So, as I've said in my previous posts, I am really interested in getting a Kemper but not even heard one/played...well on Saturday I tried one out!
What did I think? Not an easy answer...
To date, I've bought my amps mainly on reputation. Crazy I know but you just can't tell what an amp is like in a shop compared to live. Often I've found that a killer sound disappears in a band mix and vice versa a duff sound comes alive with a band, based on frequencies etc. Plus you get used to sounds.
I bought a Laney GH100L years ago, switching from rack stuff, totally different no reverb, delays, chorus etc. Took me ages to get used to it but eventually I grew into it and it becuase my favourite sound ever. Interestingly I can't describe why though...
What this means is I've never had to think too much about the sound because it's limited to my Amp and cab set up. Traditionally I've just bought what I think to be the best - Celestion v30's, george L cables, Bareknuckle pickups in order to stand the best chance of the best sound.
I've now realised that with the Kemper I would have so many options and so a duff sound will be 100% my fault and I'll need to think about it more - worst still, I'll need to get....an opinion!
Its a bit like wall paper, my wife will say " do you like this wall paper" and I'll say "no". Then she'll say " what do you like", and my answer is nearly always " I don't know - I just know I don't like that one".
A friend of mine came to a recent gig and told me he loved my guitar sound from my Blackstar Stage 60...which was funny because I was thinking how much I didn't like it and wanted to sell the amp!
The Kemper....
It sounded great in general but each rig ( these were all the standard ones) sounded so different. Many I didn't like so I switched cabs ( from 2 x12 to 4 x12) and they sounded very different/better straight away.
So I've come to the following conclusions:
- I'm starting to now fully understand the impact of each element in the signal chain - or at least realise that I will need to care
- When it comes to guitar sounds, I don't have much of a clue.
- Am I going to get a Kemper? - hell yes!... but I might need some advice on " the best sounds" because I might not know a good sound even when it punched me in the face.
- I have no taste and even worse no idea what makes a good sound I just know it when I hear it!
- I'm annoying to live with..
In summary, kit this good will expose my short commings so I'd better get my act into gear. I'm happy to invest the time, it's wether I trust my own taste and opinion!
Bit deep I know...anyone else have that same dilemma? Just me I bet...
Roll on a few weeks from now when I order a Powerrack...big shout out to the shop ( can I name them??) who had it all set up for me and knew what they were talking about!!!