Played some cool amps today in LI.

[thiswaythatway]

And i used a Mesa 2:90 poweramp with the 11R. With an Axe-Fx, i got good tones pretty easily and the Axe-Fx is supposed to be the hard one to tweak, so i know the poweramp isn't the issue.

I don't run my that way - I use studio monitors - so take this with with a grain of salt...

Were you using the Output To Amp jacks? I think that the Output To Amp jacks on the back and the front default to the "Amp In" output setting, which gives you only everything in front of the amp sim...they're meant to go into the front end of a head/combo using the 11 just for pedal effects. So it'd be like running the tube screamer straight into your power amp which would definitely suck. I think the Main Outputs default to Rig Out. You can use Rig Out, or Rig Out No Cab to still get the amp sim but globally bypass the cab/mics. That way you don't have to go into each preset and bypass the cab.

If you set it to Rig Out or Rig Out No Cab and it still sucks, then I think you are out of luck.

I tried various settings of Rig Out No Cab before i went to the ampfest so when i fired it up it was at what i thought was it's best settings. is this thing not designed to be used with a power amp? Do they intend for users to use it straight into a mixer or PA? It had really no bottom end at all. I'm still trying to return it though to GC. But playing with the 11R makes me appreciate the Axe-Fx more

 

[ratter]

And i used a Mesa 2:90 poweramp with the 11R. With an Axe-Fx, i got good tones pretty easily and the Axe-Fx is supposed to be the hard one to tweak, so i know the poweramp isn't the issue.

I don't run my that way - I use studio monitors - so take this with with a grain of salt...

Were you using the Output To Amp jacks? I think that the Output To Amp jacks on the back and the front default to the "Amp In" output setting, which gives you only everything in front of the amp sim...they're meant to go into the front end of a head/combo using the 11 just for pedal effects. So it'd be like running the tube screamer straight into your power amp which would definitely suck. I think the Main Outputs default to Rig Out. You can use Rig Out, or Rig Out No Cab to still get the amp sim but globally bypass the cab/mics. That way you don't have to go into each preset and bypass the cab.

If you set it to Rig Out or Rig Out No Cab and it still sucks, then I think you are out of luck.

I tried various settings of Rig Out No Cab before i went to the ampfest so when i fired it up it was at what i thought was it's best settings. is this thing not designed to be used with a power amp? Do they intend for users to use it straight into a mixer or PA? It had really no bottom end at all. I'm still trying to return it though to GC. But playing with the 11R makes me appreciate the Axe-Fx more

I think it's intended as a recording box first for obvious reasons, but there's no good reason why it shouldn't work into a power amp too unless they just f'ed up that aspect which I guess is possible. I use mine (and used the Axe this way too) with studio monitors because if I'm using the tweed deluxe sim or whatever, I don't want it running through 4x6L6/EL34s and a 4x12 with greenbacks. I want to use the 1x12 tweed cab sim, etc. etc. Just for me personally, running a modeller through a guitar power amp and guitar cab kinda defeats the purpose.

But if you tried Rig Out and Rig Out No Cab and tried the Reso button on and off and none of the above was delivering the goods, there's really nothing more you can do options-wise except maybe try to work the graphic eq. But having to do that would annoy me.

ps - I saw they were giving you a hard time about returning it. That's such BS. Did you tell them that PT won't run without the hardware connected? I'd bitch at the manager til they took it back...

 

[the4thlast1]

Awesome. I wish I could've been there.

I am glad you didn't go...between Carl, Dan, Greg and then you, I would have really sucked. Besides, it's better off that you don't hear me copping riffs off of childhood memories Honestly, I wish we all lived a little bit closer.

You sounded good man, dont worry bout it !

 

[Marshall Law]

the Friedman, did it have a saturation switch, if it did, it should have had plenty of gain

 

[thiswaythatway]

the Friedman, did it have a saturation switch, if it did, it should have had plenty of gain

Yes it did, but nowhere near as much as the Fortin Cali, or Cameron CCV. I think the HBE is a high gain mod that this amp didn't have. Again though, this Friedman modded amp sounded great,

 

[ejecta]

Friedman modded Voodoo V-plex. Had BE and JBE... cool tones and sounded great with some nice headroom. I wish it had some more gain though

In light of my tastes.... this tells me exactly how much weight to give your reviews.

 

[danhops]

the Friedman, did it have a saturation switch, if it did, it should have had plenty of gain

Yes it did, but nowhere near as much as the Fortin Cali, or Cameron CCV. I think the HBE is a high gain mod that this amp didn't have. Again though, this Friedman modded amp sounded great,

Like I said, when I get my amps back, I'll let you borrow my Randall stuff. I have both a BE/C45 module and a HBE/Black Eye Module. You will then get a better idea of how much more gain the HBE has. I'll throw in Petes Boogie Modules and a few more for you to check out. I think you'll dig it for what it all is. Its a great thing to be able to bounce around without buying a new amp.

 

[thiswaythatway]

the Friedman, did it have a saturation switch, if it did, it should have had plenty of gain

Yes it did, but nowhere near as much as the Fortin Cali, or Cameron CCV. I think the HBE is a high gain mod that this amp didn't have. Again though, this Friedman modded amp sounded great,

Like I said, when I get my amps back, I'll let you borrow my Randall stuff. I have both a BE/C45 module and a HBE/Black Eye Module. You will then get a better idea of how much more gain the HBE has. I'll throw in Petes Boogie Modules and a few more for you to check out. I think you'll dig it for what it all is. Its a great thing to be able to bounce around without buying a new amp.

Thanks, you're too kind my friend. Dave was playing some ZZTop on your Friedman amp and it sounded damm sweet, thick, organic. I could imagine that switching between the BE and HBE would be something nice.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Had an awesome time at the Long Beach Ampfest! Learned much! Good seeing you guys. And a big thanks to Greg for putting it together, and for the fine BBQ afterward! Very cool.

Dave, thanks for bringing the CCV. Really enjoyed jamming on that amp. Very cool wet/dry set up you have going. Your cab sounds great. If you ever decide to sell it, please let me know!

Other highlights included checking out Dan's awesome Anderson guitars ... really liked that Tele! And of course the Fortin Cali mod. The Splawn Nitro was also great ... really heavy ad fat tones. Greg's 5150 III was also a nice surprise, as was his Baron amp. Also he has a nice assortment of cabs ... I agree with Dan about the Engel with V30's. He also has the best sounding Recto cab I've ever heard! I usually have to fight with those over-sized cabs to get any clarity, but Greg's (for some unknown reason), sounds great ...

The only downer was that 11R. After hearing all these great amps, I must admit it was rather weak. Maybe it would sound better as a straight DI into the DAW?

Thanks again guys.

ps. Ralph, Harry, Kage? Tsk Tsk ... NO SOUP FOR YOU! COME BACK ... ONE YEAR!

It's really a pleasure to sit back and hear you play. Your picking chops are out of this world and i love your phrasing. I was watching your right hand a lot because my picking needs work. And you sounded great playing the Anderson Cobra . I really did like the feel of the Suhr modern neck as well. But i think everything we plugged in guitar or amp sounded good in it's own way, except for that 11R. I need to mess around with it one more time to make sure there wasn't a setting i was overlooking.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Yeah the Nitro is one of those amps that opens up once you get the master up a little. However the new Nitros come with a volume control in the loop , kinda like a built in attenuator. You can set the loop volume low and turn up the master without it being so loud, so you get that tone at lower volumes. My Nitro is a little older and was built before they started adding the loop volume control. I may eventually send it to splawn to be updated.

You have a kick ass sounding amp with the Nitro. That thing must kill in a band setting. I wasn't sure which cab i liked in on the best but i have to say it was best on Dave's old beat up Marshall cab loaded with the 80's. Then I'd probably go Greenback cab then the Mesa cab. BUT, it was close and that oversized Mesa cab did sound a LOT better than i thought it would.

 

[thiswaythatway]

You were working right?

 

[danhops]

Dan, did you bring my Cameron too?

 

[thiswaythatway]

Dan, did you bring my Cameron too?

Yes, but we didn't get to plug it in. I can't believe how fast the day flew by. But we did spend time on Dave's CCV.

 

[danhops]

Thanks, you're too kind my friend. Dave was playing some ZZTop on your Friedman amp and it sounded damm sweet, thick, organic. I could imagine that switching between the BE and HBE would be something nice.

I'm glad you guys were digging it. I really like what Dave did to that amp. I dont really dime the gain on it even though its not as gainy as the Cameron. I get a nice fat rhythm sound, and then just kick in a pedal to do my hack leads. Turn off the pedal and roll back the volume, and thats my clean. I dont use the Saturation most of the time. I like knowing I can always get more if I want it though. The BE with the SAT on gets close to the HBE gain wise. Feels a little different though. HBE with SAT is stupid gain. Its not really useful, but I am sure someone will find a need to do it. Never enough gain for some

 

[danhops]

Dan, did you bring my Cameron too?

Yes, but we didn't get to plug it in. we did spend time on Dave's CCV.

Oh well. I was curious as to how it would hold up next to Marks own line since feature for feature, thats about as close as I have seen in a Cameron Marshall.

 

[lolzgreg]

I can't believe I just found this thread

Anyhows, thanks so much for coming out guys. Some of you had a long ass trip, but the company and times were great. I'm glad you all enjoyed the food.

Ralph, shame on you for not letting me know you weren't going to come last minute.

Harry, you should have stopped wackin' off to pictures of purple guitars and dinosaurs in bed and found your way down here

I would have made this a more open event, but it was at my parents house (I'm only 22 today), and I don't fancy letting people I don't really know well into it. I want to organize a Long Island ampfest that isn't at DARE studios. I love the place, and the people who run it are nice, but damn... I don't like that the necessity for a Faraday cage is so dire. I actually like being able to hear my guitar signal over the buzz. That place has never done much justice to amplifiers.

The Splawn Nitro is one hell of a metal machine. I loved that thing. The resonance knob is so cool (changes the texture and focus of the amp, rather than low end girth). That thing had a ton of clarity and saturation. Agreed that it shines when it's turned up.

The Fortin Bones is an astounding amplifier. It just sounds fantastic for so many different styles and has a thickness and dimension to it that I have heard in very few amplifiers. The Bones surely has a voice of it's own. I would love to own one. Thanks for bringing it down, Carl, and thanks for the great advice. You're one hell of a player, and your kindness, modesty, and genuineness are all on par with your playing abilities

The CCV is super versatile. The mid range voicing has a character that I've never heard in another head before, and the gain knob is very usable. I'm not going to go as far as some people to say it's an end-all be-all of amplifiers, but it sure as hell does a lot, and I wouldn't mind owning one

I liked the Friedman, but it was the least exiting of the bunch. It shined for less modern music, and made you work a bit harder to play it. It definitely sounded pretty similar to my modded Windsor (which Calhoun Tubbs owns now), but I think I liked my Windsor a lot better. Dave didn't have his way from front to back with the V-Plex, so I suppose that could be a reason why.

The Cali mod is still the best sounding British flavored amp in existence. I will stand by this likely forever. Remember, people have "taste," but good tone IS good tone.

Dave, I love those MC-90s. The sheen of fizz on top is very exciting and the mids are very three dimensional on those speakers. Thanks again.

 

[Gainfreak]

I can't believe I just found this thread

Anyhows, thanks so much for coming out guys. Some of you had a long ass trip, but the company and times were great. I'm glad you all enjoyed the food.

Ralph, shame on you for not letting me know you weren't going to come last minute.

Harry, you should have stopped wackin' off to pictures of purple guitars and dinosaurs in bed and found your way down here

I would have made this a more open event, but it was at my parents house (I'm only 22 today), and I don't fancy letting people I don't really know well into it. I want to organize a Long Island ampfest that isn't at DARE studios. I love the place, and the people who run it are nice, but damn... I don't like that the necessity for a Faraday cage is so dire. I actually like being able to hear my guitar signal over the buzz. That place has never done much justice to amplifiers.

The Splawn Nitro is one hell of a metal machine. I loved that thing. The resonance knob is so cool (changes the texture and focus of the amp, rather than low end girth). That thing had a ton of clarity and saturation. Agreed that it shines when it's turned up.

The Fortin Bones is an astounding amplifier. It just sounds fantastic for so many different styles and has a thickness and dimension to it that I have heard in very few amplifiers. The Bones surely has a voice of it's own. I would love to own one. Thanks for bringing it down, Carl, and thanks for the great advice. You're one hell of a player, and your kindness, modesty, and genuineness are all on par with your playing abilities

The CCV is super versatile. The mid range voicing has a character that I've never heard in another head before, and the gain knob is very usable. I'm not going to go as far as some people to say it's an end-all be-all of amplifiers, but it sure as hell does a lot, and I wouldn't mind owning one

I liked the Friedman, but it was the least exiting of the bunch. It shined for less modern music, and made you work a bit harder to play it. It definitely sounded pretty similar to my modded Windsor (which Calhoun Tubbs owns now), but I think I liked my Windsor a lot better. Dave didn't have his way from front to back with the V-Plex, so I suppose that could be a reason why.

The Cali mod is still the best sounding British flavored amp in existence. I will stand by this likely forever. Remember, people have "taste," but good tone IS good tone.

Dave, I love those MC-90s. The sheen of fizz on top is very exciting and the mids are very three dimensional on those speakers. Thanks again.

Wassup Fellas!!

Greg!
I truly apologize for the no show but I got caught up in a ton of stuff that could not have happened at a worse time lol. I played BB Kings on Thursday with the 80's tribute and I had to take care of some things that came our way do to the show. I don't think that Ive slept more then 3 hours a day since Thursday.
I was asked to play a show with another tribute band and they had asked me to come to their soundcheck and show on Saturday. I thought that I would have had plenty of time to make the ampfest but I was asked to get to the venue early and by the time I was done with hashing everything out there was no way for me to make it out your way. You know me and not carrying a cell phone, so that's why I didn't give you a heads up lol.
It sounds like you guys had a great time and I wish I could have hung with you all.

~R~

 

[Digital Jams]

Dan, did you bring my Cameron too?

Yes, but we didn't get to plug it in. I can't believe how fast the day flew by. But we did spend time on Dave's CCV.

Was it the Ocean one???????

I would have plugged that sucker in, one of the best I have heard imo.

 

[danhops]

Dan, did you bring my Cameron too?

Yes, but we didn't get to plug it in. I can't believe how fast the day flew by. But we did spend time on Dave's CCV.

Was it the Ocean one???????

I would have plugged that sucker in, one of the best I have heard imo.

No, its my other one thats closer to the CCV. The Ocean is still my favorite Cameron.