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#1 |
Babyface
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 5
Local Time: 03:47 AM
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Cheaper alternative to a Edge's Vox AC30 Amp
I used to play guitar quite a bit, for four or five years -- it's ben about two or three years since I've played, though. Now, I'm interested in getting back into it -- I'm looking to update my setup and would like to emulate the sounds of U2 (plus Pink Floyd, and others -- Zeppelin, SRV, Radoihead, etc).
__________________I'm looking into getting a new amp, but I've heard some really good reviews of Amp Simulators, like the "Line 6 Pod 2," or the "Zoom GM-200." I've read a couple of reviews on these products, but I'm wondering if anyone has personally used them, or heard them in action. Supposedly the Pod 2 (which costs about $300) is supposed to be great, but I hear it sounds a bit artificial and produced. I hear that the Zoom pedal is good, but a bit noisy -- especially for recording. Does anyone have any thoughts/comments/advice regarding these products? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. |
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#2 |
The Fly
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Doylestown, PA, USA
Posts: 143
Local Time: 03:47 AM
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Hey there, the POD is a great series, much better than the Zoom. With Edge's lack of space on this stage he only uses 2 Vox's plus the POD pro. He plays the Vox's at low levels and uses the speaker emulation, likely the Brit Class A, from the POD Pro to feed them. Brian Eno brought them to the studio during the making of the new CD and Edge liked them so much that he is even using them on tour for the entire gigs.
__________________As for amps, Vox's AC-15 is good along with the Vox Cambridge series too. Definitely go and try them out to get a feel for their sound. It wont be exact but you will come close! |
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#3 |
Blue Meth Addict
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Utah
Posts: 37,207
Local Time: 09:47 PM
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Laney supposedly makes an AC-30 copy, never have heard or used one myself though.
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#4 |
The Fly
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Boston Area
Posts: 174
Local Time: 11:47 PM
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Try the Vox Valvetronix.
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#5 |
Babyface
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 27
Local Time: 03:47 AM
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There are virtually no pro players using modelers for live shows. Yes Edge has a couple in his rack but, the common consensus among folks who study this stuff, is that they are used for only a couple of tones. Almost all of his tones come from the amps running close to full out.
Sorry to burst your hopes but there really is nothing quite like a real tube amp once it gets up to volume. A modeler is sorta like a great looking manequin. It's not a real girlfriend. But if you're lonely you can always pretend. If youre really on a budget by all means use the POD. But don't believe for a minute that it's just like the real thing. |
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#6 |
The Fly
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Boston Area
Posts: 174
Local Time: 11:47 PM
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I agree that's why i went with the AC30cc but if you are just effing around in your room a valvetronix is suitable.
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#7 |
War Child
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 727
Local Time: 04:47 AM
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Maybe I just got a bad Valvetronix to fool around with, but I really wasn't impressed... it had this nasty snarl on the g string that most transistor amps have... and a few other things, it really didn't sound any better than the $200 solid state amps that are available. So I relented, and went with the AC30 stack.... I will never buy a solid state again :-)
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#8 |
The Fly
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 75
Local Time: 09:47 PM
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Honestly, the amp isn't going to make that much of a difference if you're running at anything less than full volume.
If you're set on getting a Class A 30 watt, go with a Laney VC-30. If you can find one, Randall RT-30 (which I have) is another alternative. When you find them, they're not all that expensive, and they have good AC-30 tone. Fact is, though, that I can get a pretty convincing Edge out of a Fender Deluxe. The amp is important, don't get me wrong. But like the SDD3000, like the Lovetone Meatball or Doppelganger, there are less expensive alternatives that will get you to the same point, and might ive you a bit more flexibility should you choose to play other stuff besides U2. |
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#9 |
Babyface
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 4
Local Time: 03:47 AM
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i have a VC30 and its very good, but you its loud, so only go with it if you are in a band and need the real valve sound. Id say for bedroom use get maybe one of hybrid vox amps, if you have to have valve maybe a vc15 or Ac15 if you can afford it, Also a fender blues jr is very cool valve amp that works in the bed room you can get some great U2 sounds out of it
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#10 | |
War Child
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: New York City
Posts: 788
Local Time: 11:47 PM
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Quote:
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#11 |
Rock n' Roll Doggie
FOB Join Date: May 2007
Location: * The Edge's Guitar Storage Room *
Posts: 8,569
Local Time: 03:47 AM
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AC15CC's are pretty decent. AC30CC's are pretty good too.
Valvetronix are okay but there have been some 'bugs' with them. I remember problems with speakers in some of the first ones that came out. For home or practice, the Pathfinder 15R is a great bang for the buck at a mere 120.00 |
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#12 | |
Refugee
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Posts: 1,381
Local Time: 03:47 AM
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Quote:
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#13 |
Ghost of Love
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: In The Ballroom of The Crystal Lights
Posts: 19,901
Local Time: 11:47 PM
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I'd be very surprised to find out Edge has his AC-30 cranked full out onstage....I doubt it very much.
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#14 |
The Fly
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Miami Beach, FL
Posts: 138
Local Time: 11:47 PM
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I WISH I could turn my AC-30 wide open!!! I'd give anything!
![]() I HIGHLY doubt its wide open on stage, having seen them live, and standing in front of the Edge about a foot and a half from the stage, I can assure you, it is NOT wide open. But ooooooh, if it were!!! That thing would sing, and I'd need hearing aids! Those amps are so f-ing loud when wide open! I personally never have been able to even TRY it wide open because the volume is sheer torture on the ears past 1/2 way. |
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#15 | |
Ghost of Love
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: In The Ballroom of The Crystal Lights
Posts: 19,901
Local Time: 11:47 PM
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Quote:
We had considered that option, too. ![]()
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#16 |
New Yorker
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: MUTANT SPIDER THING. D=<
Posts: 3,090
Local Time: 04:47 AM
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Ive got a AD-30 Valvetronix, Ive never had any problems with it. Its a pretty decent price too, I paid £144 for mine.
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#17 |
Blue Crack Addict
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 27,897
Local Time: 08:47 PM
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I would be very surprised if he didn't. He's probably running it through a hot plate and using a power conditioner on it, though. So it's probably up all the way, but then through the compression of the hot plate it's quieter.
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#18 |
Ghost of Love
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: In The Ballroom of The Crystal Lights
Posts: 19,901
Local Time: 11:47 PM
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Could be, I guess. I just don't agree that you can't get a decent Edge tone without running an AC-30 at full tilt. What would I know, though?
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#19 |
Blue Crack Addict
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 27,897
Local Time: 08:47 PM
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#20 |
Acrobat
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 360
Local Time: 03:47 AM
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Why do you say that? An ac30 at full vol is very overdriven and depending on effects and guitar can get very overdriven. Song like Bad,Streets are songs that are just under breakup. A sound like that is not a full driven ac30. I dont think Edge uses any hot plate from what I know either. My opinion anyway
__________________Mick |
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