Off Topic tube preamp or modeller?throw in your .02

[Astrofreq]

Engl all the way. IMHO, simulators never sound the same as real tubes.

I'm really thinking about getting an Engl Gigmaster combo.

 

[kjohnson]

I'm a re-entry guitar player.


For practice @ home,I'm using the Vox VT-15.I have 5 Marshalls: JTM 50,'67; 1959 Super Lead, '73;2005 1987 repro w/high gain mod;Lead 12 Microstack;Lead 12 combo.

The VT 15 is wonderful and diverse.The tremolo feature is very nice (I used to own a 4 input tweed Tremolux),as all the effects it has are.Big bang for the buck (or lack thereof in this case.

 

[beej]

Engl all the way. IMHO, simulators never sound the same as real tubes.

I don't know about that anymore. The tones I've heard from the AxeFX, I am hard pressed to tell the difference. And in all the blind examples I've seen online, so are a lot of others.

But feel, that's another thing. I've yet to play a modeler that felt like a pushed tube amp. Live that's an issue. At home, not so much.

 

[GHWelles]

I have been using Roland's VG-series for years now (VG-8, 88 and now the 99). Possibilities are endless, sound is excellent. Real easy for home-use, recording or using live. You can use your favorite guitar to sound like any guitar you want, in any tuning you want. Two different guitars into two different amps, full on effects....all possible. If I had money to burn I would buy the Axe-Fx for the amp-sims though (that thing really sounds STELLAR) and use it with the VG-99 for the guitars. The good thing: the VG-99 is much less expensive then the AxeFx. Great piece of kit!

I have been using the VG8-EX for years too. Excellent for recording.
But. My tube amps and analog effects are still the best.

 

[Chaka5150]

you have all given me lot's of things to consider…never even heard of the roland unit..looks interesting. Where I lean towards an actual tube amp is obviously that it reacts well..as a real amp. not only that, if i decide to sell it someday I should theoretically recover some of my initial costs depending on the amp. what worries me about modellers like the axe fx (as friggin cool as it is) it is a computer basically. If I had bought a commodore 64 (old computer) back in the day for say $1000 what are the chances I would get more than $20 for it now? shelling out $2000 or the Axe fx worries me as one day it will possibly be worth nothing mind you, in the end it is about being happy with the sound and not the tangible object that you hope to fetch a few dollars for one day. cost/benefit ratio. on top of that I can't help but feel like there will be a new rendition of the Axe-Fx with better display and usb capabilities. THe trappings of waiting for the BBD (bigger better deal)

someone mentioned attenuators--do they really capture the feel and the slp (think that's what you call it) of an amp at lower volumes.

 

[beej]

what worries me about modellers like the axe fx (as friggin cool as it is) it is a computer basically. If I had bought a commodore 64 (old computer) back in the day for say $1000 what are the chances I would get more than $20 for it now?

Certainly, the value of new technology goes to zero quicker than anything that's been around for a while. I worry about the same thing.

Once upon a time I had a rack with Rocktron & Digitech stuff ... that stuff cost a fortune and in the end I had to give it away. If I could rewind the clock I'd have done it differently. Though, digital signal processing is generations ahead of what it once was.

someone mentioned attenuators--do they really capture the feel and the slp (think that's what you call it) of an amp at lower volumes.

Some of the higher end ones, the consensus seems to be yes. The resistive load ones (hotplate, etc.) are good for knocking off a few dB, but not for really driving down the volume. Some of the newer ones like the Faustine (reactive load, more like a speaker's interaction) are good enough to fool me from all the demos I've heard and the first hand reports.

So yeah, I think a good attenuator is really a viable option. If you love your amp, then it's a good way to go. If not, then you could start from scratch ... there are lots of amps with power scaling and/or really usable master volumes.

 

[ScoobySteve]

The Aracom Prx150 is the new hot thing in amp attenuation. They have a stand Aline unit as well as a rackmounted unit. They are a bit pricey but the best and most transparent attentuator I've ever seen. I see them most commonly used to bring down Marshall amps that lack a Master Volume. You're always going to get some tone loss and compression. Very small and very negligible IMO.

As I said I love my ElevenRack and the AxeFX is a beast but FEEL is very important to me. The way hot tubes respond to pick attack, feel, and tone/vol pot change is very particular and it's a very difficult dynamic to replicate. Also if you have a favorite pedal or FX gear, the way try react and respond to tubes and modelers are very different IMO. there will always be a top notch modeler in my arsenal but my Grail tone will always come from a tube amp.

My .02. I know the quest is tough. Good luck!

 

[Stratty316]

I don't care either way as long as it sounds good. Currently its a 15W tube amp and some pedals that inspire me the most.

 

[Chaka5150]

anyone have a mesa mark V? sound decent at low volumes? integrate well with effects processor? not sure about mesa though as they are a bit nasal for my likings but the vid of JP posted on another thread makes me think again...

 

[kjohnson]

I've got a THD Hotplate,and I only liked it with master volume Marshalls WIDE open.

My VT15 is wonderful,and I've either owned,traded or played through half the amps it models.It does a damn fine job,even though I have other options in amps.You wouldn't believe how picky I am when it comes to gear <lol>.

 

[Chaka5150]

Just came across this youtube clip of some Axe-Fx high gain samples. Note how it responds to rolling off the volume knob at around 0:12 sec. Although this is really just 001101101010; it is a pretty convincing emulation of analog equipment.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GawRgrkM4m8]YouTube - Axe-Fx demo 07 - hi gain pt 4[/ame]

 

[Josh O]

I have a biased opinion, Axe-Fx gets my vote.

 

[meanMRmustard]

I'm no expert but I've heard nothing but good things about Axe FX

 

[Lou]

I've had the Axe-FX for 2 years now. It's awesome and extremely touch sensitive. Probably not for everyone though. I've always been a rack guy - 2112, JMP1, Triaxis, etc...

11 rack is pretty nice as well. More limiting than the AxeFX as far as options go and I can't stand the delay in it. But we use it for recording all the time as well as my axefx.

Visit my youtube channel and all the guitar there is Axefx. This tune was done with the axefx for all electric guitars except for one (mesa Roadster). [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_ACpv_vgjU]YouTube - Sip of Poison[/ame] (all guitar guitars used were JPs - EBMM content)

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSjydobX8SA"]YouTube - EBMM John Petrucci Dargie Delight 2 - Axe FX[/ame]

 

[Chaka5150]

wow great tones there guy! I have seen the dargie one before when checking for clips of the axe fx and have always like the combo especially since I play a jp guitar as well.

 

[Sticky1973]

I still love Line 6 gear, Pod Farm and Gearbox.

That said, perhaps my hands and ears are the limit, rather than the software .

YouTube - EBMM John Petrucci Dargie Delight 2 - Axe FX

Now that is fantastic playing.

Very very nice indeed, brother.

 

[Lou]

Thanks for the kind words, guys.