Rich G.
Experienced
Many years ago I started out on a tonequest. I went through a lot of gear both tube and non tube. Some of the rigs I was happy with consisted of Mesa 50/50, Mesa 2:100 and VHT 2:50:2 power amps, Triaxis and Randall RM4 preamps, and Lexicon MPX-1, TC G-Force and Boss GT-6 for effects. For cabs I was using G-Flex 2x12's with V30's. I liked the sound I was getting, but was always eager to try out new stuff... so I got an Ultra.
When I compared apples to apples by mic'ing up my favorite rig with my mic of choice (Sennheiser 906's) and sent that to FOH vs. the Axe-FX direct to FOH, I preferred the Axe-FX. The Axe just seemed to have more of everything I wanted in a FOH sound.
The only drawback was my stage sound. Since I no longer had an amp behind me, I was missing that amp in the room sound. It took a good 6 months to get used to hearing myself in the monitors only... and to give up that feeling of being kicked in the back by a 4x12 when playing staccato chords.
When other guitar players come to see me they comment that it sounds great when they're about 10' back from the stage, but when they get closer they want to hear my amp... but it's not there.
So... if you're playing venues where your amp is off stage and already rely heavily on the monitors to hear yourself then the Axe will be a great improvement.
If you're playing smaller venues and count on hearing your sound as it comes from a 4x12, then there will be an adjustment period... And if you think you're torn now between staying with your TSL or going with an Axe-FX... just wait until you get the Axe and start exploring the possibilities within that box.
When I compared apples to apples by mic'ing up my favorite rig with my mic of choice (Sennheiser 906's) and sent that to FOH vs. the Axe-FX direct to FOH, I preferred the Axe-FX. The Axe just seemed to have more of everything I wanted in a FOH sound.
The only drawback was my stage sound. Since I no longer had an amp behind me, I was missing that amp in the room sound. It took a good 6 months to get used to hearing myself in the monitors only... and to give up that feeling of being kicked in the back by a 4x12 when playing staccato chords.
When other guitar players come to see me they comment that it sounds great when they're about 10' back from the stage, but when they get closer they want to hear my amp... but it's not there.
So... if you're playing venues where your amp is off stage and already rely heavily on the monitors to hear yourself then the Axe will be a great improvement.
If you're playing smaller venues and count on hearing your sound as it comes from a 4x12, then there will be an adjustment period... And if you think you're torn now between staying with your TSL or going with an Axe-FX... just wait until you get the Axe and start exploring the possibilities within that box.