Seems Like No One Has Ampfests Any More

[Kelly]

Everyone figured out all the high gainers sound the same.

 

[Mad Axe]

I'd attend an ampfest in a heartbeat if I saw one reasonably close by. I have to drive about 2 hours to find a music store that carries higher quality gear and even then it's still mostly mainstream run-of-the-mill stuff.

 

[Scumback Speakers]

Expanding on Jim's post above, it's crazy how ear fatigue can sort of make most modern high gain amps sound similar after awhile when they're cranked. I mean there are obvious differences with some but after about 5 hours of ear shredding madness, Diezels, Fryette, Peters, all started to sound somewhat similar while others had a very unique sound no matter what like Mark series for instance. I'm not stating that the other amps aren't uniquely voiced because they are but that insane volume can play tricks on the ears after awhile.

The other big takeaway from these fests for me at least, and it's a BIG one: speakers make more difference than any other factor, period. I play 30+ amps at these with 14 different 412 cabs. Take almost any 5 amps and play them into a Cameron 412 with H30s and for the most part they all sound somewhat similar with just minor differences but plug the same head into a Splawn with small blocks or a Mesa with V30s or whatever and it drastically changes the sound and feel.

And expanding on your post, I've had people try my speakers in stuff I NEVER thought would work well, but I was wrong. When I got my four way cab switcher in the shop it was a game changer for demos. Clients would show up to try one speaker, and wind up walking out with another when they had a chance to rotate through four different cabs with one second delay between cabs. Of course, I still have to narrow it down to what they've had versus what they're looking to improve on, otherwise I'd be rotating 14 cabs instead of four!

But I've been very surprised with the results of what worked with a particular amp vs what the player, or I thought would work. You can't get the feel, or the immediate response you need with your rig via a youtube demo or clips, although it certainly will narrow it down a bit. The right speaker can take an amp you think is a dog that needs to be sold to "I'm keeping this forever!"...never fails to amaze me.

 

[JackBootedThug]

me, martin(rottingcorpse), and dan(mailman) have sex toy parties. they're a blast and clean up is easy. dan only let's you use non hypoallergenic and dishwasher safe products on him....

 

[BackCrack]

The one in Portland, Oregon that happened a few times was small but very cool. BFG-modded and Friedman-modded Marshalls, Conrad Sundholm (Sunn co-founder) showing his amps, a few other gear surprises, and cool people just hanging out.

 

[sg guy]

-well let's have some! I'd drive up & down the west coast-

 

[stephen sawall]

Last open one I was at in Seattle (Auburn) was in 2009 if I remember correct. There was some talk about doing a other a year or so back. But never happened.

I'm all for one personally.

 

[maddnotez]

A few of us that are here but also another forum have them annually all around the US actually...

Are you going?

 

[Jayy]

I'm in northeastern TN and nobody ever does shit around here. I'd love to go to one, but I'm in the damn sticks as far as this type of thing goes.

 

[Mailman1971]

I am in mid Michigan. Hosted 2. First one was awesome. Tons guys showed.
Brang a lot of amps. Cabs. Guitars. Pedals.
Scheduled one for the following year. Lots said they were heading to it. Within days of it happening everyone cancelled. I felt kinda bad. Now just few guys over once in a while.
No where near the scale as an ampfest though.