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Posted by: radarlove1984 May 15 2007, 02:43 AM

It finally showed up in the mail today! I've only been messing with it for a few hours now, but so far I'm really impressed. It's basically like everyone said it would be.

Some of the built in pedals are terrible (the wah, especially) but most of them are dead on accurate. The Fender, Vox, and Marshall amps are great. This thing sounds gorgeous through a good pair of headphones, okay through the front end of a cheap guitar amp, and, surprisingly, really good through basic computer speakers.

Overall, I really like it. For quiet jamming in a college dorm, this is perfect.

Thanks all POD owners (and especially Andrew) for answering my questions last month.

Posted by: blindwillie May 15 2007, 07:11 AM

Hehe, yeah. I got my Pod XT on friday and the quality of it really surprised me. I have no idea how it performs live, but thats not what I'm going to use it for either.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn May 15 2007, 12:52 PM

Glad you like it I'm still finding good stuff after 6 months, and making new sounds! And now you're all set for recording your masterpieces

Posted by: MickeM May 15 2007, 01:31 PM

Do you think I'd improve a lot (soundwise) exchanging the Line6 guitarport for a PodXT? For use with my computer.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn May 15 2007, 02:07 PM

Hi Mike,

That deserves a detailed response and I am just about to rush out for the day - I'll post a reply this evening!

Posted by: MickeM May 15 2007, 03:55 PM

Thanks, anytime it's suitable for you and when you feel like it. I'm in no hurry.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn May 16 2007, 04:24 AM

Ok, its the evening now ... I checked up the guitar port and have the following observations:

Both the GP and the XTL will let you record digitally to your PC using a program such as cubase.

With the power pack you can upgrade the sounds of the GP to those of the XTL. Both can use all of the AMP powerpacks.

So as far as I can see, soundwise for recording they should be identical.

Differences:

XTL has a lot more controls, mostly aimed at playing live. So you can switch the AMP model in and out (just like a clean and overdrive channel). You can switch delay and various stomps in and out. You have an expression pedal and/or a wah pedal, and access to many very easily switchable presets.

GP has looping and a metronome.

So all of the XTLs plus points would be great in a live situation but not important for recording I think. I have to confess that I use Gearbox for all my tweaking and effect switching when recording, so I could probably get by with the guitarport myself if I had to! But I bought the XTL for live as well, and for me the Coup de Grace is that it switches my Variax models around with its patches - not relevant for non-variax users.

So on balance, I have just discovered that if you are recording, the GP seems to do all you need if you fork out the extra for the model packs. If you are playing (and that includes playing in your own bedroom where you might want to practice wah, or use of an expression pedal, or if you don't have it hooked up to a PC) the XTL wins.

Hope it was worth the wait

Posted by: MickeM May 16 2007, 12:59 PM

Sure was! I'm thinking I could probably use the POD's built in stomp boxes alone together with a tube amp AND also for bedroom playing or computer recording. The GP is only usable together with a computer so it's quite limiting.
The reason I started to wonder about this is because a couple of weeks ago I picked up my old Zoom 505II and though it would be nice just for sitting in the sofa playing with headphones. But I couldn't stand the sound of it, yiack!!!
I listened to soundclips of the POD and it really does well with the Variax, much better sounding than from a standarn guitar. I've looked at the Fender Strat VG but it's too expensive, then I'd rather have the Variax. I checked the movies about in over at Line6.com and it seems just great. But I'm missing an option for fast switching to drop D and B... if it's not possible with the custom banks, I belive so, right? Is the workbench included when you buy the guitar?
I fear it's not and that's what I dislike about Line6, they put out a product and then charge extra to be able to use it fully. like the powerpack you mention which costs $99.99. Just that price even xx.99 shows they are blood suckers. Great products but that stuff get's me upset.
Look, now I have to go break something...



Thanks for the reply!

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn May 16 2007, 02:02 PM

Given the pricing of the power pack (didn't know that) - the XTL is looking better and better - basically for $100 you get all of the controls, and the ability to play it live, not too bad a deal.

Actually, yes the workbench is free if you have a PodXTL (If you don't, you need to buy additional hardware purely so you can hook the guitar up to your computer - if you have the XTL already you don' t need that since the XTL performs the connectiong function and the program itself free). With the workbench you can put any model (including any you build yourself) with any tuning, anywhere on the dial.

I don't use drop tuning a lot, so I left the dials at factory, and put a Drop D Les Paul in one of my custom slots - being able to switch it in at will is amazing, and being able to make a patch on the XTL that selects the distortion, stomp boxes, guitar model AND tuning is amazing!

In terms of the variaxes - the whole idea works great and I can get a light bright strat sound, or a deep LP sound at the flick of a switch, or indeed as I change a patch on my XTL. I believe the concept works great, and has been validated by the fact that fender felt the need to release the VG!

But, if you are thinking about doing this there are just a couple of things to think about:

1. No locking tremelos on any of the Variaxes
2. If you dive bomb you eventually loosen the strings so they stop making contact with the piezo pickups and all goes quiet - great for regular vibrato though, only a problem at extremes
3. Some people report problems with palm muting for chugging on metal riffs - some don't, so definately try one before you buy - could be important for the type of stuff you play. Some claim its all down to technique. I'm not really a chugger (although need to learn that metal stuff) so I can't really say except my impression is that the heavier strings don't mute so easily.
4. On the plus side, these guitars rock for recording as there is never any hum at all!

Onto the guitars themselves:

The 300 is a low end model - will give you all the sounds but I thought it felt a little cheap to play (and indeed is very cheap considering what you get) ($299)
The 700 is really nicely made and plays beautifully (best I have played) but is a little pricey ($1200)
The 600 I have not played, but I think it is up there for quality, and built more like a strat - probably the sweet spot if you can afford it and like the strat style ($800)

I can't help being amused by the fact that given our relative positions when we first encountered each other, you are interested in the variax and pod XTL, and I am now planning on putting together a complete analog setup from guitar to valve amp including real stomp boxes