Does every channel on the Fortin Meathead really differ?

[smucarolina]

...6 channels = overkill

who the hell needs 6 channels anyways?

do they really differ that distinctively in tone...

if anyone can back it up...clips please...youtube video...something...demonstrating each channel.

edit: just to elaborate...I can see three channels at most being necessary. One clean, one mid gain, and one hi gain setting. Also, ever heard of a volume knob on a guitar? Just seems repetitive.

 

[thegame]

For some people 2 channels is overkill. To answer your question, ch.1/ch.2 are similar, ch.3/ch.4 are similar, ch.5/ch.6 are similar. Each of these three groups sound completely different to one another.

Rolling down the guitar volume yields a totally different clean tone than a dedicated clean channel, on any amp.

 

[Sixtonoize]

Look at the control layout - It's just a 3 channel amp with switchable Gain and Master controls for each channel.

**heretical post is heretical**

But, who's to say that you need "at most" 3 channels?
Have you ever been in a cover band?

I'm just an average jackoff playing original music, and I could easily use 4 channels (Clean, mid-gain, high-gain, and boosted lead).
Lots of albums use dozens of different tones throughout, and if you're a pro and/or can afford it, why compromise?

 

[RaceU4her]

I'm just an average jackoff playing original music, and I could easily use 4 channels (Clean, mid-gain, high-gain, and boosted lead).
Lots of albums use dozens of different tones throughout, and if you're a pro and/or can afford it, why compromise?

id just get an AxeFx

 

[Digital Jams]

I'll bite..............

I do not own one but have over 5 hours of listening and playing experience and yes each channel has it's own thing going, the swiss army knife of tube amps.

1-2 are simular as is 3-4 and 5-6.

Ever seen guys gigging with 15-20 patches to cover what songs they are doing? Same principle but done with a amp.

Come out the LI on the 26th and sit down in front of it and check it out so you can come to your own conclusion

 

[thegame]

Look at the control layout - It's just a 3 channel amp with switchable Gain and Master controls for each channel.

Not exactly. Each of the 6 channels can have its own gain stages/structure set differently. The only shared aspect of all 6 channels is the tone stack(s), which is shared between channels 1/2, 3/4, 5/6. So 3 tonestacks (Treble, Mid, Bass) total on the amp.

 

[Motorpud]

Ever seen guys gigging with 15-20 patches to cover what songs they are doing? Same principle but done with a amp.

You just touched on something I was going to say. Most rackmounted preamps have 100 available presets, some have 200. I think that's overkill, not 6 channels. Seems to me like I'd rather have one amp that can do everything than 2 or 3 amps that each do one thing well. I could easily find a use for every channel...and I will

 

[jcj]

I dig the concept and would love to check one out.

Is it overkill? Probably, but since when is that a bad thing

 

[Motorpud]

I dig the concept and would love to check one out.

Is it overkill? Probably, but since when is that a bad thing

Touchè

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Is it overkill? Probably, but since when is that a bad thing

Once you get past a single channel amp for the "purest", it really doesn't matter how many channels it has as long as they all work and sound right.

 

[Tawlks]

I thought also that it looked like a 3 channel amp rather than a six, I've never played one however so I can't comment.

If I were going for something with the ultimate versetillity, I'd personally go for something like a Triaxis and a VHT/Mesa poweramp.

If I were playing in a cover band to make money, I'd buy a POD and run it into the return on my 5150, who cares? it's a cover band, I've played Elvis with a cover band using a 5150. (Check my facebook)

 

[Clawfinger]

Yeah 1/2, 3/4 and 5/6 are similar, but with the bright switch and programmable L-M-H voicing plus the Boost (also programmable) you'll have a palette of sounds that can make all sorts of clean/crunch/rhythm/lead sound you could ever think of. After all, YOU want the sound in YOUR head, with an amp like the Meathead the chance are about a zillion times higher you'll find it. IMHO.

I've played it for a while, and I like Clean 2 without boost and voicing L. Then I like channel 5/6 with bright on 2, Voicing H and boost engaged. My buddy (the Beard) likes Clean 1 with voicing M and channel 3/4 with more mids. We're both enjoying the amp even if our taste in sound differs a lot.

My 2 cent.

 

[petejt]

I guess it has extra channels and features to compensate for using outboard EQ units and dirt/boost pedals etc.

 

[Jay Strange]

Oh I'm sure i can find a way to use'em all