After about 6 months of drooling, I finally got a Tonelab SE. Bought it off of ebay for $429 w/shipping and all the original packaging/accessories. I received it on Friday and gave it a thorough work through this weekend.
The Tonelab SE is, in a word, phenomenal. It sounds every bit as good as I had hoped it would. After some initial growing pains, it really has become quite easy to manipulate sounds and patches. The manual could be more detailed on some of the limitations in my opinion, but overall it was very helpful.
The amp modeling is spot on and sounds very warm and natural. Through the process of programming my TLSE this weekend, I came to an epiphany of sorts that I had never really thought of before. I'm an amp guy, not a pedal guy like I've thought in the past. Previously, I've always taken OD and distortion pedals to achieve the crunch sound i like, generally throwing them into the clean channel of whatever amp I owned at the time. I would use the dirty channel of an amp for some rythym, but usually not that often.
Initially I was very disappointed that you could not stack pedals on the TLSE and worried that I would not be able to get the sounds I already use. Through the experimentation process with the amp/cab modeling I was able to effectively eliminate the need for OD/Dist stompboxes in my sound with the exception of some solo patches that needed a little extra oomph. The valve/tube reaction to pick attack and input volume really blew me away.
The A/B channel so far has been both a godsend and a bit of a disappointment. I love that Vox included this feature to be able to switch from clean/dirty or just boost the volume. Really astounding that you can alter all of the amp/cab settings and selections. What is disappointing however, is that you're locked into a pedal configuration between the two channels. Its certainly not a huge point of contention, but it would have been a nice addition.
The stompbox mode was where I really fell in love with my TLSE this weekend. I figured out that I could select a pedal, but default it to off for my baseline sound - effectively 'preloading' a pedal effect without it actually being on. That way I'm not stuck with a chorus+OD sound for a specific patch, but two clicks later I can have it if I need it. This feature really struck me as being extremely well thought out and allowing me to have nearly all of my arsenal in 1 bank.
As I've been talking to friends today about the TLSE I noticed something pretty humorous. It seems that those that buy the TLSE keep them. There are currently 2 on ebay, while there are 2 pages of POD XT Lives and lord knows how many other all-in-one pedals out there.
Bottom line, I couldn't be more pleased with my purchase. Do I think its right for everyone? No, but its darn close. I can't wait to see what they have in store for the next version (if they are working on one that is). I know I won't hesitate to purchase one if/when its released.
cblalock, Let the truth be
Mon, 2006/10/16 - 11:42am — ChicoBluezcblalock,
Let the truth be known!!
Chico
www.thefabuloushouserockers.com
"When the power of love is greater than the love of power, there will be world peace." -Jimi Hendrix
cbalock, its good to see
Mon, 2006/10/16 - 2:45pm — hamfistcbalock, its good to see you've "seen the light". I went through a very similar experience a couple of months ago, after a year of trying to get a PodXT to sound right.
The TLSE isn't perfect, but then nothing is. I'm hankering after a decent compressor, coz the TLSE's one is rubbish. I also feel a bit niggly about the slight lag when changing patches. I can cope though, its the best one out there, IMHO.
BTW, what amplification are you going through. I think that's almost as important a point as your MFX rig. Alan
I totaly agree. The TLSE is
Mon, 2006/10/16 - 7:25pm — GT350I totaly agree. The TLSE is a 14 pound marvel! My gigs are so much simpler now not having to drag around so much heavy equipment. My only serious complaint is the lack of a USB port. I'd like to back up the patches that I have labored to create, but I havent sprung for the MIDI adapter yet.
1 Peter 2:9
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
I echo all of those comments
Mon, 2006/10/23 - 12:04pm — hotramanI echo all of those comments as well. My 1st modeler was a Flextone II with the pedal board. I saw the potential with modelers, but just did not like the tone. Sold the Flextone II and have not looked back. The Tonelab SE has been a great experience for me, man, I am hooked! One of the things I enjoy is how responsive it is, to each guitar I bring out. From a tele, to a Gibson 335 or Taylor T5, the TLSE compliments and enables me to cover a wide variety of styles. Also... the factory patches that I did not care for in the beginning, are ones that I am tweaking and enjoying. "Rectofly" has moved into my favorites bank. Anyone else doing this?
Steve