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[I'm spinning this off another thread because it is a general question that I haven't seen here before.]
Is it important to you for a grab'n'go amp to have on-board effects, or would you rather use pedals?
In particular, if you were looking to buy a grab'n'go amp would you favour one with on-board effects? Would no on-board effects be a deal-breaker?
For Roland Cube owners, how much use do you make of the on-board effects?
Thanks!
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09-30-2013 12:30 PM
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You know... I see pluses and minuses.
I have a Cube and I mostly use a touch of reverb to wet the signal. On, rare, rare occassion I will put in a subtle delay under the reverb.
On the one hand, I don't want to carry anything more than I absolutely must. So... I like to find an amp with a reverb that I just really love. Now, I am not a reverb snob as I don't have it prominent enough in my signal path to fuss too much over it. Where I do get snobby is on the EQ curve potential of the amp. I really want strong, almost piano like lows, present yet not painful mids and soft, rolled off highs. For the high mids and highs, I do like that...well... texture (?) that my Mesa Express has over my Cube (the Cube here is very simple; not bad, just not as interesting.).
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The only effect I use is reverb, really, so I prefer a pedal because I only have to memorize the controls on one device.
Actually, none of my amps even have reverb. Go figure.
I think if I used effects I'd still prefer the little boxes as opposed to some big floor unit with multiple switches or fiddling with the amp itself...
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One thing that was pointed out to me is that effects go "out of date" faster than an amp would, so using pedals allows you to update your effects but keep using the same amp.
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I have a cube, but have recently acquired a POD HD, which is over full with all the effects I seem to need at the moment, and more to boot. I takes care of all my needs, and is easy to carry.
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My two "grab'n'go" gig-worthy amps would probably be my Cube 80XL and my Mustang III. Both those have whatever FX onboard for what I want to do with either. Plus they have tuners onboard, too (although I prefer my TC PolyTune).
I use the Cube for jazz, always with a little bit of reverb—sounds 100% fine at the levels I use it at (and probably higher, too, but I haven't bothered so far)—and, if I need it, the onboard delay also sounds fine. I was expecting a distortion sound but was surprised to discover that the 'Heavy Octave' effect (simply supplying an octave-lower doubling) actually sounds kind of cool thru the JC Clean side of the amp (the only side I ever really use) for single-note lines; Jim Hall uses an octave/harmonizer effect every now and then, and the H.O. setting somewhat reminds me of that. (I really use it more for the fun of it and a bit of "gee-whiz" factor, but...yeah.)
I would happily grab the Mustang for a rock or fusion gig, and those FX sound totally fine, too, plus there's a lot more of them along with much finer degrees of control via the LCD (computer not at all necessary).
For me (and YMMV), having no FX on board would probably be a deal breaker in a "grab'n'go" amp cuz, IMO, it sort of kills the entire concept if you need anything more than a guitar, a cable, and the amp. To my mind, lugging pedals and pedalboards along to a gig implies a more 'major' set-up (although I do love me some pedals and would certainly take them along if I thought they were important to that gig, etc.). In usage, purely "grab'n'go" isn't usually of such a huge concern to me, but I'm answering here in regard to the OP's questions. Hope this helps...Last edited by ooglybong; 09-30-2013 at 04:38 PM.
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I just a good reverb, the rest I can use pedals. But good reverb is essential...
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I don't think reverb, delay or over-drive will ever go "out of date". Most grab and go ss amps incorporate those effects very effectively. (I know, I know, bad joke)
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I don't know about that. Henriksen JazzAmps are popular. Originally, they had no reverb and when it was added, most people agreed the result wasn't that good. No delay or overdrive there, at all.
Originally Posted by ESCC
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Understood that not every manufacturer includes effects or does them well, but that doesn't make me think that the effects are "out of date". Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
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The result was bad because they did a bad job - Mambo has the same chip and sounds very good. Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
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I have a Henriksen 110ER, great powerful, warm, clean amp. I have used it on many gigs, the reverb is just fine. It is a fabulous amp for jazz.
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I only use a little reverb or no effects at all. It depends on the room. So no, I don't look for on-board effects and I actually prefer if there is none.
I use an Electro Harmonix Holy Grail. Does what I want.
BDLH, I had never seen that reverb pedal you posted in the other thread, the Mooer Shim Reverb. I must say that is is very cute. How does it sound, say, compared to the Holy Grail?
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My PRRI has all the effects I usually need. In most rooms I play I keep the reverb off. I might step on the tremelo forr a passage, but it's not required.
If I'm playing a more rock/pop gig, then the board with the 4 fuzz boxes, 2 delays, looper, phaser, tremelo, flanger, volume pedal comes out
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Sorry, I don't have the Mooer -- I have a TC Hall of Fame. I posted the Mooer since it's so cute and tiny. Originally Posted by Eddie Lang
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I'd love to find an economical, light, grab'n'go amp with effects, just to make it easier to get out the door with the least amount of gear. For me it's all about playing with others as often as possible, so it just makes sense to keep gear to a minimum.
I wish every time I left home to play, it was only jazz, but that's not a reality in my locale, so a variety of basic effects are needed to meet the guitar expectations of other styles.
The problem I find with lots of amps is that they might have quite a variety of FX built in, but only allow you to choose one or two at a time. Inevitably I end up dragging along a pedal or two. Lately I've been thinking that a small multiFX unit might fill my needs for convenience sake.
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I'm up for a bit of reverb on me amps, if it's nae reverb I pass it over.
My Cube 60 fx are ok for a bit of 'Oo, that's weird' moments but otherwise I don't use them at all.
My new Ampeg GVT 15 has a really nice spring reverb which does the job, the FX loop has a compressor for a boost and that's it really, just fiddle with the gain and tone stack for clean or otherwise. I also use a Boss looper that serves as a boost as well!
As for the mooers check out their website, they have there own pedal board with power supply and has spaces for 5 pedals, all on a board the size of a shoe box! Probably the smallest grab and go board on the market.
If you want to go further they also do mini valve heads, a Vox clone and a Tweed clone, more 'small' options for a grab and go rig.
http://www.mooeraudio.com/en/Product.asp?PClassID=25
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No onboard fx as they are always a budget compromise. Has to have an fx loop
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i also just use onboard eq and if possible onboard reverb ...and only just a touch of reverb
to me the whole idea of a "grab and go amp".... be it a reherasal /jam or gig is just that ...minimal fuss ... so yes the dedicated reverb pedal has better reverb than the amp ...and outboard para eq is superior but if it's 'grab and go" i find i can dial in a good sound from whats on board a cube or even my ZT ... so i just take the amp the guitar and one cable
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For grab-n-go I like onboard reverb/delay. And a decent chorus comes in very handy for some pop things.
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What's interesting to me about this thread is how few players mention delay. If I had to select one effect and the choices were between reverb or delay, I think I might choose delay. If you listen closely, you will hear it on many contemporary jazz recordings.
Sorry, BDLH, no intention of hijacking the thread.
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No, I'm interested in what effects people would want on the amp. Originally Posted by ESCC
The thing is, a decent reverb means four to five knobs (Reverb type, FX level, Decay, Tone, maybe pre-delay) plus an output to a footswitch and a footswitch. Now the amp is twice as complicated.Last edited by BigDaddyLoveHandles; 10-01-2013 at 11:12 AM.
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i kinda see it the opposite way. i want my amp to have as little as possible. the fewer knobs, bells, whistles and circuit boards, the better. less to go wrong, purer tone (?), cheaper (?), lighter and all that. that's grab and go to me.
i'll always go outboard effects. because they are better. its really that simple. i can pick what i want and not be limited to what the manufacturer thought to include at the price point they saw fit. i can make the board as big or small as i want, and swap things out for specific needs/gigs/sessions/jams. as it stands, i have three boards: a small one, a big one and a derelict pedal board i use in front of the jc77.
a pedal train nano is pretty small, and the bag attaches to your guitar. couple of pedals, a power supply (or batteries, if you are brave) and you're all set. you might even tuck it into the back of an amp if you're using a larger combo. incidentally, all my boards have some variation of boost, drive, reverb and delay. and trem on the larger ones.
reverb and delay can be made to sound similar, but they aren't interchangeable to me. i <3 them both and use them both a fair amount.
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Have you seen the new Volto from PedalTrain? It's basically a rechargeable battery, the sort the comes in laptops, and it fits underneath you pedal board. Should be good for smaller boards. Originally Posted by feet
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i thought the volto was vaporware. maybe it warrants a looking at. i ended up with a fuel tank jr, chameleon and a one spot. once i finish messing with pedals, i'll rig something with some footies and velcro and secure them under the boards. pretty common mod, and i can power more pedals and a few 18v pedals if i feel the need.
but an all battery rig would be kinda neat.
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