No Amps????

[jon the art guy]

I'm seriously considering giving up on amps all together. I build effects pedals as a hobby, and as such I see a lot of different designs that are either very convincing amp sims or are just an excellent overdrive pedal like the Zendrive, which ends up being a foundation pedal on someone's tone. So many times 75% or more of overdrive and distortion tone is more attributed to the pedal in front than the tubes in back, and that's even something that can be pedal-enhanced anymore.

My question. Is there anyone on here who's gone ahead and done this? Tell me your experiences!

 

[karpathion]

Re: No Amps????

I must be part of that other 25%. I use no pedals at all anymore. I just prefer my amps own natural distortion. And in a Pittbull, that natural distortion is pretty damn good.

 

[DankStar]

Re: No Amps????

Amps are where it's at. In fact, it's the whole point of electric guitar to me. Pedals are fun and all, but I don't agree they make up the majority of the sound.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: No Amps????

Guitar --->fuzz (not OD ot Dist) ---> all valve amp, for me, thank you very much !

 

[dominus]

Re: No Amps????

I use amps as preamps for recording into the computer (via Effects Loop sends), but can do the same thing with pedals. No real need for amps here.

 

[tstone2]

Re: No Amps????

I prefer tubes. But I use pedals as well.

 

[JeffB]

Re: No Amps????

Pedals as sole gain channels, IME are subpar and unsatisfying compared to a quality tub amp. Been down that road several times with some very expensive pedals, no thanks.

As a boost or coloration, bring 'em on :bigthumb:

 

[sixstringsamurai333]

Re: No Amps????

I'm seriously considering giving up on amps all together. I build effects pedals as a hobby, and as such I see a lot of different designs that are either very convincing amp sims or are just an excellent overdrive pedal like the Zendrive, which ends up being a foundation pedal on someone's tone. So many times 75% or more of overdrive and distortion tone is more attributed to the pedal in front than the tubes in back, and that's even something that can be pedal-enhanced anymore.

My question. Is there anyone on here who's gone ahead and done this? Tell me your experiences!

With no amp, what's your amp-like pedal going to run through?

 

[jimijames]

Re: No Amps????

Well if all you want to do is record, then sure.

But there's something about moving air with some good hot tubes that I really like.

I put together pedals as a hobby too, and even my favorite OD so far (GGG Marshall Bluesbreaker clone) doesn't act the same way as a tube amp. Very dynamic and sensitive, yes, but it's not the same.

I'd rather have an amp and no pedals than pedals and no amp, just IMO. But, I can have both so I do.

 

[erksin]

Re: No Amps????

I make pedals for a living and can't conceive of a guitar playing life without amplifiers. There is a physical, visceral response to speakers moving air that is such a huge part of the playing experience for me that I'd never consider going ampless. Ever.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: No Amps????

A guitarist without an amp is like an art guy with no drafting table. LOL

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: No Amps????

yea weither you're moving air with a Tube or Solidstate amp
the push of a cranked amp is what I'm after

I have a modeling pedal
and some powered PA speakers that i run it thru

but You have to move the air
headphone just dont cut it

and you have to be standing while playing
sitting make me play differently

and I must be standing on a rug of some sort
preferably Persian or similar
I have some throw rugs just for this

 

[chadd]

Re: No Amps????

The only way I could go without an amp is if I had a Kemper and used in ear monitors. I prefer the sound of a tube amp and a 4x12, it just sounds right. I do use some pedals, but only because I need to cover a range of tines and my amp can't do it all.

 

[Mincer]

Re: No Amps????

Many shows are a Pod HD500 into the PA and in ear monitors. I love the way it sounds. I have amps too, but most of the time I will go direct. I don't like loud stage volume, and really, a loud tube amp is just one of the good guitar sounds to me. It isn't enough to make me carry one to gigs, and almost all recording is done direct these days- and I couldn't be happier.

 

[everdrone]

Re: No Amps????

I use both. I like tube a lot more. for my music, tube amps cannot be duplicated. fuzz pedals into any modeler or solid state sound aweful. the distortion pedals sound okay though, but not great.

tube is too loud for my small apartment, hence the modelers. also, tube bass heads are a pain, cost a lot, weigh a lot, so I use solid state and my line 6 lowdown 400 head.

here is a real tube amp with a real fuzz pedal:



axefx2 is in the ballpark but ya is lagging badly in comparison, for tube amp/fuzz pedal:

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: No Amps????

Any time i've ever plugged any kind of overdrive or distortion pedal directly into a recording device, it has sounded dreadful. They're made to work in conjunction with amps, not be recorded directly, and that is obvious when you hear the ugly, dry, harsh, raspy, scratchy excuse for 'tone' by recording them directly. I got better sounds by driving the VU meters into the red (and that's ugly).

 

[Ascension]

Re: No Amps????

As a working praise and worship player this is something that I deal with regularly.
I have run a POD and run racks with nice preamps in the past and I DESPISE the things!!! Don't feel real and sound fake + the FOH guys regularly don't mix worth spit.
Now I never run a dirt box and run REAL tube amps only. If my amp is not welcome on stage neither am I!!!

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: No Amps????

I only use a pedal to drive to the gig.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: No Amps????

No speaker sim users? You have to shelve those distortion pedals, and either a VST impulse or an analog set of resistors and caps do a pretty good job. AMT has a great one, and it's either Visual Sound or TC that has a speaker sim + room effect box I'd love to get a hold of.

 

[Rodney Gene]

Re: No Amps????

My question. Is there anyone on here who's gone ahead and done this? Tell me your experiences!

Yes, but only for certain applications. I appreciate having a variety of fundamental options available. I do a lot of studio recording and use a Fractal AXE FX II MKII, an Ethos OD preamp pedal and Tube Mic Pres, all direct for guitar.
All for different tonal applications. The Ethos has a terrific SIM out and is really great for other instruments.

That said, I love to mic amps the best and like many others who have replied here, I enjoy the feel / tone of pushing air. (BTW, love the Zen Drive)

Respect,

RG