FRFR is not for me

[SkyhighRocks]

So after one rehearsal and then a gig last night, I don't think going FRFR with the Axe-FX is for me. For one, I can't get it to sound even close out of my house to what I hear in my house. It's not a matter of a few tweaks...it's not even close in sound. What sounds massive and clear at home sounds small and harsh away. It's not even a question of it being in a band situation either because it doesn't sound to my liking when I'm playing alone on stage.

I also think I'm soooo used to having a 4x12 cab behind me (or even a 2x12) that the monitor thing is just not jiving with what I like. That's not to say it's sucks, it just isn't my cup of tea. I'm not giving up on the axe just yet. I'm going to try grabbing a decent power amp (any suggestions?) to go that route first. If that doesn't work then I may pick up a head to use with it...maybe something like a DSL because it did sound good at a couple of gigs with my JVM I had. I had to sell the JVM though to justify the axe purchase.

I liked the idea of the portability of just using a QSC monitor and bringing the rack case but not at the cost of being frustrated at gigs. We had a great show last night but I was pretty bummed out with my sound all night. Oh well, you live and learn! Now somebody sell me a power amp immediately! I want to go tube.

 

[mctallica1]

Sorry that is the case.


I went FRFR for a while and ended up back to a power amp and cabe.

I really like both SS and Tube, but am leaning much more towards My VHT right now...because it sounds better at low volumes. At higher volume, I really don't think there is much difference, but what do I know

 

[SkyhighRocks]

I think eventually I'll go back and retry it again but for right now, I need something that I can be comfortable with. I have too many big gigs coming up and the stress factor on stage with my sound is not needed at this time.

 

[Gainfreak]

I think eventually I'll go back and retry it again but for right now, I need something that I can be comfortable with. I have too many big gigs coming up and the stress factor on stage with my sound is not needed at this time.

As of this point in time, I absolutely hate the FRFR setup but It's cool that people have that option! I think the AXE-FX Kills and I mean kills with a tube poweramp and guitar speakers and that's how I will be using it! I haven't gotten around to checking it out with a SS poweramp yet but I can't see it sucking lol! Kage is going to use a Carvin with his setup and I'll get to hear what that sounds like. If it works then I'll follow his lead because the poweramp is only 9lbs compared to the heavy as hell Boogie 2:90


BTW, Les Says hello!!

~R~

 

[SkyhighRocks]

As of this point in time, I absolutely hate the FRFR setup but It's cool that people have that option! I think the AXE-FX Kills and I mean kills with a tube poweramp and guitar speakers and that's how I will be using it! I haven't gotten around to checking it out with a SS poweramp yet but I can't see it sucking lol! Kage is going to use a Carvin with his setup and I'll get to hear what that sounds like. If it works then I'll follow his lead because the poweramp is only 9lbs compared to the heavy as hell Boogie 2:90


BTW, Les Says hello!!

~R~

I think I'm going to go tube to be safe. I liked the sound I got when I used the JVM for power at a couple of gigs before I had to sell it. I'd hate to buy a SS amp and then not like that either. Looking into a Carvin TS100 or similar.

 

[Gainfreak]

As of this point in time, I absolutely hate the FRFR setup but It's cool that people have that option! I think the AXE-FX Kills and I mean kills with a tube poweramp and guitar speakers and that's how I will be using it! I haven't gotten around to checking it out with a SS poweramp yet but I can't see it sucking lol! Kage is going to use a Carvin with his setup and I'll get to hear what that sounds like. If it works then I'll follow his lead because the poweramp is only 9lbs compared to the heavy as hell Boogie 2:90


BTW, Les Says hello!!

~R~

I think I'm going to go tube to be safe. I liked the sound I got when I used the JVM for power at a couple of gigs before I had to sell it. I'd hate to buy a SS amp and then not like that either. Looking into a Carvin TS100 or similar.

So far teh AXE-FX is killing with my tube poweramp. Im only looking into the SS option to lighten up the load..... but I will not go the route unless I can't get the sound Im getting now!

I brought my full boogie rig to the rehearsal last night and it killed but it was such a PITA lugging all that shit. I can't wait to put together the AXE FX rig because it will cut down the amount of shit I need to carry and I already know that I can get the tones I had last night.

 

[SkyhighRocks]

So far teh AXE-FX is killing with my tube poweramp. Im only looking into the SS option to lighten up the load..... but I will not go the route unless I can't get the sound Im getting now!

I brought my full boogie rig to the rehearsal last night and it killed but it was such a PITA lugging all that shit. I can't wait to put together the AXE FX rig because it will cut down the amount of shit I need to carry and I already know that I can get the tones I had last night.

I hear ya on the weight but I have so much stuff I have to bring to gigs anyway that it really won't matter to me. I just want my tone to be satisfying and I'm positive I can achieve that with the Ultra. It's just a matter of finding the right counterparts for it.

 

[Gainfreak]

So far teh AXE-FX is killing with my tube poweramp. Im only looking into the SS option to lighten up the load..... but I will not go the route unless I can't get the sound Im getting now!

I brought my full boogie rig to the rehearsal last night and it killed but it was such a PITA lugging all that shit. I can't wait to put together the AXE FX rig because it will cut down the amount of shit I need to carry and I already know that I can get the tones I had last night.

I hear ya on the weight but I have so much stuff I have to bring to gigs anyway that it really won't matter to me. I just want my tone to be satisfying and I'm positive I can achieve that with the Ultra. It's just a matter of finding the right counterparts for it.

I can persoanlly guarantee that you can achieve everything that you are looking to do with that setup!
I just want to make it clear that Im not ragging on the FRFR system because other people have made it scream I just think that the AXE-FX though a tube power amp and speakers is stunning!!

Lets just say that there will be a lot of stuff on e-bay now! Im also positive that this insnt a honeymoon thing. The tones that I have already created are enough for me to never want to get rif of this thing and Im still a newb

 

[degenaro]

I think eventually I'll go back and retry it again but for right now, I need something that I can be comfortable with. I have too many big gigs coming up and the stress factor on stage with my sound is not needed at this time.

As of this point in time, I absolutely hate the FRFR setup but It's cool that people have that option! I think the AXE-FX Kills and I mean kills with a tube poweramp and guitar speakers and that's how I will be using it! I haven't gotten around to checking it out with a SS poweramp yet but I can't see it sucking lol! Kage is going to use a Carvin with his setup and I'll get to hear what that sounds like. If it works then I'll follow his lead because the poweramp is only 9lbs compared to the heavy as hell Boogie 2:90


BTW, Les Says hello!!

~R~

it was okay with the mosvalve, its great with the VHT.

 

[The_Kid]

I also have tried the FRFR thing with using just the monitor, and had the same effect. Just didnt match up anywhere near to the tone I had dialed in at home/practice. And any tweaking I did between sets to fix it, seemed very extreme...

I'll be doing the power amp route when I get to that point.

 

[Digital Jams]

I have noticed that the slightly overdriven blues guys like the FRFRs but the higher gain guys tend to not like that setup.

Results from intense polling and following the Zealots from other forums and threads

 

[SkyhighRocks]

I have noticed that the slightly overdriven blues guys like the FRFRs but the higher gain guys tend to not like that setup.

Results from intense polling and following the Zealots from other forums and threads

I'm starting to notice that too. I downloaded a jcm800 patch that was suggested and while it sounds really goos, it lacks aggressiveness and gain bigtime.

 

[Drkorey]

Thanks, all this is good to know. I primarily play heavy high gain styles and down the road thought about getting into FRFR, but sounds like I'll just keep my current cabs as stage monitors (sounds great) and run to the FOH like I have been.

 

[Gainfreak]

I think eventually I'll go back and retry it again but for right now, I need something that I can be comfortable with. I have too many big gigs coming up and the stress factor on stage with my sound is not needed at this time.

As of this point in time, I absolutely hate the FRFR setup but It's cool that people have that option! I think the AXE-FX Kills and I mean kills with a tube poweramp and guitar speakers and that's how I will be using it! I haven't gotten around to checking it out with a SS poweramp yet but I can't see it sucking lol! Kage is going to use a Carvin with his setup and I'll get to hear what that sounds like. If it works then I'll follow his lead because the poweramp is only 9lbs compared to the heavy as hell Boogie 2:90


BTW, Les Says hello!!

~R~

it was okay with the mosvalve, its great with the VHT.

I think I've got my answer then!! Thanks strudel!!

 

[Mr. Brady]

I have noticed that the slightly overdriven blues guys like the FRFRs but the higher gain guys tend to not like that setup.

Results from intense polling and following the Zealots from other forums and threads

I'm a slightly overdriven blues guy at times, but I really don't like the Axe at all through a PA or FRFR monitor. It sounds great into a tube power amp with a guitar cab though. That's why I'm selling mine. For my application I wanted a good FRFR tone and recording tone. Neither of which I'm completely happy with.

 

[Mr. Brady]

I'm a slightly overdriven blues guy at times, but I really don't like the Axe at all through a PA or FRFR monitor. It sounds great into a tube power amp with a guitar cab though. That's why I'm selling mine. For my application I wanted a good FRFR tone and recording tone. Neither of which I'm completely happy with.

Greg,

Are you selling your Axe-Fx or FRFR?

I'm selling the Axe. It's in a spam thread here.

Who's Greg?

 

[Slaytallica]

I don't want to sound stupid but what is FRFR?

 

[ericb]

I'm sort of grinning here. When everyone starting praising the FRFR cabinets on TGP and here, I was like "what the hell? " To me the Axefx (and other gear like this) is so much nicer through tube amps and guitar speakers, but people were selling all their tube amps and guitar cabs and buying this FRFR stuff. . Anyway , I have a houseful of PA gear and guitar gear, and to me it's always better playing guitar through guitar gear. (That's 'to me' anyway... ) sounds like some of you also found that out

Eric

 

[degenaro]

I think I've got my answer then!! Thanks strudel!!

Let me more specific...A/B'ing it into the MosValve into either a 2x12 with Golds or 65s with ANY of my heads it was fine. But not something I woulda used as my go to thing...EVER.
Once I started using the VHT I was totally blown away. So much so I called Stevie at VHT to ask which Ultra lead had the same power section as that power amp.

 

[blackba]

I don't want to sound stupid but what is FRFR?

Full Range Flat Response.

I didn't know what it meant until recently. I would just say going direct in to the PA or a PA speaker cab.....