I just like "TUBES"....not interested in the Kemper or AxeFX

[SLOgriff]

There's just something about the smell of hot tubes and seeing them all lit up inside the headshell. There is also that challenge of knowing the inconsistencies of tubes and fine tuning your amp for that killer tone! There seems to be "life" in a tube amp and a certain punch from the tube poweramp.

I prefer simple amps with only a few options for my tone and don't really enjoy tweaking. I'm sure the Kemper and Axe FX are great tools and can get killer tones, but I enjoy the tried and true high gain tube amps that my idols use. I'm sure some of my above comments are the reasons others are going to the Kemper and Axe for consistency and multiple options.....I just can't get past the 1's & 0's as Steve King put it!

Just my .02 cents....no hate here. I just prefer an all tube amp with its challenges and limitations.

 

[blackba]

Its good to know what you like. If what you have is working for you then don't change.

I am interesting in the Kemper, but I don't think I will be selling my tube amps, well maybe just one.

 

[jerrydyer]

nothing compares to when you find the sweet spot and you are in full control of the feedback.. That fake feedback swell on the modelers will never do it for me. They sound good and are convenient but, ......... no thanks. Id feel that way even if I didnt build and sell tube mps.

 

[Ventura]

I agree with you about the "liveliness" in the glowing glass of a tube driven head. I get it. It's alive in some weird way.

I love tubes.

That said, I'm in the mix with the A2 simply to have options at hand - and I am buying into the FRFR as soon as Atomic gets their CLRs up and running. It's not about which is better, it's just another option for us as guitarists.

 

[wIsEbLooD]

Both for me. I have five amps tthat are not going anywhere. The axe is getting scary close though.

 

[thiswaythatway]

You know, I was just thinking about what happens when you commit to jumping on the modeler bandwagon. Remember all the guys who were drooling, rave reviews, selling off ALL their amps when the Axe came out. Then the Ultra, then the 11r, then the Axe 2, and now the Kemper. And they claim to get closer and closer to a real amp. Well, I already own a few real amps. But when each new modeler comes out I see everyone grabbing the next new thing while the guy with the amp watches the modeler crew scramble to upgrade to get a more real feel. Sure some guys change amps like underwear but some have had their JCM800's or Mesa Mark for years and they still never get that obsolete tag thrown on them like yesterday's modelers do.

 

[rlord1974]

Yep, not for me either.

I sold off a largely analog rack system about a year or so ago because, even with just one multi FX unit, a rack-based relay switcher and a midi controller, I got sick and tired of all of the programming. I would sit down to practice or play my guitar, an hour would pass and I would realize I spent the whole time playing an A chord or the same lead line over and over again while I tweaked the presets in my rack. I know the Axe and Kemper sound good, but I am just not interested in the menu scrolling, programming, midi integration, etc.

I generally dislike the technical aspects of computers and especially hate all of the B.S. software updates one needs to worry about with computers. I don't need those same headaches with my guitar equipment. I much prefer to have a few amps which are "static" in nature; that is, they do not change. Maybe that's a drawback vs. the flexibility a constantly updated Axe or Kemper can provide, but not in my eyes. If a tube amp works for me, it will continue to work for me. It doesn't need to be in a constant state of flux and change. And, as a result, it allows me to focus on what's important - playing the guitar.

I can see how the Axe and Kemper could be great for recording. However, given I am not currently doing home computer-based recording, it's of no use to me.

The bottom line for me is, nothing will ever sound quite as good as a freshly biased, well dialled and properly mic'd tube amp.

P.S. Yes, I am one of those guys that still thinks a vinyl record sounds better and has more character than a CD or MP3. I guess I'm "old school".

 

[ratter]

I love gadgets so I always pay attention to the modellers. It's not an either/or for me because I love amps too. I can't see being completely without an amp - tube amps are just too cool. But I'm also loving Amplitube on the iPad right now. It's ridiculous what you can carry in the palm of your hand these days. Amps sims, recorders, loopers, tab, phrase trainers, etc. There's really no excuse for me to suck as bad as I do.

 

[rocknrolla]

I had n Axe-Fx Standard for a while. It was really cool and a lot of fun but I still prefer tubes.
If I had more money I'd have both because the Axe kills for recording and playing gigs where you can just run straight to the board.

 

[mentoneman]

i'm confident that if you had a perfect environment and resources for it, the fractal or kemper would outshine a traditional tube amp rig for live sound purposes. once you get the config down, the rig setup is so easy, and DI to house makes it so efficient.

as long as your monitoring setup is solid, you hear what the house hears. zero slop or spill on stage, and total control of the effects.

BUT
after a year of success with the ultra live, the first time i went back to a tube amp live, what i heard and felt was much more alive and dynamic, and i was more satisfied with the experience of playing my guitar. the strings had more acoustic spring and detail to them, the sound was more percussive, and i felt more connected to the sound.

slight volume adjustments on the amp were just that---didn't require any thought, versus having to re-eq with ultra because with volume changes came differences in how i heard the overall color of the tone. and i could never totally dial out the digital harshness perfectly without losing too much presence, but the effects were so good i found i could mask the bad things well enough.
maybe axe II or kemper breaks though that element...


soundguy wasn't as stoked when i went back to tubes, that's for sure.

 

[D-Rock]

I've never owned a digital amp. I confess, but I will not repent!

 

[gibson5413]

I like both. This is my first digital unit since the Line 6 Vetta was released. I know this gets said a lot but why can't both just coexist? Why is it always one or the other? I swear players do that to validate their purchases. The Kemper is perfect for my home dweller status. The Bogner profile that was created by Drew is great but I will say I haven't found a tone that matches the 20th Anniv XTC. Even if I never get a profile that captures that amp I don't care. I didn't buy the Kemper to replace the XTC or tubes. I love the Kemper and I am hoping it provides me what I need for a long time. That being said I am currently working to see about aquiring one of Steve's Henning (Sah5150) amps. That is about all I am GAS'ing on right now.

 

[bananaladonpcp]

I have both. And I love tube amps, I like the modelers for low level bedroom jamms and recording , especially for recording.

It's so much easier to get a wicked tone when recording with a modeler. You don't have to mess with different cabs, speakers, mics, mic positions, then dialing the amp in, room sizes and dampening... Ugh it's messy recording an amp. Is it worth the effort? It takes ALOT more effort to get the same level of "tone" out of a tube amp then a modeler when recording. It's an interesting fable...


-Alex

 

[rlord1974]

I know this gets said a lot but why can't both just coexist? Why is it always one or the other?

They can co-exist and, judging by many of the responses to this thread, it does not have to be one or the other.

That being said, a thread like this is meant to solicit people's personal opinions and preferences. It's a discussion.

I personally have no use for an Axe or Kemper and am not interested in getting either one of them. That doesn't mean someone else couldn't or wouldn't. It's just my personal preference to continue to generate my tones from bottles, as opposed to binary numbers.

I swear players do that to validate their purchases.

I don't really get this?.....

 

[gibson5413]

I swear players do that to validate their purchases.

I don't really get this?.....

First of all, I am not talking about you. My observation over the past 12 years of visiting forums like this is that when players do a lot of gear purging and go all in on the "next big thing" they tend to look for other member's backing to validate the complete switch. Again, I should have said "some players". I don't believe all do this but I have seen it where someone does this and continues to create new threads asking if they did the right thing or if they like their new tone (I can easily think of a couple off the top of my head). Eventually, I see these rigs sold and they are on to another new amp. Sometimes players need to go through this to evolve grow and mature into what they like. By no means did I mean this as a derogatory post in this thread. Just an observation. Like you said, it is a discussion so I figured I would post my opinion. Whether you agree or not is up to you. No feelings hurt here.

I don't normally weigh in on subjects like this. There has been a ton of buzz about the Kemper the past couple of weeks. Some members get so defensive about their gear. I am not trying to be defensive here. Just trying to reply to you since you asked. I hope the Kemper hype dies down soon. I don't want to be associated with any one camp (tubes vs digital). I am not investing in the medium so to speak. I am mainly looking for the best fit for my needs. Hoping to add a Henning soon.

 

[redrol]

I swear players do that to validate their purchases.

I don't really get this?.....

First of all, I am not talking about you. My observation over the past 12 years of visiting forums like this is that when players do a lot of gear purging and go all in on the "next big thing" they tend to look for other member's backing to validate the complete switch. Again, I should have said "some players". I don't believe all do this but I have seen it where someone does this and continues to create new threads asking if they did the right thing or if they like their new tone (I can easily think of a couple of the top of my head). Eventually, I see these rigs sold and they are on to another new amp. Sometimes players need to go through this to evolve grow and mature into what they like. By no means did I mean this as a derogatory post in this thread. Just an observation. Like you said, it is a discussion so I figured I would post my opinion. Whether you agree or not is up to you. No feelings hurt here.

I don't normally weigh in on subjects like this. There has been a ton of buzz about the Kemper the past couple of weeks. Some members get so defensive about their gear. I am not trying to be defensive here. Just trying to reply to you since you asked. I hope the Kemper hype dies down soon. I don't want to be associated with any one camp (tubes vs digital). I am not investing in the medium so to speak. I am mainly looking for the best fit for my needs. Hoping to add a Henning soon.

Only thing I have to add is the Kemper has been out for a year at this point. Its not about it being new and whatever, it really delivers.

 

[rlord1974]

I swear players do that to validate their purchases.

I don't really get this?.....

First of all, I am not talking about you. My observation over the past 12 years of visiting forums like this is that when players do a lot of gear purging and go all in on the "next big thing" they tend to look for other member's backing to validate the complete switch. Again, I should have said "some players". I don't believe all do this but I have seen it where someone does this and continues to create new threads asking if they did the right thing or if they like their new tone (I can easily think of a couple of the top of my head). Eventually, I see these rigs sold and they are on to another new amp. Sometimes players need to go through this to evolve grow and mature into what they like. By no means did I mean this as a derogatory post in this thread. Just an observation. Like you said, it is a discussion so I figured I would post my opinion. Whether you agree or not is up to you. No feelings hurt here.

I don't normally weigh in on subjects like this. There has been a ton of buzz about the Kemper the past couple of weeks. Some members get so defensive about their gear. I am not trying to be defensive here. Just trying to reply to you since you asked. I hope the Kemper hype dies down soon. I don't want to be associated with any one camp (tubes vs digital). I am not investing in the medium so to speak. I am mainly looking for the best fit for my needs. Hoping to add a Henning soon.

No worries! I was just wondering what you meant about that particular comment. It is clear now, and I too do know what you mean!

 

[guitarmike]

I will buy one at some point, probably when the A2 or Kemper are available used for around $1,000. The single biggest reason I stay away from them is because they will be obsolete at some point, just like a computer or any of the older modelers that have been popular over the last 5-10 years. The nature of the beast is that today's diamond is tomorrow's rust. Look at the prices of ultra's, it was just 1.5yr ago they were $2500+, now you can get one for what, $1,000?

It seems like the Kemper and A2 have come close enough to make it worthwhile to own, I'll just wait until they look like they have bottomed out on depreciation.

 

[mindseye]

I use both, I like option's.
Sometimes I play just a amp
Sometimes I play just a modler
Sometimes I play a hybrid of the two
Sometimes I play just my acoustic

I like option's, I don't understand the " this or that" way of thinking some guys have
I really don't understand the hate between the Kemp & Axe camps.

 

[Chubtone]

I just like "TONE". I don't care how I get it. I am not beholden to tubes. I am not beholden to any amp brand or any circuit. I will plug my cord right into a cats ass if it gives me the tone I am looking for.

The idea of the Kemper and the Axe FX are perfect. Seriously, who wants to carry around a 60 lb head and a 90 lb cabinet? Who wants to replace tubes and worry about what part of the planet can still manufacture dirty enough to produce tubes? Who wants to spend all day searching for NOS tubes or comparing Czech, to Russian, to Chinese tubes?

Who wants to crank up 50w and 100w amps until they are at their sweet spot and deal with the pain and fallout from neighbors, families and soundmen?

There are plenty of people on here who's ears I trust who have been very happy with their Axe FX or their Kempers. That almost all of them still own tube amps tells me something though. They are not quite there yet is what that tells me.

I just want to play and nail killer tones, I don't care how I get them.