GT-1000 (or "X" f/x unit) vs individual pedals in 2021.

[northernguitar]

Yep, up here where we are in Canada, a full Helix Floor or a Kemper Stage goes for about $2500. Not exactly affordable! Those units can do it all and do it well. There are cheaper units that sound darn good, like the Boss ME80 or the Zoom G3n, but they lack the control options I like and they run out of DSP fast. For example , with the G3n, once I incorporate a compressor, noise gate, OD/distortion, Amp and CAB IR, there's no DSP left for actual effects, lol!

That's why I went with the HX Effects coupled with a Tech 21 Flyrig. Under $1000 CDN, because I scored the Flyrig used, and it is darn close to your wish for a single board that does it all.

I bought and returned a Helix 'Jr.' (I can't even remember the model). Kept it for a weekend. I also messed around with my bass player's LT. Never found a good crunch tone. I returned the Helix 'Jr.' and bought an Orange tube head. Awesome crunch about 10 seconds after switching from standby. No option paralysis.

 

[mkdaws32]

You need to be comfortable modern electronics and option overload.

Exactly. If you can get over the option overload thing, you are halfway there to mastering these things! When using the in-the-box plugin amp modelling or amp modelling multifx units, I try a few amp models to get one that I like the tone, breakup and feel of, and then I stop there and use that as the basis of my tone for ALL my patches going forward. I have pretty much trained myself to a) not be enticed to look further than I need to, and b) not limit my initial search based on the kinds of "real" amps I like - for instance limiting my search to just Marshall Plexi/JCM types.

 

[mkdaws32]

I bought and returned a Helix 'Jr.' (I can't even remember the model). Kept it for a weekend. I also messed around with my bass player's LT. Never found a good crunch tone. I returned the Helix 'Jr.' and bought an Orange tube head. Awesome crunch about 10 seconds after switching from standby. No option paralysis.

Probably the Helix Stomp, or maybe the POD Go? Never tried the POD Go, myself. It's the option overload thing. So many amp models. I've managed pretty well by treating them like I would in the real world. Find and amp model that I like the edge-of-breakup tone and feel of and then putting a good overdrive in front, pushing the level more than the gain, so the crunch comes from overdriving the preamp model, as opposed to gain from the virtual OD pedal itself. In the Helix world, the Heir Apparent (Prince of Tone Model) works nicely with the Plexi bright channel model, the AC30 Fawn model or the Fender BF Deluxe model. I'm sure it works well with others, and other people might have another successful approach, but like I said - I try not to look further than I need to.

EDIT: Just to clarify my seemingly contradictory statements, I have the Flyrig basically "tone matched" to the Helix Plexi bright channel model for live use. For recording and practice, I often use Helix Native software, which gives me access to all of the Helix models - there are no amp models at all in the HX Effects unit I use live.

 

[northernguitar]

Probably the Helix Stomp, or maybe the POD Go? Never tried the POD Go, myself. It's the option overload thing. So many amp models. I've managed pretty well by treating them like I would in the real world. Find and amp model that I like the edge-of-breakup tone and feel of and then putting a good overdrive in front, pushing the level more than the gain, so the crunch comes from overdriving the preamp model, as opposed to gain from the virtual OD pedal itself. In the Helix world, the Heir Apparent (Prince of Tone Model) works nicely with the Plexi bright channel model, the AC30 Fawn model or the Fender BF Deluxe model. I'm sure it works well with others, and other people might have another successful approach, but like I said - I try not to look further than I need to.

It was the Stomp. Fun Metal tones and distortion, but for Hard Rock, Pop-Punk, Classic Rock, et al. I found nothing I liked. Listening over headphones likely made all the things I didn't like, more apparent. I really wanted this to work to simplify going to gigs and jams. No dice.

 

[mkdaws32]

It was the Stomp. Fun Metal tones and distortion, but for Hard Rock, Pop-Punk, Classic Rock, et al. I found nothing I liked. Listening over headphones likely made all the things I didn't like, more apparent. I really wanted this to work to simplify going to gigs and jams. No dice.

Oh - Jams are a completely different scenario. Sometimes I'll take the Tubmeister Head and a 1x12 cab, but often it will be the Bandit and my Hot Wax dual overdrive and that's it. That's my dead simple grab and go!

 

[Lonn]

Not a great player here but I've gone back and forth on this a couple of times. A few months back I ended up with a BOSS GT-6 lumped in with a guitar deal and I've never played more in the last 20 years. Just so many sounds in there it's amazing. I've found a half dozen that I love and move between them. I'd have to have a dozen single pedals and constantly tweak to do this the other way.

 

[Daytona.57]

My foray into modeling, is limited to used Roland Cubes.

I have a Micro Cube, Cube 30, Bass Cube 30 and Cube 80. I play my pedalboard through the JC120 clean channel. I use the Micro Cube the most for low volume playing. My son is using the Cube 80.

I prefer tube amps, I have a Fender PA 100 head and 2x12 cab, Fender Pro Jr IV Tweed with a Cannabis Rex in a Fender HM ported 1x12 cab.

My guitar amps are standardized, so I can use the same pedalboard, with the same settings, except for the Barber Direct Drive V1, playing Marshall tones and slide into the PJIV.

I am happy with my amps and pedalboard, and have no plans to change them out.

 

[JayFreddy]

Individual pedals vs Multi-FX?

False dichotomy.

That's like asking, "Should I get a motorcycle or a car?"

They do different things. Get both!

You now have permission.

Your welcome.

 

[Digiplay]

Hi JayFreddy!

How do they do different things?

All I want to do is get from point A to Point B

 

[tfarny]

Individual pedals vs Multi-FX?

False dichotomy.

That's like asking, "Should I get a motorcycle or a car?"

They do different things. Get both!

You now have permission.

Your welcome.

Why would you get both a big board of individual pedals and an expensive MFX designed specifically to replace that pedalboad, and what do they do differently? Why is it a false dichotomy? What would I do with one that I wouldn't do with the other?

 

[Digiplay]

Because buying separate pedals and a pedalboard and a brick that would do what the GT-1000 already has/does would cost a LOT more

Jerry


PS
I NEVER said it was not a false dichotomy : )

 

[JayFreddy]

Hi JayFreddy!

How do they do different things?

All I want to do is get from point A to Point B

Why would you get both a big board of individual pedals and an expensive MFX designed specifically to replace that pedalboad, and what do they do differently? Why is it a false dichotomy? What would I do with one that I wouldn't do with the other?

Sometimes I go into the woods to breathe clean air and refresh my spirit.

Sometimes I go into the woods to go fishing.

I don't hunt anymore, but there was a time when I did, and I brought tools specific to the task.

It is possible to think of individual pedals and multiFX as equivalent ways to achieve the same goals, and sometimes that might be true.

A Strat through a Marshall with a Wah and a Tube Screamer has a visceral feel that is about more than just tone.

I like the way that feels... It's inspiring.

But I'm not bringing a Marshall stack to a GB gig.

I currently own a boss ME-5, GT8, ME-25, ME-70, and an ME-80. I had a GT10 and a GT6, but sold those.

I have lots of amps too.

I also have nearly 300 individual stomp boxes that I have collected in the 40+ years that I have been collecting them.

I enjoy my toys.

One can get from A to B lots of different ways, but to me, there's a point where it's less about where I am going than how I get there.

I used the term "false dichotomy" not as a diss, but simply to point out that it's not a black or white proposition.

Harley or Toyota? They will both get you from point A to B.

But they aren't "the same".

The Harley is cooler, but sometimes the Toyota is still the best choice.

Ps. I usually tell my students to start with a multiFX. More bang for the buck and it's a good way to learn. But that doesn't mean that they're "better".

 

[northernguitar]

I like pedals. If one needs repair, I’m only out that pedal. If my fx unit needs repair, all my fx are gone. I also greatly prefer having physical controls over using a cursor window to manage multiple settings. It’s a no-brainer for me.