Anyone Using Line 6 Amps?

**Philco** · 04-30-2013, 07:33 PM

There are a few list members using modelling rigs instead of a standard guitar amps and I was wondering if anyone had tried the Line 6 guitar amps for Jazz.

They seem to have some of the POD models and FX on board and are quite cheap.....the Spider models especially.

I saw a 30watt Spider on Ebay for $90!!

Are they just awful or have they just not been considered for the task?

**3625** · 04-30-2013, 08:33 PM

I've got one of those cheap line 6 combos, think it's a spider, not sure cause it's currently interstate with the ex - bought it for teaching only. Never recorded it direct, but as an amp... nah

**mrblues** · 05-01-2013, 02:26 AM

I dont have but the big band has in which I play and I am too lazy to bring there my own amp. So I use that. And to tell You the truth, I dont like it...

**Little Jay** · 05-01-2013, 02:39 AM

I organize jamsessions and the bar that facilitates us has one..... I stopped using that and bring my own amp.

**newsense** · 05-01-2013, 03:01 AM

Anyone considering a Line 6 amp should now also consider the new Blackstar ID range of modelling amps. They have a different approach to selecting your model. Instead of trying to emulate specific named amps, they have tried to model specific power tubes (i.e. 6V6, 6L6, EL84, EL34, etc..). Looks interesting, but I haven't tried it yet. Like many here, I haven't really got on well with digital modelling - although I do have a Yamaha THR10C that I am quite fond of.

**Philco** · 05-01-2013, 03:45 AM

Hmmmm.....the general feeling so far seems to be negative.

The DT25 designed by Reinhold Bogner looks interesting.

**Nabil B** · 05-01-2013, 03:47 AM

Don't know about the spider amps but I use a pod studio GX and I can get pretty decent sounds out of it. It would be best if you could bring your guitar to a shop to see if you like the sound of line 6 amps or not.

**Philco** · 05-01-2013, 05:07 AM

I'm actually very happy with my Mambo (very happy!) and I also can get a decent sound out of my Fender DR.
It's just that I spend so much time programming guitar sounds in PTools every day and I've been using Amp Farm (a TDM Line 6 Plug for ProTools) for at least 10 years and Pod Farm 2 for 3 years or so.
I can get a great sound from my Jazz guitars inside PTools using plug ins exclusively.
Those plugs are made by Line 6 and I would assume use the same Algo's as their hardware.

It seems as if something doesn't translate into the actual amplifiers.

**marcar** · 05-01-2013, 12:41 PM

I've used a Spider iv 75 watt amp on and off for sometime now. I don't use very many of the amp models it provides since I require only those that can give a clean sound. I'm not an audiophile but I like the sound and convenience of this combo amp. Although I'm playing mostly jazz standards at the gig where I use the Spider, the amp shows its versatility later in the evening when doing rock and pop tunes that require more drive and dirt. It can get plenty loud by itself, and if more volume is needed I could just mic it. So far, that's not been necessary.

The biggest drawback for me is programming the user presets. It takes time and patience to do it and requires further tweaking depending on the room. This is not like the Roland Cube series which is easier to change on the fly because the controls are right on the panel. The Spider has controls on its panel too, but I find myself having to dig into the menu for anything requiring more than a minor change. However, the Spider provides many more options than the Cube and allows for deep editing, if you're so inclined.

marcar

**Lezard** · 05-01-2013, 12:44 PM

I've got a Spider jam. 75 watts I believe.
It's certainly louder than playing acoustically...that's the best thing that I can say about it.

**jazzman1021** · 05-01-2013, 04:55 PM

Hi everyone. My experience with Line 6 Has been negative. Had a 75W Spider IV and it was sterile sounding and gave me nothing but trouble before failing completely-wisps of smoke and all, not to mention all the horsing around to try to get a decent tone. Modelling - Bah!

Best wishes.

JM1021

**barrymclark** · 05-01-2013, 05:27 PM

I have used every generation Pod since the original save for newest HD models. Without a doubt, the Pod's have improved with each model. I can't much say the same for their amps. Totally a preference thing as plenty of folks like the amps, I just don't.

**GNAPPI** · 05-01-2013, 08:11 PM

I have two Line 6 amps, both are broken and I have no time to fix them. The speakers are pretty good and usable in my other amps though.

As far as sound goes, there are a LOT better amps, most of them in fact... are better that is... for most purposes. :-)

**Philco** · 05-01-2013, 08:44 PM

No love to be found.
Thanks for the responses.

**barrymclark** · 05-01-2013, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

I have two Line 6 amps, both are broken and I have no time to fix them. The speakers are pretty good and usable in my other amps though.

As far as sound goes, there are a LOT better amps, most of them in fact... are better that is... for most purposes. :-)

Oh yeah. The Line 6 cabs are as solid as anyone's.

**GNAPPI** · 05-01-2013, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by barrymclark

Oh yeah. The Line 6 cabs are as solid as anyone's.

You're right, they make killer extension cabs :-)

**Double 07** · 05-05-2013, 02:54 PM

I've heard a lot of guys getting absolutely great rock sounds out of line 6 amps. Also great rhythm sounds that will work
for rock, or R&B,or Country. Too bad I haven't heard any good jazz sounds from one of their amps yet.

**Lionelsax** · 05-02-2014, 08:08 PM

I do, it's quite nice (Spider II) and versatile. The metal channel has got a very nice sound if gain is turned off.
I use too a very cheap amp, Avenger 15R, it's a wonderful amp.

**Cunamara** · 05-02-2014, 11:36 PM

FWIW Steve Howe uses them with his organ trio and maybe with Yes and Asia too. He's got a tech guy who did extensive deep editing on the models. I think he likes it in part because he can get a wide variety of sounds for switching between jazz tunes, his own tunes and Yes tunes. There's a few videos of the trio on YouTube- as a jazz guitarist he generally doesn't quite swing and often seems un-confident, despite his love of Wes's playing, but he sounds quite authoritative on the Yes stuff. ;-) As he's aged he gives off this mad professor vibe that is rather endearing.

**TonyB56** · 05-03-2014, 04:32 AM

Originally Posted by Philco

There are a few list members using modelling rigs instead of a standard guitar amps and I was wondering if anyone had tried the Line 6 guitar amps for Jazz.
They seem to have some of the POD models and FX on board and are quite cheap.....the Spider models especially.

I saw a 30watt Spider on Ebay for $90!!

Are they just awful or have they just not been considered for the task?

I normally use a Matamp hand built custom head through a 200watt 2x12 or 80watt 1x12 fender cab but I have a line 6 Spider IV combo I use late at night, I don't use any of the effects I boot it in clean mode and get quite a nice jazz sound from it with the mids slightly boosted, I've never used it in a live gigging situation it's not really big enough for that.

**jazzalta** · 07-21-2015, 01:22 AM

I just picked up a used Line 6 Spider iv 30 and love it for jazz. I also use a Roland cube, but the spider has a little more clarity for the material I play. I'm obviously in the minority but what else is new, lol.

**JSanta** · 07-21-2015, 10:28 AM

I have a Flextone III that is nothing short of outstanding. They can be had at quite a steal as well. Short of going to an Axe-Fx, the Flextone series, especially II and III can't be beat.

**vintagelove** · 07-21-2015, 10:47 AM

Some of the worst sounding amps I have ever heard,no offense to those that like them. Just my experience.

good first amp for a beginner, basically has everything sound they will need.

**Lionelsax** · 04-27-2022, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by Lionelsax

I do, it's quite nice (Spider II) and versatile. The metal channel has got a very nice sound if gain is turned off.
I use too a very cheap amp, Avenger 15R, it's a wonderful amp.

In a gig context or when I've got to play for real, it gives headaches.

**rolavine** · 04-27-2022, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by Lionelsax

In a gig context or when I've got to play for real, it gives headaches.

I had a Spider 3 75 watt for a very short while. The tone was OK but the reverb and delays were all too heavy handed, no slight at all and no way to dial down the lowest settings. This was a big problem on my Godin ACS SA as that guitar seems to have a lot of natural reverb in it's output. I then tried a VYPYR VIP3 100 Peavey that was better. But then I got a Boss Katana 50, and this little box just sounds good and natural, in clean on a solid body playing jazz or in acoustic mode for the Godin, and the verb and delay are useful at lowest setting.