Axe FX VS Egnater M4!

[jimmypage1stfan]

OK so heres the situation..

As most of you know i received a scholarship to Berklee College of music, and i leave on August 31st..

Anyways im getting a rack setup for the dorms and local gigs. I at first thought to have a 16 space rack with the following:

Furman PL-Plus
Korg DTR-2000
Isp Pro Rack G
BBE 882i Sonic Maximizer
Dunlop Crybaby Rack Wah
TC Electronic G-Force
Egnater M4 with Modules
VHT Two/Ninety/Two Power Amp
Drawer of pedals

All powered with maybe a liquid foot, a couple expression pedals, and a volume pedal
And sent stereo into two Egnater 1x12s

A LOT OF MONEY!

......

Now i heard of all the rave for the Axe Fx and im at a total loss.. I mean its about the same price as the m4 but its not tube..
And i wouldnt need the g force either.. Should i really just get a rack setup with the AXE FX Ultra, VHT 2/50/2, Furman Power supply, BBE maximizer, isp Pro rack g, some of my pedals, and maybe the Dunlop rack wah (unless the Axe FX Ultra wah is any good)?

Again powered with the liquid foot, a couple expression pedals, and volume pedal
Again sent into two egnater 1x12s

......

My main point is i dont want buy a small rig and end up selling it, i rather go all out and get one that will last.. And im looking for TONE.

THANKS GUYS!

 

[degenaro]

Stupid question here why do you need a rig that's like 5 grand or more to go study guitar?
I dunno whether things changed that dramatically but the guys at MI in the late 80s where using crap Crate combos, heck used to be my practice amp.

 

[sebby123]

With the Axe-fx you can live with just that and the VHT in no way would you need a sonic maximizer, and isp i believe it has a very good gate on it, plus amazing fx! Axe-fx also is the best for direct stuff so you can record and such to keep you busy without having to crank it!

 

[Tone Merchant]

I would get the axe fx and the atomic cab coming out in early july. The cab is really lite and sounds fantastic

 

[Shark Diver]

Axe and a foot controller that's all I'd take. And a little head phone amp or mixer for listening to the Axe in the dorm room. Any gigs you have run FOH. You'll be much happier, and much easier for your situation. The tone will be great.

 

[Shark Diver]

I would get the axe fx and the atomic cab coming out in early july. The cab is really lite and sounds fantastic

What year?

 

[J.B.]

That's a no brainer really. Just get an Axe Fx and a power amp, or an Axe and a powered monitor like a verve 12ma.

 

[sebby123]

Axe and a foot controller that's all I'd take. And a little head phone amp or mixer for listening to the Axe in the dorm room. Any gigs you have run FOH. You'll be much happier, and much easier for your situation. The tone will be great.

Agreed and shark diver i hate you with a passion! You have made me gas to the point of buying a Suhr S3 with a Trands Blue Denim finish bastard...

 

[Shark Diver]

Axe and a foot controller that's all I'd take. And a little head phone amp or mixer for listening to the Axe in the dorm room. Any gigs you have run FOH. You'll be much happier, and much easier for your situation. The tone will be great.

Agreed and shark diver i hate you with a passion! You have made me gas to the point of buying a Suhr S3 with a Trands Blue Denim finish bastard...

You hate me now, then you'll get it and LOVE me!

Suhrs definitely are great. I saw that pic you posted. That is an awesome finish. At least I like mine:

 

[sebby123]

Yea im stocked It will be a S3 indian rose wood, flame maple top, SS frets black pickguard/pickups and trans blue denim im stocked lets hope my wallet agrees!

 

[jimmypage1stfan]

Ok so i think the majority (well everyone ) thinks the axefx. The thing is i dont want to have to buy a whole new rig after berklee, i mean i have space in the dorms to have a 16 space rack. I just though if i was going to drop the 3k on the axe fx rig i might as well go all out (ive been teaching for 2 years since i was 15 and have made a good chunk of change). Ive just been GASin over a M4, and plus its tube, and it seems like it would be better for live situations.. Is the axe fx really that good in simulating some good tube amps? I just was never into virtual processed amp tones (more of a knob tweekin guy ).. can someone tell me about the effects and your opinion (delays, verbs, wahs, pitchs, etc.)..

So my new rack would probably be just the Axe ultra, Vht 2/50/2, furman.. Should i ditch my other effects? (mxr flanger, phase 90, tube screamer, etc.)

Didnt expect to ask a stupid question

 

[sebby123]

Go listen for yourself man! I think the Delay's and stompbox effects are amazing and worth just having a poweramp-axe-fx rig!

 

[Shark Diver]

. The thing is i dont want to have to buy a whole new rig after berklee,

You're young so we'll let this slide. You'll get a 100 different rigs and they'll all be the last one you'll ever need.

Get the Axe, you'll be able to use it in ways the M4 just can't do.

 

[jimmypage1stfan]

. The thing is i dont want to have to buy a whole new rig after berklee,

You're young so we'll let this slide. You'll get a 100 different rigs and they'll all be the last one you'll ever need.

Get the Axe, you'll be able to use it in ways the M4 just can't do.

thanks for your help man. Axe fx it is! ive been watching some youtube videos and man can the thing do everything except play the guitar for you?!

 

[* velcro-fly *]

Stupid question here why do you need a rig that's like 5 grand or more to go study guitar?
I dunno whether things changed that dramatically but the guys at MI in the late 80s where using crap Crate combos, heck used to be my practice amp.

Thank you, Ed

 

[guitarslinger]

M4--->Axe Fx mainly for Fx---> VHT 2902--->cab

=best tone available in this thread.

Plus, you'll also have the simulation and recording capabilities of the axe on tap at any time.

noise gate = unnecessary with nice gear wired up well.
sonic maximizer = unmentionable and truly unnecessary with decent gear.

 

[dfrattaroli]

I've got both. For portability, you can't beat the Axe Fx and a one-space SS power amp. You won't even miss not having a tube power amp. With a power conditioner, you could get it all in a 4 space case.

We're not comparing tone here. They're both great. I'd be equally happy with either the M4 or Axe in terms of the "quality" of tone. In terms of the "quantity", there is nothing that touches the Axe. Now, consider that in the same box, there are more effects than you'll ever need.

Get the Axe while you're in school. Get an M4 when you get out. Put the 2 together and you have and extremely versatile rig.

 

[Joeytpg]

I've got both. For portability, you can't beat the Axe Fx and a one-space SS power amp. You won't even miss not having a tube power amp. With a power conditioner, you could get it all in a 4 space case.

We're not comparing tone here. They're both great. I'd be equally happy with either the M4 or Axe in terms of the "quality" of tone. In terms of the "quantity", there is nothing that touches the Axe. Now, consider that in the same box, there are more effects than you'll ever need.

Get the Axe while you're in school. Get an M4 when you get out. Put the 2 together and you have and extremely versatile rig.

+111

 

[aeroic]

Ok so i think the majority (well everyone ) thinks the axefx. The thing is i dont want to have to buy a whole new rig after berklee, i mean i have space in the dorms to have a 16 space rack. I just though if i was going to drop the 3k on the axe fx rig i might as well go all out (ive been teaching for 2 years since i was 15 and have made a good chunk of change). Ive just been GASin over a M4, and plus its tube, and it seems like it would be better for live situations.. Is the axe fx really that good in simulating some good tube amps? I just was never into virtual processed amp tones (more of a knob tweekin guy ).. can someone tell me about the effects and your opinion (delays, verbs, wahs, pitchs, etc.)..

So my new rack would probably be just the Axe ultra, Vht 2/50/2, furman.. Should i ditch my other effects? (mxr flanger, phase 90, tube screamer, etc.)

Didnt expect to ask a stupid question

I've owned both an AxeFX and still own an M4. I personally would go the M4 route. For live situations, I just love being able to twist knobs and mess w/ things on the fly if needed. The AxeFX is easy to program, but I just love the tweakability of knobs live. The M4 is something I'll never sell. I just plain love the tone I get from it everytime I fire it up.

On the power amp note, I have owned a VHT 2/50/2, 2/90/2, and 2150. I have loved all three of them. I'd try out a Randall RT2/50. It's easier to swap tubes, has self-bias on the front of the power amp, etc. I am selling my VHT 2/90/2 after getting the RT2/50 if that says anything. The RT2/50 is a killer power amp, that's midi switchable. (Meaning you can have EL34s on one side...5881s on another...or have 6550s totally in there). It's great if you use it either w/ a M4 or AxeFX, so you can use say 6L6's on your Fender Twin type patches..and EL34s for your Marshall tones. I personally run mine w/ GT E34L's and either Svetlana 6550s or Tung Sol 5881s in stereo.

Just food for thought! I do love the AxeFX though, and I want another one someday. I'm holding out for the AxePC though. I want it for recording.

Eric

 

[RockStarNick]

#1. Does your dorm have an elevator?

#2. Are you going to have a van or SUV to drive to local gigs?

#2. Are you sure that your fellow dorm dwellers won't steal and sell this $10,000 rig for weed?

If not, good luck with that rig man...


I highly doubt you're going to allowed to practice in a DORMROOM with a "rack of doom" style rig. I'm going to bet that you have to practice amplified in designated rehearsal rooms in some of the campus buildings. There's probably gonna be some flutist or violin student, who's going to be attempting to compose a sonata or some shit, who is not going to appreciate your shredding thru that VHT stereo rig.

As someone who tried to jam with a halfstack in my dorm room, and got written up by the R.A. countless times. Trust me, trust me, trust me. Get a $100 solid state practice amp and a distortion pedal for practice. Seriously.

A rig like that, in my opinion, is absolutely impractical for your situation.

I can understand that you're a great player, and want to invest in some great gear, and that's FINE. But that's not a convenient rig, by any stretch of the imagination.