
jack built into the unit, plug that into your
guitar then plug your headphones into the
Micro. A sliding on-off switch turns it on,
whereupon four coloured lights fire up,
each mounted above a plus/minus rocker
switch on the opposite edge of the device.
These switches select (from left to right):
the amp model in use; the EQ mode; the
effect applied to the selected amp model;
and a Modify function that alters a key
parameter of that effect, whether it be
Delay Level or the Rate of a flanger. There’s
a single dial on the front of the Mustang
Micro for volume, plus a Bluetooth-pairing
function that’s engaged by sliding the on-off
switch left, allowing you to jam to music
streamed from a mobile device.
The first amp model, by default, is a
’65 Twin with added compression, while
further clicks of the Amp + button takes you
on through the famous names of Fender
history, including a ’57 Twin model and
some more eclectic stuff, such as an AC30.
The amps are arranged in groups of four,
with the first group being Clean, the next
Crunch and the last High-Gain – plus a
Direct mode that just gives a preamp’d
signal but no modelling.
Sounds are very decent, if bright, but you
can tone that down with the EQ switch,
which shifts through five preset EQ settings
from extra-dark to brighter than Einstein.
The high-gain tones, inspired by Bogner,
EVH and Friedman classics, are especially
impressive, being girthy and articulate. The
model of a 2290 Delay is also nice, and it
was easy to dial in vibey cleans with reverb
and trem. The tones might not be quite up
to Kemper standard, but they ain’t light-
years away either
, making the Micro a very
handy tool for silent practice sessions, demo
recordings and writing songs on the go.
Words Jamie Dickson Photography Phil Barker
Fender’s tiny new headphone amp is brimming with vibey amp
models and effects for under £100. Where do they put it all?
Horse Power
PROS Wide range of surprisingly usable tones
and handy functions; simple controls and small
size. At this price, it’s great value, too
CONS Feels just a little  imsy and vulnerable to
damage; the 12 hues of light indicating mode are
confusing without the manual to hand
GIT475.rev_mustang.indd 26GIT475.rev_mustang.indd 26 08/07/2021 16:3408/07/2021 16:34