List of amp simulations
This is a list of the amps the Axe-Fx simulates, plus the description in the manual, suggestions for cabinets and additional notes.
Download a PDF version with pictures of the amps.
| Axe-Fx name | Amp simulated |
|---|---|
| TUBE PRE | = Generic Tube Preamp
Manual: a completely neutral, low-gain tube pre-amp simulation. Useful for warming up vocals and other instruments. Cabinet: n/a
|
| JAZZ | = Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus
Manual: based on a Japanese solid-state amp with built-in chorus. With essentially no tone shaping this amp has a warm, midrange-thick sound that is good for jazz and fingerstyle. With the Axe-Fx’s powerful tone controls you can tweak this type to get shimmering rhythm tones as well. Cabinet: ?
|
| BROWNFACE | = Fender Vibroverb
Manual: based on a classic American 40-watt tube amp with built-in vibrato. Great for gutsy blues, this type breaks up nicely, especially when the Master is cranked. The original had no Mid or Presence so set these to ‘0’ for classic tone". Cabinet: 1x12 Black, 2x12 Black, 1x15 Blues |
| 59 BASSGUY (formerly: BLUES) | = Fender Bassman
Manual: a low-to-medium gain sound great for blues. Based on a classic bass amplifier with four 10” speakers, it didn’t work so well for bass but guitar players quickly discovered it made a great blues amp. Try a treble booster in front for screaming blues work a la Albert Collins or Albert King. Cabinet: 4x10 Bass |
| DELUXE VERB (formerly: TWEED) | = Fender Deluxe Reverb Model AB763
Manual: based on a small, low-power, tweed-covered amp. The original had no controls other than volume. Set all tone controls to ‘0’ for authentic tone. Adjust as desired to venture into new sonic territory. Our simulation has a bit more gain than the somewhat anemic original to allow you to dial in a nice crunch. To recreate the original faithfully set the drive to about 6 and use the Master as the volume. Cabinet: 1x12 Black, 2x12 Black
|
| DOUBLE VERB (formerly: BLACKFACE) | = Fender Twin
Manual: based on a popular, 100-watt American tube amp with two 12” speakers. This simulation captures the Normal Channel. Very similar to the Brownface model but a little more mellow. The tone-stack is also slightly different giving it just a bit different voicing. Cabinet: 2x12 Black |
| CLASS A | = Vox AC30
Manual: a medium-gain emulation based on an early British tube amplifier. This type does not have the high-frequency emphasis like the American types and therefore has a darker sound. Try a treble boost in front for a snarling British “opera-rock” sound. This amp is notable in that it has no negative feedback around the power-amp and hence has a gritty character and less high-frequency response. Cabinet: 2x12 Brit
|
| TOP BOOST | = Vox AC30TB
Manual: based on the “Top Boost Mod” version of the Class A. The public yearned for a brighter amp and the designers responded by adding a treble boost circuit. At first this circuit was a retrofit but then included as standard. Our simulation captures the boosted high-frequency response and slightly reduced bass response of the original. Cabinet: 2x12 Brit |
| PLEXI 1 | = Marshall '1959'
Manual: based on a classic British amp, the Plexi is great for crunchy rhythm work. The original was basically a copy of the 4x10 bass amp (see Blues type above) that guitar players adopted but with EL34 output tubes and other British components. Despite being essentially a copy it had a unique voice all its own. It has somewhat low preamp gain and works best with the Master and Drive both set fairly high. Cabinet: 4x12 20w |
| BRIT 800 | = Marshall JCM800 2204
Manual: the successor to the Plexi type was the vaunted 800 series lead amplifier. Many 80’s rock hits were born using this amp and we’ve captured its tone and put it into a neat little package. This amp had EL34 output tubes, some treble peaking on the input and a little more gain than the Plexi. Like the Plexi type it likes having the Master cranked. At low Master settings the amp can be brittle but bring the Master up and the true tone of this beast comes out. Try it with any of the 4x12 cabinet types for classic rock and metal tones. Try a drive block in front for more snarl. Cabinet: 4x12 30, 4x12 Green, 4x12 75w, 4x12 T75 |
| BRIT 900 | = Marshall JCM900
Manual: the successor to the 800 series was the 900 series. This amp had basically the same power amp but a new preamp with more tone shaping, more gain, and a solid-state clipping circuit that gave it a raspier sound. This amp was designed to get more of its distortion from the preamp than the earlier models but you can still keep the drive low and turn up the Master for more power amp distortion. Cabinet: 4x12 30w, 4x12 75w, 4x12 T75
|
| BROWN | = Eddie van Halen's modded Marshall
Manual: based on a modified British style head with plenty of gain and lots of mids and highs. This type captures the sound of Eddie’s early work. Crank the Master and bring the drive up until you reach sonic nirvana. Cabinet: 4x12 20w, 4x12 25w, 4x12 30w, 4x12 Green
|
| BOUTIQUE 1 | = Matchless Chieftain
Manual: a medium-gain, thick, yet crisp, sound with a fair amount of power amp breakup. Based on a now-defunct amplifier that was renowned for its liquid tone and endless sustain. This amp had very unique tone controls and as a result a distinctive voice with a bell- like quality. The preamp gain is fairly low so crank the Master to get that gutsy crunch. Good for rhythm work in a sparse situation where fullness of tone is required. Cabinet: 2x12 Boutique |
| BOUTIQUE 2 | = Matchless Chieftain w/ Booster
Manual: same as Boutique 1 but with more gain and a bit more high-frequency emphasis. The lead version of Boutique 1. Cabinet: 2x12 Boutique
|
| HIPOWER 1 | = Hiwatt 'Normal' Channel
Manual: a medium-gain, full sound based on a famous “High Wattage” amp. These amps had a unique tone-stack and industrial quality output transformers with tremendous frequency response. Chimey with a bit of power amp breakup. Plug in your Tele and crank out some Baba O'Reilly. Cabinet: ?
|
| HIPOWER 2 | = Hiwatt 'Brilliant' Channel
Manual: like HiPower I but using the “Brilliant” channell Cabinet: ?
|
| USA CLEAN | = MKIV and Triaxis Clean
Manual: a somewhat neutral clean sound that can pushed into gentle clipping. Based on a classic California amp’s clean channel this type has a full tone with a gentle midrange dip. The power amp is punchy and clean but can be driven into light distortion if desired. Sounds best with the drive turned up fairly high. Cabinet: Cali, South |
| USA RHY1 | = MKIV Crunch
Manual: crunchy California rhythm sound. Effective for solo use too with the gain turned up. Cabinet: Cali, South |
| USA RHY2 | = Triaxis LD1 Green
Manual: similar to USA Rhy 1 but with the “mid-boost” engaged. This effectively removes the midrange dip from the tone stack and gives a more focused sound and a bit more gain. Cabinet: Cali, South |
| USA LEAD | = MKIV Lead
Manual: a tight, focused, hi-gain sound great for fusion and rock leads. Based on a modern Californian lead amp that set the standard for hi-gain lead tones. With the tone-stack before the preamp tubes this type has a more liquid response than the British types where the tone-stack is after the preamp. For the classic California lead sound turn the drive up and back of the Master a bit so that most of the distortion is coming from the preamp. Cabinet: Cali, South |
| USA LEAD 2 | = Triaxis LD2 Yellow
Manual: similar to USA Lead I but with the “treble shift” engaged. This shifts the response of the treble control lower and gives a slightly different character to the tone. There is also a “treble peaker” on the input stage which slightly boosts the high frequencies giving this type a little more “cut". Cabinet: Cali, South |
| RECTO Orange | = Mesa Dual Rectifier (version 1)
Manual: not described. Cabinet: Recto1, Recto2
|
| RECTO Red | = Triaxis LD1 Red w/"recto mod". The power amp portion is identical to Recto1
Manual: not described. Cabinet: Recto1, Recto2
|
| SOLO 100 | = Soldano SLO-100
Manual: based on a high-gain hot-rod with a chrome chassis, this amp is noted for its snarling lead sound. Also great for aggressive rhythm work, this type “chugs” nicely without getting muddy. Pair it with one of the 4x12 cabinet simulations for modern rock tones. Cabinet: one of the 4x12 V30s
|
| SPEC. OD 1 | = Dumble Overdrive Special Clean
Manual: based on a coveted but rare lead head that was made famous by Larry Carlton and others. Another amp with a very strange tone-stack, this amp has a singing voice and is great for modern blues/fusion work. This is the clean channel. Cabinet: 2x12 Custom
|
| SPEC. OD 2 | = Dumble Overdrive Special Lead
Manual: the overdrive channel of the above. Cabinet: 2x12 Custom
|
| EURO 1 | = 20th Anniversary Bogner Ecstasy Blue Channel
Manual: based on a German high-gain amp, these amps pay homage to the British amps but with lots more gain and more high-frequency emphasis. This type simulates the overdrive channel with the boost and “structure” switches off. Cabinet: German
|
| EURO 2 | = 20th Anniversary Bogner Ecstasy Red Channel
Manual: as above but with the boost and structure switches on. This one has lots of gain and plenty of low-end chunk along with a crispy top-end. Great for modern metal. Cabinet: German
|
| UK GC30 | = Laney GC30V
Manual: based on a great British amp introduced in the 90’s this amp is a strange marriage of a USA style pre-distortion tone-stack, British voicing and a Class A power amp. Best for blues and lower-gain rock leads, has nice sustain qualities. Can get muddy at high drive levels, decrease the bass to compensate. Cabinet: ?
|
| BUTTERY | = Loosely based on a Budda Twinmaster
Manual: based on an 18-watt amp that gained notoriety during the late 90’s this type is a low- gain amp that relies mostly on power amplifier distortion. Try a drive in front for smooth lead sounds. Cabinet: ?
|
| METAL | = FAS Custom Model
Manual: a custom type similar to a British type but with more gain for more grind. This simulation features quite a bit of high-frequency emphasis along with a modified British tone-stack. Capable of searing rhythm and lead tones. Cabinet: 4x12 75w
|
| BIG HAIR | = FAS Custom Model
Manual: spandex, studded wrist bands, pyrotechnics and your Axe-Fx are all you'll need to relive the 80's metal scene. This custom type has a unique voicing and tone-stack that emphasizes mid frequencies without getting muddy. Now plug in and shred! Cabinet: ?
|
| HELLBEAST | = FAS Custom Model
Manual: a radical custom type with an unconventional tone-stack. Cabinet: 4x12 75w
|
| SUPERTWEED | = FAS Custom Model
Manual: like a vintage Tweed amplifier on steroids. Cabinet: 1x12 Tweed, 2x12 Tweed
|
| FUSION | = FAS Custom Model
Manual: a smooth, thick tone good for fusion/blues solo work. Cabinet: 2x12 Custom
|
| FAS CLEAN | = FAS Custom Model
Manual: combines the best features of the Blackface and the USA Clean into a hybrid clean tone that’s great for a variety of uses. Cabinet: 2x12 Black
|
| FAS CRUNCH | = FAS Custom Model
Manual: a hybrid British/USA crunch sound. Cabinet: ?
|
| FAS LEAD 1 | = FAS Custom Model
Manual: a neutral high gain lead with a tight midrange. Cabinet: ?
|
| FAS LEAD 2 | = FAS Custom Model
Manual: more gain and more sizzle. Cabinet: ?
|
| FAS MODERN | = FAS Custom Model
Manual: a high gain hybrid tone that’s equally suited to modern rhythm and lead work. Cabinet: ?
|
| JR BLUES | = Fender Blues Jr.
Manual: based on a modern all-tube combo amp with two EL84 output tubes and a single 12” speaker. This amplifier has become an instant classic because of its gutsy tone at manageable volumes. Cabinet: Blues
|
| BRIT PRE | = Marshall JMP-1 preamp. The power amp is from the JCM 800
Manual: based on a rack-mount preamplifier version of the Brit 900. The preamp gained notoriety for its crunchy tone and was made popular by ZZ Top. Cabinet: n/a
|
| ENERGYBALL | = ENGL Powerball Lead Channel
Manual: based on a very high-gain German amplifier. Lots of bass, great for aggressive, drop-tuned riff work. Cabinet: 4x12 Metal
|
| RECTO NEW | = Mesa Dual Rectifier with an extra "cap" in it which gives it more sizzle
Manual: based on the modern version of the Recto 1 and Recto 2 amps. Some minor circuit changes made this version slightly more aggressive than the originals. Cabinet: Recto1, Recto2 |
| HAD ODS 1 | = Dumble Overdrive Special
Manual: based on a very rare amp used by the likes of Larry Carlton and Robben Ford. Cabinet: 2x12 Custom
|
| WRECKER 1 | = Trainwreck Amp
Manual: based on another very rare and expensive amp designed by Ken Fischer. Cabinet: 2x12 Boutique
|
| BRIT JM45 | = Marshall JTM-45
Manual: based on a legendary British Blues amplifier. This amp was actually a copy of the American “bass” amp that many guitar players were using but with different output tubes and transformer. Made famous by Eric Clapton and others. Cabinet: ?
|
| DAS METALL | = Diezel VH4
Manual: based on a high-gain, boutique German amplifier famous for its aggressive sound. Cabinet: 4x12 Metal
|
| PLEXI 2 | = Similar to Plexi 1 but with a different “bright cap” value and different transformer model. Lower gain and more “vintage” sounding
Manual: see above. Cabinet: 4x12 20w
|
| SV BASS | = Ampeg SVT
Manual: based on a popular tube bass amp. Cabinet: 4x10 Alum, 8x10 Bass, 1x15 Bass
|
| CA3+ RHY | = Custom Audio Electronics 3+ SE preamp, channel # 2 (crunch)
Manual: based on a boutique rackmount preamp made by Bob Bradshaw. This models Channel 2. Cabinet: n/a
|
| CA3+ LD | = Custom Audio Electronics 3+ SE preamp, channel # 3 (lead)
Manual: based on a boutique rackmount preamp made by Bob Bradshaw. This models Channel 3. Cabinet: n/a |
| Eggie R20 | = Egnater Rebel 20
Manual: based on a popular “rebellious” 20W amplifier head". Cabinet: ?
|
| USA IIC+ 1 | = Mesa Boogie MkII Lead Pull Bright off
Manual: based on an early model of the USA type famous for its smooth overdrive sound. This model is with the pull bright off. Cabinet: Cali, Recto1, Recto2 |
| USA IIC+ 2 | = Mesa Boogie MkII Lead Pull Bright on
Manual: based on an early model of the USA type famous for its smooth overdrive sound. This model is with the pull bright on. Cabinet: Cali, Recto1, Recto2 |
| Fryer D60L | = VHT Deliverance 60 Less switched
Manual: based on Fryette Amplification D60 in the “Less” mode. Cabinet: one that comes close to a 2x12 or 4x12 with Eminence 50w speakers
|
| Fryer D60M | = VHT Deliverance 60 More switched
Manual: based on Fryette Amplification D60 in the “More” mode. Cabinet: one that comes close to a 2x12 or 4x12 with Eminence 50w speakers
|
| Mr. Z 38 SR | = Dr. Z Maz 38 SR
Manual: based on a boutique amp popular with country and roots players. Cabinet: a 2x12 with V30's |
| Euro Uber | = Bogner Ubershall
Manual: based on a high-gain German amplifier. Cabinet: 4x12 German. Or simulate the Ubercab by using a stereo cab, the 4x12 German and the 4x12 T75
|
| PVH 5105 | = Peavey 5150
Manual: based on a popular amplifier designed with the help of EVH. Cabinet: 4x12 20w, 4x12 25w, 4x12 Green
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| Solo X99 Clean | = Soldano X99 Clean Channel
Manual: famous rack preamp. Cabinet: n/a
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| Solo X99 Rhythm | = Soldano X99 Rhythm Channel
Manual: famous rack preamp. Cabinet: n/a
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| Solo X99 Lead | = Soldano X99 Lead Channel
Manual: famous rack preamp. Cabinet: n/a
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| Corncob R100 | = Cornford RK100
Manual: based on a boutique British amplifier. Cabinet: one of the 4x12 V30s
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| CarollAnn OD2r | = Carol-Ann OD2r
Manual: no description. Cabinet: Whatever comes close to a 1x12 Celestion 80 or 2x12 Celestion Lead 80
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