Used vs New (with warranty)

[Bird]

Looking at my options of used vs new and it looks like I could save $500 to $800 on and FM9 or a AxeFx III respectively. The problem is no warranty and shipping from Canada would be pricey on top of repair costs. That said the current exchange rate ($800+) is what makes the used market so appealing right now. Have the units been solid enough that it's worth the risk? Thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Sixstring]

Thats what makes the FAS products so good and hold their value! I have had several used Axe FX over the years and have only had one issue with an FM 3 which was fixed with FAS sending me a new one (out of Warranty might I add) at minimal cost.

If used is what you can afford right now I say find the best deal you can and get it!

 

[Bird]

Thats what makes the FAS products so good and hold their value! I have had several used Axe FX over the years and have only had one issue with an FM 3 which was fixed with FAS sending me a new one (out of Warranty might I add) at minimal cost.

If used is what you can afford right now I say find the best deal you can and get it!

Right now if I go used I can get an AxeFx III used for what it would cost me to get the current deal on a new FM9 with a Pedal.

 

[Sixstring]

Right now if I go used I can get an AxeFx III used for what it would cost me to get the current deal on a new FM9 with a Pedal.

That's a tough one If you need the CPU to build complex presets then get the Axe FX otherwise I would be all over the FM9! Also don't forget the FC for the Axe that will add to your cost unless it's being thrown in with that deal.

 

[Bird]

That's a tough one If you need the CPU to build complex presets then get the Axe FX otherwise I would be all over the FM9! Also don't forget the FC for the Axe that will add to your cost unless it being thrown in with that deal.

There is a used FM9 for about $600 less than buying new as well. Problems where the units have to be sent in seem to be rare. It's just the risk of buying with no warranty.

 

[Budda]

Decide what you want and what you’re willing to pay. Thats really all there is to it.

 

[unix-guy]

Buying used (almost anything) always has some risk.

Almost certainly you won't know the seller, how they treat their gear, if the unit has any known issues, etc.

The benefit is cost savings.

Depending on your use case, I'd probably recommend a new FM9 Turbo as a solid middle ground which gives you the 1 year warranty (or optional 3 year for additional cost).

 

[Sixstring]

What kind of music are you into playing? If it's just basic Classic rock, rock or metal the FM9 will be more than enough to cover pretty much all of that with plenty of effects on tap! If your into ethereal or atmospheric type sounds the Axe FX will be better suited.

Again if you are worried about a Warranty buy the new FM9 and an EV pedal and have that piece of mind.

 

[rzjd]

Right now if I go used I can get an AxeFx III used for what it would cost me to get the current deal on a new FM9 with a Pedal.

Imo not likely
A new fm9 across the border with taxes and conversion is 3k cad.
A used axe3 on the Canadian market is 3k+ but that doesn't include the floor controller
I am talking the axe3 mk2
Ymmv

 

[unix-guy]

What kind of music are you into playing? If it's just basic Classic rock, rock or metal the FM9 will be more than enough to cover pretty much all of that with plenty of effects on tap! If your into ethereal or atmospheric type sounds the Axe FX will be better suited.

That depends.

Remember that Reverbs and (normal) Delays run on a dedicated core on the FM9.

You can run 2 Ultra High Quality Reverb blocks for "free" on the FM9 that would consume copious CPU on the Axe Fx.

The MultiTap delay can take a lot of CPU on the FM9.

 

[Greg Ferguson]

Buying used (almost anything) always has some risk.

Almost certainly you won't know the seller, how they treat their gear, if the unit has any known issues, etc.

The benefit is cost savings.

Depending on your use case, I'd probably recommend a new FM9 Turbo as a solid middle ground which gives you the 1 year warranty (or optional 3 year for additional cost).

That's a tough one If you need the CPU to build complex presets then get the Axe FX otherwise I would be all over the FM9! Also don't forget the FC for the Axe that will add to your cost unless it's being thrown in with that deal.

^THESE^

The FM9 is a beast. It’s capable of handling some powerful presets and already has a 9-switch FC built in, and is more portable.

 

[Dave Moore]

A used FM9 MK2 is going for about the same as a used AXEFX 3 MK1 on reverb right now so the difference is really the foot controller for the axe. Having had both I think the axefx is a better bargain at that price. Both are awesome but I think having the brains of your system back with the amps is safer than up front where beer is spilling. I would buy used and just repair if you have issues. If money is the biggest concern they are very reliable devices or at least mine have been.

 

[sprint]

Tough call - I feel for you being Canadian also as I look with horror at where the loonie stands right now against US$ - treating my Axfx with kit gloves.

Every personal circumstance is different, but for me, used is not attractive on hi$ items if the used price is not at least 25+% below new - too many unknowns for me to be comfortable. Having said that, when I buy new anything, I never opt for extended warranties (ahead by miles on that despite getting burned the odd time) - Belng a basement hacker who takes good care of guitar gear, extended warrenties would rarely pay off in my case.

 

[LucasLeCompte]

IF you really want a warranty then buy them new and get the extended warranty.

 

[touch33]

Many (most?) AFX3’s spend their lives in an equipment rack, whereas the FM’s are by design “floor boxes” with the physical use/abuse of a “stomp”.

All that said, EVERY piece of FAS gear is built like the proverbial “Brick ShitHouse”, which makes buying used a far more palatable exercise than most other gear… just do your normal purchasing homework to determine previous owner’s “Care Factor”.

 

[sprint]

Related note: Axfx3 mkII is selling $100US cheaper today than when i bought my mkI in Aug 2018, so even with the change in US$ cost ($1.3C then, $1.4C now) + adjusting for inflation ($1.21C now, to buy $1C of 2018 goods according to BofC), Axfx3-mk2's current selling price is effectively about $400C(2024$) cheaper than my mk1 bought in 2018 -Fractal has
obviously worked to keep the cost level amid inflationary pressure.

 

[unix-guy]

Related note: Axfx3 mkII is selling $100US cheaper today than when i bought my mkI in Aug 2018, so even with the change in US$ cost ($1.3C then, $1.4C now) + adusting for inflation ($1.21C now, to buy $1C of 2018 goods according to BofC), Axfx3-mk2's current selling price is effectively about $400C(2024$) cheaper than my mk1 bought in 2018 -Fractal has
obviously worked to keep the cost level amid inflationary pressure.

Including the current $100 off sale price?

Either way, I've been impressed by their ability to do that over the years.

 

[paranoid]

Don't get hung up on the warranty, I have owned multiple fractal products stating with the ultra, I still have an mfc III, axII, axII Xl, 2 Ax8, fm3, 3 exp pedals, none of them have needed any repairs while under warranty or repairs to date. Buy the one you want, not the one you can buy at the moment. Better to be happy then to wish you were.

 

[sprint]

Including the current $100 off sale price?

yes

Either way, I've been impressed by their ability to do that over the years

definitely - audio/guitar gear around here has gone up up up over the last 5y. Fractal has somehow absorbed the difference thru efficiencies or whatever - still a hefty investment for many including me when I need to upgrade, but has remained a possibility unlike other items on my bucket list.

 

[pauly]

Hi Bird,
You’ve nailed it. It’s all about risk. Fractal products (in my experience) are very reliable, however they are electronic devices which do fail from time to time. Because of my personal experience, I’d happily buy a second hand fractal device that was in excellent cosmetic condition (indicating it had not been abused). Having said that, I would the. Assume the risk that it could fail at any moment, with no recourse.
So … up to you really. I prefer new, but second hand can be very tempting if the price is right!

Thanks
Pauly

Looking at my options of used vs new and it looks like I could same $500 to $800 on and FM9 or a AxeFx III respectively. The problem is no warranty and shipping from Canada would be pricey on top of repair costs. That said the current exchange rate ($800+) is what makes the used market so appealing right now. Have the units been solid enough that it's worth the risk? Thoughts? Thanks.