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Axe FX's got every artist out there by the balls. I haven't had the opportunity to try one out... but jesus christ everyone's playing this thing nowadays.
Vai's on the Axe-FX Bandwagon...
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Axe FX's got every artist out there by the balls. I haven't had the opportunity to try one out... but jesus christ everyone's playing this thing nowadays.
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:lol: I know. It's crazy. Before I bought one, I looked into it and found out that a ton of bands that were well known for using certain other amps (Mesa Boogie, Peavey, Diezel, ENGL, and so on) had switched to Axe-FXs. I was like, "Well, I was thinking of buying one before seeing that, but that's pretty persuasive." :lol:
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5,915 Posts
Loomis is now using them as well. He said right now its only in his recording rig, but he is planning on using one in his live rig soon as well. I am amazed by all the players that have recently started using it....I really want to try one out too!
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13,446 Posts
:rofl: Marshall sues because they're taking away sales from their power amps? Roland sues for the same reason?I really want an Axe-FX Ultra
I wonder how long before a random amp company sues Fractal for cutting into their sales (with some ridiculous claim as what they're "officially" suing for).
Maybe Monster? :lol:
I doubt any of the big companies would try it, since they have no possibility of actually winning. But then again, it would be bad publicity for any small company to do it too.
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21,038 Posts
First of all, the number of Axe-FX units sold is by no means even a tiny chip from overall amp sales. It is a premium product, and at that price range and with their limited distribution they're not standing to take over 'real amps' anytime soon.I really want an Axe-FX Ultra
I wonder how long before a random amp company sues Fractal for cutting into their sales (with some ridiculous claim as what they're "officially" suing for).
Secondly, Line 6 (who really made the modeling thing ultra-mainstream) hasn't been sued despite building digital clones of other companies' amps and guitars for over a decade at many different reasonable price points. I think the time is long past where the companies can sue for patent infringement since they neglected to sue Line 6 way back when they first started.
Digital may truly replace tubes at some point down the line, but we're not there yet.
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I wouldn't be surprised if they're considering it, but supporting that level of production, distribution, and providing appropriate customer support and warranty service requires a large amount of time, money, and manpower.
It seems to me Cliff is more interested in building new amp models and organically growing his company while staying in the "premium" product bracket. Certainly seems to make good business sense to me, especially in this economy... and it also means that profit margins per unit sold are likely to be higher.
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Yep. You're absolutely right, Josh. I could potentially see that happening WAY down the road, or if Fractal gets bought by a much larger company, but for now, it's great to see a relatively small player making such a huge impact in the market.
What surprises me is that no one has tried to release an "AxeFx Killer". I thought for sure Peavey was going to try that (given their Revalver technology) but no, not yet.
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I really don't see that happening at the Petrucci/Vai level. I know we've gone through this before and all, but you're talking the caliber of artist who can have exactly what he wants in an amp built by someone for him, for free, who doesn't have to move, set up, or maintain his own rig, and who can play as loud as he wants live. There's just no advantage there, unless Fractal started throwing a LOT of money at them.
Smaller artists without roadies or that kind of clout with an amp maker? Maybe, but I don't think at that tier we're going to see them used for much more than FX anytime soon.
I'd love an AFX, since I rarely play out anymore, and mostly play at home. But damn, $2000 is a big chunk to swallow at once.
In other news, Line 6 sucks, in case there's any doubt. I spent HOURS trying to get decent tones out of it, starting from scratch, and since I'm not Bulb, I just couldn't do it. Really not at all happy with L6 right now.
In other news, Line 6 sucks, in case there's any doubt. I spent HOURS trying to get decent tones out of it, starting from scratch, and since I'm not Bulb, I just couldn't do it. Really not at all happy with L6 right now.
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32,642 Posts
Until Fractal fixes the problem inherent with all modeling rigs--they just don't "feel" like a real tube amp when playing through them--then they are never going to get guys like Petrucci and Vai to ditch amps.
To look at it another way, I am an IT Professional who is very comfortable with the nearly limitless possibilities afforded by computer technology. If I could get the same tone and fell out of a 2U rack unit, why would I bother to drag around hundred of pounds of antiquated analog gear?
Lastly, I got to witness Tony's (Cancer) band positively get crucified by a bad soundman on Sunday night. Everything in their rig was direct to PA, including the electronic drums, and it was obvious the moron at the board had no clue what to do with them. When I am confronted with a situation where no one can hear my guitar, I am at least able to take some control by turning up my rig. I know you can also do this by running a modeling rig through a amp and speaker cabinet, but isn't this defeating the purpose of running a modeling setup?
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23 Posts
Sup? 
My Ultra is single-handedly the best piece of guitar related gear I have ever bought.....Period. It has truly been the G.A.S. killer for me. I have absolutely no craving for any traditional amp out there anymore,,Hell I just traded off My Savage 120 two weeks ago, cause I just didn't need it anymore.
MOSHON
DAVE
My Ultra is single-handedly the best piece of guitar related gear I have ever bought.....Period. It has truly been the G.A.S. killer for me. I have absolutely no craving for any traditional amp out there anymore,,Hell I just traded off My Savage 120 two weeks ago, cause I just didn't need it anymore.
MOSHON
DAVE
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8,989 Posts
As much as I love the Axe-FX, it's not an "amp killer" for me. For djenty stuff, it's great because it can put out that crazy, compressed square-wave sound. But on lead tones, I can really hear the difference, even with well-programmed patches. I still use the Axe-FX as a preamp on my more saturated lead sounds, but the difference between it and my CAE 3+ is substantial. It's not a question of 'feel', so much as harmonic complexity and the way it reacts to the nuances of pick attack etc.
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