Traded a C1 Classic for a Hot Rod Deville 4x10. I gotta say it is a REALLY nice little amp. I am using my Digitech RP1000 for a stomp box, FX unit (amp and cab modelling bypassed) and running into the clean channel. I had originally set out to buy a Traynor YCS50, which I still see in my not so distant future, but the HRD was here and I impulse traded for it. I had been accumulating guitars lately fo giving up one for the amp is no big deal.
I recently sold my Vetta and had played with no amp, using the RP1000 straight to PA (kills the Pod or GT in terms of good sounding amp modelling). But I hated the whole experience, I just need an amp onstage if I am going to enjoy rocking the fuck out. Otherwise it isn't really rocking the fuck out but just playing a set, doing my job and getting paid Amazing how decent sounding amp + ample Scotch = fun at work.
Yep, I am liking the HRD. Should have bought one years ago. I just figured being the little budget fenders that they are that I would not really be happy with it. But I think it's a keeper. In fact, I am wondering what running two HRD 4x10 amps on stage would sound like, monstrous I bet.
Which stomps are you using on the RP1000? I have kinda settled in with the Redline and the Screamer mostly. I am, however, using them with the JCM800 and 900 amp models. Which stomps sound best without the amp/cab modeling? I'm curious because I'm always looking for different ways to use this thing.
Johnny, I am using the Redline as my "goto". But I just got the HRD yeaterday, so I have not had a whole lot of time to explore, but with just a few hours of experimenting I came up with this solution.
Use the Redline going into the clean of the HRD for my rhythm stuff. Kick in the compressor for a lead boost. Kick on the chorus at below 15% mix for cleans, just enough to add a little more shimmer to the cleans, take off the edge. On clean sounds, other than the hint of chorus, i rely on the HRD clean channel, which I really like.
I just got a dunlop 535Q in a trade so i will likely be using the RP1000 EXP pedal as a volume pedal mostly, and use the Dunlop for wah stuff.
The last gig we played I used the RP1000 direct into the PA, using the MKIV model, Digi Speaker comp and I think a TS9 stomp model. I really didn't like it as much as I had hoped I would. Out front it sounded great, but on stage, even with a pair of SRM450 monitors in my face, I just didn't feel it like I should, the nxt day I bought the HRD. I really like he Digitech RP1000 as a stomp box collection feeding the amp.
We did my rock cover bands demo in my living room and all of the guitars ar RP1000, except in Hey Man Nice Shot I used the Vetta for some wierd ambient stuff during the verses. I actually created a patch with the RP1000 using trem, swell, delay and verb to get some OK sounding ambient effect stuff. Buying an M13 to put in the stomp loop.
If you go here: http://www.myspace.com/therockshow5 You can hear some stuff from my cover band's demo. All of the guitars are RP1000 direct just recorded in my living room. I dialed in a Recto patch for my rhythm player to approximate his live sound and I dialed in a more mellow MKIV model for me. I like the Digitech Speaker Comp for choice of modelled speaker.
As far as modellers go, the RP1000 is pretty cool. I do have some complaints, but they got the amp modelling much better than Line 6 or Boss. I am adding a Line 6 M13 though just to cover a few things that I miss about the Vetta, going to put the M13 in the stomp loop of he RP1000
When I used a modeler for all of my efx, through my HRD I set the tone controls flat and used the modeler as if it were going into a mixer not an amp or combo. Trebs and Bass all the way off and Mids all the way up, that is flat on a HRD. However with stomps and the modeler, I set the tone controls on my HRD as follows Presence all the way off. Trebs on 6, Bass on 3, and Mids on 8. I also use a volume control in the efx loop so I can turn the pre's/Drive master up. The volume box ix an audio taper pot so it does away with all of the fizz associated with HRD drive channel. I play my stomps and modeler through the clean channel, and use the overdrive channel set a little louder than the overdrive stomps so I can turn them off and cut through the mix with the brighter drive channel.
Of course I know you will have your own preferences on how to set yours up but that is how I do mine, I posted my setup so you have another way to look at how to make the HRD sound good without any other necessities, two minds are better than one amigo.
Congrads on the new acquisition.
Secondly if you like the HRD, go to Bob of Eurotubes and get the high gain preamp tubes and the hottest 6L6 power tubes, and set the BIAS (see how to at Eurotubes site) somewhere between 80 and 85 MV. You will not believe the difference in tone you get, even on the drive/more drive channel much fatter/richer/hi fi.
dbm thanx bro for your input. I intitially had planned on running the Rp1000 into the Power amp return but I liked the sound better jus using the stomps in front of the clean, fuller, richer tone. I tired using the amp modelling in front of the amp and I still just get a thicker, fuller sound running the stomps of the RP1000 into the clean. This could be modeller specific though. I plan a little way down the road to pick up another TLSE. I am getting the Line 6 M13 soon and I think the TLSE/M13 combo will be even better than the RP1000, since he Rp1000 has no MIDI and both of the other units do.