I jumped down the Fractal rabbit hole earlier this year. Traded a Mark IV head for one.
1 week befor delivery = Went out and bought $500 ss power amp to run it at rehearsal since our PA isn't big enough handle vox and my guitar.
First week with AXE = Honeymoon! Loved it. Thought I'd never want for anything ever again.
Second week = Had first full band rehearsal. Totally burried in mix. Spent 2 hours dicking with eq's and amp models in an attempt to make it sound something like my other guitarists halfstack. Finally learned enough tricks to get around and make adjustments on the fly. Had a gig and ran straight to the board. Sounded ok and was pretty cool not fussing with cabs and mic's.
Third week = Serious hours invested in tweaking, learning, and researching forums. Downloaded tons of patches and did a lot of side by side comparing. Finally realize how deep this thing is.
Fourth week = At rehearsal I make an *** out of myself because I'm rusty on most of our songs. I figure it was because all my time I devote to practice has turned into tweaking sessions. I lock down a clean, crunch, and lead tone and vow to work on my playing and not my tone.
Last month = I come to the conclusion that I don't use any effects, like the way a guitar sounds plugged straight into an amp with a real cabinet, and that my rack with wireless, conditioner, Axe Fx, and power amp weigh the same as most 4x12 cabs. Decide to sell. 1 day on craigslist later I have a guy offering me what a new one is sold for. He buys my power amp too. I then start my hunt for a gently loved Mark V but find someone on ebay selling a Splawn Nitro halfstack for less than the price of a used Mark V head. Too good to pass up. Recieve Splawn via UPS. KT88 tubes should require a special permit or something. Forgot how much better a REAL amp sounds and feels. Axe came close but it still had something artificial about it.
Last night = Made thunder at rehearsal. All bandmates complimented my tone. Tubes rock. Life is good.
The moral of my story is keep your Roadster. :lol:
