More PodXT Live/ME-50/GT-6 Questions

Don't get the ME50 or GT6. It's switching-delay and tone sucking are pre-historic. The POD is mostly a modeler with effects, not really what you're after. Same goes with the Vox Tonelab. To be vary honest I don't really know many floorboard multi-effects in that priceclass that don't suck tone. Some things you could check out:

TC Electronics G-major, although some of it's effects are pretty ancient (delay time). But for the rest a pretty good unit for around $350-$400.

Behringer DSP2024P, great and inexpensive unit. Seems to suck tone when you add too many effects at once, but in that case just get another one, or two. Priced at $100 it's really a bargain..

Maybe the Zoom FX/Korg AX series, although they too suck some minor tone.

You could also check out the POD XT/Tonelab/GT8 and see if you maybe like they tone simply better then your amp and get all your sound out of one of these. Note that if you want to record easily then a modeler is *really* the way to go. All of those can just be plugged directly into the mixer/pc whereas you'd need to mic your tube amp. And getting the same sound in your mic as in your ears is darn hard and expensive.

In other words: I don't believe there is a $350 multi-effect which preserves your tone 100% and allows easy direct recording. Getting a proper setup to record your amp without loss of tone would already be $350 in a few proper mics and mic pre-amps. Using headphones doesn't work if you don't use modeling either, and getting your tube sound in your headphone won't ever work without an isolation box, proper mics and another room to sit in with the headphones. Not really a $350 option.

I see your point on not preserving 100% of the tone. Still, would something like the PodXT Live work well enough as effects-only, perserving most of the tone when playing through the amp. Then I could use the modeling when I want to record to comp?

I certainly recognize that I cannot get a lot for $300 (bummer). Just wondering what the best bang for my buck might be, garnering as much as possible...

I will have a rack moung unit (free), but was looking for something foot-switchable...

If you're not the ultimate in tone snobbism I think either the GT8 or Pod XT would work well. The audience will definitely never notice the small amount of tone sucking and with some EQ'ing you should be able to get close enough that you really can't tell whether it's in the loop and disabled or not in the loop. Tonelab is rather limited with effects, but the GT8 and POD have the basics more then covered. I myself am rather impressed with the GT8, it's really an awesome multi-effect with modeling abilities whereas the POD is a modeler with multi-effect options.

In any case, it's a matter of taste. Maybe you have amazingly good ears and notice every subtle difference. Maybe you have average ears and notice nothing at all. There is a technical loss of tone and how much of an issue that is depends on you. I'd use it without second thought but you really might want to try it in another store. Might be a bit of a hassle but it might save you from wasting good money. As for being too inexperienced to try it: nonsense. Take your time and just listen. If you notice anything bad drop it, if you don't get it. Play it yourself, picking dynamics and such are hard to get a feel for when listening to the sales guy. Once you've made up your mind let someone else play so you can focuss 100% on the sound instead of what you're playing. You're the one that's going to play it so it doesn't really matter what other people think of it.

In short: I'd get the GT8. If that's not an option I'd get the POD XT Live. Both are great devices that will satisfy 99% of the guitarists. I'd even go as far as to say the GT8 sucks less tone then a chain of individual pedals, so it's not like we're talking about those ancient pre-historic digital devices that got the digital-revolution such a bad name.

I will call around and see what stores have what effects. As I mentioned, I can try the PodXT Live (it's < 2mins away). As to the rest, I could (quite literally) spend more $$ in gasoline than in just buying something. ;) Dumb question: should I haul my guitar and amp to the store to try the effects unit?

Looks like the GT-8 street price is just a bit above what I could afford. What is your opinion on the GT-6. If you had to rate the three (PodXT Live, ME-50, GT-6) in order of preferenec, what would the order be?

Btw, thanks much for your input.

ME50 is the little brother of the GT6, and both have some amazing drawbacks Boss should be ashamed for. The POd XT is miles above those two. And definitely drag everything you use along: amps, guitar, picks, cables, whatever you feel has an impact on the sound. So if you cannot easily afford the GT8 (wish I could myself) and the POD is around the corner then just try that one. It's better then the GT6/ME50 so buy that one if you like.

Well, personally, I love my ME-50. I got mine on b-stock. It was fine. It sounds great and works great. Maybe what I do with it is different than what others may do with it. If you try to put all the effects on at 10, then it sucks. But, really that is not what it is meant for. A little of this and that and I find I love my tone with it and have no problems using it. Opinions vary, and some people are a##holes, or something like that.

Well, I tried the PodXT Live that was available locally. It seemed cool, so I bought it. Many thanks for the responses (esp. Arjen), which helped me decide.