compressing too much or becoming flubby.
internal architecture (Helix Core) so that future
firmware updates can be more quickly rolled out
[WM] I see a lot of worship guitar players using across all HX products (Floor, Rack, LT, Native,
your Plexi preset. While the early Marshall’s HX Stomp, and HX Effects). That speaks to a
were rumored to have been based on a Fender long-term commitment to the platform from L6
Bassman circuit, that is not what most people and the Yamaha Guitar Group.
are thinking when they think Plexi. Why do you
think this patch has resonated so much with
people, and has it been your most popular to
date?
Alex Strabala’s Bethel-inspired HX Stomp
Preset Demo For me personally, I like how simple the unit is
with a tele, Planetshakers stuff with a Les Paul, owned the other major products in the high-
to operate, without sacrificing any flexibility. I’ve
and the record my church put out in 2017, end digital world and while they can sound
[Alex] My most popular presets for church “Greater” by Central Live. Lots of cranked amazing, Helix’s UI and low cost are what really
players seem to be my AC30, Bethel-inspired, Marshall tones on that album. My first tube amp set it apart from the others. To me it’s insane
Matchless, and Plexi. It’s true that “Plexi” has was a Marshall so I’ve always loved those types that you can pick up a used LT for around
a wide range of meanings, but my preset of tones. $850 and have that be your entire rig with no
uses the classic 1959SLP with the channels
compromises in tones or flexibility.
jumped. I love jumping the channels because [WM] Helix is many things to many people.
you can tweak the normal and bright channels Which features speak to you most and why?
independently, so for single coils maybe I’ll
The other thing I like about the full Helix units
is that they replace not just an amp, but a
bump up the normal channel a bit, and for [Alex] For me it’s overall the best digital unit pedalboard too. I understand that a lot of
humbuckers the bright channel. P&W style out there when you take into consideration players enjoy experimenting with pedals but for
tones can be stereotyped as “edge-of-breakup the cost, UI, reliability, customer support, me that became such a pain, always chasing
AC30,” but there’s a lot of stuff out there that community, size/weight, quality of amps and the latest expensive overdrive, always rewiring
has Marshall flavors as well. Some examples effects, etc. Helix is pushing four years old now, my board or chasing down a failing patch cable
we play a lot at my home church are Y&F stuff and in firmware 2.8 they’re totally redoing the or random mystery noise in my rig. You don’t
realize how annoying that stuff is until it’s no
longer an issue and your rig just works and
sounds the same every time.
[WM] Is there anything else you'd like to add?
[Alex] I used to be a big analog snob, so I’d
encourage any skeptics out there who want
to simplify their rig to check out some of my
videos, play them loud, and at the least grab
an HX Stomp to run with your pedalboard as a
replacement for your amp. Feel free to contact
me on my website or on any of my social media
accounts if you have questions or want to get
in touch. My website is alex.guitars and my
Instagram is @alexstrabala.
August 2019
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