Thinking Change

[Pundix]

Greetings everyone,

Okay, so I've been plugging my guitars straight into a Boogie MKIV for a loooong time now and with a bunch of things coming up I'm thinking of making a change. I'm even thinking of going digital. So what should I buy? What are the good sounding digital rigs out there these days?

Thanks in Advance...

 

[groovetuber]

Don't go digital dude, they don't even sound close to what a tube amp can offer.

 

[koogie2k]

Digital such as Line 6's are close to tube. I use the Vetta as it gives me a gazillion different tones and amps to choose from. Digital is not a bad thing. Some peeps are set on all tube alone and that is cool as well. There are several digital amps and modeling systems out there...check 'em out.

 

[groovetuber]

I dunno, I 've heard numerous digital setups in person, and none of them seemed to replicate a good tube tone at all.

 

[MikeVt]

I dunno, I 've heard numerous digital setups in person, and none of them seemed to replicate a good tube tone at all.

What you like is always a matter of opinion. It is true that digital is not likely to completely replicate the bahavior of a tube amp, because modellers are just that - digital models. However, the 'representation' gets better with each new generation.

The only way to tell if you'll 'like' it is to try it for yourself...because only you can form your opinion...

Mike

 

[Music Man]

I haved a VOX tone lab and it is by far one of the best sounding digital processors I have heard. It has a tube and at least to me it make a huge difference in the sound. I have owned several pods and sounded good but none of them had the dynamis that a tube amp has. With the VOX I can actually turn my volume down and get ALMOST the same effect that I do with me Mesa F 50. There is nothing like a great tube amp but if you must give the VOX a try.

 

[Roubster]

I personally was thinking of getting a tube amp like a JSX or something, but than I realized I also need something that I can plug in headphones and all that stuff. I got a Line6 Spider which I am REALLY starting HATE. But I tried a Flextone3, and I really like it and has a lot of different tones and combination of amps and cabs. The ToneLab is also pretty cool but I like the 2x12 Flex3 the most so far.

 

[candid_x]

Agrees with groovetuber on digital emulators being a far cry from a good tube rig.

But, also agree with MusicMan that the VOX Tone Lab is the best digital system currently out there. Their vibro settings sound amazing, imo.

Also agree with Mike, that digital emulation continues to get better. Whether or not they’ll ever capture the “feel” of playing through a good tube amp or not, is another matter.

I purchased a Line6 2x12 Flextone combo as a no hassle back up to my juiced up Laney, and wound up selling it that same week. Not my cup-o-soup.

 

[musicman10_1]

My best of both worlds - Mesa Mark IV combo + Fender Cybertwin!

 

[Jonny Dubai]

I am a vox man too. I got it sounding just how I like it. On the boutique OD channel with the TS9 setting...and a ASS of course!


Cheers,


Jonny

 

[Norrin Radd]

Anyone tried the H&K Switchblade? Supposed to be pretty darn good.

 

[robelinda2]

what about the H&K Zentera? That could be the greatest amp i've ever heard, pricey though, around $7000AUS last time i looked. i've got a demo on cd-rom that completely blew me away, and everyone i've shown it too. some german dude, brilliant player, artist in his own right, the Fender king of Europe he was crowned, forget his name, thomas something...

 

[Roxy]

I'd stick with the MESA. Digital amps are like computers, what's great now will be a dinosaur in a few years or less. I do however like the Line 6 TonePort and POD XT Live for recording or effects applications. The POD XT Live is a good bargain, kind of a "best of" Line 6 for a small investment. They just released a few new models & effects as a free download which was cool, and the bass version can be added on for $100.

 

[robelinda2]

is there a mesa combo that doesnt sound so metal? the ones i've tried are so lacking in a warm clean sound, they only sound good with heaps of gain up real loud with a humbucker. I've read some reviews of one of the new ones out and apparently its more versatile.

 

[Roxy]

The Mesa Lonestar has a stellar clean and a very nice overdrive. Not metal at all.

 

[francric]

Robelinda2, have you tried a Mesa Lonestar???????

 

[robelinda2]

havent tried that one, its on my list though!! its one i have heard good things about, and itsnt a pure shred/metal amp

 

[robelinda2]

lonestar special looks nice, anyone heard the stilletto ace combo?

 

[Philip]

I've heard that Lonestar has great cleans but never thought that overdrive channels are great. Until I've seen this video

I think he uses Lonestar there. Superb tone!!!!!

 

[robelinda2]

timmons sure is a fine fine player, he could plug his guitar into my dogs ear and get good tone. monster player really, his sound is great, if it is a lone star he is using i'm mighty impressed, i have the cd-rom of that lesson in the link you gave, tremendous stuff.