Mr. B
New member
Its been a couple years since I posted a thread commenting that I thought Modeling Amp technology peaked with the VOX AD60VTX models (the blue grills) and I still feel like they are the top of the pile.
Think about it. Everyone (including vox) has jumped on the bandwagon; Peavey, Fender, Line 6, Marshall, Roland, but no one has really surpassed the old blue faced vox amps as far as my ears can tell.
Seems like everyone focuses on adding a few more useless effects, obscure amp models, and bells and whistles, instead of focusing on making the models sound more like a real tube amp. So please, I'm not talking about modeling amps not containing enough features, I'm talking about the tone and feel of the amps they are supposed to be "modeling". All of the amps I have tried since the blue face Vox models have seemed less authentic in tone and feel.
The new vox VT models are ok, but they don't sound as real (especially the clean amp models) as the much older blue face models. The rumored hig-end "Black Diamond" vox amp never surfaced. Most of the newer offerings have simply been smaller and cheaper versions of what we have had for years. Fender Cybertwin SE hasn't been updated in a decade as far as I know. Line 6 spider is not even in the running for realistic tones. Its great if you want overprocessed tones with lots of effects.
The only unknowns to me are the Peavey and the Marshall. I've heard the solid state version of the Peavey Vypyr and was not impressed. I am hesitant to order the tube version, since everyone's seem to be crashing and burning on a regular basis. The Marshall, I haven't heard in person yet, so maybe there is some hope there.
Ok, I've made my case for modeling technology being at a stand still for too long. What are your opinions on the matter? I'd like to hear any reviews or recommendations on amps I have not played.
P.S. Please don't bother posting your diatribe on tube amps and how they are superior to modeling amps. We all know that. I have tube amps by Fender, Marshall, Peavey, and Vox, but I still like the versatility and convenience of Modeling amps as well.
Think about it. Everyone (including vox) has jumped on the bandwagon; Peavey, Fender, Line 6, Marshall, Roland, but no one has really surpassed the old blue faced vox amps as far as my ears can tell.
Seems like everyone focuses on adding a few more useless effects, obscure amp models, and bells and whistles, instead of focusing on making the models sound more like a real tube amp. So please, I'm not talking about modeling amps not containing enough features, I'm talking about the tone and feel of the amps they are supposed to be "modeling". All of the amps I have tried since the blue face Vox models have seemed less authentic in tone and feel.
The new vox VT models are ok, but they don't sound as real (especially the clean amp models) as the much older blue face models. The rumored hig-end "Black Diamond" vox amp never surfaced. Most of the newer offerings have simply been smaller and cheaper versions of what we have had for years. Fender Cybertwin SE hasn't been updated in a decade as far as I know. Line 6 spider is not even in the running for realistic tones. Its great if you want overprocessed tones with lots of effects.
The only unknowns to me are the Peavey and the Marshall. I've heard the solid state version of the Peavey Vypyr and was not impressed. I am hesitant to order the tube version, since everyone's seem to be crashing and burning on a regular basis. The Marshall, I haven't heard in person yet, so maybe there is some hope there.
Ok, I've made my case for modeling technology being at a stand still for too long. What are your opinions on the matter? I'd like to hear any reviews or recommendations on amps I have not played.
P.S. Please don't bother posting your diatribe on tube amps and how they are superior to modeling amps. We all know that. I have tube amps by Fender, Marshall, Peavey, and Vox, but I still like the versatility and convenience of Modeling amps as well.
