Best and worst gear purchases of 2016

[karmablock]

I've heard some people talk about issues with TC Electronics switches, and that some had defective
X4 boards. But... what specifically didn't work out for you with the X4?

On paper there seems to be some good functionality on offer. Unfortunate that stop/start and effects
can't be applied to each of two loops independently of the other. Or am I misunderstanding X4 functions?

On paper they are great. Very close to the Rang III but it piss poor on the execution. My X2 lasted forever despite them going the Line 6 route with the with switches. Mine bricked up and you had to a factory reset every time you wanted to use it. And TC was no help they just kept saying a firmware update would fix issues people were experiencing but also no date on when the firmware would be released. I don't think it has been released 6+ months later. I don't do midi but others were saying it was a pain in the ass to get to work and even then it would drift. I returned mine bought a 720 sold it when I found a deal on a Rang III and never looked back.

[Seance]

I've heard some people talk about issues with TC Electronics switches, and that some had defective
X4 boards. But... what specifically didn't work out for you with the X4?

On paper there seems to be some good functionality on offer. Unfortunate that stop/start and effects
can't be applied to each of two loops independently of the other. Or am I misunderstanding X4 functions?

On paper they are great. Very close to the Rang III but it piss poor on the execution. My X2 lasted forever despite them going the Line 6 route with the with switches. Mine bricked up and you had to a factory reset every time you wanted to use it. And TC was no help they just kept saying a firmware update would fix issues people were experiencing but also no date on when the firmware would be released. I don't think it has been released 6+ months later. I don't do midi but others were saying it was a pain in the ass to get to work and even then it would drift. I returned mine bought a 720 sold it when I found a deal on a Rang III and never looked back.

Thanks for the info/experience. These X4s aren't exactly cheap. So it's super lame to have experienced
that kind of trouble.

[jan]

Best: Dr. Scientist Bitquest.

[molokaio]

After a long Hiatus (reason being positive dick situation, aka building a family, a house and all that bull) I got back to music in 2016... and sadly gear swapping
Don't have much time since I work far from home now, but I'm enjoying my rare moments of noise

My list is pretty boring but...I can't be a fulltime lurker.

BEST :

The absolute best has to be Chase Bliss Wombtone mkii.
This little phaser sounds pretty good, it has a lot of twaekability and weird sounds once you get the hang of the dipswitches.
His best pedal I've tried so far.

The awesome surprise for 2016 is CT5 , thanks to getting back on board on ILF. This fuckedup Smurf is killer!
I'm tripping every time I plug it in, and it has led me to buy a particle and a judder in 2017 (still have to receive/try those 2 tho, I hope they won't be on the 2017 worst list)

Also I was lucky enough to find an european Mesa Mark IIc+ combo for a good price. Always loved mesa and this little beast screams.
I made the big mistake of selling a fender 68 custom Twin, which was a great amp, but was lacking something for my taste in the mids. Now I'm satisfied.

Not in the top 3 but noteworthy is the Dreamsequence. At first I was about to smash it on the floor as the worst pedal in the planet, then I got to know it a little better and added a reverb after it, it's pretty cool now. Liking it.


WORST:

I was a long time abuser of my mesa Mark IV rev B head when gigging with my postrock band. That thing is killer thru a LP custom and a 4x12. Fun times.
When I had to sell it for quitting the band and funding the house I swore to myself I would buy it back oneday.
Long story short I traded a pretty nice sounding Fender 68 TWIN for a mk IV combo. even added som cash.
Well this combo didn't sound anything like my old head. I dunno if it was for the awfully new c90 or bad tubes or... well.. because I hate combos.
Never again!