Here's the deal:
I've been playing my rack for a few years now and I want to build a backup. My standard rig - probably about eight grand into it, so the other guitar player in our band and I got thinking - with modern technology could a new player build a system with pro sound for a price equal or less than that of a Deluxe Reverb Reissue, a compressor, an overdrive, a distortion, a delay and tuner? Let's say the DRRI is $1100 and the pedals average 80 bucks each. That comes to $1500 and would be a nice little setup for a working guitar player.
A system means:
Power conditioner
Stereo Preamp
Stereo Power Amp
Monitors
Controller
Case
Cables
OK, I had a spare 6RU (rack units high) SKB case to use but while looking for a power conditioner I found a used one for $70, so we'll use that price.
Power conditioner - Found a nice LiveWire 11 socket system with LED voltage monitor and LED rack lights for $80. (Deal!)[Total $150]
Preamp - shopped around and found a new PODHD Pro X on sale for $200 off so picked it up for $500. [Total $650]
Controller- FBV 3 for $215 Shipped [Total $865]
I now have a remaining budget of $635 to use for the power amp, stage monitors and cables. Used power amps are cheap, so I'm saying $200 for modern style lightweight unit, but a guy or gal can get a used Carvin stereo power amp all day for $100 and they sound pretty nice and have proven to be warhorses. [Total $1065]
That leaves me with $435 left to find a pair of JBLs and all the cables I need. Very doable.
So, fired up the POD HD PRO X and I'm delighted with how it sounds. My current AXEfx is bit nicer through headphones, but the POD HD PRO is well designed for live use, and the power amp and speakers will smooth it out to the point where it will sound as good live as the Fractal that costs 5 times as much. I won't say the Fractal sounds better, just different and I'm more used to it. The HD PRO X so far has impressed the heck out of me in two areas: a) it's very tactile the way it responds and b) it does very well with polyphonics and long chains. Must be good processors in it. I was able to build a 12 string sound in about 10 minutes that I'll play anywhere.
Digging the interface too. Much better than anything else on the market. You drag and drop on your computer. Couldn't be simpler.
So, I guess the goal can be met, and given the virtually unlimited pallet it gives one to work with, the ability to direct to FOH and/or use the stage speakers only, true stereo coupled with the sound quality - I'm struggling to understand why a new player who's goal is to play in a band wouldn't go this way.
I get the whole collecting and playing with vintage-style gear thing and yes, a nice tube amp can sound really good - but they're a one-trick pony. You're pretty well stuck with one sound all night. A good blues tone ain't gonna cut it for Boston, Thin Lizzy or Bruno Mars, and you're at the mercy of the microphone and placement on any night anyways. So even if it sounds good onstage it might be pretty bad out front with all the bleed and room acoustics feedback.
Yes, I know a lot of this will be heresy to a certain base of people, but it's the musings of a working musician and not some "tone" disciple who never played in a working band. If someone comes up to me at a show and asks me what to buy, this is how I'll steer them.
All IMHO, YMMV,
Chuck