Getting a perfect tube tone live idea

[Bob Hoffnar]

My absolute favorite amp is my Milkman 40 JG amp. NOS RCA power tubes and all that. Perfectly glorious. Stage volumes in Texas are often ear shattering so I just got a gizmo called an Opus One. Its like one of those OX boxes or Kemper modelers sorta. What I can do it split the signal out from the speaker output and use the cab sims to get close to my JBL sound and send it to a powered speaker. That way I can set my amp to my favorite sweet spot and place it where I can hear it and also mic it to send to the PA. I can then adjust my stage volume to keep up with the stage volume levels with the powered speaker. I use a QSC powered monitor.
So I'm good to go in battle conditions. The Opus does a ton of other stuff too. I've resisted the digital thing up to now but I have to admit this little fake amp sounds very very good and has astonishing functionalities.

[Joe Bill Moad]

These Modeling amps are taking over. I think they are here to stay? I still own the old tried and true 60’s Fender Blackface heads in a Bassman and a Blackface Bandmaster which I have played on Tele and Strat for years. They have that deep Vintage Power and Sound. Am going to sell them hesitantly as I am moving to the newer sounds which I agree match their sounds perfectly when set up right. I just bought a Tonemaster Twin Reverb and am really impressed with the functions and flexibility. I carried a 1978 Twin reverb around for a long time and it was the deal. The weight don’t bother me if the sound is there. I been watching your posts and enjoy learning your gear choices.

Keep it up!

Joe Bill Moad
Oklahoma

[Bob Hoffnar]

I've spent a couple weeks with the Opus One amp sim and it's not for me. I can't get it to sing. I adjust my tone with my picking as I play depending on what part of the neck I'm playing or whats happening with the amp. I can't get a proper reaction from the simms no matter what I try. I have found all sorts of fantastic sounds but I am unable to connect them to my hands and therefore my heart. It sounds good but lacks my personal expression. So it's not fun.

I do think it might have a positive roll in post production and the amp loader thing is very useful piggybacking into a powered speaker or monitor system. I might keep it for that particular function.