I didn't put it in the poll but should have mention "or boutique clone equivalent" beside each amp.

 

I chose "other". Here's my explanation...

I've been using digital modelers for about 20 years now. L6, BOSS, Digitech, Fractal, and more (especially if you count VSTs)... I've always found when playing modelers that I've been somewhat unhappy with the models of specific amps that I know how they feel/react to my playing IRL, and they just don't feel/react the same to me in the modeler. Or, I expect it to sound a certain way based on artists/musicians I know who use those amps, and I can't get a tone anywhere near what I'm trying to achieve using those models. That's not to say they sound bad! It's just that, for those mental reasons, I always feel like they're lacking something.

At some point, I switched over to primarily using the "house" models on most modelers. You know, the custom/original ones that aren't models of specific amps. Using the house models, I have no point of reference or expectations for what they "should" sound/feel/react like, so I just play them and react/adjust to how they respond to my playing.

It's admittedly an entirely mental thing, but it's much more freeing for me. Theoretically I should be able to do the same with the models of real amps, but it I just can't mentally get there. I'd need to blank out or re-name the models to create a blank slate of expectations.

But, I'm weird like that. 😜

 

I understand where you're coming from. However as someone who has played\owned many boutiques amps that were based on the famous makes, Fender, Vox, etc, these amps also aren't exact to the ones they clone. Infact I could have 2 Fender deluxe amps (as an example) that would differ slightly for various reasons.
I chose Vox as my favourite model. Currently using, as my main presets, AC-20 (Morgan) and Matchless DC-30 as well as a Vox AC-30 brilliant model. I like others but those are my favourites. Yes all the models will differ slightly from their real life counterparts. Just as those real life clones differ from the actual amps they clone.
What I'm trying to say is that the amp characteristics I love most are based on that Vox chime and grit.
If I were to explore the "house" models on my modeller ( I haven't yet) I would probably lean towards something based on a Vox.

 

Don't forget AI generated models.

 

Vox with my semi-hollows. Marshall with my solid bodies. Sometimes a Fender Deluxe for my Tele, depending on how the band is playing.

 

I chose "other" to cover off the JC-120

 

My favourite so far was the Bogner Red model in my 11Rack. The Line 6 version does not sound as good yet. Nor does it sound as good as my Bogner mini head.

That said, this is incredible.

 

I find this hard to narrow done into a category. I have really only played with a HX Stomp and Iridium. With the Iridium I was partial to Vox type settings. With the HX Stomp I can assign 3 different settings, clean is Fender based, crunch is Marshall based, and thunder is Revv based. My ill spent youth was Marshall based amps through a 4x12, so that is what I feel at home with.

 

#1 changes with what I want to play.

if im working on band B its marshall. If im working on band A its a wrenched svt since theres not many big iron guitar amps (yet?).

If im just noodling it could be marshall, fender, vox, ampeg.

 

I would probably vote Fender or Hiwatt, but I too often find unfamiliar models useful. I have the TC Electronic IR loader pedal, and the amp setting I like most is the Engl Sovereign. I had never heard of it in real life and kept misreading it as an Egnater amp. I also don’t know anything about Egnaters lol.

 

I'm a fan of Marshall, Fender, and Vox, but my favorite presets on my AXE FX were created by the band Periphery, using a Suhr Badger as the base amp.

 

On the Fractal AX8, my go-to these days is the Hook Captain. It has nice clean & dirty sounds and can cover a lot of ground.

My favourite Kemper profiles are the Kingsley amps. For me, it's a toss up between the Bastion 40 and the Deluxe 30 (the Keep is awesome too). They feel and sound great.

 

Maybe I misinterpret the question, but aren’t modelers the digital boxes pretending to be amps?
One I use and like most is Kemper.