The future of rock guitar rigs...

[tubortski]

Anything is up for discussion. Keep it clean. No trolling. No bitching. No "my opinion is better than yours". Let's get down to the nitty gritty. 1, 2, 3, and go.

.... a little humor would be nice, though

 

[tubortski]

Ok, ok, I'll go first.

I'm not in a band, I don't own or run a studio, nor do I collect gear.

But, I've had thoughts of a Kemper...

Nothing beats plugging straight in to a 50/100 watt all tube stack of ear piercing goodness, right!

How will the tube amps that created all this wonderful music stand up against what could possibly replace all of them?

 

[Steinmetzify]

They can't. The days of running 100w tube amps in clubs are over. Everybody I know that uses one is a bedroom guitarist.

Guys I know that are gigging consistently are using modelers or lower wattage amps, for both FOH ease of use and home recording. There just isn't any place that a 100w amp is even feasible for use anymore. How many of us are actually playing stadiums? I know I'm not, and I don't know anyone who does. There are clubs here that won't even let you in the door with one. Sound guys just say no.

For home recording use, modelers and lower wattage amps are just easier to use...I can't even hit 1 on a tube amp here. Cops get called lol.

I know there are guys that will always use them, but guitarists that are coming up now will have grown up using modelers and that's where they're gonna be the most comfortable.

 

[cujo]

We still use 100watt heads everywhere. Touring east coast to Midwest. Original metal, maybe clubs that have cover shit but we haven't run into anywhere that said no heads... You will never replace tube amps totally !

 

[eljodon]

I use a bunch of 100 watt amps live with an attenuator, but lately I've been using the Axe Fx 2 with a Mesa Boogie 2 90 and either a 2 x 12 in stereo, 4 x 12 stereo or (2) 4 x 12. I've tried IR's with the Axe Fx 2 many times, but it just doesn't do it for me and I've purchased many of them! When I do my own IR's ,they sound better than the ones I purchased. I have a Matrix GT1000fx, but the Mesa Boogie 2 90 sounds much better to my ears, so the Matrix is collecting dust which is a shame because it's so light!

The reason why I use the Axe Fx 2 is because it's portable and I worked hard to get it to sound the way I like it. But for recording I use real tube amps and I rarely use the Axe Fx 2 for recording, but the Axe Fx 2 is sounding much better every time I update it's firmware. Fw 17.03 sounds incredible.

 

[Beyond Black]

We still use 100watt heads everywhere. Touring east coast to Midwest. Original metal, maybe clubs that have cover shit but we haven't run into anywhere that said no heads... You will never replace tube amps totally !

We do too. I'm playing a Friedman KS JMP, and our other guitarist a Helios, both through 4x12's. Never had any problems at any club we've played. It's not like they're non master volume amps and need to be cranked. Unless of course, Mr. Soundguy wants our volumes low and doesn't put enough guitar through the monitors, them I'm cranking the fucker.

 

[Anonymous]

They can't. The days of running 100w tube amps in clubs are over. Everybody I know that uses one is a bedroom guitarist.

Guys I know that are gigging consistently are using modelers or lower wattage amps, for both FOH ease of use and home recording. There just isn't any place that a 100w amp is even feasible for use anymore. How many of us are actually playing stadiums? I know I'm not, and I don't know anyone who does. There are clubs here that won't even let you in the door with one. Sound guys just say no.

For home recording use, modelers and lower wattage amps are just easier to use...I can't even hit 1 on a tube amp here. Cops get called lol.

I know there are guys that will always use them, but guitarists that are coming up now will have grown up using modelers and that's where they're gonna be the most comfortable.

100 watt heads with good PPIMVs can be used anywhere and sound different and better than low watt amps for certain kinds of music.

Steve

 

[eco70777]

iphones and idiotic kids playing thru them

 

[RG955TT]

Yeh you know I have a master volume control Mr soundman......

 

[spliffsperlunk]

They can't. The days of running 100w tube amps in clubs are over. Everybody I know that uses one is a bedroom guitarist.

Guys I know that are gigging consistently are using modelers or lower wattage amps, for both FOH ease of use and home recording. There just isn't any place that a 100w amp is even feasible for use anymore. How many of us are actually playing stadiums? I know I'm not, and I don't know anyone who does. There are clubs here that won't even let you in the door with one. Sound guys just say no.

For home recording use, modelers and lower wattage amps are just easier to use...I can't even hit 1 on a tube amp here. Cops get called lol.

I know there are guys that will always use them, but guitarists that are coming up now will have grown up using modelers and that's where they're gonna be the most comfortable.

100 watt heads with good PPIMVs can be used anywhere and sound different and better than low watt amps for certain kinds of music.

Steve

^^Absolutely^^

 

[Hung Huy Tran]

How will the tube amps that created all this wonderful music stand up against what could possibly replace all of them?

What I like about the Torpedo Live is that it doesn't replace, but works with high powered tube amps.

 

[sahlomonic]

With all the amps I have right now, my current favorite is a 20 watt Friedman modded Jet City. Modelers are one direction the gear is shifting, but low watt amps are another direction. Look at all the lunchbox style amps that have come out recently. I would stay with the low watt amps before going digital, but I predict within 5 years I'll probably have either a Kemper or an Axe (or similar)

 

[guitarmike]

They can't. The days of running 100w tube amps in clubs are over. Everybody I know that uses one is a bedroom guitarist.

Guys I know that are gigging consistently are using modelers or lower wattage amps, for both FOH ease of use and home recording. There just isn't any place that a 100w amp is even feasible for use anymore. How many of us are actually playing stadiums? I know I'm not, and I don't know anyone who does. There are clubs here that won't even let you in the door with one. Sound guys just say no.

For home recording use, modelers and lower wattage amps are just easier to use...I can't even hit 1 on a tube amp here. Cops get called lol.

I know there are guys that will always use them, but guitarists that are coming up now will have grown up using modelers and that's where they're gonna be the most comfortable.

I have been playing 100 watt 1/2 stacks for years everywhere from church to small clubs to outdoor events where you could crank it up to 11. Get the right amp and it will sound good at any volume.

 

[zuel69]

Every decent band in WNY is still using good 'ole Marshall and Fenders(or some kick ass tube amp). The younger bands that I have seen using modelers, use backing tracks and have zero balls...it's just not the same. I'm sure the club owners love it, young band = young hot girlies, plus the volume is completely neutered. There aren't any bar bands plugging a les paul into a NMV Marshall and cranking the amp until wind blows anymore, but any decent tube amp these days sounds amazing ant any volume with no compromise.

 

[Shask]

I think there will always be tube amps in studios and die-hards' homes. I can see them becoming like the expensive exclusive tube preamps. Still used, but only by a small minority. Although, I think what will reduce them is the lack of tubes. I think as there are less amps, there will be less tubes, and they will become so expensive that most wont be able to afford them.

I think the majority will use some sort of modeler or iPad type app. We are now in a world where convenience outweighs sound. I dont see that being any different with future musicians.

 

[maddnotez]

We still use 100watt heads everywhere. Touring east coast to Midwest. Original metal, maybe clubs that have cover shit but we haven't run into anywhere that said no heads... You will never replace tube amps totally !

This.

Idk where anyone else lives but every band I go to see uses a 100w+ tube amp.

Even if they're using a modeler they're using a 100w tube power amp.

I'm into metal so I can't speak for cover band gear or rock bands or anything else but from what I see tube amps are alive, well and not going anywhere.

 

[legend71]

I play in a coverband and we play predominantly dance music. I use a Bogner XTC and sometimes a Mesa Electradyne. I do think more and more people are going the digital route and the industry seems to be pushing things that way. It is more convenient but honestly unless you have an outstanding soundman with great ears and instinct - in my opinion that stuff sounds terrible. No balls and doesn't cut through the mix. A local band here plays old school metal and the guy uses and Axe FX. He is a great player but I struggle to hear him whenever I see him. He is the only guitar player in a band that is playing Maiden, Quiet Riot, Warrant, etc.

I guess I still like real tone

 

[Bronco]

For me, the Two Notes Torpedo Live is a game changer...it's actually encouraged me to pursue NMV 100 watters again.

 

[RJF]

Every band I've gone to see uses a half stack, pretty much standard equipment.

The future is more complicated tube heads. Not those girly modelers or lunch box amps. If I ever get a lunch box amp through a trade deal, I'm going to take the tube out, stuff my sandwich and apple in it and take it to work.

The future is versatile tube heads like anything Diezel, Engl SE, Rhodes Colossus, Mesa Road King (lacks midi though).

 

[JB6464]

100 watt heads with good PPIMVs can be used anywhere and sound different and better than low watt amps for certain kinds of music.

Steve

That or simply re-amp the 100w amps and have total control over the preamp and power amp sections of the big iron amp.