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  1. Better. Warmer. Fuller tone. Richer tone.

    Transister / Solid-State can be a bit sterile sounding. They can be good for Metal sort of stuff. But on the whole... not so much.

    I'd much rather play my AC15 (tubes) vs. my Pathfinder (solid-state). Pathfinder is great for what it is... a small - portable - practice amp... but the tone of teh AC15 is miles better.

    Sometimes (most times) it's worth waiting and saving for something 'better' instead of just taking the economy way and buying the solid state amp now, so you can have it NOW. Keep that in mind.
  2. Cool show of how you can layer with the loop function of the M13.

    And yes, Mick from Unforgettable Fire is AMAZING. And he's got TONS of gear! But I've seen clips of him playing NYD piano part on an iPAD! And U2 tunes on a Ukelele - with effects - and sound Edge-worthy. Amazing.

    Blues Jr. is a fine amp indeed. Rachel and I bought one for her hubby (Chas) for his birthday. Chas being the guitar player in Joshua Tree [Los Angeles based u2 tribute].

    I work as his tech. We bought the rarer Limited Edition Emerald Blues Jr. Use? We are using it primarly as Edge used his Blues Jr., for shimmer... and it sounds amazing.

    This idea that a tube amp is sooooooooo expensive is bullshit. Blues Jr. is affordable. You might have to save and wait 'a bit' but if one is working, one can get a Blues Jr. in a short period of time. They are in the $500-$600 range depending on the exact Blues Jr. (There are a few minor variations).

    Same can be said for the Vox AC15CC. $500-600 range. Then one could have a decent amp. Save a bit more and add Celestion Blues later.

    All of that seems to be better than buying an amp that is cheaper and one can afford NOW... that ultimiately you will not love and will want to get rid of. Buyers remorse is not a fun nor cheap thing.

    Patience is not only a virtue but can assure you get the best bang for your money and better tone.

    T'is my two cents on the matter


    Originally posted by RattleandHum1988:[..]

    Haha, go for it. Big amps are best (get it?) when it's the right amp. I'd never get rid of my AC30 Not in a million years. It's basically my dream amp, and I have it! Saved up for a long time for it. Although it's a bit unnecessary, meaning that I don't play to huge audiences and normally I don't play it louder than a quarter way up (the master volume knob that is) but the tone is freakin' great nonetheless. Never heard anything better.

    My suggestion, look into tube amps. My blues JR is small, light. but it's loud as hell and has a wicked tone. Mick has a bunch of clips with that amp as well if you want to check it out.

    For example: [YouTube Video]

    These amps work in other situations other than U2 as well My band plays mostly classic rock kind of stuff, and it sounds phenom. for that. It breaks up really nicely (well yeah, it's a tube amp!) and the natural overdrive on it when turned up is great. They're discontinued (I believe...) but you can find em' on ebay for around 300-400 bucks.

    Tube amps are more expensive so it all depends on your budget. Solid State amps are GREAT as well! The lunchbox is solid state and has a wicked tone (apparently, I'll post clips when I get it). My suggestion, bring your gear to a music store and try it on different amps.

    Alex


  3. More proof Mick from The Unforgettable Fire is an amazing musician?

    "All I Want Is You" on electric mandolin? Yepper.


    "Sunday Bloody Sunday" too? Sure...


    "New Years Day" piano on iPad? Certainly!


    "Pride..." on ukelele... true story...



    Long story short. Stand up guy. Great talent. And fantastic U2 tribute.
  4. I know this might be a long shot, but ive got a Boss DD-3 and i've noticed that nearly everyone who knows what their talking about re: edges delay times/techniques uses an Axe fx or something else outlandishly expensive. Does anyone know of simple formula that i could use to translate these numbers for my boss pedal (which obviously shows no dials)?? Again, ive learnt most of the songs i want to and can get very close to the sound, but i wondered if any one else had encounters a similar 'problem'?
  5. Axe is all digital...ew. For 250 bucks go on ebay and buy a Deluxe Memory Man. Edge used them exclusively before he switched to the TC delays.
  6. Originally posted by RattleandHum1988:Sweet, just scored myself an older Deluxe Memory Man off of the bay. The mini-rig quest has begun! Next on the list:

    Boss SD-1
    Maxon CP101
    Behringer Reverb Machine (still thinking about this one, essentially it's a cheaper altertanative to the line 6 verbzilla, and apparently it's one of the better behringer pedals)


    dude! thats awesome I just got one a few months back. It is the BEST delay I have ever used. I actually never turn it off lol it colors my tone in an amazing way.
  7. Originally posted by thebonodrums:[..]

    dude! thats awesome I just got one a few months back. It is the BEST delay I have ever used. I actually never turn it off lol it colors my tone in an amazing way.


    Indeed it does. It definitely gives that early days Edge sound.

    I put a new body on my american strat, I've amde a few customizations to it (saddles, pickups) so now I like to call it the Alex signature strat The new body is swamp ash (1 piece) from warmoth, and I'm lovin' the finish:



  8. Ooooohhh that's amazing, blueburst all the way It must sound terrific, I'm sure!!

    PS. Love the strap too!


  9. Thanks man! I love the blue burst. I was actually meaning to buy a fiesta red body, and I came across this one, and I was blown away.
    The sound isn't that different from my old alder body (which I consider a good thing, because i loved the sound of it before, and I still do). The only difference I can hear is that it's a bit darker, a bit less twang and a bit more ooomf, which I'm loving.

    And yes I love the strap!

    Alex
  10. Fiesta Red is my all-time favorite Strat and always will be. I've grown up watching the mythic Alchemy concert by the english band Dire Straits, and the Fiesta Red is Mark Knopfler's signature guitar... I have a big drawing of that strat made by my own at my bedroom's door. It's like saying "You're entering a Fiesta Red territory - be careful!"

    But the blue burst is amazing, and it has that different thing since it's a non-common color. Well done. And good thing about the sound too, less twang means better/more interesting sound - in my opinion at least. Maybe it has to do with my Les Paul love too
  11. Originally posted by RattleandHum1988:Sweet, just scored myself an older Deluxe Memory Man off of the bay. The mini-rig quest has begun! Next on the list:

    Boss SD-1
    Maxon CP101
    Behringer Reverb Machine (still thinking about this one, essentially it's a cheaper altertanative to the line 6 verbzilla, and apparently it's one of the better behringer pedals)


    dude. skip the SD-1. I know edge uses them. But for around 140 bucks. you can get the OD I use called the Vox Big-Ben OD. Its uses a 12AU7 tube in it. It is the warmest OD I have ever used. it can get a really harsh sound or a much lower end sound. Its awesome. That or fulltones OCD pedal are my favorites for sure

    As for the Behringer vs the verbzilla. I personally cant stand behringer pedals Ive never used a product from them that ive liked. The verbzilla is awesome for the shimmer. you can get them on ebay for cheap if you find a really used one

    and ill check on the maxon. they used to make an amazing analog delay that my friend Jason says is even better than the DMM. so il check it out and let you know what I think
  12. ok...looked up the maxon cp101. didnt even know what it is lol. as far as compressors go. I would always go with the MXR dyna-comp

    if thats not your thing try the keeley compressor or an analog man compressor

    BUT...the dyna comp is probably the cheapest for the qaulity. the other two are fairly expensive sorry if I seem like a know it all or giving you advice when you didnt ask for it...im just REALLY passionate about gear!!!
Contribute to the U2 community with uploading photos or by telling us which shows you have visited.
Contribute to the U2 community with uploading photos or by telling us which shows you have visited.
Contribute to the U2 community with uploading photos or by telling us which shows you have visited.
Contribute to the U2 community with uploading photos or by telling us which shows you have visited.