lqdsnddist
Axe-Master
I find particularly weird the "feel" argument. I own a JVM410, a YJM100, a JCM800 from the eighties and a JMP1, and none feels the same than the others so how can those analog connoisseurs argue what any given amp "feels" like without intensively trying it? even in multichannel amps like the JVM Crunch Channel does not "feel" like Clean Green or OD1, many of these discussions are totally out of point IMHO, and a lot of people is buying snake oil when purchasing analog and/or boutique stuff.
Tone wise I think we have reached a point of no return with the Axe Fx III, the only one I know. I own a LB2 as well and after receiving the Axe FX used it to compare amps with sims, don't do it anymore, the Axe Fx stuff is just impressive and delivers me everything I need just by turning on the unit and at the same cost, if not cheaper, than a more limited set of "real thing" gear.
"feel" is kind of an internet guitar forum buzzword of the past few years. I also belong to photographer forums and terms like "drawing style" and "character" of a lens suddenly have gotten really popular too. Same thing as "mouth feel" etc in wine circles...
It's really all just talk to stroke one's ego more than anything, IMO. Sure lots of people play guitar, but I'm such an advanced guitar player I can perceive these little differences in "feel" between amps, because each note I hit is simply more important than the note a lesser guitarist plays...
I spouted off with the same BS on golf club forums in my younger days. I bought a set of forged irons, really hard to hit and unforgiving compared to most clubs targeted more towards weekend golfers, but while I sucked and barely broke 100, I was into the hobby hardcore, so naturally I needed the "best" clubs, wore the fancy logo polo's etc. Waxed poet on forums about how my clubs had a sweet feel and workability that "game improvement" clubs couldn't match. It was me being a dick basically, and trying to show how I was better than someone else, because of my purchase choice.
In reality, the clubs were fine and good, but because I kind of sucked as a golfer, I had so many mis-hits that I didn't get any "feel". Instead of got stingers, and lost a lot of balls. I'd probably been better to get clubs targeted to my skill level, and enjoyed playing more, but... then how would I talk the talk on the internet right ?
Same old thing plays out with guitar players. Guys who can't really play that well buy up fancy equipment, sit around hitting the "perfect" note in their living rooms, and talking about it on gear forums. If you can play, you can play. You can sound great on most any amp. If you can't play, well, you can spend a lot of time getting good, OR, you can simply buy yet another amp, maybe even a pricier amp, and sit around trying to make that perfect note, with "feel".
I don't know how we even 'enjoyed' our hobbies before the internet got popular.... There was nothing to do but play your guitar, ride your bike, take pictures etc. Now we can buy a fancy road bicycle, hang in on the wall, and spend our time talking about riding, or golf, or guitars etc.
Fun stuff