So Karl.........have you found it best to gig out with tube amps as compared to the Pod HD?

You mentioned at a show a sound guy mentioned the real tube amp sounding way better. On the flip side a friend of mine gigged with a Line 6 HD head years ago and was told by the sound guy that the HD sounded better at the gig than his Diezel VH4.....for small clubs, etc.

Had you compared to the Eleven Rack - there is a youtube clip comparing the Eleven to a Mesa Roadster and the 11 sounded every bit as good.

I aks because I am on the fence. I have a 20th Anniversary EL34 Bogner Shiva and soon a Mesa Boogie Electradyne after I sell my VHT ST/50.

For my current cover band/original band I was considering a modelling rig. I was thinking of the DT-50 and HD500 for a great solution but it looks like the HD is unable to change channels on the DT so it might make more sense for me to use an HD-500 into a tube power amp...

I wish the DT and HD were a little better integrated...

My goal is to have a small modelling rig consisting of the HD500 and Mesa Boogie 50/50 tube power amp and Mesa Rectifier 212 cabinet with Classic lead 80 and Vintage 30.

If you have found good old tube amps to be best...I might stick to my tube heads and pedals. I just hate all the pedal dancing! Wish I could find a way to avoid the pedal dance.

I'm late to this thread, very late.

Excellent tones, Karl.

You're indeed a brave man to take on the Axe-FX FBI investigating special forces detective team that controls the internet.

Well done.

Hey Karl

We tested a bunch of Marshalls in a store the other day...we were testing different Tokai LP models and used the Marshalls because this store are the Marshall distributors and had them all on display in the amp room.

The JVMs were awesome (but very noisy), the 1923 85th Anniversary was great, but nothing was better than the TSL100 clean channel, it's exceptionally/surprisingly good.

I know what your band mates are talking about, they've got good ears, no HD500 or Axe-FX through a dozen QSC K12s will sound the same...maybe good, but not the same. 

Would I not be correct in pointing out that a fair comparison between the HD500 and a live amp in a room, would be listening to a MICed amp in a room. I compare it to the visual world when I pursue my other hobby (photography) and how you have to visualize how the world of 3D will translate to film (or sensor) as you take a picture.

"As soon as I got home I started cooking. I had a few hours until Lois' flight. I told my brother to keep an eye on the stove. All day long the poor guy's been watching helicopters and tomato sauce. You see I had to drive over to Sandy's place, mix the stuff once and then get back to the gravy."

I think EL34 clean tones don't get enough credit.  Everyone seems to just jump on the Fender 6L6 spanky clean tone as being the measuring stick.  On the Boogie forums, guys like me that swap out the 6L's for 34's in their Mark V's are told we are taking a hit on the clean channel.  I say "what hit" I love the clean sound of 34's.  Maybe I prefer a smoother clean and don't want that exaggerated top end.  I loved the clean on my old Hi-watt 50 head, the marshall JCM combo, I love the clean on the mesa stiletto's and I love the clean on my EL34 loaded Mark 5.  So I could definitely see where you would love the clean on the TSL100.  Here's to giving EL 34 clean tones their dues.  I don't mind EL84 cleans for that matter either.