Axefx AX8 - still worth it in 2022?

[Bash_Man]

Is the AxeFx AX8 still worth it in 2022 to buy as either a main rig setup or backup rig? I guess for live you can go FOH or use a matrix Poweramp with it through a cabinet and also send a signal through FOH.

thoughts?

Thanks for any input.

 

[ghosty999]

I would say it's still a fantastic solution. Same Quantum engine as the AxeFX 2. The AxeFX 2 still sounds as good as when it came out haha!
You can run Output 1/2 to FOH, then run Output 3/4 with can sim off into the Matrix and a cab

 

[Racerxrated]

Depends on the cost. The newer FM3? I hear is definitely a step up from the AX2 technology. I had the AX8 and it sounds good; if it’s close in price to the newer version though I’d go with the FM.

 

[Bash_Man]

Depends on the cost. The newer FM3? I hear is definitely a step up from the AX2 technology. I had the AX8 and it sounds good; if it’s close in price to the newer version though I’d go with the FM.

I'd like for the FM9 since it has the same number of buttons as the AxeFX AX8 and FX8 (which is what I currently have). FM9 is selling for $1500USD, which comes to around $1900 CAD. I can get the AX8 for around $1000.

with the FM3, I'd have to look at getting an FC6 or FC12 for additional control buttons.

 

[SFW]

You're going to be waiting a while for the FM9. I've recently started using the Axe FX II XL as my main live rig. I have a friend that has the Axe FX III. While I do love the II XL, the III crushes it in terms of feel and warmth. It just has more depth to the tones. And they seem to be much easier to dial in. I think this is due to them adding the actual amp layout on one of the tabs.

With that said, my bandmates will not shut up on how much better they think my Axe FX sounds compared to my QuickRod.

 

[Racerxrated]

When I had the AX8, I did enjoy the ease of use, tones were nice but fell far short of any of my tube amps. Still a nice piece of gear. What surprised me most though, was how my 30 yr old GSP21 and mosvalve power amp mini rack sounded just as good lol. That thing is dated as hell but still put out some nice tones.

 

[Bash_Man]

With that said, my bandmates will not shut up on how much better they think my Axe FX sounds compared to my QuickRod.

I know the AxeFX AX8 has a number of Splawn models. How does the SPAWN Q-ROD compare to the real deal?

 

[SFW]

I know the AxeFX AX8 has a number of Splawn models. How does the SPAWN Q-ROD compare to the real deal?

To my ear, they do not capture the QuickRod very well. There is no where near the amount of gain available in the Axe FX II as there is on the actual amp. I have found that this is an issue with all of the high gain amps in the AFX II. I have been using the HBE sim for my tones.

 

[Bash_Man]

To my ear, they do not capture the QuickRod very well. There is no where near the amount of gain available in the Axe FX II as there is on the actual amp. I have found that this is an issue with all of the high gain amps in the AFX II. I have been using the HBE sim for my tones.

I guess this also applies to the tone not being captured very well either?

I've noticed a lot of people using the HBE sim. Must be real good sounding.

 

[SFW]

I guess this also applies to the tone not being captured very well either?

I've noticed a lot of people using the HBE sim. Must be real good sounding.

It is by far my favorite sim in the unit for hard rock.

 

[Racerxrated]

It is by far my favorite sim in the unit for hard rock.

When I briefly had the AX8 it was my fav as well. The boosted 800 was very good too.

 

[ericb]

I've had the Ax8 since it first came out. I currently gig mainly with my Splawn Competition, and have 3 Splawns (no Quick Rod though) . I've found my programming of the Splawn was 1 of my favorites on the ax8. My favorite though was the Atomica. I did NOT even come close to using stock presets on mine, and also didn't gig wtih FRFR stuff. I used my Ax8 into an Engl Poweramp, or into an fx return on my Splawn Supercomp or some other amps. I used real guitar cabs/speakers, instead of Frfr. I thought my sounds were as good as my tube amps (and I have loads of good ones) BUT I had to program every patch myself from scratch. Every time an update came out, it ruined my patches, so I had to redo them. That got frustrating for me , so I stopped gigging with it. It's probably just because I'm too picky for what I want, and there were a load of parameters to program! . Anyway, my experience was a lot different than most of the Ax8 owners, but I love it and would use it again in a heartbeat (just not update things constantly!) . . Good luck

Eric

 

[Bash_Man]

Thanks everyone for your input. I would probably be looking at using 4 sounds mainly. Clean, crunch, high gain and solo. Effects wise, I keep it simple with delay, chorus, phaser and wah. That's all I use at the moment anyways on my FX8 with my Splawn Nitro.