So, how would you upgrade this modeling setup??

[jgcable]

One more thing to add. Maybe the concept of a modeling amp is perfect for you but the tone and feel isn't? Modeling isn't for everybody. Sometimes it isn't even for me.
After trying or owning just about every modeler on the planet I came to the conclusion that the only one that will suffice when you are really looking for REAL tube sound is the Vetta.

[jgcable]

Oh, Christ..and have to learn ANOTHER friggin' modeler..one even more complicated than all the others put together?

I am just a hobbyist and I play in the living at night and on the weekends...I really don't need all of that stuff that the Vetta does. To be honest, if thick Ed tone came out of the amp and much little else, I could live with it.....

I wish that Line6 had better sound samples on their site...they really kinda suck.

Mike

I agree. Their sound samples definately suck. The HD147 samples were pretty good though.

[MBreinin]

I agree. Their sound samples definately suck. The HD147 samples were pretty good though.

Maybe the 147 is more up my alley..too bad they don't make a combo.....

I really don't need a million gadgets, just good tone.

Mike

[jwoods986]

Mike, if thick Ed tone is the main factor (and you want a combo) what about a 5150 combo?

[MBreinin]

Mike, if thick Ed tone is the main factor (and you want a combo) what about a 5150 combo?

I am more after that "Women and Children First" tone than any other Ed tone. I have never played a 5150, but I was always under the impression they had a more modern tone.

I am leaning towards getting a tube poweramp and an Avatar 212 cab (haven't decided on what speakers yet) and seeing how the Tonelab digs that setup. I know I can go in that direction pretty cheaply...and if it sucks, I keep the cab...dump the modelers and poweramp and get some sort of head to run through the cab.

Funny, to think that until I found this board and got back into playing in a big way..I was happy with a Strat and an old Peavey Studio Pro 112!!!

Too much fun, I tell ya.

Mike

[chrisolson]

FWIW,I've been using modeling amps for QUITE A WHILE now. The best set-up I ever had was a Line 6 HD through 2 Marshall 1936 2x12's,and right after that was the same cabs with a POD Pro going through an Alesis RA-100 reference power amp. You can stack the 212's or seperate them depending on what you're feeling like that day, and that rig was DEAD QUIET. It still had tone for days though. Modeling cabs? I don't know... I think that might be hype. I understand the concept, but a good sounding speaker is a good sounding speaker. Flat response makes sense, but I still don't know if I buy it.

Now I'm using a Flextone III XL, and it makes me happy as I need to be. Do I want other things? Yeah. Do I need anything else? NO.

[MBreinin]

Fuck it, maybe I will just get a 50 watt Splawn and call it a day...Brown Sound and all out max Marshall as well.

I actually did a hell of alot better at my re-fi today than I expected...I can, realistically, buy a real amp!!!

Mike

[thetroy]

If you want flat speaker response, DON'T buy guitar cabs/speakers. Get a good set of regular hi-fi stereo speakers (a million choices available at whatever price you want) along with a decent reference amp (the Behringer A500 gets great reviews and only $179 new)

[jgcable]

JG, you've been raving about the Vetta all over the place lately, but you have the head. How is the combo? And what about the Flextone III as a cheaper alternative? I'm pretty much looking for the same as Mike - a good clean, an SRV/blues light distortion, 80s metal Marshall (EVH, Lynch), and high gain Recto/SLO. Heck, I think the Spider IIs cover all those for a lot less. Maybe I just need to hit the shops this weekend and try them all next to each other.

The combo is just as good. Its 100w less though and it takes a little longer dialing in high gain sounds with an open backed cabinet. Still.... its very good. I don't have the combo for 3 reasons.
1. Its really friggin heavy
2. I like closed back cabs for metal better.
3. I like my controls in front of the amp instead of on top.

[hammer84]

I run my POD XT thru an Atomic Reactor 1x12. No complaints. I use that rig more than my Vetta. Its small, sound good and is damn loud for 18 watts. I got mine off ebay with a custom flight case.

[T@rgetDrone]

I'm a little late on this one I guess. I've tried a lot of amps for versatility of sounds and tone. Each seems to have pros and cons. And it's hard to recommend something specific to someone else. Our ears tend to hear things a bit differently. All that said, here's what I ended up with-Similar start as what you have or had.

6u Rack - Furman PC, V-Amp Pro, Ultragraph Pro 1502, ADA Microtube 200. The ADA has 2 12ax tubes in the pre so I do get a little tube bite especially when I set the presence up to 3/4 or more. It really cuts through.

Speaker Cabs - 2x12 Tone Works w/a pair of Eminence Modeling speakers + 2x12 Legion cab w/a pair of Madison Symphony speakers. I use both in stereo. The Eminence speakers are quite a bit more neutral about coloring the sound. The Madisons are more throaty but well balanced. They blend well together and offer a lot of tone variations for the cash I saved. But don't get all hung up on modeling speakers. Most are over rated. Though I am more than happy with the Eminence. I also have had Celestion (many pairs) in the Tube Works cab. Greenbacks, V12L's (i think), a pair that came out of a Crate 4x12 which sound very nice but lacked the power I wanted.

I DO understand that this is an unorthodox setup to say the least. But like you, I don't play out much anymore and I do most of my playing in my den at home these days. When I do step out with this rig I have a lot of options and I have no problems being heard over whatever. It's especially nice to have the ability to ditch all the gear except for the V-Amp Pro in case of emergency. It will hook up directly to a mixer or whatever with a pair of balanced or unbalanced lines. I could even nix both cabs with that scenario.

I have left an extra space for potential upgrades or emergency swap outs. I plan on purchasing the Behringer A500 as a backup to the ADA. They are great for modeling setups. Aside from that I would like to drop in a Sonic Maximizer 882i or the Behringer version (Ultrafex Pro EX3200) if I don't feel like forking up quite as much. I have other amps, both tube and solid state. I have access to even more but nothing too extravagant. I really like the versatility of this little rack for tone variety and punch. Plus it hasn't hurt my wallet too much in the process of putting it together. Is it for everyone? No way. I'm not sure if it's for ANYONE else. But I'm more than satisfied with it for what I do.

PS - Try the B6 setting on the V-Amp Pro for that EVH sound you're after. Though you may need to play around with it just a bit to cater it to your particular wants.

[MBreinin]

Thanks for the response. Interesting setup you have there!

I was able to dial in a very good Ed tone on the V-Amp Pro using the high gain model mixed with the #10 cabinet...I actually run almost everything through the #10 cabinet...to me that cabinet ruled. This was with, of course, headphones.

Well, since I am getting a 2x12 for my new Witchdoctor I will also probablt pick up an inexpensive power amp and use that to power the two modelers for an alternate route as well.

Mike

[ozzuk1]

I'm running my Vamp pro through a gemini X3 poweramp, completely acoustically transparent so doesent colour the tone, i'm getting a cab for it, but i've tried this combo through a laney 212 sounded bad assed....

This 212 is weired its almost as big as a 412, and the speakers are angled, goes with a solid state head can't remember the name....

I'll also get a power conditioner, and a floorboard to change patches and banks....

Ozz

[shred4Him]

Get a powered speaker like a Carvin PM15a or a JBL Eon 15 G2. Lots of power and gives you what you are getting through headphones. I would opt for the Carvin since it is half the price and has less HF wattage. Last thing I would want is peaky treble.

[lerxstcat]

I am more after that "Women and Children First" tone than any other Ed tone. I have never played a 5150, but I was always under the impression they had a more modern tone.

I am leaning towards getting a tube poweramp and an Avatar 212 cab (haven't decided on what speakers yet) and seeing how the Tonelab digs that setup. I know I can go in that direction pretty cheaply...and if it sucks, I keep the cab...dump the modelers and poweramp and get some sort of head to run through the cab.

Funny, to think that until I found this board and got back into playing in a big way..I was happy with a Strat and an old Peavey Studio Pro 112!!!

Too much fun, I tell ya.

Mike

Well, if you're running the Tonelab into the effects return of a 5150 combo, then it's just a 60 watt 2x6L6 power amp with sealed back cabinet. You would have the option of using the preamp if you wanted to unplug the modeler, and the combos go in the $500 range. Much cheaper than the atomic Reactor and more versatile, you can use it with or without. The combos have a better clean channel than the heads too.