So, I'm getting strife from Mrs addict about all the gear cluttering up the place plus I don't gig much any more so I've been thinking about streamlining things. But which way to go? I have 2 amps - a Orange TH30 and a H&K Switchblade 100 (both heads) - and a Marshall 1936 2x12...I've put V30s in it and it's one of the ones with decent ply construction and sounds pretty good. So, I probably want to keep the cab.
I have quite a few pedals. One option would be to get rid of the Orange and just use the on board fx with the Switchblade. Then I could get rid of pretty much all my pedals except maybe one overdrive and a boost. But I would need to keep my Morpheus Droptune at least and probably my Wah (it's switchless...I can't drive a manual
). At least I could get everything on one easily-hidden board though. At the moment I have pedals hanging off the side and stuff.
OR - I could get rid of the Switchblade and swap the pedals for some kind of multi-fx to use with the Orange in 4CM. Again, everything should fit on one board.
Both of those should help me trim down the rig a fair bit. It comes down to which amp I want to keep really. The switchblade sounds good and is very flexible...but the Orange has a particular something about it that just sounds great. And I love the simplicity of it.
Hmm...dunno.
Comments
Maybe the 'deciding factor' is simply either to get rid of the bulkiest stuff or the stuff you'll get most money from if you sell it now. Also, consider that changing technologies/'fashions' are likely to mean your Switchblade is going to devalue more & more, and become harder to sell - whereas good pedals and an Orange valve amp will always be wanted.
Of course, if ever Switchblades started to suddenly become collectible, that buggers that up!
The multiFX will scratch the versatility itch when you get bored, but no amount of versatility will ever scratch the simple, great tone itch, so you will definitely miss the Orange if you get rid of it.
A multi-FX with an emulated line/headphone output will also give you a silent practice or recording option.
I would also worry about the long-term reliability/repairability of an amp as complex as the Switchblade, but I'm like that .
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I suppose if I am just using it for occasional mod fx and a drive or two I don't need the most expensive multi-fx in the world. I don't really want to pay Helix money for this. Plus that is a big unit. A nova system or line 6 M9 would work except I don't think either of those do 4CM...any suggestions?
https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
Not so keen on the Boss GT ones, just because of the physical size of the thing. I used to have a GT8 which sounded good. Should have kept it.
I think the first multi I bought was that little G1n from Zoom. It cost about 70 quid or something and sounded really good!
I'm not sure patch-based stuff works for me though. I'm constantly tweaking the eq and changing stuff on the fly. I can't imagine ever getting a set of sounds, sticking them in patches and never changing them. Might just have to accept I'm a simple amp with a few pedals kind of guy. And just have less pedals or something.
I might just pack up the switchblade and some pedals and stick them somewhere and see how it goes...