Sold my AX8

[SkyhighRocks]

Even though I loved it! I made the decision to go back to tube amp/cab for my gigs and am enjoying it so much more, especially for my in ear setup that I put together. I couldn't keep it around my home studio because I don't record as much as I used to. Sold it online yesterday and will put that cash towards a Friedman amp that I've wanted for a few years now. (also selling a Taylor acoustic that is basically new but collecting dust)

I still had a noise suppressor and tuner and borrowed the reverb pedal from my singer. That's all I ran all night while switching between the 5153's 3 channels. It was VERY satisfying and helped me realize even more that I don't need fx like I thought I would. I took the time to make setup a much quicker process. Yes, there's more to carry, but I finally had a show where I was pretty happy with what I was hearing. I could not get used to the direct sound with the AX8 (as well as the Helix and to a degree, the kemper...the kemper was great when I wasn't using IEMs but I'm planning on trying to use them as much as I can). My singer, who splits one of the mics to his IEM personal mixer, said that if I ever go back to digital/direct, he would commit me. :rotflmao He prefers the mic'd cab as well for his ears.

Having said all this, the AX8 was/is awesome. I enjoyed using it and playing at home with it. If it was in my budget, I'd keep it for studio use (still have my amplifire for that) and the occassional jam.


Pics from this past weekend's casino gig. (pedalboard is a mess but I had 20 minutes to put it together before I left for the show)
The rack contains my own IEM setup that I can control/eq/record. I take a rest of band feed from FOH but everything that is mine (vocal, talkbox, both mics on the cab and my acoustic) I have full control over. It was much easier to get up and running than I thought.

 

[paulyc]

Looks great ! I'd want a little more diversity with more effects and an easier time of controlling it all, which is why I bough a VooDoo labs GCX and GCP, and an RJM Mini Amp Gizmo, so the pedals go on a rack shelf, are looped into the GCX and controlled by the GCP, amp channel change is done by the RJM. Push ONE button and clean channel comes on with compressor and chorus, push another button and the rhythm sound is up with reverb and chorus, push another and lead sound comes on with delay and overdrive, plus amp's solo boost feature comes on. Within each of the preset sounds you can still turn on individual effects like analog delay with the clean sound or a phaser or flanger for any sound, etc...amp is a Ceriatone 50 watt King Kong (CCV clone). Pedal board is Boss tuner, Vox wah, and the GCP. Works mint, and gives great flexibility. Controls a few rack effects too via MIDI or the left over functions on the RJM to bypass them...so there's no need for the amp's footswitch (or it's cable), your pedalboard wouldn't be much (if at all) bigger, and control is ONE button push instead of a tap dance...and it's ALL tube amps and real effects. Your rack would have to be a bit bigger though...

 

[romanianreaper]

Cool! Great you found your setup.

I bought a Stratocaster from a guy yesterday and he was asking me about my Axe-Fx. I told him I loved it and then he pointed to his Bogner Shiva with Bogner 2x12 and said "yeah, I'm thinking about getting rid of that to get an Axe-Fx". and I was like "uhhhh, I wouldn't replace that for it".

 

[mudf00t]

Looks great ! I'd want a little more diversity with more effects and an easier time of controlling it all, which is why I bough a VooDoo labs GCX and GCP, and an RJM Mini Amp Gizmo, so the pedals go on a rack shelf, are looped into the GCX and controlled by the GCP, amp channel change is done by the RJM. Push ONE button and clean channel comes on with compressor and chorus, push another button and the rhythm sound is up with reverb and chorus, push another and lead sound comes on with delay and overdrive, plus amp's solo boost feature comes on. Within each of the preset sounds you can still turn on individual effects like analog delay with the clean sound or a phaser or flanger for any sound, etc...amp is a Ceriatone 50 watt King Kong (CCV clone). Pedal board is Boss tuner, Vox wah, and the GCP. Works mint, and gives great flexibility. Controls a few rack effects too via MIDI or the left over functions on the RJM to bypass them...so there's no need for the amp's footswitch (or it's cable), your pedalboard wouldn't be much (if at all) bigger, and control is ONE button push instead of a tap dance...and it's ALL tube amps and real effects. Your rack would have to be a bit bigger though...

I just ordered the Mini Amp Gizmo so that I could use the GCX/GCP with my Archon 100/EVH 100W/Mesa Mark V. Waiting on everything to arrive. I am using the GCX/GCP to control the AX8, some pedals and a G Major 2 because I like some of the effects in it better than the AX8/pedals (especially the reverbs). If I don't want to bring my head, I am just using a Peavey Classic 50/50 and a Mesa 2x12 but I wanted the flexibility to use one of my other heads if I wanted. I didn't need the gizmo for the EVH 50W because it has midi switching.

 

[paulyc]

The GCX/GCP setup is awesome...I love it.

 

[LP Freak]

I knew you'd come to your senses

 

[maddnotez]

Nice, what's the resale value on these now after the "announcement"?

I actually hooked up my stack yesterday at practice and it made me also reconsider keeping the AX. Like you said it IS awesome but is it worth it?

My recordings suck and for me it comes down to do I want to keep a $1,300 piece of gear for convenience on my back? Not quite sure. Still haven't even used it live since we're taking a break from gigging anyway lol.

 

[stephen sawall]

Single channel NMV amp, wa and phase is usually all I need.

 

[dawnofdreamx97]

lifes to short to pretend.... why fake it when you can do the real deal... good move!

 

[Chris6870]

Glad you came up with a solution.I know you have been around the block with your rig. I bet it's only temporary though. I love the convenience and portability of the AX8. I was using it 4CM with my Mesa Mark IV. Saturday night I used it for the first time without a tube amp.Small room, AX8 into a Matrix GT1000 into a Mesa 1x12. It sounded great and setup was a breeze.

 

[SkyhighRocks]

Thanks everyone. There's just something missing when I don't play a tube amp. I'm coming to realize it more and more...and feeling it moreso. It's a great snapshot of an amp but there's just something that always feels off to me.

 

[garey77]

How you liking the XAir?

 

[SkyhighRocks]

How you liking the XAir?

Now that I'm getting comfortable with it, I dig it. It's super easy although I do bring my own wifi just in case. For the price, it's hard to beat.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

The ax8 wasn't cutting it for 4cm? I guess it's overkill if you wanted less fx

 

[SkyhighRocks]

The ax8 wasn't cutting it for 4cm? I guess it's overkill if you wanted less fx

The fx were fine but, you're right, I don't need a lot. I also hear a difference in tone when using it 4cm. I'd probably go FX8 if I ever go that route again. There was less bite and meat to the amp to my ears.

 

[Chester Nimitz]

 

[chobley]

Did'nt you go full circle with the Kemper also ?

 

[SkyhighRocks]

Did'nt you go full circle with the Kemper also ?

I had a kemper twice...still love it but found I liked it better when running through a cab and not FRFR. Wasn't perfect for me though...I also sell profiles with a studio partner so that's why I used it a lot.

 

[romanianreaper]

You vicious bastard!! Gotta admit that is pretty funny.

I like great tone and like convenience. Digital can't replace a tube amp but a tube amp and two 4x12s can't do my two hernia surgery sites or back any favors either. We'll all have these debates on this forum forever but I don't ever look as them as a comparison. I always say if someone can afford both, have both. Great plugging in a Fractal product for a quick recording and being able to quickly find great tones, etc. I love the sound of a nice tube amp too.

 

[chobley]

Did'nt you go full circle with the Kemper also ?

I had a kemper twice...still love it but found I liked it better when running through a cab and not FRFR. Wasn't perfect for me though...I also sell profiles with a studio partner so that's why I used it a lot.

Rich , I was close to getting my second kemper recently..I love it and the axe-fx..I keep going back to tube heads after a few months though , its like being reborn ! hahaha..Enjoy the the 5153 !