bc_dup1

Hi Myles I agree that these are questions of personal taste and requirements. However it's about 25 years since I last played guitar in a multi-style cover band, and more than 20 since I played guitar in a gigging band at all (or through an amp, come to that). I don't have recent personal experience to make informed choices. There are limits to what one can learn from testing equipment in music stores etc and I'm reconciled to my first purchases being more on the basis of research than personal preference. I had already read your pieces on Line 6 in the world's best amps section, which is the main reason I posted the question here. I was very impressed by your knowledge of the subject, and also by your ability to keep an open mind and trust your ears in an area where prejudice often seems to get in the way of an objective response. What you don't do in the pieces I have read is go into any detail about how modelling amps compare with one another (as opposed to tube amps), what kind of amplification you think works well with the Pod, and specifically whether you think the XT is a good live solution (although I've seen posts where you make positive reference to the XT as a guitarist's tool). If you have written on these specific topics I'd be most grateful if you could point me to where those pieces can be found. Thanks.

Hi Myles, I've joined a cover band as a guitarist after playing bass for years and need to think about amplification/effects. I've not thought about guitar gear for many years. I will need a wide range of sounds and am tempted by a modelling amp or Pod. I have an old MusicMan combo that could maybe be rejuvenated and may yet go down that route but I think I'm more likely to go for the modelling amp solution. Under consideration are: - Pox xt Live, plus amp plus cab. Right now this is probably my preferred solution. I'm thinking with the XT what I need is clean, uncoloured power. Possibly the Crate Powerhead, plus a 1 x12" or the Tech 21 Power Engine 60. I'd be very interested in your thoughts on suitable amp/cabs if you think the Pod is a good solution for live playing. - an alternative would be a modelling amp, either a Line 6 or Fender or other. My back isn't in great shape so portability is important. My gut feel is the XT plus an amp/cab should sound as good and with more flexibility but I would be interested in your thoughts.

Don't know the US legalities, but I'm sure you are better off away from a job that made you feel the way that one did. I understand how fear of unemployment can make people cling to jobs that are making them miserable, day in day out, but I still think that being fired from those kinds of job are blessings in disguise far more often than not. Good luck with the job hunt.