A couple weeks ago I picked up a Fender FR-12 to use with one of my HX Stomps. It's a keeper. This is the first FRFR that I've been able to dial in well enough to satisfy my 4x12 loving a$$. And this is using the stock 3.50 cabs. Haven't tried any IRs yet, but I haven't used IRs with my Line 6 stuff since 3.50 came out.

Ironically, though, it took different speaker sims than the real speakers I use in my 4x12s. I was trying to match one of my Greenback (blend of G12EVH and Heritage G12H30 55hz) 1960B cabs. But I ended up using the Brit G12T75 4x12 and Brit V30 4x12 sims. But, eh, whatever it takes.

Took it to band practice a week ago too and it sounded great, and is plenty loud. Also, the key to make it sound good is to run line level into the front end. Instrument levels don't sound all that great.

Overall I can hear a little artificial digital thing going on with it, but it's negligible and easily ignored.

I need another amp like a submarine screen doors, but have been eyeballing these for awhile. The only non-tube amp in the house is a little PG Spark that I travel with, but that's all it's for. This is an interesting offer from Fender to be sure.

Do you have a modeler or preamp pedals? Because you'll need that to make that work correctly. Also, you'll need to hit the front end of the Fender with a line level signal to get it to sound the best. I tried it at instrument levels and it didn't sound as good.

It’s interesting how they have repackaged acoustic amplifiers for modeler setups, and charge some real coin. I ended up with two little Alto PA wedges with mine, and was $200 for the pair of them.

Hell, that dude in Polyphia uses an acoustic amp for stage monitoring.

Yeah, but there's something going on with these that makes them sound more like a real amp. More than other FRFR stuff I've tried and/or heard.

After hammering on the FR12 since I got it, I fired up the Helix Rack/Peavey Classic 50/50 poweramp/Greenback & CV75 loaded Marshall 1960B cabs rig. Yeah, the tube poweramp and real 4x12s are still king, but the FR12 still sounds good enough in the mix and pretty much nobody in any audience is going to care either way.

I ordered a Blackstar Dept 10 Boost. The reviews are saying that it adds tube harmonics and sparkle. I'm going to try it between the Stomp and the FR12. I'll report back.

My drummer called off practice today, so I didn't get to try the Blackstar pedal for it's intended use. But so far, in front of my Helix Rack that runs into my Peavey Classic 50/50 and into Marshall 1960Bs, it definitely does add a livelyness to the sound and feel. I'm hoping I can push the front end of it with the Stomp like I do with the Helix Rack pushing the front end of the Peavey, and get similar results.

I still use a small Alto 210 with a modeler sometimes. Sounds just fine for home studio use with minor EQ.

Well, I've been experimenting with this pedal between one of my HS Stomps and the FR12. Pushing the front end of the pedal too hard creates a crappy squishy distortion. I'll have to experiment some more.