Line 6?

[H8Red442]

Curious what everyone feels about Line6 products. I was looking for a decent sounding practice amp that I could cart around with ease as I have Mesa Single Recto half stack and it's neither light nor compact. I went to Guitar Center and checked out a few amps. They had a really cool Marshall Microstack which had great tone and decent volume for 15W. I checked a few Crate amps as well. Manufacturers sure are making some great sounding amps these days not like compared to 10 years ago when I couldn't get tone, volume or clarity for any amount of money. Anywho I decided to check out some Line6 stuff even though I've had the POD 2.0 and a Flextone II half stack and was not impressed with either. I ended up buying the Spider II 112 75W combo. I have to say I'm fairly impressed. It's the closest thing I have ever heard to a Mesa out of a solid state amp and very reasonably priced at $275. I was then thinking maybe I should just switch to a Spider II half stack with 150W head and 4x12 cab with the FBV long board. Im kinda torn. I love the tone outta my Mesa but the Spider II is dripping in tone as well. So long story short, what are your thoughts on Line6 products and more specifically Spider II.

 

[kherman]

Re: Line 6?

I'm quite happy with my Flex III XL.

I use it as a practice, recording, and side project amp.

This way I don't have to haul my rack and 4x12s around all the time.

I think the Flex III has some great tones.
I don't care how close the the models copy the real amp.
I just look for sounds that are pleasing to my ears.
I found many that do quite all right.

I also like the fact it has decent built in effects, editing of patches, and the ability to assign your creations to a patch location that you can recall at any time via a midi controller or the L6 floorboard.
It much like having a rack in a combo type setup.

Kent

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Line 6?

+1

It all depends on YOUR needs. If you are satisfied with it, go for it.

There are those "tube snobs" who do not like modeling amps...that is their right. Just as you have the right to like them. It really comes down to whether YOU can find the sounds/tones YOU want WHEN YOU want them.

Personally, I really like the versatility of Line 6 products. When you are called upon for a variety of sounds in any given set, I just think this is the easiest route to go, and its much more affordable that buying and hauling multiple amps (can you say "backache"?).

I would suggest that you do a side-by-side comparison with what you are used to playing (Mesa) and decide if the sound is close enough for you.

Again, it's a matter of personal preference.

(I know GJ, it's not a Bogner...but didn't he just say "$275"?).

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Line 6?

Personally, I really don't like the flextones or spiders. The term 'wet cardboard' springs to mind. they all sound ok, but feel awful and lifeless. Love the line 6 pedals, though. Cool company, just don't like their amps.

If I were to buy a modelling amp for practice, I'd go with a vox or a roland cube. I've been impressed with both.

 

[H8Red442]

Re: Line 6?

Before yesterday I was not a fan of Line6 either. I had two of their products before and found them limp and lifeless as well. This new Spider II is a different story all together. Let alone they're now packing Celestions in them. There is a depth that is missing from the Line6 that the Mesa has. But the Line6 sounds tighter. Then again it also sounds a little processed.

 

[ex-250]

Re: Line 6?

my spider II (same model as yours and everything) is pretty good. its certainly not my XXX, but its good for a practice amp

 

[aleclee]

Re: Line 6?

My biggest issue with DMAs in general is that there's too much crap that can go wrong. It's convenient and cost-effective to have your amp and FX all in one unit. It's also infuriating when something goes south. If something does go wrong, the fix is never quick (unlike tube amps where many problems can be solved by changing tubes and replacing a fuse).

Before you rag on me for being a tube snob, I came to these conclusions the hard way. My AX2 had to go back to the L6 factory and they never solved the problem (wah didn't work when the footswitch cable was on my basement's concrete floor). I was without an amp for about two months while the local shop worked on it and then it was sent back to the factory. I'd hate to think about getting a 10 year old DMA serviced.

That said, I think DMAs have their place and that a lot of 'em sound really good. For me though, it'll be a long time before I trust one like I trust my glowing bottles.

 

[danglybanger]

Re: Line 6?

Spider Is suck horribly. Except for cleans... they're ok there. With my 50 watt combo, you get two fairly useless, ugly sounding "Marshalls" (with no chunk or clarity), a buzzy, processed sounding "Recto", (once again lacking depth or clarity), and an utterly useless "insane" setting.

Mud to the max.

effects are fairly useless the flange doesn't seem to do anything, the others sound bad.

mine's for sale by the way.

slade

(get a vox