What is the Best Modeling combo?

[CASD57]

I know this is a widdeeee spread... best combo for who? you ask lol
Best Clean to the edge of break-up (Don't care about Metal sounds..I lost my Cookie Monster hand puppet)
Best ease of use..ie...,Knobs Software is ok but not needed
Lightweight
Decent effects and can use more than one or two at a time
The most realistic tube sound
At least a 10-12in speaker
I do like how the Catalyst can be used as a FRFR cabinet... but the effects limitation throws me a little

 

[Blrfl]

Roland Blues Cube Artist with the Ultimate Blues tone capsule. All knobs, no software, 12" speaker, 80W that scales down to 0.5 and still sounds great. The only effects built in are reverb and tremolo, but there's a loop for anything else you want to add.

Not a cheap amp, but an awfully good one.

 

[Skydog1010]

Champion if you use it a lot plan on replacing every two years.

 

[mfguitar]

The best I have had was a Johnson Millenium, awesome sound but weighed more than a Twin-Reverb. I still like my Line 6 Flextone II.

 

[OldTelePlayer]

I have experience with two modelling combos. I like them both and they work well for me.

The Fender Mustang GTX is versatile and very easy to use. I get to everything directly from the panel, so no software.

The Katana has a lot of bang for the buck but you will have to use the PC software to get the most out of it. I found the software pretty easy to use, a bit of learning curve but nothing major.

Both are lightweight and offer a wide range of effects. There's more tailoring you can do with the Katana I think, but it all really depends on what you are after sound-wide.

 

[Vocalion]

If you're primarily interested in amp emulation rather than effects, you might want to look at a Boss Nextone.

 

[VintageSG]

I have limited experience with modelling amps. Shops seem to like them as guitar demo amps, and that's where my experience lies, so please bear that in mind.
Also consider my hollow-state preferences.

The Blackstar ID:Core made me think twice about digital things. Holy heck did it sound good. None of this 'for a digital amp' malarkey either, it genuinely sounded really good. The 'edge of breakup with a bit of reverb' had me 'garage-shuffling' for longer than the staff would have liked ( I did buy the guitar I was trying out )

The Katana sounded OK too, but my ears would take the Blackstar in a heartbeat. The stereo reverb and its response to the Tele volume control had me convinced.

 

[Recce]

I was thinking Christie Brinkley and Kathy Ireland but I think you meant something else.

 

[scelestus]

I think with your requirements for a combo and for multiple effects at once, you're probably looking at the Fender Mustangs over everything else. A Catalyst might do it.

Vox still makes modelers, too, but I think the consensus is that the Fenders right now sounds better.

 

[Happy Enchilada]

Roland Blues Cube Artist with the Ultimate Blues tone capsule. All knobs, no software, 12" speaker, 80W that scales down to 0.5 and still sounds great. The only effects built in are reverb and tremolo, but there's a loop for anything else you want to add.

Not a cheap amp, but an awfully good one.

^^^^I love my Blues Cube Stage (60W version).
Not a "modeling amp" per se, but a really fine SS amp that delivers superb Fenderish tone.
Good OD and reverb (you may not need an OD box depending on your style).
Sounds the same at bedroom volume as gig volume - and those 60 Watts are loud.
No tremolo, but effects loop and line out are there.
Available on Reverb for @ $500 gently used.

 

[Blrfl]

^^^^I love my Blues Cube Stage (60W version).
Not a "modeling amp" per se, but a really fine SS amp that delivers superb Fenderish tone.

I've got the service manual and have been over the schematic. It's totally a modeling amp.

 

[Uncle Daddy]

I've got the service manual and have been over the schematic. It's totally a modeling amp.

I've been reading about power supply faults in some of the Blues Cube models. If you're out of warranty, you're also out of luck.

 

[Blrfl]

I've been reading about power supply faults in some of the Blues Cube models.

What have you been reading? Is this a rampant problem with these amplifiers?

If you're out of warranty, you're also out of luck.

How so? Did Roland say they or their authorized service centers* won't service them once the warranty has expired? Or did you read that story about the guy in England who got fed a line by a High Street shop and decided that was the end of it before even talking to Roland about it?

*Edit: Apparently, Roland wants service on Blues Cubes done at their own depot which, while less-convenient, doesn't spell out of luck.

 

[Annies Dad]

Vintage SG may be on to something with the Blackstar ID:Core.

A good friend of mine with excellent ears had a bit of a Telecaster religious experience plugged into one. Still talks about it 3 years later and he is the biggest hater of all things digital and solid state.

 

[The Angle]

For a small, compact modeler, anything in the Positive Grid Spark lineup is fantastic. For a more traditional combo, the Mustang GTXs are where I'd go these days. Everything the amp can do is accessible from the amp via its built-in screen, unlike most similar combos. It has an effects loop if you prefer to use external pedals. The footswitch adds a looper. And it sounds terrific.

 

[TomBrokaw]

Had a Vox AD30VT, sold it, but I'm more of a high gain guy. The models all sounded good to my ears. Onboard fx are limited to some preselected options, and adjusting parameters required some memorization. No fx loop IIRC. 12AX7 in the preamp, SS output. Might be worth checking out a used one if you get the chance.

Had a Peavey Vypyr, sold it too. Switching between presets was a little better due to the use of rotary encoders vs actual knobs. I liked the way it sounded, and it put out some surprising bass despite the 8" speaker. Still found it too cumbersome to volume match between presets. The "post" setting was always maxed by default on new presets, so every time I switched to a new one, I had to stop and lower that setting. Doubt it would work for you.

 

[39martind18]

Technically, the Fender Tone Master series amps are modeling amps- they model one thing but do it extremely well. Using all of the modeling power for one amp model, it's going to be really good. I have a 1969 Deluxe Reverb and/or a 1979 Vibrolux Reverb to gig with, along with a TMDR. The TMDR is getting the lion's share of the gigging time, primarily because of its portability and power scaling flexibility. Tonally, is it exactly like my 69 DR? Nope, but REALLY close. My experience with other styles of modelers, but I like the one I got alot!

 

[Twang-ineer]

To answer the direct question..... Nothing will sound as good as the answer in the first post. To my knowledge there is nothing in that quality bracket at that price. I think that the Blues Cube Artist sounds better than most production line tube amps. And as to the realistic tube tone question.... just go listen to it. It fills the room like a great amp.

I have owned good and bad modeling combo amps, if I had to walk into GC tomorrow and I had 90 seconds to pick out an amp and then straight to a gig... I would buy the Catalyst as I think it can competently do everything well enough and I do doubt that you would be too frustrated by the DSP limitations. Just choose effects wisely and take your favorite effects on a pedalboard.

Blackstar Modeling does not get too much love pretty much anywhere.... But it works for me. I have all sorts of stupid complex modeling/profiling/DSP stuff. What I can say massively in favor of the Blackstar Silverline is.... not once since owning it have I been tempted to or even curious enough to plug it into a PC or editor. To me it is my solid state HRD. From me that is a compliment.

It has a very wide range of clean tones. The way the front panel (interface) is laid out there are plenty of things to tweak that actually make a difference. It is limited, it is not like the Catalyst or other true "all in one" solutions. I use it exclusively clean and with a pedal board. I could not even competently comment on the gain models, I have never used them. When I want gain it comes from pedals, and I greatly prefer it that way.

Now to fully derail the conversation. I am newley converted to FRFR, and I have never sounded better. Getting the RIGHT speaker was key for me. For me that speaker is the QSC k10.2. I use it with both the magnificent Headrush Prime and the Boss GX100. Both of those boards are widely not considered best in class, but having tried so many of the alternates, those two work for me exceptionally well.

As a clean Tube adjacent sound from a floorboard the Boss "Natural" amp model is my go to. There is nothing exceptional about it, and that is kinda amazing. You can really hear what your guitar sounds like. It also takes effects better than any other modeler I have tried. I think that Boss being Boss prioritizes what players need over players think they want. The little things about the Boss are outstanding. Thjis clearly indicated that they do listen to customers. Me, I hated the GT1000 core, like I hated it a lot. The sounds were great but the UI and general design were not working for me. The GX100 has those sounds and a very friendly UI - the touchscreen is an industrial interface - rugged, but not sexy and iPad like.... So the internet hated it.

If I were buying a non tube gigging rig.... My recomendation would be The Boss GX100 (possibly even me90) and a QSC FRFR (the more you spend the more you get in this instance)

 

[Tim S]

Now that Positive Grid is coming out with ^this^ 140w FRFR Speaker Cabinet (10” woofer & two dome tweeters) named “Spark CAB”, it, paired with one of the Spark modeling amps may be end up become the Best Modeling “combo” (I know, I know) for some people’s requirements.

We won’t know for sure until it’s out in tbe wild, but I think it bears watching. Anyone who owns a Spark is aware of how much sonic ground it can cover, so maybe this cab can allow it (or your favorite “at-home” modeler plugged into it) to become a band-ready amp. Or it may become a giant, disappointing flop. But it’s at least poised to bring powered FRFR cabs to a much larger audience..

 

[CASD57]

To answer the direct question..... Nothing will sound as good as the answer in the first post. To my knowledge there is nothing in that quality bracket at that price. I think that the Blues Cube Artist sounds better than most production line tube amps. And as to the realistic tube tone question.... just go listen to it. It fills the room like a great amp.

I have owned good and bad modeling combo amps, if I had to walk into GC tomorrow and I had 90 seconds to pick out an amp and then straight to a gig... I would buy the Catalyst as I think it can competently do everything well enough and I do doubt that you would be too frustrated by the DSP limitations. Just choose effects wisely and take your favorite effects on a pedalboard.

Blackstar Modeling does not get too much love pretty much anywhere.... But it works for me. I have all sorts of stupid complex modeling/profiling/DSP stuff. What I can say massively in favor of the Blackstar Silverline is.... not once since owning it have I been tempted to or even curious enough to plug it into a PC or editor. To me it is my solid state HRD. From me that is a compliment.

It has a very wide range of clean tones. The way the front panel (interface) is laid out there are plenty of things to tweak that actually make a difference. It is limited, it is not like the Catalyst or other true "all in one" solutions. I use it exclusively clean and with a pedal board. I could not even competently comment on the gain models, I have never used them. When I want gain it comes from pedals, and I greatly prefer it that way.

Now to fully derail the conversation. I am newley converted to FRFR, and I have never sounded better. Getting the RIGHT speaker was key for me. For me that speaker is the QSC k10.2. I use it with both the magnificent Headrush Prime and the Boss GX100. Both of those boards are widely not considered best in class, but having tried so many of the alternates, those two work for me exceptionally well.

As a clean Tube adjacent sound from a floorboard the Boss "Natural" amp model is my go to. There is nothing exceptional about it, and that is kinda amazing. You can really hear what your guitar sounds like. It also takes effects better than any other modeler I have tried. I think that Boss being Boss prioritizes what players need over players think they want. The little things about the Boss are outstanding. Thjis clearly indicated that they do listen to customers. Me, I hated the GT1000 core, like I hated it a lot. The sounds were great but the UI and general design were not working for me. The GX100 has those sounds and a very friendly UI - the touchscreen is an industrial interface - rugged, but not sexy and iPad like.... So the internet hated it.

If I were buying a non tube gigging rig.... My recomendation would be The Boss GX100 (possibly even me90) and a QSC FRFR (the more you spend the more you get in this instance)

Yea, its just that price tag.... Yikes