Modeling/DI vs tube amps or hybrid for an average local gigging guitarist.

[boogieman1187]

I used a fm9 for a couple years in the cover bands I was in, got tired of lugging the tube amps up steps for gigs when nobody but me cared about the tone. I used a tiny Qsc cp8 wedge for a monitor and I could crank it as loud as I needed for my own personal monitoring issues and never had any issues getting feedback when I wanted it. If you learn how to use these things correctly they can get you as close as you wanna be these days, just have to put the time in to set them up.

 

[PurityS.L.G]

I haven't gigged in a long while, but when I did most small bars didn't have much for PA support; if anything at all. If all you had was a modeler you'd be SOL. I'd much rather lug a head/cab to be sure I had what I needed than get caught with my pants down walking in with only a modeler. Once you factor in needing to drag PA equipment with you to gigs, it'd be less hassle to just grab a good 2x12 combo.

I echo this statement.

I always prefer a head/cab setup but to be honest, Its good to have both analog and digital these days IMO. I never rely on a venue to have a prime PA system setup. If you know for sure before hand the venue you are playing is setup as such, give yourself a break if you want, bring minimal equipment and go direct.

 

[PurityS.L.G]

A quick cheat sheet for you;

Church: Direct Digital- Make it easy on yourself. People are there for the lord, not to see you wail Running with the Devil or Shout at the Devil on a high gain half stack.

Cover band: Digital - Go light here! You're there to rip faces off to the local drunks and party along with them. Nothing is worse than being drunk by the end of the night only to be left with packing up 100's of lbs. of gear back into your vehicle.

Tribute band: Analog - This is where you need to pull out that tampon and let your balls hang low like nature intended them to. Buy and use the gear that the guitar player you are mimicking uses, or at least what your budget allows for.

Original band: Analog - Invest in yourself and buy the gear you deserve and look cool on stage using it. Only a amp head/cab or combo can achieve that. Unless you're in a Abasi type or Neo Soul shred band than your only options are Fractal or Quad Cortex or GTFO!

 

[VonBonfire]

Digital guitar gear must be rejected and destroyed.

 

[SFW]

Hey all, I’m new to this forum and glad to be here. I’ve been a long time lurker. I have been going back and forth for a long while now about what would be my “ideal” rig, hoping some other local gigging musicians might be able to help me out. I want to enjoy this hobby as long as I can, and sometimes I feel like dealing with rig issues is a huge setback.

Frequency - I play at church 2 times every month, and play local bar / festival level gigs in a classic rock / psych rock cover band at least 1-2 times a month as well, including weekly rehearsals

Setup - I already use DI for worship (I use a Boss GT1000core in conjunction with pedals for 4 years) and I usually do get compliments on tone in this arrangement. For my cover band, I’ve been using my board into mid-grade tube amps (Fender blues deluxe or Vox AC15).

Important point - for worship, all cover band rehearsals, and any gigs we use our own PA system, it’s all in-ear monitors. For other 50% covers gigs, it’s wedges.

I have a little one at home and wouldn’t mind a quieter and simpler solution and do like the feel of the Boss unit… I play lots of Hendrix, doors, Pink Floyd, Janis Joplin, CCR, and roots stuff like that. But need lots of dynamics and tones in a set.

The biggest worry I have of going DI is 2 things: getting natural amp feedback is a big part of some extended jams and needed in Hendrix tunes and would I lose this going DI? Another worry is having subpar live sound situations and then I can’t hear my lead guitar on stage during the set or people say they can’t hear me, the worst feeling ever…

The issue with my tube amps are tho that I get asked to turn down a lot depending on the venue, then no one can hear me since my amp changes at lower volumes when mic’d into PA… and they are pretty inconsistent in my monitors unless mic placement is perfect.

So yeah, that’s where I’m at with my rig and wondering if anyone else who plays in a similar situation has any advice. I also have an infant at home and that impacts me being able to play loud at all too. Just wondering if I’ll “kill” the authenticity too of the style of music we do for the band.

If you are happy with the tones that you are getting with your GT1000, then I would highly recommend a Laney LFR112 or LFR212 powered cab. I personally use the LFR212 when I play gigs with either my Kemper Stage or Quad Cortex. You can send a line to the FOH and one to the LFR. It thumps and feels like a real guitar cab behind you. This would allow you to get your controlled feedback. Not all FRFR cabs are created the same. You will have to spend some money to get the best results... trust me I wasted money on those Headrush cabs... they are garbage.

Lots of guys here will tell you that tube amps are the only way. And I do love when I can play shows with my EVH 100 watt 5150 III Stealth and a 412. But those shows are getting farther apart these days.