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Conference napalm::guitar

Title:GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3280
Total number of notes:61432

2165.0. "Prices for rack mount Multi-FX units?" by MALLET::BARKER (Pretty Damn Cosmic) Thu Apr 11 1991 09:48

	I'll be visiting Nashua from the UK in about 10 days time and given the 
good exchange rate vs. $ that we Brits are enjoying at the moment I'm in the 
market for a rack mount multi-FX unit.

	I'd like to know the going price for such units as the ART SGE, DSP 128,
DSP 256, Yamaha FX500, BOSS SE50 etc etc. I might also be interested in a
second hand unit if anyone has one for sale. 

	I'd also appreciate any advice from UK noters as regards what will 
happen when I return to the UK. Will customs duties negate any savings?

Nigel

Cross-posted in COMMUSIC & GUITAR
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2165.1GERBIL::PELKEYWith a third less polyunsaturatesThu Apr 11 1991 13:2613
Well, I can't quote current prices,, but if you have a few days,
you may want to think about Mail Order from EAST COST SOUND in
Danbury Connecticut..  So far they've beat alot of local stores by
a wide margin.

Example: DSP128+ I paid 299 for it at East Coast (Feb. 90).  Everyone else
(those who had it...) wanted alomst 100 dollars more.

Just a thought for comparitive pricing/shopping.  East Coast is
really reliable too...  (Bought lots of stuff, including a Strat
via mail order..  No problems at all.)


2165.2Many mail order places are selling DSP256's for $299 USGOES11::G_HOUSEStereotype, monotype, blood type...Thu Apr 11 1991 14:506
    How long will you be in the States, Nigel.  The best prices on this
    stuff is through the mail order houses (as .-1 suggested), but it takes
    some time for it to arrive (and you'll probably need someone local to
    use their address to ship it to).
        
    Greg
2165.3speaking of fx...ZEMI::HEISERdesert ratThu Apr 11 1991 15:1960
Article 4558 of rec.music.makers:
From: craigv@lynx.msc.cornell.edu.UUCP (Craig A. Vanderborg,407 Thurston,54044,)
Newsgroups: rec.music.makers
Subject: Re: FX dilemma
Date: 9 Apr 91 00:34:05 GMT

From article <5775@tellab5.tellabs.com>, by tomh@tellabs.com (Tom Huber):
> I'm looking to buy an effects box to use with a couple synths.  I've narrowed
> the field to either a QuadraVerb or a MultiVerb III.  Can anyone provide some
> information on either of these, or a comparison of them?  I'm particularly
> interested in the flexibility of the effects routing, the programmability, and
> the MIDI control.

Unfortunately, I have become very knowledgable in this area in the last 6 
months.  In my opinion, you are considering two of the WORST contenders in
the field.  In particular, I really hate the QuadraVerb.  I recently bought
one and liked it so much that I returned it immediately. 

REASONS:
   1.) It was a very, very noisy box (hum in particular..)  Miraculously, it
       seemed somehow to induce hum in the other DSP units in my rack.
   2.) Very low quality reverb.  The Alesis and ART reverbs are about the
       worst in the field of DSP, in my opinion.  The QuadraVerb is reasonably
       good at other things (pitch and modulation effects), but NOT reverb.
       If you buy a QuadraVerb, just call it a "Quadra" because the "Verb"
       ain't worth mentioning :(

Beware, netters.  After finding out the "hard way", QuadraVerb and ART 
MultiVerb are JUNK, as far as doing musically useful things.

The Solution:

Run, don't walk to your nearest YAMAHA dealer.  SPX-900 is a very good example.
I realize that it costs almost twice as much, but it is more than 10 times
better.  Honestly, I cannot say enough good things about this box, but I will
try:
    1.) Really, really good ("Tier A") reverbs.  I mean amazing reverbs.  
        Alesis just cannot touch these reverbs with a 10-ft pole.
    2.) Dynamics processing.  SPX-900 has a very good, very FLEXIBLE 
        compressor/expander that can be used by itself or in MFX configurations
    3.) Really great modulation (chorus, flange, modulated pitch) effects.
        Great DDL.  Quite extensive MIDI control.  Most effects are
        available in MFX configurations, but the "stellar reverbs" require
        100% of the processing power.

"Feature for feature", you might conclude that, say QuadraVerb, has more
"features per $".  BUT, I contend that the only thing that really matters is
SOUND QUALITY.  Be warned that ONLY the YAMAHA stuff does anything great
for under a grand, the other stuff is really "just junk".  The YAMAHA FX-500,
by the way, which is a "guitar box", seems to be much better at just about
everything (especially reverb) than the QV for about the same dough.  Buyers
beware!!  The music-industry magnates want to give you JUNK for $$$!!!
                                                      Craig Vanderborgh
_______________________________________________________________________________
Craig A. Vanderborgh     607-255-4044           craigv@snoopy.tn.cornell.edu
Materials Science Dept   407 Thurston Hall      vanderborgh@crnlches.bitnet
Cornell University       Ithaca, NY 14853-4414  chesscav@crnlns.bitnet      
        


2165.4And people thought we were bad...GOES11::G_HOUSEStereotype, monotype, blood type...Thu Apr 11 1991 15:3012
    I don't read the Usenet music newsgroups, but based on some of the
    things I've seen reposted in here, I'd have to say that there must be a
    lot of people there that are just totally anal-retentive tech heads! 
    
    And people accuse us in here of overly concentrating on high buck
    equipment...
    
    I've known several people that had Quadraverbs and they all said they
    were very quiet and had good reverbs!  I personally think that the ART
    reverbs are very good.  
    
    Greg
2165.5poor kidsZEMI::HEISERHelp, I've fallen &amp; can't get upThu Apr 11 1991 15:367
    We're not bad, just different ;-)
    
    There is some stuff in there that you can read without laughing ;-)
    A large percentage of those posters are college kids.  I usually read
    in that context.
    
    Mike
2165.6yupGOOROO::CLARKa high, lonesome soundThu Apr 11 1991 15:575
    re .-1
    
    yeah, that's why I stopped reading USENET stuff. It seems like
    most of the people are writing because they enjoy seeing their 
    names at the top of the articles.
2165.7GERBIL::PELKEYWith a third less polyunsaturatesThu Apr 11 1991 16:3316
Editorial correction. I MISTAKINGLY SAID 299 FOR A DSP128+ in reply .1

<<Example: DSP128+ I paid 299 for it at East Coast (Feb. 90).  Everyone else>>
<<(those who had it...) wanted alomst 100 dollars more.			    >>

It was actually $199... (woops.. 'slip of the keypad..) 

Oh..,. The DPS256 for $299 is a GREAT BUY - by the way.

Again, East Coast Sound 'dhey been Vedy-vedy-good-to-me...'

I recommend them highly.  And they're fast too..

If you do go M.O.,, ask for overnight.  Maybe an extra $17-20 dollars,
but you get it the next day....  (Of course, in Mass. it only takes a day
from Connecticut anyway...)
2165.8ICS::CONROYThu Apr 11 1991 17:4815
    The latest Factory Music catalog I got (Summer 91) lists
    the Boss SE-50 Stereo Effects for $329.00. That seems pretty
    low.
    
    Factory Music is a mail order place but I believe you can
    go there and buy stuff direct.
    
    Give them a call for other prices. They've been very helpful over the
    phone any time I've called there.
    
    Factory Music
    18 East Water St.
    Rockland MA   (617)871-0005
    
     Bob
2165.9Address & Phone # for East COast Sound?WEORG::WIEGLERThu Apr 11 1991 17:514
    Please post an address (and toll-free number if available) for East
    Coast Sound.  Do they have a catalog?
    
    	Thanks.
2165.10Recently opened in BostonGERBIL::GARDELLAThu Apr 11 1991 18:2010
    East Coast is based out of Connecticut, I think. But they recently
    opened a store in Boston. It's at the end of Hemenway Street near
    Berkeley School of Music (around the corner from Daddy's, EU
    Wirlitzer). 
    
    The (Boston) number is (617) 247-6141. They can set you up with
    catalogs. Brian Charles manages the guitar department.
    
    PG (beginner - friends starting to call me Slowhand Jr./ EC Jr.)
    
2165.11CHEFS::DALLISONReal men don't play coversFri Apr 12 1991 10:108
    
    
    re.0
    
    I'm in the UK and have a Yamaha FX500 and various other bits for sale.
    Mail me on the above if you're interested.
    
    -Tony
2165.12GERBIL::PELKEYWith a third less polyunsaturatesFri Apr 12 1991 10:155
E.C.S Connecticutt number....

203-748-2799

I don't think they have a toll free # b.t.w.
2165.13Eastcoast 800#CSCOAC::JOHNSON_ROBFri Apr 12 1991 12:263
    Eastcoast toll free number...800-356-5908.
    
    Robert Johnson
2165.14couldn't resistGOOROO::CLARKa high, lonesome soundFri Apr 12 1991 13:035
    re .11
    
    are they, perchance, NAUGHTY bits that you have for sale?
    
    - Eric Idle
2165.15GERBIL::PELKEYWith a third less polyunsaturatesFri Apr 12 1991 13:413
 <<Eastcoast toll free number...800-356-5908.

shows ya what I know!
2165.16In here??GOES11::G_HOUSEHelp me, SpockFri Apr 12 1991 14:465
    re: .13 (!)
    
>    Robert Johnson
    
    Woah...
2165.17What voltage does yours use?MALLET::BARKERPretty Damn CosmicFri Apr 12 1991 16:5811
	This voltage difference could be a big problem to me. It seems that I
must already rule out the ART SGE as it has a 110V only internal power supply. 

	Do any other owners of similar FX units know whether theirs are
multi-voltage? 

	I may be best sticking with those that use a wall-bug, I believe all
the half-rack size ones must use an external power source e.g. Yamaha FX500,
Boss SE-50. 

Nigel
2165.18Don't look in my bag Mr Customs ManMALLET::BARKERPretty Damn CosmicTue Apr 30 1991 11:4147