Axe FX as a main rig...

[lespaul3013]

I'm trying to work out a deal on an Axe Fx Standard right now. I just sold my last amp to get some cash in hopes of buying one. What do you guys think about having an Axe Fx as the center of your rig? Is it good enough to handle it?

I figure I would go with an FRFR setup with a GCP and a few expression pedals, but I would also consider poweramp + cab. Should I grab an Axe right now? Or hold out for a tube amp?

I play everything from U2 to Alter Bridge so I need something versatile, relatively light-weight, and reliable.

 

[Nico]

Its not so much about axe vs tube amps. But an issue on how cheap you can get the standard considering the release of the new axe fx 2.

I think when the second unit comes out with all of the hype associated to it, you will probably see them in the sub 1000 range for sure....


Its not that the first unit was a bad unit but considering all that has happened you might pay some now for something that is going deeply down in money.


At least if you buy a used tube amp you know that it wil have already lost most of its new value....

 

[steve_k]

I think you will be disappointed, depending on what you have been playing with in the past.

 

[rupe]

I gigged with one for about a year and loved the sounds I got. My biggest issue was that I couldn't tweak on the fly if I wasn't completely happy with how my rig sounded in a particular room (which has been addressed with the Axe II). It's a great tool, fairly easy to use, and 99.9% of your audience will have no idea that you aren't using a real amp. I preferred using it with a powered FRFR monitor (FBT Verve 12ma) but I've heard others get great results with a power amp and guitar cab. Bottom line is try it and see if it works for you.
That said, I'm using either a Marsha or a Chieftain now depending on the gig but I'll have an Axe again at some point for home use and quick recording.

 

[Nico]

I think you will be disappointed, depending on what you have been playing with in the past.

tube whore

 

[thiswaythatway]

). It's a great tool, fairly easy to use, and 99.9% of your audience will have no idea that you aren't using a real amp. .

I see that said a lot by Axe-Fx users who want to compare with tube amps. But the fact is, you could plug in a 99 dollar pocket Pod into a PA system and 99% of audience wouldn't know or care the difference between that and an Axe-Fx.

 

[rupe]

). It's a great tool, fairly easy to use, and 99.9% of your audience will have no idea that you aren't using a real amp. .

I see that said a lot by Axe-Fx users who want to compare with tube amps. But the fact is, you could plug in a 99 dollar pocket Pod into a PA system and 99% of audience wouldn't know or care the difference between that and an Axe-Fx.

Absolutely...and they wouldn't know the pocket Pod from a real amp either. The point was to get what works for the player...the audience is clueless and doesn't care.

 

[Meathead]

). It's a great tool, fairly easy to use, and 99.9% of your audience will have no idea that you aren't using a real amp. .

I see that said a lot by Axe-Fx users who want to compare with tube amps. But the fact is, you could plug in a 99 dollar pocket Pod into a PA system and 99% of audience wouldn't know or care the difference between that and an Axe-Fx.

Absolutely...and they wouldn't know the pocket Pod from a real amp either. The point was to get what works for the player...the audience is clueless and doesn't care.

Guitar -> iPhone with modelling software -> PA ...how simple would that be, no one in the audience would know or care. Put your guitar in the case and leave.

 

[freeballinusa]

99.9% of your audience will have no idea that you aren't using a real amp.
.

(snipped)

Totally true! The AXE will be fine in this case __ But that last step of the audio fetish would be skipped... It IS a cool fetish..


I think they do not sound as good, as organic, as semi Chaotic(live) as a real amp to do none 'very affected' ones..

In Almost every arena a Dedicated machine can perform it's function in a superior fashion,

Next we will see kids plug into their laptops on stage.. and 'rock'

It is a great box__ just does not replace real amps -- *nothing sounds like nothing, in this case too....

Get a real amp, And wait for a standard to be at your liking as far as price __ You will have both late night recording tool/FX unit/swiss army knife of 2nd best tones (which is useful) and a real amp__ to play guitar with...

 

[Flump]

I use the axe live with a tube power amp (randall) and a guitar cab. I love the sounds I get out of it. Sounds every bit as good as my Egnater Mod 50.

 

[rupe]

). It's a great tool, fairly easy to use, and 99.9% of your audience will have no idea that you aren't using a real amp. .

I see that said a lot by Axe-Fx users who want to compare with tube amps. But the fact is, you could plug in a 99 dollar pocket Pod into a PA system and 99% of audience wouldn't know or care the difference between that and an Axe-Fx.

Absolutely...and they wouldn't know the pocket Pod from a real amp either. The point was to get what works for the player...the audience is clueless and doesn't care.

Guitar -> iPhone with modelling software -> PA ...how simple would that be, no one in the audience would know or care. Put your guitar in the case and leave.

I started a thread about that last fall. Saw a guitarist run direct from his iphone to the PA and get a pretty decent sound (Dual Rec model). It actually stood out very well in the mix...I was shocked.

 

[freeballinusa]

It is a fun novelty- AND powerful tol -- I would surely use such "apps" But dude__ If I have a recording session-- is it gonna be as good as my 67 mod'd super lead? a fortin a fish a VH4? I think not __ I would rather use a Crate club 35 live haha but I do see how awesome it is! hell even sampled string arrangements are awesome! Doesn't stop me from going to the disco yo___

My friend was dropping all his "music apps" on his Ipod it IS astounding you can make a record with it .. And the Axe would be the best of its type..

I WOULD be disappointed if I saw a real band playing digital amps ie: If the melvins or high on fire or bettie serveert had a digital rig -- I would get dis-interested at least partically.. just my opinon -- I think everyone should do what they want and enjoy!

 

[Spaceboy]

There's enough evidence out there on the internet about what the Axe FX is capable of... do a search here on the board, or head over to the Fractal Audio forum. There are countless players that have completely replaced their rigs with the unit, and are very happy. There are, of course, those further down the spectrum who use it for some applications but not their complete rig. You could be potentially be satisfied with it as your all inclusive main rig, but the only way to find out is to try it! It's well worth the time, and they are still reselling decently even with the Axe FX II release, so if you need to move on, flip it for a real amp... or keep it for it's effects and recording capabilities.

The main thing that attracts me to the Axe FX is tonal stability. With traditional guitar rigs, you have to worry about the acoustics of each venue, rig direction, sound man's skill (although that's not completely negated with the Axe FX), the provided mics, etc. If you have an Axe FX, you can go straight into the house PA and be assured you're going to get close to the same sound you've dialed in at home or in the practice spot. Sound checks and setup will go so much smoother. You can also dual output the Axe FX to the PA, and then to your own personal active FRFR monitor or poweramp/cabinet combination.

Too bad I'm a poor college dude and can't feasibly fork out the 1500-2200 for one myself.

 

[Bantam Menace]

Amps I own:

Friedman BE Metro
EVH 5150iii
Mesa MKIII
Marshall 800 Cameron modded
Marshall Jubilee
Marshall 900 SL-X
Fender Bassman 6G6B
8 other Marshalls

All of these amps do 1 (maybe 2) things really well...and I love to play through them. But the advantages of the Axe, especially live, clearly win out for me. My band does 3 sets of covers with about 60 gigs a years and the ease of setup, the amount of gear, the consistency of tone (yes, I love the way it sounds and feels), the durability (my Axe filled with water once and still works!), the ease of controlling it all...it's just not even close for me.

Thankfully it doesn't have to be either/or for me but if it was I'd have no problem choosing the Axe.

 

[rupe]

I WOULD be disappointed if I saw a real band playing digital amps ie: If the melvins or high on fire or bettie serveert had a digital rig -- I would get dis-interested at least partically.. just my opinon -- I think everyone should do what they want and enjoy!

I fail to understand this If the band sounds good, why would anyone care what the source of the sound is? Players have been getting horrible tones out of good amps for quite some time now...using good tube amps is no guarantee for good tone.

Listen with your ears, not your eyes

 

[Meathead]

I WOULD be disappointed if I saw a real band playing digital amps ie: If the melvins or high on fire or bettie serveert had a digital rig -- I would get dis-interested at least partically.. just my opinon -- I think everyone should do what they want and enjoy!

I fail to understand this If the band sounds good, why would anyone care what the source of the sound is? Players have been getting horrible tones out of good amps for quite some time now...using good tube amps is no guarantee for good tone.

Listen with your ears, not your eyes

If I was watching a band and they sounded great (as far as performance and tones) ...and then later found out that the guitarist was running direct with a modeler, I'd be even more impressed.
But this hasn't actually happened yet.

I think some of us love the idea of using tubes too much.

 

[fredster]

I figure I would go with an FRFR setup with a GCP and a few expression pedals, but I would also consider poweramp + cab. Should I grab an Axe right now? Or hold out for a tube amp?

FRFR is fine with the right expectations. An AxeFX through a monitor does not sound like 4x12 cab, never will. It sounds like a mic'ed 4x12 cab, quality depending on the IR you use. This is a critical difference I think some people don't get. Through a power amp to a cab it sounds like an amp in the room because it is. With FRFR, you hear on stage what the audience is hearing (a mic'ed cabinet through the FOH). If you're cool with that, FRFR is awesome. Otherwise stick to power amp + cab. You'll have the option of running a traditional setup on stage while running a cab sim to FOH - consistent "micing" and no bleed or feedback.

IMO, YMMV, etc.

As for timing - I have no idea, there seems to be really good deals on standards right now, don't know if that will stabilize or not. I'm going to get an Axe II, I'm trying to figure out the best time to sell my standard...

 

[lespaul3013]

I'm gonna get a pretty good deal for this Standard...I think I wanna try it out and see how it works. Worst case is that I don't like it and sell it for as much (or more) than I bought it for.

 

[mixohoytian]

I want to try this a s a live rig, but want to keep it 3 space rack, anyone else here ditched the power conditioner to save space?

 

[Spaceboy]

I want to try this a s a live rig, but want to keep it 3 space rack, anyone else here ditched the power conditioner to save space?

What else do you run in your rack to make it 3 spaces? I wouldn't run without a power conditioner, unless you have a quality floor power strip, but you'd still have to pack that around and plug in everything. One space and a simple power conditioner shouldn't be too much space.