Axe FX Standard / Ultra in 2025 - against FM3?

[Deichgitarren]

Hi there

At the moment i use a FM3 for Recording and playing Jam sessions.
I don´t really like to unplug the unit all the time and think about getting a older Axe FX for recording only.

How do they compare tone- and feel wise to the FM3?
I am just not shure if this would make sense, allthough the prices for the older Units really got cheap here in germany..

Kind regards,
Christian

 

[pauly]

Hi Cristian,

I wouldn’t be happy. For the few dollars you may save, you may as well get another FM3.
Thanks
Pauly

Hi there

At the moment i use a FM3 for Recording and playing Jam sessions.
I don´t really like to unplug the unit all the time and think about getting a older Axe FX for recording only.

How do they compare tone- and feel wise to the FM3?
I am just not shure if this would make sense, allthough the prices for the older Units really got cheap here in germany..

Kind regards,
Christian

 

[Chris Hurley]

I recently had an Ultra along with an Axe-FX III. As a modeler, I think it is much harder to dial in the Ultra. There are great tones in there but it doesn't dial up easily just like a real amp in my experience. As a preamp into an FX return of a tube amp, I found some of the models with power amp sim off were quite useful.

For effects, the Ultra is still quite capable. I was using one for that until someone showed up locally that wanted it more than I did. It is easier to dial up newer units but the Ultra still has lots of horsepower. Since it was a single CPU, using it for effects only and not amp blocks means you can build a lot of effects.

I've seen Ultra's around $400 USD. I would have a hard time not buying one if it was under that, just to use for odd duties that might come up.

Used FM3 tends to be $800 USD +/-. That is a significant difference but for amp modelling, I can't imagine that you wouldn't be happier on the FM3. Everything is faster and easier. You can't run as many blocks as you can on the Ultra but the blocks in the AxeFX2 and later are much more fully featured.

For tone and feel: FM3 all day and weekends too.
For an FX processor with an Amp or something: Ultra is pretty compelling if you can get it cheap.