I posted on here a few years ago that if there were ever a floor model I would buy one. Well, when the Stage came out I was excited to say the least. Then I started reading about all of the hardware and software issues. I decided to hold off a bit. Just this week I went ahead and purchased a new Stage. I’ve worn my wallet out on the Profiles I was interested in and now I’m ready to choose a few favorites and dig in.
A little background: I’ve played in bands since my teens. I am currently (and for the last 15 years) playing for a large televised Church. I’ve always played tube amps but years ago when the Axe FXii came out, I bought it, the floor controller, a rack for it,expression pedals, etc. I was all in. However, I just never was satisfied with its natural tube amp tones. It was fine for metal but that’s not my bag. I sold it, went back to amps. Later, I tried the Amplifire, which surprised me. It was a lot cheaper but honestly blew Fractal away with med gain amp tones. However it still wasnt good enough. I haven’t played the Axeiii. I’ve heard it’s better.
Anyway, for the last 5 years I’ve been playing my Bad Cat Cubiii which stays in the amp room at church. All I have to do is set my large pedalboard down, the power and 1/4” cable are laying there, then flip the amp on, put in my In Ears and I’m ready to play. Love the tone and amp is amazing. However, the pedalboard is heavy and I started rethinking the Kemper. I am going to continue using the amp and pedalboard for now and really dive in and get to know the Stage. I love being able to just reach down and twist a knob on the Strymon Dig, El Capistan, King of Tone, Morning Glory, etc. I want to get so comfortable with the Stage that I can quickly make adjustments on the fly also. I like simple.
Any advice for a newbie is appreciated. I’ll be going FOH mono with In Ears. Look forward to meeting everyone and hoping this forum is much more friendly than Fractals was. Many of them were jerks. John A.K.A., JCMuscleShoals (on many other forums).