So to all the Axe-FX owners, what's...

[Ventura]

So, everyone's educated or non-educated opinion, regardless of how GOOD this technology is...

IS IT FAD OR IS IT EVOLUTION!?!?

Tough thing to see from this perspective going in, what'll be in 10 years or so?? Better, smaller, more powerful - just like everything else? Or will there be this 'aw remember that Axe thing that was like $2000 bucks, and they had, what were they called, those cabs, ya that's it, WEDGES, hahahahahahha "

Hard to say, ya, I am shitting bricks though - the things nuts. Not ready to dump my poweramp and preamp set up though, just not there.

Good to see ya on the board noob, get some surfing in wouldya!!
Mo

Dunno, but....I'm realy happy with the way this thing works, and have been for quite a while.

I don't see it's inherent utility value changing (for me) irrespective of what happens with the technology.

Well stated, good angle to take too.

Mo

 

[Shark Diver]

So, everyone's educated or non-educated opinion, regardless of how GOOD this technology is...

IS IT FAD OR IS IT EVOLUTION!?!?

It is a step in evolution? Digital modeling has been around for decades. This is another step. The Axe itself evolves.

Straight up against my amps - no. But as a great all-in-one type rig - yes.

Be careful if you going FRFR. Before you sell your power amps and cabs try the wedges first. It is very different then hearing a 4x12 on stage. Not good or bad, just different. I use to put my wedges behind me and that helped. But the sound is different, and it takes getting use to. Not a fault with the Axe per say, just a different rig configuration so there are good and bad differences.

 

[Ventura]

So, everyone's educated or non-educated opinion, regardless of how GOOD this technology is...

IS IT FAD OR IS IT EVOLUTION!?!?

It is a step in evolution? Digital modeling has been around for decades. This is another step. The Axe itself evolves.

Straight up against my amps - no. But as a great all-in-one type rig - yes.

Be careful if you going FRFR. Before you sell your power amps and cabs try the wedges first. It is very different then hearing a 4x12 on stage. Not good or bad, just different. I use to put my wedges behind me and that helped. But the sound is different, and it takes getting use to. Not a fault with the Axe per say, just a different rig configuration so there are good and bad differences.

Thanks, but I'm not there yet. I'm fine with the poweramp into cab scenario and using the Ultra as a wank tool for fun and playing on my own, and using it as an fx module when playing through the Mak4. It's the perfect set up for me right now cuz it's versatile...and there's no compromise in it.

2 cents,
Mo

 

[Bronco]

Thanks, but I'm not there yet. I'm fine with the poweramp into cab scenario and using the Ultra as a wank tool for fun and playing on my own, and using it as an fx module when playing through the Mak4. It's the perfect set up for me right now cuz it's versatile...and there's no compromise in it.

2 cents,
Mo

This is exactly where I'm at with it (I have a Fish vice Mak4)...and I love that I've yet to take it further. Had it for over 3 months now, and zero regrets!

 

[Shark Diver]

So, everyone's educated or non-educated opinion, regardless of how GOOD this technology is...

IS IT FAD OR IS IT EVOLUTION!?!?

It is a step in evolution? Digital modeling has been around for decades. This is another step. The Axe itself evolves.

Straight up against my amps - no. But as a great all-in-one type rig - yes.

Be careful if you going FRFR. Before you sell your power amps and cabs try the wedges first. It is very different then hearing a 4x12 on stage. Not good or bad, just different. I use to put my wedges behind me and that helped. But the sound is different, and it takes getting use to. Not a fault with the Axe per say, just a different rig configuration so there are good and bad differences.

Thanks, but I'm not there yet. I'm fine with the poweramp into cab scenario and using the Ultra as a wank tool for fun and playing on my own, and using it as an fx module when playing through the Mak4. It's the perfect set up for me right now cuz it's versatile...and there's no compromise in it.

2 cents,
Mo

I was just responding to some of the other post where guys are thinking of going FRFR. It works well and has many advantages. It might take getting use to though - sort of like using in-ears.

For me since I liked all my tube pre's more than the axe models if I was going to run it into a power amp and cab I would rather have a TC2290 and PCM 70 at that point. But that's me.

 

[noob_pwn]

I'm thinking of getting a mackie HD1531, trying it out among other FRFR 3-ways on friday.

As far as I'm concerned a large, powered 3-way will still give the "massive air push" effect but i'll be able to monitor my FOH sound and it will be the clearest sound available with a "sweet spot" from every angle

 

[noob_pwn]

I might add, if i had the means I'd buy a full-blown setup based around a CLX or UL but for me, its about getting the most utility from the cash i have, the best tone, consistency, reliability, ease of use, ease of transport and lowest maintenance costs hence why I've gone this route.
Axefx is the solution to this problem, hell I'd love to have 5 odd boutique tube amps but i can't afford that, and I need the best all in one solution possible

 

[Ventura]

I might add, if i had the means I'd buy a full-blown setup based around a CLX or UL but for me, its about getting the most utility from the cash i have, the best tone, consistency, reliability, ease of use, ease of transport and lowest maintenance costs hence why I've gone this route.
Axefx is the solution to this problem, hell I'd love to have 5 odd boutique tube amps but i can't afford that, and I need the best all in one solution possible

I'm there with ya... Not gigging, just playing - got everything I need with a killer preamp, the Ultra, and my poweramp/cab. Funny - I'm having an 'introspective' day today wondering if I really need all this gear, or if I'd be happy with simply having my do-all rig and forget about the rest...

I just dumped a mess of effects on the eBay for sale - Eventide ModFactor, BOSS, EHX, MXR/CAE, all brand new shit I've never really used... And won't be using now that I've got the Axe. Crazy.

Oh well, there it is - the downsizing has commenced!!

Mo

 

[jlbaxe]

Told ya

 

[Ventura]

Told ya

It's a virus.

It comes on board, it takes over all the resources available to it, makes them useless or uses them to the point they're fully entrenched, and finds its power position (Alpha Dominant) in its environment. A perfect virus. By introducing an Ultra, a Mak4, a poweramp, and my Fryette cab, the culling has commenced. And, what, a month ago I was saying NFW!?!?!?!

So it goes... I guess I'm not too old to embrace evolution.

Peace
V./Mo

 

[lespaul3013]

So...how does the Axe cut through live?

Seems like a neat option for church...I don't have to worry about volume.

 

[jcj]

So...how does the Axe cut through live?

Seems like a neat option for church...I don't have to worry about volume.

Just fine, exactly like most amps if you set em right

 

[mentoneman]

So...how does the Axe cut through live?

Seems like a neat option for church...I don't have to worry about volume.

i found that it didn't really help reduce my stage volume, because the axe rig i had didn't sound and feel right until it was cranked up a bit. i used a frfr on one side and my tech 21 power engine with a replacement scumback on the other, so i'd have the full dynamic range of the axe on the fr side, and the guitar speaker response on the tech 21 side.

it is a very sweet device and i miss it, but i'm loving my carol ann live right now.

 

[lespaul3013]

So...how does the Axe cut through live?

Seems like a neat option for church...I don't have to worry about volume.

i found that it didn't really help reduce my stage volume, because the axe rig i had didn't sound and feel right until it was cranked up a bit. i used a frfr on one side and my tech 21 power engine with a replacement scumback on the other, so i'd have the full dynamic range of the axe on the fr side, and the guitar speaker response on the tech 21 side.

it is a very sweet device and i miss it, but i'm loving my carol ann live right now.

Good point...may just stick with a regular amp, I'm used to that anyways.

 

[Anonymous]

The AxeFx is an incredible tool, but for me it was a time suck. I could never stop tweeking. That was my fault and weakness, not the AxeFx's. I also still thought a real tube amp felt and sounded better, sorry... But, that is just my opinion. If I needed a tool that required a ton of different sounds (such as a top 40 cover gig), then the AxeFx is an awesome tool!

Because my time is limited, I use a very simple a/b rig with three basic tones and that is enough for writing and playing my music. I also found that I had less overall items to lug around with my tube amp rig than the AxeFx, but again, that is just me. YMMV

 

[degenaro]

The AxeFx is an incredible tool, but for me it was a time suck. I could never stop tweeking. That was my fault and weakness, not the AxeFx's. I also still thought a real tube amp felt and sounded better, sorry... But, that is just my opinion. If I needed a tool that required a ton of different sounds (such as a top 40 cover gig), then the AxeFx is an awesome tool!

Because my time is limited, I use a very simple a/b rig with three basic tones and that is enough for writing and playing my music. I also found that I had less overall items to lug around with my tube amp rig than the AxeFx, but again, that is just me. YMMV

I've seen a few guys references over the years that if they'd do Top40 they'd use the Axe-Fx. I'm the opposite, I pretty much spent a 2 1/2 hour gig on max 5 presets 2 different amp sims used in pedal board mode turning fx blocks on and off.
Top 40 I usually did with a head and a few boss pedals...

 

[steve_k]

I might add, if i had the means I'd buy a full-blown setup based around a CLX or UL but for me, its about getting the most utility from the cash i have, the best tone, consistency, reliability, ease of use, ease of transport and lowest maintenance costs hence why I've gone this route.
Axefx is the solution to this problem, hell I'd love to have 5 odd boutique tube amps but i can't afford that, and I need the best all in one solution possible

Probably the most sensible, unbiased opinion I have heard with a gigging Axe FX'er.

Steve

 

[BIGKAHUNA]

Let me jump in - I am still in the honeymoon phase and loving it.

I am a lifelong hobbyist that had an extremely short lived stint playing some bars arouind my home town in the late 80's. I had an early mid-life crisis and instead of a sports car I went out and bought 5 heads, a couple of cabs, 5 guitars and about every pedal device/switching unit/maintenance part I could ever want or need. Takes up a ton of space in the house but hey - its gear. Well I am now in a postion that I am forced to down size. Being a hobbyist I need to anyway but I was really worried about it. Once I got the AxeFx Ultra those worries disipated. I am now more at ease selling off my gear.

I will go back to the states the an AxeFx Ultra in a rack with a Engl 840/50 poweramp, a power conditioner and my wireless unit. Small but heavy little rack rig that will do everything my current set up will except take up 2 rooms in my house. I will most likely pickup a couple of heads down the road when I get back to the states and have more floor space and land but for now - the AxeFx is kicking some major ass as an all-in-one replacment to meet my downsize needs. No - it will never replace your vintage or boutique amps but its a fine piece of gear in its own right that can spit out some serious tones. I can see it staying in my collection for a long time.

 

[Ventura]

Let me jump in - I am still in the honeymoon phase and loving it.

I am a lifelong hobbyist that had an extremely short lived stint playing some bars arouind my home town in the late 80's. I had an early mid-life crisis and instead of a sports car I went out and bought 5 heads, a couple of cabs, 5 guitars and about every pedal device/switching unit/maintenance part I could ever want or need. Takes up a ton of space in the house but hey - its gear. Well I am now in a postion that I am forced to down size. Being a hobbyist I need to anyway but I was really worried about it. Once I got the AxeFx Ultra those worries disipated. I am now more at ease selling off my gear.

I will go back to the states the an AxeFx Ultra in a rack with a Engl 840/50 poweramp, a power conditioner and my wireless unit. Small but heavy little rack rig that will do everything my current set up will except take up 2 rooms in my house. I will most likely pickup a couple of heads down the road when I get back to the states and have more floor space and land but for now - the AxeFx is kicking some major ass as an all-in-one replacment to meet my downsize needs. No - it will never replace your vintage or boutique amps but its a fine piece of gear in its own right that can spit out some serious tones. I can see it staying in my collection for a long time.

Mega...!!

I find it takes me NO time to dial in the tone and effects and BOOM, I'm playing. I'm still amazed by this little black box, it's not hype, it's the real deal... I still love my big rigs, but for ease of use - AND - to experiment with shit that's in my head and wanting to get out, I can press the buttons, sort it out, and within seconds - literally - have what my head is thinking about in the experimental sense. It's very inspirational

Peace,
Mo

 

[jlbaxe]

Yeah my next step is a mission pedal and work on the wahs in the Ultra. I also need to work out turning effects on and off with the GCP. Thinking about using the GCP as a slave with the MFC101 but that is probably overkill.

Eh Mission pedal and a pair of active wedges would be nice but just got crazy busy with work and no time to play.