Talk me out of an Axe-Fx!!

[saxxamafone]

I keep looking at these things when I really shouldn’t be

Here’s what I have so far: Smile

1. I’m already 100% happy with my rig and sound
2. My existing rig takes less than 5min to fully set up
3. I’d rather spend more time writing new songs than tweaking sounds
4. I don’t like tweaking gear in general
5. Our rehearsal place has a terrible PA that I wouldn’t’ want to plug direct
6. My band mates already think I need serious therapy
7. Tubes are cool

 

[EvilBatman]

If buying an Axe means you have to sell something then don't do it. You said it yourself, you're happy with what you have.

On the other hand, if you can get one without having to sell anything, I'd say go for it. Experiment with it on the side for a while. You don't have to master it in a month or anything like that.

With that said, you listed several reasons that are very valid in respects to not picking one up. All in all, going by your list I'd say pass for now. There's seems to be a lot of awesome in the box but you're happy with what you have and if you want to concentrate on writing and playing, then it's best to stick with what you're doing.

 

[Juggernaut]

For folks to be proclaiming this has the "feel" of a tube amp, IMO is something of a joke.

you couldn't be more wrong. have you played one? doubt it, all the hype is for a reason, comparing them to Digitech or Line 6 is just dumb, yes, same basic concept, BUT quality is on a whole other level.


To the OP, if your happy with your rig, stick with it, dont sell anything to try one, but if you can afford to try one without selling your current rig, do it, they are VERY impressive.

 

[duesentrieb]

1. I’m already 100% happy with my rig

Keep it.

If you want to toy around with much more than your everyday rig from 50s Fender to today's modern stuff paired with cool pedal emus, awesome rack fx and a huge number of cab emus (all of this is growing !) - and dig into a super wide area of different sonic territories, Axe Fx is your friend.

 

[mctallica1]

For folks to be proclaiming this has the "feel" of a tube amp, IMO is something of a joke.

you couldn't be more wrong. have you played one? doubt it, all the hype is for a reason, comparing them to Digitech or Line 6 is just dumb, yes, same basic concept, BUT quality is on a whole other level.


To the OP, if your happy with your rig, stick with it, dont sell anything to try one, but if you can afford to try one without selling your current rig, do it, they are VERY impressive.

Agreed all around.

 

[ratter]

To the OP, sounds like you have no need for it. Move on...

 

[mctallica1]

Not saying it is for everyone, but that statement is absolutely 100% not true.

First piece of digital gear I have ever played that I can say that about.

 

[ttosh]

I owned the unit twice, second time due to everyone saying how the Version 5 software was a "new ballgame", now I hear Version 6 is a "new ballgame", and I am in the minority who didn't fall in love with the thing. It's like if you thought Version 5 was real sounding, Version 6 is even "more real". Yes, the effects are top quality, probably comparable to anything else on the market. As far as amp and cab modeling for direct recording, really not much better than any of the many other modeling toys I've played with throughout the years. However, for "feel" the Axe-Fx is really cool, the "SAG" feature was great for obtaining a realistic feel while playing even though it still had that "plastic" tone to it. If you want to use a tube power amp and real cab and experiment and tweak parameters over and over, you may enjoy it. Now that Fractal and Atomic are teaming up, it just reminds me of the PodXT days when the 18W Atomic Amp came out to make the PodXT "more real". So basically here we are again, new modeler, Atomic making a new tube power cab to make it "more real". If this unit was to sound and feel so real from the box, everyone who has one would be just plugging it in direct to their computer or PA and forgetting about it, not the case though. Just my opinion guys.

donbarzini I would say you have tried it twice and are giving good advice based on what you are wanting and how you feel about it. others that have posted on this topic that have not tried it should do so before posting IMHO.

To the OP, definitely DO NOT sell your stuff if you already have the tones you want. Only purchase if you like to experiment with new stuff and have the funds to do so.

Regarding the post on the Gear Page you will find that the majority of users love the unit. There are a few like donbarzini that does not like it. It does not make anybody right or wrong, just different taste for what they want and how they feel about stuff. However these posts are made by individuals that have tried the unit.

I have one on the way and I have not tried one so I will not say anything positive or negative about the unit. However I am mature enough not to make direct comments about a product I have not tried. I guess not everybody can do so.......

 

[mctallica1]

[

Well, if you read the thread at TGP, you'll find guys saying the same thing, including latency issues, no harmonic content, etc. I guess it depends what your ear hears.

IMO, by time you buy the unit, footcontroller, etc, you're in line for a GREAT 2K tube amp.

It's funny, not long ago people were bashing the Marshall JVM, VM. IMO, those two amps sound light years better than any clip I heard of this Axe-FX.

again, different strokes. I do suggest the OP read TGP thread.

I suggest he read it as well (I have read it too) and all I can say is I know what I feel and hear. I have owned some of the best amps available and don't feel like I am missing anything with my Axe.

With that said, I don't really get the either or mentality regarding this unit. There are still loads of tube amps I love, I just choose this because of flexability and great tone/feel.

 

[thiswaythatway]

No need to get an Ax-Fx if you're happy with your rig now. Just wait for the hype to pass, and it will pass.

 

[mctallica1]

No need to get an Ax-Fx is you're happy with your rig now. Just wait for the hype to pass, and it will pass.

I agree with this as well...though I do think some of the hype is justified....just not the evangelism of some

 

[mctallica1]

I suggest he read it as well (I have read it too) and all I can say is I know what I feel and hear. I have owned some of the best amps available and don't feel like I am missing anything with my Axe.

With that said, I don't really get the either or mentality regarding this unit. There are still loads of tube amps I love, I jsut choose this because of flexability and great tone/feel.

I guess it also depends on what some consider the greatest amps available. Many guys consider the Cameron amps and high gain modded Marshalls the greatest and IMO, those amps are easier to achieve with an Axe-Fx compared to a balls out open kerranged woody tone Marshall Plexi, think AC/DC.

True.

My reference points for any who care:

VHT (UL, CLX, CL)
Mesa Mark series (IIC+, III, IV)
Aldrich modded Camerons
ENGL (Powerball, Blackmore, Fireball, Screamer)
Soldano( SLO, Avenger)
Marshall( JCM800's, DSL50 (I know these amps get a bad rap, but I like them), JVM, etc)
Egnater (Modular)
Randall (Modular)
Zinky Superfly and another I can't remember
Mesa Rectos of every flavor
Diezel(VH4, Herbert)
Elmwood Modena M90
Roland JC120 (Combo and head)

There are a lot more, but those come to mind quickly.




Yeah..I'm bored.

 

[ttosh]

No need to get an Ax-Fx is you're happy with your rig now. Just wait for the hype to pass, and it will pass.

I agree with this as well...thouggh I do think some of the hype is justified....just not the evangelism of some

Agree +1

I also agree that it does not have to be an either/or type mentality. It is another tool for a musician to make music and expand on the tones, etc... one hears in their head. I have seen Lincoln Brewster twice and loved his Marshall tone and his old Marshalls that are on stage only to find out from my friends running sound that both times and all times he plays live he uses a POD. Amazing freaking Marshall Karrrang type sounds out of a POD. But I have never had any luck getting tones out of a POD that I can stomach at all. Does that mean it cannot be done? I guess not!

Again however to the original poster if you are happy with your current tone and are not looking for other needs then stick with your current setup. If you can setup in 5 minutes and get the tone you want then you would be probably shooting yourself in the foot and taking a step backwards. Even if you can get what you want and more out of the Axe Fx you will definitely have a learning curve to get where you already are.

Just my .02

 

[Zer0th]

[

Well, if you read the thread at TGP, you'll find guys saying the same thing, including latency issues, no harmonic content, etc. I guess it depends what your ear hears.

Or possibly, more accurately, what you want to hear. Latency is a good example: the end-to-end latency of the Standard is ~1.5ms (less than 2 feet of sound-in-air travel time)... nobody can hear or feel that, except perhaps the type who swears by mega bucks speaker cables and then fails to pick it out in a blind test against coat hanger wire.

 

[Gainfreak]

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 .

 

[Digital Jams]

To the OP, sounds like you have no need for it. Move on...

Yeah, I am all about hording crap and I do have a pile but if you are 100% happy I cant see buying one.

Man I thought the 2112 wasa pretty cool unit for what it is and can be had cheap today. Not the end all be all but pretty cool.

 

[timbo]

I keep looking at these things when I really shouldn’t be

Here’s what I have so far: Smile

1. I’m already 100% happy with my rig and sound
2. My existing rig takes less than 5min to fully set up
3. I’d rather spend more time writing new songs than tweaking sounds
4. I don’t like tweaking gear in general
5. Our rehearsal place has a terrible PA that I wouldn’t’ want to plug direct
6. My band mates already think I need serious therapy
7. Tubes are cool

Well if I were you I'd keep on truckin. The Axe is a tweakers heaven, which to me, taking the time to create new sounds is alot of fun and not a burden. My rig definitely takes longer than 5 minutes to set up which leaves less time for beer drinkin before the show. That's a good thing.

In short.....like others have said, stick with what you've got.

 

[Mr. Brady]

This is going to be my standard answer from now on on the axe-fx.

Tried it. Didn't like the Full Range Flat Response (FRFR) and direct recording tones enough to keep it. You know how everyone says the clips always lack something or never blow you away? That was my experience with it FRFR and direct. I think eventually they will sound as good. It might be a version or two from here, but I think there's a good chance modeling will sound as good as tube.

It sounds amazing through a tube power amp though. It easily is the best guitar preamp/effects box you can buy when run in conjunction with a tube preamp. It easily did mark IV tones, and I'd dare say it could sound better than a Mark IV. If you were looking for the best sounding, most flexible, live rack rig out there to pair with a tube power amp and a couple of 4x12 in stereo, and the Axe would be a monster rig. I don't have a need for this type of rig right now.

If you want a FRFR/recording rig for home and bedroom use, it's the best digital modeler out there, but it doesn't sound as good as tubes yet IMO.

 

[Digital Jams]

I suggest he read it as well (I have read it too) and all I can say is I know what I feel and hear. I have owned some of the best amps available and don't feel like I am missing anything with my Axe.

With that said, I don't really get the either or mentality regarding this unit. There are still loads of tube amps I love, I jsut choose this because of flexability and great tone/feel.

I guess it also depends on what some consider the greatest amps available. Many guys consider the Cameron amps and high gain modded Marshalls the greatest and IMO, those amp tones are easier to achieve with an Axe-Fx compared to a balls out open kerranged woody tone Marshall Plexi, think AC/DC.

It depends alot on the player imo, guys that depend on touch sensitive amps and are primarily single channel players will be the hardest sell as they rely on dynamics and the fiddle volume. I noticed that your boy Lerner has one and I am interested what he has to say as he seems to be the buyers guide over at TGP for the dumbleites I do not fall into this camp as I am just trying to float while playing

I have not heard any Cameron tones yet though as I am one that considers Cameron to be at the top of the heap high gain wise. His voicing has this musical thing going on that no one else has.

I am waiting for the first guy here to post a VH1 or VH2 clip and read what Mentoneman, Ratter, Chub, or the other brown nuts think.

 

[Digital Jams]

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.
.

A PQ3 and MK IV could get you there, have you tried that combo yet by chance?
















If you ever have a gig in CT or near and need any cabs let me know bro, I got your back