Using a REAL Amp in 2024 is a Bad Idea? (and here is some bad advice from a PRO guitarist)

[@mariomazza9235]

I have been playing many years in pubs and clubs professionally doing covers with backing tracks. I used a Marshall 30th Anniversary combo for 20 years until it became too heavy for me to carry around to every gig, it was glorious while it lasted , but doing a minimum of three gigs a week and getting 2 hernias meant I had to retire her and look for another solution. I managed to get a second hand Kemper and used that for another 7 years until I simplified that rig and ended up with a mark 1 Boss Katana 100 watt combo with an Airstep pedal. Guitarists would tell me, use a modeller straight into the desk , I tried it a few times with various multi fx , Boss GX100, Tonex ect. I never could get used to not having an amp behind me pushing air and giving that response of a real guitar speaker reacting to your playing. I know many pro players use modellers and in ears like you John , and all credit to you for delivering a great performance as I’ve heard you share with us on your videos. For an old guy like me I’ve always felt over the last 30 years of playing that since I had to retire the Marshall everything I’ve used since has been a compromise , the Kemper and Katana are great but there is something missing if I’m honest , but you learn to deal with it and you actually get used to it. I only get reminded what that essence of playing through real valves is when I plug back into my original amp. Respect to all guitarists that use modellers professionally onstage because that’s where it’s all going these days. My advice to all the younger players out there is if you get a chance plug yourself into a good valve amp , play it as loud as your ears can bear and just experience the absolute privilege of playing through the holy grail of tone that we all spend a lifetime striving for.

[@SteveConkie-t6r]

Exaclty. And why is John talking about a Marshall Plexi? Nobody does that unless they're with Iron Maiden. We have moved on considerably since Toni Iommi had to stand next to a 6ft tall Laney at 120DB just to get a decent tone. There are plenty of amazing amps out there. Try a Lazy J twin and tell me you prefer a modeller!

[@kendevries3212]

I have done both. I am solidly in the AXE FX camp now. I get great tone and don't have to worry about getting a hernia toting all the heavy equipment. No loud stage volume. Modelers have come light years in tone and playability. I love the AXE FX. Not going back.

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

I use the HX stomp and love the flexibility. Def tough for me to go back to my tube amps.

[@nicholasaragon4126]

I'm happy I can play without excuses. Give me any guitar or bass or acoustic and I can play it. Give me any Tube Amp, SS Amp, Laptop, Modeler, Pedalboard, Multi-FX unit and I'll be good with it. All I require is good intonation and a couple minutes to EQ and Gain Stage.

[@jnixo9900]

Perfect reply. 100 percent agree.

[@chrisgmurray3622]

Agree in principle, but then again different strokes for different folks, and some players don't feel or hear the difference. Many approaches to playing vary , and to some it is part of the experience with which they become accustomed. Sure, modelling may be more consistent ( like mass produced biscuits) but amps have a varying way of acting ( just as human bodies do) If you think amps are old hat , you're aquiessing to an increasing industrialisation of music performance, and if you check on the mentality of the early rockers, you can see that they are always anti-establishment, and resistant to being managed. If we let them force us nit to use amps where will it end. Give them an inch and they'll take a mile , if you aren't constantly vigilant. The next thing will be that people will be forced to listen to music on earbuds , or remaining in the zone of one seat where the sound is focused in each listening zone. Come to that, why bother to have live music at all? Just a polished product with synthetic spit and polish to round out its increasingly predictable style and content. Slippery slope? Absolutely!

[@mariomazza9235]

@@chrisgmurray3622 agree wholeheartedly 👍

[@mariomazza9235]

@@chrisgmurray3622 wow, I couldn’t put it better myself, agree .

[@chrisgmurray3622]

@@mariomazza9235 Thank you. Yes, and using amps is different in every different situation. Amps themselves vary, as does the sound in different venues, which requires skill and fine variations in the way you set up an amp. Now that for a long time people have outsourced the adaption of their amps levels and EQ settings, farming that task out to the soundperson, a needed skill is no longer practised. Guitarists used to count the set up of their live gear as a needed skill to achieve the best sound, but now those skills are not taught or widely used by musicians, when it is easily left to a sound engineer, and all the skills of making a vaying amp set up are left to them as well. It is no use complaining that engineers want a silent stage ( etc), when, by ignoring the need for careful set up, you have effectively handed yet another responsibility to someone else, when their is no way you shouldn't be able to do it yourself. Hearing people say that two guitarists in the same band must be set up and balanced for levels by an engineer, is as irritating as it is ridiculous. Anyone who is so cloth-eared that they can't easily set their respective onstage levels for each other, has no right to be playing in a band live. Do your own sound, make your levels balanced, and the sound person will have very little to do, as they should have.

[@charliepriceqc6604]

If the drummer is using Vdrums I'm ok with no amps. Otherwise it sounds weird when listening to the band. You hear real live drums and everything else is coming out of the P.A. It sounds un-natural and flat. Not exciting at all. Especially for rock it kills everything that makes it fun.

[@LucasHaneman]

Exactly!

[@deddiev1718]

So true it’s the drummers fault

[@Ibanezguy2007]

10000% If you're at the front all you hear is drums and sterile guitar

[@QuickSticks8771]

Saying it’s ok for drums to be loud while excluding others is clearly systemic “instrumentism”

[@MotownGuitarJoe]

I've played dozens of gigs with amp modelers and real drums. Sounds fine to me and we keep getting asked back. I guess there's a real advantage to have an "unrefined ear"such as mine.

[@QuickSticks8771]

I’ve recently switched to a digital floorboard and the Fender FRFR cab So far it’s the perfect solution for home / jam/ rehearsal and live performance

[@phillytle5114]

So, naive amp techie here with no gigging experience... what if you put your amp in front of you and face it to the back of stage (monitor style). Then feed your modeller outputs to that and the house system? Push that amp air/feel/harmonics/etc at yourself to give the inspiration you need, but also satisfy the requirements of the gig? If you're using an amp head you love, maybe you can feed that into traditional monitor speakers in front of you to create the environment you love without annoying others?

[@danandrews2650]

Because some venues or situations do not allow amps on stage. In ears only.

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

I use a modeler and very often with a powered speaker. I’ll use it behind me for an amp like feel or if I need to be quieter I’ll face it towards me like a stage monitor. I run a radial stage bug DI and use the XLR to FOH and 1/4” through to my own powered speaker. Helps a ton with tonal consistency from gig to gig. Side note: I hate putting my guitar signal through a normal house monitor wedge because they typically have EQ’s set for it. Using my own powered speaker allows me to use it like an amp and without having someone else’s EQ messing up my tone I want to hear on stage.

[@timcat8382]

@@danandrews2650 I have two decent practice amps - one is an early Roland Cube 30, which have a headphone jac. This will eliminate the speaker out and can be used as a direct signal. Very handy.

[@timcat8382]

I've done exactly that. I have had my amp actually in front of the stage facing back, in this case there was no dance floor. But generally, the amp needs to be facing or tilted to face the guitarist at head level or near that, otherwise they will be much louder than they think they are.

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

@@timcat8382 yes! Whether it’s a real tube amp or a modeler, having the right setup to monitor your tone and volume acuratley is crucial! When I was still playing a tube am primarily, putting the amp stand really helped me realize what the mic was hearing. I eventually moved to a Mesa Mark V 25 with an angled cab that would help consistency for modeling. The End

[@Necca_UK]

Tube amps may be less reliable , sound can change from country to another country and grid to grid… logistics are also another challenge for touring people. I think modellers are at a point where modellers advantages outweigh disadvantages.

[@SteveSterlacci]

So in a nutshell, be professional and do x,y,z when it comes to taking the job seriously, but turn down work because you aren't able to perform as a guitarist without a superficial amp and air moving behind you? Of which, has no impact on anyone besides the player as an individual. Did I follow? Have we not all accepted that we need to be able to do BOTH to be able to work in todays work?

[@NickGranville]

Agree, it's ridiculous to be that precious about gear. Just do the gig and take the pay check. ha.

[@martin-1965]

If everyone's using IEMs in the band then it's purely an aethetic decision to have amps on stage imho. I'm speaking as someone who has not yet done a live show without an amp but I have used IEMs. I certainly wouldn't turn down a gig because I couldnt use my amp however. I only use a small 1x12 tube combo anyway these days (gone are the heavy bluesbreaker 2x12 earthshakers) so as much as I have this learned habit of having an amp, and would miss it being there, once I got used to not being there, I'm sure I'd be fine.

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

Flexibility is key for getting gigs for sure! I’ve found it easier to use a modeler for almost all my gigs because if you need zero stage volume you can use IEMs. If you need some stage volume you can bring a powered speaker and use it like an amp with the same setup.

[@Doomhamar]

That little kid has no idea how incredibly awesome his dad is not only as a person but how great he is as a guitarist... Great videos man I'm coming back every time!

[@AlecBourneMidiMadScientist]

Good article and worth reading, what i got from it is he is saying that for a beginner, it is vitaly important that you experience it all, and should be able to adapt. Play through an amp and move the air as a beginner so you have the background to know how the guitar responds to moving air vs what gets removed when you cannot. Like Steve said, the reality of a pro is that this is a JOB, you serve the music and the location, they do not serve you. Your playing style needs to be able to adapt on the fly as a Pro. At home you have all the options to play silently but will get a good shock if you don't know playing at volume, so yeah learn it all and develop the skills to be adaptive.

[@jaygreer7430]

Great video! I’m an old school Mesa Boogie tube amp person. (My first “real” amp was a Mesa Mark IIc+ which I bought new in 1984 and still have.) And I’ve never even used in-ear monitors live. When I’ve tried them in rehearsals, I also always felt very disconnected from the music. I play out around Seattle, and my bandmates have all gone in-ear monitors, modelers, and no stage volume. They don’t like my old school setup. I finally bought a Quad Cortex to at least start down that path. It seems like that’s the way things are going, but I’m not very excited about it! Btw, your point about the challenges of shared controls on the early Mesa Boogies is correct. My Mark IIc+ is considered a classic, but I would never gig with it in today’s world. It’s very hard to dial in good tones at the correct volume on each of the two channels simultaneously. So it stays at home in my music room. My basic, lightweight Mark V 25 is great and sounds nearly as good for the tones I use. But I guess that will soon be replaced by my Quad Cortex assuming I can get comfortable with it.

[@shanemcconnell1736]

I bring two 20 watt amps, run in stereo ,and a big paddle board to all my gigs, everybody comes up and tells me how great it sounds, I do it for me just as much or more than for them, damn, my rig sounds good, and carrying it is just good exercise for me, I don’t play in the kind of bands anymore where we have a good sound man and huge monitors and side fills, I can’t count on anybody else to hear myself, or the audience for that matter

[@GraniteSoundtrack]

I have found that I play the same on a real amp or a modeler. I don’t get the idea that you play so differently from just modeling or real amp. Volume and feedback may change how I play, but both modelers and amps can be too quiet on stage or too loud depending on your set up. I read that article and just thought, “well there’s another guy who can use whatever he wants live telling us who can’t that we’re all wrong.” It’s like the guy with a Ferrari saying to the college student in the old civic, “why don’t you just drive and Ferrari?”

[@deshawn4077]

Real amps are still used more than modelers, whats with all of this amp is gone stuff? ALl of the local music I see and most of the big live acts are using real amps.

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

I would say it depends on the kind of gig or performance you’re playing! Bigger acts are playing bigger venues which means you can turn your tube amps up! Unfortunately tube amps don’t sound the same when you turn them down so the flexibility and consistency of modelers is sometimes a better option.

[@Ibanezguy2007]

If I had to use a modeller/silent stage every night I'd probably quit my job as a professional guitarist. These issues with using amps are all in peoples heads. Know how to RUN THEM! Don't play deafeningly loud, but if you play better and sound better (yes average joes can tell the difference if you're doing small/mid sized venues) and get a load box/attenuator and work with the sound guys. Bring whatever you want within reason to gigs.

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

Bring what works best for the gig! Know your gear! Love it! 🤘🏻

[@MrBlank0907]

Depends on your venues and general area I guess. Where I’m at, the norm at almost all venues is playing through amps on stage

[@Fernando-ry5qt]

Yeah totally depends on the area, in mine we also run shitty PAs. But civilized places do run good PA and ampless haha

[@adamalexanderray]

I’ll keep using my amps but I like having a Two Notes Captor to either attenuate or use as a DI out for a silent stage when needed. You can take your head to a gig, if the backline doesn’t include a cab just go into the Two Notes Captor and give the DI from that to FOH.

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

Seems like something like Ox Box or Two Notes are really good options if someone wants to keep using the amps they love.

[@TheJourneymanGuitarist]

I love amps. Have some of the grails... fantastic pedals, Klons, Gigrig, Strymons, Diamonds... The touring world has changed, especially after Covid. In Vertical Horizon, we carried our amp rigs when we could, but now have gone to a vast majority of "fly dates" as opposed to bus runs. So we played the hire amp lottery for a while and...after a few fails, Matt the band leader, steered us towards the Helix which he loves, and I use a Quad Cortex with a few Strymons mixed in. Peter Stroud is in that rarified space where he can tour whatever he wants. IT truly is a different world. Now Matt loves how the silent stage allows him to hear his vocals so well and how it helps to preserve his voice and tuning etc.... that we will probably never go back to touring amps. If I were presented a situation as I used to have in Porcupine Tree, and even the early days of Vertical... I would tour my amps in a heartbeat. But I have to work, and touring the world on flights is a part of that work, and if the gig calls for a silent stage... I will bring the Quad Cortex and make it sound amazing. Thanks for all of your insight.

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

One difference between experienced players and some newer gigging guitarists is that we dialed in awesome tones and know what it’s like to gig with real amps at different stages and venues and it gives us a leg up when setting up tones on modelers. We know what to listen for to make modelers sound and feel good.

[@Newnodrogbob]

Any classically trained musician who has played in a large orchestra or band (wind band) knows that there is a massive difference between what is fun and satisfying to the player and what is satisfying to the audience. Guitarists generally don’t have nearly as much formal training, and they confuse their internal emotional state with what they are conveying to the audience. Edited to fix my run on sentence

[@deddiev1718]

Have you ever heard how loud an unmixed Horn is or a drum set. Why is it only guitarists have to do this

[@Newnodrogbob]

@@deddiev1718 yes I have. What’s your point? You’re asking why only guitar players have to do this. Your question is not accurate. Basses and keyboards and electric violins -anything with an amplifier has to do this. As far as drums and horns go: how do you solve that? Also for the record a trumpet or sax might be loud, but it’s not 50 watt tube head with dirt dimed because the guitar player wants to feel his spleen vibrate loud.

[@Mikey__R]

I'm going to invent SpeakerPants(tm). Plug them into the output of your modeller, to give you the sensation of your flares flapping in the breeze of the cranked Marshall full stack you weren't allowed to bring to the gig.

[@davidyelland908]

Track suit bottoms just don’t flap like real vintage flares…..

[@brianmiller3287]

​@@davidyelland908Next big gear page argument: TONEPANTS!!!

[@philh27]

If you are a ‘Pro’ then you need to do whatever the job requires. If you’re an ‘Artist’ then first and foremost, you do whatever works for you. Don’t take this too literally, I do not intend any snobbishness at all. But - aside from the generational/ bias for or against modellers etc- I think it’s fair. If you are a decorator, you use the tools to get the job done quickly and efficiently, based on what your client wants. If you’re a painter, you use the tools to inspire you to create the best art you can, which hopefully someone will like and buy. And if not, you’re misunderstood or ahead of your time…..

[@Bret_Sanor]

My desire to use an amp is not from a purist standpoint but a necessity for hearing myself. I played direct for years in churches in silent stage scenarios. My issue is demanding silent stages but not having a good sound engineer that gives me an adequate mix in whatever monitor option they provide. Having to trust whoever at every venue to give me proper sound was why I wanted to start using an amp for a personal monitor. Not all venues were terrible for sound, but more times than not they were. I would get right next to the drummer and watch just so I could keep time because I couldn't hear. There were many gigs where I wasn't even in the monitors and had to trust my practice of the songs to play the parts right. So, that's why amps have kind of become essential to me.

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

Completely silent stages do require knowledge of how to get a good IEM mix! I’ve been enjoying bringing a powered speaker just in case to use with my HX Stomp.

[@ChiefGuitarOfficer]

There is a time and place for both. We discussed this with Shania Twain MD and Guitarist Brent Barcus this week on our show, who is all digital on the latest world tour dates.

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

Flexibility is key!

[@lavalizard1]

Well stated, I agree, Personally, I’ve found it a relief to show up at a gig with my UAX Dream, or ToneX One and not have to worry about crappy backline amps, poor mic’ing etc. I can more quickly and confidently get through sound check and then focus on the set. Get a good IEM or wedge mix and you’re off to the races. This “pushing air” stuff feels like an arbitrary prison.

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

Agreed! So happy with the consistency of tones I get from venue to venue using my HX Stomp. You hear closer to what the PA is getting fed.

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

I have a little difficulty going back to my tube amp after gigging the HX Stomp almost exclusively for the past 4-5 years or so. The main reason is being able to set the volume of your rig on stage to any size band or room and not having the tone change as much as setting a tube amp volume and all your gain pedals at every gig. In live situations I use a radial stage bug and send the XLR to the front of house. If I need stage volume I will use a powered speaker on stage via the thru on the stage bug DI. That gets me closer to the feel of an amp but with much more volume flexibility without sacrificing tone. I I’m using in-ears, I won’t use the cab unless it’s a situation where it’s beneficial to have some stage volume. I’m loving the feel and tonal consistency I get at every venue/stage. I’m hearing what the PA is getting fed and have a closer reference to how it will sound. Check out my KZbin channel for tips and a ton of live and in-studio examples of using a modeler live!

[@michaelfrancis1]

As far as amp, or no amp Flexibility is one of the keys to success. There are plenty of big scale venues in which the gig requires the main amps to be back in some hallway or sound room, or way away from you. … Besides, Modelers make way for having more space to have fun. 😺 And if you run in-ears from your board? Yourself? you just made easy friends with the sound techs 🙂 🙏✌️

[@SnakePool]

I’m 49yrs old, started playing guitar at the age of 17 and I’ve never played thru a tube amp…. I’ve had a 5w solid state Marshall combo and a 65w crate combo… so for me playing a modeler is just fine for me. I’ve played a couple tube Amos for a few minutes or so at a music store but I didn’t vibe with them. I always like the sound of solid state gain.

[@stevelogan1699]

I am very grateful John for your bulletins from the frontline of gigging and experimentation. A couple of things occur to me. On the reliability question I often use a Boss Katana Artist 2 for club and small theatre gigs. It feels enough like a tube amp and isn’t likely to break. On Saturday I did a solo gig in a former music hall 6 hours drive from my home. I didn’t have a portable PA so I took an old Marshall AS100. It was ok-not at all ideal but better than nothing. Just too heavy for regular use. I haven’t upgraded my big Peavey PA because of mostly playing venues that have their own systems. But I think I need to get something like a Bose linear system to deal with situations like the one mentioned above. The bottom line as many commentators seem to say is that you need as far as abilities and resources allow to be adaptable. And sometimes you may have to manage with something less than ideal. Is that a fair take on the problem?

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

Check out the ElectroVoice Evolve series towers. They blow the Bose out of the water IMO. The Evolve 30M and 50M have mixers built in that you can control with Bluetooth and app!

[@carlmoretonmusic]

I am an amp and pedalboard guy. I actually bought a Helix in late 2019 to use for some live videos just as Covid hit and was never able to use it live. I am actually starting to gig again after about 4 years away from live performance (Play every day and record my own stuff etc still, just not been gigging) and as much as I keep telling myself I prefer my Landau amp and fancy pedals etc, the reality is I am going to be using the Helix next year, and will actually be rehearsing with it next week. I love the flexibility of the Helix, and I also don’t like playing too loud, so I can get a GREAT sound at a nice volume level which actually makes me play better. I still love my various amps, and for a fun pub band or a gig that suits a real amp on stage then it’ll be the amp, but as ‘Necca_UK’ below says, the advantages are just too good now. Plus, I had to laugh when I did my first half decent gig a few weeks back at a small festival for an artist. Having not gigged since a few weeks before the covid lockdown, I took my heavy amp, heavy multi-level switching system pedalboard, a second smaller board with Wah and Expression on it for my delay, 2 guitars etc… I met the band (it was a dep gig, never met them until an hour before the gig) and they said “Jesus, how much gear you got….” There were two stages at this festival and I noticed ALL the other guitarists were using a Helix, Fractal, Kemper etc… I’d got more gear than Dave Gilmour.. It was kind of at that point I thought, “I think I’ll use the Helix for this kind of gig from now on…”

[@renebauch9316]

John, as a fellow father. In my case of 3. What do you think about making a video talking about beeing a father and musician. I think it's an interesting theme because it's a rellay time consuming hobby, or in your case job :)

[@jasonhartelius]

In the last few weeks.... I've had 2 very good sound guys I just met on gigs ask me... "why are you still using an amp?" They both said despite how we feel about our own tone... the bands where guitars and bass are using modeling sound infinitely better in the mains. But I'm still hanging on and moving air.

[@nuthinbutlove]

@@jasonhartelius that's because sound guys prefer to have full control of the sound and our using amps makes them work. Keep using your amp.

[@juliansedor7101]

I agree. Let's make the sound guys job harder, and the final mix sound worse.

[@johnycat7373]

That’s why they are sound guys and not musicians…..

[@nuthinbutlove]

@@johnycat7373 I don't know of any professional sound engineers who aren't musicians

[@brandonbryson3317]

Using a real amp is a great idea. That’s all my band does with 4x12 cabs and we consistently get complimented on the tones. We played with a bunch of other bands the other night that all used modelers and this one girl who isn’t a musician and doesn’t even know what a tube amp is said that we just sounded more pro. The bands using modelors had issues with their sound and in ears that caused a very delayed sound check schedule. We had none of that. Modelers are GREAT, but you can’t replace moving air. The other bands sounded great, but there was something missing for sure. I’d only use a modeler if I had to travel overseas. I’m not in it for the money tho.

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

It definitely can take more time and effort to get IEM gigs going especially if you’re working with techs who are not used to your system. Feels great when it works flawlessly though!

[@jessecantor8157]

What I am seeing as a happy medium are smaller wattage tube amps with DI and power soak/attenuators built in. Some like Engl and Mesa also have IR loaders. Best of both worlds

[@BlazonStone]

Yeah, how much I enoy playing is more based on the guitar setup than whatever amp or plugin I am connected to. As long as the sound is in the ballpark I will play the shit out it and not tweak around too much :D

[@zero318]

Agreed...it's all in what the gig calls for. Lately I'm running a FlyRig on a small board that gives all the tone...the volume comes from a Headrush FRFR. If I have to go direct, I just go direct..same tone. As for tubes, and I'm far from a young beginner here, it's obsolete tech for gigs when we have so many more amazing options that are cheaper, reliable, and predictable.

[@trickfall8752]

Silly, it's all about context. Do what you need to do to make it the best gig you can and be a good hang.

[@mrmoa]

My challenge is that with a tube amp, it’s super easy to get a tone I like. For whatever reason, I have to fiddle a lot more with solid state and modelers. Wish that wasn’t the case because I’m old and my back is at the point that even taking my Deluxe to gigs is hard.

[@nuthinbutlove]

@@mrmoa same

[@vorpalblades]

How much longer can it actually take? Once you find settings you like, it's easy to dial it in.

[@mrmoa]

@@vorpalblades Not so much in different rooms

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

Sometimes there’s too many options on the modelers and the presets out of the box leave a lot to be desired. I learned a lot just from making my own presets for the HX Stomp but there’s definitely a learning curve if you’re going from a Deluxe Reverb with a few knobs to a digital platform with many more parameters to tweak.

[@MojoPenguin]

One thing too, is that it seems you got less time to set up everything now. You're expected to be in and out quickly and modellers help that

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

No more setting your tube amp volume to the room and then setting all your drive pedal’s gain and volumes to match. I’m loving the Hx Stomp and powered speaker combo! I’m set up in minutes.

[@ryanhalliwell6671]

I’ve worked in live production professionally my whole adult life. My current company dose major artists. Trust me most major artists use modelers in some fashion if not entirely. Not all but most. It’s partially why I made the leap to Kemper !

[@pearsonart]

Sound transforms. Sound in air at volume is doing something. Resonance, harmonics, acoustics. It can excite or heal. Call it cymatics, biblical word or whatever you like. Some say all creation is wave theory. Play and write music. Use whatever tools you have. Always play through a great amp with other musicians when the opportunity is available.

[@disistheway2010]

Buddy you’re playing Clapton not the music of the spheres

[@pearsonart]

@@disistheway2010 Good one but no. I’m more personally interested in subtly shifting improvised composition over generative beds and draw inspiration from many including Philip Glass, Hanz Zimmer and Bernard Herrmann. There’s a long tradition of guitarists in this field.

[@nightknight6845]

As someone who sometimes gets to rock big stages, but most times I'm playing casinos, small clubs and private events, going ampless allows me to sound the way I want to sound, regardless of venue, in my ears and in the house. With an amp I could turn stage volume to a whisper and effectively lose the desire to even play, or turn it to the amp's sweet spot and sacrifice the stage volume and overall mix. In a perfect world I'd have a roadie rolling my Mesa Tremoverb and 4x12 to every gig. I was absolutely opposed to in-ears and going straight to the house for the longest time, but eventually I feel like technology caught up well enough to convert me, and I'm actually enjoying my time on stage again. The house mix is at the mercy of the sound guy, whether a boutique amp or a modeler, but at least with the modeler I can sent my presents and volumes where they feel good to me.

[@NickGranville]

Totally agree. I guess players like him are stuck in their ways. For me I want to keep working so it’s not about the gear. I use whatever gets the job done

[@michaelfrancis1]

Love the intro joke 😂🎉 Cheers from Texas ! Fantastic song , wow! Always learning from your channel All the best! 🤟😺🤟

[@dinadams]

It’s really sad that it’s now considered weird to have a Marshall Plexi on stage. And most KZbinrs promoting the virtues of modellers are flogging their own presets.

[@CorbCorbin]

I think every amp should have a cab sim direct out, with a switch to make the amp silent or on, while going straight to FOH or board. I only need one amp tone. I don’t like modelers, but an amp using just a cab sim, sound great through house speakers. The Revv D20, or Egnater Rebel, sound killer, though the Rebels are made more cheaply. There’s an EVH head, or Peavey EVH tube head, with the same type of direct out. My amp and cab are tiny, snd light as hell. I can do 5watts, and it works fine. What are these gigs that an amp won’t fits or is too loud at? It makes no sense, if one knows amps that can do low volume and sound fine. In a small room, then yeah, a modeler is fine. It’s also very easy, to split the signal, silencing one dry and one with whatever effects one is using, for recordings. The real question is; what’s the problem with using an amp, and exactly what gig is he talking about, that one just can’t be used?

[@revcanada2147]

It’s not weird it’s just not necessary or efficient as Touring Player .

[@dannyatx]

I’d love a plexi but most environments can’t handle the extent of the power

[@giles3211]

Why is it sad that technology is moving forward?

[@stefanfyhn4668]

It's not sad actually.

[@jnixo9900]

Honestly now....having used amps and modellers I think some of these guitarists are just getting caught up in semantic wankery. If your playing is so destroyed because you didnt have the right amp at your fingertips then dont go play on the road. You wont survive. Quite literally...use what your given and make the best of it.

[@gregjgman]

What about using a modeler, running it DI to FOH BUT having an FRFR pointing at you on stage to move that air and get that dynamic interaction between guitar speaker and pickups?

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

That’s what I do most of the time! I use an HX Stomp and Radial Stage Bug. I send XLR to FOH and use the 1/4” thru to a powered speaker I can use behind me like an amp or in front of me like a typical monitor wedge. Is extremely flexible and tonally consistent venue to venue.

[@timthompson847]

I don't mis an amp, just using my Helix , I send 2 lines to the house and plug my headphone out to the second Chanel on my monitor. John, which amp in the Helix do you use the most?

[@sandraandpaul]

If the venue has the limiter at 80db and the drummer has to use the electric drumset with his headphones I go direct but, between me and you, while Im playing I am thinking about the money and I cant wait to wrap it up and get out of there

[@dragonheartstudio]

I have the exact opposite experience, fm3 for, live mesa boogie for home..

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

That’s what I’m up to these days as well! HX Stomp for gigs and Mesa Mark V 25 for home!

[@jakollee]

Even on a silent stage, the sound has to come out somewhere for the audience, and I guess that’s through the PA speakers. In my experience, the stage monitors (which are part of the PA) are never really adequate to hear yourself properly. There’s too many competing sounds and frequencies - vocals, bass, keyboards, drums - and if I can’t hear my guitar well, that really negatively affects my playing. I don’t know if I’ve just had inexperienced sound engineers who didn’t know how to balance the mix in the monitors, but I’m very hesitant to trust my sound to a PA system. I do agree that for practicing at home, you can have a lot of fun with modelers. And when Jon gigs with a modeler, doesn’t he usually have it going through a dedicated onstage speaker?

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

I bring my own powered speaker to use with my HX Stomp because of the reasons you mentioned. The powered speaker gives you a much more amp-like feel than getting it though a normal wedge with potential EQ on it and other stuff coming out of it.

[@on3orafter]

John is it me or can you see a line on the silver sky body above the pick guard? Looks like a joint in the body is showing through.

[@michaelschneider7590]

Fun (and inspiring!) to see all you get from your Silver Sky

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

Tonally i think we are already there but the feel is only about 60% there.... Thats the most important part. If its due to latency, i dont think it will ever get better. But it sounds good to the audience

[@KeithMilner]

I doubt it is. Modern modellers have latencies in the range of

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

@@KeithMilner thats

[@alpuhagame]

I'm planning to buy a little pedal with actual tubes in it (I decided on AMT SS-11B but it's a bit on expensive side), because I feel the response I'll get from the hardware tubes is going be quite different from a plugin like Neural DSP. I've been playing guitar since 2011 and I never had an amp because I couldn't afford it, and also I never been in a place where I could turn volume up a bit, it's always headphones for me. I don't even own speakers. I still don't want to buy all the hardware in the world so I'm ok emulating things like Reverb, Delay, Wah and cabinet, kinda trying to combine best of two worlds here. To control those virtual pedals I'll get myself FCB1010 midi controller, and then I can just use it as a stomp box, it even has two expression pedals! The main reason I'm buying a real tube is because I'm mostly playing on slightly crunched sound and dynamics are really important. I am thinking that when you convert to digital, the signal might be slightly compressed, and then the amp simulator also compresses dynamics further. So I'm really interested to see two signal chains: - Guitar -> Audio Interface -> Out -> Tube -> Back into Audio Interface -> Cab sim / IRs - Guitar -> Tube -> Audio Interface -> Cab sim / IRs - Guitar -> Audio Interface -> Amp/Cab sim Do you think this would work out? If this experiment proves to be successful, the next step would be getting actual tube head for more heavier styles, with load box and cab sim. Your chain can still be digital but it just gives you freedom of using real hardware without blowing up volume. Regarding getting feedback, I feel that if you just have speakers you can totally get feedback and those dynamics that comes from a cabinet. I think you can totally replace guitar cabinet with actual speakers? The only thing that matters is whether guitar pickups can interact with the sound coming from speakers. I remember I was actually able to crank up volume in headphones and placed them against the bridge pickup and I got feedback. That means speaker doesn't have to be large, just the sound have to be directed at pickups at enough volume for feedback to work.

[@3mstudiospalmdesert]

Most of my gigs are not fly gigs. I bring a Katana even if I'm using a tube rig as a backup.I also bring my Quad Cortex that has all of my amps in it. I can go direct with my Jerry Harvey IEM's or plug into the Katan's FX return or amp input. I can go any direction and any piece could work by itself so I also have backup redundancy,

[@Drybonz99]

I'm not a gigging guitarist at this point, so my opinion probably wouldn't be considered worth much... but as somebody who would attend a live performance, I can say that I certainly would prefer to hear real amps on the stage.

[@timcat8382]

Me too. I remember when a band I liked a lot started micing their amps for full reinforcement, instead of the audience hearing it straight from the amps. It was in a small club and I noticed immediately a less dynamic performance, like one step in the wrong direction towards that "produced" recording sound. They used to have such good stage separation and it was more, well, lively.

[@stevemacdreamcolours]

If you are professional in your music playing you should be able to do both according to needs and requirements. Personally, I enjoy using an amp next to me, but at the same time my ears can’t stand loud music, and if you have a very good mix in your in-ears reaching you it is an amazing esoteric experience just as well, if not better.

[@duartefaria7134]

Well, i am always off the trend, i do not even know what trend is today. In my 37 years of life i do not remember being with the trend. And i do not miss it, even not knowing what is the trend. Chasing the trend is chasing other people, i prefer being true to myselve and what i like. So, when goes the trend change again, and again? Let me put my allstars again ;)

[@NewPraetorianBlues]

Its such a shame because after 17 years of on-and-off playing, getting really back into the swing of things in the past two years, I finally gave up my Line 6 Spider for a Fender Deluxe Reverb - real deal tube reissue. I love it to death, its the best tone I've ever had... but its SO. LOUD. No matter what I do, I can't prevent this amp from being too loud without sacrificing tone. I'm far too attached to this dream of owning tube amps finally being realized in my late 20s to go back to Line 6 just yet... no matter how good some of those Helix tones may be, I'm finally getting the gear I wanted as a child. One day I'll decide between attenuator or Helix, and I'm not sure I can bring myself to pick Helix, despite its obvious upsides.

[@SerenaandAndrew]

Gigging (occasional small pub stuff for me) is fun with a real tube and I occasionally use mine but modelers give so many options - so many amps and effects - it’s a worthwhile trade off. Also I practice way more at home since I got into modellers because it sounds real and you can’t do that at low volumes with real amps (even very low wattage ones). That said a fair of time is spent dialling in tones and learning how they work. Just gone from PodGo (which I loved) to helix and struggling a bit with the added complexity and faff but also really excited about the new possibilities. My biggest worry is modeller computer failure which I don’t really worry about with an amp. Loads of players seem to have duplicate or backup modellers for this reason but that’s a lot of money for someone do infrequent hogging.

[@ThePlanarchist]

Absolutely. I didn't have an amp at all when I started, just a home-made attachment to the family record player....though of course that still moved air. At home sometimes I play the HX through the power amp section of a Roland Jazz Chorus but often through studio monitors or even headphones. I'm not a Pro but most local gigs (mainly pubs) are not amp friendly so am usually straight to PA. It works and sounds a whole lot better than that old record player. Seriously if a Pro can't play without a stack then.......er, I think they need to learn.

[@saunds59]

Don’t understand venues that are ok with a full drum kit yet play up about amps on stage 🤷🏻‍♂️ If you are in a band that has an acoustic drum kit, you can use a guitar amp

[@Foefmeis]

I'm glad I got me the Blackstar Amped 3. Together with the Boss MS-3 it will do all I need and probably more amd it will push air when a cab is connected, and/or goes straight in through one of it's factory impulse responses. Kicks ass.

[@kyran4238]

It is best if you can do both, and you are %100 right that it would be easier to navigate the challenges that come from only being familiar with modellers.

[@gigifara9312]

amp (playing through rreal guitar speakers) is integral part of so many guitar styles. why limit a new guitarist to not play many styles by using modellers only from the get go?

[@HunterHendricksonMusic]

John! Love your channel! I play live in Austin, tour, etc. I think a seldom mentioned part of the amp convo is that there’s a tangible albeit esoteric element that is in affect when it comes to an amplifier, or what’s being referred to here as “moving air” in the article. We’re quite literally dealing with physics and electron quantum behavior, and what some may call metaphysics, in a particular way when it comes to big iron, magnets, speakers, etc, when an organic human body and any instrument interacts with the layer of Qi, Prana, or Etheric Body, whichever term we use to refer to this well documented and experienced subtle body layer. There seems to be an element of interaction between human and instrument that involves this layer that is essential to the “expression - experience feedback loop” that facilitates the deepest experiences that culminate in the most inspired music. (Although, I’ve had a great time writing music even with modeling technology. It’s such a multifaceted conversation; playing live while improvising may well be the most affected application.) This well may be one of the most important factors when speaking on live electric guitar as the amp is the instrument itself, but it’s a topic seldom touched upon, perhaps because of the lack of cohesion in modernity in understanding or realizing the experience of any subtle body elements at all, and the fact that these same specific organs have different terms in different systems and traditions. Thanks for your advice and perspective. Long live amps on stage, perhaps with a Fryette power station if need be, and I am extremely thankful for the technology of modeling simultaneously.

[@SteveConkie-t6r]

It's not the "sound" as such. Of course a really good amp will sound better. It is the relationship an amp has with its guitar. That's why you turn it up. So that the guitar and amplifier become one. That's the point.

[@dreadnotpop]

What kind of guitar cable are you using? It looks pretty beefy.

[@larriveeman]

It seems to me guitarists are way to picky, my setup sounds great, Tonex, UA del-verb, Chorus and a Boss sd-1. I have a mesa, Jackson, AC-15 and hotrod deluxe, my tonex system to my ears sounds better

[@Nb0ssProductions]

Audience mostly doesn’t care where the “air” is coming from

[@nicholasaragon4126]

@@Nb0ssProductions That's not true! There's at least 2-3 people near the stage who care...they aren't on axis so the sound quality isn't great...but they get to experience air FeEliNGs! 🤣

[@Run-Riot]

@@nicholasaragon4126 I remember when I used to still go see local bands (before the advent of all the modelling stuff being both good sounding and accessible/affordable to the average player). You could have the best performing local bands playing on stage, but if they had two guitarists, good luck finding that tiny sliver of the space in the audience where you could hear both of them at the same time. Also, playing in crappy local bands back then, there's always that one guitarist who keeps turning himself up and all of a sudden you're in a goddamn loudness war. Better to leave the control of that to someone else, because that guy just wants his guitar to be louder than literally everything else in the room. Give him his own goddamn mix with in-ears instead of making everyone else suffer. Wouldn't be surprised if that same type of person is the kind of guy who refuses to use modelers and in-ears and needs to feel the "air moving" nowadays though.

[@nicholasaragon4126]

@@Run-Riot Yeah I much prefer to be at a nice position to those newer line array PAs at venues nowadays, man that is some sound quality! Funny you bring up the multiple guitarist volume creep that tends to occur when guitarists attempt to hear their own playing in a monitor-less situation. When I was in bands I sang and played guitar and my hearing would be so blown I couldn't tell if I was hitting the notes meanwhile a couple of 757s are lifting off behind me. Exhilarating? Sure. Annoying sometimes? Also sure. Now I'm solo and I definitely prefer the modeling because not only can I treat each song or parts of songs with different amps, speakers, mics. I don't need to bring a separate rig for acoustic and I don't have to haul around a personal PA so I'm not subject to some garbage wedge that is already there. It's all in one package and I can guarantee that my vocals and playing and backing track are mixed properly for monitoring so I'm not trying to adjust problems hearing myself on the fly while I'm trying to remember lyrics and play and be somewhat entertaining. I like my real amps if possible but I'm not risking them if I don't have to. Running a real amp A/B with a modeler has been my ideal experience so far. The FRFRs (I blend an 8 inch with a 12 inch) pump frequencies that the real amps don't, and the real amps pump frequencies that the FRFRs don't, so I like to run them together. In all my years playing I have never truly, truly been 100% satisfied with how I sound with a mic-ed amp. Mic-ing my amp was always an "it is what it is" compromise and as long as it stays in the mix then fine. I've been happier with the way the modelers sound in the PA (after much tweaking, experimenting, IR loading, etc...). I don't mind spending a ton of time cooking up modeled tones, it's fun to me.

[@aristocaster]

I would love to have Helix Native as a stand alone too, most of the time for me it is cumbersome to open Daw to play something.

[@scottcrist0070]

What's a Jamiriquey?

[@therangersinger]

That truck with the delay adding space to the recorded tones is unreal. You are winning John 🤣

[@jshearer94]

Thanks for the video Amps are fun. But modelers are so practical, and sometimes essential. Best to not be boxed in on any one thing.

[@davepatterson4774]

Having played both on quiet stages with modeling, using in ear monitors and having played with amps moving air, I'll always prefer the latter option. It's just a lot more fun (for myself, at least).

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

Have you tried using a powered speaker with your modeler?

[@RobertSaxy]

Unless is a silent stage, except the drums, there are plenty of ways to both go direct and use an amp or frfr

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

Exactly! I use an HX Stomp and powered speaker! I use a radial stage bug and send XLR to FOH and 1/4” thru to my speaker.

[@jackprice7828]

John you seem to wear that SS well😀. It appears that scale length gives you easier vibrato control.

[@monst3rmachin3productions12]

Lots of variables here. As a metal performer, modeling sounds best on the mains. You want the wall of sound and clarity. No doubt amps will reign supreme for nuance type music where dynamics are key, but for metal leave your full stack at home. No sense in lugging that around. Your ego stack doesn’t sound as good on the mains, creates a wash of unchecked frequencies on stage, pain in the ass to load in and load out quickly. Now everybody can give the drummer a hand since you’ve simplified your life. Drummer gets no modeler. 😢

[@playlistforkids]

Can we see more of your function gig video footage? I know, hard not to get a copyright strike. I really enjoy your playing, phrasing, tone, and it's cool to see how you fit in to the mix. I play function gigs, but my musical skills as well as my bandmates are not quite at your level, so it would be educational. thanks!

[@RobBaartwijk]

Ok, here goes : So I am older and I remember Vinyl. That was replaced by the CD which was much much better.(Yes I know, sticky subject, until you have heard Donald Fagen on CD that is...). Anyway, we had a very good sound quality, and what do we do? WE INVENTED MP3!!! The WorSt sound format I have ever heard. So as a guitarist I am supposed to be perfect and use tube amps that give me a hernia, but the end result will still sound crappy when played from the regular MP3-files? No Thank You. I have a very nice little modeler and it does a very good job. Especially because I keep programming and refining the sounds in it. I admit I only work in my studio but still; no hernia if I have to play live, always a controlled sound that is NOT influenced by the environment that much, everything in one place, very little setting up required, etcetera. And for live stuff I use Hughes and Kettner Power Monitors that five me alomost 500 watts if required, and still portable as hell! :) Also; why would I spend thousands and thousands of euros to buy several required amps(because you cannot do everything with just the one) AND buy all the effects, when they can be bought for a fraction of said price? The only way I can justify that is if I would be a working musician making a lot of money. We live in the 21st century, now let's start acting like it too. The new stuff is way good enough nowadays. just my 2c... :)

[@jamiestevens6691]

Lets face it, every guitarist in the world would want to play on a stage with a loud amp behind them - the idea of "moving air" (and thus the strings on the guitar interacting with the air that's moved) is the whole point of playing guitar. Also, the idea that more and more guitarists are turning to modellers is a false dichotomy. More and more venues are insisting on quiet stages, and modellers are used more and more as a result of this, then click-bait articles pick up on the surge in modellers as though its a trend driven by the guitarist. For ease of use and a broad range of sounds modellers can't be beat, but they're NOT better than a tube amp, period!

[@micktheman6]

I use modelers but I do not think they will ever replace tube amps the feel is way better but if the gigs wants it I’ll bring my modelers

[@johnycat7373]

I am not a good guitarist but I am lucky enough to have some good gear. Definitely not good enough to appreciate the subtleties of tube amps. But I have ears. I have been with various Boss modellers for years. Currently a GT 1000 core which is great in my small studio, through my Yamaha HS8,s and Boss RC500 looper for fun/creativity. However, even in my own large garage (pretty decent rehearsal room ) for 7 piece band, nothing sounds better than my amp set up. Not even close. Fender Hot Rod (old USA) with just a Fulltone OCD I front of it Boss pitch shifter./delay in the loop, , paired in Stereo/ switchable with Marshall AFD 100 with gt1000 four cable effects only. Mostly used as Fender clean/ crunch channel and Marshall for lead. Stereo for certain songs. Change Strat or Les Paul as required. Obviously this should be achievable more simply with the Core…… But no……As I said, I love my core. I have heard other modellers…but nothing comes close to the real amp sound for me. Yes, my two amp system is expensive and I couldn’t afford to replace them. But I have them and will use them rather than let them just get dusty. But that’s not the point. Other musicians who jam at my house or come to gigs can hear the difference too. Even if it requires too much effort and investment for them. Each to their own. Have fun !

[@vox1962]

How do you get feedback?

[@alessiotasco1289]

that intro LMAO and the LICC at 0:58...

[@GreatPlanet-c7o]

Some genres depend on amp being loud or the modeling being loud in the PA. Just keep playing as loud as you can, as long as you can. Being a shrinking violet won't work if you want to play music.

[@GitShiddy]

I feel like the overall is if you're a guitarists you have to be bi-amplifierual (gotta workshop that name). If you're an "amps only" person, stop if you're a "modeler only" person also stop. If you want to work you need the presence of mind & experience to be fundamentally comfortable no matter what's behind you (and if there's nothing behind know you look like you're faking it). Move some air modeler folks, learn silence amp folks. There isn't some grand chasm of tone & whilst the experience is different, both have equal strengths & flaws so just play.

[@DanEtch]

Amp fluid? Non-amp specific? Heaven forbid we throw transistor amps into the mix…

[@GitShiddy]

@@DanEtch Amp fluid is very good. Thanks to that it struck me "amp-bidextrous".

[@MrJingles021]

It's such a misconception about "moving air". It's not the amp, it's the cab and speaker....as you have said in other videos.

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

This! I use a powered speaker with my HX Stomp and love the flexibility from stage to stage!

[@MrJingles021]

@@DavidFeilyMusic I use a Line 6 Catalyst. It's a guitar speaker. So when I turn it up, it moves air.

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

@@MrJingles021 I use an RCF HD10 or whatever ElectroVoice powered speaker is closest. Have been recently trying the EV Everse 8.

[@dreadnotpop]

Any way you can make a video of that gig so we can hear what that sounds like live?

[@davidyelland908]

The amount of gigs is dwindling so fast that it may not matter what you want to play through.

[@monahantp3767]

These things are tools, and you're best off using the right tool for the job. I have no problem going between amps & modelers, though amps are my favorite. If someone is financially secure enough to say, "I refuse to play without an amp", then rock on brother! Fact of life however is most of us need the ability to use gear the employer requests of you-- after all, they're paying you for a service ;)

[@danandrews2650]

I found it ridiculous , my apologies, who said I just couldnt play without an amp. Perhaps he didnt need the work to be so inflexible. Would love to have him determine which is which between a mic'd amp and a fractal. Lets see him lug around a plexi with cab...lol

[@tommywallberg]

For home I use plugins with decent monitors however I get a lot of better sound playing through my YAMAHA THRII 30. Playing live is another ballpark.

[@onewiththings]

Great insight! In the next video, can you put on a poncho and play for mosquitoes?

[@johnnathancordy]

Can you recommend a reputable poncho dealer

[@expresidentfortune]

love your hoodie!

[@expresidentfortune]

fact: hoodies are also part of great guitarists' gear, and worth noting that Matteo Mancuso & Martin Miller are regular hoodie wearers. I have an uniquely altered one from decades ago, it's like my garment equivalent of a Dumble, minus the potting compound to hide my bodged stitching

[@lebroucke]

Luckily in Spain people like loud music so I didn't have to play modeler only much and I much rather have a 1x12+digital power amp to an FRFR and I really love using my Stomp as a preamp to one of my amps.

[@CorbCorbin]

I’m tired of hearing about amps not being used, because it’s too loud. I hear mind numbingly loud speakers, with ridiculous sub woofers, tacos many venues, parties, events, weddings, etc. that are just as loud as a band. Not every band, but if my amp needs to be quiet, why have a drummer at all? I can get soft jazz quiet with my amp, to pushing 110db, if I want to. I just don’t see this gig where only a modeler could be used. If they want straight in, I have three amps that have cab sims built in, and can go straight to a board, while the amp still plays, and one has a silent mode. Some may only work through headphones, or a speaker, from the board. I get a better tone, than any modeler I’ve ever tried. It’s easier to get the tone, snd it doesn’t feel hollow, the way I do performing through a modeler, with only monitors, in ears or a loudspeaker as monitor, to hear myself and the band.

[@LucasHaneman]

I like recording direct at times, even playing solo shows direct, but when a drummer is involved… a real amp please. I bring a direct amp solution as a backup in this case, but real amps with acoustic drums all day long. If everyone is on ears it can go either way, but at a club gig or especially outdoor festival direct just isn’t the same.

[@DavidFeilyMusic]

You ever tried using a powered speaker or cab paired with a modeler when performing with real drums?

[@t3golf]

I play church gigs in Dallas & EVERYONE of them are silent stages. And I hate it. I hate it so much. It is 100% more convenient for everyone. But I hate it all the same.

[@thomaschilds8781]

...if it makes you happy, then why the hell are you so sad?

[@andrewmaher8409]

The Teddy Bear seemed to like the intro song.