Amp Suggestions for Rock and Country

  • Thread starter Thread starter ryanpullin
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ryanpullin":16hdhc2r said:
Because to effectively use the Axe FX, I'd pretty much be just as much in a financial hole than if I just bought a whole new amp all together. I'd have to buy more than just a power amp, and I miss being able to just turn knobs on an amp, as dumb as that sounds. Axe FX has amazing effects and I'd never get rid of it because of it's awesome amp models and it's almost limitless functions, but there's just something about a real amp that you can't beat, in my mind.

And I can't really go direct because a lot of the places my band has played has had really shady PA systems, whether we actually got a good PA or some crappy one some guy had in his basement. We can't even guarantee a good, solid PA so going direct isn't really an option for me right now.
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You should give an active FRFR solution a chance first. Why dont you try using your AXE with a PA like a EV ELX 112p for a gig or two. Its only around 600 bucks and if you dont like it at least your band has a nice PA now.
 
I tried SS and modelers several times over the years for country, and even though the tone may have been fine... there was a lack of clean headroom and that "PUNCH" that tube amps always seem to have. Despite the massive advances that units like the Fractal and Kemper have made in the technology... there's still NO way I'd choose one over a good tube amp to do country. And as the OP mentioned, there's something great about being able to just dial your tone in quick and make a quick tweak of the knob to adjust your sound versus all the digital finger-dancing that some units require (Kemper and Eleven Rack are certainly easier to tweak on-the-fly than the Fractal though).
 
ptgold":2kto624q said:
ryanpullin":2kto624q said:
Because to effectively use the Axe FX, I'd pretty much be just as much in a financial hole than if I just bought a whole new amp all together. I'd have to buy more than just a power amp, and I miss being able to just turn knobs on an amp, as dumb as that sounds. Axe FX has amazing effects and I'd never get rid of it because of it's awesome amp models and it's almost limitless functions, but there's just something about a real amp that you can't beat, in my mind.

And I can't really go direct because a lot of the places my band has played has had really shady PA systems, whether we actually got a good PA or some crappy one some guy had in his basement. We can't even guarantee a good, solid PA so going direct isn't really an option for me right now.
Click to expand...

You should give an active FRFR solution a chance first. Why dont you try using your AXE with a PA like a EV ELX 112p for a gig or two. Its only around 600 bucks and if you dont like it at least your band has a nice PA now.
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This is exactly what I'm trying to avoid. Since Axe FX is relatively new technology compared to tube amps, I have to run the risk of trying out stuff and ultimately taking a loss on it. I'd rather just cut my losses and get a good tube amp that would serve me throughout and allowing me to tweak my tone by buying some pedals and running my Axe FX through the effects loop over buying a PA just to try it out. I'm just a college student and I've sold a majority of my gear so I can have what I have now. I'm in no position to be throwing money around.
 
Red_Label":kuh1gfl6 said:
I tried SS and modelers several times over the years for country, and even though the tone may have been fine... there was a lack of clean headroom and that "PUNCH" that tube amps always seem to have. Despite the massive advances that units like the Fractal and Kemper have made in the technology... there's still NO way I'd choose one over a good tube amp to do country. And as the OP mentioned, there's something great about being able to just dial your tone in quick and make a quick tweak of the knob to adjust your sound versus all the digital finger-dancing that some units require (Kemper and Eleven Rack are certainly easier to tweak on-the-fly than the Fractal though).
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I'm with you on that. I don't mind doin that with stuff like delays and reverbs, but having to do that every time I wanna change my EQ on my amp a little bit gets real old real fast. Plus, there's almost no point in dialing in a tone on my studio monitors when I'll be playing through a speaker cab when playing live. And although someone previously stated getting an FRFR cab, I'd then be ultimately limited to ONLY using the Axe FX at that point because those cabs are designed for modelers. Unlike an actual speaker cab where I can not only run the Axe FX through it with a PA, but I can also run whatever other amp I want through it.
 
[/quote]I'm just a college student and I've sold a majority of my gear so I can have what I have now. I'm in no position to be throwing money around.[/quote]

Why dont you just sell the AXE then? Thats alot of cash to have tied up in just an effects modeler. That way your budget extends into a really awesome amp....like the above mentioned Ecstasy! Thats what I would do.
 
What about a Marshall DSL or Mesa Re-Born rec? Both would easily cover the ground you're looking for and should be in your price range.
 
Find a Maz 38 and let it rip. it is the amp used in much of the country rock. No need to get an amp close to it when you can have the real deal. It is a benchmark amp for good reason. I have a beloved DSL 100. I love that amp. But it ain't a Dr. Z. Although it is cheap, versatile, and pretty much an all around great amp.

Good luck on the tone quest.
 
I'm just a college student and I've sold a majority of my gear so I can have what I have now. I'm in no position to be throwing money around.[/quote]

Why dont you just sell the AXE then? Thats alot of cash to have tied up in just an effects modeler. That way your budget extends into a really awesome amp....like the above mentioned Ecstasy! Thats what I would do.[/quote]

It has a lot of use outside of just effects. The effects, tuner, and it being a backup preamp are all awesome features, plus my band uses it to record our demos so it's not really my favorite idea.
 
TX6Strings":3aqzd6nz said:
What about a Marshall DSL or Mesa Re-Born rec? Both would easily cover the ground you're looking for and should be in your price range.
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Both of those seem a lot more high gain than I really need. Granted, our guitarist uses a Dual Rec, but he never moves from the first couple channels. I know what styles I play and I rarely ever playing anything high gain anymore so an amp geared more to the specific genres I'm looking at playing would be the best bet for me. Not saying I'm not open to having the higher gain channels, but I just don't see the point when there's a lot of awesome amps that are more specifically designed for what I want to play.
 
take a road trip to beckley to guitars plus. randy will have about anything you would like to try out.
 
JackBootedThug":ohhipk3i said:
take a road trip to beckley to guitars plus. randy will have about anything you would like to try out.
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I'll give him a call, see what he's got in stock. Thanks!
 
Peavey Classic 50 4x10 is a killer amp for Rock and Country and can be found cheap. I have an EL34 Shiva and I let my dad's guitarist borrow it for a gig a few weeks back. He is now begging me to sell it to him. They play all Country and he said he liked the Shiva allot better than his DR. Z, and you can find them under $2,000.
 
I could see a Shiva being able to cover both very well. Maybe 6L6.

Can't remember what models but heard teles through DR Z's and sounded amazing for Country.
 
I suggest keeping the Axe Fx and buy a Matrix power amp and a 2x 12 cab with your choice of speakers. The Axe gets killer country and rock tones!
 
I would get a simple JCM 800 2203 like keith urban uses... turn down for your clean chicken pickin and just use a slight overdrive for leads etc... it works
 
You can have all these amps if you go with a Kemper Powerhead. ;)
 
I fake my way through country with a Triaxis & 50/50. Love that Rig! :yes:

 
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