Thinking about going to the dark side

[Shask]

Yeah but that's marketing. Most of the $$$ of a new Mesa Rectifier is the value of the Mesa logo on the front. On the inside a 2013 Dual Rectifier isn't significantly different from a 1993 Dual Rectifier. But a 2013 computer makes a 1993 computer look like a museum piece. That's the rollercoaster guitar gear is getting on, because a modeller like an Axe-FX isn't an amp - it's a COMPUTER.

Off the topic of Moore's Law for a sec, the biggest change that computers have undergone in the past twenty years isn't horsepower or features, it's usability. Compare a 386 running DOS in 1993 with an iPad today.

The Axe-FX is that 386 running DOS. I'd rather stab myself in the face than press buttons and turn a knob while looking at a chunky black-on-green monochrome LCD. When a modelling company takes the Axe-FX audio technology and puts a friendly interface on it, then I'll be interested.

Actually, now that I think about it, it's far more likely that someone will just write a better modelling app for the iPad and we'll start seeing iPads in XLR-equipped docking stations sitting on top of power amps.

Uhhh. NO. A single part for that amp, a 12AX7 costs like $17 or so. I could buy THE SAME EXACT TUBE 10 years ago for $7. Its not marketing, it is inflation..

Something we can agree on..... concerts will be controlled by a table of iPads in the near future.

 

[barnesjd]

Don't do it - we have cookies!

I am not. I cranked my Uberschall today through my Bogner 4x12, turned on the Timefactor and Phase 90 playing Panama. Yeah, nothing like tube amps punching your balls in. I think my frustrations are learning how to mic cabs when recording and dealing with sound dudes. Oh and the lugging part is because I am getting old.

Number 1... never turn on the amp again. Forget about how great it sounds. Number 2, PM me and I'll send you $200 for the Uberschall.

 

[BrokenRomeo]

I use my Axe II for recording, tube amp rig for live and rehearsal...I have used the Axe live, but I prefer a traditional rig for gigs. It seems a lot of guys using modelers live these days, are bringing as much or more gear than it takes for a traditional rig!!

 

[rp108]

Don't do it - we have cookies!

I am not. I cranked my Uberschall today through my Bogner 4x12, turned on the Timefactor and Phase 90 playing Panama. Yeah, nothing like tube amps punching your balls in. I think my frustrations are learning how to mic cabs when recording and dealing with sound dudes. Oh and the lugging part is because I am getting old.

Number 1... never turn on the amp again. Forget about how great it sounds. Number 2, PM me and I'll send you $200 for the Uberschall.

 

[rupe]

I made the switch for about a year. The Axe-Fx was a great sounding unit and the effects were some of the best that I've come across in a digital format. Set-up/tear down was easy on the sound was consistent. What's not to love, right?

After a while, I noticed that I was using the same amp model for just about all of my dirty and lead tones...which led me to wonder if I would simply be better served by playing the real amp. When an opportunity arose to trade my Axe and powered FRFR speaker (FBT Verve 12ma) for the amp, I jumped, figuring that if I didn't like it I would simply sell it and buy the Axe all over again while moving up a model year. (I loved the amp and am still gigging with it 3 years later)

Although I liked the Axe and enjoyed it's versatility, as others mentioned I found myself tweaking more than playing...it's quite infectious in that regard. If you're a true sonic architect and enjoy the minutia of sculpting guitar tone, there's nothing better IMO. If you like to set it and forget it, just plug in and play, it allows you to do that too...but in that scenario I prefer a real amp. Although the Axe responds well and has great dynamics, it's simply not the same interaction that I feel with a good tube amp. And that, to me, is where "magic" is created...when you, you're playing, your guitar, and your amp are working together in perfect harmony to create an inspirational playing experience.

Bottom line is that it's a very individual thing. There's really no way to know what's right for you without hands-on experience.

 

[Ventura]

Although I liked the Axe and enjoyed it's versatility, as others mentioned I found myself tweaking more than playing...it's quite infectious in that regard. If you're a true sonic architect and enjoy the minutia of sculpting guitar tone, there's nothing better IMO. If you like to set it and forget it, just plug in and play, it allows you to do that too...but in that scenario I prefer a real amp. Although the Axe responds well and has great dynamics, it's simply not the same interaction that I feel with a good tube amp. And that, to me, is where "magic" is created...when you, you're playing, your guitar, and your amp are working together in perfect harmony to create an inspirational playing experience.

Bottom line is that it's a very individual thing. There's really no way to know what's right for you without hands-on experience.

This was one of the best "Axe-II synopses" I've read

 

[legend71]

Every dude in my town that plays an Axe FX or a Kemper live sounds like garbage live. I think you need a great soundman to dial you into the mix with those things. I never worry about it with my XTC.

 

[rp108]

Every dude in my town that plays an Axe FX or a Kemper live sounds like garbage live. I think you need a great soundman to dial you into the mix with those things. I never worry about it with my XTC.

That was a deciding factor for me not getting one. I admit I haven't heard one live but I did watch some videos of this somewhat popular newer "metal" band and I use that term loosely, it sounded like poop.

With an XTC, there isn't much to worry about when it comes to tone.

 

[ttosh]

Don't do it - we have cookies!

This ^^^^^^^^^^

 

[supersonic]

I made the switch for about a year. The Axe-Fx was a great sounding unit and the effects were some of the best that I've come across in a digital format. Set-up/tear down was easy on the sound was consistent. What's not to love, right?

After a while, I noticed that I was using the same amp model for just about all of my dirty and lead tones...which led me to wonder if I would simply be better served by playing the real amp. When an opportunity arose to trade my Axe and powered FRFR speaker (FBT Verve 12ma) for the amp, I jumped, figuring that if I didn't like it I would simply sell it and buy the Axe all over again while moving up a model year. (I loved the amp and am still gigging with it 3 years later)

Although I liked the Axe and enjoyed it's versatility, as others mentioned I found myself tweaking more than playing...it's quite infectious in that regard. If you're a true sonic architect and enjoy the minutia of sculpting guitar tone, there's nothing better IMO. If you like to set it and forget it, just plug in and play, it allows you to do that too...but in that scenario I prefer a real amp. Although the Axe responds well and has great dynamics, it's simply not the same interaction that I feel with a good tube amp. And that, to me, is where "magic" is created...when you, you're playing, your guitar, and your amp are working together in perfect harmony to create an inspirational playing experience.

Bottom line is that it's a very individual thing. There's really no way to know what's right for you without hands-on experience.

Well put, nothing sounds or feels as good as a valve amp cranked behind you. What amp did you buy?

 

[Michi]

I made the switch for about a year. The Axe-Fx was a great sounding unit and the effects were some of the best that I've come across in a digital format. Set-up/tear down was easy on the sound was consistent. What's not to love, right?

After a while, I noticed that I was using the same amp model for just about all of my dirty and lead tones...which led me to wonder if I would simply be better served by playing the real amp. When an opportunity arose to trade my Axe and powered FRFR speaker (FBT Verve 12ma) for the amp, I jumped, figuring that if I didn't like it I would simply sell it and buy the Axe all over again while moving up a model year. (I loved the amp and am still gigging with it 3 years later)

Although I liked the Axe and enjoyed it's versatility, as others mentioned I found myself tweaking more than playing...it's quite infectious in that regard. If you're a true sonic architect and enjoy the minutia of sculpting guitar tone, there's nothing better IMO. If you like to set it and forget it, just plug in and play, it allows you to do that too...but in that scenario I prefer a real amp. Although the Axe responds well and has great dynamics, it's simply not the same interaction that I feel with a good tube amp. And that, to me, is where "magic" is created...when you, you're playing, your guitar, and your amp are working together in perfect harmony to create an inspirational playing experience.

Bottom line is that it's a very individual thing. There's really no way to know what's right for you without hands-on experience.

I like the way you think sir.