Alex Lifeson goes digital

[JimAnsell2]

minimalizing with memes...ok, well its up to you to think about this shit....if you don't, it doesn't bother me. i'm just putting out a factor to be considered.

 

[stephen sawall]

It's interesting that it seems to be very regional. I backed a friend of a friend in Clarksdale MS last year and all of us had Twin Reverbs, LOL. The south moves a little more slowly I guess. There are also a lot of venues that don't really have much in the way of F.O.H so that probably is a factor too. A good number of clubs still won't complain if you crank up a bit so I would guess that's also behind some of it.

I use a half stack and a real ďrum set. So I go look at the venue to see if the place is ready for a real band. Some places here expect zero stage volume.
I have had to cancel shows. I am playing Saturday. All three bands using full rigs.
I decided to use a Triple Rectifier.

 

[rsm]

It's interesting that it seems to be very regional. I backed a friend of a friend in Clarksdale MS last year and all of us had Twin Reverbs, LOL. The south moves a little more slowly I guess. There are also a lot of venues that don't really have much in the way of F.O.H so that probably is a factor too. A good number of clubs still won't complain if you crank up a bit so I would guess that's also behind some of it.

I've seen a few Katanas used by bands here, but mostly tube combo amps in the smaller clubs, Fender, Blackstar, Vox, Marshall, Victory. Once a 5150 iconic combo.

 

[JimAnsell2]

yup...most people don't come with counter arguments, because its too hard on their own ego. i get it. we're all guitar players after all. we're all gods right?

 

[VonBonfire]

I think for most small to medium bar gigs, unless you're in a wedding type cover band covering a wide range of different bands / genres or silent stage digital makes sense IMO, taking a small tube amp rig and effects is easy enough if you're playing a single or similar set of genres.

A global tour and needing to cover decades of your own material, I can see using a digital rig. IIRC correctly Metallica paid or hired someone to program their Fractals, maybe some help from Fractal. I think if Alex called my company wanting to use my digital modeler product, I'd make sure to help, and make sure he's happy with the results.

I think if Alex, Steve Howe, Metallica, etc. thought it sounded like shit, they wouldn't use it.

I suppose it depends on the genre. Blues is old school so backline is provided and that usually means a Fender tube amp of some sort. Tbh I don't want to play guitar anymore if I have to use digital crap. That's not why I got into it to begin with. The toggle switches, the dials, the chrome, the beautiful faceplates, the thunder of a loud amp. To me anything digital is a tone suck and a kill joy.

 

[rsm]

I suppose it depends on the genre. Blues is old school so backline is provided and that usually means a Fender tube amp of some sort. Tbh I don't want to play guitar anymore if I have to use digital crap. That's not why I got into it to begin with. The toggle switches, the dials, the chrome, the beautiful faceplates, the thunder of a loud amp. To me anything digital is a tone suck and a kill joy.

I'd think the same for hard rock and metal too. My DSL40CR with a few effects, would cover most classic rock; I recall Mesa and Engl have high gain combos that would be fine for metal IMO. You need a set of core tones I'd say at least 3, probably no more than 8, for most genres, not dozens of them.


I enjoy my tube amps and digital gear, but just a hobby for me for many years now. I have tube amps that I like; I'd have more if there was room. I get other sounds from my digital gear.

Another reason why I prefer modeling over captures - I use the modeler for amps and effects I don't have. no need to capture tube amps I have, I just use the tube amps.

I've yet to see a digital modeler in the smaller bars that have live music. Mostly tube combos, and few digital amps.

 

[stephen sawall]

I often joke with my drummer about getting a digital set so we can play all venues.

I just bought a Marshall 6100. Alex used it as his main rig for years. Curly was the name of the amp.

Wonder if I can teach the band a sets worth of Rush tonight ? For Saturday. 28 minute version of Working Man and my half ass 2112.