Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

[BluesGuyJ]

Hey guys, I think I'm really going to be looking towards the Line 6 Vetta II, and not a tube amp. I just play so many different styles of music, and also this way I really don't have top worry about tubes going out on me. I use a Roland VGA 3 which is also a modeling amp and I'd say is of a higher quality than the Spider II. I know Michael Romeo of Symphony X uses a Vetta II and so does the guitarist of Ill Nino, and they can get some pretty sweet tones, and I never even knew that they were using Vetta II's when i first started listening to their stuff.

I know you can save up to something like 64 settings and combines amps to give you different tones and all that. I've read that the amps take a lot of tweaking to really get what you want, and I'm fine with that. But how do you guys like them? What types of amps can it model? I haven been able to get any exact models so far. And can you use any MIDI footswitch to switch between saved settings?

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

This may sound really weird (and maybe somebody else can back me up on this), but I liked the tone of the Vetta I better than Vetta II.

 

[ankalar]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

I believe it's just a PODxt with a poweramp. So whatever you can do with a POD, you can do with a Vetta.

EDIT: just = essentially, I'm sure they changed some stuff around.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

You overlooked one essential element, tho, BluesGuy, and that is that Romeo's guitar tone is nothing special. I've seen SX live plenty of times, and have heard his rig at soundcheck and shows ... and it ALWYS gets totally lost in the mix.

I dislike Line 6 products, so I'm biased, but my advice is: if you're gonna spend that much cash, go with valves. It'll save you from buying tubes later, anyway.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

You overlooked one essential element, tho, BluesGuy, and that is that Romeo's guitar tone is nothing special. I've seen SX live plenty of times, and have heard his rig at soundcheck and shows ... and it ALWYS gets totally lost in the mix.

I dislike Line 6 products, so I'm biased, but my advice is: if you're gonna spend that much cash, go with valves. It'll save you from buying tubes later, anyway.

The problem, as he had mentioned, is that he needs lots of versatility.

There aren't many all tube amps I can think of that have tons of it.

For a good price, check out a used Hughes & Kettner Triamp (mk I, not II). The Triamp sounds great and 6 channels is usually enough for most people. If you want a no compromise, as many channels as you can imagine amp, look at a Zinky Superfly, but they are not cheap.

 

[rspst14]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

Butch Walker of the Marvelous 3 used one last time I saw him play. I don't know if it was a Vetta I or Vetta II, but it was one of the better sounding solid state amps I've ever heard.

Ryan

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

I saw them in London a few years back and Michael Romeo had an incredible sound and cut through the mix brilliantly...
... behind him were two Mesa Boogie Rectifier halfstacks. No Line6 at all.

LMAO!! I remember those days.
Romeo's tone is actually a good approximation of a higher gain Yngwie tone ... but, man, is it painful live.

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

Hmmmmmm, well i'm still going to look into a Vetta II. My off and on teacher's friend is selling a Mesa DC-5 Combo, I'll check it out. Anyone here tried out a Mesa DC-5?

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

The DC-.5 is probably the only Mesa amp I really liked the tone of.

 

[InstituteOfNoise]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

For the record the Vetta is not a PODxt. It has dual processors, dual amp modelling extensive signal/fx routing chains a other additions not available on the PODxt. I have the Vetta II head and run it into a Genz Benz 212 Flex cab. Sounds killer and is extremely versatile. I also have a PODxt and I use that into 2 Atomic Amps when I need something a bit simplier.

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

Institute, hwo does your Vetta II sound playing with a band, does it cut through well? How does it sound when you really gotta crank it, what's the largest venue you've played with it?

 

[tone4days]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

didnt robb (gomano) use a vettaII for the peace machine CD? ... or am i confused?

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

I'm pretty sure Robb used a Marshall for tracking the Peace Machine record.

Vettas sound great, but FEEL totally wrong to me. I gave one an extended test run when they came out, and I just couldn't get over the less-than-organic feel. I'm sure I could gig with one if pressed to, but the most important part of a tube amp's magic is the feel, and the Vetta sucks a kumara on that front.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

Butch Walker of the Marvelous 3 used one last time I saw him play. I don't know if it was a Vetta I or Vetta II, but it was one of the better sounding solid state amps I've ever heard.

Ryan

Nice, I wish I could have seem them. I always thought he used his prized Bogner Ecstasy 100A (or was that just in the studio?).

I've seen clips of him live, he seems like an amazing entertainer.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

For versatility, modeling amps are much more cost-effective.

You might decide one day that you MUST have a tube amp. Then again, maybe not.

IF you truly are interested in getting one, go for it. Unlike TO, I like Line6. Of course, TO is playing HIS music with HIS tone in HIS style. If you are playing a variety of styles, unless your pockets are VERY deep, modeling is probably the answer for you.

As I recall, GoMano used a Vetta for awhile and liked it, but he grew tired of it for the reasons stated by Hot Grits.

Didn't Jolly play through one?

 

[Neeradj]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

No Jolly played through the Vetta's older brother, the AX212, sounded awesome!

As for the Vetta, the only thing scaring me off is the versatilly, may sound weird but that thing has got so many options, you'll get lost in them easilly. Most people appreciate the simpler HD147 more for it's high gain sounds and good clean ups as well mostly because of that

 

[Neeradj]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

The DC-.5 is probably the only Mesa amp I really liked the tone of.

Yeah mine's great, but like most Mesas they have to be turned up high! So you'll have to find that spot where you can get a great tone and not go deaf at the same time :laugh2:

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

IF you truly are interested in getting one, go for it. Unlike TO, I like Line6. Of course, TO is playing HIS music with HIS tone in HIS style. If you are playing a variety of styles, unless your pockets are VERY deep, modeling is probably the answer for you.

All true.

 

[InstituteOfNoise]

Re: Let's talk 'bout the Vetta II

Bluesguy, I usually run the Direct Outs live to the FOH mains so there is no need to really crank this amp. I've used it a jams where there were 4 other guitar palyers playing and I've never had to turn it up past 3. Any decent venue doesn't require you to play un-mic'ed in some manner. Even if I wasn't able to be mic'ed I can't imaging playing any louder than 3-4 on the Vetta. Just isn't any need to have an onstage volume of that level.