MrockRocker33
04-14-2004, 12:16 PM
Line 6 Spider II HD head (review is based on the head running into the Line 6 4x12 cab).
First impressions:
For a while, I was set on a Mesa boogie triple rectifier. Obviously that would blow this setup out of the water, but I thought "do I really need a triple rectifier right now?". Besides, that's a lot of change to throw down. I was in a local music shop, and first of all, really liked the look of the line 6. I have known the Line 6 product line from the POD, and other similar products..not amps. I plugged in a Gibson SG to it, and turned it on. After seeing the swirl of lighting during the power-on, I began playing. I was pretty amazed with the quality. It sounded very crisp, and clean. I threw on one of the onboard distortions, and turned it up a bit, and it still sounded great. I would prefer a boss pedal for distortion, but it is not bad by any means. After a few more trips there and trying it out- I bought it.
Spider II HD Head- $400
Line 6 4x12 Cab- $400
Turning it on/Setting it up:
I got home, and set up the cab and head where I wanted it, and plugged them in. The back of the head is incredibly simple. It ONLY has a Left (8 ohm, I believe) and Right output..nothing else. My only complaint about that, is that down the road if I want to add another cab, I'm out of luck, unless I were to split my signal, into another head, etc. So keep that in mind..although it's simple to setup and use a cab through it- it limits you as far as expansion options go.
Amp Models:
The Spider II has 6 amplifier models: Clean, Twang, Blues, Crunch, Metal, and Insane. On top of that, you can toggle between two different types of each amp model- essentially giving you 12 models. You then have 4 channels (footswitchable..but make sure you do not get the flextone/vetta footswitch as the guy gave me on accident!), then drive, bass/mid/treble, and channel volume.
Effects:
Although I love this amp, I'm not super fond of these. The main reason is, I just don't like how most of them sound. The effects control has two knobs, and from those two, you can get a Chorus Flange, Phaser, Tremelo, Delay, Tape Echo, and Sweep Echo. You also can set the delay time via a tap button as well. If you hold the tap button, you get a cleverly thought out Tuner function. The tuner uses the panel of lights across the amp, as sort of a gauge. I have not needed it much, but it's neat! Also, one thing I do like..separate from the effects, is a Reverb knob. So without touching the effects, you can adjust the reverb- that is nice (for me). I think most of the effects are alright, but some of them just not needed by me, so if at all possible, go try one for yourself and judge it then.
Cranking it up:
I did, and still use this for practices with the guys. The first time I turned it on, and cranked it up, they were amazed. This thing puts out 150 watts, and I have no doubt in believing it does every bit of that! Most of the time, I do not need to turn the master volume up past say, half, or MAYBE 3/4's, rarely do I have to push it that hard. Quality is also great at high volumes (although the onboard distortions I have tried were kind of crappy at high volumes..but I did not try all of them)..suprisingly little feedback. Despite that, I still use a Boss NS-2 (just recently purchased, though) to prevent feedback.
While playing the Spider II head, it is definently a good experience...a good loud one. My band uses a Yamaha EMX 5000 (1,000w's...500w's each to JBL SF25 cabs))..and I still go straight to my amp, without touching the board. Mainly, because I prefer to control all of my own stuff, but also, because this thing really doesn't need any more amplification. I suppose if you were to get into a large venue, you might need more, but this has done me well for anything I have encountered. It's not tube..but it's definently not bad!
Final thoughts:
Excellent amp for the money, and a pretty big suprise for me to see Line 6 coming out with these pretty nice amps lately- the Vetta, Flextone, etc. This Spider II is at the bottom of the chain compared to the 300 watt (I think?) Vetta II..but if this is any indication of what they have yet to come out with, I can't wait to see the new stuff. I look forward to buying any upgraded version of this amp, but I must say that (naturally), I prefer the sound of a JCM800. Either way, you can't go wrong with this Line 6 head.
-Mike
Edit: Sorry! Forgot. Out of a 1-5 scale, 5 being the best, I would give it a 4 rating, only because I am a big fan of tube amps. Still, it's good.
First impressions:
For a while, I was set on a Mesa boogie triple rectifier. Obviously that would blow this setup out of the water, but I thought "do I really need a triple rectifier right now?". Besides, that's a lot of change to throw down. I was in a local music shop, and first of all, really liked the look of the line 6. I have known the Line 6 product line from the POD, and other similar products..not amps. I plugged in a Gibson SG to it, and turned it on. After seeing the swirl of lighting during the power-on, I began playing. I was pretty amazed with the quality. It sounded very crisp, and clean. I threw on one of the onboard distortions, and turned it up a bit, and it still sounded great. I would prefer a boss pedal for distortion, but it is not bad by any means. After a few more trips there and trying it out- I bought it.
Spider II HD Head- $400
Line 6 4x12 Cab- $400
Turning it on/Setting it up:
I got home, and set up the cab and head where I wanted it, and plugged them in. The back of the head is incredibly simple. It ONLY has a Left (8 ohm, I believe) and Right output..nothing else. My only complaint about that, is that down the road if I want to add another cab, I'm out of luck, unless I were to split my signal, into another head, etc. So keep that in mind..although it's simple to setup and use a cab through it- it limits you as far as expansion options go.
Amp Models:
The Spider II has 6 amplifier models: Clean, Twang, Blues, Crunch, Metal, and Insane. On top of that, you can toggle between two different types of each amp model- essentially giving you 12 models. You then have 4 channels (footswitchable..but make sure you do not get the flextone/vetta footswitch as the guy gave me on accident!), then drive, bass/mid/treble, and channel volume.
Effects:
Although I love this amp, I'm not super fond of these. The main reason is, I just don't like how most of them sound. The effects control has two knobs, and from those two, you can get a Chorus Flange, Phaser, Tremelo, Delay, Tape Echo, and Sweep Echo. You also can set the delay time via a tap button as well. If you hold the tap button, you get a cleverly thought out Tuner function. The tuner uses the panel of lights across the amp, as sort of a gauge. I have not needed it much, but it's neat! Also, one thing I do like..separate from the effects, is a Reverb knob. So without touching the effects, you can adjust the reverb- that is nice (for me). I think most of the effects are alright, but some of them just not needed by me, so if at all possible, go try one for yourself and judge it then.
Cranking it up:
I did, and still use this for practices with the guys. The first time I turned it on, and cranked it up, they were amazed. This thing puts out 150 watts, and I have no doubt in believing it does every bit of that! Most of the time, I do not need to turn the master volume up past say, half, or MAYBE 3/4's, rarely do I have to push it that hard. Quality is also great at high volumes (although the onboard distortions I have tried were kind of crappy at high volumes..but I did not try all of them)..suprisingly little feedback. Despite that, I still use a Boss NS-2 (just recently purchased, though) to prevent feedback.
While playing the Spider II head, it is definently a good experience...a good loud one. My band uses a Yamaha EMX 5000 (1,000w's...500w's each to JBL SF25 cabs))..and I still go straight to my amp, without touching the board. Mainly, because I prefer to control all of my own stuff, but also, because this thing really doesn't need any more amplification. I suppose if you were to get into a large venue, you might need more, but this has done me well for anything I have encountered. It's not tube..but it's definently not bad!
Final thoughts:
Excellent amp for the money, and a pretty big suprise for me to see Line 6 coming out with these pretty nice amps lately- the Vetta, Flextone, etc. This Spider II is at the bottom of the chain compared to the 300 watt (I think?) Vetta II..but if this is any indication of what they have yet to come out with, I can't wait to see the new stuff. I look forward to buying any upgraded version of this amp, but I must say that (naturally), I prefer the sound of a JCM800. Either way, you can't go wrong with this Line 6 head.
-Mike
Edit: Sorry! Forgot. Out of a 1-5 scale, 5 being the best, I would give it a 4 rating, only because I am a big fan of tube amps. Still, it's good.