My AxeFx is having me consider selling my amps

[ejecta]

Granted that's not as huge a hit on some amps which I give credit to the Axe for.

Like the Storm.

I'll never get that one. Great sounding amp and couldn't sell it for shit.

Yeah that's just plain strange. That amp was one of the best sounding amps I've heard and was one of the best at the Nashville amp show. I guess Bob hasn't been able to generate the buzz about his amps like the AxeFX has.

 

[DEWD]

I'd like to try one but I can't gamble with $2000 unless it haz the toobs.

You can also say good bye to 25-35% of your money with most boutique amps when you sell them since it seems you are thinking buy new.

Has anyone lost more than $100 selling an axefx?

How about that $1700 hit plus fees if you buy a new Herbert and dont like it and sell it?

 

['63-Strat]

Thanks for the info. The Axe does sound like it can do a great job in the FX loop of an amp or with the 4cm. If i were going to build a pedalboard, let's take a Timeline or Timefactor which are $400 new, and that's just for a delay pedal. Timeline's are now selling for close to $500 on the used market. By the time you get a chorus box, reverb, a phaser, etc, the price goes up past the cost of an Axe-fx standard, and you have a cluttered board and you have to do the tap dance if everything isn't MIDI. Although, some guys, myself included, still like to reach down and twist a knob.

I do feel a bit of disconnect with MIDI and not being able to abjust by twisting a knob, but eliminating multiple cables and boxes also has advantages. AGH, I'm confused. Like i said though, for $1500 it's a good buy for what you get. With the Axe out, does it make sense to drop money on something like a G-System when the Axe can do everything and more?

I actually did consider an Axe when I got my G-system, but for what I'm doing it'd have been a lot more $$$ to get the same results (though obviously I'd have got a lot more features with the axe as well). But a g-system is roughly $1500, and a standard the same and an ultra $2000 but then I'd still have needed to get a switching system, midi board and pedal loop switcher to do what I'm doing so it didn't make sense at the time. But I'm real happy with using one channel switcher live which is mainly what I use it for.


I've heard some *really* great clips of the axe and some crap ones too. But I've heard utter crap clips from just about every high-end amp there is and people don't seem to judge the amps nearly as harshly as a result of a bad clip as they do the axe. For a lot of recording situations I think you could use an axe and not only would no one be worrying about 1s and 0s but depending on the style/mix the sheer versatility and sound quality makes it irrelevant. If you're talking about wanting the perfect jtm 45 or dumble type deal on a whole record of really *touch-centered playing,* why would you be considering using an axe for that in the first place, you know what I mean? Seems to me that people getting my favorite tones with the axe also get great tones with real amps too - shocking I know! And they're good players, too. Hmm.... Seems real similar to a lot of gear debates.

 

[Gainzilla]

I mean the way some people get their panties in wad over any less than glowing post about the Axe makes me wonder if they married to the thing.

I think that its fair to say that door swings both ways Todd. Ive seen people give the Axe a glowing review only to have a bunch of people come in and slam it simply because it isnt a traditional amp..

I sold my beloved Boogie MkIV rig after playing the Axe with Ralphie and Tom King over 2 years ago and I havent looked back. The Axe does everything that I could ever want it to do and more and sure, there are subtle little things here and there that I wish were better but the pluses heavily outweigh the minuses for me. Ive esperienced the same with tube amps that I have owned as well.

Ultimately, my attitude is play what you want. There isnt a soul that is going to convince me that my Axe Rig sucks because for me, its the best all around rig that Ive ever owned . Im alos putting together a rig built around a Fortin Modded Marshall because A) they sound beastly and B) IMO, its a moral imperative for every Rock guitar player to own a Marshall of some sort LOL

 

[ejecta]

I mean the way some people get their panties in wad over any less than glowing post about the Axe makes me wonder if they married to the thing.

I think that its fair to say that door swings both ways Todd. Ive seen people give the Axe a glowing review only to have a bunch of people come in and slam it simply because it isnt a traditional amp..

I sold my beloved Boogie MkIV rig after playing the Axe with Ralphie and Tom King over 2 years ago and I havent looked back. The Axe does everything that I could ever want it to do and more and sure, there are subtle little things here and there that I wish were better but the pluses heavily outweigh the minuses for me. Ive esperienced the same with tube amps that I have owned as well.

Ultimately, my attitude is play what you want. There isnt a soul that is going to convince me that my Axe Rig sucks because for me, its the best all around rig that Ive ever owned . Im alos putting together a rig built around a Fortin Modded Marshall because A) they sound beastly and B) IMO, its a moral imperative for every Rock guitar player to own a Marshall of some sort LOL

I've seen troll remarks as well but IMHO there seems to be a tendency to really be defensive of the Axe and it comes from the top down and TO ME seems to be more so than the troll remarks against it. You may see it differently and that's fine. FWIW I dont see you being that way.

I was talking to Jamie (Rogue) one night and it doesnt surprise me guys like yourself who tend to like to play more on gainier side of things or the guys who really clean tones like the Axe. It does a good job at those tones. But for me the feel and tones of a good JTM45ish or just pushed plexi style amp are just not there for me with the Axe. And thats what I play most of the time... less gain with pedals and don't do high gain much expect maybe for some leads. If I used higher gain tones that tend to be compressed in nature... I can see the Axe's feel not bothering me as much. Add to that I'm sure there are guys who play with less gain through Axe and are able to over look the feel as well. I just can't.

Which brings up the point you just made, use what you like and fits you!

I agree use what you like.

 

[Rogue]

Seems to me that people getting my favorite tones with the axe also get great tones with real amps too - shocking I know! And they're good players, too. Hmm.... Seems real similar to a lot of gear debates.

I think this is going to the case most of time. I've heard a few originals done with the AxeFX that I really liked a lot. They could have been done with a tube and I would have liked them just the same. For me, in the end, I liked the feel and response of a nice tube amp more than the AxeFX.

It's nice for night time recording though. Even still, I was constantly tweaking and messing with it, which was getting in the way of playing and having fun. I think it's easy to get obsessive with tweaking things out for some people...like me.

 

[Rogue]

Im alos putting together a rig built around a Fortin Modded Marshall because A) they sound beastly and B) IMO, its a moral imperative for every Rock guitar player to own a Marshall of some sort LOL

Hey don't blame the AxeFX because you can't dial it in right!

 

[mctallica1]

My Axe Fx, Mesa Simul Satellite rig is one of the best sounding amps I have ever played. Period, bar none.


I also like my Mesa Mark III, GSP 1101 rig.


I also like the Mesa all by itself.


Guess I am not able to appropriately join the diuscussion because I like a lot of different things and can't see a reason to bash

 

[Shiny_Surface]

Many owners are hyper sensitive and will gangbang you if you say anything negative.

Peterson and his lemming followers caused so many problems they had to be quarantined in their own sub-forum on TGP.

 

[Gainzilla]

I was talking to Jamie (Rogue) one night and it doesnt surprise me guys like yourself who tend to like to play more on gainier side of things or the guys who really clean tones like the Axe. It does a good job at those tones. But for me the feel and tones of a good JTM45ish or just pushed plexi style amp are just not there for me with the Axe. And thats what I play most of the time... less gain with pedals and don't do high gain much expect maybe for some leads. If I used higher gain tones that tend to be compressed in nature... I can see the Axe's feel not bothering me as much. Add to that I'm sure there are guys who play with less gain through Axe and are able to over look the feel as well. I just can't.

Valid points and Ive encountered the same with Tube amps as well. i suppose that my entire point is that it is HIGHLY subjective across the whole spectrum of tone and feel Hence the play what you like and what works for you comment. Seriously, who the hell can tell someone else what to play???? In the end, no one and I mean no one can make that decision except you...

 

[Gainzilla]

Many owners are hyper sensitive and will gangbang you if you say anything negative.

Like I said earlier Tom, the door swings both ways. Ive seen the same thing happen with Splawns, Engls etc...

 

[mentoneman]

My Axe Fx, Mesa Simul Satellite rig is one of the best sounding amps I have ever played. Period, bar none.


I also like my Mesa Mark III, GSP 1101 rig.


I also like the Mesa all by itself.


Guess I am not able to appropriately join the diuscussion because I like a lot of different things and can't see a reason to bash

i'd love to try the axe through the satellites!

 

[ejecta]

Seriously, who the hell can tell someone else what to play???? In the end, no one and I mean no one can make that decision except you...

I completely agree. I think if people kept that in mind a lot of these arguments wouldn't even happen. But I guess we'll always have those who like to start shit and those who take too seriously what they use.

 

[ejecta]

Many owners are hyper sensitive and will gangbang you if you say anything negative.

Peterson and his lemming followers caused so many problems they had to be quarantined in their own sub-forum on TGP.

Scott has a tendency to go overboard with his enthusiasm for his gear but he by no means comes close to that Mitchell dude when it comes to being a complete condescending ass hat.

 

[rsm]

Nothing like an Axe-Fx topic to galvanize many, and bring out the lovers and haters!

I had an Ultra for 4+ months. I got a few great tones, but I was barely using what it can do - way overkill for my needs. I kept my FRFR solution and was able to get decent results with a ToneLab LE, IMO. I'll spare the offtopic details on dialing in Valvetronix kit that works for me, but I will add that I dig the TLLE enough that I picked up a used valvetronix head and 2 cabs (AD120VTH + 2 AD212 cabs). I can get decent vintage tones of Vox, Fender and Marshall - at least in the neighborhood not exact or as good. I can get tube feel IMO. YMMV. Still, I use effects with my Fender tube amp, direct with a Liverpool or one of my preamps, I have a small board for my Vox Heritage amps - that's all I really need for tones.

As to effects: I picked up a Nova System (second time with one) new but just dig it so much that I had to get the G-System. At this price, I considered the Axe-Fx Standard but what I really wanted is a floorboard-only solution with/for effects I dig. not amp modeling (see valvetronix rant above which is what I use for modelling). Gonna lose too much selling the Nova so I will keep it for awhile and from what I've read the G-System is a PITA to tweak so the NS will be good to have too. I would use the Axe-Fx for effects, but then I would need to get a floor controller and program it, add a rack, etc. much more money in the long run, though more versatile.

If I needed a wide variety of amps/cabs/mics and effects in a convenient package, I would get another Axe-Fx. I thought it sounded and felt great. Getting used to modelers is the biggest challenge, IMO, coming from tubes; next is going the FRFR route - took me awhile to warm up to that "tone on the cd" experience. If I haven't played my TLLE in awhile, it takes adjustment again. YMMV.

For the future, I'm still hoping to see something like the SM Audio V-Pedal - IK Multimedia has a floor controller coming out, like the one from Native Instruments but they both need to be connected to a computer, the V-Pedal is a standalone unit:

http://www.smproaudio.com/produkte/v-machines/v-concepts-zukuenftige-produkte/v-pedal.html

 

[rsm]

Many owners are hyper sensitive and will gangbang you if you say anything negative.

Peterson and his lemming followers caused so many problems they had to be quarantined in their own sub-forum on TGP.

Scott has a tendency to go overboard with his enthusiasm for his gear but he by no means comes close to that Mitchell dude when it comes to being a complete condescending ass hat.

I can't believe I'm doing this, but here it goes: Jay Mitchell has a common point to his responses from what I've read, IMO. He gets on anyone that tries to pass of generalizations and opinions as fact when he defends the Axe-Fx. Basically, similar to what Gainfreak stated about passing opinion/bs off as facts, but with more arrogance when it's JM. But if you are doing X with an Axe-Fx and some asshat comes in and says the Axe-Fx can't do X, Jay is just calling BS and calling them out because he is doing X with an Axe-Fx. That's really all I've seen, then it get's personal...and usually the other person winds up in a meltdown, I can picture them foaming at the mouth ready to kill. while JM is as calm and cool as a Vulcan....There are so many opinions on all kinds of gear which is fine, but when someone thinks or spouts their opinion is fact applicable to all, then we have asshatery IMO. Good to see someone call BS. YMMV.

I still enjoy watching the pissing matches with JM vs. anyone else at TGP. Good fun IMO, as an observer. But, everyone just needs to lighten up on the serious as in "life or death" level gear discussions.

Did I just write this?

 

[ejecta]

Many owners are hyper sensitive and will gangbang you if you say anything negative.

Peterson and his lemming followers caused so many problems they had to be quarantined in their own sub-forum on TGP.

Scott has a tendency to go overboard with his enthusiasm for his gear but he by no means comes close to that Mitchell dude when it comes to being a complete condescending ass hat.

I can't believe I'm doing this, but here it goes: Jay Mitchell has a common point to his responses from what I've read, IMO. He gets on anyone that tries to pass of generalizations and opinions as fact when he defends the Axe-Fx. Basically, similar to what Gainfreak stated about passing opinion/bs off as facts, but with more arrogance when it's JM. But if you are doing X with an Axe-Fx and some asshat comes in and says the Axe-Fx can't do X, Jay is just calling BS and calling them out because he is doing X with an Axe-Fx. That's really all I've seen, then it get's personal...and usually the other person winds up in a meltdown, I can picture them foaming at the mouth ready to kill. while JM is as calm and cool as a Vulcan....There are so many opinions on all kinds of gear which is fine, but when someone thinks or spouts their opinion is fact applicable to all, then we have asshatery IMO. Good to see someone call BS. YMMV.

I still enjoy watching the pissing matches with JM vs. anyone else at TGP. Good fun IMO, as an observer. But, everyone just needs to lighten up on the serious as in "life or death" level gear discussions.

Did I just write this?

Sorry bro but I disagree. If you are able to overlook they way he talks down to people then I guess that's good thing for you to be able to do. For me..... not so much.

 

[Rogue]

I can't believe I'm doing this, but here it goes: Jay Mitchell has a common point to his responses from what I've read, IMO. He gets on anyone that tries to pass of generalizations and opinions as fact when he defends the Axe-Fx. Basically, similar to what Gainfreak stated about passing opinion/bs off as facts, but with more arrogance when it's JM. But if you are doing X with an Axe-Fx and some asshat comes in and says the Axe-Fx can't do X, Jay is just calling BS and calling them out because he is doing X with an Axe-Fx. That's really all I've seen, then it get's personal...and usually the other person winds up in a meltdown, I can picture them foaming at the mouth ready to kill. while JM is as calm and cool as a Vulcan....There are so many opinions on all kinds of gear which is fine, but when someone thinks or spouts their opinion is fact applicable to all, then we have asshatery IMO. Good to see someone call BS. YMMV.

I asked a relatively simple question about the input level on the AxeFX and Jay Mitchell came in with as condescending attitude as I could imagine. So from experience, Jay Mitchell can be a complete dick. That's fine, the world needs dickheads.

He's knowledgeable about the AxeFX, I'll give him that, he's also the biggest defender of the AxeFXs short comings as well. If it were perfect, everyone would have one. He just needs to deal with the fact it isn't perfect.

And no, Jay Mitchell often isn't "doing X with an Axe-Fx" other than bitching at people for posting a challenge to see if the AxeFX can match a tone. I don't expect the AxeFX to perfectly match any tone, but the asshats out there that tell everyone they aren't dialing it right but consistently fail to put up clips that match the target tone should lay off the condescension. Put up or shut up, as they say.

 

[ejecta]

I can't believe I'm doing this, but here it goes: Jay Mitchell has a common point to his responses from what I've read, IMO. He gets on anyone that tries to pass of generalizations and opinions as fact when he defends the Axe-Fx. Basically, similar to what Gainfreak stated about passing opinion/bs off as facts, but with more arrogance when it's JM. But if you are doing X with an Axe-Fx and some asshat comes in and says the Axe-Fx can't do X, Jay is just calling BS and calling them out because he is doing X with an Axe-Fx. That's really all I've seen, then it get's personal...and usually the other person winds up in a meltdown, I can picture them foaming at the mouth ready to kill. while JM is as calm and cool as a Vulcan....There are so many opinions on all kinds of gear which is fine, but when someone thinks or spouts their opinion is fact applicable to all, then we have asshatery IMO. Good to see someone call BS. YMMV.

I asked a relatively simple question about the input level on the AxeFX and Jay Mitchell came in with as condescending attitude as I could imagine. So from experience, Jay Mitchell can be a complete dick. That's fine, the world needs dickheads.

He's knowledgeable about the AxeFX, I'll give him that, he's also the biggest defender of the AxeFXs short comings as well. If it were perfect, everyone would have one. He just needs to deal with the fact it isn't perfect.

And no, Jay Mitchell often isn't "doing X with an Axe-Fx" other than bitching at people for posting a challenge to see if the AxeFX can match a tone. I don't expect the AxeFX to perfectly match any tone, but the asshats out there that tell everyone they aren't dialing it right but consistently fail to put up clips that match the target tone should lay off the condescension. Put up or shut up, as they say.

Don't make me post the pic.

 

[jcj]

Like politics, some people are WAY over the top (on both sides of the issue)

I love my Axe, but I'm not interested in cramming that fact down anyones throat.