Well Luke, you are right in that Cliff has built up a fan base. I think there is good reason for that though. I have seen that every firmware release that has come out since I've been around here elicits a "we have just found the holy grail" type of hysteria. I mean, I remember when 15 hit and everyone lost their minds that it could not get more real, and then 16 came out. When 17 was published, it was "impossible to imagine better tone that this"... and then...
From 14.x to 16.x, I found some difference, but it was never highly really significant for me. It was more the added features and little improvements that I really liked. Each FW did get better, but in small increments. Since the beginning I have thought the tones were great, particularly for recording. BUT... my LIVE sound took a really nice leap forward for me with this FW. It IS now more real-amp like to me. Not that it wasn't amp like before, but it was still
somewhat digital. I could tell. Maybe not in headphones, or even alone with my CLRs, but in a live mix with my band I could tell it wasn't the same as my amps. Maybe though, I just wasn't really good at dialing in my tone. Maybe I listen closer than I used to. I don't know.
Either way, I sound better now. I still have some room to improve (and always will I think) and I don't think I have THE tone I dream of yet, but I am getting much closer. 18 made it easier and faster right out of the gate. The growl, the pick response, volume knob response... all much better. G3 is a different beast to me than the typical FW update. This one really was a big step forward IMHO. I can now get my CLR's to sound like my MarkV combo side by side in a band mix, (although I don't really use that model... I'm a converted Plexi guy now). Love 18, and my confidence in this black box has grown.
I think when I first got my AXE (might have been around 12 or 13, not sure) I was super excited, and "drank the punch" Then... over time at band rehearsals I had days where I missed my amp. I got a few comments about my spaceship guitar rig from band mates, and I didn't always get that raw sound that I was craving for pop or a more classic guitar tone. For 80's or metal, it was always great, but it lacked that real vintage Marshall growl, or sparkly/chimey thing I was craving. I actually was starting to consider going back to an amp for a while (not that long ago, although I kept that shit to myself around here!
.) The FX, and the power of routing, switching, clarity, and an all in 1 solution were the draw more than the actual tone. (not that it wasn't really good... it was just a little bit "not all the way there" for me still)
Now... I am happy. I feel like I can and will achieve THE tone, plus all the aforementioned stuff too. I still need time and dialing, but I think I keep my perspective pretty real. I can be a fan of Fractal and of Cliff and still keep my critical ear, an open mind and be honest about things. 18 is pretty legit
