Hi,
First time I saw the words "axe" and "fx" together, was I think back in 2011.
The axeman of one of my fav. bands (Circus Maximus - Prog. Metal from Norway) named Mats Haugen posted a facebook status saying "working on the new album, axe-fx is the next big thing"
A little research showed indications of a device that can do anything soundwise.. And seeing that it was preferred over real amps in professional recordings made a place for it in my mind..
Back then I think it was the AFX Standard or maybe Ultra..
With Axe-Fx II, things got better and better..
I made my purchase in July 2014, but by that time I was already following the forums and the web site on a near-to-regular basis.
I think the forum is the most effective advertisement for Fractal, because it's like a bunch of crazy guitarists who can't stop talking about a miracle device..
So that was it.. I had to have it! But should I spend all my money on it?
Well I live in Turkey and it's like 1.5 times the US price here..
But last year I visited the US, and while there, I happened to coincide with the 4th of July discount.
Only $100 less than the regular price but that $100 was what made me pull the trigger. Suddenly I thought, well if I don't like it I can sell it in Turkey for a very good price..
Now it's been more than a year and hey! I'm working on my debut album..
The "album" which would most probably stay at #1 on my bucket list until the end of my life, is now happening..
I'm playing for hours and recording new ideas everyday and actually creating music, all in my home studio and none of this would happen if I had not pulled the trigger.
So I feel very similar to the OP. It brought guitar back into my life..
Last thing; I wish I had it 15-16 years ago when I gigged every weekend with one band and recorded with another band.
P.S. I own a Pod HD500, like many forum members. I say, let's not trash Line6 so easily. I mean, yes, they're nowhere close to Fractal but we all bought those pods thinking they could do it at a lower price. At the end, they made us understand that unless we got that "more expensive" device, we wouldn't be satisfied. So thank you Line6 for being a step for all of us and many future AFX owners..
... And they are also great foot controllers for the AFX