the FINAL word on the Kemper

[shreder75]

Ok guys. Since everyone is being intellectual about this topic, I'm going to throw my 2 cents in here. This is based purely on MY experience with the Kemper, but given that I'm an average guy it would probably apply to most.

The Kemper is a phenomenal tool. To me, it captures 90% of the tone AND feel of the real amp. That said, it is not a Tube Amp Killer for the simple reason that the number of variations that are possible between signal chain, effects, settings etc. for any given amp are limitless. In that regard, it's no more a Tube Amp Killer than it is a Microphone or Mic Pre Killer. Simply from personal experience, I can tell you that creating a profile is very much a matter of personal taste. I don't like most other profiles that I hear. Not because they're bad, but because they don't suit me.

Like many folks, I bought the Kemper thinking it would be the Be All End All and I'd never ever need another tube amp as long as I live. The result was I became so addicted to profiling that I've been buying MORE amps and pedals than ever! Guess what?! All this led me to start selling profiles with the intention of funding more gear to profile. So how in the world would that adversely affect the amp market exactly? It doesn't!

Here's the thing. Amp manufacturers are a particular brand of nuts. They're secretive about how they got their "special sauce" and time and time again, when folks dissect and reverse-engineer legendary amps they often find that the "11 herbs and spices" are nothing more than salt and pepper and a bunch of bullshit. What I'm saying is there's nothing particularly innovative about tube amps and there hasn't been in 30 years. They all know that and they're afraid that modelers and profilers will ruin them. Instead of fearing this technology, they need to figure out a way to embrace it. If I was a successful amp manufacturer, I would be asking myself "How can I leverage this technology". I wouldn't be too nervous because "Tube Purists" will always buy the amp, broke musicians will never be able to afford the amp and the guys who profile will all want to get the real deal to create their take on it. Don't get me wrong, there will always be unscrupulous people who abuse return policies but that will ultimately bite them in the ass. We've all shipped amps and we all know it's a hassle. I wouldn't want that to be 50% of my business. Also, I really doubt that anyone is retiring on their vast Kemper Profiling Empire any time soon. There's simply no meaningful money to be made from profiling so to take on the financial risk of buying a $3500 Friedman BE100 with the intention of profiling it and returning it seems very risky to me.

In short, I don't know why the amp market is in a state of decline or if this is even the case. Look around this forum. Go into the "Post Your Rig" thread that YngZakLynch started. There's rigs in there that would make arena headliners jealous! At any given time, there's 3-4 Friedman threads on this board. So if amp sales are plunging, it's surely NOT because of modelers or the Kemper. I would hazard a guess that it has to do more with the economy(less disposable income), lack of interest in guitar-based music and the fact that the price of amps has gone up drastically in the last several years. I remember not too long ago, $2500 would get you a boutique amp. Now it gets you a Mesa LOL

Anyway, that's my take

Remember when you could get a new cab for $700 and change? Now they're mostly a grand and up.

New slo, $4400. New friedman, $3700. I think I saw a metro plexi amp for over three grand. And people are buying them. Hell, you can get new amps imported from Germany for a little over 2k (engl). Used to be that those were the pricy ones. Go figure.

Marshalls and Mesa are in boutique range nowadays. "Budget" amps go for $1900 lol

Exactly! Jvm? 2k. Recto? 2 grand and up. $1400 for a mini mark? Even randall is in that boutique price range

 

[Vrad]

Ok guys. Since everyone is being intellectual about this topic, I'm going to throw my 2 cents in here. This is based purely on MY experience with the Kemper, but given that I'm an average guy it would probably apply to most.

The Kemper is a phenomenal tool. To me, it captures 90% of the tone AND feel of the real amp. That said, it is not a Tube Amp Killer for the simple reason that the number of variations that are possible between signal chain, effects, settings etc. for any given amp are limitless. In that regard, it's no more a Tube Amp Killer than it is a Microphone or Mic Pre Killer. Simply from personal experience, I can tell you that creating a profile is very much a matter of personal taste. I don't like most other profiles that I hear. Not because they're bad, but because they don't suit me.

Like many folks, I bought the Kemper thinking it would be the Be All End All and I'd never ever need another tube amp as long as I live. The result was I became so addicted to profiling that I've been buying MORE amps and pedals than ever! Guess what?! All this led me to start selling profiles with the intention of funding more gear to profile. So how in the world would that adversely affect the amp market exactly? It doesn't!

Here's the thing. Amp manufacturers are a particular brand of nuts. They're secretive about how they got their "special sauce" and time and time again, when folks dissect and reverse-engineer legendary amps they often find that the "11 herbs and spices" are nothing more than salt and pepper and a bunch of bullshit. What I'm saying is there's nothing particularly innovative about tube amps and there hasn't been in 30 years. They all know that and they're afraid that modelers and profilers will ruin them. Instead of fearing this technology, they need to figure out a way to embrace it. If I was a successful amp manufacturer, I would be asking myself "How can I leverage this technology". I wouldn't be too nervous because "Tube Purists" will always buy the amp, broke musicians will never be able to afford the amp and the guys who profile will all want to get the real deal to create their take on it. Don't get me wrong, there will always be unscrupulous people who abuse return policies but that will ultimately bite them in the ass. We've all shipped amps and we all know it's a hassle. I wouldn't want that to be 50% of my business. Also, I really doubt that anyone is retiring on their vast Kemper Profiling Empire any time soon. There's simply no meaningful money to be made from profiling so to take on the financial risk of buying a $3500 Friedman BE100 with the intention of profiling it and returning it seems very risky to me.

In short, I don't know why the amp market is in a state of decline or if this is even the case. Look around this forum. Go into the "Post Your Rig" thread that YngZakLynch started. There's rigs in there that would make arena headliners jealous! At any given time, there's 3-4 Friedman threads on this board. So if amp sales are plunging, it's surely NOT because of modelers or the Kemper. I would hazard a guess that it has to do more with the economy(less disposable income), lack of interest in guitar-based music and the fact that the price of amps has gone up drastically in the last several years. I remember not too long ago, $2500 would get you a boutique amp. Now it gets you a Mesa LOL

Anyway, that's my take

Remember when you could get a new cab for $700 and change? Now they're mostly a grand and up.

New slo, $4400. New friedman, $3700. I think I saw a metro plexi amp for over three grand. And people are buying them. Hell, you can get new amps imported from Germany for a little over 2k (engl). Used to be that those were the pricy ones. Go figure.

Marshalls and Mesa are in boutique range nowadays. "Budget" amps go for $1900 lol

Exactly! Jvm? 2k. Recto? 2 grand and up. $1400 for a mini mark? Even randall is in that boutique price range

The Mini Mark! Yes! Great little amp and all.. But $1400?
I also think this whole trend for smaller amps is telling. People are scaling back.

 

[Racerxrated]

Does anyone really believe that Kemper is ruining the boutique amp business? LOL. Why is everyone making a big deal out of this? Turning this into a "holier than thou" argument on business ethics is a joke. What's even a bigger joke is someone who decides to buy 30k worth of high end, hand wired, point to point, highest grade this and that gear and then realizing it can be copied at the drop of a hat by modern technology. Even funnier is that 30k worth of gear can still produce clips of some of the most god awful, mistake ridden playing ever heard. But I digress...Either way, the amp building business is such a limited market and alot of it is it's own doing. Kemper isn't hurting their business, neither is a lack of guitar driven music nowadays. The boutique amp builders limit themselves. The quality of the amp justifies a higher price...way higher. Look at this forum. Most people here are not in active bands..and I'm not talking about a club cover band or playing at church (which begs the question: Why would you need a Friedman BE100 at Sunday worship?) Remember when you were trying to start a band way back when? Maybe heading out to L.A. to try your luck? Could you afford a Soldano? How about grabbing a new Steve Stevens Signature amp with matching cab?...anyone? Lets face it, most people here are going for the holy grail of tone knowing damn well they arent trying to make music their full time career. And that's fine. Kinda like the old guy in Miami who drives around in a high powered sports car. Again, who cares..But most people who are trying to go "all in" and are trying to make it in the music business before they get old (old being over 27) couldnt even fathom unloading 3k on an amp when you have shit like rent and food to worry about. 40 yr old lawyers who play on weekends dont have to worry about that. just sayin'...I wish Kemper nothing but the best.

My comment was not on the boutique amp industry, which is clearly limited in the way you discuss. I'm talking about the amp business in general, which, if anything is "killing" it (which is a questionable comment in itself), it IS the lack of interest in guitar driven music by the young. If you looked at the demographics for who is buying the 5150 III 50 watter, I bet it's mostly older dudes....

Steve

Could'nt disagree more....take a walk in downtown Nashville and tell me there is a lack of interest in guitar driven music. Granted, they may not wear striped spandex pants and eyeliner, but trust me when I tell you, the interest is huge. It just may not be your version of what guitar driven music is.

Nashville is the exception though, don't you think? Its always been a music scene mecca for country, blues...but most other major cities have seen a huge drop in clubs that even book bands. When you listen to top 40 its mostly hip hop techno fluff whatever. Not a lot of guitar driven music, like Steve says. Country is the new rock in the sense that guitar is still a mainstay instrument. Kids just don't pick up the guitar at a young age like they used to 20-30 years ago. But, I don't think the tube amp is threatened at all. Look at how many amazing amp builders are out there, and with all that variety that we never had years ago. Not that we could afford them back then, as you mentioned.

Nashville isnt the only place where this music is huge..there are scenes all over....I will guarantee you that most major cities in America have at least 2 radio stations dedicated only to this music. The sales of this genre are through the roof. Look at some of the sidemen they use on guitar..alot are shredders that throw in EVH or Slash licks in their solos when they play live. All these players like Urban and Paisley are gear nerds just like us. Look at the stage shows...some of these guys play stadiums, let alone arenas. This is the arena rock of today. Mason is like their version of Luke. And the crop of young bands that are flooding the market remind me of when we got the 4th tier hair bands back in the day. Please dont take this as arguing with you...its just a conversation. There are still a ton of people picking up the guitar. And they cant afford boutique heads and custom cabs when they are starting to play out with their bands. But back to the Kemper, I will say that alot of guys cannot tell the difference from the real thing. I was reading about some guys that actually do world tours swear by them and the big plus is that they can leave their modded or vintage stuff at home safe and sound. This whole thing boils down to a guy being pissed off that someone can clone the tones of their overpriced amp collection for way less than 30 grand. And I think that's awesome.

No offense taken. And the Kemper/Axe are great for recording and taking the huge expense out of true studio time, getting the amp tone right. Just plug and play direct from the Kemper. But they are a long way off from taking the place of my tube amps live. When they can sound the same next to me through a power amp and cab, I'll buy one.

 

[shreder75]

Ok guys. Since everyone is being intellectual about this topic, I'm going to throw my 2 cents in here. This is based purely on MY experience with the Kemper, but given that I'm an average guy it would probably apply to most.

The Kemper is a phenomenal tool. To me, it captures 90% of the tone AND feel of the real amp. That said, it is not a Tube Amp Killer for the simple reason that the number of variations that are possible between signal chain, effects, settings etc. for any given amp are limitless. In that regard, it's no more a Tube Amp Killer than it is a Microphone or Mic Pre Killer. Simply from personal experience, I can tell you that creating a profile is very much a matter of personal taste. I don't like most other profiles that I hear. Not because they're bad, but because they don't suit me.

Like many folks, I bought the Kemper thinking it would be the Be All End All and I'd never ever need another tube amp as long as I live. The result was I became so addicted to profiling that I've been buying MORE amps and pedals than ever! Guess what?! All this led me to start selling profiles with the intention of funding more gear to profile. So how in the world would that adversely affect the amp market exactly? It doesn't!

Here's the thing. Amp manufacturers are a particular brand of nuts. They're secretive about how they got their "special sauce" and time and time again, when folks dissect and reverse-engineer legendary amps they often find that the "11 herbs and spices" are nothing more than salt and pepper and a bunch of bullshit. What I'm saying is there's nothing particularly innovative about tube amps and there hasn't been in 30 years. They all know that and they're afraid that modelers and profilers will ruin them. Instead of fearing this technology, they need to figure out a way to embrace it. If I was a successful amp manufacturer, I would be asking myself "How can I leverage this technology". I wouldn't be too nervous because "Tube Purists" will always buy the amp, broke musicians will never be able to afford the amp and the guys who profile will all want to get the real deal to create their take on it. Don't get me wrong, there will always be unscrupulous people who abuse return policies but that will ultimately bite them in the ass. We've all shipped amps and we all know it's a hassle. I wouldn't want that to be 50% of my business. Also, I really doubt that anyone is retiring on their vast Kemper Profiling Empire any time soon. There's simply no meaningful money to be made from profiling so to take on the financial risk of buying a $3500 Friedman BE100 with the intention of profiling it and returning it seems very risky to me.

In short, I don't know why the amp market is in a state of decline or if this is even the case. Look around this forum. Go into the "Post Your Rig" thread that YngZakLynch started. There's rigs in there that would make arena headliners jealous! At any given time, there's 3-4 Friedman threads on this board. So if amp sales are plunging, it's surely NOT because of modelers or the Kemper. I would hazard a guess that it has to do more with the economy(less disposable income), lack of interest in guitar-based music and the fact that the price of amps has gone up drastically in the last several years. I remember not too long ago, $2500 would get you a boutique amp. Now it gets you a Mesa LOL

Anyway, that's my take

Remember when you could get a new cab for $700 and change? Now they're mostly a grand and up.

New slo, $4400. New friedman, $3700. I think I saw a metro plexi amp for over three grand. And people are buying them. Hell, you can get new amps imported from Germany for a little over 2k (engl). Used to be that those were the pricy ones. Go figure.

Marshalls and Mesa are in boutique range nowadays. "Budget" amps go for $1900 lol

Exactly! Jvm? 2k. Recto? 2 grand and up. $1400 for a mini mark? Even randall is in that boutique price range

The Mini Mark! Yes! Great little amp and all.. But $1400?
I also think this whole trend for smaller amps is telling. People are scaling back.

Pink taco is the same price. For one fucking channel. Kinda makes me laugh when dudes were balking at the lbx price. But you know. Evh. Ghetto gear lol

 

[Spaceboy]

Nashville isnt the only place where this music is huge..there are scenes all over....I will guarantee you that most major cities in America have at least 2 radio stations dedicated only to this music. The sales of this genre are through the roof. Look at some of the sidemen they use on guitar..alot are shredders that throw in EVH or Slash licks in their solos when they play live. All these players like Urban and Paisley are gear nerds just like us. Look at the stage shows...some of these guys play stadiums, let alone arenas. This is the arena rock of today. Mason is like their version of Luke. And the crop of young bands that are flooding the market remind me of when we got the 4th tier hair bands back in the day. Please dont take this as arguing with you...its just a conversation. There are still a ton of people picking up the guitar. And they cant afford boutique heads and custom cabs when they are starting to play out with their bands. But back to the Kemper, I will say that alot of guys cannot tell the difference from the real thing. I was reading about some guys that actually do world tours swear by them and the big plus is that they can leave their modded or vintage stuff at home safe and sound. This whole thing boils down to a guy being pissed off that someone can clone the tones of their overpriced amp collection for way less than 30 grand. And I think that's awesome.

You're right, for now. But electronics are making their way into popular country in a huge way, the hip hop and elements of EDM are in many of the current radio hits. This may be true at the moment, but in ten years we may be seeing modern country evolve into something even more unrecognizable as country. It was the last arena for more classic rock influenced musicians, which caused the music to warp into something different, using country as an image or a schtick rather than a musical style, so that demonstrates that the music is subject to popular influences although they seem to be borrowed from a decade or two prior. As people become accustomed to certain sounds, it seems like popular country changes with the climate of popular music, only it adapts more slowly. In the '90s we had personalities presented in a more classic country fashion, but the music become very classic rock influenced. Through the '00s the image toned down while the music adopted more modern rock elements. The '10s image has been very 'frat/country boy' and these electronic and pop traits have been creeping in. There are country artists rapping on the radio. There are electronic instruments and hip hop beats. There are artists blatantly crossing over from country to pop radio and completely electronic, guitar-free music. Country isn't safe from the changing of time either.

The Nashville strip has never been representative of the country-wide industry, it's always been more varied and in some ways behind what the average consumer wants.

 

[Stumplegriltskin]

As he sits in his studio with a Soldano, Diezel, Suhr, Laboga, Blackhearts, Mesa, ENGLs, Carr, etc,.. He just sounds incredibly aggrieved at an amp that can do it all. He goes on for a full half hour about an amp that "can't" get those sounds, but it would be wrong if it could. It's essentially the best marketing/promotion someone could give the Kemper.

I bought a Kemper because I can't afford to buy a Mesa Mark IV, ENGL Powerball, Diezel VH4, 5150 III, Suhr, Carr, Marshall JVM and all those other amps at the same time. For me it's perfect to have any amp at the flick of a switch without spending thousands. Also what about amps that are hard to come by, rare, or ridiculously expensive? Mesa Mark IIC+, Jose Modded Marshalls, Cameron Modded Marshalls, Dumbles or other bologna I can't think of off the top of my head. Make a profile of it, bam now you can buy/share/giveaway a Jose Modded Marshall Profile and have that sweet sweet sound.

Correct. I have kids. I don't have funds for 20 tube heads and 30 4x12 cabs. I can't mentally handle all that equipment either. I find a tone and use it.
But for some, it's their hobby and their thing, I dig it. Jealous? Yeah, a tad. But I have a $5000 kemper setup after all said and done with the powered speakers, so it's not like I'm rocking a Bandit 65. Nothing to complain about.

I'm trying to work on being satisfied with what I have. I've wasted so much money on gear, I could have saved all that and been OUT of the Matrix permanently. Fuck gear, I'm done

 

[Anonymous]

Does anyone really believe that Kemper is ruining the boutique amp business? LOL. Why is everyone making a big deal out of this? Turning this into a "holier than thou" argument on business ethics is a joke. What's even a bigger joke is someone who decides to buy 30k worth of high end, hand wired, point to point, highest grade this and that gear and then realizing it can be copied at the drop of a hat by modern technology. Even funnier is that 30k worth of gear can still produce clips of some of the most god awful, mistake ridden playing ever heard. But I digress...Either way, the amp building business is such a limited market and alot of it is it's own doing. Kemper isn't hurting their business, neither is a lack of guitar driven music nowadays. The boutique amp builders limit themselves. The quality of the amp justifies a higher price...way higher. Look at this forum. Most people here are not in active bands..and I'm not talking about a club cover band or playing at church (which begs the question: Why would you need a Friedman BE100 at Sunday worship?) Remember when you were trying to start a band way back when? Maybe heading out to L.A. to try your luck? Could you afford a Soldano? How about grabbing a new Steve Stevens Signature amp with matching cab?...anyone? Lets face it, most people here are going for the holy grail of tone knowing damn well they arent trying to make music their full time career. And that's fine. Kinda like the old guy in Miami who drives around in a high powered sports car. Again, who cares..But most people who are trying to go "all in" and are trying to make it in the music business before they get old (old being over 27) couldnt even fathom unloading 3k on an amp when you have shit like rent and food to worry about. 40 yr old lawyers who play on weekends dont have to worry about that. just sayin'...I wish Kemper nothing but the best.

My comment was not on the boutique amp industry, which is clearly limited in the way you discuss. I'm talking about the amp business in general, which, if anything is "killing" it (which is a questionable comment in itself), it IS the lack of interest in guitar driven music by the young. If you looked at the demographics for who is buying the 5150 III 50 watter, I bet it's mostly older dudes....

Steve

Could'nt disagree more....take a walk in downtown Nashville and tell me there is a lack of interest in guitar driven music. Granted, they may not wear striped spandex pants and eyeliner, but trust me when I tell you, the interest is huge. It just may not be your version of what guitar driven music is.

You are talking about one town (and a few others like Austin) and don't patronize me with the '80s bullshit. I recognize there is other guitar driven music...

Steve

 

[Spaceboy]

Best Current country artist. right here.

Just saw him come through a couple months back.

 

[gibson5413]

Michael Wagener weighed in under the comments in the video. Sucks that people buy, profile and return amps. My Kemper and tube amps coexist happily. I haven't even profiled my two amps. No interest. In regards to the argument...you can't discount the "mic'ing the cabinet" part of the process adds to the tone. You aren't necessarily getting the exact amp. You are getting a tone based on amp->cabinet-> microphone. Oh well!

Michael Wagener 19 hours ago
If you share an MP3 or the sound of a CD you are sharing or selling the exact same sound that is on the CD or MP3. If you are making a profile from a sound that you "created" with an amp/cab/microphones/preamps, in a certain configuration, in other words YOUR sound, you are not selling the same as if you share a CD which is exactly the same sound. You are selling YOUR creation of a sound that you made with those tools. Otherwise you would have to pay a royalty to the amp manufacturer for music recorded with those amps as well, because it gets sold as well. None of the amp manufacturers are involved in making that profile, which takes a lot more than "just" profiling the pure amp.
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EytschPi42 19 hours ago
Hi Michael, thanks for commenting. I said I wouldn't get involved in the comments, but I will make an exception here. Many people don't get the point I am trying to make. You make some very good points. I also thought about the slippery slope of royalties for using an amp on a recording... even though profiling is still a bit different. about saying that you are creating YOUR version of the sound is putting a different spin on the issue. Very good comment. Thank you.
Reply ·


Michael Wagener 18 hours ago (edited)
I have made the experience that people who buy my profiles want them because they are profiles created by ME.There are 3000 different profiles of PLEXI Marshalls online and they all sound different. I also talked to a lot of amp manufacturers (I have 69 amps myself) about this topic and a lot of them are actually interested in making their own profiles of their amp lines. When you think about it, if they would sell 50 profiles of their own amps in one package (which are still only one slice of that amps sound) for, lets say $50, then by selling 10 of those packages they would make the $500 they make on selling a $4,000 amp with much less cost on their end, and possibly even promote the sound of their amps to a demographic that might not be able to hear them otherwise. To me it is the same as with MP3s: the labels should have adopted MP3s as a tool and not try to fight it, just my two cents on that.
I see where you are coming from and I agree to a point if we are talking straight forward profiling of an amp then selling the profile, but if you set up 12 different microphones on 10 different cabinet, get all those in phase, mix them in a particular fashion to arrive at a sound that is special to you or the musicians you have worked with, then to me that is MY sound and has nothing to do with the bare amp anymore. So I will not ever feel bad to sell my profiles of MY sounds.
And coming back to ProTools: you mentioned that ProTools did not clone the Otari tape machine, but they (and DAWS in general) ended the production of them, put them out of business, which most likely took quite a few jobs in that industry.
To recap: I see your point, I agree to a certain degree, but I also have my own opinions on this.

See you in Frankfurt?
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EytschPi42 18 hours ago
+Michael Wagener I have suggested just that to one of the manufacturers I am in touch with. I think people would like to buy a manufacturer approved profile. Then there is YOUR profile which will give you a different spin on it. I think that maybe some manufacturers should get together and have a deal with someone like you or do their own thing and make "official" profiles and make money directly with that. These amps will get profiled anyway, so they might as well do it right, do it the way that they want to hear the amp and then get a cut of that market. I think this is probably the best way to approach the problem and get them a return on what they have developed. Certainly much better than people buying amps, profiling them and then sending them back. If someone as experienced as you is willing to work with them, this could certainly be a good fit. We'll see where this discussion goes. Some might still be reluctant to join... but there is no point in fighting it... thanks again!
Reply · 4

 

[Mailman1971]

I like milk.

 

[SQUAREHEAD]

So, I guess tone ISN'T all in the hands then...

Bingo!!!!! Exactly!

 

[BMoore77]

Does anyone really believe that Kemper is ruining the boutique amp business? LOL. Why is everyone making a big deal out of this? Turning this into a "holier than thou" argument on business ethics is a joke. What's even a bigger joke is someone who decides to buy 30k worth of high end, hand wired, point to point, highest grade this and that gear and then realizing it can be copied at the drop of a hat by modern technology. Even funnier is that 30k worth of gear can still produce clips of some of the most god awful, mistake ridden playing ever heard. But I digress...Either way, the amp building business is such a limited market and alot of it is it's own doing. Kemper isn't hurting their business, neither is a lack of guitar driven music nowadays. The boutique amp builders limit themselves. The quality of the amp justifies a higher price...way higher. Look at this forum. Most people here are not in active bands..and I'm not talking about a club cover band or playing at church (which begs the question: Why would you need a Friedman BE100 at Sunday worship?) Remember when you were trying to start a band way back when? Maybe heading out to L.A. to try your luck? Could you afford a Soldano? How about grabbing a new Steve Stevens Signature amp with matching cab?...anyone? Lets face it, most people here are going for the holy grail of tone knowing damn well they arent trying to make music their full time career. And that's fine. Kinda like the old guy in Miami who drives around in a high powered sports car. Again, who cares..But most people who are trying to go "all in" and are trying to make it in the music business before they get old (old being over 27) couldnt even fathom unloading 3k on an amp when you have shit like rent and food to worry about. 40 yr old lawyers who play on weekends dont have to worry about that. just sayin'...I wish Kemper nothing but the best.

My comment was not on the boutique amp industry, which is clearly limited in the way you discuss. I'm talking about the amp business in general, which, if anything is "killing" it (which is a questionable comment in itself), it IS the lack of interest in guitar driven music by the young. If you looked at the demographics for who is buying the 5150 III 50 watter, I bet it's mostly older dudes....

Steve

Could'nt disagree more....take a walk in downtown Nashville and tell me there is a lack of interest in guitar driven music. Granted, they may not wear striped spandex pants and eyeliner, but trust me when I tell you, the interest is huge. It just may not be your version of what guitar driven music is.

You are talking about one town (and a few others like Austin) and don't patronize me with the '80s bullshit. I recognize there is other guitar driven music...

Steve

Dear Steven,

Far be it from me to patronize you with "80's b.s.", as you described it. You really need to chill out and stop taking yourself so seriously. But it is fun watching you get your feathers ruffled when someone on here disagrees with a point that you made. Lighten up a little bit, pal. And, yes, we all realize that you build amps and blah, blah, blah...that's great. But that fact alone doesnt make your opinion the only one that matters. Now, Steve, you will find from time to time that people on this forum may disagree with a opinion or two. That's the whole point. And by the way, no one loves the eighties more than me. Now that we got that out of the way, I wish you and your amp company nothing but the very best. By the way, how is that custom Jackson Kelly working out for you?...that was eighties metal to the core, bro! the one where you put a metal plug in where the volume knob was to make it even MORE METAL!!!! I'm sure we will see you rocking the stage with that in the near future in all your glory!!!

 

[Anonymous]

Does anyone really believe that Kemper is ruining the boutique amp business? LOL. Why is everyone making a big deal out of this? Turning this into a "holier than thou" argument on business ethics is a joke. What's even a bigger joke is someone who decides to buy 30k worth of high end, hand wired, point to point, highest grade this and that gear and then realizing it can be copied at the drop of a hat by modern technology. Even funnier is that 30k worth of gear can still produce clips of some of the most god awful, mistake ridden playing ever heard. But I digress...Either way, the amp building business is such a limited market and alot of it is it's own doing. Kemper isn't hurting their business, neither is a lack of guitar driven music nowadays. The boutique amp builders limit themselves. The quality of the amp justifies a higher price...way higher. Look at this forum. Most people here are not in active bands..and I'm not talking about a club cover band or playing at church (which begs the question: Why would you need a Friedman BE100 at Sunday worship?) Remember when you were trying to start a band way back when? Maybe heading out to L.A. to try your luck? Could you afford a Soldano? How about grabbing a new Steve Stevens Signature amp with matching cab?...anyone? Lets face it, most people here are going for the holy grail of tone knowing damn well they arent trying to make music their full time career. And that's fine. Kinda like the old guy in Miami who drives around in a high powered sports car. Again, who cares..But most people who are trying to go "all in" and are trying to make it in the music business before they get old (old being over 27) couldnt even fathom unloading 3k on an amp when you have shit like rent and food to worry about. 40 yr old lawyers who play on weekends dont have to worry about that. just sayin'...I wish Kemper nothing but the best.

My comment was not on the boutique amp industry, which is clearly limited in the way you discuss. I'm talking about the amp business in general, which, if anything is "killing" it (which is a questionable comment in itself), it IS the lack of interest in guitar driven music by the young. If you looked at the demographics for who is buying the 5150 III 50 watter, I bet it's mostly older dudes....

Steve

Could'nt disagree more....take a walk in downtown Nashville and tell me there is a lack of interest in guitar driven music. Granted, they may not wear striped spandex pants and eyeliner, but trust me when I tell you, the interest is huge. It just may not be your version of what guitar driven music is.

You are talking about one town (and a few others like Austin) and don't patronize me with the '80s bullshit. I recognize there is other guitar driven music...

Steve

Dear Steven,

Far be it from me to patronize you with "80's b.s.", as you described it. You really need to chill out and stop taking yourself so seriously. But it is fun watching you get your feathers ruffled when someone on here disagrees with a point that you made. Lighten up a little bit, pal. And, yes, we all realize that you build amps and blah, blah, blah...that's great. But that fact alone doesnt make your opinion the only one that matters. Now, Steve, you will find from time to time that people on this forum may disagree with a opinion or two. That's the whole point. And by the way, no one loves the eighties more than me. Now that we got that out of the way, I wish you and your amp company nothing but the very best. By the way, how is that custom Jackson Kelly working out for you?...that was eighties metal to the core, bro! the one where you put a metal plug in where the volume knob was to make it even MORE METAL!!!! I'm sure we will see you rocking the stage with that in the near future in all your glory!!!

My comment doesn't have anything to do with other's having opinions. You have one and I disagree, which is fine, that is what we're here for - to discuss things.

What I was responding to is obvious, whether you choose to acknowledge it or not. The fact that you are continuing it in this response, shows that you aren't interested in having a civil disagreement about a topic, you just want to behave like an ass to me for some reason.

I'm not gonna lose any sleep over it, it is what it is... Carry on... I'll sit the rest of this one out...

Steve

 

[crankyrayhanky]

In the video he made the analogy of Kemper to the nagasaki bombing.
And dropped so many names he needed bucket
I would blast him more, but his Joyo pxl video was a great resource so I chalk this up to too much coffee and trying to be edgy to get views

I agree with Vrad, Kemper was a great ad for amps and made me buy more amps after trying profiles or wanting to profile

 

[BMoore77]

In the video he made the analogy of Kemper to the nagasaki bombing.
And dropped so many names he needed bucket
I would blast him more, but his Joyo pxl video was a great resource so I chalk this up to too much coffee and trying to be edgy to get views

I agree with Vrad, Kemper was a great ad for amps and made me buy more amps after trying profiles or wanting to profile

Do you have a studio setup? That was going to be my question because that would be my use for it. The practicality of having multiple amps in one stand alone head that you could either mic or go direct into a DAW, and the fact that you can use it like a regular amp/cab in a live situation. This stuff has really come a long way. I did check out the Friedman BE100 plugin and was really impressed. However, for right now, it is only available using a Mac setup. Been using the Rosen Digital IRs and have been getting really good results. The Kemper would be ideal for studio use. The profiles are so spot on when I watch clips of guys who know how to dial it in. Im sure there is a learning curve, but it couldnt be anymore difficult than the programming Im doing now with my studio setup.

 

[romanianreaper]

I expected to disagree with this guy completely. After watching the video I'm split right in half.

I do think it is B.S. that people are able to get an amp, profile it and then send it back. That is messed up and reminds me of why most of us don't want a guitar from Guitar Center that has been raped by 100 teenagers.

At the same time, I know that part of Friedman's success is due to the tones in the digital amps. Those amps give you a reference point of what type of amp you want.

 

[Stumplegriltskin]

I couldn't get 1 minute into it. If I met that guy, I would put my fist through his mouth and out the back of his fucking head. And that's got nothing to do with the Kemper.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

In the video he made the analogy of Kemper to the nagasaki bombing.
And dropped so many names he needed bucket
I would blast him more, but his Joyo pxl video was a great resource so I chalk this up to too much coffee and trying to be edgy to get views

I agree with Vrad, Kemper was a great ad for amps and made me buy more amps after trying profiles or wanting to profile

Do you have a studio setup? That was going to be my question because that would be my use for it.

Yes. In the studio it is jaw dropping and indistinguishable from the same mic'ed source. To be able to recall that instance of the perfect rig and mic placement on Kemper is astounding.

That being said, I had it for many years since it came out. I liked it a lot live on a big stage but at the practice room not so much. I sold it off and now have a Two Notes Live. It helps that I have a few amps that I love...but at some point I could see me grabbing a Kemper again.

 

[vultures]

I couldn't get 1 minute into it. If I met that guy, I would put my fist through his mouth and out the back of his fucking head. And that's got nothing to do with the Kemper.

He really comes off as one of those insufferable elitist type guys. The little shit eating grin and laugh he did when he said "I have a few of amps, GOOD amps.." had me cringing. I don't think I'd beat him up, just avoid talking to him about anything.

 

[Mailman1971]

I hear he can play a mean tennis match.
Ruthless on the court.