More Joe Roger's Tonex Standel Amp Models Experience

[Bill Rowlett]

I bought Joe's Tonex Standel pack, which includes 82L15, CG15, Custom XV, Imperial and Studio XV tone models.

I expected to use the Buddy Charlton personal Custom XV model, and while it was very good and Hi-Fi, I found that I really liked the Studio XV with a little reverb and delay in the preset.

I used it at a gig switching back and forth between it and my usual 71 Fender Twin N2 (Joe Rogers model) and ended up using the Studio XV preset the rest of the night.

My rig was an Emmon's Push-Pull to Brad Sarno's Freeloader set at 6 to a Hilton Pedal to the Tonex One, then to a Peavey Session 115.

I went into the regular hi-gain input of the Session 115 with all the preamp tone controls set to zero. I couldn't tell any tone difference over going into the amp's post eq return and I needed more pre-amp volume, a common Tonex problem. With my Nashville 400's, I use a boost pedal going into the power amp input.

The original Standel Studio XV was a low powered amp for recording, but that doesn't matter with the Tonex and big power amp. I had plenty of stage volume.

This Studio XV tone model is loud and works well out of the box for live work. I'm not sure that it will need a Cab IR when going direct to the PA. The ones that I tried at home really muddied it up. I'll experiment more.

I love the Tonex and Joe's models. I can get all these wonderful sounds out of my old reliable Peavey amps. I have a good tube amp tone when I want it and don't have to own a twin.

[Chance Duhon]

I owned the Standel Studio XV that Joe profiled. It now belongs to Kevin Skrla. Incredible amp. You won’t find better steel guitar amp captures than what Joe is putting out. He spends hours upon hours tweaking and making sure these profiles sound IDENTICAL to the amp he is modeling. We’ve done quite a few amps that have come through my shop at Magnolia Amplification. I’m proud of Joe and all his hard work. You should try his Fender 63 Creamback Bassman profile. UNREAL!

[Joe Rogers]

Bill & Chance, thanks for the kudos...!! I don't get on here as much as I would like lately. Bill, that particular amp model happens to be one of Johnny Cox's favorite amp models. I think he uses it almost exclusively. Chance is correct, it is a really special amp.

As for going direct to front of house or recording, get a Sonicake Sonic IR as I am putting the finisheing touches on a brand new IR package that incorporates AI into the speaker IRs. I keep wanting to put a period on this particular 4-month project, but I kept uncovering new techniques. I will be posting about the new IR package in the New Products section.

Thanks!!!

Joe Rogers

[Andy Zahnd]

Joe, you old cajunwizzard. I can't wait till the new IR, that you're workong on, are coming out. You did such a great job with your last captures, so perfect and so musical... I can only say one thing, I've never ever had a better sound... in my headphones at home, live... direct to the PA and as a monitormix or with a power amp and speaker cabinet. I think if the steel guitar community could hear this with their own ears when they're playing, everyone would immediately go down this path and never want to hear anything else! I have so many amps at a gig now, sometimes it's hard to find the right amp (in my little box) for the evening... because they all sound great and authentic! Thank you for your hard work and thank you... for letting me count you among my true friends!

[Joe Rogers]

Andy, thanks so much for the compliments and support...!! Check your email...


Joe Rogers

[Michael Whitmire]

Just to add, I got the Pedabro and Matchbro models Joe offers and they’re wonderful! Joe provides excellent documentation, some of the best I’ve seen from an independent, with his models so you can get them in the Tonex pedal and working easy and fast.

The Matchbro model is very convincing if you stick within a certain pocket and play like a dobro. It’d easily fool anyone listening when you’re out playing live or even with a band. I’ve already pulled a fast one on the one guy I play with! Saves me the effort of fully learning dobro and lugging one around for just a song or two.

Joe recommends using a buddy bar with his Matchbro model but honestly I find it very good with just my regular bar. My Shubb bar works great too with it.

All in all, he did an amazing job capturing his profiles!

[Mike Neer]

Just to add, I got the Pedabro and Matchbro models Joe offers and they’re wonderful! Joe provides excellent documentation, some of the best I’ve seen from an independent, with his models so you can get them in the Tonex pedal and working easy and fast.

The Matchbro model is very convincing if you stick within a certain pocket and play like a dobro. It’d easily fool anyone listening when you’re out playing live or even with a band. I’ve already pulled a fast one on the one guy I play with! Saves me the effort of fully learning dobro and lugging one around for just a song or two.

Joe recommends using a buddy bar with his Matchbro model but honestly I find it very good with just my regular bar. My Shubb bar works great too with it.

All in all, he did an amazing job capturing his profiles!

I would love to hear sound clips of these if you have them.

[Bob Snelgrove]

I finally solved my low gain issue with the Tonex pedal by going into the front of my PV amp. I run it in a bypass loop so I can match the direct into the amp level. I still needed a small tweak to the threshold setting in the alt settings to match the amp gain.

bob

[Larry Dering]

Bob, do you have any issues with a distorted signal when running into the PV? I use my Tonex into the effects return of a Boss Katana 100 or a Fender Mustang 3 V2. The single notes are clean but a chord has a slight distortion when playing at higher volume. Even the PA will get over driven on chords. I have adjusted the input trim up and down the preset volume etc. I backed off bass and mids on the pedal but it still isn't clean and clear playing chords.

[Bob Snelgrove]

Bob, do you have any issues with a distorted signal when running into the PV? I use my Tonex into the effects return of a Boss Katana 100 or a Fender Mustang 3 V2. The single notes are clean but a chord has a slight distortion when playing at higher volume. Even the PA will get over driven on chords. I have adjusted the input trim up and down the preset volume etc. I backed off bass and mids on the pedal but it still isn't clean and clear playing chords.

Larry, I haven't but I've only used it briefly with the band. have you checked the input level meter?

bob

[Larry Dering]

Bob, yes I have. I've had it up to +8db as it came from the factory down to -6db fiddling with presets. I have the best results on -3db. And I turned the cab off in presets. I have searched for some wisdom on the Internet but nothing turned up. I tried a direct box between it and the amp return but that didn't help.

[Bob Snelgrove]

Bob, yes I have. I've had it up to +8db as it came from the factory down to -6db fiddling with presets. I have the best results on -3db. And I turned the cab off in presets. I have searched for some wisdom on the Internet but nothing turned up. I tried a direct box between it and the amp return but that didn't help.

Have you tried going into the amp front input, EQ all middle?

[Larry Dering]

Bob, yes I did that and hated the tone. I think it's a issue with the Tonex output ohms. They are not line level and some amps work with it ok but others need line level at the return jack. I will find a work around at some point.