Talk me out of buying 20 year old modeling tech...

[itchyfingers]

My apologies to the OP for the thread derail.

Not at all man, the whole thread is a really interesting read!

I'm hoping Itchy picked up an Axe III by now

Nope, no Axe OR Cyber Fender yet. I'm more confused than ever, lol.

 

[ctreitzell]

the stuff I learned this morning about Midi Designer Pro unlimited presets blew my mind!
I was completely unaware...just a wonderful way to work once set up

MDP can also turn your single CC midi FC into an incredibly powerful tool

There are modern versions of CyberTwin like designs, obviously...Diezel did one a couple years ago...all the modelers...but CTs are cheap nowadays and they should be, cuz they are old

I was playing my CT SE a couple days ago and couldn't seem to get rid of a cocked wah sound when playing the factory ROM programs (the Cxx Fender Custom Shop progs) it was very loud...I walked away still thinking the first edition just sounds better...

then, yesterday, I put a new battery in my heartfield and went through the Axx programs (amp "models, for lack of a better term), and was suitably blown away...really, really great stuff in there...I did not get through all 50 programs...I was investigating if the first 34 programs are identical to the first edition...I found some anomalies that might be named ticks mistakes by me...I gotta go back through it all and verify

I really wish there was a way to turn off the power to the power amp, I just want to use the pre and the FX section

 

[ctreitzell]

oh man, I went to check out the other 16 amp "models" in the A section of the SE
BUT I did nothing but play thru the Stage '99+ program for about 90 min or so
turned on Stereo Tape and tweaked the rvb on and off...messed with the phaser a little
but sorry kids, a lovely high gain distortion sound IMO

I'm gonna say it has to be the EV12L Classics getting it sounding so good; yes, the VHT 2902 is fantastic and the CT power sounds awful compared to the VHT...but the EVs just give out the same thing no matter the volume...I was playin fairly loud...just under 80dB and then down a bit...high 70s

 

[Tritium3H]

I'd recommend bellying up to the bar, and ordering a Fender Tone Master Pro. I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

[ctreitzell]

one can purchase 6 CyberTwins for the cost of the The Tone Master

that said, I'm using
_a $1000+ power amp (probably be lucky to find a Fryette/ VHT for less than 1K at this time, and talk about heavy!);
_and new EV12L run $280 each right now
_and those EV12L are loaded in PE60 cabs
I spent too much for the PE60s...that are now parted
that has my CT rig well over $2K

the Tone Master is much lighter
and is basically an excellent remote control

I'd say the only thing one should consider the CT as is a guitar pre
that is a very cumbersome form factor

 

[Eagle]

If you want old modelling tech that is still relevant buy a Kemper power rack and a Kemper cab. World class tones still supported and proven . The latest firmware and editor makes it a lot better than it used to be. Fx are usable too.

 

[Diary Of An Axeman]

I dropped in two VHT Valvulator 1's w/ one 12ax7 tube each, between a Digitech 2112 SGS w/ two 12ax7 tubes, going into a couple of Crate Power Blocks and those VHT Valvulator really juiced up that archaic rack unit to unbelievable Sonic tonality.

The Valvulator 1 is a magic unit, too bad Fryette stopped making that magic box.