Line 6 Spider III 30

[VENTGtr]

Kind of can't believe I'm even inquiring but does/has anyone used the
Line 6 Spider III 30 amp and what were your thoughts? Sound good?
Well built? Durable? Loud enough to play small places not mic-ed?

Thanks much for any thoughts.

[bassist_25]

I've always had a love/hate relationship with Line 6 equipment. On one hand, it is professional sounding stuff, and I like playing with guitarists who use processors and MIDI controlled equipment as opposed to stomp boxes. Plus, their DIs are top-notch, which is very nice when recording or using FOH support. On the other hand, Line 6 stuff always sounded somewhat sterile and compressed to my ears. I don't know if that's because it's SS or if that's just the tone indicative of Line 6.

old sKool has a Flextone that he uses for practice and very small gigs (he'll actually be using it this weekend). It's a very nice amp, but there's no comparison to his main rig. I don't know about the Siders, but from what I hear, the Vettas are an improvement over the Flextones. Depending on what you're using if for, if you can get it for a good price, I'd snap it up. If you're going for a traditional tube tone though, I'd look elsewhere.

[Banned]

Feeling okay, Paul? You discussed guitar gear without your usual "I hate scooped mids" bit.

[bassist_25]

BTW, don't use a smilie-face EQ on the Line 6.

[VENTGtr]

Paul,

Thanks much. From the sound samples I've heard I suspected there
was a more compressed and sterile sound to them but you never really know from those.

The whole idea of the FBV connection footswitch just seems odd. IT'S A
PHONE JACK!

I actually like my old individual pedals all lined up in front. Not real keen
on using factory pre-sets to get someone else sound and such so those
would never get used, at least not live.

That being said, the Line 6s do seem set up well for recording/studio stuff
and the price is great. Their costs is what made me wonder about how
solidly they are built, actually. I'd just like to find something that sounds
good at a low volume but can be loud enough not to be mic-ed at small
places and isn't a flimsy piece of garbage but doesn't cost a whole lot.

My other gear works fine (Though the amp I built is just entirely too loud
and has been in the basement for the last couple of years) and the Line 6
looked, and to some extent still does, look like a possible option.

"don't use a smilie-face EQ"

Turn that frown upside down? I put the "V" sort of shape on our board a
couple of weeks ago before a show. Great look on our sound guys face
when he saw it.

Thanks again.
DaveP.

[bassist_25]

Dave,

I really cannot testify to Line 6's reliability. I do know that we have a good amount of local musicians who gig on a steady basis with Line 6's products, and I haven't heard any compliants about reliability.

The foot switch is kind of odd. Is it an RJ45 or an RJ15 connector? It would be funny to carry CAT5 and a crimper around with your music equipment for backup in case something went wrong with your chord. LOL

I really don't know if it would be loud enough in a live situation. I guess that all comes down to how loud the rest of your band is. Of course, comparing solid state watts and tube watts is like comparing apples and oranges. I really don't understand the engeering of it. Thirty watts of tube power would be loud...or at least perceived to be loud. I would be skeptical of 30 watts of SS power being loud enough without FOH support. Of course, someone who actually has gigged with the amp may be more credible than me to have that opinion.

The compressed tone isn't objectively a bad thing. For some things, I personally prefer a compressed tone. It just tightens up the bottom a lot, which is cool if you're playing heavier/detuned stuff. I think that Line 6 stuff is a good value. I really don't look at them as modeling amps, but instead I view them as amps with a really cool FX package.

[old Skool]

As Paul said, I have a Flextone III but I think they're pretty close to the Spider series, just not as many amp & effect choices. I was actually impressed with the Spider & would have bought it over the Flextone but wanted a little more power. As far as reliability it's been great. I've had this amp for four years or so & have had no problems. I have the FBV (I think they call it the short board) and that thing is built like a tank. The tuner works really well. The 30 watt may be a little small for playing out but may work if you'd get it up off the floor and within closer range to your ear. That's the one thing I really like about my Flextone. It's 60 watts but will also drive an extension cabinet (I use a cab loaded with a 12" EVM200-really improves the sound). It's plenty loud enough to gig with. The line out is awesome-very clear and easy to adjust and doesn't sound too bad at all. Now the things I don't like about my amp. When you crank it up the tone changes big time, at least in my opinion. Not sure if it's in the power section or the speaker or both (mine came loaded with some type of Celestion). When I add the EV loaded extension cab this problem isn't quite as bad. The Flextone also has way too many amp/cabinet combinations. It takes forever trying to find the tone I like. The Spider I think is much easier to set up in this regard. Also because all of your settings are adjusted by rotary dials you never know just where your presets are. The effects are pretty good but again the rotary dial issue. Overall I still prefer working with just this one amp and small foot board vs a combo amp with a bunch of pedals. The tone isn't near the quality of a good tube amp but is very workable. I'll still take my rack system anyday over this amp but for small gigs it works pretty well. Also I don't think you can beat the price of the Spider series.

[VENTGtr]

Dang. Excellent takes guys. Appreciate the input.

I've been so against the idea of "modeling", etc. and
I'd prolly never use the built-in effects but I'm seriously
considering getting one. So different than all my other
stuff that it might be a good kick in the head to look
for some new variant in sound.

Besides, all of my other good amps have 2 speakers
(I prefer combos) and 1 is better for recording.

"Overall I still prefer working with just this one amp and
small foot board vs a combo amp with a bunch of pedals."

And you call yourself "Old Skool". What, not big on the idea
of seeing the little red light get dim and hearing the signal
degradation when the batteries go. Hmm. Reminds me...
I need to get batteries. BLAST!

[skipisode]

Dave, I use a POD PRO in my stage rig and I like it. The connectors are RJ45 and I have a Longboard Controller. As Old Skool stated, I have noticed a change in tone when you crank it. I love the flexibility it has though. I normally use it through a QSC power amp and a 412 cab, but occasionally run it through a tube combo amp for smaller gigs. I like the tone from the tube amp better, but in most clubs I need the 412 cab on stage. Good luck! Also, no problems with reliability so far.

[VENTGtr]

Cool. Taken all of this under advisement AND found a SPIDER II really
cheap and the 2 button controller cheap elsewhere (Just within the last
10 minutes as a matter of fact). SO!, I've gone into the dark underbelly
of digital amp-dom. Oysh.

If nothing else I can use this from time-to-time live and for recording/experimenting and not waking the family up when I
slink off to the basement early Sunday mornings and wish I could
get some work done.

Thanks a lot for the info guys. Now when it all goes to hell I can say
BLAME BAD DAZE AND FLIGHT 19! They MADE me do it!

Later guys,
DaveP.