AxeFx 2 on the way!!

[chrisolson]

So will there be a head to head with the Kemper soon?

Well, no.

It's going back tomorrow. It was cool, but not as detailed as the Axe's models, and now that the Axe will be getting a profiling upgrade FREE, that's $1850 back in my pocket for other toys. The Axe works better with my setup as well. Cool idea, but I'm pretty happy with the Axe.

[Hellbat]

Cool that they are adding profiling to the Axe 2. Assuming they get the product out of waiting list status, I wouldn't be shocked to see it be a real dagger in to the Kemper's heart. Unless it was half the price, why would anybody buy the one that only does one of the model or profile solutions when the Axe does both?

Axe dude needs to learn how to manufacture his stuff a little faster though and have ample quantities available. If it was shipping back in December I probably would have grabbed one instead of my Taylor acoustic.

[chrisolson]

I agree to some degree, Hellbat. However, the Axe is unrivaled, and so much is poured into them, and the demand is HUGE! I'm on the list still, but just bought a used one, and I'm fine with that. There will be a tipping point, just as we saw with the original models. They're a small company relatively speaking, and they're putting out a technically advanced piece of hardware that isn't built on a giant production line in China/India/other shithole, and the QC seems to be very tight, since you RARELY hear of any issues with them. A little wait isn't a bad thing, and it is a good way to control the market value as well, which I certainly support! It helps to protect the users' investments. I have no issues wih that.

I'm also pretty stoked about their development - it just saved me almost $2K, and it's FREE. That's worth the wait in my eyes.

[Hellbat]

Oh, I'm not denying they are worth the wait. I still badly want one and by the time I can afford it, they will probably be available in quantity. I just think they should expand their manufacturing capacity a little bit. Musicians are a fickle bunch, it's hard to get them to stand in line for something when there are other shiny things around that they can be distracted by.

[chrisolson]

LOL...yeah, you're right!

[roodyrocker]

Oh, I'm not denying they are worth the wait. I still badly want one and by the time I can afford it, they will probably be available in quantity. I just think they should expand their manufacturing capacity a little bit. Musicians are a fickle bunch, it's hard to get them to stand in line for something when there are other shiny things around that they can be distracted by.

When the original Axe Fx and Ultra came out the wait time was pretty long. At that time Cliff was building them himself. Then at some point they contracted with someone to build them and things sped up a bit. But Cliff I believe wants them to be built here and is keeping quality a priority. Plus, with all the free upgrades he provided it made it pretty nice for musicians. Finally something well built that sounds great with a company owner who cares. I plan on keeping my Ultra which is one of the originals built by Cliff. It sounded good then and sounds good now. Although I wouldn't mind an Axe Fx II either I haven't checked lately but aren't the II's being built the same way the first generation ones were by whoever Fractal Audio contracted with to build them?

[Hellraiser6502]

LOVE my Ultra...I can't even imagine how I've done without one for 20+ years!!

Just an amazing product.

A power amp & Axe FX is all anyone needs.

[chrisolson]

LOVE my Ultra...I can't even imagine how I've done without one for 20+ years!!

Just an amazing product.

A power amp & Axe FX is all anyone needs.

I couldn't agree more! I'm actually relieved to be down to "one unit" now. I can start to concentrate on getting the most from it.

[RacerX]

How much are the older Axe-FX units selling for on the used market?

[chrisolson]

How much are the older Axe-FX units selling for on the used market?

Standard are in the $1200-ish area, and Ultras are around $1500-ish.

I bought my Standard for $1200, and sold it for $1400 a little over a year ago. I bought my ultra recently for $1450, and sold it about 3 months later for the same.

I bought my used Axe 2 for the same as the discounted new model - $2200, and got off the 3-4 month wait list, and saved abou $75 for shipping charges.

[RacerX]

Thanks, Chris! I always wanted to try one, but was put off by the "gotta tweak it" factor.

Right now my main rig is a 5150 head + Soldano 4x12 cab - if I want to retain these / go for cheapest Axe-Fx rig, all I need is a power amp?

I like extreme metal: death, black, and thrash - what power amp(s) should I look for? I guess a foot controller board is called for also?

[Richard W]

Thanks, Chris! I always wanted to try one, but was put off by the "gotta tweak it" factor.

Right now my main rig is a 5150 head + Soldano 4x12 cab - if I want to retain these / go for cheapest Axe-Fx rig, all I need is a power amp?

I like extreme metal: death, black, and thrash - what power amp(s) should I look for? I guess a foot controller board is called for also?

How much do you want to spend on a power amp?

[RacerX]

As little as possible!

[Richard W]

I hear ya man! Check out a Peavey Classic 60/60.

http://www.musicgoround.com/detail.aspx?id=1101913

[Hellbat]

If you want to run it through your 4x12 Ron, you could probably just run the Axe into the loop return and use the 5150 as the power amp. Ideally though, if you want to access the full different range of sounds that the box can make, you are going to want to get a FRFR setup.

For death, black, and thrash metal though, using a tube head and 4x12 setup would likely be fine.