NGD - AX8

[shredhead666]

Thanks!

 

[Chris6870]

So much to learn here. On one hand it is kind of a pain in the ass and I do prefer the tube amp. Straight forward, sick tone, just dial a few knobs to taste and rock.

But on the other hand I can see how in depth this unit is and the amount of options are endless. I really want to learn it all and maybe I can perfect my tone.

At the very least I can say I have learned more about audio in general since I have been reading up on this. Learning about Fletcher Munson really opened up my eyes and that will be applied for everything, not just the AXE. It also makes me regret not wearing ear plugs for the last 20 years.

I get to jam with my drummer tonight through a PA at loud volumes and looking forward to that. I am going to try to set some time aside this weekend to really dive into this thing.

I'm using it with my tube amp using 4CM for effects and to switch my amps channels. The amps sound great but I do love the simplicity of my tube amp. So many amp models,cabs and tone settings it's easy to get lost using it live. I could live with the FX8 for gigging, but I like having the modeling for home and recording.

 

[maddnotez]

So much to learn here. On one hand it is kind of a pain in the ass and I do prefer the tube amp. Straight forward, sick tone, just dial a few knobs to taste and rock.

But on the other hand I can see how in depth this unit is and the amount of options are endless. I really want to learn it all and maybe I can perfect my tone.

At the very least I can say I have learned more about audio in general since I have been reading up on this. Learning about Fletcher Munson really opened up my eyes and that will be applied for everything, not just the AXE. It also makes me regret not wearing ear plugs for the last 20 years.

I get to jam with my drummer tonight through a PA at loud volumes and looking forward to that. I am going to try to set some time aside this weekend to really dive into this thing.

I'm using it with my tube amp using 4CM for effects and to switch my amps channels. The amps sound great but I do love the simplicity of my amp. So many amp models,cabs and tone settings it's easy to get lost using it live. I could live with the FX8 for gigging, but I like having the modeling for home and recording.

I'm going to try to use it live since that was the main purpose of getting one but I can definitely see it just becoming my practice rig and to record with.

One thing I've never thought of is the other guitarist in my band doesn't have one and some people are saying that's going to be a problem?

I have been jamming with another drummer though and may start up another project but for my actual band.......hopefully it's not an issue.

 

[shredhead666]

Nice! Did you get this through Fractal's B-stock outlet? I've been trying to buy one, but everybody is trying to sell them used w/o warranty for 2-400 over retail.

Yes and I HIGHLY recommend this.

I signed up for the wait list through the Fractal shop. I received an email from the sales dude saying hey I have added you to the list BUT we have some B-Stock's available now. He provided a link to the B-Stock order page which is not visible any other way.

It was $200 off ($1,236 shipped to my door) and the gamble was worth it. You can see the pics I posted, it is 95% flawless with one tiny little ding that I had to search for.

Same warranty as buying new and I could not be happier. I called the sales rep asking some questions before I bought it and he did say they had several B-Stock available but only sent the link to a few people.

If you are seriously considering this I would sign up for the wait list and if they do not mention the B-Stock in the confirmation email I would just ask them about it. Say hey, I know you have B-Stocks hook it up.

I am all about saving a few dollars and with the savings you could either upgrade to the 3 year warranty, buy a nice case for the AX8 or even a cheap powered monitor.

Just placed an order. Thanks for the head's up! Things like that are why I love this place!

 

[maddnotez]

Nice! Did you get this through Fractal's B-stock outlet? I've been trying to buy one, but everybody is trying to sell them used w/o warranty for 2-400 over retail.

Yes and I HIGHLY recommend this.

I signed up for the wait list through the Fractal shop. I received an email from the sales dude saying hey I have added you to the list BUT we have some B-Stock's available now. He provided a link to the B-Stock order page which is not visible any other way.

It was $200 off ($1,236 shipped to my door) and the gamble was worth it. You can see the pics I posted, it is 95% flawless with one tiny little ding that I had to search for.

Same warranty as buying new and I could not be happier. I called the sales rep asking some questions before I bought it and he did say they had several B-Stock available but only sent the link to a few people.

If you are seriously considering this I would sign up for the wait list and if they do not mention the B-Stock in the confirmation email I would just ask them about it. Say hey, I know you have B-Stocks hook it up.

I am all about saving a few dollars and with the savings you could either upgrade to the 3 year warranty, buy a nice case for the AX8 or even a cheap powered monitor.

Just placed an order. Thanks for the head's up! Things like that are why I love this place!

Awesome man, good deal. Let me know what you think.

Even though I have not used them yet, I had a few friends send me some pretty good IR's to load into the AX8.

I can send those your way as well.

 

[shredhead666]

I may hit you up for those after I play with it a bit.

 

[Metal1977]

One thing I've never thought of is the other guitarist in my band doesn't have one and some people are saying that's going to be a problem?

Why they say it would be a problem?

 

[maddnotez]

One thing I've never thought of is the other guitarist in my band doesn't have one and some people are saying that's going to be a problem?

Why they say it would be a problem?

If I use the AX8 with a guitar cab/power amp than no issues but ideally I want to run FOH with FRFR. Many people are saying the modeler won't be heard because of the difference frequencies. The Guitar cab and FRFR put out different frequencies to where the FRFR will get buried.

I have no experience with this and hopefully that is not the case. It does make sense but at the same time it is like OK then why doesn't the sound guy just turn me up and EQ to compensate?

 

[Metal1977]

Ok, thanks!

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Those axe units and kemper units and all the rest of those gadgets look really nice for what they offer, and I have been tempted in the past, but there is no way I can see myself learning how to use all the features, being bothered with firmware updates, and all the other stuff that goes along with these technologies. Way too techy for me. Plus, even I did get all the tech stuff figured I'd spend WAY too much time tweaking and not enough time playing.

Not saying anything bad about modelers and profiling gear at all, just WAY too much of a learning curve for this guy.

 

[maddnotez]

Those axe units and kemper units and all the rest of those gadgets look really nice for what they offer, and I have been tempted in the past, but there is no way I can see myself learning how to use all the features, being bothered with firmware updates, and all the other stuff that goes along with these technologies. Way too techy for me. Plus, even I did get all the tech stuff figured I'd spend WAY too much time tweaking and not enough time playing.

Not saying anything bad about modelers and profiling gear at all, just WAY too much of a learning curve for this guy.

Couldn't agree with you more. These are facts.

I have a TON of things to learn, I actually had to read the manual to turn the damn thing on and hook it up to my amp. The presets and editing and everything else is SO in depth.

When I did get it going, I spent an hour or 2 playing my guitar. Instead of practicing scales or trying to write I spend an hour of playing power chords or single notes just tweaking the AX8 and not even really playing

It is fun though I will say I like to tweak but you are right.

The one cool thing though is the looper, I have never had one and I really got to play around with scales and harmonies that way. Yeah, I could just buy a looper but it is there so why not.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Those axe units and kemper units and all the rest of those gadgets look really nice for what they offer, and I have been tempted in the past, but there is no way I can see myself learning how to use all the features, being bothered with firmware updates, and all the other stuff that goes along with these technologies. Way too techy for me. Plus, even I did get all the tech stuff figured I'd spend WAY too much time tweaking and not enough time playing.

Not saying anything bad about modelers and profiling gear at all, just WAY too much of a learning curve for this guy.

Couldn't agree with you more. These are facts.

I have a TON of things to learn, I actually had to read the manual to turn the damn thing on and hook it up to my amp. The presets and editing and everything else is SO in depth.

When I did get it going, I spent an hour or 2 playing my guitar. Instead of practicing scales or trying to write I spend an hour of playing power chords or single notes just tweaking the AX8 and not even really playing

It is fun though I will say I like to tweak but you are right.

The one cool thing though is the looper, I have never had one and I really got to play around with scales and harmonies that way. Yeah, I could just buy a looper but it is there so why not.

I'm sure it's a ton of fun! Couldn't argue that point!
Glad your diggin it!

I already lose way too much time on these forums when I should be playing; I can't afford any more time

Plus, I'm trying to finish up a bachelors and between the homework, forum time, the wife's honey do list, trying to plan our move to MT this May, going home to visit family back on the east coast, a new Kiesel Aries coming in December, my new Savage 120, working out, servicing the wife, managing a rental property, and taking care of two geriatric hunting dogs, I'm maxed out

 

[shredhead666]

Pretty sure I'm just going to set mine up as a boosted marshall through some greenbacks, and maybe do a bit of EQ'ing. Try not to get carried away. I'm sure it's easy to get lost in the number of options this thing affords.