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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Selling Mesa Buying Axe?
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 5 2011, 03:44 PM
hey guys! sometimes I do myself this question... Should I sell my Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier and buy the Axe Ultra?
Considering this items:
1. I'm not 100% happy with the sound I get from my amp.
2. I don't like to have lots of pedals on stage.
3. I like having a specific guitar sound for each song but I want top level distortions.
4. Both cost the same here in Argentina.
5. Everybody talks about the awesomeness of the Axe.
6. But I've never tried the Axe. (You have to import one if you want it here)
What do you think?
Posted by: dark dude Aug 5 2011, 06:25 PM
Check this out, Gabe:
Posted by: ShredNChunk Aug 5 2011, 07:53 PM
Considering this items:
1. I'm not 100% happy with the sound I get from my amp.
2. I don't like to have lots of pedals on stage.
3. I like having a specific guitar sound for each song but I want top level distortions.
4. Both cost the same here in Argentina.
5. Everybody talks about the awesomeness of the Axe.
6. But I've never tried the Axe. (You have to import one if you want it here)
What do you think?
Hey, if your not completely happy with your tone, why not just sell it? You shouldn't keep it, just because of it's name. But, yeah i would definately sell it for the AxeFx Ultra, if you have that option. Check Ola's videos, as linked above, it really puts things into perspective.
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 5 2011, 10:06 PM
Pros:
- Top emulations
- Bunch of different other sounds
- All in one place pedalboard
Cons:
- Big and bulky pedalboard which is not cheap
- Rack with AxeFX and poweramp which will not be easier for transport then the tube head
- Digital device that is going to be outdated in several years
Choice is hard, although i would choose AxeFX any day now. I had Hiwatt DR103 head, and for that kind of money AxeFX would do the job 2000x better (nobody in the audience notices the difference anyway). There are simply so many good features with AxeFX, it's hard to beat it. If you can get used to having slightly digital sound (it will sound digital no matter what they say), then it's OK in my book 
Posted by: Adrian Figallo Aug 6 2011, 03:48 AM
"1. I'm not 100% happy with the sound I get from my amp."
you know your answer then gab, the axefx is the best solution for live and prob the studio too, nobody in the audience wil notice, you have stereo patchs, wonderful sims, effects, etc.
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 6 2011, 08:11 AM
I would NEVER trade a tube amp for a digital thing that tries to emulate 1000 other things maybe I would seem a little bit 'inside the box' on this matter, but, I jammed on an axe fx a few days ago and all the tones felt like they gave me the same dynamic response and a lot of effects, parameters and details which are somewhat useless to my needs. I am convinced that nothing will offer the same response as a good old tube amp and as Ivan said, any digital device will be outdated in a few years. I also tried a small 50w (I think) Blackstar amp...wow 
holy cow, it sounded huge and so rich in everything, even though it was just a little combo..!
My advice would be, stick to the Mesa for a while and in the mean time, make some research on tube amps which could fit your needs I'll never go back to digital anything, regarding amplification, but that's a matter of personal choice - you do what you think is best for you and you alone! 
Anything which states 'emulating' is artificial, why not NATURAL I love organic sounds and devices which are built to do one, maybe two things which can't be done better by anything else!
For the pedals, buy a midi controller if you have a a lot of them - I made a simple setup for myself, in order to be able to perform with a few stomps and get everything else I need from the amp itself and the tone/ volume of the guitars.
In fewer words, my general mentality is - keep it simple, organic and honest - it will never go wrong if it works for you too, great! If not, keep searching and find the tools which are best at helping you achieve the full potential of your sound!
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 6 2011, 08:23 AM
Thanks guys for your great feedback! Many of the things that you are saying are the things that are always resonating in my head...
I will continue thinking on this.. nowadays I'm playing frequently live with my band and Mesa is doing a good job.. but you know, we are always looking for that dreamed perfect tone... I 'll check that video comparison tomorrow at the studio... thanks for the link and the replies!
Posted by: Mudbone Aug 6 2011, 08:07 PM
You'll probably regret getting rid of the Mesa, and you might not get the sound you're looking for from the Axe Fx. However, sometimes you can't progress if you're not willing to take chances. In the meantime you could always try throwing a parametric EQ in the fx loop of your Mesa to get a different tone. It worked for Dimebag
Posted by: Sinisa Cekic Aug 7 2011, 10:59 AM
Considering this items:
1. I'm not 100% happy with the sound I get from my amp.
2. I don't like to have lots of pedals on stage.
3. I like having a specific guitar sound for each song but I want top level distortions.
4. Both cost the same here in Argentina.
5. Everybody talks about the awesomeness of the Axe.
6. But I've never tried the Axe. (You have to import one if you want it here)
What do you think?
Wait, I think.....
..YES !
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 7 2011, 05:22 PM
I've never tried using a parametric EQ... I'm now curious to know how much I could change my sound with it...
Posted by: Adrian Figallo Aug 7 2011, 05:23 PM
A TON
Posted by: Mudbone Aug 7 2011, 10:48 PM
It takes A LOT of tweaking, but the possibilities with it are endless.
Here is a pedal version of a parametric EQ. I don't know if its a good one or not or how much tweakability it has. But if it works anything like the one thats on the Boss GT-10, it will offer loads of tones.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/BOSS-PQ-4-Parametric-Equalizer-pq4-eq-frequency-pedal-/120759460170?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item1c1dd3214a#ht_500wt_1156
Heres a good example of one to find, because you can:
- Sweep the through the frequencies
- adjust the width of the frequencies
- and boost the frequencies
http://cgi.ebay.com/Parametric-EQ-3-bands-Parametric-Equalizer-/280672253343?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item41595eb59f#ht_3338wt_1185
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 7 2011, 10:52 PM
Here is a pedal version of a parametric EQ. I don't know if its a good one or not or how much tweakability it has. But if it works anything like the one thats on the Boss GT-10, it will offer loads of tones.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/BOSS-PQ-4-Parametric-Equalizer-pq4-eq-frequency-pedal-/120759460170?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item1c1dd3214a#ht_500wt_1156
You gave me the idea to experiment a bit with the EQs of my pod X3 live.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 7 2011, 11:16 PM
In short yes
Mesa TR does have great tone but it's not that flexible. The AXE FX can do just about anything. Megadeth is using the axe
fx on the road. This vid goes through each guys setup. From what I hear, Dave Mustaine has abandoned the digitech
and switched to Axe FX as well.
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/equipment/580629-megadeth-live-rig-chris-axefx.html
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 8 2011, 09:59 AM
Mesa TR does have great tone but it's not that flexible. The AXE FX can do just about anything. Megadeth is using the axe
fx on the road. This vid goes through each guys setup. From what I hear, Dave Mustaine has abandoned the digitech
and switched to Axe FX as well.
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/equipment/580629-megadeth-live-rig-chris-axefx.html
yes, I knew that Broderick was emulating an Engl amp with his AXE in the Megadeth live gigs and using a Marshall tube power amp.
Posted by: MickeM Aug 8 2011, 10:14 AM
No, I wouldn't. It's digital. I've been down that road many times. With the Zoom9002 - some things in between - and then the POD X3 and every time it's astonishing how well these digital boxes sound, but always in comparence to the real thing.
it's purpose is to imitate real tube amps. Which to me must mean that tube amps are worth to simulate.
It'll be judged by how well it can imitate a tube amp. They can never become better (then there wouldn't be anything left to imitate, right)
I'm sure the Axe 2 does a tremendous job imitating real tube amps. I'm sure it does the job better than the first Axe. And I'm sure Axe 3 will make an even better job than all it's predecessors.
My old Zoom 9002 that was a revolution by it's time. What'd it be worth today if I had kept it. Simple. Zero.
The risk is that an Axe, Digidesign 11, POD etc. will be bad investments, in terms of value. Unless history doesn't drasticly change all of a sudden. But as long as new digital inventions keep surpassing their predecessors that will always be.
I own a POD X3, it's a great sound interface. I also gig with a Blackstar Dual pedal into whatever amp the soundguys brought since I have a hard time transporting a head and a 4x12 cab in the tube. That's mostly being convenient. Any important gig I'm bringing the car and play through head and cab. Anything else is a compromise with sound.
Someone can tell me I won't even hear the difference between the Axe 2 and a real Mesa Dual Rectifier.
That may be true.
The same people will tell me, when the Axe 3 is released, that I won't even hear the difference between the Axe 3 and a real Mesa Dual Rectifier and that the new Axe is even better than the old one was.
Such is the case and it'll always be. The amps getting imitated stay the same.
I think it's impossible to beat the real thing. I think a digital unit can do a good enough job. "It almost sound real". And as a compromise to a real tube amp, for numerous reasons - tubes break on tour, heavy to move around, I think it can be just right.
Like I said, I compromise, I play gigs through a pedal since I'm too lazy to carry my half stack. It's good enough. But I never consider to compromise to get a better sound.
Then I'd start looking elsewhere, in the tube amp section.
Posted by: Mudbone Aug 8 2011, 03:29 PM
Yeah theres a parametric eq in the Line6 UX1, so there should definitely be one in the X3.
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 8 2011, 04:44 PM
it's purpose is to imitate real tube amps. Which to me must mean that tube amps are worth to simulate.
It'll be judged by how well it can imitate a tube amp. They can never become better (then there wouldn't be anything left to imitate, right)
I'm sure the Axe 2 does a tremendous job imitating real tube amps. I'm sure it does the job better than the first Axe. And I'm sure Axe 3 will make an even better job than all it's predecessors.
My old Zoom 9002 that was a revolution by it's time. What'd it be worth today if I had kept it. Simple. Zero.
The risk is that an Axe, Digidesign 11, POD etc. will be bad investments, in terms of value. Unless history doesn't drasticly change all of a sudden. But as long as new digital inventions keep surpassing their predecessors that will always be.
I own a POD X3, it's a great sound interface. I also gig with a Blackstar Dual pedal into whatever amp the soundguys brought since I have a hard time transporting a head and a 4x12 cab in the tube. That's mostly being convenient. Any important gig I'm bringing the car and play through head and cab. Anything else is a compromise with sound.
Someone can tell me I won't even hear the difference between the Axe 2 and a real Mesa Dual Rectifier.
That may be true.
The same people will tell me, when the Axe 3 is released, that I won't even hear the difference between the Axe 3 and a real Mesa Dual Rectifier and that the new Axe is even better than the old one was.
Such is the case and it'll always be. The amps getting imitated stay the same.
I think it's impossible to beat the real thing. I think a digital unit can do a good enough job. "It almost sound real". And as a compromise to a real tube amp, for numerous reasons - tubes break on tour, heavy to move around, I think it can be just right.
Like I said, I compromise, I play gigs through a pedal since I'm too lazy to carry my half stack. It's good enough. But I never consider to compromise to get a better sound.
Then I'd start looking elsewhere, in the tube amp section.
great post! Can't agree more with everything...
this is so true!
Someone can tell me I won't even hear the difference between the Axe 2 and a real Mesa Dual Rectifier.
That may be true.
The same people will tell me, when the Axe 3 is released, that I won't even hear the difference between the Axe 3 and a real Mesa Dual Rectifier and that the new Axe is even better than the old one was.
Such is the case and it'll always be. The amps getting imitated stay the same.
and it's also true that getting a digital unit is a bad investment in the long term... it's not a minor detail!
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 8 2011, 10:15 PM
Glad you're deciding to stay true to the good ol' tube amps
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 8 2011, 10:24 PM
Tube amp will always be a tube amp, but it won't be anything else than that!
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 9 2011, 01:33 AM
Stay True! Stay Tube!
Posted by: Adrian Figallo Aug 9 2011, 05:33 AM
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