Fender Mustang Micro Plus better for bass than original?

[BklynKen]

I've been using a regular Mustang Micro for headphone practice for quite a while now. Other than the built-in tuner, is there anything extra in it for bass? I find the '65 Deluxe amp setting in the Micro sounds cool on bass. It seems you need the app to see all the extras, but the app won't show you anything if you're not connected to the Micro Plus. And since the web site has no mention of bass stuff, I'm assuming no. But hopefully someone here has some real-world experience.

 

[The Pendletone]

I've had the Mustang Micro since it came out, too, and it's been a great bass headphone amp using just the Studio Preamp setting with a smidge of reverb.
But I just got the Plus, and, I must say, the reversal of direction on the little gadget's body is almost worth the redundant investment for the ergonomics alone. Because of the addition of the tiny LCD screen they've turned the graphics and knob orientation around, so now when you have it plugged in while playing the controls are facing you, not facing away from you.
As for the sounds, it's all interface-dependent and not reliant on the tiny colored lights anymore. Which is cool, but it just means now I have one that's phone/tablet dependent, and one that isn't. Which might be cool. But the 60+ default presets it ships with are all mostly overdrive/fuzzy guitar-bro nonsense, for our purposes. The included amp models in the firmware are mostly guitar heads and combos, but there's the Studio Preamp still, as well as a nice sounding "Acoustic Sim" device. When played clean, the Twin and a few other amps sound really good for bass, similar to the Amp Sim in the JHS Punchline. They're either able to be played clean or right at gain-y edge-of-breakup, which can be very useful against the Bluetooth mix. YMMV, but it sounds great and I think I'll get a lot of use out of it, even probably hanging on to the original one as well.
Oh, and I got a 10% "first time order" discount from Fender, buying it direct out of San Bernardino. Not a bad trade for agreeing to get on their marketing list.

 

[BklynKen]

Thanks for the great comments!

 

[pingvuiini]

I received my new Fender Mustang Micro Plus headphone amp yesterday. I was very impressed with the original Micro and the Micro Plus is even better (of course). What compelled me to get the Plus was when I was trying to tune my bass during setup at my last gig. I was using my ambient chromatic tuning app on my iPhone to tune up as usual but we had two guest musicians joining us and they were constantly noodling and I couldn't tune my bass. I borrowed the guitar players Snark headstock tuner and was able to get it done, but I didn't want to be in such a position again. I knew the Micro Plus has a tuner and since you plug it straight into the bass I done figgered there would be no ambient interference from anybody while I tuned up, so I pulled the trigger.

I tested the Micro Plus tuner right away and it works perfectly. Perhaps not as accurate as the iPhone tuner (which I use to intonate my basses), but definitely good enough for tuning up to play. Bluetooth connectivity was a breeze and the ergonomics are a better with the LED screen. I am still fiddling around with the app, but so far it looks promising.

The only annoying thing I've experienced so far is when I play along to a song from my computer or iPhone via bluetooth the Micro Plus cuts off a second or two of the beginning of the song which the original Micro did not.

Most of the settings are still geared for guitar but I was able to find a few settings that are definitely useable for bass. Additionally, Sweetwater had some 10% deal going on that basically eliminated the sales tax plus a little more and allowed me to get the Micro Plus for a few dollars less than the $129.99 price. It actually might have been the Fender discount that Pendletone mentions above passed on by Sweetwater. In any case, I thought it was a great deal and I am more than happy.

 

[LeighOnSea]

Hi,
I got one of these and love it, I dont know the original but found these threads on it:

Thread 'Fender Mustang Micro Headphone Amp'

Feb 18, 2021

Fender Mustang Micro Headphone Amp | Sweetwater

I really like the price and feature list and am looking forward to some reviews -- ideally from a bass perspective.

• CurtHagenlocher
• Replies: 49
• Forum: Amps and Cabs [BG]

• 

Thread 'YOU NEED A FENDER MUSTANG MICRO!'

Jul 23, 2021

Seriously though it adds Bluetooth aux, it's rechargeable, works fantastic, is a usable interface and is only $99. I used to use the amplugs for cable free practice but this is the evolution.

• Nuage420
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Accessories [BG]

• 

and this post Aguilar Amplug 3

I am just wondering, which of the stock settings people use?
And also, if anyone has uploaded any that they made for bass?

WRT noise whilst using whilst charging, I tried my Thinkpad Lappy PSU which I presumer is pretty good quality and it made a whining noise.
So, I thought about using batteries (pure DC) but didnt know if 4.5 V (3 x 1.5) would be enough.
Then I thought of just using one of my powerpacks (those ones for phone / Lappy power backup) since they are 5V and USBC cable already done.
That worked a treat! No noise at all, and its only a cable to your pocket

Perhaps that is a solution for when the internal battery dies too? Its another cable and a powerpack in your pocket but better than throwing it away
@larysb took the original appart, I am not sure how easy it would be to simple replace the internal battery tho - praps an option?

Post in thread 'Aguilar Amplug 3'

Feb 10, 2025

Just got this in the mail today, and I’m super impressed! I have some other headphone amp products. I also have some really nice studio kit with several very expensive DI boxes and an expensive interface with good headphone amp.

This thing sounds great, and is so much more portable than like the Darkglass stomp box I might normally use for sitting out on the back patio practicing along to a song or drum beats.

It could break in two weeks and I wouldn’t know that now. But based on initial impressions- Highly recommend!

Was debating between this and the Fender Mustang Micro...

• IAMPK

• 

 

[stilwel]

Mustang Micro Plus Firmware v1.1.11 Now with Bass amps!

Mustang Micro Plus now includes 10 bass amp models from Rumble Stage and Studio with a free firmware update.

[This invalid link has been removed]

Requires Fender Tone® 5.1 update available for IOS and ANDROID devices.

Version Information 1/14/2026

Release Notes:

• New Bass Amp Models
  • Super Bassman
  • Rumble v3 2x10
  • Rumble v2 1x15
  • Bassman TV
  • Showman 2x15
  • Rockin’ Peg
  • '66 Flip Top
  • Redhead
  • KGB-800
  • Monster

Product Enhancements

• Added 9dB input pad for high output and active instruments
• Added input mute disable for some instruments with high impedance and piezo pickups

Known Issues

• Presets uploaded to the cloud that contain a bass amp model are currently not visible

 

[LeighOnSea]

Great news.
I just got one for my Daughter's birthday
So that I can have mine back

 

[BklynKen]

Too bad there isn't an update with the bass amps for the non-Plus. I guess it's because it's limited to the number of colors on the LEDs. Still, since they still sell it, they could've had a separate bass-specific firmware for it.

 

[LeighOnSea]

I just updated mine,
the [This invalid link has been removed] are slightly different to the ones that come up on the computer wrt USB cable
It worked following the ones online

 

[Isaac_James]

I had been eyeing one of these for a while, I like my Micro but found it lacking in good amp models and effects for bass, and even my Telecaster was pushing the amp hard enough that it was running out of headroom. This update seems to address both of those issues, so I pulled the trigger on one. For those of you using it, how do you like the bass amp models so far?

 

[pbass74]

I just bought a Mustang Micro Plus yesterday and only had time to test it for a few minutes. I was hoping to find more bass amps on there. Then lo and behold, I found the update and now I will have to wait until tomorrow to try it out with the additional bass amps. So far, I'm liking it since I bought it to travel with and practice while in a hotel room.

 

[Isaac_James]

I just bought a Mustang Micro Plus yesterday and only had time to test it for a few minutes. I was hoping to find more bass amps on there. Then lo and behold, I found the update and now I will have to wait until tomorrow to try it out with the additional bass amps. So far, I'm liking it since I bought it to travel with and practice while in a hotel room.

I suppose you've had a chance since posting this, but I got mine a week or so back and have been playing around with the amp models. I like the Super Bassman, Rockin' Peg (SVT), and KGB800 (GK 800RB) models especially. Having two Rumble models in there sort of feels like filler, even though they do sound different. The '66 Flip Top was a little disappointing - I love the sound of an old Portaflex fliptop amp, and I've heard some good sounding models, but I haven't been able to make this one really come alive.

I'm not sure what the "Monster" amp is supposed to be, other than something super high gain, but I don't care at all for it. Cranking the gain on the SVT model sounds much better to me.

Despite some misgivings though, it's really nice to have an update that focuses on the bass player. The Micro Plus was already a big improvement over the original version, now it's even better. The app (on Android) does freeze up on me sometimes, not sure if that's a software issue or a hardware issue though. Once I've got my presets programmed it's not actually necessary, which is nice. The only other headphone amp I've used, besides the original Mustang Micro, is a Vox Amplug so I can't judge how well it does compared to a Katana Go or a ToneX Plug or any of the other ones.

 

[BrentSimons]

I suppose you've had a chance since posting this, but I got mine a week or so back and have been playing around with the amp models. I like the Super Bassman, Rockin' Peg (SVT), and KGB800 (GK 800RB) models especially. Having two Rumble models in there sort of feels like filler, even though they do sound different. The '66 Flip Top was a little disappointing - I love the sound of an old Portaflex fliptop amp, and I've heard some good sounding models, but I haven't been able to make this one really come alive.

I'm not sure what the "Monster" amp is supposed to be, other than something super high gain, but I don't care at all for it. Cranking the gain on the SVT model sounds much better to me.

Despite some misgivings though, it's really nice to have an update that focuses on the bass player. The Micro Plus was already a big improvement over the original version, now it's even better. The app (on Android) does freeze up on me sometimes, not sure if that's a software issue or a hardware issue though. Once I've got my presets programmed it's not actually necessary, which is nice. The only other headphone amp I've used, besides the original Mustang Micro, is a Vox Amplug so I can't judge how well it does compared to a Katana Go or a ToneX Plug or any of the other ones.

Hi there,
I just sold the original version Micro a few weeks ago. I've had the Boss Katana Go for a while now and while they are TONS of options(sometimes too many!) I do find myself struggling with tones sometimes. They are 3 different bass "amps". Modern, Flat and Vintage. Each has a few mid contours each but they aren't any speaker sims. The phone app is pretty slick and allows you to import songs or YouTube vids into a "session" where you can practice via Bluetooth,
I've been looking at the new Micro as well especially after the bass amp update.

 

[Isaac_James]

Hi there,
I just sold the original version Micro a few weeks ago. I've had the Boss Katana Go for a while now and while they are TONS of options(sometimes too many!) I do find myself struggling with tones sometimes. They are 3 different bass "amps". Modern, Flat and Vintage. Each has a few mid contours each but they aren't any speaker sims. The phone app is pretty slick and allows you to import songs or YouTube vids into a "session" where you can practice via Bluetooth,
I've been looking at the new Micro as well especially after the bass amp update.

I looked at the IK Multimedia ToneX Plug, since I've used Amplitube 5 and generally like the amp models they have in that, but that one also seems like it suffers from the issue of too much choice. It also seems to be completely reliant on the app to work and I am wary of anything that requires software to work.

Being able to import YouTube songs into the app for practicing seems like a nice feature, the Micro and Micro Plus both have a Bluetooth connection feature where I can cue up a playlist on my phone and hear that through the headphones - does having it integrated into the app offer anything beyond that, like being able to program certain presets to go with individual tracks?

Elsewhere online, other people have griped about the Android app for the Micro Plus being unreliable, so it seems like it's not just a me thing. Hopefully Fender patches that out soon.

 

[BklynKen]

If you have the money, I thought the Boss WAZA Air Bass was fantastic. I couldn't keep it because of wireless interference, though. YMMV.

 

[Isaac_James]

If you have the money, I thought the Boss WAZA Air Bass was fantastic. I couldn't keep it because of wireless interference, though. YMMV.

That one intrigued me, but for a practice tool it was a lot more than I wanted to spend. Three times as much as what I spent on the Micro Plus (though part of that cost is the headphones, but I already have headphones that do the job fine).

 

[BrentSimons]

I looked at the IK Multimedia ToneX Plug, since I've used Amplitube 5 and generally like the amp models they have in that, but that one also seems like it suffers from the issue of too much choice. It also seems to be completely reliant on the app to work and I am wary of anything that requires software to work.

Being able to import YouTube songs into the app for practicing seems like a nice feature, the Micro and Micro Plus both have a Bluetooth connection feature where I can cue up a playlist on my phone and hear that through the headphones - does having it integrated into the app offer anything beyond that, like being able to program certain presets to go with individual tracks?

Elsewhere online, other people have griped about the Android app for the Micro Plus being unreliable, so it seems like it's not just a me thing. Hopefully Fender patches that out soon.

Completely agree on the ToneX Plug! You really need to be hooked up to a PC. Although I've heard some of the models and they do sound great! The unit itself is feature sparse as well. The Katana Go has a great screen/readout so with a little navigating you can disconnect and play without a phone, tablet etc. and still be fine.

On the Katana Go you do have the ability to slow down, speed up and set markers to practice specific parts. I haven't used any of those functions yet though. I have a few songs saved to warm up my fingers and they are saved on the Tone Studio app. Really convenient. I don't believe you can program presets.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[BklynKen]

That one intrigued me, but for a practice tool it was a lot more than I wanted to spend. Three times as much as what I spent on the Micro Plus (though part of that cost is the headphones, but I already have headphones that do the job fine).

I like my Mustang Micro a lot, but the biggest advantage to the Boss was that it was completely wireless.

 

[Isaac_James]

I like my Mustang Micro a lot, but the biggest advantage to the Boss was that it was completely wireless.

That would be nice, but the headphone cord has never bothered me that much. The one major issue I have with the general design of these units is that they're really hard to see when they're plugged in to a jack on the side (or bottom, if you're wearing it on a strap). It'd be nice if they came either with a cord and a clip to put it on your strap or belt, or even a short extension cord. Sure, I can buy one for not very much, but... it's kind of annoying to use a plug like that on most of my basses!

 

[mattattack187]

Finally decided to pull the trigger on the Micro Plus after I saw that the new firmware update included bass amps. IMO Fender has the nicest user interface between the three plugs I own (ToneX, Boss Katana GO). The amps sound fantastic. I love the SVT with my P Bass and the Fender Bassman with my Jazz Bass. The effects such as chorus and envelope could be a litter better IMO and I would like to see a pitch shifter added so I can downtune 1/2 to whole step which is pretty much what I'm using the Katana GO for now.