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Please help me decide which amp/effects processor to buy to get a few great sounds, listed below in order of importance:
1. Van Halen – VH I and Mean Street sounds
2. Clean sound – ‘80’s ballad-y acoustic or JC-120 sound
3. Zakk Wylde – heavier “metal” sound than VH, still toneful, easy harmonics
4. SRV on steroids – distorted, cutting, can be rolled off into semi-clean sounds
Effect-wise, I want one-click access for Flanger, Chorus, Echo, and volume boost, and one-click switching between a clean and a dirty sound (1 and 2 above).
I’ve basically got it down to the Vox Valvetronix Tonelab SE or the Line 6 Pod XT w/the FBV Shortboard. Either setup would cost about $600. Both appear to have the necessary footswitches to turn effects on/off as listed above (though I think the Pod would have to accomplish the clean/dirty switch through changing presets, and I’m afraid it will exhibit a delay in doing so; the Tonelab has an A/B switch within one preset, so it shouldn’t have that problem).
For amplification, I can run it through my Marshall Valvestate rack-mount power amp and a Marshall 1960A 4x12, or I can run it straight into the PA.
Guitar-wise, I have neck-through Jacksons with EMG 85s, one with a Seymour Duncan JB, a Kramer parts mutt 5150 replica with a direct-mounted SD Custom Custom and a Highway 1 Strat with stock Fender single coil pickups (might replace ‘em with DiMarzio Virtual Vintages if the stockers turn out to be too clean for me).
Good points about the Pod XT: I’ve read on the Web that it has a fantastic early VH (Plexi Variac) sound, and the optional HD147 sound set should cover any metal sounds I want. I also appreciate Line 6’s apparent desire to continue improving it. Plus, I expect it would be great through headphones for late-night practice, and I could record it directly to my computer using USB (well, I hope so – I use Macs). I also like the fact that you can download settings, since I usually can’t come up with great ones on my own (I previously had a Zoom 505-II and a Digitech GNX1, and got fantastic sounds for both off the web that I could never have come up with on my own).
Good points about the Tonelab: I think it has a very authentically non-digital sound, with an actual tube in the power amp stage, and it looks simpler to use. I tried out a Valvetronix amp (same electronics) in a Guitar Center a couple of years ago, and it sounded great – it was very warm and organic-sounding, and seemed excellent for classic rock/hard rock, though I didn’t know if it could pull off metal (no edge to it).
I’ve also read positive comments about the Digitech GNX3 (or 4) and the Boss GT-6, and I’m still open to those, as well. I have a Behringer V-Amp Pro now, which is nice, but does not interface easily with my Macs, and I don’t want to mess with buying and trying to set up the FCB-1010 foot controller for it, using MIDI.
I’d like to have a amp/effects set-up that sounds great and can be carried in a bag over one arm, with my guitar case in the other hand, so I can walk in, plug in and play, then take it all back home with me and play quietly at night without waking anyone. (That’s why I’m not looking at real tube amps). [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
I know the best answer is to try these out for myself, but our local music stores stock none of these units. I’ve read Harmony Central extensively, and even downloaded and browsed through some owner’s manuals. Now I am seeking the collective wisdom of the JCF. Thanks! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
1. Van Halen – VH I and Mean Street sounds
2. Clean sound – ‘80’s ballad-y acoustic or JC-120 sound
3. Zakk Wylde – heavier “metal” sound than VH, still toneful, easy harmonics
4. SRV on steroids – distorted, cutting, can be rolled off into semi-clean sounds
Effect-wise, I want one-click access for Flanger, Chorus, Echo, and volume boost, and one-click switching between a clean and a dirty sound (1 and 2 above).
I’ve basically got it down to the Vox Valvetronix Tonelab SE or the Line 6 Pod XT w/the FBV Shortboard. Either setup would cost about $600. Both appear to have the necessary footswitches to turn effects on/off as listed above (though I think the Pod would have to accomplish the clean/dirty switch through changing presets, and I’m afraid it will exhibit a delay in doing so; the Tonelab has an A/B switch within one preset, so it shouldn’t have that problem).
For amplification, I can run it through my Marshall Valvestate rack-mount power amp and a Marshall 1960A 4x12, or I can run it straight into the PA.
Guitar-wise, I have neck-through Jacksons with EMG 85s, one with a Seymour Duncan JB, a Kramer parts mutt 5150 replica with a direct-mounted SD Custom Custom and a Highway 1 Strat with stock Fender single coil pickups (might replace ‘em with DiMarzio Virtual Vintages if the stockers turn out to be too clean for me).
Good points about the Pod XT: I’ve read on the Web that it has a fantastic early VH (Plexi Variac) sound, and the optional HD147 sound set should cover any metal sounds I want. I also appreciate Line 6’s apparent desire to continue improving it. Plus, I expect it would be great through headphones for late-night practice, and I could record it directly to my computer using USB (well, I hope so – I use Macs). I also like the fact that you can download settings, since I usually can’t come up with great ones on my own (I previously had a Zoom 505-II and a Digitech GNX1, and got fantastic sounds for both off the web that I could never have come up with on my own).
Good points about the Tonelab: I think it has a very authentically non-digital sound, with an actual tube in the power amp stage, and it looks simpler to use. I tried out a Valvetronix amp (same electronics) in a Guitar Center a couple of years ago, and it sounded great – it was very warm and organic-sounding, and seemed excellent for classic rock/hard rock, though I didn’t know if it could pull off metal (no edge to it).
I’ve also read positive comments about the Digitech GNX3 (or 4) and the Boss GT-6, and I’m still open to those, as well. I have a Behringer V-Amp Pro now, which is nice, but does not interface easily with my Macs, and I don’t want to mess with buying and trying to set up the FCB-1010 foot controller for it, using MIDI.
I’d like to have a amp/effects set-up that sounds great and can be carried in a bag over one arm, with my guitar case in the other hand, so I can walk in, plug in and play, then take it all back home with me and play quietly at night without waking anyone. (That’s why I’m not looking at real tube amps). [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
I know the best answer is to try these out for myself, but our local music stores stock none of these units. I’ve read Harmony Central extensively, and even downloaded and browsed through some owner’s manuals. Now I am seeking the collective wisdom of the JCF. Thanks! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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