To those that have moved on from a Tube amp to a SS/modeling rig.

[NCASO96]

I’ve been using EVH amps (combos/heads) for the past 6-7 years. I love the tone and warmth. of tube amps, but since I play at home/home recording, I really can’t drive these amps to really get the best out of these heads. Plus, there are times when I just feel limited by the tone profile.of using that ONE head all the time.

I see the Kemper as an option down the road, but too pricey at the moment.

In your opinion what are currently the best SS modeling amps that can offer the best tone
along with the versatility of the modeling amp platform?

 

[laxu]

For home use, just buy a nice digital modeler and pipe that through studio monitors. Or even venture in the world of VST plugins.

 

[Shask]

Sometimes I play my tube heads through a loadbox, through a mixer and SS poweramp into cabs, and other times I just use a Fractal FM3 through studio monitors. Both setups sound great.

 

[NCASO96]

For home use, just buy a nice digital modeler and pipe that through studio monitors. Or even venture in the world of VST plugins

Thanks! By "digital modeler" are you referring to an amp sim?

 

[NCASO96]

Sometimes I play my tube heads through a loadbox, through a mixer and SS poweramp into cabs, and other times I just use a Fractal FM3 through studio monitors. Both setups sound great.

ive messed around with amp sims on my PC.... I am a bit of an oldschool guy who just "plugs in an amp"... but i want to get away from that and learn! I see these guys on YT who get such great tones using methods you describe above... honestly i just get so overwhelmed lol...

maybe i'm over complicating things, for myself, but if you can recommend some resources for beginners i'd appreciate it .

and if you don't have the time... don't bother. thx.

 

[Kosthrash]

In your opinion what are currently the best SS modeling amps that can offer the best tone
along with the versatility of the modeling amp platform?

I'd try Peavey Vypyr X2 or X3 (analog distortion) ...

 

[STRHelvete]

ive messed around with amp sims on my PC.... I am a bit of an oldschool guy who just "plugs in an amp"... but i want to get away from that and learn! I see these guys on YT who get such great tones using methods you describe above... honestly i just get so overwhelmed lol...

maybe i'm over complicating things, for myself, but if you can recommend some resources for beginners i'd appreciate it .

and if you don't have the time... don't bother. thx.

If you're looking to try amp sims there are tons of them out there for free as well as demos for the premium ones.

 

[laxu]

Thanks! By "digital modeler" are you referring to an amp sim?

Digital multifx unit really. Also does amp/cab sims of course. Line6 HX Stomp/Helix, Fractal FM3/9/Axe-Fx 3 and so on.

 

[guitar_player4_2_0]

I’d say get yourself an hx stomp. You can use it with headphones or run it into your tube amp and use it as a preamp. Using your amp as a power amp it sounds damn close to the real amp models.

 

[budda]

Jcm800 + twin biamp rig

Helix lt - didnt quite bond

Fractal axefx3 january? 2020; mostly with headphones, rarely with monitors. Taken out a couple times. 3 years on and still dont miss my old rig.

 

[Bearitone]

Vypyr series Peavey through a 412 would hold its own very well imo.

 

[mpexus]

Just get a cheap Focusrite Solo and some free VST like Emissary and then you have a freak ton of free IR's to choose. Maske a nice chain in a DAW or a VST loader and you are good to go.

Ced (from Blazon Stone and Rocka Rollas among others ) uses the free Emisary for his own videos and demos and whatever guitar he gets his hands on

 

[sleewell]

keep your tube amps. buy a modeler. use the modeler at home with studio monitors and then use the modeler with your tube amp when you play in a band setting.

 

[John]

I see the Kemper as an option down the road, but too pricey at the moment.

Out of curiosity, how pricey is "too pricey?"
Some of the older Fractal Audio units cost nominally less and still sound great, even after all this time. Only caveat is said company no longer services legacy products if that is a concern you may have. Otherwise, Line 6 has some great alternatives that cost less than a KPA.

Going through the plugin + interface route (just don't be another weirdo with a Focusrite in 2023): you've got options there, too. Free amp simps like the Ignite are still around, there's even very simplified products that sound great like the Amp Knob Rev C from Bogren. That particular one has a singular control: the gain, which has been quite nice for some quick and dirty recording as well.

 

[budda]

keep your tube amps. buy a modeler. use the modeler at home with studio monitors and then use the modeler with your tube amp when you play in a band setting.

The way I want to avoid lifting 60lb boxes (especially since thats my day job).

FM3 + fender tonemaster super reverb and go?

 

[TheWarAgainstTime]

If you already have an interface and monitors for recording, it's definitely worth trying amp sims again before throwing down extra cash for a separate modeler unit.

Try out some of the free demos for Neural DSP and Helix Native. Neural are great for simple signal chains with a logical user interface, but they're a little pricey for how limited they are option-wise compared to Helix Native. That may be exactly what you want as long as the tones are up your alley, though.

The biggest "plus" sides to Helix Native are that it translates over to the physical Helix and Stomp units and you get a heavy discount for the plugin if you own one of the hardware units. You can try a demo of Native for free and decide if you like the user interface and tones before dropping cash on one or both solutions. I've been using an HX Stomp for effects in conjunction with my tube amps for several years and finally got around to trying Native for recording. The tones are great and even stand up to recordings I've done with my tube amps through a load box and impulse responses

 

[sleewell]

The way I want to avoid lifting 60lb boxes (especially since thats my day job).

FM3 + fender tonemaster super reverb and go?

36lbs with an amp and four speakers?!? looks sweet to me.

 

[budda]

36lbs with an amp and four speakers?!? looks sweet to me.

Right? Thought about it

 

[MASS DEFECT]

I suggest the Fractal FM3 with a cheap class D power amp. You can plug through your EVH efx loop return for amp in the room feel and it's also small enough to stay on your desk for recording and headphone practice. It sure is more flexible than VSTs in my opinion. It has tons of amp models and effects.

Same with the Line 6 HX Stomp or Pod Go.

 

[Wiltonauer]

The way I want to avoid lifting 60lb boxes (especially since thats my day job).

FM3 + fender tonemaster super reverb and go?

36lbs with an amp and four speakers?!? looks sweet to me.

Right? Thought about it

The Fender Tone Master amps are proper kit.