Axe-fx vs Tube Amps... my first experience.

[hunter]

We then disconnected the QSC and connected the SLA2 and it sounded even worse... I've always heard folks saying that it sounds great but it really sounded bad... I don't get what folks hear in the SLA2.

When I first got my AxeFx I tried a bunch of different amps. The SLA2, Mesa 2:100, Fryette 2/50/2, OD100se+ power section and my Egnater Seminar head power section.
At the time my order of preference was:
OD100
Mesa 2:100
Fryette 2/50/2
Egnater
SLA2

I was able to tweak the AxeFx by adding a PEQ and GEQ block to get the SLA2 to sound more like the Mesa 2:100, not by any means perfect, however very close.

My criteria for a poweramp was: stereo, weight, cost, size and tone.
Lets face it the SLA 2 is very inexpensive. If I had the extra bucks I would definitely go for the Mesa 2:100 or Fryette but they cost at least $1200 more where I am in Canada.

This is not saying that the AxeFx is way better than tube amps or vise versa, this is not saying that the AxeFx needs tube power to sound great. What I'm saying is that any amp that costs $299 probably is not in the same tone category as an $1800 poweramp.

Is the ART SLA2 the best amp for the AxeFx or any preamp....FUCK NO!!! Is it a light, inexpensive single rack space LOUD stereo amp that can work well with the AxeFX..yup.

Before anyone starts slagging me for the AxeFx.....I still own and love my tube amps and I love my AxeFx.

The only thing that's better than both is of course is, bacon...but that's a whole different discussion.

Mark

Dude that is just wrong! Parma ham is MUCH better than bacon!

 

[Clawfinger]

Gotta love how this thread derailed. YEAH BACON!

 

[Mailman1971]

........The only thing that's better than both is of course is, bacon...but that's a whole different discussion.

Mark

MMMMMMMMMMMMM...............BACON.......

That stuff is in a League of its own!

 

[thiswaythatway]

Here's some serious bacon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQwY9xH6 ... re=related

 

[mortega76]

Gotta love how this thread derailed. YEAH BACON!

That's what I love about this forum... derail this fucking train!!!!!!!! hahhahahahahaha

 

[Drkorey]

Great to hear your impression of the Mak4. I've got one on order and a 2-90-2 waiting for it.
And marked for the settings you played at to try when mine ships in 6-8 weeks

 

[Ricky Rockhardo]

sure did. They don't distribute in Texas. We were up in Columbus visiting relatives - I was just too close not to bring a keg home with me. Usually I'd bring home 5 cases in bottles, but I have the kegerators now. Screw the amps, this is really the best gear I own.

SO MUCH WIN!!
Between your mega rig and the dual kegerators you must never leave your house (room if they are all in the same location)

Yeah another 2 hrs or so up to Cleveland isn't much to tack on to the trip back.

 

[mattTHERIPPERsanchez]

Yeah, Matt is a really cool dude. We've had a few phone convos comparing and contrasting our various setups, and he's a very likeminded guy. Next time I'm down in San Antonio, I've gotta check out your rigs, man!

Paul is awesome too. We had a few convos as well, and I share his love for Mesa Cabs

 

[Digital Jams]

Zappa replaced his entire crazy rack with the axefx for his euro rig.

Devin Townsend, creator of one of the heaviest albums of all time uses the axefx.

Steve Vai of stadium rack use and supersoaker uses the axefx.

I think these guys know what is up.

 

[Rogue]

Zappa replaced his entire crazy rack with the axefx for his euro rig.

Devin Townsend, creator of one of the heaviest albums of all time uses the axefx.

Steve Vai of stadium rack use and supersoaker uses the axefx.

I think these guys know what is up.

Yeah, you hear endlessly about how people are tirelessly chasing these guys tone.

 

[Digital Jams]

Zappa replaced his entire crazy rack with the axefx for his euro rig.

Devin Townsend, creator of one of the heaviest albums of all time uses the axefx.

Steve Vai of stadium rack use and supersoaker uses the axefx.

I think these guys know what is up.

Yeah, you hear endlessly about how people are tirelessly chasing these guys tone.

Point.................................missed.

 

[Rogue]

Point.................................missed.

Perhaps their tone isn't all that desired, which may or may not be indicative of their tonal discriminating taste.

10 internet dollars says Vai doesn't use an amp sim on the next cd.

 

[ejecta]

Point.................................missed.

Perhaps their tone isn't all that desired, which may or may not be indicative of their tonal discriminating taste.

10 internet dollars says Vai doesn't use an amp sim on the next cd.

You may be right and we know before Vai said he was using the Axe people here were just raving about the new Legacy II.

My new amp rig... I'm running the send out of the back of my Carvin Legacy II into the Axe-FX and then back out of that returning two two Carvin Legacy heads. Amazing Flexibility. It's a powerful combination. - Steve Vai

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paducah-K ... !/stevevai

 

[Digital Jams]

Point.................................missed.

Perhaps their tone isn't all that desired, which may or may not be indicative of their tonal discriminating taste.

10 internet dollars says Vai doesn't use an amp sim on the next cd.

I know what amp he uses and who looks after it

All I know is that these guys are pros and have had the greatest equipment in rock and they have axefx, just looking at it for what it is and no I do not own an axefx.

 

[mortega76]

Point.................................missed.

Perhaps their tone isn't all that desired, which may or may not be indicative of their tonal discriminating taste.

10 internet dollars says Vai doesn't use an amp sim on the next cd.

I know what amp he uses and who looks after it

All I know is that these guys are pros and have had the greatest equipment in rock and they have axefx, just looking at it for what it is and no I do not own an axefx.

Most of the "heavy hitters" have admittedly only used the Axe-fx for effects including Vai. Dweezil is going full out FRFR with the Axe-fx into a couple of Atomic Reactors. I have no clue what Devon is using...

 

[Digital Jams]

Point.................................missed.

Perhaps their tone isn't all that desired, which may or may not be indicative of their tonal discriminating taste.

10 internet dollars says Vai doesn't use an amp sim on the next cd.

I know what amp he uses and who looks after it

All I know is that these guys are pros and have had the greatest equipment in rock and they have axefx, just looking at it for what it is and no I do not own an axefx.

Most of the "heavy hitters" have admittedly only used the Axe-fx for effects including Vai. Dweezil is going full out FRFR with the Axe-fx into a couple of Atomic Reactors. I have no clue what Devon is using...

Devin overseas was using the sims.

 

[Rogue]

All I know is that these guys are pros and have had the greatest equipment in rock and they have axefx, just looking at it for what it is and no I do not own an axefx.

The pics I saw had the AxeFX being used as storage space for papers, hats, and chocolate bars, with his guitar plugged into his Legacy combo. When he's actually using it, that will be something to say.

Of course, I think the AxeFX would be an improvement to his tone.

 

[ejecta]

All I know is that these guys are pros and have had the greatest equipment in rock and they have axefx, just looking at it for what it is and no I do not own an axefx.

The pics I saw had the AxeFX being used as storage space for papers, hats, and chocolate bars, with his guitar plugged into his Legacy combo. When he's actually using it, that will be something to say.

Of course, I think the AxeFX would be an improvement to his tone.

Yeah I wish he would go back to the tone he had on Eat 'Em And Smile or Alien Love Secrets. As far as he goes that was two of his best IMHO.

 

[Bishop5150]

Nothing burps better than bacon!

 

[RedB4Black]

Yeah, Matt is a really cool dude. We've had a few phone convos comparing and contrasting our various setups, and he's a very likeminded guy. Next time I'm down in San Antonio, I've gotta check out your rigs, man!

Paul is awesome too. We had a few convos as well, and I share his love for Mesa Cabs

hey Matt. If you are ever down this way, let me know, we'll set something up.

I've actually been thinking about a mini ampfest in August, but maybe we should do our annual Texas ampfest in Austin at that time. You should definitely be making the trip down for that. Usually it's in November. We don't cover our ears or use earplugs like those NY H.O.M.o's do at their ampfests (relax you NYer's just bustin' balls ). I know Dave (Rickey Bobby on HCAF) usually plans it - but he's been talking about making a trip down to SA as well.

Paul sold his Mesa cabs. He now has 2 Mills Afterburners with v30s/GK-100s in them. I think the kicker happened one day when we had one of the Mesas next to the Mills and it couldn't hang when we were blasting his ENGL SE.