Dude, unfortunately this just is not going to happen. I've been trying to no end ... and I'm not really not a tone-snob. I have the Boss GT-10 and I've used all other different kinds (except for the Line6 stuff). The problem with the Boss is, it just sucks the life out of my tone -- no sustain to speak of. I hate to say it because it sounds cliched and sounds as if I haven't put it through the ringer yet, but I have. Maybe it's me expecting too much from it. I dunno. I've tried it direct and through the FX loop with the 4-cable method and I'm simply not happy with it. Direct, it sounds good with the amp models, but live use of the modelers just isn't for me.

But the Boss is great for the studio, just not for my live sound. To use an amp in the studio, I use the Palmer PDI-03 load box/speaker sim with a Strymon reverb for a room sound and it beats everything I've been using until now. That's about all I can offer you! But the Palmer is outstanding in combination with a great reverb. My Fender Supersonic 22 reverb isn't that good to my ears. Reverb has to go in the FX loop (even if you're using it clean or on a 1-channel amp - just sounds cleaner). I'm sure you already knew that!

So to quit rambling - I would suggest the Palmer PDI-03 speaker sim/load box and a great reverb for controlled volume and kick-ass tone. You can also use them both live and they sound great. In fact, I have the Palmer PDI-09 DI which is just a thru DI box with the speaker sim filters to the board and monitor and thru to the speaker cab - best of both worlds! Sounds amazing. Good luck!

Purely for models and modeling, this is the best thing on the market: http://www.fractalaudio.com/p-axe-fx-ii ... cessor.php

I Love my Line6 X3L, even if the new HD version sounds/feels better. (it has fewer models, but improved accuracy and tactile response) It's overkill for almost any situation; I use it in the studio or live with or without an amp. (usually with an amp, on the gig, but that's mainly for me to monitor) It's extremely convenient to have so much processing power at my feet, but it's also a very complex and sophisticated device, capable of emulating multi-amp rigs with FX; programming it ain't for the faint of heart, (nor mind) though you always have access to bass, mid, treble, presence, reverb and channel volume with the top panel knobs.

I'm kinda wondering what you're really asking for, Ern, cuz you could easily take your Soldano/Peavey/cab rig to the gig, and obviously it works well enough in the studio; are you just looking for a greater variety of sounds? I think the HD500 would fit the bill, it also lets you switch lotsa cool FX in and out, has tons of presets, is relatively easy to program and rugged enough for rock'n'roll. The Vox Tonelab EX is also a good choice; less bells and whistles and fewer bucks, to boot. If you want a complete 'no compromises' solution, the Kemper Profiling Amp lets you model any amp you can lay hands on, and then some.

Oh, and Wes: if you're suffering from "tone-suck", that's usually about impedance mis-matching, and how your pickup and cable interact with the next (or first) input stage of the signal chain. I'm sure you've noticed that some stompboxes have the same effect as your GT-10. Try one of these between your guitar and the rest of the rig: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65Nye17ax28

There are other buffers; it's just the best one.

Hell yeah brother -- I'll check it out. The first culprit was the NS-2s that were always on. Turned them off and it got 50% better. The other 50%?
There's an opamp that is always fed signal through the GT-10 - whether it's processed or not. I think that's it. But maybe one of the buffers will help. Thanks for the info, mojo!!

I thought it was (is?) my FX loop on my Fender that sucked -- pun intended :-/

Ern

Once you have had steak, I don't think you want to go back to hamburger.

The sounds I get out of my line 6 spider don't even come close to the sound that you get.

Like Moj said, it has so many variations and channels it is mind boggling. I hate the repeating sounds for recording.

I was the happiest with my fender twin and a couple of pedals back in the seventies.

Maybe the new pod is improved.

Good luck bud

Paul

Hey, thanks guys! Paul, you're correct that my "sound" is how I want it on "tape" Heh heh! BUT:



See, here's the problem: I'm moving back to our 2 bedroom town home, and there's NO WAY that I can crank up my Soldano etc. in our new/old home. I always had a studio where I could crank things up, but now!? I don't think I can do it. I have a paranoid/psychotic neighbor, if you guys remember!

Sooo, just for now I'm trying to simulate some nice guitar amp tones.

That's it,

Ern

Paul, any emulation of a thing will never be the thing; to hope for such is a fool's errand. For me, the point of modeling technology is to give us options beyond those provided by our hands, our fingers and our skills.

Upgrading our skills requires greater and greater effort and attention to detail as we learn and (hopefully) grow; upgrading our sound? Well, that's just a matter of money, right?

Ern, here are your best options as I've tested them to get the coolest tones (one of the options is simulated and the other one is actually using your amp):
1. Guitar Rig - this is the best-performing plugin I've used for guitar. Amplitube seriously drains my machine. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong, but I like GR much better. They just released GR 5 Pro - I think it's $199. That's a steal.

2. Your amp -> Palmer PDI-03 DI/load box
With this option you will need a reverb pedal or plugin to get the most realistic sound. But the Palmer speaker sims are the best-sounding (analog!) I've heard so far. But I'm only in my early 30s, so I'm by no means a salty-dog sailor that's been around the block a hundred times. But I have spent thousands on gear to try and get the best sound -- so you don't have to!

There are pros and cons to either option. I would actually not considering using a pedalboard modeler (even though some of them are very good) because I end up tweaking them so much that I don't play my guitar! But that's just me.
PS - not sure if you remember my Walk This Way cover I got forwarded several months ago - but all the guitars and the badass bass sound were done through GR. If you want to hear it, go here: http://www.taxi.com/fullbirdmusic -- it's at the bottom, Walk This Way (final) to hear only-modeled tones!

I'm surprised that Zoom G3 has not been mentioned yet.

After many years, this thingy made me finally switch from "It will never be like a real thing" to "Wow! That's it."
Responsiveness and warmth of clean sounds is inspiring, and variety is great. At $199, you just can't go wrong, especially considering all the extra features.

Here's my recent blog on the topic:
http://georgesolo.com/2011/08/zoom-g3-review/

I play live with my Line 6 Flextone III amp and record direct with it too. I can achieve the sounds I need and love and this... after having owned and toured internationally with a $15,000, 20-space rack loaded with 2 Mesa-Boogie Mark II's (configured in stereo), and ridiculous signal processing! Also a pedal board built by Andy Brauer. (picture of my racks in stages of development)

The Flextone III (Line 6) amp did/does take some tweaking (as does everything) but I'm impressed with the amp modeling. The newer Line 6 stuff must be even better!