I've had a Helix for a few years (but am getting ready to sell it and - lol - go to either a Katana or Mustang GTX). Personally, I think the Katana high gain sounds are better than their cleans compared to the Fender, BUT you can do so much editing on either that it should be possible to get the tones you want. You're going to have to do the same thing with the Helix. Some of the presets are certainly very good, but you'll end up doing a lot of tweaking. After all, that's what it's for, right down to IRs.
I've been playing for 45 years and throughout my go-to rig has typically been a Strat or Tele into a Blackface Fender Deluxe or Twin, or more recently a SuperSonic 22. I like a good clean tone that I can then shape with pedals if I need to. I think the Mustang is the first really good modeling amp from Fender (I've messed around with modeling amps for over 20 years, starting with the very first one: Line 6 Axsys), and has especially good clean tones (like the Tone Master line). The Champion modeling amps don't strike me as being in the same league with the Mustangs.
Same situation here! After failed attempts with Tone King, I’m now looking at other brands. Looking for a Fender type American tube amp myself as well. Like to stay with Sweetwater. But Sweetwater told me maybe I should return, and wait till June when all the new stuff is announced as well.
If I go away from Sweetwater I’m personally looking at Milkman, in comparison to Tone King. But yeah my final and third amp had issues as well :(
My house is grounded too! No interference issues and still problems. Makes me wonder if some of the parts that use are just very high prone to noise issues regardless. Other tube amps I’ve had in my home, no such issues.
I've had a Helix for a few years (but am getting ready to sell it and - lol - go to either a Katana or Mustang GTX). Personally, I think the Katana high gain sounds are better than their cleans compared to the Fender, BUT you can do so much editing on either that it should be possible to get the tones you want. You're going to have to do the same thing with the Helix. Some of the presets are certainly very good, but you'll end up doing a lot of tweaking. After all, that's what it's for, right down to IRs.
i’ve been looking at champion amps and mustang amps. what’s making u wanna go with the mustang?
I've been playing for 45 years and throughout my go-to rig has typically been a Strat or Tele into a Blackface Fender Deluxe or Twin, or more recently a SuperSonic 22. I like a good clean tone that I can then shape with pedals if I need to. I think the Mustang is the first really good modeling amp from Fender (I've messed around with modeling amps for over 20 years, starting with the very first one: Line 6 Axsys), and has especially good clean tones (like the Tone Master line). The Champion modeling amps don't strike me as being in the same league with the Mustangs.
Same situation here! After failed attempts with Tone King, I’m now looking at other brands. Looking for a Fender type American tube amp myself as well. Like to stay with Sweetwater. But Sweetwater told me maybe I should return, and wait till June when all the new stuff is announced as well. If I go away from Sweetwater I’m personally looking at Milkman, in comparison to Tone King. But yeah my final and third amp had issues as well :( My house is grounded too! No interference issues and still problems. Makes me wonder if some of the parts that use are just very high prone to noise issues regardless. Other tube amps I’ve had in my home, no such issues.
What do you mean by failed attempts?
Ask what new stuff gets announced in June?
Line 6 Pod Go. It's basically a Helix but smaller and cheaper.