Cheap modeler

[JB_From_Hell]

I've got a feeling my V-Amp2 is about to crap out, so I'm looking to replace it (cheaply). I've also got a Korg AX100G, which I like a lot, but it doesn't cover nearly as much ground as the POD-type modelers. I also prefer the table-top units for editing and overall use.

I'm looking mainly at a POD 2.0 (or XT if I get s fantastic deal) or a Johnson J-Station. Most of my time is spent with the gainier stuff, like the Dual Rectos, Soldano and JCM800, but I'm also very intent on having good dirty sounds, too, stuff like a Vox AC30, a Dumble, or the tweed Fenders.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Cheap modeler

I have a 2.0 and floorboard (though trying ot get rid of it) and it's very cool. I don't use any effects though so there's nothing a good clean amp and some stompboxes won't do for me. It sure is very cool though, especially with that huge floorboard, you can go from country to death metal in one switch.

I feel that with the POD the crunch tones are very beautiful. The cleans are .... well very clean, but you have a lot of choice too. I dig the Deluxe Reverb model a lot, very nice. The high gain are fairly generic but you hear the difference in the right way and they do the job.
Plus with the right floorboard you can switch on or off the effects from each patch, and add presence, a volume boost or a distortion boost. Very nifty.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Cheap modeler

The 2.0 is awesome for high gain stuff. Not that the XT isn't good at it as well, but if your focus is high gain you will definitely be happy with a 2.0. They are available used for peanuts. If you want really good Vox and tweed models, you will definitely want to step up to the XT though.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Cheap modeler

I don't really care about plugging it in and going, "Man, an AC30 has more upper mids than that!" I just want a sound like an AC30, ya know? Just a good chimey tone that will break up. Same with the rest of them... I don't care if it sounds exactly like a Soldano SLO-100, but that there's a good metal rhythm tone.

The pedal models on the XT are quite tempting, though....

 

[Pierre]

Re: Cheap modeler

Then I'd say get the 2.0 and a couple of pedals. It may be more worth it. My 2.0 even takes an OD pedal in front very well.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Cheap modeler

I don't really care about plugging it in and going, "Man, an AC30 has more upper mids than that!" I just want a sound like an AC30, ya know? Just a good chimey tone that will break up. Same with the rest of them... I don't care if it sounds exactly like a Soldano SLO-100, but that there's a good metal rhythm tone.

The pedal models on the XT are quite tempting, though....

Oh, I totally hear ya. Honestly I have no idea what 2/3 of the amps in my XT are supposed to sound like, and I really don't care. I just find the clean-ish models (tweeds, blackfaces, Vox, Matchless) in the XT sound richer and more complex than in the 2.0.

My favourite low gain models are the bf Deluxe, the bf Twin Reverb, the Roland JC-120, the Matchless Chieftain (kind of medium gain I suppose), and the AC-30. I use the tweed Champ model occasionally for a grainy crunch. For high gain, I like the Plexi Variac and the SLO-100, and for singing leads the TS-808 into the Boogie Mark IIc model is the way to go.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Cheap modeler

Man.... maybe I should just go with the XT. It's a little more dough, but looks well worth it. Are there any tones that are superior on the 2.0?

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Cheap modeler

Man.... maybe I should just go with the XT. It's a little more dough, but looks well worth it. Are there any tones that are superior on the 2.0?

Some people say the JCM 800 on the 2.0 is a lot better and more accurate, and I tend to agree. I find the 800 in the XT to be very harsh and almost impossible to get a medium gain sound out of (whereas the real amps are very good at that). Other than that, I can't think of anything.

As for being worth it, I think the effects alone make the XT well worth the extra cost.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Cheap modeler

I liked the J-Station for more accurate models of vintage amps. Unfortunately the one I had wasn't 100% and I couldn't edit patches on my computer so it got sold off.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Cheap modeler

I wish somebody would come out with one that did the obscure stuff, like old Sunns, Ampegs, or that Silvertone Jack White uses.

 

[davedvdy]

Re: Cheap modeler

I would just say really make sure that you have heard these before buying, unless you can return it. I got rid of my POD 2.0 because there was this "plasticy" type of sound that I could not get over, almost like a plastic layer over the actual tone...I couldn't get it to go away. JMHO. The few times I played with a XT, I didn't hear that sound, but I can't really comment on it, because I haven't spent enough time with it.

A lot of people that that have owned most of the modelers say that the Vox Tonelab stuff is the best...that isn't a cheap modeler though. I have a Boss GT-6, and I'm really happy with it.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Cheap modeler

Chris, I'm with Matt on this issue. I had no interest in upgrading to the xt when it came out. Then they issued the xt Live, and that would simplify my setup.

So I went with it.

Turns out everyone was right: The xt has better tones than the 2.0.

Next question?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Cheap modeler

I briefly owned a 2.0 awhile back, but traded it towards a guitar, not because I didn't like it, though. A POD XT is likely where I'll head.

What I need to do is just get enough money for one, and go try one out. I doubt I'll leave empty-handed

 

[these_go211]

Re: Cheap modeler

ratherdashing said it:
"As for being worth it, I think the effects alone make the XT well worth the extra cost."

this is very true! i've had both the 2.0 and now the xt. the xt's tones are better and the effects are unbeatable.

 

[noisenet]

Re: Cheap modeler

I have the XT Live (a PodXT in a pedalboard form). I did a little recording with it earlier this year. You can get a listen at http://www.myspace.com/9yu

All of the first three songs were recorded with the PodXT Live directly into the console. The 4th Track is a demo I did on my own at home using the guitar port from Line 6, which basically uses the same sounds as the XT. You'll hear both clean and heavy sounds.

I also have a Pod 2.0 - it's pretty good but the XT is a big jump in quality. I'd say definitely get the XT. FX are great too!

 

[baritone]

Re: Cheap modeler

I was never a big fan of Line 6 modelers, or most modelers, but I have a tabletop Vox ToneLab. This thing is really awesome. It gets such a variety of tones, plus it has some extra effects built into it. I frequently use this thing as a preamp, bypassing the amp's knobs, and it comes out great.