DT25 head on order

Wattage

High Voltologist
Well I decided after about 5 different trips trying this thing out in different places that it is for real. They are incredible little amps, no doubt there are better things out there but I get this amp. I love the design, the layout, and most of all the sounds. The new firmware makes them way cooler than they already were and with the HD500 integration I expect to spend a lot of quality time with this thing between practicing, gigs, recording and just goofing off.

While I was out shopping I came across a Vox AC15 that was some kind of special edition, WOW! The first AC15 I ever fell hard for, just amazing falling off the edge of clean sounds, total Plimsouls/Power Pop. I have a new high watermark in my head to shoot for when dialing in that sound now. I also played another one of the 70's Firebird tribs, these are just ridiculously cool guitars and the pickups smoke!!!!

Carry on

line6_dt25-head_angle2.jpg
 
Re: DT25 head on order

I like Firebirds, but something about those 70's tributes just rubs me the wrong way. I can't quite put my finger on it.
 
Re: DT25 head on order

That is a lot of knobs!

Firmware update? Do you mean new tubes? :)

Well it'll probably get some nicer tubes before too long because I expect that the 12AX7 and 2-EL84's are likely a cheapo unbranded type but no there is a new firmware update that takes it from 4 amps to 30 without the HD interface.
It does have a fair amount of knobs but it is far simpler than it may appear. Each channel has a 3-band EQ/Drive/Reverb/Presense/Vol on top of the master volume. There is the channel switch and then the topology switches for A-A/B and Pentode-Triode, 4-way Amp Model switch and then the Power and Standby switches so nothing really crazy.
 
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Re: DT25 head on order

I like Firebirds, but something about those 70's tributes just rubs me the wrong way. I can't quite put my finger on it.

I felt that way about the earlier FB Studio's. They wer too heavy and I didn't dig the full size humbuckers. These have been reasonably weighted, a little better balanced and like I said I love these pickups. They are a little more like an import 'Bird but they're all right by me.
 
Re: DT25 head on order

When I first saw those amps, I feared they'd be another L6/Bogner failure, which I think all the prior versions were. But I was really surprised at how good it sounded; and I tried both the head and the combo. You can get everything from vintagey cleans, barking midgain, and monsterous heavy tones.

So much versatility, real tube configuring, ability to use the HD500, and classic styling. If I ever come across a cheap used one in the future, I may grab one of the DT-25 heads.

I kinda like the 70's Firebird, although I'd like to hear it with SD P-90's. The matte black one would look cool with Rat Rod type pin striping too.
 
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Re: DT25 head on order

I got it for $737 + tax which seemed all right by me. I found a few used ones but it would've saved me maybe $100 and I wanted a warranty and an exchange policy just to be safe. I've had no issues with any L6 products but I figured better safe than sorry.

As for the 'Bird I really want something with mini-hums. I'll probably score one of these things eventually.

I considered getting the combo but I want to use this thing in a few different ways and the head/cab setup made more sense for me. I wouldn't mind getting the matching cab but that I'll get used.
 
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Cool beans Scott. Congrats ! I also like these amps, and I am not a L6 fan at all. But these sound good. That new firmware update makes them a much better value, which I think was the biggest hurdle with these DT amps. Being pretty expensive for a modeller to begin with, and then making the $300 to $500 HD footpods pretty much a neccesity was a bad move initially.

FWIW, my FB studio was an incredibly awesome guitar, one of the absolute best production Gibsons I have ever handled, let alone owned. Like an SG and Explorer all wrapped up into one. But I am non traditionalist when it comes to birds. I can understand why some people did not like it.
 
Re: DT25 head on order

So it was bought to record as one of the main purposes.
How does it record..is there a line level USB out or something? Probably a funny question, but I know nothing about these things.
 
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I just ordered it yesterday won't hav the answer on how well it records for a bit. It doesn't have a USB out but it does have an XLR out w/cab simulation. For direct recording I'd likely just use the HD500 unless this offers something I am unaware of in that way. I do want it to have the option of mic'ing up all the amp options though. There is still something to said for capturing air moving most of the time. My engineer says it is far easier to mix mic'd up guitars but that is beyond my scope.

DT25Head_Back_lo-d8ee17bed4be0aab69d5530d0cbd3813.jpg
 
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Re: DT25 head on order

Here's how it sounds recorded...

I use the DT25 combo as my main amp now. If I need more sound dispersed live, I'll add the 1x12 ext cube. This track is just the amp with pedals, mainly M9 and Box of Rock with the boost only on. Guitar is a JTV Variax using the LP, Tele and Baritone models. The solo and some overdubs are with a POD HD Pro. Here's a first track "Faith" with a new band I have. The singer/bassist Andrew was in the Offspring and Lynch Mob and is the current replacement for Ronnie James in the reformed original lineup of Dio called Last In Line. Mike the drummer was also played with George Lynch and Vai for a bit. Hope ya dig it...



There is another track Hand Me Down in that soundcloud set from another band which I worked with in 2012. That too is the DT25 combo with more fx tracked and then some POD HD Pro overdubs.
 
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Congrats! I use a DT25 most of the time now, and it kicks some serious ass. The new firmware update means that I hardly ever connect my HD500 to it any more, since I'm not really a huge effects user.

I did a series of reviews on the DT25/DT50 range, as well as the new Soldano models when they came out. Check out my website (link below) and hit up the search (Line 6, DT25, DT50) if any of you guys are looking for more opinions/clips :)

I've always been a big fan of L6 gear, but thought that they never quite nailed the sound of distinctive poweramps, especially for amps that rely on poweramp distortion to get their unique tone. With the DT series and its voltage/power class reconfiguring of the TUBE poweramp, I believe they've finally nailed it!
 
Re: DT25 head on order

SixString - I read your reviews bfore, good stuff and one of the things that help solidify my decision.

I like Line 6 too. I've had a Vetta II that I loved, a POD and the HD500 - all excellent products.
 
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so did the DT series get an upgrade I dont know about? When it first came out, the amp could do 4 simulations of amps and then you had to connect a POD HD module to get FX and the other new amp simulations going... does the new DT line up come with more amp models on board? I think I missed something over the past 1 year on this thing.
 
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I was gonna hassle you about getting another on of THOSE things, but hard to argue with the sound sample I have heard em make.
 
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I was gonna hassle you about getting another on of THOSE things, but hard to argue with the sound sample I have heard em make.

I know, I expect to get **** for it but I like L6.


so did the DT series get an upgrade I dont know about? When it first came out, the amp could do 4 simulations of amps and then you had to connect a POD HD module to get FX and the other new amp simulations going... does the new DT line up come with more amp models on board? I think I missed something over the past 1 year on this thing.

Yes this Fall it got a huge upgrade to the firmware. It can now do 30 amps, 8 of which can be stored at any one time, no HD board needed. It is still the same amp they just did a free upgrade that turned them into Rock Stars.


***Just checked tracking, no amp til Tuesday***Anticipation ugh....
 
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