Whats the life expectancy of the AxeFx2?

[Gamedojo]

This thought came to mind last night. I was a tube purest 100% for years, and even built my own amps before discovering the axefx. I'm hooked now, but I realized that I'm now playing a high-tech computer for a guitar amp, and not a simple circuit that can be maintained.

Is there a life expectancy?

Unlike tube amps, I can't just replace tubes and put in new filter caps every 10 years to keep her running forever... Computers die (I know, i've had a few expire in my lifetime)

[KH2203]

I was thinking the exact same thing this week. I recently came back to the Axe 2 and have been selectively selling off some of my gear (funny how it just sits there collecting dust now) but have been hesitant to let go of a couple of my favorite pieces. The "life expectancy" question is one of the main reasons that I'm still hanging on to a couple of my tube amps and older out-of-production pedals.

It would be great to know what the average "life expectancy" is, although I'd be willing to bet that the units haven't been around long enough to determine something like that yet. I used to have an old Line 6 POD XT Pro that I bought in 2004 and used for about 7 years before I sold it off. Never had a problem with it. The Axe is superior in every way to that product - build quality, components, sound - so I would expect that it would last for many years. But you do make a great point. Tube amps can be maintained and will last decades.

[clarky]

it's not running on Windows so it'll certainly last more than a year... lol..

[Scott Peterson]

There's nothing but the fan moving inside; if it ever dies... you'd have to replace it. Replace the battery when it dies (always keep computer backups of your presets current).

Other than that and any sort of physical abuse or power surge or something... it'll probably live longer than you or I.

[strat714]

Hopefully they're like Keith Richards and cockroaches and will outlive all of us!

[jzacharia]

Like Scott said, the only thing that would really die is the fan. If you treat it properly, it should last longer than yourself

Computers only 'die' if they are given dirty power, are overclocked/not properly cooled, stressed for long periods of time, etc. Luckily for the latter 2, the Axe-FX doesn't apply.

[Speculum Speculorum]

You have to remember - there are guys that still use rack effects from the 80's. Even though it's a computer element, proper maintenance (dusting, cleaning, MAYBE change out a fan if it goes) and keeping it in a safe environment away from possible liquid damage, severe dampness, etc., will probably get you many years from this box. Granted, gigging on this thing and taking it all over the place will probably start to wear it out a bit faster.

I ran into a guy that was still using a DOS machine from the very early 90's in Berlin about 5 years back, and the computer ran without any issues...

The biggest thing with electronics that "kills" them now is the persistent drum beat of technological progress, making it difficult to make software function with new operating systems, web developments, etc. Case in point, I was finally forced to upgrade my compositional software (Sibelius 3 to 7 - I was that far behind) because when I finally reinstalled it on my new machine, there were elements of the software (MIDI elements specifically) that no longer existed. Or my Dell laptop from 2005 - it just couldn't keep up with the way the internet changed over 7 years and ran woefully slow. It still worked, and only failed when it was damaged beyond repair after being dropped.

Since the Axe-II is a closed system, as long as there are USB drives, converters for USB, or interfaces that will accept 1/4" inputs, you'll be able to use this thing for a long time to come in a studio setting. In a live situation, I don't see 1/4" changing any time in the foreseeable future, so you'll be able to use it that way as well. Just don't use it as a beer coaster, a seat cushion, or a stripper dancing platform, and you're probably set.

[javajunkie]

Like Scott said, the only thing that would really die is the fan. If you treat it properly, it should last longer than yourself

Computers only 'die' if they are given dirty power, are overclocked/not properly cooled, stressed for long periods of time, etc. Luckily for the latter 2, the Axe-FX doesn't apply.

Components on the board, power supplies, and other things can fail even if the are given "clean" power, are properly cooled, and not stressed. That being said, they will most likely last a very long time if they have not failed early on.
My Ultra was sold to my neighbor, it was one of the first few sold by Fractal. It is still going strong with no issues. I know people with standards that are a couple of years older than that and the are still going strong. I also have digital effects that are still going string that are decades old.

[hussamd]

FAS uses top quality components so that should help ensure longevity, however any component can fail. Their support is top notch matching their products. I have no doubt it will survive till the next model is out. The best part is no tube changes are necessary.

[kidego430]

i play on a 50w line 6 spider I in my living room that is like 10 years old and i bought it on ebay. its still kicking perfectly so i know my axe fx will be around for at least that long

[willowdale]

Hopefully they don't last too long. I like buying stuff, I'm too lazy to sell, and I hate clutter!!!

[stratamania]

Hopefully they don't last too long. I like buying stuff, I'm too lazy to sell, and I hate clutter!!!

Should we send you a list of stuff to buy. That way you buy it, I use it and you have no storage or selling to do

Back to the OP, I think the Unit should last a good number of years.

[Gamedojo]

Dunno guys... the whole "keep it clean and it will last forever" seems a bit wishy-washy to me.

Constant on-the-road gigging in Minnesota winters combined with heat from use will cause havoc on a computer. I can't imagine it lasting forever, and I'm not expecting it to. I'd just assume a limited lifespan.

[shemihazazel]

The worst computer crash I ever witnessed occurred in college, when my friend's PC fan broke up in such a high spin that it shot off a ball bearing that ricocheted from board to board inside the chassis. At the time, I laughed my ass off. So I'm sure there's some karmic payback coming in the future.

Machines break down. Societies fall apart. People die. All things tend toward their ruin. Life.

[Jack Napalm]

I had one them tube amps that people seem love blow up on me after a year just before we were to go on. Getting replacement parts for it was a pain in the ass. My AxeFX Standard is still going strong after 2 1/2 years. Shit breaks, have a backup plan, enjoy the gear while you have it.

[ventura]

Dunno guys... the whole "keep it clean and it will last forever" seems a bit wishy-washy to me.

Constant on-the-road gigging in Minnesota winters combined with heat from use will cause havoc on a computer. I can't imagine it lasting forever, and I'm not expecting it to. I'd just assume a limited lifespan.

The most damage to occur to a PCB and its components is when the system is turned "on". This process basically blasts static components with current and voltage, and is typically considered to be the most fatiguing process in the world of computers and related periphery. Outside of this, the usual suspects such as surges (albeit most surges are managed by the internal power supply, a little known fact) and "brown outs", which is when power grids in districts don't supply a clean 120V but can at times even go as low as 98V without any of us the wiser - these brown outs are actually more damaging to circuitry than the often feared and always discussed "surge". So, that said, use a power conditioner with UPS capabilities and the electrical wear on your Axe will at least be taken care of.

Outside of the above, technical obsolescence will be the determining factor to the life expectancy and longevity of the Axe-II. As much as we're in ground breaking territory right now, there will always be better and faster. Always.

V.

[ventura]

All things tend toward their ruin.

Entropy.

V.

[barhrecords]

A good guess would be the mean time between failure of a high-end computer motherboard.

[wezzley]

with the pace this is going, chances are we'll be using the afx3/4/n before the afx2 all start breaking down.

[Scott Peterson]

Dunno guys... the whole "keep it clean and it will last forever" seems a bit wishy-washy to me.

Constant on-the-road gigging in Minnesota winters combined with heat from use will cause havoc on a computer. I can't imagine it lasting forever, and I'm not expecting it to. I'd just assume a limited lifespan.

Hard drives are the most frequent cause of 'havoc' on a computer. The Axe-FX doesn't have hard drives.

I've been gigging Fractal gear for well over 5 years in Michigan's winters and pounding on it further with beta testing and stress tests trying to bust the thing. All of it has held up. In beta testing; I've borked units, but they've all been recoverable. Even the stuff that has borked and been bricked has held up since it was unborked.

Just ancedotal of course, but I have a Rocktron preamp dating to the early 90's and it's still kicking.

Anything can bust and everything eventually will. But if you treat gear built to the pro specs of the Axe-FX well, it just might outlive you. That's no kidding.