FM65R Review

The combo features a new 12 in. Fender Special Design driver, dual channels, on-board spring Reverb and the new Mid Contour switch. This switch allows players to get all kinds of distortion tones, including rock, blues, metal and more.

Features:	8.3
Sound:	9
Reliability:	8.9
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	8.8
Users rating:	6.9
Comments:	14

Featured review by: unregistered, on october 12, 2004

Price paid: $ 364.8

Features: This amp was made in 2004. The FM65 is extremely versatile and I can get any sound from blues, rock, metal, punk to grunge by Fiddling with the tone settings/pressing mid contour switch in (great for nu metal). It has pre out and in so you can have an effects loop, and has a one button footswitch. I wish it had chorus onboard (it has reverb) and it would have been good to have remote switching of the mid contour. I Just got it, so I've only used it in my aparment, albeit no louder than 4 on clean and 3 on distortion, when I cranked it up in the store it was loud, and It would be A good size for most gigs (if you're playing the Sydney Entertainment Centre you'd be miked up anyway!) // 8

Sound: I Play a Squire AES-100 that ive put an active tone circut into, and fixed the trem on it, and it goes well with the Amp, I can get any sound I want out of it, (not)surprisingly my guitar with this amp has a better sound than my firends '54 Strat reissue. I havnt had a chance to crank it up, but it sounds like it just gets better at high volumes. // 10

Reliability & Durability: I've only had it a day, so I don't really know wether it is that reliable, I would play it at a gig without a backup (as I don't have one.) // 8

Impression: I play punk/rock mostly and it suits me fine, I've been playing a little over a year and a half now. If it were stolen or lost I would chase the motherf--r down and kill him, then get my amp back. I wouldn't, I just would get really pissed off cause my grandma bought it for me and I couldn't get another one cause I'm poor. // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on july 19, 2006

Purchased from: Thomann Musicstore

Features: I'mnotgoing to list everything it's got, you got the Fender website for that. 2 channels: clean and drive; reverb, it's got almost everything you need as a guitarist. It could have more special effects like chorus, delay, like on the Marshall MG series, but this way you get a relatively cheap amp and if you need anything else, sou can just buy whatever you need insteadof getting shitty onboard effects. It's a solid state amp, 65 W power, enough for smaller gigs, rehearsals (although the other bandmates are overtrumping me with 100w and a half-stack), definetely enough for home-practice. // 9

Sound: I use a Ibanez GRG170DX, but am looking on upgrading to a more professional guitar. I play it through a DigiTech Metal Master and it covers all the basic sounds I need. I play Hard rock and Metal mostly and some other styles, but mainly those 2 and this amp is really good for it. The cleanchannel is really good with a warm, clear Fender tone. the kind of tone you'd expect from a Vintage amp (although I have no idea how somethinglike that sounds like). Ineer use the second channel, cause I can't switchto it with a footswitch. I've tried it on several occasions, but onlygot decent rock tones out of it. I'm probably doing something wrong, but hey, I don't need it with the Metal Master. I canget really very good tones out of this amp. The only thing that sucks is the sustain, but Ithink that'sbecause the guitar is shitty. I usually have the bass and treble settings a bit higher than half-way, just to giveit enough of low-end without getting to muddy, just staying really clear and brutal, like the cutting edge of a knife. Could do with a better 2nd channel but I don't really need it. // 8

Reliability & Durability: It's dependable. It's solid state so It won't brake down cause of the tubes, The cables on the backside are loose but if you don't tug on it nothing should happen. I did have a problem withit a few days after I got it, it wouldn't turn on. So I sent it back to the store andgot a new one. Haven't had problems since. // 9

Impression: I'm a metalhead withsometastes for mellower music and this amp is great cause itgives you all the basics, it's cheap and you can expand with effects and stuff. If it got stolen and I wouldn't have any moneyI would buy this again, cause it's cheapness makes upfor the lack of extra features. If you're looking for a solid rock amp, thisis for you. If not, the cleans are still really good and you cann always get effects for it. I onlywish I had bought the footswitch with it, maybe I wouldhave figuredout a metal tone for it. // 9

overall: 9.5

Reviewed by: Weybl Himself, on march 24, 2005

Price paid: $ 338.2

Purchased from: Billy Hyde Music

Features: Brand new when I got it, so made in 2004. This amp does everything I've tried absolutely beautifully. Heavy metal, emo, jazz, blues, hard rock, whatever you wanna do, you can do it with this thing. It's a pretty simple setup, 2 channels, clean and drive and can be bought with a footswitch to switch between them, has pre-out and power in jacks so you can create effects loops or link it up to another amp for a bit of extra grunt, not that you'd need it because this thing is plenty loud. 65 watts but this thing could match it with a Marshall 100 watt on sheer noise. Pleanty of guts for any player here. I use this amp at home and at gigs, works great for home with the volume below 3, for gigs you can crank it up as high as you like and it's perfect for small club gigs. Solid state monster this one. // 10

Sound: I'm using a Squier Fat Strat through this bad boy and it sounds incredible. In my opinion the tone from Fender amps is just magnificent and obviously paired up with any strat copy this amp would make a great sound. As I said handles any music style you like to play, I use it primarily for a hard rock/emo sound and the mis contour switch on the drive channel comes in very handy to get a nice ballsy sound. Does give a bit of buzz on the drive channel and the reverb is useful but it would be nice to have a chorus effect just for a little bit more versatility. The clean stays clean as high as I've gone so I can't complain there and the distortion ranges from ball stompingly heavy to a nice touch of overdrive. // 10

Reliability & Durability: I would, and have used this amp at a gig without backup, simply because I can't afford it. I link it to my old Samick 22 watt amp just for a touch of extra volume and to add a bit of bite thanks to the Samicks enhanced high range. I haven't had any problems with this amp and it's built like a tank so theres no worries I can see there. // 8

Impression: This amp has done every style I've tried perfectly. It's easiest sound to attain is a nice gutsy hard rock sound thanks to the EQ mid contour on the drive channel and the amp sounds most at home with this sound. I've been playing for 7 years and this amp pairs up beautifully with my guitar and my Ibanez DS7 pedal, it even manages to give a good sound to my Yamaha APX electric/acoustic so it's a very versatile amp. If lost or stolen I'd definately get another. The mid contour is possibly it's handiest feature and you can't help but love that Fender tone. I compared this amo to an Ashton GA80 and Ashton GA100 and this thing is meaner, louder and quite simply superior. As I said, would be nice to have a chorus effect but none the less a truly mighty amp. // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on march 14, 2006

Price paid: $ 289.8

Features: This is a solid state amp but I think it fells like a tube amp. The amp has 65 Watt of power so it's more than enough for most of us. // 8

Sound: I think it sounds great, I'm trying to get that AC/DC type of sound and I believe I'm pretty close when I'm using this amp. I tried it at the store and I just had to buy it. The distorsion fells "real" in a way that many of the previous amps I've owned never did. The clean sounds really nice as well. I've also compared it with Roland cube and Vox AD amps and this sounds much better to me. Another thing I like is that it's pretty quiet even when the drive is turned all the way up. // 10

Reliability & Durability: It seems sturdy but I haven't used it so long. // 8

Impression: My style of music is Classic Rock and Metal. I really think the distorsion is great on this amp no hiss in the background that other digital amps have. I have played 5 years and own an Tubescreamer TS808 and an Guitarport. One thing I wish it had would be some effects that's always nice to have. // 9

overall: 7.5

Reviewed by: Zakkcd, on may 25, 2009

Price paid: $ 250

Purchased from: GC Online

Features: No idea as to the year, but it doesn't really matter as they haven't been made for too long. Normally, this amp would never be versatile enough for all the different styles I play. But I run my Strat first through a DigiTech RP500 multi FX with amp modeling then to this. It has two channels: clean and OD. Clean is perfectly fine, and actually nice, but the overdrive is horrible. That is not only because it is solid state, but also because it is just poorly done. It has a pre out and an in, I think for FX loop (not sure but don't really care). No headphone jack. I wish it had mid-range EQ control for the clean channel, but I normally just leave it on a flat EQ anyway. // 6

Sound: Through my Strat and RP, it works for diff. Styles. Otherwise you'd only want to use the clean channel. It is a bit fuzzy at lower volumes, but that may not just be it. I've haven't been able to crank it all the way, so I don't know when it starts to clip, because it is really loud. But, like I said, great clean sounds. // 7

Reliability & Durability: Dependable and reliable. Not going to break apart or down. SS, so obviously no tube changing, though I'd rather go with the tubes. // 10

Impression: It works perfectly fine for The Music I play WHEN I use the multi FX. Other than that, bah. Before buying it, I wish I had known what I was getting. Would have been nice, and I would have gone with a good small (relatively) tube amp. If it were to be stolen, I would go out and but a Vox Night Train head with an Avatar cab instead of this. But til that happens, I'm going to be fine with this. One word of advice: Don't buy online before you try offline. Saves a whole lot of regret and money. // 7

Reviewed by: unregistered, on march 25, 2009

Price paid: A$ 500.00

Features: Two channels, clean and overdrive. 3 band EQ on the overdrive, 2 band on the clean. Has a built in reverb, lines in and out for an effects loop, and two inputs depending on whether you have active or passive pick-ups. Very little in the way of variety, only two mildly different overdrive sounds. I keep the mid-contour on all the time, but that's just what I'm in to. My reverb stays off all the time as I despise any reverb in general, but the majority of others love it. Rated 6 due to an overall lack of actual features. // 6

Sound: I'm using an Ibanez ART300 with stock LZ1 pick ups. I play mostly rock with a bit of punk and metal thrown in to the mix on top. It suit's me well most of the time when I play it at low volumes, but when I get to practices or whatever, I find myself getting irritated with the overdrive due to an excessive amount of hum, even when it's is still only up a third of the way. The distortion is not very ballsy either. Not only does it need to be turned right up, but it still isn't very heavy. If your a metal head, steer clear of this amp. While I am not a huge fan of the overdrive channel, the clean is fantastic! It has that really sparkly, Fender clean sound to it. In terms of sound, the clean is the one redeeming feature on this amp. It is very very loud for a 65 watt amp, out performing anything else in the same power range and even some other amps in higher ranges. // 7

Reliability & Durability: I have never had any problems with this amp. It is durable and will withstand a fair beating as long as you don't trash it and just take general care of it. I would use it at a gig without a back-up if I had no other alternative, but because of the terrible hum I get from the overdrive channel, I would personally rather use something else. Very durable and reliable though. // 9

Impression: Overall impression? Being a bit of a rocker, I use the overdrive channel almost all the time. Due to the hum, this does not suit me at all. However, for the average blues of jazz player looking for that classic Fender tone, this is a brilliant practice amp or could even be used for small gigs due to it's incredible volume. However, I would recommend that you don't turn it up super loud as it starts to lose it towards the top end. But if you ever needed to go that loud, you should really have something else. It can put an un-miked drum kit to sham, even at 40% volumes. // 7

overall: 9.5

Reviewed by: danastasi, on october 24, 2005

Price paid: $ 303.24

Purchased from: Mega Music

Features: This amp has tons of features. I play everything from death metal to clean blues, this amp can do it all. The distortion setting is mean as, and the clean setting is really clear and has no distortion, even at high volumes. For a 65 watt amp, this thing is loud. You wouldn't beleive how loud this is for a 65 Watt amp, it's awesome. It would be cool if it had a headphone jack, but it can be cranked up too loud, so you'd probably end up going deaf. When I went to buy it, I was shown a series of other, smaller amps for roughly the same price as this, but they had absolutely nothing on the FM65R. This amp is unreal. // 9

Sound: I use this amp with an Ibanez RG1710 and the amp compliments it really well. The amp is awesome for any type of music you want to play. For all types of metal, the distortion channel is loud and heavy. Great for brutal metal. The mid-contour is awesome for getting heaps of different distortion sounds. For clean sounds, such as blues, the sound is realy clear. The clean channel does not get distorted even on high volumes. This amp can produce stacks of different sounds and is really versatile. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This thing is dependable. I would definitely use it at a gig without a backup. When I first bought the amp, the fuse didn't work so they put in a bigger fuse at no cost and I've never had a problem since! It is really reliable. No problems whatsoever. // 9

Impression: As stated earlier, this thing is awesome for any type of music. I play Slayer, Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy, Children Of Bodom, Metallica, Lamb Of God, Megadeth, Misfits, Opeth, Slipknot, Killswitch Engage, Van Halen, Unearth, Watch Them Die, etc. I also play a lot of softer clean music, such as some Opeth, jazz, blues, Eric Clapton, etc. This amp does it all with no problems. I have only been playing for about a year now, but this amp has made me want to practice heaps because it's so good. It it was lost of stolen I would definitely get another, if I couldn't I may get something a bit bigger. I love almost everything about this amp, and my friends do as well. The brutal distortion is definitely my favorite feature, it is punishing. Before I bought this, I was shown heaps of smaller amps for about the same price, like a smaller Marshall, Line 6, etc, but they had nothing on this amp. This amp was cheap in comparrision and has more features than you can poke a stick at! // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on april 25, 2005

Features: // 10

Sound: so far I've played an Ovation electric guitar and a Tokai Strat copy and both of them sounded great. Cranked right up it has very good sound with no distortion on the clean channel whatsoever. It even sound great with and acousitc played on it. The distotion can be as brutal as you want it. // 10

Reliability & Durability: // 10

Impression: I like to play rock and bluesy sorta stuff have been playing for a couple of years now and this amp is perfect for me. I didn't want a big box sitting around and this way I still get the grunt I need in this little amp. I love the clean channel with a Strat sounds absoluetely awesome. I'd definetly buy another one if it were stolen. Well done Fender on this quality amp for a minimal cost. // 10

Comments

[hippieking24]

works best with fender guitars, not so good with other brands.

[hagstrom f200]

I have had this amp for about 8 months. This amp is really loud, its a 65w. But ive noticed that it will make a weird sound if its loud and you hit the low e palm muted i dont know why but it rings and doesnt sound to good but oh well good amp.

[METAL4LYF]

i got this amp and when i use it with my effects pedal the ME50 boss i cant get the distorion on the drive channel of the amp. can anyone help me with this. PM me plz..

[iamwangzilla]

i have a fender deluxe 112 from like the 90's and i really think its just the american made, better version of this one. this one is "upgraded" but for real, theres not much more to this and wtf on the clean channel theres no mid knob! mine has one, and mine is over 13 years old. in my opinion, this is a good amp, it was just made in china, which totally takes away the goodness out of it.

[strat_7]

hows the distortion channel??

[morsie]

I use a Stratocaster with this amp and it is awsome. The distortion is great, and sound is awsome, three thumbs up

[neptune1988]

how heavby is it? what's a good comparison as to how heavy it is?

(I have weak arms...

[armyfromitaly2]

i'll have fm65r today..am i going right??

[neptune1988]

Someone said the fuse doesn't work. WHAAATTT!!!???!!!

then, there's nothing to protect from shock!!! *FREAKS OUT*

I heard somewhere that the electronics are unreliable. Well, by nature, it's a SS, so yeah, don't expect much from it.

But like unreliable in what way?


Seriously, what if the fuse don't work, what happens? I thought the fuse is there to protect you from electrocution. Right?

[lespaul#1]

It weighs 32 pounds.

[super_richie]

neptune1988 :
Someone said the fuse doesn't work. WHAAATTT!!!???!!!

then, there's nothing to protect from shock!!! *FREAKS OUT*

I heard somewhere that the electronics are unreliable. Well, by nature, it's a SS, so yeah, don't expect much from it.

But like unreliable in what way?


Seriously, what if the fuse don't work, what happens? I thought the fuse is there to protect you from electrocution. Right?


Dont worry your silly little head. The fuse is not there to protect you from getting electrocuted. It is there to protect the components inside the amp; if there is a power surge "which are quite common" then the fuse (found in the plug) will burn out and break the circuit. So all you need to do is replace the fuse (which cost about 60p in the UK, dont know where your from). But yeah, the same happens in TV's, radios, kettles, microwaves, etc.

So no you won't die, nor will your amp be destroyed.

[parathy_r]

Does the 'pre out' work like a 'line out'? Can i use the 'pre out' to amplify it via the pa system or do i need to mike it? thanks in advance...

[Pink_blood]

Has anyone played a les paul through it?

[Ice-mAn]

I've got one of these, currently playing a stock ICT-700 Iceman through it, this things clean tone is amazingly clear, the on amp distortion is rather poor, and the mid-contour just takes the mid-range down but your still left with an aweful muddy sound, remedy that with a pedal i suggest, i did, it performs pretty well playing metal through a Korg effects processor, but im pretty soon upgrading my rig, getting pickups (blackouts) and a new pedal, most likely a line-6 or boss or something...something nice n mean, im hoping that this amp will be able to deliver, but i dont think fenders are ideally used for metal, ill find out i guess =\.... itll give me an excuse to buy a new one tho :P