Looking into buying a modeling amp...

2914 Views 16 Replies 13 Participants Last post by robbiano, Jul 30, 2009

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Discussion Starter · Jun 28, 2009

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at buying a new amp. All I've had is a 10W Ibanez GTA10. I've wnated an amp that'll be capable of a bunch of stuff, and not high maintenence liek a tube amp, so I'm looking into modeling amps.

Here's what I'm looking at more closely, and my thoughts on them:

Line 6 Spider III 75 - I've played on one of these and they're great, but my friend owns one so it would be kind of pointless for me to go buy one when I could always borrow his if I need to!

Peavey Vypyr - Played a little on one of the 15W models but I'd be looking for a larger one. I heard these were excellent but I looked into them and they seem so dang complicated to use! I need something I can have ready at the turn of a control knob, not somethign that takes me 2 minutes to figure out on stage.

Ibanez MiMx 65W - I must say this is the one that's grabbing my attention. I've heard the sound samples and they're great. It seems to cover what I need and it's simple to use (much easier than the Vypyr). And as a bonus it looks awesome. It's my favourite so far but obviously I won't make a decision until I've tried it properly for myself.

So if anyone can offer me opinions on these three amps, it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, if there are any good ones I've missed, please let me know, but include WHY they're good!

Thanks in advance!

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Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 28, 2009

guitarnoize said:
Make sure you check out the Vox modelling amps too I used to own an AD50VT and it was simple to use, great for recording and the onboard effects were a nice addition too. Make sure you really want a modelling amp before you buy though, tube amps really aren't high maintenance and they sound so much better.

Thanks, I'll check out the VOX amps too.

For valve/tube amps, by "high maintenence" I meant that they cost a lot, and after you've bought it, the expense doesn't stop because the valves need replacing occasionally. Also, from what I've seen, most tube amps run with a bunch of different pedals for the effects, and I don't have the money for a bunch of pedals.

Someone please correct me if I have made a misconception on this... I don't wanna buy based on incorrect facts. :S

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Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 29, 2009

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

To be honest, 11 or 12 amp models really is all I need. I'm going to be using this on gigs as well, so I can't be wasting time trying to choose one of the 24 different amp models on the Vypyr, and then setting up everything else on that particular model (like those complex stomp-box and rack effects).

That's what's grabbing me about the Line 6 and the Ibanez MiMx... you can just pick an amp model, add some effects, mess around with a bit of EQ, and from that you can pretty much get any sound you need.

But, as I mentined earlier, all I can do is to try out the ones I'm interested in looking at, then choosing for myself.

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Discussion Starter · #15 · Jul 30, 2009

I may have failed to mentio nthat this modellign amp will most definitely be seeign use live very frequently. My friend is already using his Line 6 Spider III there and it's doing fine.

A 5-watt Blackstar might not have what it takes to handle live gigging... not too sure lol.

And I tried out the Vypyr for 2 hours and if there were massively different sounds available, I couldn't find any. Also, the amp seems far to complicated to switch between sounds live.

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