Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: indysmith on July 11, 2007, 08:10:26 PM
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I know Hunter has one of these, maybe a few more of you do too.
I've been thinking about getting one of these to replace my Mesa V-Twin preamp. I just don't think i dig the Mesa sound; Being more into EL*4 voiced vintage amps, and hotrodded sounds.
My plan was to get a tonelab (namely the 'SE' version with everything on it :lol: ) to run into my Peavey 50/50 poweramp, using it as a massive modelling preamp.
However i wonder: how real do these things sound when amplified? i.e. do you think an AC30 model through my el84 poweramp could sound convincing, or is it really only a bedroom playtime kind of thing, that can also be used for recording?
Also - Woogie reccommended the Boss GT8 over the Tonelab... what are the pros cons of choosing one over the other? I was attracted to the tonelab because of the valve in the preamp, the vox name (I want something that does a good AC30 impression), and the cool looks - but I always associate Boss multieffects with the ME-50 i tried a while back, which was of very poor quality.
Thanks for any help guys!
P.S. If anyone has a ToneLab they want to get rid of, I have a V-Twin preamp that i want to get rid of, so I'm open to exchange/part exchange offers!
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after looking into tonelab/Line 6/Boss multi-effects myself... i would say i tonelab over the boss.
i went for a POD XTL myself because i didnt need the over-complicated boss and the vox wasnt really high enough gain for what i wanted at the time... the pod is customisable and very modern (which is what i was after.)
for what you want, i would definitely say Vox... as someone on here told me ages ago, the Tonelab has the best amp models if thats the most important thing. boss has the most extensive effects slection.
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Tonelab has the best amp models if thats the most important thing.
It really is, definately - I'm not one for a lot of effects or anything - i just want nice basic sounds to play with
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in that case i would amost definitely go for Vox.
i think in terms of making your own sounds, the POD is incredibly easy and versatile. the Boss is the master-tweaker but its so DAMN complicated that im not sure if i would ever be bothered to get to grips with it.
one of the Vox's downsides is that it doesnt have an exactly extensive range of tweaking options, but it makes up for that in as much as its baic sounds are great.
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As I remember the thing that one of the things that places the vox over and above the others is the fact that the valve is in the 'power amp' section (like their moddeling amps)
Thats why it dosn't seem to be as harsh as the competitors.The Korg range are quite good too (a mate of mine uses a Korg pandora on his guitar strap for his live sounds)
Mind you he is using my Nanohead for studio and home use at the minute.
What tones are you after BTW ?
Rob...
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^i've heard good things about the Korgs from many people but never tried them myself. so worth checking out.
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well obviously i have my jcm800 so i don't need that sorta sound at all. I'm really looking for a range of tones just to play with. I'd like a good range of vintage voices; i.e. old marshalls, AC30s, little boutique amps... some more modern voices (not really necessary) just for if i fancy playing some metal, and some nice expressive clean cleans (something i've never used before but would like to experiment with).
Also a wah would be fun to play with. I don't need many effects at all; but i'd like a few basic ones.
Another thing I'd like is to be able to bypass preamps and use it into the front of the jcm800 as a multieffects unit; Can the tonelab do that?
I'm also quite into simplicity - i want knobs i can twist, not digital menus on a screen.
EDIT: i'd also like to be able to record with it easily! make some clips for the forum ;)
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^im not sure if the tonelab can do that. im not sure how many effects it even has.
thats something the POD can definitely do, Boss as well.
one thing i would say about the POD, is that the presets dont do it justice AT ALL. bearing in mind there is a massive line 6 network where you can download loooads of peoples sounds, and PC software for editing everything easily (guitarport e.t.c.), you get a lot of scope for simple, effective improvement and a lot of versatility.
thats what gave it the edge for me.
i think its POD vs. Tonelab for you from what you say.
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# Drive:10 types, Modulation: 5 types, Delay: 3 types, Reverb: 3 types,
# Noise Reduction:1 type
Thats what the tonelab has. more than enough of what i want. I think I'm pretty much settled on the tonelab. Just gotta find someone to take the V-Twin off my hands now.
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ah right, wasnt aware it even had that much.
yer thats all ya need from a unit like that really.
good luck wit the mesa.
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You could also have a look at the m-audio black box (it totally pissed over line 6 stuff)
Certainly the little korg can do some reasionable higher gain type sounds, plus Korg & Vox are essentiall the same company these days anyway, so I don't see why the tonelab would do a reasionable job (especially the newer ones)
Rob...
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http://www.korg.co.uk/products/effects/ax10g_ax10b/fx_ax10g_ax10b.asp
Watch the AX10G introduction video about 3/4 down the page, sounds pretty good to me, sounds better than the Vox tonelab clips to me. The AC30 and UK 70s sound great to me.
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Yup the korg is pretty good.
The Pandora has the same models & stuff, but no expression pedal (ofcourse) Infact I just realused that the ax 10 has less than the pandora (the pandoras are about 80 quid)
The AX1500 reminds me much more of the Vox device (though the demonstrator seems to like 80 processed tones way too much :( )
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korg ax1500g is very good(vox uses some of there tec..but with a valve), blackbox again a great box, boss stuff again good but not as good as the other two. Tried them all...used to own a podxt maxed out..but now have a tonelab le....far better sounds, not too complicated..can do Hi gain(can be edited by comp..also le has eq on output section.so can set to what your outputing to eg amp, mixer etc)
....also gets used as stomp box dist pedal etc for my amp as well as for recording.....if short of cash...korg or blackbox......if you have the money tonelab
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korg ax1500g is very good(vox uses some of there tec..but with a valve), blackbox again a great box, boss stuff again good but not as good as the other two. Tried them all...used to own a podxt maxed out..but now have a tonelab le....far better sounds, not too complicated..can do Hi gain(can be edited by comp..also le has eq on output section.so can set to what your outputing to eg amp, mixer etc)
....also gets used as stomp box dist pedal etc for my amp as well as for recording.....if short of cash...korg or blackbox......if you have the money tonelab
so can you use the tonelab's effects by themselves into a host amp, without engaging the amp modelling?
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yup amp and cab sim can be switched off....can also be set on button to turn of.....so yes...use it with my valve amp for the distortions reverbs etc..can have as much or as little same with editing...easy use and great sounds...even presets ain't bad
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yup amp and cab sim can be switched off....can also be set on button to turn of.....so yes...use it with my valve amp for the distortions reverbs etc..can have as much or as little same with editing...easy use and great sounds...even presets ain't bad
awesome. sounds purrfect
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so can you use the tonelab's effects by themselves into a host amp, without engaging the amp modelling?
On the korg (well mine) you can disable either or both amp emulation or cab emulation (you can mix & match both emulations too)
On the blackbox there is no cab emu, but you can run the fx separately), the beat synced effects on the blackbox are brilliant
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think I did one clip with mine on here...under emeralds, hunter has done a few and some here http://www.netmusicians.org/?value=Vox%20Tonelab§ion=amp
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blackbox is very good especially if upgraded firmware v2....tonelab is korg with valve really same technology(but tonelab sounds best..to me)
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blackbox is very good especially if upgraded firmware v2....tonelab is korg with valve really same technology(but tonelab sounds best..to me)
Yup warmer tone, though i aint got one (got a black box too though and the v2 firmware makes a huge difference)
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I use a DigiTech GNX300 guitar workstation and its a total tone monster..easy to program..great amp and cab models from 15w combos to full stacks and loads of effects. Even most of the factory presets are usable straight off and not way over the top like some.
One of the best features is the amp warp function where you can blend two different amp/cab models together for a uniques sound....say a dual rectifier head into a 2 x 10 cab blended with an AC30 driving a Jensen loaded 4 X 12.
Has USB and software for recording and can act as the soundcard...so zero latency.
Best of all....the price has recently dropped below 200 quid 8)
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Oopps...add another zero there...GNX3000 :wink:
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You could probably have a cool sound going through a tube screamer into a tube power amp, so why shouldn't you be able to have the same with the Tonelab?
I like the idea. What were your plans cab wise? Guitar cab or full range?
Guitar cab might give more authentic results, but with full range cabs you'd have the additional possibilities of chosing different cab models as well as amp models.
I'd get a used Tonelab, if it doesn't fit you can still sell with no loss and try some other preamp/effect combinations.
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One of the best features is the amp warp function where you can blend two different amp/cab models together for a uniques sound....say a dual rectifier head into a 2 x 10 cab blended with an AC30 driving a Jensen loaded 4 X 12.
I have the GNX4 which I think will do the same thing, but I'm so lazy I really haven't got to grips with it at all.
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You could probably have a cool sound going through a tube screamer into a tube power amp, so why shouldn't you be able to have the same with the Tonelab?
I get awesome sounds with a tubescreamer into the poweramp - It's a really basic sound that i can play with for hours; I quite like a fully solid-state preamp into a valve poweramp; i'm suprised more amps arent made this way. Better than all those "hybrid" amps made the opposite way...
I've ordered a Tonelab SE that was ex-demo and therefore got a good price on it: i'm very excited :D and should soon be able to make some clips for the forum at last.
My plan cab-wise is to feed it all through a 2x12 guitar cabinet; I'll only really use the cab models for recording direct i think.
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yeah the thing about buying things ex-demo is that the expression pedals don't actually work, and Vox just tells you you should have bought a new one, and the shop tells you they'll call you back and never do...
why does this shitee always happen to me?
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yeah the thing about buying things ex-demo is that the expression pedals don't actually work, and Vox just tells you you should have bought a new one, and the shop tells you they'll call you back and never do...
why does this shitee always happen to me?
Sorry to hear that. I know the feeling. I got my Rivera amp ex-demo and it turned up without a footswitch or power cable, a defective LED, worn-out valves, a couple of non-original metal corners... The shop acted like it was all nothing to do with them (funny how they're so helpful before they get your money, and such utter tossers afterwards).
They got me the footswitch - eventually - but I've never got round to sorting out the other issues - the amp is basically a footstool/lamp stand/step for reaching high shelves.
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ex demo or extremely worn out...shops can be arses
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I called them up again and got very stroppy with them (i'm very persistant when i want to be); i told what what is going to happen, and frightfully they obliged :lol:
They're sending TNT couriers THIS AFTERNOON to pick it up and take it to Korg to be fixed :twisted: yeeehaw.
By the way - other than the broken pedals; this tonelab ROCKS thru my peavey classic 50/50 poweramp. I've played a fair few of the modelled amps and they are VERY accurate. Some of the controls don't operate the same as the modelled amps, but they still yield very impressive results.
Loads of people have complained about not being to get satisfactory metal sounds out of it. They clearly haven't tried out the Recto or Soldano models with one of the modelled overdrives in front of it! (i prefer the boutique one modelled on the klon centaur). INCREDIBLE tones and versatility. I can nail the sound of almost any artist i can think of.
and I haven't even started on the effects yet :D
Can't wait to get it back. Such great thick, harmonically rich sounds. The only model i don't really get on with is the jcm800 one, which seems a little lacklustre; but i have the real version of that anyway :P
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yeah can get great metal sounds out of them...
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I've read this thread with interest as I'm in a similar position. I was put off the Vox because I was under the impression that the Metal sounds weren't too good but I'm hoping the new LE version has resolved this issue. I'm trying one next month. I've also been looking at the Pod XTL and Boss GT-8. Like you, the amp models are far more improtant to me than a million effects I'll probably never use. I hope to get mine next month so I'll let you know how I get on.
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to be honest had the podxt(metal sounds where a bit digi and fizzy to me) all upgraded extra amps....now have tonelab le less amps effects ...but usable and far better sounding..including the metal ones...lovin the rect one and has new metal pedal..are great
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That sounds very promising and exactly what I'd hoped for from the new LE. In a way I kinda think that 'How many amp models and effects do you actually need?' A good clean amp; a good amp for Blues; a good amp for Classic Rock and a good Metal amp with maybe something different/versatile thrown in for good measure. As for effects, Overdrive; distortion; chorus; delay; wah; phaser; flanger and possibly one or two others but essentially, how much else do we ever use? Each seems to offer something that is attractive but like everything else to do with guitars, it has to end up a compromise of some sort. The Pod XTL has all the backup and has to be popular for a reason; the Boss GT-8 has plenty versatility and is produced by an established and popular name while the Vox has that 'real tube tone' that appears to be the holy grail of modellers. It will be an interesting experience trying them side by side.
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I have the Tonelab SE and I really love it. I am glad you pushed to get your Expression pedals fixed, cuz this is the best real sounding wah in a modeler I have heard and I think I have tried them all. Also yes it can do metal fine, my fave cab is the AD412 for dirt and the bassman412 for clean. I really love the control asignability fnctn so you can add a pedal in for a solo. The treble boost pedal adds alot for cutting through on the metal settings. The A/B channel is great for really having 8 presets in front of you at once and For moderate crunch, the AC30 amp can't be beat. specially with some Irish Tours in a strat :D This thing is so real and tubey sounding it's great. Oh, and the boutique clean gives the fender mods a run for their money,although all are good. My only small problem is the Noise Reduction is a little weak. don't put it past 6.5 and you will still have sustain, but a little noise depending on your guitar. It's ace in the hole is the gritty breakup cleans and the blues and blues rock sounds. hope you like it as much as I have so far.
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My only small problem is the Noise Reduction is a little weak. don't put it past 6.5 and you will still have sustain, but a little noise depending on your guitar.
Funny you should say that - i put the noise reduction on 8 on the recto patch, and had no problems at all with sustain - it kept singing for 10 or 15 seconds; and that was with my ibanez!
Very VERY impressed; I really can't wait to get it back! I'd be very hard pushed to tell the difference between the models of some of these amps and the real things i reckon.
A long time ago i read some magazine saying they didnt reckon Keef could tell the difference between an AC30 and a Valvetronix AC30. I though 'bah, hype! of course he could!'. now i'm really not so sure...
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nice one man, glad your pleased with it (minus the pedal problem)
now clips are EXPECTED from you :P :D
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By the way changing the valve can make a massive difference in the tone, I've so far tried a stanard groove tube, sovtek, JJ and Harma which have all made it sound drastically different. In my opinion they all made it sound much weaker, you have to use a high gain valve for it.
One valve which I know would be fantastic if you can get one would be the groove tube mullard re-issue I used to have these in my old ADA MP 1 and they really were the best tubes for rocking out. The problem is there has been manufacturing problems with these and they are hard to get hold of.
Watford valves sells a pretty big selection of valves and I have bought an exact replacement tube which has been cryo frozen to see if thats any good.
If anyone find any groove tube mullards let me know!
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side by side based only on sound...think the tonelab will win
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Right, here's the update guys!
Got the Tonelab back today! almost a week after they told me it'd be back but never mind...
What i do mind is that although the expression pedals have been fixed, now 4 of the switches don't work and it rattles!
Those $%&#ers are going down! :evil: :shock: :shock:
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Right, here's the update guys!
Got the Tonelab back today! almost a week after they told me it'd be back but never mind...
What i do mind is that although the expression pedals have been fixed, now 4 of the switches don't work and it rattles!
Those $%&#ers are going down! :evil: :shock: :shock:
This must be equivalent to spitting in your burger xD
Unlucky man - But hilarious none-the-less.
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hilarious for you! :P
I'v sent them a bloody nasty email telling them that they're either gonna give me a refund immediately or send me a brand new one within a week.
I'm not as impressed with the tones I've been getting today as i was last time i had the tonelab here; I'm still impressed but today i can really tell that it's a modeller I'm playing through. My ears really do seem to change on a daily basis.
This hasn't been a good day for me, I also got a call from ParcelForce telling me that they've LOST my strat body. just LOST it. bar-stewards. I'm so pissed right now it's not even true. People seem to be determined to make things very difficult for me.
I think I'll order myself some aged gold mules to cheer myself up, lol. :P
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I could sell you the amp version (AD120VT) for 250! :lol: