Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

[3'scompany]

Well, I live in an apartment building and find that my mesa recto and JCM 2000 do me no good. In fact, after moving in 3 months ago, I haven't even plugged either in. I just don't have a reasonable way to play along with songs and when I write music I just do it on garage band so that I have the songs recorded.

I would like a semi-hollow and a P-90 guitar but I have no money to buy them. Edwards are looking nice in both the 57 les paul ri and the vintage white ES-335 might fit the bill.

Sooo... I was wondering if the Line6 Pod thingies might be the ticket. I mean, I could sell my marshall head and cab, along with my mesa and probably have enough to buy all three.

I guess I just wonder about the quality and practicality of a pod for my needs. Anyone care to chime in on how they sound? Can you mix a line in to play along to CDs? I'm kinda afraid to sell off all my amps as I might try and join another band sometime soon.

Any thoughts?

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

If all you need is to play alone a recording in a same cab, record and to do both at bedroom volume, keep your tube jewels, they are worth it, you dont have to get the devil's amp to solve those problems.

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

A common dilemma to be sure. But different tools for different jobs. I would hold on to your amps if finances permit. Then find something compatible with your living environment. At 22 years of age, you will no doubt be around for awhile and those amps (or maybe at least one) are bound to be put to use. Is a small amp an option? Perhaps something like an Epi Valve Jr. What part of the state are you in?

 

[3'scompany]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

If all you need is to play alone a recording in a same cab, record and to do both at bedroom volume, keep your tube jewels, they are worth it, you dont have to get the devil's amp to solve those problems.

Huh? I can play songs into my cab and run my amp? If so, that would be awesome and I think I'd just keep my amp as my stereo sucks and I don't have room for it anyways.

That sounds tempting if possible. Especially as I think I figured out a way to afford my dream ES-335 too...

 

[3'scompany]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

A common dilemma to be sure. But different tools for different jobs. I would hold on to your amps if finances permit. Then find something compatible with your living environment. At 22 years of age, you will no doubt be around for awhile and those amps (or maybe at least one) are bound to be put to use. Is a small amp an option? Perhaps something like an Epi Valve Jr. What part of the state are you in?

Yeah, I don't want to get rid of my mesa really. I think I just want to retube it with the 6V6s kit from Eurotubes. And finances are of no issue. Really, if I'm going to sell stuff, I'd just be buying other gear with the money.

And I live in Berkeley. I'm going to school here. Though if you know any one who wants to buy a Marshall JCM 2000 and 1960A cab cheap, let me know!

Edit: I just know that I can't really use my mesa so I'm stuck as to what to do. Are the pods worth it as a side thing just to use when volumes don't permit? And what is the deal with playing tunes through my cab? Can it be done simulatneously as my head? And can you play mp3s through the pod with your guitar?

 

[millsart]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

I personally HATED having to wear headphones with the POD. Sounds fine but its just not a very comfortable way to have to play all the time. I had a nice pair of studio montior style headphones as well. Really gives you ear fatigue after a while not to mention the cord being in the way etc.

If I were you, I'd look into something like a THD hotplate, or maybe a smaller tube amp like a Valve Junior and a pedal or two. Still will give you tube feel, works great with your cab, and you can run it at much more reasonable levels.

heck, its less than 1/3rd the cost of a new POD as well

 

[3'scompany]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

I personally HATED having to wear headphones with the POD. Sounds fine but its just not a very comfortable way to have to play all the time. I had a nice pair of studio montior style headphones as well. Really gives you ear fatigue after a while not to mention the cord being in the way etc.

If I were you, I'd look into something like a THD hotplate, or maybe a smaller tube amp like a Valve Junior and a pedal or two. Still will give you tube feel, works great with your cab, and you can run it at much more reasonable levels.

heck, its less than 1/3rd the cost of a new POD as well

Good points. Valve Juniors I've never really considered as I'd probably need to buy a good preamp distortion pedal which would be kinda pricey. Are the two (valve junior and preamp pedal) cheaper than attenuators?

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

My Kustom 16 watter SS amp with a Celestions Red 8' has a line in, and the mix is fantastic, i pop a CD out into it with parts and riffs and off I go.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

I'd store it or loan it / rent it before ever parting with it. That's like trading a baked potato with all the fixings for the cheapest potato chips you can buy at Walmart.

 

[Mephis]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

Sell the marshall head and cab.

Get the pod.

Do nothing else.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

Look into a Tascam GT-CD1 before you do anything.

Before I would get a POD, I would take a serious look at the Digitech GNX-4.

Good luck.

Bill

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

PODS are useful..... i bought a 2.0 a long time ago and i carry it in my gig bag just incase my real amp fails... i've done a few demos with it... i want the newer XT series ones but i don't use the POD i have enough to up grade to the new version... If i get a new modeler it is looking like the Roland GT8 is my kind of thing

but selling your stack to get a POD does not make much sense to me... i own a few stacks that sit in my closet collecting dust and i use smaller combos for practice and jamming... I use some SS amps in my bedroom for low volume stuff, and i have some nice 1x12 tube combos for jamming... But those stacks come in handy... i still use them once in a while and i'd never be without one....

 

[3'scompany]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

Thanks for all the advice guys. I think I'm just gonna sell my marshall head and cab (never got along with the cab), retube my mesa (6V6s should give me lower wattage), buy an avatar cab and have some money left over to figure out the low volume bedroom stuff. Thanks for the insight!

 

[Stratfan]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

My Kustom 16 watter SS amp with a Celestions Red 8' has a line in, and the mix is fantastic, i pop a CD out into it with parts and riffs and off I go.

There you go... a small solid state amp with a CD input is all you need for low volume jamming. Buy one used, and you wouldn't have to sell any gear.

 

[Guest]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

If you decide to get the pod look at the pocket pod. less options but quite inexpensive, as soon as I get some cash that's what I'm getting.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

I love my POD XTL. I loved the 2.0 before that.

Another option is the VOX Valvetronix amp. They're pretty :cool3:

But the POD gives more options.

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

If you decide to get the pod look at the pocket pod. less options but quite inexpensive, as soon as I get some cash that's what I'm getting.

+1

I bought one when they first came out a few months ago. For messing around at night, or someplace where ya can use a real amp, its totally kool. I've even used it on a few recordings, works decently for that too (I still mix it with real mic'ed amps though).
If your expecting the models to sound exactly like the real deal, your gonna be disappointed. But if ya just look at it as its own thing, and judge the sounds based on what they are, then its great. Ya know? The "Twin amp" model doesn't sound like a twin reverb, but it still sounds cool, and is totally useful for practice, or recording. Its no replacement for a real amp, but it is a useful tool in its own right.

 

[millsart]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

Pocket Pod indeed could be pretty sweet as I belive it works with batteries and you can attach it to your guitar strap even.

Maybe not as in depth but for around $100 it would be a pretty nice little "rig" for travel, late nights etc

I think I may pick one up for that

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

Pocket Pod indeed could be pretty sweet as I belive it works with batteries and you can attach it to your guitar strap even.

Maybe not as in depth but for around $100 it would be a pretty nice little "rig" for travel, late nights etc

I think I may pick one up for that

They're deffinately great for the price. Plus you can go more indepth with it, if ya download the software from line6.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Replace my amps with a line6 pod?

Different tools for different jobs....

Although I do use an Atomic modeler, and this is the result mainly of the band that I'm playing in and needing many different patches, if I wasn't rehearsing or gigging in a normal band all my amps would do is collect dust.

The POD rig is perfect for doing demoes and practicing and keeping the neighbors happy. I like the headphones and being in my own world. I rig it up to my PowerBook and crack open the Line 6 Editor and tweak when I need to. I use the iTunes Sharing on the wireless network for pulling up playlists of tunes to practice. I record with GarageBand and that hooks right into the PodXT.

If you're not in a situation where the amps are getting used then unload them. They're not going to increase in value and they're common enough so that if you need one on short notice for a gig you'll be able to find one.

There's no sense in tying up money in something that's just going to lose its value and you won't get any use out of.

And for the record, the amps I do own I either bought for stupid cheap and would sell for more than I paid or are investment pieces that continue to grow in value.