It’s 2026… Are you using a guitar amp or a modeler on stage?

[romanianreaper]

With my current band, I started transistor amps with an Orange Super Crush 100 combo then progressed to an Orange Dual Baby with an Orange 2x12 vertical cab. I recently got the Synergy 20IR but haven't gigged with it. We did record our EP with it and sounded great.

I have heard some amazing shows and was modelling half of the time. When I talked to Erik from Stephen Pearcy's band, I asked about his tone and the Splawn. He said he made a tone capture of his Quick Rod and then they were using the power section of the JCM 900.

I don't know if I'd be able to make the jump to modelling live. My ADHD would just keep trying to chase a certain tone. I think I need to keep it simple.

 

[Akira]

Used to bring my tube amp (modded JCM800) for all shows minus fly gigs. In the last couple years I've been using my tube amp for local shows or gigs that are just a couple hours away and then my FM3 for farther gigs or full on tours. Also, have an IR-X that I want to build a board around as I find it a bit more inspiring to play than the FM3. The modeler is convenient, but I think the biggest thing I miss when going FOH is having a cab. I just don't find the sound thru IEMs very inspiring.

 

[dr_rbg]

Tried to hold on tubes as long as I could. Went Friedman IR-D first, but then ended up getting FXIII and never looked back.

 

[JDs Couch]

Translation: "have you ruined everything that made guitar cool and awesome by bringing low production cost high profit margin computerized dogshit to your gigs?"

Old man shakes fist at cloud, day after day x10000

 

[japetus]

Ive been running the Budda SD45 with the Wayne green OD and my strat, an Ibanez DE7

 

[jski59]

I’m using an fm3 split to a 2x12 onstage to move some air as well as direct to FOH/iems.

Sounds great and very consistent.

 

[VonBonfire]

Old man shakes fist at cloud, day after day x10000

No one is stopping you from being a Avon lady.

 

[itsme]

I take 100 watt heads on 2x12 cabs for most gigs lately. Sometimes a 40 watt combo. No 1 and 0’s for me. If/when I get too weak or lazy to bring a rig, I’ll hang it up

 

[JonPearson1994]

At church, it's all quiet stage. The HX Stomp for that, though I play more acoustic there these days. For the metal gigs, I have run modellers in the past, but I always had a tube power amp and cab for stage sound. These days, I use my Mark VII. With the built in load box and IRs, I can have my stage sound and still send direct sounds to FOH. Best of both worlds.

 

[Little B]

Full or half stack tube amps 100%.On the arena stage or local watering hole.Even in church a real tube amp.We load in the big stuff and have no reason to change.

 

[DanTravis62]

If I was some aging tourer with a bad back, and every venue I played had line arrays and monitoring for every member of the band, sure

I'm sure it would sound great

Since I live in the real world of venues and gigs, tube amps are still king

 

[nightlight]

I recently got a Paul Landers Fly Rig that I really like. It's small enough to stick in my gig bag, so that's what I'd probably cart around if I was gigging. Maybe a Two Notes Cab M+ as well for a choice of IRs. I do want another Quad Cortex though, maybe someday.

 

[GuitarBilly]

I don't like modeling. Yeah it can sound "perfect", as in "CD through the PA" perfect. Loud and clear, sure, but no punch. A lot of people like that, but it's not for me.
There's a certain punch and 3D depth you get from an analog instrument that's just not there with digital instruments.
That goes beyond guitar. Keyboards are my second instrument and I have a Roland workstation with beautiful piano tones. I love it. BUT the other day I got to play an old Steinway baby grand piano at a friends house and Jesus... there is no comparison.

Anyway, back to guitar modeling, I've tried all the major ones, they're all good for what they are. High quality tones that add nothing to the mix in terms of heaviness and punch.

I now have a pedalboard based on a Friedman IR-D, which has a tube front end and digital power amp and speaker sim. I like it better than the modeling, but still. I only use it when strictly needed, fly gigs etc. But other than that, amps all the way.

That's a hill I'm willing to die on LOL

 

[romanianreaper]

If I was some aging tourer with a bad back, and every venue I played had line arrays and monitoring for every member of the band, sure

I'm sure it would sound great

Since I live in the real world of venues and gigs, tube amps are still king

I'm an aging guitarist but can't depend on places having ideal monitoring, etc.

 

[romanianreaper]

I don't like modeling. Yeah it can sound "perfect", as in "CD through the PA" perfect. Loud and clear, sure, but no punch. A lot of people like that, but it's not for me.
There's a certain punch and 3D depth you get from an analog instrument that's just not there with digital instruments.
That goes beyond guitar. Keyboards are my second instrument and I have a Roland workstation with beautiful piano tones. I love it. BUT the other day I got to play an old Steinway baby grand piano at a friends house and Jesus... there is no comparison.

I actually think that is a great comparison. A piano you feel when you play and fills the room. A keyboard is coming out of whatever amp you are plugged into.

I love the way modelling sounds when i'm recording and don't notice as much of a difference probably because i'm listening to headphones and getting either modelling or a mic on a speaker.

I like the convenience of modelling and the idea behind it, light and consistent. I so wanted to find the magic pot of gold with modelling and could not, and trust me I tried. If something doesn't sound as good as what i'm using, I can't do it.

 

[kmanick]

I tried with the Axe FXII but the other guitarist in that band was using a Bogner Shiva, he totally squashed my sound.
So ever since then it's either the Splawn or the Mesa Mark IV on 2X12 cabs.
I have a gorgeous Marshall JCM 800 4X12 loaded with Scumback M75/J75's that sounds absolutely killer and it has not yet left my house.
I'd love to use it with my Splawn gigs but it would be overkill. 1/2 the time I use a 1X12, but I always go through my Captor X regardless of which cab I'm using. I could get a way with just using my Head, the Captor X and my pedal board, but I love hearing and "feeling" my amp on stage.

 

[VonBonfire]

 

[romanianreaper]

I tried with the Axe FXII but the other guitarist in that band was using a Bogner Shiva, he totally squashed my sound.
So ever since then it's either the Splawn or the Mesa Mark IV on 2X12 cabs.
I have a gorgeous Marshall JCM 800 4X12 loaded with Scumback M75/J75's that sounds absolutely killer and it has not yet left my house.
I'd love to use it with my Splawn gigs but it would be overkill. 1/2 the time I use a 1X12, but I always go through my Captor X regardless of which cab I'm using. I could get a way with just using my Head, the Captor X and my pedal board, but I love hearing and "feeling" my amp on stage.

If I had a convenient way to take a 4x12 to gigs, and hadn't had two hernia surgeries lol, I'd use a 4x12 at all gigs.

 

[Rackman]

No modelers live yet. A Victoria Victorilux HP+ for my country stuff, and my X88IR rack for rock. I'm about to cut my rock rig over to my 104BV I just got - I've been rehearsing with it.

I'm not totally opposed to it, but I'm not at a level where we have professional crew, and house soundmen tend to be toothless alcoholics who like the idea of working in a bar. Having a real amp ensures at least some sort of monitoring is available. With 3-4 MIDI controlled channels plus a MIDI controlled Eventide I feel like I have the big advantage of a modeler (effectively infinite patches) without the big downside (whatever it is that makes modelers sound like shit and disappear).

 

[IndyWS6]

My digital rack rig (Axe III) is heavier and bulkier than my half stacks . So, the decision would come down to which fits the situation, not portability. Moot point for me - I haven’t played out in years and have no plans to…