[ieatdirt]

Originally Posted by telecasting

Also, in the original post, you said you're looking for clean headroom for the POD, and I'm guessing you're thinking of using Amp models and distortion from the POD as different drive channels. Is that correct? I would just say that you may, and I stress may, find that with an amp like a HRDlx, you only use the three channels with the possibility of a boost/OD pedal for more grunt/solo/etc and not need the rest.

Also, what style do you play?

I don't really know what I'll do with the amp modeling. In a live situation, I'll probably run the POD directly into the PA. I may decide, however, that I like the amp's tones more than the POD. Regardless, the effects are really my biggest reason for geting it, instead of buying a load of pedals that I don't have the money for.

I play just about anything, except for country and really heavy metal.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by ieatdirt

I don't really know what I'll do with the amp modeling. In a live situation, I'll probably run the POD directly into the PA. I may decide, however, that I like the amp's tones more than the POD. Regardless, the effects are really my biggest reason for geting it, instead of buying a load of pedals that I don't have the money for.

I play just about anything, except for country and really heavy metal.

question, would a combo amp or a power amp better suit your needs?

[ieatdirt]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

question, would a combo amp or a power amp better suit your needs?

You know, I was just thinking about building amps from schematics, and it seems like a lot of the schematics are only for the preamp. Along with the POD, I think it might actually be better to buy a power amp.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Peavey classic series are a good budget tube power amp. You might put it in anclosure of your own design, and you could use it as a head. One power amp I want to try, and bet I would love is the mesa 20/20 power amp. Its small and is 40 watts total, but the peavey classic series is a good budget power amp. I would suggest the 50 or 50/50. The 50/50 because its essentially two 50 watt amps so you could cut a channel for lower volume playing, and it will have eneough headroom for most applications I can imagine.

The 120 is a monster btw. I use it daily.

Since you are talking about building, some of the old tube hi-fi amps might be a sweet and cheap option for you.

[ibanez_dude]

Originally Posted by thesteve

Eh...are you doing a head projection (tilting the amp back at yourself)? In that case I'd believe it. I'm sure in many cases, even with "wailers" it's directionally loud enough. However, how often do you have the convenience of standing in line with your amplifier and/or having it at head level?

I know that with my drummer, you could probably crank a Blues Jr. and if the directionality was right, you could hear it, but there's only so much you can do with something that small when you're going up against a massive kit and a heavy hitter.

No, I don't. It's not even always pointed directly at the drumset, though it's usually pointed somewhere in that direction. I never tilt it back though.

[Rainer.]

Originally Posted by telecasting

Thanks for challenging the opinion.

My experience is of having a Digitec RP100 which admittedly isn't a shade on POD's was of initial excitement which turned into frustration at the lack of useable tones especially in a worship band context.

The RP100 isn't anywhere near the power of the PODxt, anyway...

I moved onto a Boss ME-50 which was more useful in finding specific sounds that I used, and finding some features that I used regularly.

Not to mention the ME-50 is more of a multi-effect unit than a digital modeling device. Not too comparable to the PODxt either.

Now, I use my tele and an amp in worship, and actually (embarrasingly) use the delay on my amp (Marshall MG30, my first amp is still going!), and I've had lots of positive comments from congregation members.

Yeah, I can see that. I get positive comments from congregation members by just running my guitar into a Crate practice amp. Mostly I know how to play my instrument, but that doesn't mean my rig was ideal.

Its just every time i've played on a POD, you run throught the presets and want to play the songs like the band or song its modelling.

Those presets are made so new users can get familiar with the device's capabilities in the context of the tones used in famous songs. They aren't too good, and the PODxt is a lot more about creating your own sounds by mixing up the infinite possibilities of tone combinations in the device. It's not a cover-band-in-a-box, it's a versatile rig-in-a-box.

Question. Do you use the POD as a preamp into a poweramp with a speaker, or use it like a mic preamp into a desk with a foldback? You can get Atomic amps (I think) which you plug POD's straight into that is just a poweramp and speaker and remains transparent.

Though the POD is designed to go through anything you really want it to. Running a PODxt through a Fender Hot Rod DeVille, I find, is particularly pleasant.

[telecasting]

Originally Posted by Rainer.

Not to mention the ME-50 is more of a multi-effect unit than a digital modeling device. Not too comparable to the PODxt either.

Didn't ieatdirt say that he used the POD more for the effects, therefore putting it in a similar if not same category as the ME-50. Nit picking on my behalf.

Originally Posted by Rainer

Though the POD is designed to go through anything you really want it to. Running a PODxt through a Fender Hot Rod DeVille, I find, is particularly pleasant.

I thought that POD's modelled amps. If you model an amp and then run that into another amp which has its own characteristics, you end up with a comprimise on the original tone. From that idea, probably the best amp you could get is a Roland Jazz Chorus and leave the effects well alone, which I think is about as transparent a tone as you can get. Its loud and since it doesn't have tubes it won't try and behave any differently to the sound you are using from the POD.

But hey! Tone is all in the fingers right...

[thesteve]

Originally Posted by telecasting

I thought that POD's modelled amps. If you model an amp and then run that into another amp which has its own characteristics, you end up with a comprimise on the original tone.

that's not necessarily a bad thing. Oftentimes, one man's musical compromise is another's holy grail.

[ieatdirt]

Originally Posted by telecasting

Didn't ieatdirt say that he used the POD more for the effects, therefore putting it in a similar if not same category as the ME-50. Nit picking on my behalf.

I don't have one yet. I think I said that, but I'm not sure.

[Rainer.]

Originally Posted by telecasting

I thought that POD's modelled amps. If you model an amp and then run that into another amp which has its own characteristics, you end up with a comprimise on the original tone.

However, the POD is designed to sound good running through an amp. Of course your Marshall stack patch won't exactly sound like a stack if you run the POD into a 1x12 combo, but the POD is designed with lots and lots of tweakable parameters to find a tone that works for you.

It's better to run thru the FX loop than the front, though, if you're planning to go for a relatively uncolored tone, but with tube power amp compression, if that's what you're going for.

From that idea, probably the best amp you could get is a Roland Jazz Chorus and leave the effects well alone, which I think is about as transparent a tone as you can get. Its loud and since it doesn't have tubes it won't try and behave any differently to the sound you are using from the POD.

Well, actually, from that idea, the best thing is to just run the POD to the PA all the time (which you can do, and sounds great). But adding the flavor of a tube power amp running hot is something that the PODxt seems to love for all your vintage guitar tone needs.

But hey! Tone is all in the fingers right...

No, just mostly.

[telecasting]

Touche Rainer.

Secondhand fenders turn up nicely from time to time and could be a great investment. Have fun hunting!

[Rainer.]

A particularly lovely combination would probably be the POD thru a Fender Twin... mmm... I need to try that.

[telecasting]

Oh man, twins! As much headroom as anyone should ever need, but try moving them! The less popular 80's and early 90's twins go cheaper than you'd expect and invest in a trolley!