October 2024: Fractal Audio's VP4 Virtual Pedalboard has been added to the wiki.
Amplifier models list
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Below is a list of the amp types in the Axe-Fx II and amps they are based on. Have fun, Yek.
- Amp icons provided by forum member SynFactory. Source
- Go here for the numbered stock cabinets, mentioned below.
- OwnHammer H75 speaker is similar to a G12H30. OwnHammer M75 speaker is similar to a greenback.
Contents
- 1 59 Bassguy ('59 Fender Bassman)
- 2 65 Bassguy ('65 Fender Bassman)
- 3 Vibrato Verb (Fender Vibroverb)
- 4 Deluxe Verb (Fender Deluxe Reverb)
- 5 Double Verb (Fender Twin Reverb)
- 6 JR Blues (Fender Blues Junior)
- 7 Class-A 15W TB (Vox AC-15 Top Boost)
- 8 Class-A 30W (Vox AC-30)
- 9 Class-A 30W TB (Vox AC-30 Top Boost)
- 10 Brit JM45 (Marshall JTM 45)
- 11 Plexi Normal / Treble (Marshall Super Lead 1959)
- 12 1987X Normal / Treble (Marshall 1987x Vintage Series)
- 13 Brit 800 (Marshall JCM800 2204)
- 14 Brit 800 Mod (modded Marshall JCM800)
- 15 HiPower Normal / Brilliant (Hiwatt DR103)
- 16 USA Clean 1 (Mesa Boogie Mark IV)
- 17 USA Clean 2 (Mesa Boogie Triaxis)
- 18 USA Rhy 1 (Mesa Boogie Mark IV)
- 19 USA IIC+ Norm / Bright (Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+)
- 20 USA Lead 1 / Lead 2 (Mesa Boogie Mark IV)
- 21 Recto Orange / Red (Mesa Boogie 2-channel Dual Rectifier)
- 22 Recto New Orange / New Red (Mesa Boogie 3-channel Dual Rectifier)
- 23 EURO Blue / Red (Bogner Ecstasy 20th Anniversary)
- 24 Shiver Clean / Lead (Bogner Shiva 20th Anniversary)
- 25 Euro Uber (Bogner Uberschall)
- 26 Solo 99 Clean (Soldano X99)
- 27 Solo 100 Rhy / Lead (Soldano SLO-100)
- 28 Friedman BE / HBE (Friedman Brown Eye and Hairy Brown Eye)
- 29 PVH 6160 (Peavey 5150)
- 30 MR Z 38 Sr (Dr. Z Maz 38 SR)
- 31 CA3+ Rhy / Lead (CAE 3+ SE)
- 32 Wrecker 1 (Trainwreck Express)
- 33 Corncob M50 (Cornford MK50II)
- 34 Carol-Ann Od-2 (Carol-Ann OD-2r)
- 35 Fryette D60 L / M (Fryette Deliverance 60)
- 36 Brit Brown (Van Halen's Marshall)
- 37 Citrus RV50 (Orange Rockerverb)
- 38 Jazz 120 (Roland JC-120)
- 39 Energyball (Engl Powerball)
- 40 ODS-100 Clean / Lead (Dumble OD Special)
- 41 FAS Rhythm
- 42 FAS Lead 1
- 43 FAS Lead 2
- 44 FAS Modern
- 45 Das Metall (Diezel VH4)
- 46 Brit Pre (Marshall JMP-1)
- 47 Buttery (Budda Twinmaster)
- 48 Boutique 1 / 2 (Matchless Chieftain)
- 49 Cameron Med / High (Cameron CCV100)
- 50 SV Bass (Ampeg SVT)
- 51 Tube Pre
- 52 FAS Brown
- 53 FAS Big Hair
- 54 Solo X99 Lead (Soldano X99)
- 55 Recto Orn Mdrn (Mesa Boogie 3-channel Dual Rectifier)
- 56 FAS Wreck
- 57 Prince Tone (Fender Princeton)
- 58 TX Star Lead (Mesa Boogie Lone Star)
- 59 Brit JVM (Marshall JVM410)
59 Bassguy ('59 Fender Bassman)
- Based on: 1959 Fender Bassman, a low-to-medium gain amp designed for bass but more widely adopted by guitarists. 5F6A circuit, normal and bright channels. Tweed era. Used with 4x10" Jensen or Eminence speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 32, 33
- Original controls: Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence, no Master
- For authentic tone: crank the Master, use Drive for volume and gain
- Try a Treble Booster (drive block) before the amp
- Fender website
- Wikipedia
65 Bassguy ('65 Fender Bassman)
- Based on: 1965 Fender Bassman, the blackface version with a different circuit design. Used with 4x10" Jensen or Eminence speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestion: 32, 33
- Original controls: ..., no Master
- For authentic tone: crank the Master, use Drive for volume and gain
- Try a Treble Booster (drive block) before the amp
- Cliff: "Definitely not your father's Bassman. Has a pissed-off Marshall vibe to it" Source
- Fender website
- Wikipedia
Vibrato Verb (Fender Vibroverb)
- Based on: Fender Vibroverb, a 40W combo that's great for clear or grinding cleans and gutsy blues. 6G16 circuit, normal and bright channels. Brownface era. Used with 2x10" Oxford speakers or 1x15"
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 3, 8, 12, 18
- Original controls: Volume, Bass, Treble, no Master
- For authentic tone: crank the Master, use Drive for volume and gain
- The original amp has a “tapped” treble circuit, meaning that treble is “flat” at setting “5”. Cutting or boosting the treble was possible by turning the knob down (below 5) or up (above 5)
- Fender website
- Wikipedia
Deluxe Verb (Fender Deluxe Reverb)
- Based on: Fender Deluxe Reverb, great, chimey tone with nice power amp breakup when you push the Master. AB763 circuit, 22W. Blackface era. Used with 1x12" Jensen C12Q speaker
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 13, 14, 17
- Original controls: Volume, Bass, Treble, no Master
- For authentic tone: crank the Master, use Drive for volume and gain
- Fender website
- Wikipedia
- The Vibrato channel is modeled (Source)
Double Verb (Fender Twin Reverb)
- Based on: Fender Twin Reverb. Known for amazing clean sounds and nice breakup. AB763 circuit, normal and vibrato channels. Blackface era, 100W. The Vibrato channel is modeled. Used with 2x12 Jensen" C12N, JBL D120, Oxford 12T6 or EVM-12L speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 8, 12, 19, 21, 22, 31
- Original controls (normal channel): Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Bright switch (works with Volume below 6), no Master
- For authentic tone: crank the Master, use Drive for volume
- The Twin Reverb is considered a standard model for players seeking a clean sound
- Fender website
- Wikipedia
- Updated in firmware 3.0. Bright is now On by default
JR Blues (Fender Blues Junior)
- Based on: Fender Blues Jr., a gutsy little classic with dual EL84s. 15W. Used with 1x12" Jensen C12N or P12R speaker
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 5, 6, 13, 14, 21, 22
- Original controls: Bass, Middle, Treble, Gain, Volume, FAT boost (not modelled)
- Fender website
- Wikipedia
Class-A 15W TB (Vox AC-15 Top Boost)
- Based on: Vox AC-15. The heart of this amp’s tone comes from its power section and no negative feedback. 15W, EL84 tubes. Used with 1x12" greenback
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 36, 58, 60
- Original controls: ..., no Master
- Vox website
- Wikipedia
- This amp has no negative feedback (Damping is 0), therefore Presence turns into a Hi-Cut control
Class-A 30W (Vox AC-30)
- Based on: Vox AC-30, a combo that dominated the British Invasion. Gritty character, warm tone, great feel. 30W, EL84 tubes. Used with 2x12" greenbacks or Alnico Blue speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 7, 11, 24, 25, 36, 37, 55, 58, 60, 61
- Original controls: Volume, Tone, no Master
- For authentic tone: leave the tone controls at noon and use HiCut/Presence to cut treble
- Try a Tonebender or Treble Booster (drive block) before the amp
- Vox website
- Wikipedia
- This amp has no negative feedback (Damping is 0), therefore Presence turns into a Hi-Cut control
Class-A 30W TB (Vox AC-30 Top Boost)
- Based on: Vox AC-30 TBX (Topboost), created in response to demand for "More treble". Great highs + slightly reduced bass. 30W, EL84 tubes. Used with 2x12" greenbacks or Alnico Blue speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 7, 11, 24, 25, 36, 37, 55, 58, 60, 61
- Original controls: Volume, Cut (Presence), Bass, Treble, Master (assuming that the modeled amp had a Master Volume control)
- For authentic tone: use HiCut/Presence to cut treble
- Instead of turning up Drive, try boosting the input signal before the amp, for example with a Tape Dist or FET Boost (drive block)
- Vox website
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia: "The "Top Boost" (or "Brilliance") feature was Vox's optional addition of a circuit that introduced an extra gain stage and tone controls for bass and treble (as opposed to the single "tone" control of early AC30s)"
Brit JM45 (Marshall JTM 45)
- Based on: channel 1 (High Treble) of the Marshall JTM 45, made famous by Clapton and others; actually a modified Bassman design. 45W. Used with 12" greenbacks or G12H speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 57, 58, 60, 61
- Original controls: Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, no Master
- For authentic tone: keep Bass low, crank the Master, use Drive for volume and gain
- Try a Tonebender or Treble Booster (drive block) before the amp
- Marshall website
- Wikipedia
- Replaced an earlier model (channel 1, Normal) in firmware 3.0. Source
Plexi Normal / Treble (Marshall Super Lead 1959)
- Based on: Marshall Super Lead 1959, the classic amp head that gave rise to “the stack”. Great for crunchy rhythm work. Normal: normal channel. Treble: based on the “High Treble” channel. Used with 12" greenbacks or G12H speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 57, 58, 60, 61
- Original controls: Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, no Master, Presence
- For authentic tone: crank the Master, use Drive for volume and gain. It doesn't hurt to turn up all tone controls and Presence
- Marshall website
- Wikipedia
- Cliff: "The Plexi Normal has no treble peaker that's why it's bassy. (...) with Input 2 on a Plexi (which is the Plexi Treble model). FWIW, the Plexi Normal channel sounds identical to my reference amp which is a particularly good copy." Source
- Cliff (about the Plexi in the Standard/Ultra): "One of the first mods people make to real 'Plexi' Marshalls is to "clip the bright cap". The bright cap varied over the years, supposedly depending on what was lying around in the shop. The model defaults to the bright cap in the circuit. If you turn the bright off you're effectively clipping the bright cap. With the bright cap in Marshalls can be very bright and harsh. However, if you crank the Master you might find the extra brightness helps compensate for the power amp getting darker"
- Use two amps in a single preset, set one to Normal and the other to Treble, to emulate what they often do with the real amp: jumping both channels
- Cliff (about the fizzyness of the Plexi): "It's the way a Plexi is supposed to sound. That's due to the cathode follower. That raspiness helps it cut through in a mix. I own three of them and they are that fizzy." Source
- Javajunkie's tips to turn the Plexi into the Plexi2 sim in the Standard/Ultra: lower damp to 4.76; change bright cap value to .22; xformer high = 14965; hi freq res and low freq res = 5 pres freq = 1200hz; tone location = post; sag = 2.01
- Cliff: "Don't be afraid to turn the bass all the way down or the treble all the way up. Just like with the actual amp. For example, on the normal channel of a Plexi, most people turn the bass way down. Otherwise it's too flubby." Source
- Cliff: "That's the way a Plexi is supposed to sound. That's due to the cathode follower. That raspiness helps it cut through in a mix." Source
1987X Normal / Treble (Marshall 1987x Vintage Series)
- Based on: Marshall 1987x Vintage Series, features what many consider to be an “essential” mod to the tonestack of this Plexi. Normal: normal channel. Treble: the treble channel. 50w reissue of the 60's Marshall 1959SLP. Part of the Vintage Series. Used with 12" greenbacks or G12H speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 57, 58, 60, 61
- Original controls: Bass, Middle, Treble, Volume, Presence, no Master
- For authentic tone: crank the Master, use Drive for volume and gain. It doesn't hurt to turn up all tone controls and Presence
- Original manual
- Marshall website
- Wikipedia
- Cliff: "The 1987X MOD model is based on a 1987X Plexi Reissue with C5 removed (which is the most common mod done to this amp)"
- Use two amps in a single preset, set one to Normal and the other to Treble, to emulate what they often do with the real amp: jumping both channels
Brit 800 (Marshall JCM800 2204)
- Based on: Marshall JCM800, the vaunted model 2204. Bring the Master up for true 80s tone. Used with 12" greenbacks, V30 or T75 speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 53, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63
- Original controls: Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence, Volume
- Turn up the Master to make it less bright, or switch off Bright
- Marshall website
- Wikipedia
- Try a TS808 or Tube Drive block before the amp, set the Drive block to zero Drive and full Level
- Cliff: "It is a very bright model. However, it sounds exactly like the amp it was based on. If it is too bright, you can adjust the various tone controls and parameters to reduce the brightness to your tastes. They are designed to be run loud and the brightness decreases as the MV is increased. The sound of 80's hair metal for sure." Source
- User comments
- Use the Saturation parameter to emulate the famous "Jose Arredondo mod" on the JCM800. Cliff: "The saturation switch switches in a zener diode clipping stage right before the tone stack. This is the "Arrendondo Mod"" Source
Brit 800 Mod (modded Marshall JCM800)
- Based on: Marshall JCM800, with a handful of popular modifications. Used with 12" greenbacks, V30 or T75 speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: see above
- Original controls: see above
- Cliff: "The JCM800 MOD is not a Jose Arrendodo modded Marshall model. The JCM800 MOD is a JCM800 with a handful of popular modifications." Source
HiPower Normal / Brilliant (Hiwatt DR103)
- Based on: Hiwatt DR103, medium-gain, full sound amp with an unique tone-stack and a chimey, grinding tone. Normal: normal channel. BRILLNT: a brighter model based on the amp’s "Brilliant" channel. 100W. Used with 12" Fane speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 42
- Original controls: Volume, Master, Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence
- Hiwatt website
- Wikipedia
- Cliff: "I have a 1974 Hiwatt DR-103. The model is based on that. It is one of the Harry Joyce, Hylight era models. Still has the original tubes. Closet find and sounds glorious"
USA Clean 1 (Mesa Boogie Mark IV)
- Based on: Mesa Boogie Mark IV (Rhythm 1). A somewhat neutral, clean-sounding model that can pushed into warm clipping. Used with 12" Mesa C90 speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestion: 43, 44, 65
- Original controls: Gain, Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence, Bright switch. Graphic Equalizer not modeled
- Original manual
- Mesa website
- Wikipedia1 Wikipedia2
- The graphic EQ on the real amp is positioned between the preamp and the power amp section. As such it can't be simulated exactly. See the Mother-of-all-pedal-and-effects-emulations thread for the EQ settings
- Cliff: "The Mk V is basically a compendium of previous Mesa amps. There may be minor differences in tone due to circuit layout but nothing a few tweaks to the EQ can't fix." Source
USA Clean 2 (Mesa Boogie Triaxis)
- Based on: Mesa Boogie Triaxis (Green) preamp, “Vintage Fat Rhythm (Mark I, Blackface)” channel
- Stock cabinet suggestion: 8, 12, 43, 44, 65
- Original controls: Gain, Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence, Bright switch. Graphic Equalizer not modeled
- Mesa website
- Wikipedia1 Wikipedia2
USA Rhy 1 (Mesa Boogie Mark IV)
- Based on: Mesa Boogie Mark IV (Rhythm 2), THE California crunch rhythm sound. Rhythm Ch. 2 with “Fat” switch OFF. Used with 12" Mesa C90 speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestion: 43, 44, 65
- Original controls: Gain, Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence. Graphic Equalizer not modeled
- Original manual
- Mesa website
- Wikipedia1 Wikipedia2
- Turn up Drive, keep Master Volume low (such as "3")
- The graphic EQ on the real amp is positioned between the preamp and the power amp section. As such it can't be simulated exactly. See the Mother-of-all-pedal-and-effects-emulations thread for the EQ settings
- Cliff: "The Mk V is basically a compendium of previous Mesa amps. There may be minor differences in tone due to circuit layout but nothing a few tweaks to the EQ can't fix." Source
USA IIC+ Norm / Bright (Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+)
- Based on: Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Lead, a US-made amp famous for its smooth overdrive sound with pull bright OFF / ON. Used with 12" EVM 12L speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 8, 12
- Original controls: Volume, Master, Bass, Mid, Treble, Presence, Bright switch pullout. Treble Shift, Graphic equalizer and Gain Boost not modeled.
- Original manual
- Mesa website
- Wikipedia1 Wikipedia2
- The graphic EQ on the real amp is positioned between the preamp and the power amp section. As such it can't be simulated exactly. See the Mother-of-all-pedal-and-effects-emulations thread for the EQ settings
USA Lead 1 / Lead 2 (Mesa Boogie Mark IV)
- Based on: Mesa Boogie Mark IV. Lead 1: this model has a tight, focused, hi-gain sound. Great for fusion and rock leads. Lead 2: Treble Shift gives this amp a slightly different character with a little more cut. Used with 12" Mesa C90 speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 43, 44, 65
- Original controls: Gain, Master, Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence, Bright switch. Graphic Equalizer not modeled
- Original manual
- Mesa website
- Wikipedia1 Wikipedia2
- Treble Shift: this shifts the range of the Presence control to higher frequencies, it influences the treble control. In Lead 1 Treble Shift is off, which works well for recording. In Lead 2 Treble Shift is switched on, which works well within a band context, but can generate squealing and noise at high volume or gain levels
- Turn up Drive, keep Master Volume low (such as "3")
- The graphic EQ on the real amp is positioned between the preamp and the power amp section. As such it can't be simulated exactly. See the Mother-of-all-pedal-and-effects-emulations thread for the EQ settings
- Cliff: "The Mk V is basically a compendium of previous Mesa amps. There may be minor differences in tone due to circuit layout but nothing a few tweaks to the EQ can't fix." Source
Recto Orange / Red (Mesa Boogie 2-channel Dual Rectifier)
- Based on: vintage version of Mesa Boogie's Dual Rectifier (2 channels), a high-gain masterpiece with crushing power and tighness. Orange: "Vintage" (Orange) Channel. Red: Modern (Red) "Lead" channel. Used with 12" speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 43, 44
- Original controls: Gain, Master, Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence (Presence on Orange, HiCut on Red)
- Original manual
- Mesa website
- Wikipedia
- Keep Master low (such as "3"), use Drive to add gain
- Cliff: "None of the Recto models in the Axe-Fx have the post tone-stack bass boost. If you want to replicate the behavior of a Single Rectifier you need to put an 11 dB bass boost after the preamp model. The Axe-Fx models are based on the Dual Rectifier modes with the bass boost switch off. Single Rectifiers engage the bass boost switch automatically in channel 2" (use a PEQ or low shelf Filter after the Amp block to boost bass at around 120Hz)
- Damping on the Recto Red defaults to zero (no negative feedback). The Presence control on the real amp is not a regular Presence control. This is why there's no virtual Presence control for this amp on the Axe-Fx II Source
- Cliff: "A Dual Rectifier's "Presence" control in the Modern modes is a high-cut. It's just called Presence. The model is correct but the operation of the control is reversed (for continuity with other models)." (by leaving the hi cut at zero, is that the same as turning the presence on the actual amp to 10) Source
Recto New Orange / New Red (Mesa Boogie 3-channel Dual Rectifier)
- Based on: modern version of Mesa Boogie's Dual Rectifier (3 channels), circuit changes made this version more aggressive. Orange: based on the orange channel. Red: Red Channel version of the Dual Rectifier amp. 100W. Used with 12" speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 43, 44
- Original controls: Master, Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence (Presence on Orange, HiCut on Red)
- Original manual
- Mesa website
- Wikipedia
- See notes above
EURO Blue / Red (Bogner Ecstasy 20th Anniversary)
- Based on: Bogner Ecstasy, the 20th Anniversary model. BLUE: OD channel w/ BOOST + STRUCTURE OFF. Red: same but with OD channel w/ BOOST + STRUCTURE ON. Used with 12" V30 speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 47, 48, 51, 59, 63
- Original controls: Gain, Master, Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence, Bright switch
- Original manual
- Bogner website
- Wikipedia
- The real amp (both channels) is quite dark without one of its bright switches engaged. Try the sims with Bright engaged or with Presence turned up a lot
Shiver Clean / Lead (Bogner Shiva 20th Anniversary)
- Based on: Bogner Shiva Clean, the 90W anniversary model. Clean: powerful shimmering cleans. Lead: a sweet, rich-sounding amp with aggressive, English- style midrange punch. KT88 tubes. Used with 12" V30 speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 47, 48, 51, 59, 63
- Original controls for clean channel: Bass, Treble, Volume, Master, Presence, Bright switch (less to none effective the higher Drive is set)
- Original controls for lead channel: Bass, Middle, Treble, Volume, Master, Presence, Bright switch (less effective the higher Drive is set but still noticeable)
- Boost, Mode and Shift controls on the original amp are not modeled
- Original manual
- Bogner website
- Wikipedia
- The real amp is quite dark without its bright switch engaged. Try the sims with Bright engaged or with Presence turned up a lot
Euro Uber (Bogner Uberschall)
- Based on: Bogner Uberschall, the "High Gain" channel of this 120W head. Heavy grinding lows and insane gain. EL34. Used with 12" V30 and G12T75 speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 50, 51, 52, 63
- Original controls: Gain, Master, Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence
- You can keep the Master low (such as "3")
- Original manual
- Bogner website
- Wikipedia
- Bogner: "One of the most unique items is our "Presence" control. It's an amazing combination of a midrange-presence control. As you sweep through its range you will notice an incredible variety of tones this one control allows. For an extremely aggressive sub-harmonic bass and scooped-midrange sound, keep the presence off or very low. A huge 3-dimensional tone can be found by running the presence around 2 o'clock. Pushing the "Presence" control to maximum will allow you to cut a sonic path through the mix by reinforcing your midrange and slightly rolling off the sub-bass. Trust us: REALLY check out the presence control to unleash the hidden secrets of the UBERSCHALL. The "Midrange" control is very interactive with all the other tone controls, you can go from a hollow scooped-mid setting to an aggressive in your face and on your throat kind of intensity. The "Bass" control allows almost a sub-harmonic low-end to be added, at high volumes be sure to keep the bass down a bit to keep your tone focused like a laser beam"
Solo 99 Clean (Soldano X99)
- Based on: the clean channel of a Soldano/Caswell midi-motorized Soldano X99 preamp
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 45, 46
- Original controls: ...
- Soldano website
- Wikipedia
Solo 100 Rhy / Lead (Soldano SLO-100)
- Based on: Soldano SLO-100, noted for its hot-rod chrome chassis and aggressive rhythm tone. RHY: Normal channel. LD: based on the snarling lead channel. 100W. Used with 12" Eminence speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 45, 46
- Original controls: Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, Master, Presence, Bright switch only on normal channel
- For authentic tone: keep the Master low (such as "3")
- Soldano website
- Wikipedia
- Cliff: "The SLO100 is the loudest amp I've ever used. It feels like there's a small nuclear explosion going off inside when ever you hit a power chord. It's a wicked amp but not something I would recommend for anything but large gigs. If you like the SLO 100 model you might want to try the Recto models too. It's not widely known but the Rectifier preamp is a derivative of the SLO100. Some minor changes but the basic topology is identical"
- Emulating Warren Hayes' tone
- It's a bright amp
- Cliff: "I have a really good SLO-100. An original black faceplate version. Pristine condition. That amp was one of the primary amps used in the G2 modeling development. It was by studying that and a really nice JCM-800 that I finally figured out the secret to cathode follower" Source
- Cliff (about the difference between the model in G1 and G2 Axe-Fx): "I'd be more inclined to give the parameters to tweak to match the G1 sound. I'm pretty sure that just changing some advanced parameters and the speaker resonances will get you very close to the old model. I don't have the model code in front of me right now but a good thing to try is to reduce the HF Spkr Freq, Q and Resonance values. There are some hidden parameters are that I know are different but I doubt those will have that much affect. The G1 model just isn't that close. The G2 model is scary close to my "Blackface" SLO100. Many people find SLOs too bright. The "Warren Haynes" mod is a popular mod to reduce the brightness."Source
Friedman BE / HBE (Friedman Brown Eye and Hairy Brown Eye)
- Based on: Friedman amp by Dave Friedman of Rack Systems. BE: Brown Eye, what many call “the ultimate modded Plexi”. HBE: Hairy Brown Eye, the BE amp’s alternate voicing with a gain boost. A killer hi-gain tone in your arsenal. EL34, 50 or 100W, used to be called "Marsha"
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 57, 58, 59, 61, 62, 63, 65
- Original controls: Gain, Master, Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence
- Website
PVH 6160 (Peavey 5150)
- Based on: Peavey EVH 5150, the high-input lead channel of an amp named after the criminally insane. Block letter model, hi input, 6L6, 120W. Used with 12" Sheffield 1200 speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 49
- Original controls: pre- and post-gain, Volume, Bass, Mid, Treble, Presence, Resonance, Bright switch (rhythm channel only)
- Keep the Master low (such as "3")
- Original manual
- Peavey website
- Wikipedia
- Cilff: "I have a block letter 5150 that I based the model on. The hi-input on the Lead channel is modelled. It has lots of gain. Even at noon it's already very saturated"
MR Z 38 Sr (Dr. Z Maz 38 SR)
- Based on: Dr. Z Maz 38 SR, an amp popular with country and roots players. EL84 tubes, 38W. Used with an Alnico Blue speaker and a G12H30
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 11, 24, 25 34, 55, 57
- Original controls: Volume, Master, Bass, Middle, Treble, Cut (turn up for chime)
- Original manual
- Dr. Z website
- Wikipedia
- Cliff: "It's a low output amp. Turn up the Master"
- Amp settings database
- YouTube clip 1 YouTube clip 2
- This amp has no negative feedback (Damping is 0), therefore Presence turns into a Hi-Cut control
- Reworked in firmware 3.0
CA3+ Rhy / Lead (CAE 3+ SE)
- Based on: CAE 3+ SE, a preamp designed by the great Bob Bradshaw. RHY: channel 2 (Rhythm). LD: channel 3 (Lead)
- Stock cabinet suggestions: n/a
- Original controls: Gain, Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, post EQ (punch, presence), Bright switch for each channel
- Original manual
- CAE website
- Cliff: "Channel 1 isn't modeled because it's very similar to a Fender Twin"
Wrecker 1 (Trainwreck Express)
- Based on: Trainwreck Express, designed and built by the late, great Ken Fischer. Often used with greenback or G12H30 speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 57, 58, 60, 61
- Original controls: Volume, Bas, Mid, Treble, Presence, Bright switch, no Master
- For authentic tone: crank the Master volume, use Drive for volume and gain
- FAQ
- Trainwreck website
- Cliff: "The Trainwreck depends on power amp distortion. The OT has a high impedance which causes the power tubes to enter clipping early. I would not recommend using that model as preamp."
- Firmware 3.0 adds another Trainwreck model: FAS Wreck
- YouTube clip
Corncob M50 (Cornford MK50II)
- Based on: Cornford MK50II, a boutique British amp. Plexi-Meets-Modern tone with big cojones. 50w, 6L6/5881, one channel. Used with V30 speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 41, 47, 48, 51, 59, 62, 63, 65
- Original controls: Volume, Gain, Bass, Middle (500Hz), Treble, Volume, Presence, Resonance
- Original manual (and suggested settings)
- Cornford website
- The Standard/Ultra had a Cornford RK100 sim
Carol-Ann Od-2 (Carol-Ann OD-2r)
- Based on: the celebrated Carol-Ann OD-2r. Model fine-tuned by the highly respected Alan Phillips himself! Overdrive channel, 50W, EL34 or 6L6 tubes. Used with EVM 12L or Celestion Classic Lead 80 speaker(s)
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 8, 12
- Original controls: Master, Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence, Bright switch (clean and overdrive channel), Shift switch
- Original manual
- Carol-Ann website
- Alan Phillips: "In the real world the OD2 is very very fussy on speaker choice too. The real world speakers of choice are EVM12L in a 1x12 rear ported and 2x12 with Celestion Classic Lead 80's. I found the 12L emulation did a pretty good job. Some of the others sounded so artificial with that model. Like a rockman. Coupled with the right cab the emulated model does a good job of representing the basic tonal signature of the amp". And: "It's not a competitive model, it's a live demo of an OD2 as tweaked by me. Damn sight better than sound clips for auditioning to guys that haven't got the ability to get to a Dealer. Clearly it doesn't give you the full experience of the full amp, but is a good tonal taster. I repaired a Soldano SLO for him one day and when he came over my house to pick it up we just decided it would be a good idea to put a CA model in there. Having the actual builder involved kind of closes the loop fully. I'm happy to endorse that model because I put a lot of hours testing it and putting together a ton of technical information, fourier analysis graphs, frequency response graphs, schematics etc that would make validation of a mathematical model much easier. In reality even though the power amp and the preamp are modelled the pre-amp got the most effort. As I said in another thread, I tuned that by putting the axe in to the actual power amp of an OD2 and running that side by side with a full OD2. The final tweaks were made like that using parametric eq blocks that were hard coded in to the model. You could call that the icing on the cake and basically put the same level of tuning in to the model as I do with a actual OD2. The only difference was I was using a GUI, not resistors and capacitors."
- It's a dark sounding amp
Fryette D60 L / M (Fryette Deliverance 60)
- Based on: Fryette Amplification Deliverance 60 in the "Less" resp. "More" mode. 60W, KT88 or 6550 tubes. Used with 12" Eminence P50E speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: ?
- Original controls: Gain, Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence, Depth, More/Less switch
- Keep the Master low (such as "3")
- Original manual
- Fryette website
- Wikipedia
Brit Brown (Van Halen's Marshall)
- A faithful recreation of the pure, raw "Brown Sound"—The Modded “#1” Marshall. Used with greenback speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 36, 37, 38, 58, 60, 61
- Original controls: Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence, Bright cap
- Marshall website
- Wikipedia
- Orignally named "Brown", renamed after addition of FAS Brown model
- This model has the Saturation parameter engaged by default
Citrus RV50 (Orange Rockerverb)
- Based on: the "dirty" channel of the 50W Orange Rockerverb head, known for warmth and rich harmonics. EL34 tubes. Used with V30 speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 53
- Original controls on dirty channel: Volume, Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass
- Original manual
- Orange website
- Wikipedia
Jazz 120 (Roland JC-120)
- Based on: Roland JC-120, the only solid-state-based model in the collection; a quintessential clean tone. 120W (stereo: 2x 60W). Used with 2x12" speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 27
- Original controls: Volume, Bass, Mid, Treble, no Master
- Original manual
- Roland website
- Wikipedia
Energyball (Engl Powerball)
- Based on: Engl Powerball, a very high-gain German model. Lots of bass. Great for aggressive, drop-tuned riff work. Lead channel, 100W, 6L6 tubes. Used with V30 (or custom V60) speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 47, 48, 64
- Original controls: Gain, Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence, Depth, Bottom, Open/Focused mode, Bright switch for low gain channels only
- Keep the Master low (such as "3")
- Original manual
- Engl website
- Wikipedia
ODS-100 Clean / Lead (Dumble OD Special)
- Based on: Dumble OD Special, a coveted but rare amp made famous by Robben Ford. Also played by the great Larry Carlton and many others. Clean: based on the Clean channel. Lead: the same amp, OD channel
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 56
- Original controls: Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Master, Presence
- Wikipedia
- Try a Tube Drive (drive block) before the amp
- Robben Ford's settings
FAS Rhythm
- Created by Fractal Audio Systems. Combines the best features of the British and USA crunch models
- Stock cabinet suggestions: ...
- Original controls: n/a
FAS Lead 1
- Created by Fractal Audio Systems. Neutral high-gain lead with a tight midrange
- Stock cabinet suggestions: ...
- Original controls: n/a
FAS Lead 2
- Created by Fractal Audio Systems. Hot-rodded British lead sound with a tonestack by the one and only Bob Bradshaw
- Stock cabinet suggestion: ...
- Original controls: n/a
FAS Modern
- Created by Fractal Audio Systems. A high-gain hybrid. Equally well-suited to modern rhythm and lead work
- Stock cabinet suggestion: ...
- Original controls: n/a
Das Metall (Diezel VH4)
- Based on: Diezel VH4, a high-gain, boutique amp famous for its powerful, heavy, aggressive sound. 4 channels, 6550 tubes (or EL34 or 6L6). Used with V30 or G12-K100 speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 43, 44, 47, 48, 52, 54, 64
- Original controls: Gain, Volume, Bass, Mid, Treble, Presence (4kHz), Deep (80Hz)
- Keep the Master low (such as "3")
- Original manual
- Diezel website
- Wikipedia
Brit Pre (Marshall JMP-1)
- Based on: Marshall JMP-1 preamp, a rack-mount preamplifier version of the Brit 900. Crunchy “ZZ” tone
- Stock cabinet suggestions: see JCM800
- Original controls: Volume, Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble, Presence, Bass shift
- Original manual
- Marshall website
- Wikipedia
Buttery (Budda Twinmaster)
- Based (loosely) on: Budda Twinmaster, a late 90s specimen. Relies mostly on power amp distortion. Often used with greenback or G12H speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 57, 58, 60, 61
- Original controls: Bass, Treble, Volume (no Master Volume). Bright cap on the Volume control (Bright switch)
- For authentic tone: crank the Master volume, use Drive for volume and gain
- Original manual
- Budda website
- Wikipedia
- Cliff talking about the G1 model: "I did the Buttery model by ear. I listened to some clips of Buddas (Matchbox 20, remember them?) and tweaked the model until I thought it sounded like one. Screwed around a little with the tube bias points until it had the right balance of harmonics and called it a day"
Boutique 1 / 2 (Matchless Chieftain)
- Based on: Matchless Chieftain, a medium-gain amp, thick, yet crisp, with a fair amount of power amp breakup. Boutique 2: same amp with a boost for more gain and high-frequency emphasis. Used with Alnico Blue and G12H speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 11, 16, 24, 25, 34, 57, 55
- Original controls: Volume, Master, Bass, Treble, Brilliance (HiCut)
- Original manual
- Wikipedia
- Based on a Vox circuit
- Turn up the Master, use Drive for volume and gain
Cameron Med / High (Cameron CCV100)
- Based on: Cameron CCV100, what its creator Mark Cameron calls “one pissed off amp". High: Another of the "hot-rodded tones" of the CCV. Designed to be used with G12H speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 16, 34, 57
- Original controls: ...
- Improved in firmware 3.0
- Cameron High: if the tone is too harsh to your liking, turn off Bright
- The Cameron High has the Saturation switch (Arrendondo mod) engaged by default.
- If the tone is too harsh, turn up Depth
SV Bass (Ampeg SVT)
- Based on: Ampeg SVT, a bass head used for decades by famous bassists the world over. Super Vacuum Tube bass amp, 300W. Used with 8x10" speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 68
- Original controls: ...
- Ampeg website
Tube Pre
- A completely neutral, low-gain tube pre useful for “warming up” various sources
- Details: added in firmware 1.02
- Stock cabinet suggestions: n/a
- Original controls: n/a
FAS Brown
- The original BROWN model from the Axe-Fx Ultra
- Stock cabinet suggestions: see Brit Brown
- Original controls: see Brit Brown
- Added in firmware 1.05
FAS Big Hair
- Mids without mud. Revive the 80s metal scene. (Spandex not included)
- Stock cabinet suggestions: ...
- Original controls: n/a
- Added in firmware 1.05
Solo X99 Lead (Soldano X99)
- Based on: the lead channel of a Soldano/Caswell midi-motorized Soldano X99 preamp
- Stock cabinet suggestions: n/a
- Original controls: ...
- Soldano website
- Wikipedia
Recto Orn Mdrn (Mesa Boogie 3-channel Dual Rectifier)
- Based on the Modern channel of a new Dual Rectifier with voicing set to Modern. 100W. Used with 12" speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 43, 44
- Original controls: Gain, Master, Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence
- Original manual
- Mesa website
- Wikipedia
- Keep Master volume low (such as "3"), use Drive to add gain
- Cliff: "None of the Recto models in the Axe-Fx have the post tone-stack bass boost. If you want to replicate the behavior of a Single Rectifier you need to put an 11 dB bass boost after the preamp model. The Axe-Fx models are based on the Dual Rectifier modes with the bass boost switch off. Single Rectifiers engage the bass boost switch automatically in channel 2" (use a PEQ or low shelf Filter after the Amp block to boost bass at around 120Hz)
- Firmware 3.0 changed some parameter defaults.
- Cliff: "A Dual Rectifier's "Presence" control in the Modern modes is a high-cut. It's just called Presence. The model is correct but the operation of the control is reversed (for continuity with other models)." (by leaving the hi cut at zero, is that the same as turning the presence on the actual amp to 10) Source
FAS Wreck
- The original WRECKER 1 model from the Axe-Fx Ultra
- Stock cabinet suggestions: see Wrecker
- Original controls: see Wrecker
- For authentic tone: see Wrecker
- FAQ
- Trainwreck website
- Cliff: "The Trainwreck depends on power amp distortion. The OT has a high impedance which causes the power tubes to enter clipping early. I would not recommend using that model as preamp."
- Added in firmware 3.0
Prince Tone (Fender Princeton)
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- Based on: Fender Princeton, 5F2-A circuit, a single-ended amp. 5W, Class A. Used with 10" Jensen or Oxford speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 3, 32, 34
- Original controls: Volume, Tone (treble)
- For authentic tone: crank the Master, use Drive for volume and gain
- Fender website
- Wikipedia
- Added in firmware 3.0
TX Star Lead (Mesa Boogie Lone Star)
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- Based on the lead channel of a Mesa Lone Star. 50/100 watt amp (later editions also feature lower wattages), two channels, 6L6 tubes (Classic) or EL84 (Special). Andy Timmons's main amp. Used with 12" C90 speakers
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 8, 12, 43, 44, 65
- Original controls: Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence, Master, Resonance, Presence
- Original manual with sample settings
- Mesa website
- Wikipedia
- Added in firmware 3.0
- YouTube video: Andy Timmons' Lone Star settings. Also try a BB preamp before the amp
- Clif: "Tone stacks can have a lot of insertion loss and that particular one does. Moving it to any location other than the default will drastically reduce the volume. Don't move it." Source
Brit JVM (Marshall JVM410)
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- Based on the OD1 Orange channel (not the OD2 channel!) of a Marshall JVM 100-watt amp. Used with Celesion V30 and Celestion Heritage speakers (combo version)
- Stock cabinet suggestions: 34, 41, 43, 44, 47, 48, 51, 57, 62, 63
- Original controls: Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Gain
- Original manual
- Marshall website
- Marshall in Wikipedia
- Dedicated JVM forum
- Added in firmware 3.03
- Cliff: "IMO, the reason the JVM sounds good is the plate cap on the second-to-last triode. That smooths out the tone considerably. The second-to-last triode is associated with "Triode 1 Freq" in the advanced parameters. You can adjust this to simulate adding a cap to the plate. The other thing that helps the tone is the 220K plate resistor on the last triode. This shifts the bias point down vs. a "classic" Marshall. Unfortunately the bias points aren't exposed to the user." Source