guitarmike
Experienced
Just like that plexi I purchased in 68....?
The life cycle of products in this industry is far longer than, say, cell phones and tablet computers.
Gee, I sure hope not. Perceived value of the current models will plummet. I think a floor model would be excellent, but which corners could be cut in order to make it 'lower priced' and still retain its depth? If anything an all in one floor model could be cheaper than the MFC and AXE II combined, but still at least be as retail priced as the AXE II. Anything 'cheaper' will have to be cheaper. That image will be blanketed on all Fractal products. Obviously sales are what keep a company in business, though seeing the Kemper as an example discounted on multiple big box stores feels cheap to me. Perception is important. I can imagine Fractal wanting to sell more units, but I can't imagine a company like Fractal wanting to make 30-40% less per unit sold simply to expand the business. If these had been designed to be sold 'retail' to begin with, that would be something else perhaps. Just an opinion. Cheers.
Do you think that may change?
When I think about it I fear that truth may eventually change, mostly because of your work... that is, you've created a product so advanced and so capable that many other modellers/effects processors have been left behind by generations. These companies certainly aren't going to accept defeat forever, at some point in time they will at least attempt to step up their game and provide the market with a device similar to that of your own.
Using cell phones as an example is a perfect analogy, for years the technology was stagnant enough to simply not justify constant model revision... times changed, technology changed, soon enough every major player felt a need to provide their consumer base the latest and greatest as fast as possible, for fear of losing that customer to the competitor.
Will that happen here? With guitar effects processors? I wonder.
Any piece of modern technology purchased today will eventually become a poor economic decision. These devices, while incredibly valuable now, and capable of providing to you a franchise of tonal variety will absolutely be rendered substandard by the devices sold tomorrow.
The question must be, would you enjoy the ownership of an Axe FX II right now? And would you enjoy that enough to justify the money spent?
In 10 years you will not be using the Axe FX II, you will instead be using the Axe FX V, or some other newer version product made by one of an endless amount of other companies.
I see what you're saying, but the AxeFX 2 in 10 years will still sound as awesome as it does today. Next to a tube amp today, it still sounds awesome. Once you get "there" as far as realism, there's no getting "more" realistic than the modeled tube amp.
Compared to Apple, which is a publicly-traded company, would probably see its stock hit hard if it was to one year say, "You know, our current iPhones and iPads are good enough. We won't release a new model this year". Fractal will release a new AxeFX when it makes sense to do so, not to fill some arbitrary yearly requirement. The benefit is that when a new one is released, it will be a true generational leap and not just an incremental improvement.
So, I'm already so happy with my AxeFX 2 that it could be the center of my guitar rig for a lifetime. Any future advances are just icing on the cake. I'm intrigued at what Fractal might come up with next to sway me to upgrade.
The original AxeFX tech (counting the Standard and Ultra as the same basic platform) had a shelf life of 5 years. The 2 just hit its 2nd year. I don't think you'll have to worry about it being superseded in the near future.
Oh absolutely, I agree that the Axe FX II will sound just as great in ten years as it does today, but here's the difference... GAS is not driven by logical conclusion.
No matter how good something is, something better will always come along. When it does, all of a sudden what you have simply isn't good enough any more.
But I recognize when the next big thing comes along, the FX II will be left behind. That's just how things work.
I have never found this true of working or touring professionals, myself included. There is major time investment in acquiring the right gear and real-time major upside to developing a stable rig. While some new technology may be exciting I have found that short-term need / GAS satisfaction is generally reserved for the hobbyist or the person still searching a magic bullet or to keep up with the jones. Certainly professional musicians embrace technology, but never at the cost of their stability. I have found many AXE FX users to fall into this category. Cheers.
Oh absolutely, I agree that the Axe FX II will sound just as great in ten years as it does today, but here's the difference... GAS is not driven by logical conclusion.
No matter how good something is, something better will always come along. When it does, all of a sudden what you have simply isn't good enough any more.
The internet drives this concept quicker than any other format I've seen in my lifetime. It's beyond a need, it's a must. The concept that all of a sudden the Axe FX Ultra isn't "good enough" any more now that the Axe FX II is available. Even though many people were able to achieve tone from the Ultra that had them saying "I can't imagine ever needing anything else."
I love the Axe FX products, including the II. But I recognize when the next big thing comes along, the FX II will be left behind. That's just how things work.
You are comparing guitar players with greedy tech nonsense consumers... When there are still a vast mayority loving tube amps
Please play and share your music
I have never found this true of working or touring professionals, myself included. There is major time investment in acquiring the right gear and real-time major upside to developing a stable rig. While some new technology may be exciting I have found that short-term need / GAS satisfaction is generally reserved for the hobbyist or the person still searching a magic bullet or to keep up with the jones. Certainly professional musicians embrace technology, but never at the cost of their stability. I have found many AXE FX users to fall into this category. Cheers.
Know what the Axe II replaced for me? a Digitech 2101 and a Triaxis. I had that old rig for an awfully long time. Finally something came along that sounded better by a big enough margin to make me upgrade. Same with keyboards - my Korg Triton is more than ten years old and still sounds freaking great. Do I lust after cool new gear that comes out? You betcha! Can I make awesome sounds with what I have now? Abso-ma-lutely!
Seriously, the Axe II already feels like something sent back from twenty years in the future. If I never had another guitar processor I would still be all set.