For CLEAN Tones with Basic Effects, Modeler or Modeling Amp?

Hoodster

Hoodster

Strat-Talker
May 10, 2020
117
Pacific NW
I realize there are tons of threads on various modelers and modeling amplifiers, but most of them seem to talk about the overdriven and distorted tones - the Marshall models and heavier. I play clean 90% of the time and prefer Blackface Fender and Vox tones. I’m the guy who bought an Orange tube amp for the cleans and literally never turned the gain above 9 o’clock. I do have drive pedals (Special Cranker, Rat, Zen, BB), but again the gain is rarely if ever above 9 o’clock. I play a Tele and Strat with single coils.

So, what I’m looking for is either a floor model or or modeling amp that has the most realistic clean models with the best feel.

For effects, I don’t care about variety but want them to sound really good. For reference I use a TC Plethora currently and find the delays great, the reverbs and choruses satisfactory, and the tremolos lacking. Those are the only four time/mod effects I care about. A decent compressor and a couple of mild overdrives would be gravy.

My budget is around $500 new or used, so for floor units we have the MX5, the Pod Go, the GT 1000 Core or GX 100, and the NUX stuff, etc. I don’t care about ins and outs, midi, IRs, etc. I would probably run it into the loop of an amplifier when modeling or into the front end when not modeling. If I ended up loving it, I would probably buy a powered speaker.

For amplifiers the front runner would be the Mustang GTX, just because I know it has the Fender cleans and effects I like. My concerns are Fender has never been able to model Vox, and the technology is already at least three years old. It also of course would not replace the Plethora and the rest of my pedalboard for use with other amplifiers.

Some will probably ask what is wrong with my current rig. Nothing major. I am just digi-curious and looking to get away from the endless pedal gas.
 
Quikstyl

Quikstyl

Senior Stratmaster
Nov 10, 2018
1,370
Bay Area, CA
Hoodster said:
I realize there are tons of threads on various modelers and modeling amplifiers, but most of them seem to talk about the overdriven and distorted tones - the Marshall models and heavier. I play clean 90% of the time and prefer Blackface Fender and Vox tones. I’m the guy who bought an Orange tube amp for the cleans and literally never turned the gain above 9 o’clock. I do have drive pedals (Special Cranker, Rat, Zen, BB), but again the gain is rarely if ever above 9 o’clock. I play a Tele and Strat with single coils.

So, what I’m looking for is either a floor model or or modeling amp that has the most realistic clean models with the best feel.

For effects, I don’t care about variety but want them to sound really good. For reference I use a TC Plethora currently and find the delays great, the reverbs and choruses satisfactory, and the tremolos lacking. Those are the only four time/mod effects I care about. A decent compressor and a couple of mild overdrives would be gravy.

My budget is around $500 new or used, so for floor units we have the MX5, the Pod Go, the GT 1000 Core or GX 100, and the NUX stuff, etc. I don’t care about ins and outs, midi, IRs, etc. I would probably run it into the loop of an amplifier when modeling or into the front end when not modeling. If I ended up loving it, I would probably buy a powered speaker.

For amplifiers the front runner would be the Mustang GTX, just because I know it has the Fender cleans and effects I like. My concerns are Fender has never been able to model Vox, and the technology is already at least three years old. It also of course would not replace the Plethora and the rest of my pedalboard for use with other amplifiers.

Some will probably ask what is wrong with my current rig. Nothing major. I am just digi-curious and looking to get away from the endless pedal gas.
Click to expand...
Pod Go
 
Cerb

Cerb

Anti conformist reformist
Jan 22, 2016
16,048
Sweden
GhostJam47 said:
Check out the Quilter stuff.

Either the Aviator Cub amp, or the Superblock US for pedal-amp.

All analog (if that matters) and fantastic Fender cleans
Click to expand...
The Aviator Cub is a great amp, but it breaks up fairly early for someone wanting pure cleans.
 
StratUp

StratUp

Dr. Stratster
Sep 5, 2020
12,754
Altered States
Since you don't like "three year old", you probably won't like my initial suggestion, but a VOX Tonelab EX will do what you want and will hit the VOX models perfectly as well as including a half dozen Fender models. Amp models, Cab models, it hits the spot. They also have other cleans like a Dumble clean, Jazz Chorus, etc. A good selection of basic effects. But it's older and crude and you have to be the kind of person who like cars with roll up windows and no Bluetooth to like it. Typically $150 so $350 left for a clean amp.

If you want more modern, I'd lean toward the Boss stuff that works with their Tone Studio, used. Serious flexibility. Lots of downloadable amp models available even if they aren't included in the basic factory options. Lots of popular pedals with full controls & multiple EQ's front end and back end. A used Boss Pedal is in your budget.

A Kantana Artist or Kantana 100 will do it, new or used. Used for that Artist and your budget. Kantana 50 is on sale for $270 new but they lack an effects loop and I think the 50 watts is optimistic if you need crazed drummer volume.

Another good option is a used Helix HD500X. Again, older than your three year parameter but very capable and still supported last I checked. Used $250 to $300.

You'd need a clean SS amp for the modelers. Something pre-DSP and neutral.

I wouldn't run a modeler in an effects loop with an amp model in play unless you're using that as a way to go right to the power amp (Guitar to modeler into effects loop return as power amp). There are some amps that are OK with a modeler coming into the pre-amp but it's none of the modern ones with digital processing. I don't think you want a modeler after the amp's preamp section (in the effects loop) if you're using an amp model.
 
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ajb1965

ajb1965

Old Enough to Know Better
Gold Supporting Member
Silver Member
May 21, 2017
2,376
Phx AZ - AKA The Surface of the sun
I've had all of those boards you mentioned and more over the years, and they will all get you in the ballpark more or less. They all have strengths and weaknesses. If bigger ambient tones are your bag, the POD probably has the best of the list and I prefer the Boss modulations over the rest listed for more mainstream tones. Having said all that, if 500 is your budget and you would consider used, the Line6 HX Stomp would be my top pick for an all in one floor box. For the amps, Katana is always a great choice even though the amp itself is not modeled, only effects, and the Mustangs from Fender would top my list. Oh, and everything else StratUp just said too :p
 
StratUp

StratUp

Dr. Stratster
Sep 5, 2020
12,754
Altered States
ajb1965 said:
I've had all of those boards you mentioned and more over the years, and they will all get you in the ballpark more or less. They all have strengths and weaknesses. If bigger ambient tones are your bag, the POD probably has the best of the list and I prefer the Boss modulations over the rest listed for more mainstream tones. Having said all that, if 500 is your budget and you would consider used, the Line6 HX Stomp would be my top pick for an all in one floor box. For the amps, Katana is always a great choice even though the amp itself is not modeled, only effects, and the Mustangs from Fender would top my list. Oh, and everything else StratUp just said too :p
Click to expand...

Kantana has amp models. You have to use a computer or Ipad to interface. Maybe Iphone by now. Phone would be challenging due to physical size.
 
soulman969

soulman969

Most Honored Senior Member
Jan 5, 2016
6,149
Fort Collins, CO
GhostJam47 said:
Check out the Quilter stuff.

Either the Aviator Cub amp, or the Superblock US for pedal-amp.

All analog (if that matters) and fantastic Fender cleans
Click to expand...
Tele or Strat with that amp set to it's Blackface 65 setting through a single 12 and you've got a very very good emulation of a Princeton or Deluxe Reverb. Incredibly accurate for a SS amp.
 
H

hamerfan

Strat-O-Master
May 11, 2020
597
Bavaria
My bandmate is very happy with his new Blackstar Amped2. He even thinks about selling his Marshall head and his Fender combo.
 
D

dlew919

Strat-Talk Member
Oct 19, 2018
98
Belmore
I've been gigging with a Fender Mustang LT50. I haven't really moved it off the first setting which is as if you're plugging straight into a board. There are other great clean sounds though...
 
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