Question Mesa or Axe or something else?

[ZeeW]

Okay just as the Axe Fx was looking like a solution, I find out there is a long, long, long waiting list for them in Europe (I'm in the UK) with people already waited over 6 months. Although I can wait a while I was thinking of setting up my rig/studio by December.

I can get a Mark V head and a wide body Thiele 112 in the next week if this was my chosen route.

Taking a hard look at what I 'really' need - well I don't need or use a lot of effects. I sometimes use a bit of reverb, delay, TScreamer and a noise gate and thats it.

The Badger looks amazing but I'd like to have some more gain on tap, that is why the Transatlantic 15 didn't quite do it for me and I considered the mini Rectifier.

Eleven Rack looks like another possible solution and it sits nicley with ProTools.

Oh decisions, decisions.

 

[walleye]

you can get a second hand axe fx ultra, they're pretty readily available. regarding effects, i never used them either, but now that i have them all, i use a lot of them "little bit here little bit there". i need to stop typing because i really need to work, damn internet.. too distracting

 

[Pilours]

Thanks for the hint of the N.O.S. I am familiar with their 50 Watt amp (which I liked too!!) and I've heard about the db Killer - is it really transparent and how reliable is it?

Sorry ZeeW for late reply!
NOS is really transparent to my ears and to all users I know. Tested it during small gig and never had the impression to have any change in my usual sound. seems reliable since the one i was lended was 2 years old db killer first version.
Didn't have the chance to test the load box, waiting for mine to arrive and will update you if you're still looking for best solution

 

[ScoobySteve]

Eleven Rack looks like another possible solution and it sits nicley with ProTools.

Oh decisions, decisions.

That's what I love about my 11R. It has a convenient USB interface and there's not latency. It comes with the latest version of Pro Tools LE and has an 11R interface plugin specifically for Pro Tools. With the bass models in the exp.. All you need is a drum track or simulator and recording full tunes is a breeze.

If the Axe-FX offers mroe than you'll ever need the 11R is an excellent compromise

 

[ZeeW]

Sorry ZeeW for late reply!
NOS is really transparent to my ears and to all users I know. Tested it during small gig and never had the impression to have any change in my usual sound. seems reliable since the one i was lended was 2 years old db killer first version.
Didn't have the chance to test the load box, waiting for mine to arrive and will update you if you're still looking for best solution

Please keep me informed - I'm not going to rush into this decision just yet.

PS: Nice part of the World you live in.

 

[cm_17]

This is a little less conventional, but have you considered Guitar Rig 5? I was never happy with computer-based sims, but that one blew me away. Hooked up with good monitors and integrated into recording software makes an impressive setup.

 

[ZeeW]

I'm happy to consider the 'less conventional' - can you give me a bit more as to why you were so impressed?

 

[cm_17]

I wish I'd know how to upload some sound samples. But the main thing is how it "feels". The program is responsive like a real amp, and I think it's in no way far behind an AxeFx for home use. If you pay attention to interviews these days you'll repeatedly hear artists explaining how they tracked parts of entire records with GuitarRig (Phil Collen from Def Leppard, for example).

The key issue that you'll find when listening to GuitarRig sound samples online is that people don't pay much attention to the cabinet/speaker emulation. Once you learn how to adjust the speaker microphones, speaker type, etc. and pair it with good desktop speakers/studio headphones/studio monitors, it's breathtaking how well it sounds. Don't expect great tone if you are using cheap headphones though.

The versatility is great. My favorite two modules are first the Hiwatt model ("High White) for clean or mild overdrive (there are tons of overdrive/distortion modules). I can get crispy Hendrix-ish tones with that and it's highly touch-responsive. The second one, and that's what finally sold me, is the Peavey 5150 ("Van 51") model. Tons of gain on tap, but articulate. I use it on the first "rhythm" gain channel with a RAT model in front as a boost, and I swear it's one of the best high-gain tones I've ever had. They now also have a pretty nice Soldano Slo 100 module, and their different Marshall Plexis are pretty decent, too. But as said, they sound crap if you don't spend some time dialing in the speaker emulation properly, which is however easy and very rewarding.

There are of course plenty of reverbs, delays, etc. to play around with, also wacky effects, and you can spend hours just clicking through the toys and experimenting. You won't use most of the things frequently though, I got comfy with one reverb unit, one delay unit, have the excellent noise reduction always in the racks, and add flanger/chorus. There's a wammy sim, different wahs, etc., whatever you can think of. It's a great way to experiment with signal chains, too.

I got GuitarRig 3 initially with their foot controller, Rig Control. It's awesome and I'd use it live in a heartbeat. I also got the Guitar Rig mobile box, it's a cigarette pack-sized USB sound card that's very portable. The update to Guitar Rig 5 that added the 5150 and the Slo 100 finally nailed it for me.

Another bonus is that the software comes with build-in MP3 players that you can use to play backing tracks (even tweakable for speed/tuning, etc.), record loops, and the whole thing can be of course plugged into any sequencing software or recording setup. It's a solid investment and not too expensive, so perfect for home use. I'd probably also gig it if there's a decent PA available.

But: it does not replace a "real" amp of course, that you fall in love with, get to know like a good friend, and that stays with you forever. It's a computer software and not a Marshall stack that collects mojo with time .

 

[ZeeW]

Sorry ZeeW for late reply!
NOS is really transparent to my ears and to all users I know. Tested it during small gig and never had the impression to have any change in my usual sound. seems reliable since the one i was lended was 2 years old db killer first version.
Didn't have the chance to test the load box, waiting for mine to arrive and will update you if you're still looking for best solution

Pilours - I've decided to go with an amp any update on the db killer? Any chance you can post a picture of how you have wired into you MkV and is the db killer 8 or 16 ohm compatible?

 

[Pilours]

Hey ZeeW
I receive my own db killer 2 weeks ago, and I really enjoy it. I'll update later with the pic you're asking for, but to answer your question, when you order your db killer you can choose options as:
4 or 8 or 16ohm
-6db or -12db or -24db per switch ( there are 3 switchs)
line out option
load box option.
keep you updated asap !

Cheers!

 

[Astrofreq]

Engl.

 

[ZeeW]

Engl? Any Engl?

 

[tommydude]

Engl Powerball II
This amp has more features.

Based on what you have written, the AXE FX II is the way to go.....Last I checked, there was a wait to get one. They are offering incentives on their site for people who have paid & waiting

 

[aleclee]

Last I checked, there was a wait to get one. They are offering incentives on their site for people who have paid & waiting

Definitely a wait. People who signed up for the list about four months ago are getting their coupons now. That said, for those buying direct, they didn't have to pay anything before the item came available.

 

[jemfield]

what do you think about this configuration:

head amp + Axe FX + Two Notes Torpedo ( cab simulation better than Axe fx)

I have already test that with my CAA OD100 se+ and it was incredible with 1 Musicman Luke RW

you can direct record at each hours of the day with this configuration

 

[aleclee]

what do you think about this configuration:

head amp + Axe FX + Two Notes Torpedo ( cab simulation better than Axe fx)

I have already test that with my CAA OD100 se+ and it was incredible with 1 Musicman Luke RW

you can direct record at each hours of the day with this configuration

I think it's overkill. IME, unless you're using some esoteric amp, the AxeFx can do whatever the amp can do when you take the cab out of the equation. With the Torpedo handling cab simulation, the amp is probably unnecessary.

 

[73h Nils]

Just throwing another penny in the fountain; How about Blackstar amps? HT-5 or whatever suits your fancy. They're killer little boxes. Jamie Humphries and Andy James have some really cool demo vids on their site using JP6s actually.

 

[ZeeW]

Update: Well you probably think I'm crazy lol BUT just ordered a Fryette Deliverance 60 with 212 cab! Not what I intended when I started this thread but so happy with the tone I got out of this amp