Spider Amps by Line 6

BikerBoy · 07-13-2004, 05:03 PM

Hey, I am looking into getting a Spider II. I wanted to know if anyone had one and what they thought of it. I haven't played on one that much, but from what I've heard about them, they sound pretty cool.

MJ_Avalanche · 07-13-2004, 05:34 PM

I have an original Spider. I like it, and it's served me well over the past couple of years.

I have, however, spent some quality time with the Spider II a couple months ago and I didn't like it a whole lot. The distortions were pretty nice, and the cleans and delays were great, but the rest of the effects and such I didn't like too much. I didn't like the chorus and flange being together, and I didn't like the two amps for each model thing a whole lot primarily because only one of the two sounded good, so, that was kind of a let down.

Either way though, it's not a bad amp. And for what they're charging, it's not gonna be a waste of your money. I would suggest going and spending some more time with it though.

aiwahead · 07-13-2004, 06:39 PM

Spider I and Spider II are two entirely different beasts. I've heard people that play Spider I's hate the II, II's hate the I, ad nauseum.

But I entirely agree that the effects can be annoying.. Well the effects at least. The delay and echos are faily good. However, even the effects (While limited) are able to be used. I am guessing you didnt have time to sit down and really play with it, MJ but for instance the flange/chorus area is seperatable. You can actually dial in just flange or just chorus , BUT they arent as dynamic (at least without the 200 dollar footboard) by any means or adjustable. Its either frequency up or frequency down.

Oh, yeah, Buy the footboard if you can.. The real footboard and none of the shortboards. (2 button or 4 button) At the VERY least get the 4 button shortboard, because you arent going to want to play without it.

Anyways, I have to certainly disagree with the 'green light good red light bad" .. (And sometimes reversed) formula.. Er.. Except for Insane. Why a sub-octaver? Why? =/

The good part about each and every amp model is that they all will end up sounding completely different should you actually spend some time and tweak the settings. Buying into any digital amp means you'll have to do this, so get used to it.

But the greatest thing? The ability to practically make your own tone. You have alot to work with even on this level. But if you want to get seriously unique, wait and get a higher level of Line6.

Personally I needed an amp ASAP so I took the 112 with a 4 button shortboard. I now want the Longboard, though. =/ Definately a great amp for your cash, though.

Casey · 07-13-2004, 08:39 PM

If you'll search through the amp pages, you'll find my amp journey, an especially informative post. I liked the spider while I was considering it. Best bang for your buck as far as amp modeling out there, most will concur.

Case

guitarfreak217 · 07-15-2004, 09:53 AM

has anyone played the new Vetta?

MJ_Avalanche · 07-15-2004, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitarfreak217

has anyone played the new Vetta?

Me. It's awesome. However, I didn't get enough time to mess around with all the effects and the loops and all that, but it sounded great. Definately want to go back and try it again.

anathema · 07-15-2004, 01:34 PM

vetta is the best amp availabe IMO.. well, if you like modeling, the real thing is always better, but who is going to have a '66 plexi sitting around?

my guitarist in the band i was in had a PRS singlecut going through a vetta with a marshall cab... it was the best tone i have ever heard in my life...

on topic: i have a spider I, 1x12, and it rocks... i usually find myself playing my marshall 3/4 stack more often though, but its a great amp for the $$$$$$$.

*anathema*

guitarfreak217 · 07-15-2004, 01:38 PM

i'm, planning on saving up the money to get the Vetta II or a used Vetta I and the footcontroller. i like the fact that if you have a Vetta I, you can upgrade the firmware for free. the only problem is that i don't have a midi interface.

SenorPapaCabasa · 07-16-2004, 11:25 AM

i have a spider 212, and i love it. for what i paid for it, im extremely happy.

SenorPapaCabasa · 07-16-2004, 11:26 AM

^^its a spider I btw

Tom Friend · 07-16-2004, 12:23 PM

I looked at Line6 and was very impressed with all the cool effects and the shiny chrome knob look. Nice size cab too- easier to haul around than most.

Then I tried the new VOX modelers, and said WOW. I like the amp modeling so much better! Not quite as flexible in the effects combinations, but I don't care that much. If I need to flange an overdrive pedal I can use my digitech I suppose. Right now I am so happy with the sound I am getting out of that tube-ss hybrid design I don't mind the giant stack I have to haul around. Very easy to program, and once you GROK the philosophy behind it, it gets intuative.

Crowderfan · 07-16-2004, 04:40 PM

I've got an original Spider 112... it has its ups and downs. They're pretty versatile, and the digital effects are pretty convenient, especially with the floor board. However, they're downright useless if you use comparable single effects. I don't really like the distortion anymore, but it was fine for me when I bought it.

Bottom line: Where it lacks in tone, it makes up for in versatility/ convenience. But I've never played the Spider 2, so if they're much different, don't listen to me.

MJ_Avalanche · 07-17-2004, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Friend

Then I tried the new VOX modelers, and said WOW. I like the amp modeling so much better! Not quite as flexible in the effects combinations, but I don't care that much. If I need to flange an overdrive pedal I can use my digitech I suppose. Right now I am so happy with the sound I am getting out of that tube-ss hybrid design I don't mind the giant stack I have to haul around. Very easy to program, and once you GROK the philosophy behind it, it gets intuative.

A buddy of mine at work has the ToneLab pedal and he brought it in last week, and so I got the mess around with it. I love the sounds I got out of it. I managed to find a really sweet OD that sounded great for rhythm and lead (unlike most tube AMPS I've played). The tube that's in there adds a nice warmth to the overall tone too, which is really nice. I'd take that and run it into 2x12 or a 4x12 anytime and be satisfied with it (that is, if it's possible). I need to remind myself to try out a couple Vox amps next time I'm down at guitar center.

aiwahead · 07-17-2004, 03:01 PM

I love the VOXes, but there is a slight problem with them. At least with the 30 watt that I played around with.. When the volume is cranked a bit past the midway mark they seem to fizzle out.. perhaps it was just the one I played, but while it sounded GREAT at lower volumes as I heightened it a bit to the point where I wouldnt need to mike it for a small room, it seemed to lose something.. I did however absolutely LOVE the toneboard that you were talking about, and the more expensive valvtronics are wonderfull as well. I may be getting one myself soon, if not a flextone 3. The only real problem I have with them is the lack of flexibility. With a Flextone 3 I can do my own programming, but the valvtronics dont allow that.

smashing guitar · 07-17-2004, 03:32 PM

tube snoberry?