FUQ (eff -yu - cue) - FAQ's with an EDGE

Tagged As: Guitar Effects Processor

Question:
I am looking for guitar processor with effects that I can use with headphones . I need to use the headphones for practice becaues I live in an apartment and cannot make noise. I am looking for a processor that had the sounds of Vai,Satriani,Nino B, White Lion, Night Ranger, Van Halen ect.. Your help ?

Answer:
Bad news is there isn't a processor that does it all, but here are some tips. The best stand alone procesoror for Van Halen sound (classic or otherwise), look to the ZOOM 505II and other Zoom processors. It (505II) provides an array of effects that when combined properly can reproduce the VH sound almost identical to what you hear on the albums, and it's one of two processors that has an Peavy 5150 amp model for the modern VH sound. For Vai, Stariani, look to the DigiTech RP100 or RP200 (stay clear of the RP50 it's crap) provide the signature DigiTech wah effects that are required for those artist signature style. The amp modeling on the DigiTech is better than the ZOOM 505II for most things (most all except the Marshall stack model and the Peavy 5150 amp model). Nothing beats the Line6 POD for amp modeling, but for you $350 that's really the only special thing you get is a studio grade amp modeler, I feel the other two processors mentioned (Zoom and DigiTech) do a fine job modeling the MesaBoogie and Marshall amps (even the Vox and Matchless), but fall short on the tube driven over drive sound of a Fender Twin Reverb, if you need that type of sound you aren't going to get it anywhere else aside from the POD and the real thing.