Talk me out of an Axe-Fx!!

[degenaro]

Except with the loaded down Marshalls you still have the tube power section as it is. I've used loaded down heads into a MosValve and dig that fine.
Not sure I get the point regarding the Pierce and the GK, isn't that kinda saying the same as me?
And then there's the Flexi clip that's posted above...tube pre and power amp loaded down ino speaker sim, if you have no use for the Axe's amp models you don't think that this is conceptually really cool? The ability o silnt recording through cab sims that IMO soun really cool?

Dude, youre beating a dead horse, he isnt going to accept anything outside of what he likes..

That's perfectly fine. I'm just talking gear...no one ever has to agree with me.

 

[ttosh]

Except with the loaded down Marshalls you still have the tube power section as it is. I've used loaded down heads into a MosValve and dig that fine.
Not sure I get the point regarding the Pierce and the GK, isn't that kinda saying the same as me?
And then there's the Flexi clip that's posted above...tube pre and power amp loaded down ino speaker sim, if you have no use for the Axe's amp models you don't think that this is conceptually really cool? The ability o silnt recording through cab sims that IMO soun really cool?

Dude, youre beating a dead horse, he isnt going to accept anything outside of what he likes..

It really is not him. The guys he is currently jamming with would look down on him for it.

 

[itsme]

I've never liked or used any rack stuff. I'll always use a head & cab, or a combo. Never needed more than 2 or 3 tones for any gig, and I've always been in cover bands, with a couple originals. I've always thought it was cool to cover tunes with my own tones. But if all these other guys like the AXE, I'm sure it sounds good. It's just not for me, I like to keep it simple. Those 10+ switch midi patch boards & all the programming, scare me.

 

[thiswaythatway]

One of the hardest things for any guitarist IMHO is getting a tone that works for them. Even in this day and age I have guitar playing friends who are clueless when it comes to getting a good sound lol.
If you found a combination that works for you then I see no need to buy an AXE-FX. You would be buying it just for the sake of getting something new.


On another note the AXE-FX is not going to be for everyone and as with any piece of gear, you really need to know what to expect from it and what you want to use it for.
I bought an axe-fx because I joined a new coverband that will be covering stuff from Boston to Led Zep and I needed a way to change up the sounds depending on what tunes/band we are playing. The Axe-fx KILLS for this.
I also needed a rig that was portable because the band Im now in will have fly out gigs. Its easier for me to fly out a 4 space rig and guitars instead of a tube amp and a switching rack system.
I've tried the line 6 stuff and other digital modeling and the tone and feel is not there and It is there with the Axe-FX. The line 6 stuff also sounds compressed and processed no matter how much you tweak the presets and forget about rolling off your volume knob.
You've heard it from countless people who have played the Axe-FX in the right context that the feel is there and it is.....and if it isn't, you can make it feel and respond the way you want to which to my knowledge you cant do with any other .

This is just my opinion on the subject but i feel like it's a complete waste of time trying to get a bunch of different tones even if you're in a cover band. One reason i feel that way is because the guy who i saw that did covers better than anyone, Kenny Dubman, could get tones from Pantera to Metallica to EVH to SRV and Hendrix , all with his Les Paul, a parts superstrat, and Marshall halfstack and some pedals.

I think it's important to not play a U2 tune with a metal tone but as long as you can get in the ballpark it's good enough. One main reason is that, well, when you're playing cover songs nobody really gives a shit in the bar crowd anyway. Generally, as long as you don't butcher the songs people know then they could care less. And 99% of the people in the crowd never pay attention to guitar tone.

I feel that chasing all the different tones as songs you cover might be something of a personal challenge. But when i was doing a hectic cover band schedule, chasing tones is the last frigging thing i worried about. The important stuff i worred about was, I wanted my stuff to work after the roadie set up everything, i wanted my free beers , i wanted my set list, and i had to try to stay sober enough to know who i was sleeping with that night All in that order.

Changing guitar tones to match the tune is something that Im doing for my own head and not realy for the audiance although it does help regardless of what most people think. One of the number one coverbands in america working out of Las vegas does the same thing with the guitar tones and they are Number one for a reason and part of that reason is because of how well the guitarist matches the tone original version.

You also have to take into consideration that there are more reasons as to why Im doing what Im doing. This band already has fly out gigs Dan. Would you A) rather have to rent a backline at your expense not knowing what it will sound like or
B) Have to fly out your amp head, Rack effects or pedals as well as guitars or
c) Fly out an Axe-fx rig and 2 guitars knowing what you tone will be like?


What difference does it make if I use the boogie setup with a switching system, rack effects and cab or a self contained unit, Boogie Poweramp and cab?
The changing of tones is just a plus/

I hate to say this to you but me knowing the tones that you like and also knowing that you haven't spend two seconds with this thing is really starting to make me laugh my ass off because from where Im sitting, I know youd love this thing.


all the best

~R~

I'm sure it's a cool piece of gear but i guess I'm coming from the point of view that it's probably not worth the time to dial in a different tone for every song because the crowds that go watch cover bands aren't worth it. I did loose a lot of respect in general for the whole cover scene after having been through it for soo long.

The number 1 cover band that I'm aware of as far as money they make for a long time has been the Nerds. And honestly, i never liked their guitar player. The main reason is that he doesn't play ANY solo the way they are on record, he just noodles whatever he feels like, and all the drunk idiots eat it up. So he doens't even play the solos right let alone get the tone anywhere close and if you knew how much money they make a year you would vomit. But they play in front of drunk college crowds of 21-25 years old. Their gay set list, stage presence and image are what gets them the crowds.

I wouldn't mind seeing a guy who dials in killer tones but I'm the minority and i don't really go see local bands anymore. And knowing me, I'd get an Ax-Fx, dial it in to sound like a Boogie and not use any other tones, then wonder why i bought it in the first place when i have that tone already.

 

[degenaro]

And then there's the Flexi clip that's posted above...tube pre and power amp loaded down ino speaker sim, if you have no use for the Axe's amp models you don't think that this is conceptually really cool? The ability o silnt recording through cab sims that IMO soun really cool?

This has always intrigued me, I plan on trying this out as soon as I get my set-up in place again. There are many other cab sims out there to experiment with though, I still favor Revalver's vintage cabs, I will try other software ones as well. I'm not really into line out to one computer to another computer.

I first started doing it with Guitar Rig's speaker sims...they're okay.
Then I used Waves Q-clone and that works really well...

And then I tried Revalver and Speakerphone. After you suggested speakerphone, didn't care for the speaker sims loved the verbs though.
And the sims in Revalver are amazing.

What I did about the Axe sims, is that I can load the stuff I use one the computer and have it in my mix with the miled speakers going to FOH and my monitor.

 

[Anonymous]

And Steve, you gotta load down your Jose head once you're done and run through the cab sims in the Axe that's way dope.

You can bet I will...

Steve

 

[degenaro]

And then I tried Revalver and Speakerphone. After you suggested speakerphone, didn't care for the speaker sims loved the verbs though.
And the sims in Revalver are amazing.

I never did try Speakerphone, did you end up buying that one? I don't think there was a demo for it?

Sure did.

 

[Gainzilla]

And knowing me, I'd get an Ax-Fx, dial it in to sound like a Boogie and not use any other tones, then wonder why i bought it in the first place when i have that tone already.

Thats about where Im at Danny, I didnt get the AxeFx for some unique tone( though you can definitely create something unique, of that, I have no doubt) I got it for the amazing versatility, portability and the sheer amount of diversity that it has... I literally have my boogie rig in a much smaller , more portable package...

Kage

 

[saxxamafone]

alot of good stuff in this thread!! i've read every single post.

I would NEVER sell my main rig to try an axe, no way.

I do have an uberschall that doesn't get used live at all and to be honest doesn't get used much in general

I could save up to buy an axe to try out... with the intention of selling either the uber or axe... depending on which i like more

So after all that, i'll either be left with:
1. Main rig and Uber
2. Main rig and Axe fx

 

[saxxamafone]

ok this clip REALLY doesn't help

 

[CrazyHeart]

Hello Everyone

I am an Axe-FX user and I am very happy with it. No, I haven't sold my tube amps, in the same way I won't sell my Fender 52 Tele RI, just because I use the Suhr Tele most of the time. I have been playing guitar in bands for 44 years. Been around a little bit and I have owned a lot of equipment.

You are getting some excellent advise. Don't sell anything you're happy with and I'll take it a step further. Even if you're unhappy with it, keep it for at least 6 months before selling it and try it again before you sell it. I still have 2 tube amps and enough effect pedals to set up at least 3 pedalboards. I don't plan on selling anything.

That being said ,,, I like my AXE-FX. I play modern country music. Mostly clean sounds. IMHO I think it's harder to model a good clean sound than a distorted sound. A lot of my tones are more comparable to Pete Anderson, Brent Mason and Brad Paisley (wish my guitar playing was as good). I use 4 presets.

If I was happy with my current equipment ... why did I buy the Axe-FX? I'll answer that with a question. How many guitarists do you know that are completely happy with their sound? If they are happy with it .... how long have they been happy with it?

It is our nature to always be looking for something that is a little better. A little more of this or that. Plus, I've always wanted a set up that was as simple as it could be. Now, I walk into a gig, open a 3 space rack and plug in one cord. The sound engineer hands me a microphone cord that I plug into the back of the Axe-FX. I plug in a small midi pedal and a volume pedal. I strap on my guitar(wireless X2) guitar and flip the on switch. I ask the monitor engineer if he gets my single. I'm done. My sound comes from my monitor.

The female singer that has stood next to me for 6 years (70+ shows a year) can't tell when I use my amp (Carr Rambler) or my Axe-FX. I've had many other guitar players come up to see what I am using. My sound engineer is happy.

Things to consider: The Axe-FX is about $1500. There is a 15 day money back offer.
Don't forget that you will need a midi pedal to use live. Many to choose from. I have found the tuner to be very true and you can program offsets(Buzz Feiten, etc) Works best with a full range speakers. They are introducing a tube powered full speaker for the Axe-FX. It has a volume control for the horn. More $$

The Axe-FX is not for everyone. It is a very good tool for any guitarist. You will have to put the time in to learn the interface. I have owned PODs, Boss GT-6, and ToneLabs. This is the easiest I have ever used. You can keep it very simple or go as deep as you wish. The support is fantastic.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Jim

 

[saxxamafone]

thanks alot for that post mate!

i have an amp that i'm diggin but not totally in love with (uberschall)

I'm thinking of selling that to try out an axe

I would never sell my main rig

 

[bill]

Nice to hear a reference to Pete Anderson, tone to die for IMO. I just do a church gig and don't move my gear very often so I will stay with my vintage anp and pedalboard for that end of the equation. I agree with the don't sell policy just because Iv'e screwed up too many time to count when I needed to raise money for new gear. Currently I'm set and sticking with my setup. The Wife will buy me a new guitar for Christmas so that keeps the GAS in check for about 12 months.

 

[UltraGary]

"If we can do anything in our quest to be unique, we should start by not buying the same piece of gear everyone else is buying at the same time they're buying it." - me

 

[JamesPeters]

"If we can do anything in our quest to be unique, we should start by not buying the same piece of gear everyone else is buying at the same time they're buying it." - me

I have to remember to start quoting myself. It's a great way to sound condescending. And as you can tell by my previous two sentences, I'm all about sounding condescending.

 

[Valtiel]

"If we can do anything in our quest to be unique, we should start by not buying the same piece of gear everyone else is buying at the same time they're buying it." - me

I have to remember to start quoting myself. It's a great way to sound condescending. And as you can tell by my previous two sentences, I'm all about sounding condescending.

 

[UltraGary]

"If we can do anything in our quest to be unique, we should start by not buying the same piece of gear everyone else is buying at the same time they're buying it." - me

I have to remember to start quoting myself. It's a great way to sound condescending. And as you can tell by my previous two sentences, I'm all about sounding condescending.

hehehehe..... It underlines the point and almost always gets a rise out of somebody. All in good fun, I swear!

 

[stratotone]

"If we can do anything in our quest to be unique, we should start by not buying the same piece of gear everyone else is buying at the same time they're buying it." - me

Just curious as to what original type of music Gary plays through, what gear that nobody else has he plays through, and what type of guitars that he plays that nobody else plays through. You know, how's he unique in his choice of amp, guitar and playing style?

 

[stratotone]

One other thing regarding the quest to be unique - the Axe-FX has that in spades. Want to hear a Plexi with an active tonestack placed in the middle of the gain stages with a 1x6 speaker in stereo? Not that you would WANT to do that, but you can... or mix and match - make a plexi patch but totally change the type of transformer and sag characteristics that you'd only be able to do with a soldering iron and a bunch of parts... the argument could be made with all the possibilities the axe has, that you can come up with something more original than anyone using a mass produced tube amp.

 

[ratter]

If you're buying gear in an attempt to be unique, you've already failed. Might as well just go ahead and apply for a job as the door girl at GC at that point.