Like anything else, opinions will vary.
While I always prefer an actual amp mic'd up, I've heard some amp Sims that quite good.
Slate Digital's Scuffman Sims have some amp Sims I like, as does IK Multimedia's Amplitube.
I haven't come across any amp VSTi's yet where I liked "everything" it had, but then again I haven't liked the sound of every REAL amp I've heard, either.
I'm not trying to be evasive, it's just that amp sim tones are way too subjective; what one person likes, another might not. Your best bet is to do some trial periods with some and see what you like the most.

What do you meen VSTi (virtual instruments) or (amp simulator) ?

pcrecord, post: 451475, member: 46460 wrote: What do you meen VSTi (virtual instruments) or (amp simulator) ?

Yup -- because a VST will be something like Donny recommended - an amplifier effects simulator allowing you to plug your guitar into your interface or preamp and play simulating the amplifier etc. A VSTi is basically a virtual instrument where you don't have a guitar - you essentially play the guitar using a midi controller (a keyboard usually) and it simulates an actual guitar using guitar sounds and samples. No actual guitar involved in a VSTi. Two completely different things.

It was a typo on my part. Sorry

I guess I was suggesting that amp modeling is subjective, not unlike any other modeling processor, really. What works for some might not for others, and for me, it's all relative to the context of the song I'm working on at that time. A particular sim that sounds really good on one song might not sound at all good for another. And, when it comes to amp sims - without trying to start a separate debate - let's face it... the guitar being used also plays a big part in how a sim sounds for a certain song.
While I'll always prefer to use a nice amp and a dynamic/ribbon combo on it if - if I have that choice - I won't go as far to say that amp modeling isn't a viable option, because I think it is, and I think that modeling has gotten better as time and technology have allowed... and that goes for all types of modeling/sims, not just guitar amps.
IMO.
-D

We actually need to hear from Joey2000 because he his the one who wrote VSTi in the first place.
I'd say that as for know virtual instruments are nice when talking of acoustic guitars but still needs improvement for electric.
Native instrument has both with honest results

DonnyThompson, post: 451491, member: 46114 wrote: I guess I was suggesting that amp modeling is subjective, not unlike any other modeling processor, really. What works for some might not for others, and for me, it's all relative to the context of the song I'm working on at that time. A particular sim that sounds really good on one song might not sound at all good for another. And, when it comes to amp sims - without trying to start a separate debate - let's face it... the guitar being used also plays a big part in how a sim sounds for a certain song.
While I'll always prefer to use a nice amp and a dynamic/ribbon combo on it if - if I have that choice - I won't go as far to say that amp modeling isn't a viable option, because I think it is, and I think that modeling has gotten better as time and technology have allowed... and that goes for all types of modeling/sims, not just guitar amps.
IMO.
-D

I would take it further and say that the PLAYER has more to do with it than most other things considered.

pcrecord, post: 451475, member: 46460 wrote: What do you meen VSTi (virtual instruments) or (amp simulator) ?

? VSTi by definition means virtual instruments. Anyway pardon the delay getting back. It would appear so far all I have is an "it's OK" recommendation for Kontakt (I assume that's what "Native" meant)? No one else has used one they thought was at least respectable, elec or acoustic?

joey2000, post: 452190, member: 49915 wrote: ? VSTi by definition means virtual instruments. Anyway pardon the delay getting back. It would appear so far all I have is an "it's OK" recommendation for Kontakt (I assume that's what "Native" meant)? No one else has used one they thought was at least respectable, elec or acoustic?

let's just be real --- a VSTi of guitar is a pale imitation of a real guitar -- particularly because it's the hands and fingers (both left and right) that create the notes and the note textures and timbres -- aka "Tone is in the hands". There are just too many nuances of touch and attack as well as physical techniques, and too many combinations of notes and positions to ever have a sample library or some sore of midi trigger controller to come even close. You might find something that if you were recording an B level kid's music album that would pass -- but nothing pro.

joey2000, post: 452190, member: 49915 wrote: ? VSTi by definition means virtual instruments. Anyway pardon the delay getting back. It would appear so far all I have is an "it's OK" recommendation for Kontakt (I assume that's what "Native" meant)? No one else has used one they thought was at least respectable, elec or acoustic?

There's a decent few by sonivox. They have a strat one that's cool and a taylor guitar model as well. I got both. It wouldn't replace the guitar as center stage in a rock song, but not all forms of music need or shoot for authenticity.

Not to mention not everyone's "touch and nuance" is desirable.

With midi pickups getting better and better it's opens up the possibility to get some more realism or playing satisfaction from his type of thing. And a whole world when you add typical string and synth sounds to the guitar via the midi Pickup.

This one performed by a Pro Guitarist from Boston, Ma. Strat through a vibrolux. Sounds like a strat to me.

[MEDIA=soundcloud]sonivox/sonivox_dvi-stratmood-mp3

http://sonivoxmi.com/products/details/bright-electric-guitar#

DogsoverLava, post: 452199, member: 48175 wrote: let's just be real --- a VSTi of guitar is a pale imitation of a real guitar -- particularly because it's the hands and fingers (both left and right) that create the notes and the note textures and timbres -- aka "Tone is in the hands". There are just too many nuances of touch and attack as well as physical techniques, and too many combinations of notes and positions to ever have a sample library or some sore of midi trigger controller to come even close. You might find something that if you were recording an B level kid's music album that would pass -- but nothing pro.

I dunno that it's an imitation. In fact I believe some of them are actually sampled chords played by "real guitarists on real guitars". There's just as much nuance as any other guitar performance becuase it is in fact a real performance recorded, then triggered. The level of control over it is limited relative to a master guitarist zoning in on any given song, but that said there's a lot that can be done in the programing realm.

Here's the Taylor guitar sample demo. Does it really sound that fake?

[MEDIA=soundcloud]sonivox/taylor-acoustic-guitar

I paid $10 for the Vsti, and will surely get my money's worth.

There's plenty of pro recordings using guitar samples, and even more using amp sims.

As far as touch and nuance, I urge you to check out Vienna instruments and tell me it sounds artificial in any obvious way, or ametuer. If they can do it with an entire orchestra, they certainly can do it with a guitar.

A lot of it has to do with demand. Guitar is one of the most common instruments played so there's not the demand for a highly detailed sampled version, since most guitarists are reasonably capable of expressing at least a mediocre version of their idea, themselves. And amp sims take engineering prowess 'out of the mix'.

The fishman triple play midi guitar pickup. I've had this on my list for a while since I'm not very good at keyboards. Perhaps not perfect but the technology is mature enough to make it a tool not just a toy or gimmick.

I'm assuming the OP is talking about midi trigger samples of guitar played on a piano roll or midi keyboard as opposed to a midi pickup equipped guitar.

DogsoverLava, post: 452203, member: 48175 wrote: I'm assuming the OP is talking about midi trigger samples of guitar played on a piano roll or midi keyboard as opposed to a midi pickup equipped guitar.

Yeah me too, that's what those vsti examples are. They're piano roll style. The midi pickup stuff was just for shits and giggles.

What kind of virtual guitar instrument are you looking for? Acoustic or electric? I've had quite a bit of experience with both as I suck at guitar. Ample Sound has great acoustic guitar libraries, and a few decent electric ones.

Amplesound.net

I own their Martin D-40 (AGM) and Telecaster (AGTC) libraries. Both are incredible. All their libraries are recordings of every note, every fret, multiple articulations and multiple round robins per note, finger noise, body knocks, etc. The electric library needs an amp sim paired with it. I use Amplitube 4 by IK Multimedia with great results.

Here's an example of the AGM library: https://m.soundcloud.com/ample-sound/agm-rylynn

Edit: be aware, the library does not have ANY pre-recorded runs. You have to place every single note. Think of this like a synth you play on keyboard. Its your actual performance, but guitar noises come out instead of piano. You hit certain lower trigger notes to switch between palm mutes, sustains, harmonics, etc. I've seen some libraries that have pre-recorded sections in certain keys. You have to do it 100% from scratch with these.

Davedog, post: 451565, member: 4495 wrote: I would take it further and say that the PLAYER has more to do with it than most other things considered.

I was figuring that was a given. ;). I meant tonally - single coils vs HB's, etc.

DonnyThompson, post: 453767, member: 46114 wrote: I was figuring that was a given. ;). I meant tonally - single coils vs HB's, etc.

HAHA! Yeah. But that sorta proves the point. A great example would be the Jeff Beck albums Rough and Ready and The Jeff Beck group in comparison to Blow By Blow and onward from there. The early works primarily on a Les Paul and the Strat afterwards. The point is there was never any doubt who was playing the guitar parts.