Hendrix Gear First Impressions
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I’m interested, but not yet committed to buy the new Jimi Hendrix Gear for my Spark 40. I don’t have Bias FX or AMP; just a Spark). I’m interested in Spark Owners first impressions: quality of the sounds, ease of download, any download or setup issues, etc. Any and all positive or not-so-positive experiences and insights would be appreciated.
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@dan-lawrence I paid for the Hendrix pack yesterday on my Spark. Full disclaimer, I'm a total guitar hack, and Hendrix music is way above my skill level, so I can't really speak to the authenticity of the patches or gear or anything like that or playing along with Hendrix songs while it automatically switches patches for you.
But I like the idea of having some more amp models and effects to play with, specifically the auto-wah, which we didn't have at all before. If you've had your Spark for a while, you might have experienced the upgrade we had a few months ago, that added a few amps and effects including the 6505 amp, Klon Centaur, graphic EQ, and a few others. The upgrade process was almost identical to that - I updated the app on my Chromebook, updated my amp to the new firmware, and at that point it had all the new models, effects, and presets, but they were locked and couldn't be selected until I paid the $20. I paid through the Google Play store, and everything is now unlocked - pretty painless process. However, the firmware upgrades don't always go so smoothly for everyone. Mine went off without a hitch, but the first time I upgraded firmware, it took a few tries and some learning.
It feels to me like the only reason this update costs $20 while the previous one was free is because of the Hendrix branding, but it gives me a few new reasons to play my guitar, so it was probably "worth it" to me - anything that motivates me to pick up my guitar more often. -
@vandal54 said in [Hendrix Gear First Impressions]
It feels to me like the only reason this update costs $20 while the previous one was free is because of the Hendrix branding, but it gives me a few new reasons to play my guitar, so it was probably "worth it" to me - anything that motivates me to pick up my guitar more often.
The Hendrix family has been ridiculous with stuff like this and their own in fighting.
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@vandal54
Thanks! I appreciate your quick and thorough reply. Sounds like we’re of a similar mind on this one. I’m a beginner using the Spark and AnyTune App to learn and play along with a list of favorite songs. $20 for the additional “gear“ is acceptable, especially since Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan songs are favorite long term goals. -
I tried the Hey Joe and Purple Haze effects first cause I am so familiar with the real sound. I think the effects are spot on. I'm sure a lot of work went into this upgrade. I also think the Wah pedal is really awesome.
However, after I upgraded, I noticed that the iPad "split screen" option is no longer available. (I like to run Spark alongside Ultimate tabs. In fact, it would be a great upgrade to be able to access tabs directly from the Spark app.)
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@andy-minikes
I bit the bullet Sunday and paid the $20. Update of the Spark iOS App the Spark Amp went without any problems. The gear sets sound great with my Les Paul. Disappointed in the tones on my HSS Strat, especially since the gear collection is designed around two Strat Icons.Both Hey Joe and Purple Haze moved up on my list of songs to learn, and both gear sets are the logical starting points for my tweak fest!
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the autowah is active? it can be used?
(because I see that it's still locked) -
@samueleonline
Based on a quick check, it appears available to me. I attempted to add it to one of my gear sets, and received a message that I’d need to change my reverb pedal to avoid a CPU overload. Didn’t pursue it beyond that as I’m not currently trying to learn any songs requiring Autowah. I tend to like a more generic setup to use with my practice song playlist. -
Thank you Dan.
has anyone tried to use it? -
@samueleonline
I’ve only tried it in the three gear sets that came with package. -
@vandal54 Thanks for taking the time to write this up. First time, after many positive grid emails, that the $20 cost was mentioned. Not much but they could include the cost with their "constant contact" emails
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@eldredjames
Some have speculated that the Hendrix Estate is getting royalties on the name, the Auto Tone Songs and other Hendrix related stuff. Auto Tone also includes a Stevie Ray Vaughan song.I’m hoping this isn’t a new revenue stream scheme for Positive Grid, and constitutes a one-off due to royalty issues…
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but what happens now if one does not have the Hendrix expansion activated but downloads a preset set with amp or effects blocked for him?
gives an error? does't work? or what else?
surely soon it will happen that you find set tones with locked amps and effects inside -
@samueleonline What a great point, I am surprised others haven't asked that question.
So, on top of hard sell, you get reduced functionality too?
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@keith-clatworthy
I wouldn't exactly say "reduced functionality", rather "with fewer options"...
but logically if you find a preset that contains a locked amp or effect for your profile, that tone (assuming it works) won't sound as it should. -
For those that have not ordered the Hendrix Pack yet, there are several ToneCloud presets that are quite good out there but you have to pick through them. I have played a lot of Hendrix stuff through the years so I discriminate heavily on the tone used to play his songs. I found one on Tone Cloud last night called Hendrix & SRV that is quite good and suggest you try this free user preset as well as mixing your own "tweaks" to it before buying the package. I will be using that one a lot in the near future and see no need to load a prepackage group of presets.
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Okay so, after having the Hendrix amps and presets listed but unavailable, I finally decided to just pay the $20 and have them so I do not have to see unusable amps in my settings. I like Hendrix but do not play his music all that much. After downloading, and updating the firmware, I must say these amps are very good, and have a real vintage sound to them. I haven't used the jamming feature yet but, the presets are sweet!
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@andy-minikes I also regret that the split screen no longer works. So far, I've always combined Anytune with the Spark app.
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@dlaughlin30 said in Hendrix Gear First Impressions:
For those that have not ordered the Hendrix Pack yet, there are several ToneCloud presets that are quite good out there but you have to pick through them. I have played a lot of Hendrix stuff through the years so I discriminate heavily on the tone used to play his songs. I found one on Tone Cloud last night called Hendrix & SRV that is quite good and suggest you try this free user preset as well as mixing your own "tweaks" to it before buying the package. I will be using that one a lot in the near future and see no need to load a prepackage group of presets.
I agree with that. This "Hendrix & SRV" preset is damn good. One of my best.
This new Hendrix package is well-rounded and well implemented. To me, it contains too much of that fuzz stuff. You have to be careful with that, otherwise it sounds like shit.