Is Axe FX II really $3k better than Mustang 3?

[Liam]

The real question is, is it worth $1900 more TO YOU? Only you can answer that. It depends on your needs and what YOU are looking for in a unit.

I made two "experimental" amp purchases last year to see if I could improve on the Marshall JMP 2203 half stack that I have mainly been using for many years now. An Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII head and a 65 Amps Whiskey head. Both are fine amplifiers, one is a little more versatile than the other. I don't think either is going to turn out to do quite what I was hoping for.

Combined new purchase price is over $4500 for those two amps alone (although I got lucky with the Whiskey). So for me, if this works, the Axe-FX II looks like an incredibly good value for money investment. Not insignificant, even for someone relatively comfortable financially, but when I look at what I've spent on the 10 or so amps I currently own, it does seem you get a lot for your money.

Liam

 

[Pwrmac7600]

I made two "experimental" amp purchases last year to see if I could improve on the Marshall JMP 2203 half stack that I have mainly been using for many years now. An Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII head and a 65 Amps Whiskey head. Both are fine amplifiers, one is a little more versatile than the other. I don't think either is going to turn out to do quite what I was hoping for.

Combined new purchase price is over $4500 for those two amps alone (although I got lucky with the Whiskey). So for me, if this works, the Axe-FX II looks like an incredibly good value for money investment. Not insignificant, even for someone relatively comfortable financially, but when I look at what I've spent on the 10 or so amps I currently own, it does seem you get a lot for your money.

Liam

But that's kinda my point, you learned from real user experience. It's truly the only way to know if something works for you, and is worth it to you.

 

[frankv]

Ok so I know this is a touch of a necro from Frank, BUT....

Lets be realistic, it's actually only $1900 more than the mustang 3, and if purchased used, even less.

Also those who don't own one or have never used one for any period of time cannot honestly answer this question. Would be much the same as me saying a Dumble is definitely worth $87,000 more than my Voodoo VRock. I wouldn't know, I have never owned one, or played one. But if someone can afford it, and feels so inclined, good on them. I'm not gonna knock em for something I personally would never fathom spending on an amp.

This question is very loaded.
Will the AXE FX sound $1900 better than your mustang 3? YES!
Will it offer you $1900 more in features over your mustang 3? YES!
Will it give you $1900 worth of quality in tone over your Mustang 3? That depends on the persons perspective listening to the unit. I personally think YES!

The real question is, is it worth $1900 more TO YOU? Only you can answer that. It depends on your needs and what YOU are looking for in a unit.

Those who say it is ridiculous to spend that kind of money on an AXE, it's no different than spending that kind of money on a Gibson Les Paul. I mean hell you could go out and buy Epi Les Paul for a few hundred, but then the question arises, is the Gibson Les Paul REALLY worth $3000 more than the Epi Les Paul?
Some say yes, some say no. The reality is you have to decide that for yourself.
IMHO when researching something you are debating purchasing, NEVER base your opinions on what people say who have never owned the product. Just because someone played it once doesn't give them enough knowledge on the product to be able to give you an informed decision. Take your opinions from actual owners or previous owners, you will still find people who liked, and people who didn't, but at least you are getting VERY informed direction on the product.

I tried snowboarding once, but that doesn't mean I am qualified to talk about the ins and outs of it.

My overall opinion is that yes the high end modelers such as the Axe FX and Kemper, are well worth the money charged for them.


Edit: Just to be clear, I am not bagging on the Mustang 3. and I do not think the Axe FX is better simply because it costs more, although it better be for the price difference. This is all just my opinion, so take it as such... Don't need anyone getting up in arms thinking I am bashing their gear, or anyone thinking I am bragging about what I can afford. I live pay check to pay check just as most of us do.

Living paycheck to paycheck... I can relate.

 

[frankv]

Combined new purchase price is over $4500 for those two amps alone (although I got lucky with the Whiskey). So for me, if this works, the Axe-FX II looks like an incredibly good value for money investment. Not insignificant, even for someone relatively comfortable financially, but when I look at what I've spent on the 10 or so amps I currently own, it does seem you get a lot for your money.

Liam

You bet it's a good value.. and to really appreciate just how good that is you need to have one in your hands.. I can tell you this. If it turns out it isn't for you... Highly unlikely as that may be... You will have no trouble selling it and moving on.

 

[KenG]

While it doesn't get mentioned much, if you're not big into home recording and want something gig ready the AX8 is a contender IMO. The money saved would likely be enough for a high quality FRFR Powered speaker or a pair of slightly more affordable ones. I know a lot of people are impressed with the Helix (& quite sensitive about any opinions that aren't 100% positive) and it has a lot of recording features well but there are significantly less amp sims on it.

 

[Steinmetzify]

Can't buy one for a while yet tho...

 

[Liam]

AX8 is definitely a contender, but if I recall correctly has less options in terms of running parallel sims? Anyone know what the latest is in terms of availability? I don't think they are shipping in Europe yet.

Liam

 

[KenG]

AX8 is definitely a contender, but if I recall correctly has less options in terms of running parallel sims? Anyone know what the latest is in terms of availability? I don't think they are shipping in Europe yet.

Liam

Yeah if you want two amps running at the same time in stereo the AX8 won't do it. It'll let you toggle between to different amps in the same chain in a scene (X-Y) though. The lack of dual amps at the same time will be a deal breaker for some especially if they want to run two FRFR cabs and go stereo.
There are less recording interfaces too IIRC but if you plan to gig with it more than record, this probably isn't an issue. You can record with it there just not as much flexibility in it. Hey they had to cut costs somewhere and I'd rather they did it there than in the amp sims, effects, cabs, audio paths and software which they kept at FX II quality.
I think this'll be the way I end up going, I've git a digital multi-track recorder from TASCAM so I don't need to use a USB Audio interface for PC and if I want to use the PC I still have an Audio interface to USB for Ableton Live.

As for availability, here there's a waiting list, sounds like it's a couple of months long for North America and Europe may be a totally different situation where you'll have to buy from their distributors unless you can get some help from someone over here. Personally I'm not the "I have to have it now" type for major purchases, I'm willing to wait to get what I want if I have to. There 'll be some who will opt to spend more simply because they don't have the patience.
Looked for some used but so far no luck, guess that says something.

 

[Liam]

Yeah if you want two amps running at the same time in stereo the AX8 won't do it. It'll let you toggle between to different amps in the same chain in a scene (X-Y) though. The lack of dual amps at the same time will be a deal breaker for some especially if they want to run two FRFR cabs and go stereo.
There are less recording interfaces too IIRC but if you plan to gig with it more than record, this probably isn't an issue. You can record with it there just not as much flexibility in it. Hey they had to cut costs somewhere and I'd rather they did it there than in the amp sims, effects, cabs, audio paths and software which they kept at FX II quality.
I think this'll be the way I end up going, I've git a digital multi-track recorder from TASCAM so I don't need to use a USB Audio interface for PC and if I want to use the PC I still have an Audio interface to USB for Ableton Live.

I don't do a lot of recording, but I like the idea of being able to give front of house something different from what I have on stage, or even at some point run some combination of FRFR monitoring as well as a "real" amp that breaks out of the Fractal signal chain. I would also LOVE to be able to model some of the multi amp setups that I used back in the late 90s, and I tended to run them all at the same time rather than AB.

As for availability, here there's a waiting list, sounds like it's a couple of months long for North America and Europe may be a totally different situation where you'll have to buy from their distributors unless you can get some help from someone over here. Personally I'm not the "I have to have it now" type for major purchases, I'm willing to wait to get what I want if I have to. There 'll be some who will opt to spend more simply because they don't have the patience.
Looked for some used but so far no luck, guess that says something.

I'll bet the European distributor has a wait list, but they were expecting to ship some units end of January. Like you, I don't mind taking my time over this. There was a used AX8 on the bay, I think last week. Went for $2500, which for me looks like a big premium to jump the queue.

Liam

 

[cybermgk]

Still think it's a LOT easier riding this

Than this

 

[frankv]

Still think it's a LOT easier riding this

Than this

Well I think you are wrong... and until you play one you don't really know do you?

 

[cybermgk]

Well I think you are wrong... and until you play one you don't really know do you?

Tried driving my friends Axe FX. SLOW 0-60 time

 

[frankv]

Tried driving my friends Axe FX. SLOW 0-60 time

You could never formulate an opinion by test driving it for a short time.

The AXE FX2 is so far more capable then the tube amps of the past it isn't even something I argue over any more. The case is closed for me.. and you will one day realize it too. Your time hasn't come yet... that's really it..

 

[KenG]

Tried driving my friends Axe FX. SLOW 0-60 time

There's a learning curve for sure. I think though once the "light clicks on" and you grasp the concept and controls/display things get easier. Especially using the PC interfaces, I would personally never try to program any of the high end modellers from their screens. Teak a bit maybe but program hell no.
Now for driving the modeller I'd want to spend time mastering the floor controller, be it the POD HD, Helix or either Fractal Unit.

 

[frankv]

The foot controller is cool because whatever effects blocks you put in the axe edit program automatically are assigned to the default switches on the foot controller you need not do anything more

 

[Jeremiah]

I'm pretty sure he's joking about driving the axe fx. lighten up a little, guys, lol

 

[frankv]

I'm pretty sure he's joking about driving the axe fx. lighten up a little, guys, lol

Nah.. It was a serious comment..