Marshall SV20H 20w Plexi-style head — such a classy amplifier!

Why I returned to real guitar amplifiers after using Kemper and Axe FX

Two years of using digital amps lead me back to the real thing. The last year (2019) has been a massive overhaul for me, in terms of gear. I started the year with a Kemper Profiler and many of you will know that I have raved about that piece of kit for the best part of 18 months now. It’s a game changer. However, I missed the flexibility of real amps and pedals at my fingertips....

May 25, 2020
The mighty Mesa Dual Rectifier Roadster — the amp that’s haunted me since a young age.

Kemper owner for a year and why I’m returning to valves

The paralysing limitations of having access to every guitar amplifier in the world. I admit, the last few months have been a bit of a struggle with the Kemper. Not because it sounds anything less than superb, but simply because the profiles aren’t versatile enough once I’ve found ‘the one’. Once I’ve settled on a profile, I’m stuck with it because no other profile comes close. That makes me feel a little uneasy as I’d like to feel a bit more freedom than that....

April 13, 2019
Kemper Profiler

Building my dream guitar rig. Kemper Profiler

After seeing a video comparing the Axe FX III and the Kemper (that has unfortunately now been deleted by its maker, Camilo Velandia— an Axe FX III owner) which I spoke about in my previous post, “One year later with the Fractal Axe FX II XL, was it a keeper in 2018?”, my first instinct was to try the Kemper in the interim, whilst I wait for the Axe FX III to arrive in the country....

June 30, 2018