Solved - Need a backup asap, looking for suggestions.

[maddnotez]

TL;DR - I need a low cost, reliable backup rig that sounds good and I can't decide because I havent tried many of these.


Was on the QC mini pre-order list. About 2 days ago I canceled the order. Just felt like I was a victim of hype and gas, didnt want to spend all that money.

Ironically at a gig last night, About to sound check and my amp doesnt work. Looks like all 4 power tubes were not lighting up. Never in my life had this happen but it couldn't have been worse timing.

Assuming a tube failed and my fuse blew. Not sure, fuse LOOKS ok...it is not split, looks like a couple of weird marks on the filament or whatever it is and also im not getting a beep with continuity test. Not sure if that means anything but im really hoping its just the tubes and a fuse.

Anyway, I need something for a backup immediately in case this happens again and the next gig is in 2 weeks.

Someone let me use his headrush core last night. FOH it actually sounded very decent. Sounded like shit on the stage monitors but I dont care much about that.

So this got me thinking and I have a couple options but I just can't decide.

AM4 will be in stock very soon again im thinking. Could buy the headrush.

Billy pointed out the Friedman IR pedals. That also seems very cool, power amp simulation, will fit easily on my board which is a huge plus. Big cons im seeing, my power supply (CS6) won't power most of these options in addition to no xlr out means I also need a DI box.

After all it is just as a backup rig in case my amp fails me. I just feel like id get so much more out of the AM4. If I did get a Friedman, which one?

I play high gain metal. One tone, one trick pony but want the best tone. Ive decided im not going to get back on the QC list and want something in this lower price range.

Any suggestions?

 

[Progressive_disclosure]

TL;DR - I need a low cost, reliable backup rig that sounds good and I can't decide because I havent tried many of these.


Was on the QC mini pre-order list. About 2 days ago I canceled the order. Just felt like I was a victim of hype and gas, didnt want to spend all that money.

Ironically at a gig last night, About to sound check and my amp doesnt work. Looks like all 4 power tubes were not lighting up. Never in my life had this happen but it couldn't have been worse timing.

Assuming a tube failed and my fuse blew. Not sure, fuse LOOKS ok...it is not split, looks like a couple of weird marks on the filament or whatever it is and also im not getting a beep with continuity test. Not sure if that means anything but im really hoping its just the tubes and a fuse.

Anyway, I need something for a backup immediately in case this happens again and the next gig is in 2 weeks.

Someone let me use his headrush core last night. FOH it actually sounded very decent. Sounded like shit on the stage monitors but I dont care much about that.

So this got me thinking and I have a couple options but I just can't decide.

AM4 will be in stock very soon again im thinking. Could buy the headrush.

Billy pointed out the Friedman IR pedals. That also seems very cool, power amp simulation, will fit easily on my board which is a huge plus. Big cons im seeing, my power supply (CS6) won't power most of these options in addition to no xlr out means I also need a DI box.

After all it is just as a backup rig in case my amp fails me. I just feel like id get so much more out of the AM4. If I did get a Friedman, which one?

I play high gain metal. One tone, one trick pony but want the best tone. Ive decided im not going to get back on the QC list and want something in this lower price range.

Any suggestions?

If you’re not picky with effects and can tolerate captures, a Nano Cortex might fit the bill. You can capture your own amp and have a close approximation as backup and it can be powered by a 500mA outlet, at least for me. I posted a long-ass text with my 2 cents on the Nano in its thread yesterday.

 

[maddnotez]

If you’re not picky with effects and can tolerate captures, a Nano Cortex might fit the bill. You can capture your own amp and have a close approximation as backup and it can be powered by a 500mA outlet, at least for me. I posted a long-ass text with my 2 cents on the Nano in its thread yesterday.

I've considered that too but I havent looked into the features much.

Looking at it now however and it says it requires 600mA.

I do have a spare 9v 100mA tap on my CS6 though and im wondering if I could daisy chain that with one of the 500mA 9v to produce the 600mA needed?

But it seems you get away with 500mA just fine with it either way.

 

[metropolis_4]

If it were me, and all I needed was a direct backup option for a high gain amp, I would just get something like a ToneX One or a UA Anti.

 

[maddnotez]

UA Anti.

First time seeing this

Definitely seems like a contender. Need to research, can I run out into a DI then direct to FOH with this?

 

[2dor]

Bluguitar Amp1 Iridium

or

Bluguitar Amp1 Mercury

 

[metropolis_4]

First time seeing this

Definitely seems like a contender. Need to research, can I run out into a DI then direct to FOH with this?

Yep, just run out into a DI box

 

[Chocol8]

For a cheap backup that can sound great when called upon, it's really hard to go wrong with a Tonex One. Small, cheap, easy to power, and a capture or two should get you through a gig.

 

[bucephalus]

Yeah, Tonex One would be my suggestion.

 

[maddnotez]

For a cheap backup that can sound great when called upon, it's really hard to go wrong with a Tonex One. Small, cheap, easy to power, and a capture or two should get you through a gig.

Yeah, Tonex One would be my suggestion.

Yeah dudes...tbh this is probably the way. Cheapest option ive seen and Gergo's demos sound incredible tbh.

 

[maddnotez]

Thanks for the info, ordered the tonex one

 

[RaceU4her]

Thanks for the info, ordered the tonex one

been wanting to grab one of these, curious to hear your thoughts. i have serious "tube amp anxiety" for this very reason, and would never gig without some kind of back up

 

[maddnotez]

been wanting to grab one of these, curious to hear your thoughts. i have serious "tube amp anxiety" for this very reason, and would never gig without some kind of back up

Dude I would definitely recommend having something. I've played a lot of shows over the years and I've never once had an amp fail on me. However the one time that it just did was absolutely horrible LOL, I'll post my feedback once I mess around with the pedal and figure it out.

 

[RaceU4her]

Dude I would definitely recommend having something. I've played a lot of shows over the years and I've never once had an amp fail on me. However the one time that it just did was absolutely horrible LOL, I'll post my feedback once I mess around with the pedal and figure it out.

i actually never gigged with a tube amp, it was my vh140c or fender metalhead. ive seen it happen too many times though with friends, with both old and brand new amps, and its happened to me i dont know how many times luckily at a practice or at home. we did an ampfest years ago and my laney went kaput right there, a tube goes and takes out the SGR's and whatever else with it. the only reliable tech around is over an hour away and not exactly the fastest worker. if i did it again id probably get one of those crate powerblocks and pedal you got coming to keep in my gig bag

 

[GuitarBilly74]

Bluguitar amps are perfect for that too.

 

[Baba]

Someone let me use his headrush core last night. FOH it actually sounded very decent. Sounded like shit on the stage monitors but I dont care much about that.

FWIW, listening to even the same speaker, in wedge position vs flying or up on a stick and straight, can be a pretty drastic difference.

Tweeters blaring at your face with high gain, at close range, is usually not too pleasant.

 

[maddnotez]

FWIW, listening to even the same speaker, in wedge position vs flying or up on a stick and straight, can be a pretty drastic difference.

Tweeters blaring at your face with high gain, at close range, is usually not too pleasant.

Lol yeah its brutal and most sound guys at the smaller clubs we play aren't the greatest. No offense its hard work I wouldnt be able to do it but back in the day most sound guys I encountered were much better.

 

[Baba]

Bluguitar Amp1 Iridium

or

Bluguitar Amp1 Mercury

Bluguitar amps are perfect for that too.

Both are backups for each other