The most 80's preamp of all time! ART SGX2000

The most 80's preamp of all time! ART SGX2000
Background 80's music by: Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
#BigHairyGuitars #80'sGuitar #ARTSGX2000

[@02Tango]

A.R.T! I worked there from '90 to '92. It was created by the owners and a few employees of MXR. I worked on the assembly line, shipping, customer service, demoed at a trade show, etc. I would get called into the engineering dept. to try some new stuff in development. I played an early design of the SGX preamp when it was a pile of wires on an engineers desk (the guy who holds the patent for the phase 90 pedal). Unfortunately the preamp that made it into the production unit did not have as much gain as the earlier versions I tried. The SGX Express came out after the SGX 2000...probably '92 or '93. It was a fun place to work. :-)

[@curtpozzi5527]

Made in Rochester, NY. I got mine used in 94' and ran into the front end of a Fender 65 watt solid state amp. I also got a prototype Zoom 9002 a few years earlier, I still have both.

[@Yupppi]

Incredible what all you can find on youtube.

[@martyaws6474]

Tempee! I remember you. I started out in assembly and worked my way into Tech. I bet my initials are on the inside of this SGX 2000. I am still very much into guitar. We should catch up.

[@georgebarry8640]

I miss ART!!!! I have owned the DST amp (the Rules Breaker) and various other pieces of ART gear..always good stuff. I STILL absolutely LOVE my XTreme pedal..and wish I could get a schematic for it. My hope is to build a version of it ,but this time with a noise gate! And a way to bypass those noisy effects.The EQ on that was FANTASTIC and so usefull. But so much hiss..that I just couldnt use it. A noise gate post effect killed everything...and that just didnt work..I tried.

[@dwojcik1000]

I’ve had my ART DST 80/80 for almost 20years. Still rocks but I wish I could find an owners manual for it.

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

On and off switch? You don’t turn off the 80s!!!!

[@FredBrum]

I came here to say this! Hahaha! :D

[@dan_perry]

If you ever owned one you'd know that most ART MFX have a tendency to lock up...this is why I installed a switch on the front panel.

[@dan_perry]

@Craigits just a front panel switch to turn the power on/off. Like I said above, the unit is prone to locking up...stuck presets, garbled LCD characters, hum, etc.

[@LeftHandedRightHanded]

@@dan_perry how did you go about installing a switch?

[@dan_perry]

@@LeftHandedRightHanded it's a fairly simple process. 1. Remove the top cover 2. Drill a hole thru the front panel 3. Mount switch 4. Interrupt AC line from fuse output with a switch

[@jd_flick]

when you want the guitar sounds of 80s ninja movies

[@muleblues71]

Those were the best

[@russellzauner]

dont let mcrocklin see it

[@johncecilia4517]

I tried another version of this SGX Nitro and the flanger sounded really chorusy. Has some unique sounds

[@lechatsportif124]

need complete list of said movies

[@weareallbeingwatched4602]

This is how they did it.0

[@potatolew4495]

I still have one, I freaking love it. I will never grow out of the 80's!!!

[@tonydonohue2727]

Me too.... straight into mixer...brilliant

[@KipCount]

I LUSTED after this thing in the late 80s. Had to settle for a little Crate combo and then eventually a Marshall Valvestate at one point, but THIS is what I truly wanted. And now I want it all over again. Everything about this thing is magical, including that color and graphic scheme.

[@demodick]

Soo many paper routes and lawns mowed to but this thing ma.

[@RJRonquillo]

YES! I had an SGE when I was 13, it was the coolest thing ever. The lights, the pink!

[@BigHairyGuitars]

It’s funny. Seriously, I was thinking the whole time...I’ll bet RJ would like this too! Haha

[@AngusClarkGTR]

@@BigHairyGuitars can you make a kemper profile of it that forces the kemper screen to use a pink backlight? #nextlevelidea

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

I had an sge too. So what if it wasn't pro quality. I plugged it into my practice amp as a beginner and had a blast. I got a lot of different sounds with it and learned a lot about effects and what I wanted as a sound.

[@andreaferrero6533]

I also had a SGE mach2, distortion was a bit crappy, but digital FX were cooler. there was a preset doing the train sound, and a 2 second sampler I used to do the drone D 16th notes for run like hell (-: yes, it's really 80s!

[@russellzauner]

@@BigHairyGuitars Neal Schon used a G-505...just sayin, I expected you to bust into "send her my love" like every 5 seconds

[@bingefeller]

I love how 80s it looks and the sounds do not disappoint.

[@Deathrape2001]

This is NOT the sound of the 80's. It's CHEESY KRAPPY sound & he is PRETENDING that is what it all was, which is not true. Here's some chorus examples from actual '80's music, not the fantasy of what you think might 'approximate' it. The Art does not do this ~> kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIvGmoGqnbOheqM kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6S8lmeDZa90r5I kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmK4YoiblJqep5o #BucketBrigadeFans =)

[@davejohnsonmusic]

It sounds really cool actually. It's like you dug it when it came out, then the whole analog purist phase and then you come full circle and appreciate stuff like this for what it brings to the table and does well.

[@cbeserra]

Sounds awesome! Everyone wanted one of these back in the 80s

[@diekkrid1207]

Dude, I feel like I'm 12yo again at Bill's Music House in Baltimore, trying out their rack tower with all of the solid state goodness of 1987. Good memories

[@LeonTodd]

Forget Marshall V Mesa, Fractal V Kemper and Gibson v PRS - ART v ZOOM is the ultimate tone death match we all want to hear

[@coyotecirclestudio9611]

The thing you are missing is the presets are very 1980’s, but the unit is one of the most programmable effects units I have ever seen. Every factor of every effect used is adjustable/programmable. The presets may be 80’s, but the basic components are universal. Drive, chorus, delay, etc. you just have to dive in and learn how to program the unit, and it will make just about any sound you can imagine, and then some, vintage or modern. That’s what is so criminally overlooked about these units. Presets are all very “of a time”, but the unit itself is still very usable.

[@mikestillwagon5675]

At the time, this was the level of greatness to which I aspired. I ended up getting a Rockman XPR instead. Believe it or not, it sounded incredible into the front end of my Marshall.

[@charlesb7831]

I still have my ART SGE and it's fun to play with, I run it though an original Carvin X50B head in the effects loop with the matching 4x12 cab on the left side of a stereo set up, and the right side is a Marshall jcm800 4010 combo, they all sound great ! I've always wanted one of these bigger bad boys, been searching for years, I'd still add this to my mini rack, I love these old racks. These videos are awesome, take me back to the old days lol

[@jafethuerta]

As soon as I see a Michael Nielsen video notification I immediately have to be “eBay-ready” for anything 🤣😂

[@scottpeters4401]

The ART Multiverb SGE was my very first FX unit I ever bought back in 86.....they just looked so cool with the Miami Vice pastel logo.....they just had so many versions...Multiverb...Multiverb II....SGE....SGE Mach II....I had the giant pastel midi floor controller too,the one with the big goofy rubber foot switches.....great stuff....Ahh the rack craze...

[@kalebaldwin5398]

Looks like something that would be in a bowling alley or an arcade that hasn't been updated since 1987. A Fender HM Strat would be the perfect guitar to go with this.

[@1980glamfan]

Love that art chorus sound! There’s something about it that I can’t recreate. Ada mp1 chorus is probably my favorite.

[@johncecilia4517]

Yes the chorus is great. The Flangers on ART racks have a different sound also.

[@danpfeifer7618]

Yes! I had an ART fx unit back in the day with my MP-1, sounded awesome.

[@jcw5007]

I had the same. Matched up with a crown power base one amp. I hated the ART (wasn't this model) and returned it for an Alesis Quadraverb..

[@donewithmodernlife]

Me too! I ran it all into a MosValve power amp. I thought it was awesome at the time but I’d be willing to bet it was crap.

[@fbomb11967]

@@donewithmodernlife I did the same, MP1- SGE- MOSVALVE, great sounding setup. I love the MosValve, I recently found one at Guitar Center , I snatched it up to use with 11Rack.

[@hrosemd]

Bingo

[@gtrdaveg]

Dangerous distortion, serious sustain! It'll phase, it'll flange, it'll fuzz, it's got a simulated comb filter for steroizing a mono source. Balls deluxe!

[@marviosantos]

Dude! I've had one since 1989! Even after buying better rack gear, still old like the Digitech GSP2101 (which you should totally cover), buying real good tube amps, and now having a Kemper, Axe FX3, and a Helix. For some reason I can't let go of this thing! It just brings back so many good memories. I composed a whole movie sound track on it once! Keep on rocki'n man

[@JavyonVISION]

Yep, I still have mine too.

[@rayrobinson2074]

Had one since the mid 90's, might be time to dig it back out and try it into some cab sims. I think I still have the patch building software backed up somewhere. Building patches on LCD screens are a nightmare.

[@Deathrape2001]

Every sound this thing does is so harsh & cheesy cheap primitive & coarse U can easily exceed it even on any free old cheap slow computer with free software = so pointless some of these rack things. S tick with tube stuff =) & I don't mean fake tube where it comes after the distortion like the Mesa Boogie 'Triaxis' or Rocktron 'Voodoo Valve' $kam =)) Some clown online I recall talking how 'intricate & detailed' the distortion on the Voodoo was, & compared 2 the Peavey Rockmaster it's a ridiculous joke.

[@johanneschristopherstahle3395]

@@rayrobinson2074 I've got the Nightbass (wich works quite well for guitar as well). Was a bit disappointed when I ran it into a cab sim. Maybe I should try using the cab sim before the digital effects next time. If you know what you are going for the editing on the unit ain't that bad. The software helps, but since I don't have my unit contantly hook up to my midi interface I do most patch editing without the software.

[@andreslaurito9031]

So awesome. My guitar teacher in the early 90’s had this in his rack and used it in the live shows.. have heard this since then. Thanks Michael!!

[@revvluvv]

Currently have a SGX nightbass in my touring rig ( own 3) It is an intragral part of my sound. Where it shines is it's ability to split the signal up. I had the analog effects dumped to the 15 and the digital effects to the 410. crisp and tight! Luv ART

[@Darkitectband]

I still own a DigiTech 2120 (purple artist version) I bought brand new back in 1999 for $1000 from Mars Music. Don't use it anymore but will never part with it cause it does have some one-of-a-kind sounds in it that I've used in the past and may use again one day if I feel experimental and nostalgic at the same time.

[@JC3D]

I spent years saving for an Art SGX 2000 Express with my paper route money as a kid. Got to relive it all over drooling over the Axe FX for years as an adult. I traded the Art SGX for a Fender Twin Reverb right before the value for the FX unit tanked. Thanks for the video - I really enjoyed it. Used to have a ton of fun routing a bunch of mics into it and with headphones have fake radio shows with my friends. Good times!

[@47279J]

Incredible sounds! So much Miami VIce sounds in there. And I still think the Miami Vice sounds are the best. This machine definitely seems something I need, since I can't really afford the really expensive stuff.

[@courtney2018]

So glad the Art SGX2000 got some love. I bought one probably 10 or so years ago and still have it in my rack. Need to plug into it and have some vintage fun.

[@jamesmoore4320]

That ''Pretty Clean'' preset gives me definite Jason Becker vibes, I love it

[@kentlangham5811]

I still have a rack case with an ART SGX Nitro, 1st Gen Lexicon JamMan, an ADA microcab and a single space Peavey power amp that I breakout from time to time. I was never really happy with the presets, but making your own patch created some crazy sounds.

[@questlive2338]

This will be perfect for when I cover The Transformers animated movie soundtrack

[@mikefincham7842]

I remember playing one of those for awhile. Awful awful awfulness. So funny to see it resurface. Having a lot of fun with these vids, Michael.

[@AScirea]

And the foot controller is just amazing too :)

[@guitardave]

This is just brilliant - did every single guitar tone have lashings of chorus all over it back in the 80’s?! Sounds kind of like Joe Satriani’s Surfing With The Alien album. The Van Halen stuff sounded spot on. The price of old rack gear must be going up on eBay thanks to this channel...

[@BigHairyGuitars]

YES! Totally Surfing with the Alien tones

[@dmytrotarasov9477]

I'd say it is more of a "Not of this Earth" album from 1986. This one captured the 80's on a whole different level as "Surfing with the Alien" sounds a tad bit more modern IMO. But yeah, that's early Satch tone in a rackmount unit:)

[@dmytrotarasov9477]

Check out "Driving at Night", that's the one that played in my head instantly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4SkZIqjqMtopZY

[@Deathrape2001]

OMG U should stop pretending U R deaf. All of the sounds were very cheesy & hollow boring sounding & nothing like Van Halen or any other real music, except some of the 'synthy' stuff here & there. The chorus is really bad = so much worse than the bucket brigade stuff that is the real '80's tone =)

[@shaft9000]

Hey, if nasal/ phase-compromised / badly biased "Satch timbre" is all you're after, it can serve! I had an SGX2000 from 92-94, I even recorded quite a few Satriani covers on my 4-track with it.....and then I joined a band with the lead player run through a 5150 full stack (Tim Burke, friend of my drummer brother)... sold the ART crap asap, got a Boogie and never looked back.

[@MrNihilist74]

When I was a teenager in the late 80s and early 90's, seemed like most local bands I went to see, the guitarists always had the Art multi-effect processors similar to this model.

[@nebuladus7850]

Wwoww this effects processor sounds fantastic and really cool with the pedal✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[@ibanezleftyclub]

I hope you get a digitech GSP2101 artist next, that was my first piece of rack gear ever, loved it, wish I still had it.

[@dan_perry]

Another 2101 LE user chiming in! The AxeFX of the 90's.

[@TeleCarlitos]

I had the gsp 21 legend! When I switched presets there was this anyone mini mute that threw me off while playing!

[@KauffeyBean]

I have the GSP 2101 - its KICK ASS!

[@jamesprice6381]

great sound, blew me away, just as good as a jmp1 imho

[@schizopathicajones430]

@@TeleCarlitos Still have my GSP21 Pro. Still very fun but yeah, that lag made me feel like I tripped while walking, especially in live situations.

[@timwhite5562]

Speaking of Boston: I was amazed to find out that every guitar track on "Hysteria" were recorded through a Rockman headphone amp, only.

[@larslevinberget9558]

Thanks for this man! That was the flagship we couldn't afford back then! The step-up from the DigiTech DSP21 :D

[@blcouch]

Thanks for the nod to Luke. I had one of these and sold it several years ago. Looking to get another one soon😂.

[@chordfinger1]

I don't know what you guys are complaining about? The add clearly states "Software updatable-never becomes obsolete". 👍

[@12opsynths]

Someone FedEx one of this to the composers of Cobra Kai immediately. Great playing and demoing this unit. Way less hissy than I remember ART to be back then.

[@patrickfouhy9102]

Dude, I'm on the same kick. After your SPX90 video the other day, I'm hooked. Found one the next day, been loving it. Going to pick up a MIDI Verb, looking for a Sony MU-R201...you've sent me down a deep wonderful rabbit hole! thanks!!!

[@Andyanddiana467]

OH MAN! When I was a kid, starting out on guitar, I had this ad on my wall. God, I was such a schmuck.

[@jeffnobles214]

1. Some of those patches are surprisingly not awful 2."Black and Blue" for the like 3. Putting this together with zero tapping for the Subscribe!!!! Enjoyed it thanks.

[@jasonjohnson4170]

Still got mine! Bought it in 1992. I have the ultra foot that controls it as well. The ultra foot has a few dings in it but the unit itself is in really good shape. From time to time I plug into it and I play around

[@lpgoog]

I’m jealous u kept yours lol 😂

[@JNMorgen11]

I have an SGX T2 and the X-15 ultrafoot that I bought in 1992. I used to play it through my stereo connected via a cheap Behringer mixer. I haven't turned it on in some time and the entire set-up is covered with a thick layer of dust.

[@jasonjohnson4170]

@@lpgoog hahahaha.... I gave some things away but I never sold anything. I kept it all. Except for that Peavey T15 with the rubber neck. I pawned that for a bag of weed.

[@jondeth298]

Probably the most popular preamp of the 90s. I had one of Zoom's competing models that I think was better, but then all of these digital brain preamps back then had one sound no matter what pedal, amp and speaker you chose. After about a month, I returned it. I bought a Zoom 505 and a 1204. This pair had more effects variety and gave the same sound quality even without the tube.

[@rainbowmade1880]

I’m officially going on an 80’s retreat from today’s reality…feeling good😎😎

[@MarshallGTV]

Shoot, I still have my SGE Mach II from almost 30 years ago. Don’t even know if it works. I was just waiting for preset 31. Pigs In Space!!!! By the way, I think you can type the presets in the number pad.

[@Kothas01]

I had this set up in my early 90's rig. It has a ton of hookups in the back but, it sounds over processed for sure. Its shared time in a tri preamp configuration with a jmp1 and a artist 2120. No midi switchers at that time so you had to patch it in or ABY it. Modern stuff crushes it. You can't program with a laptop for sure. The issue is the footpedal, it doesn't use pots for volume and wah, it uses thin plastic strips through an optical resistor. Fail point and no parts. ART unloaded everything. I kept it to monkey with when I was bored for years. Had the factory programming book as well. Sounded much better run through a Marshall 9200 in stereo at 70 percent volume. Thanks for sharing. I miss the old days.

[@svarthelikoptern]

I fell of my chair when you played Cabo Wabo! Liked Rainmaker and Pretty Clean presets.

[@timanderson5417]

I have owned two of these for my bass since 1986 I still play with it because it's really fun to play with but a lot of the presets are assigned to be controlled with a midi pedal called the X-15 which is the size of a small closet

[@happyfeelmore4999]

Do the Alesis Quadraverb. My first experience with rack mounted effects. There was so much better, but this was pretty awesome at the time.

[@SBfor]

I had one. Everything sounded the same, it drove me crazy!

[@irmasil3]

Just so you know..as a guy from the 80s myself, I hold you totally responsible for giving me the ultimate GAS with this preamp series thing....I HAD 2 triaxis, a JMP-1 and an ADA MP-1 3TM....Now, (because of you) I ALSO have a Tube-works Real-tube2, I am waiting for a Rectifier recording preamp in the next few days AND I am looking to buy a rocktron piranha......At the moment, I am telling Mrs's that its your fault and I just point at your videos like: " Look at him!!! He has another one!!!"

[@knowitall1694]

Sounds like my guitar through my dad's stereo... back in the 80's.

[@vancedean9699]

I’ve got one somewhere in my parents play room. It was cool back in the day.

[@OfficialJMRMusic]

The ART Power Plant was a decent preamp. Since ART is based out of Rochester, my hometown, everyone had something from them during the 80's and 90's.

[@zeusapollo8688]

I rank mine above decent. Quite good

[@kenrockstheworld]

I didn't know ART was based in Rochester!! Im from Rochester too. I used to have one of these bad boys and I stupidly sold it for money to get an amp. I wish every day I still had mine 😩

[@Sportfuck]

your hometown is full of shit

[@torarinvik4920]

I have this unit and it is truely amazing, it is basically a Marshall-style tube preamp with an effect processor on top of it. You have to turn down the effects to taste and then into a Marshall or another suited amp. I have my own presets, andI do not use any of the built in ones because of the reasons you showed. The overdrive is what it is all about, but I personally like the effects as well.

[@logiclust]

i have the express version with the newer paint scheme and still love it. I use the plate reverb on everything

[@Hoagiemon]

Bought one when they came out. The whole package with the X-15 Midi controller. Used it for years into a Mesa 50/50 stereo Tube power amp. Ultimate 80's.

[@renegadeflycraft9882]

My rig back in the day was an SGX2000 Express stereo out into a return of a GK250ML lunchbox for monitoring then out into two GK250RL rack heads with two stereo split Marshall 4x12s with GT75 / Greenback speaker mix for volume.....was absolutely amazing sounding. The X-15 MIDI foot controller was a royal pain in the ass though.... had the keyboard player program that thing with song presets and it became tolerable to use! Before the SGX2000 Express I was using the GK250 rig with an ART Multiverb in the loop for effects. The Tubes in the SGX2000 Express really made the GK250's sound a lot better IMHO. Good Times 😁

[@sicmonic]

Wow! I think it sounded great!

[@retrodad1973]

great trip down memory lane

[@MikeWeida]

Wat a flashback, had a sgx t2 in the loop of my laney aor100 back in the day.

[@lisaayers1975]

I still have my Art 2000 Express and the X-15 Pedalboard that I bought new.I haven't used the pedal.It is still new in the box.Mine has the updated chips with just about every guitar player and band on it.Has a tube in it.You can stack the tube and solid state distortions together. 🎸🎸🎸✌

[@DVTOM]

I used to have that!!! No slouch at all! I also had the Art SGE Mach II and ADA Mp1! 80's tech was awesome....lol

[@kempman9811]

Played a digitech gsp 21 with a rocktron preamp through 2 marshall jcm 800 in the 80 th. Awesome old stuff😀😀😀

[@DanielHuman1996]

It's on a Highway to the Danger Zone!

[@1970borntorun]

HAHA :) All kidding aside, I remember Charvel released quite a few great guitars made in Japan in the late-80s that would blow away the Inonesian JUNK Jackson is putting out today !!

[@jcalzada74]

@@1970borntorun try the yamahas rgz series if you ever found one

[@1970borntorun]

@@jcalzada74 Yes!! Those are EXCELLENT guitars for the money and a great value on the used market! Happy Holidays man :)

[@TeleCustom72]

OMG!!! I remember this one, it was a great preamp.

[@ribbonsofeuphoria5744]

I remember the ad’ from all the USA magazines that I was buying. Great tones and playing, I especially loved OU812 riffs. Keep on retroing Michael

[@BaconFire]

I was lucky to get a recently serviced SGX2000 a few years ago with the X15 pedalboard. Once I learned to navigate and edit, this unit made me some happy sounds for sure. It should be noted, the presets on their own may sound meh, but when you put them in a mix (synthwave, 80s metal, etc), it really works - at least for me. Really digging its sound and look - cant beat the pink and grey artwork!

[@Marzen216]

OMG, flashback to me in several 80's cover bands. I had this with the floor controller. Presets were rediculous but roll you're own were fine sounding. I fed this into a pair of Rivera amps for a stereo rig. Only problem was bad house voltage would cause it to reboot at any moment with a HUGE volume spike on reboot!

[@1970borntorun]

This is why God invented Power Conditioners! lol :)

[@Marzen216]

@@1970borntorun No pwr conditioners could have handled the voltage sag in these roadside bars on the MS/LA border back then, some were just trailers joined together like train cars, lol. Later I picked up an ADA MP1 preamp for a rock band, our first gig was an outdoor festival powered by generators :( I used another bands gear for that show, whose guitarist told me "digital will never catch on". Now 30 yrs later and I have a Helix floor w/ stereo cabs again. Full circle I 'spose.

[@1970borntorun]

@@Marzen216 Yeah, well under those conditions you are 100% correct! Lol 🎼🔊

[@URTH-yb5xh]

ART is great🎸🎸🎸🌞

[@GearZenChannel]

There are always a couple gems to be found amongst the cheese.

[@mksounds6326]

All the bay are metal bands I jammed with in the late 80's, early 90's had an MP-1 into a Boogie 50/50, powering a full stack. Quadraverb was the effect unit of choice unless you couldn't scrape up the cash, then you settled for a Midiverb III. A.R.T. stuff was flashy and cool looking. I had an SGX for a little while at some point, but leaned toward Alesis gear. My set up was a Fender M-80 Pro head (with a Quadraverb in the rack) into a Boogie 4x12 slant-back, half open, with two 90w and two 150w Black Shadows. Plenty loud enough to keep up with a bass player with two 15's, eight 10's and five 8's in his stage rig (and direct to FOH). MK

[@markinthemix6055]

This cracks me up 🤩 l remember the Musicians Friend catalog really promoting these preamps. Talk about drooling over all the colors and lights 😂🤣 l never bought one but honestly it seems like the price has held up. You may can help with an idea. I have wondered lately how some of these righteous preamps and a good tube amp mixed would sound🤔 a stereo rig ???

[@klascojoe]

I went through the rack mounted preamp phase. Had one of these, then an ADA. A carvin. The best I remember was a Rocktron Voodoo valve. I wish I could have it again.

[@TheDesertRat31]

I had an SGX 2000. I was mesmerized by the ads and lights too. Haha, I didn't know shit back then.

[@theorographcollection5195]

this whole video made me wanna binge Kings X whole discography

[@The0ldboy]

I remember the ad on the Guitar Player magazine. Looks son cool.

[@roychan2160]

Gigged with it for years up to 2004 til the eprom chip died and couldn't get it replaced. FYI the chip can only be written over 3000 times and for someone who's constantly searching for tones its 3000 too little. Love it though and feel its the best tones I've ever got. Was using it in a cover band 6 nights a week and it ROCKED!

[@revjeffg]

Wow, blast from the past. I got one of these really early (‘91 maybe? It was the first one to hit my local music store, it came in an unmarked box and my manual is actually typewritten and corner-stapled) and it was my main unit for pretty much a decade. The presets were indeed gross, lol. Always made my own; I was in a “sound-alike” cover band and this thing was great for that. Eventually I discovered if you change the “tube type” in the distortion menu to “tube clean” and cranked the drive to 100% (there was probably a compressor in front too) it was a pretty great lead tone. I might feel differently about it now 😀. PS, thanks for “Born to Be My Baby” and “I’ll Be Over You”; I loved both of those tunes 😆

[@charlesg.1207]

Had the pre amp and the Multiverb when I was a kid, Good times!

[@mkii1964]

ART stuff was everywhere back in the day.....

[@rabbleinarms5742]

I ALWAYS wanted one of these!!! I think this is the first time I've actually heard what they sound like.....

[@johnmaloney1681]

I had one of those with the foot controller. Band used to play The Wall straight thru. Had fun with that thing & always wondered what happened to ART.

[@cassandralesh8536]

Mines the express model, I know the presets are wet but when your playing with a band, it sounds good.

[@samright4661]

That Sounds Awesome I want one ...

[@chrisday5341]

That thing sounds like a shit ton of fun.

[@funkmachine6420]

Omg this sounds insane! I'm gonna need to try and get one

[@michaelwade9455]

Never owned one and had forgotten all about it. Love when you did this stuff up, it's fun to jump into the wayback machine

[@galactictravels224]

This blew my tube socks off

[@EasyHeat]

My ex guitarist had one of these waaaay back in the day. Oh man this gave me nostalgia feels! LOL!

[@deadpope1]

Great video! If you really want to open that puppy up get an ART X15 midi controller . A lot of the harmony stuff, swells and effects comes when engaging the expression pedals. I have an original SGX2000 and an express with X15. Just using them as effects units is a ton of fun with my current gear. It's great seeing someone with an open mind that doesn't mind slumming to get great tone! You might be a new hero! lol

[@Polentaccio]

Love it! Makes everything sound like Ram it Down. ( Straight through the heart of this town!!)

[@dezane07]

Omg I had one , got the craziest sounds out of it.

[@Jmdeclue]

I still have my ART Guitar ECC pedalboard from around ‘94 and it still works fine, looks new too. I decided to try and replace my pedal board and rack gear was too expensive back then. It is an interesting device. 🤷‍♂️ I wanted the ART rack gear in the 80’s but I could hardly afford a pedal so when I could buy something I started with this ART device. Other than one of their little tube channels that was all I ever got from them.

[@gabriell8714]

Awesome stuff !! You should do a Digitech GSP series (2101, 2112, 2120) review next !

[@GarryLindsay1]

I had this MIDI controlled in my home built rack when I was 20...in 1990! It did all my delays/chorus etc.... after my Mesa Studio pfre amp, then into Marshall rack power amp....then I grew up, got better at playing guitar and did a Gary Moore type setup! I think mine was the one that had a LCD display?

[@BrianKupferschmid]

Back in 91, there was this guy local to me that owned the ART SGE Mach II with a power amp and 4x12 cab, and I remember thinking that was the most awesome rig I’ve ever seen. In 93, I ended up getting the Digitech RP-1. Fast forward to 2019, and I found myself buying a Digitech GSP2120 , which was similar to the ARTSGX. It sounds pretty good direct. Totally 80s sounding though.

[@StephenCameron]

Ha, I still have my Digitech GSP2101 that I bought in 1993 or so. It even still works, some of the time. Every once in awhile one of the output channels decides to put out silence instead of signal for awhile for some reason. Clean sounds are decent, dirty sounds, not so much.

[@jimsimmons2674]

Last year i dug out my Digitech RP-1 i had from 1993 and was considering selling or trading it in for something newer but when i found some user presets i forgot about that made my strat sound so good with clean and overdrive tones i just have to keep it now!

[@BrianKupferschmid]

@@jimsimmons2674 I had sold my first RP-1 back in 2010. For some reason, I decided I needed another one, so I bought one for stupid cheap. After 10 years away from one and becoming a lot more familiar with good tube tone, I realized two things about the RP; one, the presets were programmed horribly and over-processed; two, with a few adjustments to the EQ and dialing back the effects, you can get some great tones out of it. I recently used it for a project, and it sounded amazing, and not at all 80s.

[@0421072]

I still use my 2120 Artist I bought new in 1999. Sounds good with the ReAxis plugin using just the power amp and cabinet.

[@BrianKupferschmid]

@@0421072 I just bought a JOYO Cab Box. Now that you’ve brought it up, I should try that with my 2120. I bet it would really wake up that unit.