Fractal Audio Systems AM4 - Amp Modeler

[AlbertA]

Nice what gitfiddle you use for the clips

Thanks! For that one I had to go with my Ibanez Andy Timmons

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

G66 has already started shipping, one day earlier than expected. My AM4 is on its way!

Mine too, sadly it going to Hungary it’ll be Wednesday until it’s here.

 

[Melodioso]

Thanks! For that one I had to go with my Ibanez Andy Timmons

It sounds so yummy ! I could eat that sound, seriously. Nice playing too !

I have ordered it from G66, so hopefully it will arrive soon and during the "return period" of my Helix Stadium. I don't think that I will keep both, and the Helix Stadium has not blown me away tbh. But my expectations may have been too high.

 

[PhilA]

Hey folks - Sukh here! (G66 UK and ZenRigs). I’ve only just joined so excuse the lack of input so far.

Some quick ones though - as we’re about to go heads down prepping for the first lot of AM4 orders, and I’m desperately in need of a kip.

1. I’ve worked for G66 for a little over 3 years now and can hand-on-heart say they are the nicest and most honest folks I’ve ever worked with. I’m constantly surprised at the lengths they go to in taking care of both their employees and, more importantly, their customers - even when there’s no obligation on their part to do so.

2. They are very careful with pricing - there’s a lot of speculation here - but the pricing is not random or inflated. There are various costs involved in getting product into the UK and then putting together the infrastructure to sell, support, store, market, manage warranty, multi-language translations, multi country servicing etc etc. The business has to run, and prices need to be able to support that business as a distributor.

3. We have a UK service centre (and sales) - there’s no shenanigans involved for UK warranty and servicing.

I’m sorry I never knew about this place before - it looks really well organised and full of great contributors. Looking forward to getting involved.

Cheers!
Sukh

Welcome from me in rainy Northumberland. I’m quite new here too and most forums I find quite toxic this place is a rare exception so far.
Good banter and some great advice on offer all round.

 

[ZenrigsMan]

Welcome from me in rainy Northumberland. I’m quite new here too and most forums I find quite toxic this place is a rare exception so far.
Good banter and some great advice on offer all round.

Hey - we're neighbours!

 

[paisleywookiee]

Guess I better get an AM4! Gotta wait till next year technically for "write-off purposes"

Yeah I’m definitely getting one next year, after gear fund recovers slightly from Stadium. Having both would be awesome. And no, I’m not releasing a video about how to use them together.

 

[PhilA]

Hey - we're neighbours!

Cool and small world

 

[eggpl@nt]

Thank you! Presets mostly by yours truly, with a serious assist from Brett "Burgs" Kingman, plus some great in-person cameraderie with Austin Buddy, and of course there are the "signature" banks at the end. Next I'm thinking about converting the "Gift of Tone" amps/cabs for the AM4.

I would love to see the Aaron Marshall GoT preset come to AM4. That is my all time favorite artist preset.

For now, the LT 5153 preset is my personal favorite in the AM4 (shoutout @2112)

 

[bucephalus]

Yeah I’m definitely getting one next year, after gear fund recovers slightly from Stadium. Having both would be awesome. And no, I’m not releasing a video about how to use them together.

Meanie

 

[JiveTurkey]

YO DAWG I HEARD YOU GOT A MODELER IN YOUR MODELER

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

YO DAWG I HEARD YOU GOT A MODELER IN YOUR MODELER

BUT IS THE MODELER IN YOUR MODELER ABLE TO PLAY NEURAL AMP MODELS?!?!?!?!?!?

 

[Los-D]

Aaron Marshall GoT

We need some “regift of tones” from AxIII/FMx to AM4/VP4.

 

[AlbertA]

And no, I’m not releasing a video about how to use them together.

 

[Tanax]

The European price is EUR 755.- excluding VAT and any duties, but incl. a 3-year warranty. A 3 year warranty buying from Fractal in the US can be added, but is an additional USD 69.99. As you point out, G66 also has to cover their costs and make a living, which contribute to why it is still higher than a direct conversion of USD 699 (or USD 769 with extended warranty) to EUR.

Of course I wish it was a bit cheaper from G66 or that we could choose to buy directly from Fractal. But things are the way they are. So I’ve put in my order with G66.

(PS: Do also keep in mind that many in the US will have to pay sales tax on top of the price shown on the Fractal site.)

All major retailers selling that Helix will most likely include 3 years of warranty for much less markup than G66 so I'm not sure why people use that as an escape goat? Covering their costs and their living is something all retailers have to do so that's not really an explanation either. The difference (+15% vs +38% are comparing equally on all those things).

I don't get why people are so afraid of saying how it is?
G66 has a monopoly on Fractal devices in Europe and charges thereafter. Doesn't mean they're not providing a good service or that people are generally happy with them, but that doesn't change the fact that they're greedy because Europeans have no other choice. Fractal really needs to step up here and allow other means of sales.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

All major retailers selling that Helix will most likely include 3 years of warranty for much less markup than G66 so I'm not sure why people use that as an escape goat? Covering their costs and their living is something all retailers have to do so that's not really an explanation either. The difference (+15% vs +38% are comparing equally on all those things).

I don't get why people are so afraid of saying how it is?
G66 has a monopoly on Fractal devices in Europe and charges thereafter. Doesn't mean they're not providing a good service or that people are generally happy with them, but that doesn't change the fact that they're greedy because Europeans have no other choice. Fractal really needs to step up here and allow other means of sales.

Have you compared what G66 markup is over their cost to stock Fractal gear vs what Thomson et Al markup is on Helix vs their cost to stock it? That’s the only percentage that matters, not the US vs EU price.

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

All major retailers selling that Helix will most likely include 3 years of warranty for much less markup than G66 so I'm not sure why people use that as an escape goat? Covering their costs and their living is something all retailers have to do so that's not really an explanation either. The difference (+15% vs +38% are comparing equally on all those things).

I don't get why people are so afraid of saying how it is?
G66 has a monopoly on Fractal devices in Europe and charges thereafter. Doesn't mean they're not providing a good service or that people are generally happy with them, but that doesn't change the fact that they're greedy because Europeans have no other choice. Fractal really needs to step up here and allow other means of sales.

I’d prefer the dollar price but here’s the reality, having worked in MI management. The exchange rate is supposedly at 1/1 which lately with the dollar tumbling isn’t the case.

Cause then their upcharge is less than 10%.

Now them.being German my experience has been when the dollar is strong they want additional incentives.
But certainly are willing to ignore the dollar being week.
Nit that I'd do it different.

In the flipside Kemper seems to account for the exchange rate with the player being 599€ here and 688$ there.
They lowered their EU price in order tonkevel it against the weaker US price.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Custom duties from China to EU are less than fron China to US.

 

[Los-D]

Quick MIDI update: Forgot the AM4 had USB MIDI. I was able to connect it via USB-C to an iPad Mini 6 and run MidiPad successfully.

Still need to figure out my workflow, but on a quick proof-of-concept I am able to select presets, switch scenes, on my iPad (on my desk) while the AM4 sits on a pedalboard.

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

Custom duties from China to EU are less than fron China to US.

Except if I had to guess it goes my container to the US and then to Germany.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Except if I had to guess it goes my container to the US and then to Germany.

Wouldn't be the most clever way to handle things.