Is It Worth Going Fully Digital and DITCHING Your Amps in 2025?

[@LA.Guitar]

Katana was my favourite. Sounded like it had more sustain and you weren’t battling with it

[@somedude1901]

I live and play in Nashville. Almost all professional guitar players use analog boards (midi programmed) + Kemper/Quad Cortex live for touring for obvious reasons. There are certainly some exceptions (I know a few in Nashville that will never go digital), but mostly, for consistency, efficiency and cost, modelers are the best route.

[@outlawfrank88]

Give this guy reward for the amount of videos uploaded in one day

[@Johnny-oy9fh]

Nobody does care what your playing through. It's all about the songs

[@BOSSenjoyer]

Might as well play an iPad or minikey MIDI controller hooked to an iPhone. It makes things so much easier and nobody can tell the difference.

[@Boris_Chang]

Absolutely agree. If one is doing a recording, maybe tonal perfection is somewhat justified, but playing live gigs-whether a high school prom or a stadium gig-no attendee really cares about tonal purity. They’re there for the storytelling, to support their favorite artists, for the energy of a live performance.

[@RandyCraig-e3c]

Amen

[@raygehring]

The audience just wants to hear a song, just like any of us when we go to a show. As musicians, we are there to serve the song & the song doesn’t care what we’re playing through.

[@michaelschneider7590]

The folks at your gigs are SO lucky!

[@Guitar_jd-w8x]

I have two rigs. Sold my Fender FR12. 1) Fractal FM9 into a Quilter Amp rig....and 2) a smallish, "creative" (Chase Bliss, Meris) pedal board into the Quilter amp rig. I have far more focus on improving my playing now that I'm not constantly "chasing tone" via the pedal of the month.

[@jimicunningable]

..are you telling me I can work on MUSIC instead of my gear collection?!?!? ..I'm not sure I understand you.

[@Guitar_jd-w8x]

@@jimicunningable lmao

[@ChrisIlett]

I've just gone fully digital, but I'm solo so it's easy. Any more than a 3-piece band I'd probably want an amp/FRFR with me. Side note - I've never been so happy with my guitar sound and feel the need to tell everyone about it.

[@picksalot1]

If you can't get great tones out of moderately priced gear these days, the gear is not the problem. If you can't deliver an inspired performance unless everything is "perfect," you're not a Pro. Your job on a gig is to deliver an entertaining experience, no matter what. Listen to old Blues recordings. It's clear they were not playing on the best gear, but many of those recordings are iconic because they knew how to "bring it," despite less than ideal gear and circumstances - Something worth aspiring to and working towards.

[@WTC_2U]

Tried both, own both, all Line 6 on the digital side. Never able to bond with the modeling stuff. Sounds great in a recording environment, but I have yet to hear a sound I really like when modeling through a PA. Am NOT an amp snob, but I just like the sound and feel so much more than the digital stuff in a gig environment.

[@joeleade7622]

Play what you enjoy....I switch back and forth between digital and analog, only other musicians in the audience will notice or be curious about your rig

[@NickGranville]

I’ve switched to the dark side for a few years now. I still use amps for the occasional important session, but even then, not often. I don’t think people care what you play through, they just care if it’s good or not. I choose gear really for my own satisfaction and take my tone seriously. I do use FRFR’s live, and play loud when needed.

[@cliverkay]

I find/found that the audience didn't care ! But it is what inspires you and for me an amp always wins. Digital is easiest to transport and set up but hearing an amp into a cab does that something extra ..Cant put my finger on it , but it does..

[@ThePlanarchist]

Yes, if you already have an amp (or even amps) I wouldn't ditch it but rather go digital as well bit by bit. Wish I'd had an amp on stage last night, FOH sounded fine I believe but the on stage monitoring went to sh1t somewhere between sound check and playing my pretty short set....really struggling on some songs. (HX Stomp based mini pedal board). Double annoyingly I had my Roland Jazz Chorus amp in the car......

[@Metalhead0283]

Hx effects and a nano cortex, perfect

[@Sparksnorthern]

Heeeeeeck no. I have a dsl40cr adjacent to my Helix which goes into monitors. There's a totally different feel and approach for each; I love both. For a gigging musician, different story. I'd just go with whatever the house wants and wouldn't complain. Would be cool to walk into a club with a guitar and helix and be ready, imo, but it would always be fun to go into a tube amp live as well.

[@kevinedwards2067]

If u are home recorder than digital make sense, if u live in apartment go digital! Pure tone purist would always say amps. In the case of fans most won't know the difference? If u want to put up with amp, wires, cables, pedals than just go digital! It possible to go with a Fender Twin with five six boutique pedals and effects pedal and have most sounds that u can ever need? Do what's best for you sound-wise, prices, portability and then just go with what's works the best!

[@alexdenton6586]

Can’t wait for the new amp X from Bluguitar

[@illgottengains1314]

I’ve started using 2 Everse8 PA speakers. Lightweight, small, battery, absolutely awesome sound.

[@DaveMacara89]

For "convenience" i.e. showing up, plug in the helix and play it's amazing what the digital systems can do. I even had remarks about how good the Pod HD (Kidney Bean) sounded going direct when I used it. However for playing at home I really miss having a proper tube amp, and hearing Amp + Speaker + Room. The amp. sim. is getting really good now, but playing with Cab Sim + Headphones or Cab Sim + FRFR just isn't as fun as playing a proper guitar speaker. I used to cope hard and say "DSP is just as good now" but the truth is the amp and speaker working together is as much a part of our instrument as the strings or pickups or anything else.

[@edmundleung2098]

I cannot imagine the sound of Mark Speer or Jack White if they only have digital domain to work with. Tube amps have a certain instant charisma in them just by plugging it it. If it needs to be louder, stick a SM 57 in front of it. Digital is like, ok, it sounded perfectly like an expensive recording that the crowd would go " wow, that sounds real good". Bit 15 minutes into the set, it lose its charm. I think there is a scientific explanation for this. It might all boils down to interaction of basic concepts like dynamic range and frequency response.

[@musicsurfandrats]

I have bought everything under the sun, and I still do, but ta the end of the day I admit to myself that I like to use the mooer 250 on its own the most. Turn it on play, hit some switches, tuner , volume pedal. turn it of and be done. I just always come back to it because it is tiny, reliable and really good sounding. I get compliments on the tone everywhere we go. So if i still buy stuff and try it is because there is a lot of stuff out there that is nice, but compactness , reliability and simplicity is key for me

[@johnnylayton1672]

IMHO the last hindrance to going full digital is the drummer not falling in line also -- i.e., it's gonna be obnoxiously loud anyway thanks to the acoustic drumkit so why not drag a 50W guitar amp into the spectacle as well eff the singers desperately trying to hear themselves also?

[@zoomzoom3950]

I use my big tube amps at home, and I play them loud and wear hearing protection. I have several, mostly 100W, two 180W; and a couple 50W and 40W. I have digital modelers (Helix Floor, FM9 MkII Turbo) too, into a pair of powered PA cabs, but I play my computer guitar rig more than anything else. I like the sounds I'm getting out of software plugins, and much easier to dial in. I have a portable laptop rig that fits in a backpack; I can use in-ears, or connect it to my pair of powered PA cabs set-up like floor monitors

[@majorpentatonic2310]

I think you need both, IMHO. Digital for convenience and analogue just for the hell of it. Actually, I don't think there is such a thing as a pure analogue rig these days. After all, a bucket brigade delay pedal is essentially digital as it "samples" the line signal without using an ADC.

[@joemiller9856]

Several thoughts John / all - having an amp on stage to provide you the feel and inspiration is one thing but your guitar sound in the house and mix is totally different. Each should be optimized for what they are. These days managing stage volume is a thing for sure! In general the FOH should be mixed brighter to cut through the mix. This kind of mix on stage would kill inspiration. So I would think of them as separate domains. It’s definitely a challenge because some venues are a nightmare acoustically and or the FOH mix is being run by someone who may not be up to it. I play a lot in church which means no amount of on stage and I am completely working off in ear monitoring. I can dial things in great only to find out later that all my hard work of preparation is lost due to nearly non existent levels in the FOH. Wireless guitar connection helps here during sound check as I can walk into the room and work with the sound guy to get my levels and eq dialed in.

[@Fiftyshadesofslaybells]

Unless you’re playing theatres upwards where you’re 100% through the PA you need a cab on stage pushing some air. Never understood the drive for low stage volume when there’s an acoustic drum kit to compete with. Doesn’t matter what you use but get some guitar coming out from the stage as well as the PA and you’ll sound good.

[@peterjessop1878]

Yeah I agree on stage volume is vital whatever you use.

[@asianaxeman]

The amps definitely sounded the best, I liked the dirty Shirley clone.l the most.

[@mervynsmith4308]

5:20 - nice line

[@filip5150]

One thing is something you mentioned. You need to find inspiration on stage whatever the circumstance is. People don’t care what you are using but you should care how to have a consistent inspiration to go through every gig with good results. So far all my silent stage solutions I went through are sucking out all my inspiration during these gigs. I used pedalboard and amp in box, I used Helix, I used amp with load box and IR but every time the mix in the ears was so bad. Even tweaking didn’t help it that the guitar was so one dimensional and it sucked out my enjoyment. I only played the parts. Even with in ears the best was always was to have the amp miced for me. But I get Quad cortex and other tools as they are super convenient when you are a sideman in several projects, wedding bands etc

[@RandyCraig-e3c]

Algorithms improve, unless one is deadset on using amps, many guitar players who play gigs like yours will gravitate. Because in the end, it is what the audience hears and experiences. Some times we get a little to analytical with tone chasing. Keep your live rig simple. An HX Stomp saves form factor and is powerful.

[@darrenlivy]

I'm a weekend warrior and went fully digital when I got my Helix back in January 2016. I was using the HD500X and DT25 previous to that, which I still have, but it's been gathering dust since.

[@wayneavanson]

Yes indeed. Three more gigs to go this year, one tonight in fact. I ditched my Katanas in favour of a line6 POD Go, just to dip my toe in the world of digital and now have just switched to the HeadrusH Prime and using a HeadrusH FR108 as an onstage monitor (on a speaker stand to focus it at head height. First gig using the Prime tonight so we'll see how much of a struggle it is to use, or how awesome it is.

[@alanparkinson4568]

Whatever works in the context you find yourself in but personally, no, I will always use an amp where possible. I’ve even resorted to having an amp head onstage and running a 20m speaker cable to a cab with a mic on it to a room behind or under the stage.

[@benc7115]

I had an old tube combo amp sitting around for years and I couldnt figure out what to do with it since I have a few digital amp platforms. I needed an amp for a small church event and I didnt want to reconfigure my effects to blend with the amp. So, I ended up switching the speaker in my amp for a celestion f12-x200, which is designed to work as a regular speaker and with IRs from modelers. I plugged the output of my board into the fx loop return of my amp, and I was able to play without changing my pedalboard. I got to use my digital amp with a little tube warmth without altering my tone.

[@peterjessop1878]

At present with a digital rig my on stage monitor is a EV 1000 watt PA speaker placed as a wedge in front of me. Still moving air, but I only I and the band can hear it and still loud enough to create natural feedback. I would hate to use in ears live though, stage volume for me is part of the inspiration.

[@TJEvans98]

completely depends on your situation I would guess. I'm a church worship leader, on a silent stage. I only own 2 amplifiers at the moment, a Behringer acoustic amp, for when I need to play my acoustic somewhere else but at church, and a Positive Grid Spark 40, for when I need to be amped, but not loud (background music at parties, etc.) I do all of my "setting up," on my Headrush Core and PaintAudio CE1 with headphones...I really have no use for a true amp setup. My only issue is...with the modelers, I honestly have no idea what the genuine sound is supposed to be....since I don't own any amps that I use models of...

[@deanbibb3680]

I’m fully digital with Helix and PowerCab 112’s, usually only one PowerCab. I even use the JTV Variax guitars. I haven’t looked back since. The PowerCabs replaced a pair of 412’s and a power amp. I haven’t carried tube heads in about five years now.

[@mikeblue385]

no. they're trying to kill music. don't give in. to hell with the whiners. i play for me. why should i spend thousands on digital crap and stick speakers in my ear holes. it's stupid.

[@thunderbirdcalls]

I liked the Katana, but the tube amps seem to bring out the best in your playing. The Catalyst really surprised me in that I didn't even hate it. I have a couple of rigs. The most digital one still has the tube Kraken preamp into a Quilter 45-watt solid-state power-amp. I haven't had a real spring reverb since 2009 when I got rid of my Princeton 65-watt solid state amp (a regret I have to this day as it was a great pedal platform and had that Fender charm). However, I'm looking at getting a Gen 3 Katana of some kind in the future. They really are light weight amp magic, and I got rid of my Mk2 within 2 weeks of buying it. My pedals are a mix of analog and digital pedals. You really ought to try out the double stomps by NUX, and some of the more budget EHX pedals. Thanks for everything you do!

[@iamstan_rimp]

I saw a video where these two guy recently compared the Joyo American Sound to Tonex and you could barely hear the difference. $30 pedal with expensive other pedals lol!

[@iamstan_rimp]

I may grab an hx stomp but my rig is Empress Compressor/Sovereign Distortion/Jacksob Audio Broken Arrow into the Joyo American Sound…delays and reverb is to be determined right now.

[@dekka8241]

I like the look and sound of the Victory clean MK but due to its price I would be asking for trouble taking that into the pubs, clubs and venues I play in the North of England. I woukd need to insure it for the gigs and it's not an amp you'd buy to use at home. It all depends on the gig. I have tried to go digital just for the convenience of carrying less gear and quicker set up and take down. I tried the helix stomp XL. Spent weeks making a couple of presets. People in the audience said it sounded no different to the 100W full marshall tube/valve head and 2x12 cab I used before. However, I hated it, there was no sustain, wasn't able to adjust anything on the fly, I got lost off where I was in the presets. One song I felt I was too quiet and couldn't be heard so what's the point of being there! Overall it was the worst that I've ever played and was the only gig I've never enjoyed. I part exchanged it the following week for the UA Lion. Great sounds but to me the sound was only 2D in comparrison to a real amp which sounds 3D. Again it had no sustain to a real amp and was hard tweaking it because it shares the same control knobs for the other channel/ mode, it wasn't full enough. I still have it but it will be getting sold soon. I have also tried the Friedman IR-X which did feel better but was still a bit harsh in the treble frequencies and it has its own sound so didn't sound right trying to get a marshall amp rock sound (I play classic rock to metal ACDC, Led Zeppelin, Guns n Roses, Thin Lizzy, Free, Iron Maiden etc.) I take this with me as a back up. So I've gone back to full rig 100W head, 2x12 cab, Sm57 on cab, 24 inch pedal board. I will be trying tonex because some gigs are small pubs and awkward carrying from the car down a street with a 27kg head and a 2x12 cab then through a pub with people in the way. Couple of other points- downside with the real amp. There have been many times when my head has failed. The repair bills must amount to the price I paid for the amp brand new 23 years ago. Unfortunately it's getting harder to find amp repairers. Downside to digial modllers, with the units I've tried with, because I'm next to drummer and the rest of the band don't use in ears, I need a FRFR so that has to added to the cost and gear to carry in and out but it's only 1 x12 which we use as a monitor for the vocals as well but they don't move the air the same way my amp and cab do ( different speakers to the frfr and x2) It's easier being yourself with a real amp and cab and will be consistant sound/ tone through out the gig Digital moddlers are easier to be like lots of bands that your tyring to emulate but require programming and tweaking first and could be less consistant and harder for punters to digest if your chopping and changing between different amp and cab sounds or volume dfferences between presets. Using an amp and cab, I get great sustain by using a boost pedal into the front of the valve amp. It makes my playing sound faster and smoother. Its a great mojo for confidence. Digital units have no where as near the sustain. However, with tweaking they can sound very similar to the actual track by an artist which is great as everyone can immediately identify the song from the first note or chord and even if you play it wrong, the punters think it's correct.

[@paulngardner]

Boss katana sounded the best to me, also had more ‘feel’. Thought the badcat gave you more ‘feel’ too. Whatever ‘feel’ is.. I think that is what matters most when it comes to guitarists, did it ‘feel’ good? Never get any complaints that it didn’t ‘sound’ good.

[@paulngardner]

Ps. Very last point how to make a solo heard.. Can you review some boost or lead pedals? I’m using a tumnus which is great for lead boost but thinking of getting a RC Booster v2. Interested to hear your thoughts.. thanks

[@raucousrowdy6540]

Played in cover bands for donkey years... You don't need 10k worth of gear to play ' mustang sally '..

[@zThisPlay]

modeler L into amp return then modeler R into front of house and for recording i still mic the amp... i know its redundant but i can never get it to sound good straight into USB but when i mic the amp all of a sudden the recording sounds just like what i hear so idk wtf is going on there

[@aaronkerr2481]

I haven't used an amp onstage since '09. Either Helix or PodGo work just fine for my needs. FRFR or in ears, or both.

[@LA.Guitar]

When programming your modeller sounds, make sure your solo patch is 4db louder than the others …… it’ll be heard!

[@BOSSenjoyer]

Whichever the case it's probably best to upgrade or reevaluate every 5yrs or so. If you're spending all your free time keeping up with new modelers, what's the point?

[@lpamiot]

Analog forever. Digital will always suck.

[@DavidBeebee]

8:42 where’s there’s blame there’s a claim m9. Hope you were using the Litigator.

[@TheFilleneuve]

Katana!

[@MrCgar18]

imo amps are so expensive I mean why use a real amo when the sound you get on modelers are really close to the real thing,very close.example,I just got a fender tonemaster and I use a fender dlxe amp and twin and also the 5150 and it sounds great.The price for a twin alone is I think about 1500,now i have that many others if i want along with the 5150 and effects for on sale now 1500 until the 31st 1500.No its not a fender promo but it is worth it.Hx stomp is alos good for 599 now.

[@EliasThury]

I see twins all the time on reverb for less than 1k, also worth mentioning that a good amp will retain that used value. Whereas a modeler, will loose its value once it becomes outdated. Amps are also repairable, whereas a modeler is probably cooked once things go wrong.

[@peterjessop1878]

@@EliasThuryI think that used to be true, but less so now. People are not buying big amps so the market is pretty small unless the price reflects that demand. Also a 10 year old Fractal axe fx version 2 still costs more secondhand that many valve amps you can buy on EBay. I’m actually thinking it might be worth buying a bunch of old amps to simply profile them given the prices they are now. Vintage and rare amps are a different thing of course as collectors rather than players tend to buy them.

[@EliasThury]

@peterjessop1878 you can also get through bigger silverface amps from the early 70s for about the same price.

[@TrunkEight-g9n]

Pro muso tip: NEVER allow your smart phone to use upper case characters in the 'to' (address) section of your email client. This simple default action just cost me an 8k tour plus expenses... why in 2024 and something this obvious is not hard coded into every email client is beyond me..

[@areallyboredguy5825]

Uppercase shouldn’t matter since most emails default to all lowercase and no “.” Therefore ABC.123 is the same as ABc123 or AB.c.1.23. It all becomes abc123.

[@TrunkEight-g9n]

@@areallyboredguy5825 No, they do NOT default to lower case. not on android devices anyway. Stupid oversight.

[@areallyboredguy5825]

@ it’s based on the email provider. Usually that’s the case for most major emails, gmail specifically handles their email protocols this way. So you’ll see you sent an email to abc.123 but in the server information it’ll send to abc123.

[@vanishingpoint7411]

No , don’t do it . 20 years ago he would have said throw all your peddles away use rack stuff . Throw away that 60s strat , use this Floyd rose guitar with a handle in with Nasty lock nuts