Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: bricktop Oct 16 2007, 09:02 AM

Hello all, long time, no see. Been busy with work and little ones starting kindergarten.

I'm looking for a modeling amp, I already have a fender blues jr, just want to try something different.

I've seen the Spider III 120 or 150 looks good with lots of options, also Line 6 is coming out with the Spider Jam, basically a much beefier Fender G-Dec, with a built in 14 min looper, xlr input and mp3 input, also it has backing track from real musicians, not midi.

The Spider Jam doesn't come out until Nov.3rd, and it's only 75 watts with 1x12.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has a spider amp!

thanks,

John

Posted by: Slammer Oct 16 2007, 10:28 AM

Well most People will tell you that the Spider 3 is a bad amp. But the funniest thing is about that is, Most of the ppl who say that Don't have one and may have played one for a few mintues at the store. But because they didn't like a certain Preset or because it's not a tube amp, they will say it sucks.

But, since I've had one for quite a few months now, I can give you my honest opinion on it, and it's Strength and Weaknesses.

Probably it's Strongest point is it's many Distortions if you like to play heavier stuff. The "Metal" and "Insane" Amp Settings can be tweaked to get anything from Thrash rhythm sounds to Crazy long Sustains for leads. Also with a big Chunk of the 400 presets being distortion sounds you can find Pretty much any style of Rock tones.

It's Weakest point is Definetly the Clean channels, the "Clean" can be just plain weak sometimes, the "Twang" gets a little better, but the "Blues" can be tricky to tweak to get a good blues sound.

All in all I'd say that most of the Presets aren't all that great. Some of them sound spot on to the Original sounds. But the real key is just using the Presets as a starting point to tweak the amp to get the Perfect sound. It takes a little work, but with some practise pretty much any sound you want can be achived using it.

My best advice would be to try it up against other Modeling Amps if you go to a store. The Roland Cube and Vox Valvetronix are other Modeling Amps in the same style/price range.

One plus that the Spider has is that you can buy the Separate Footboard http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Line-6-FBV-Shortboard-Footcontroller?sku=420880
with a Wah pedal etc.


BTW the 75 watt 12" Speaker. Even though it's not as big as the other one, it's a Beast in itself. Unless your Planning on Gigging at 50,000 seat staduim

Hope this helped

Posted by: Hemlok Oct 16 2007, 11:14 AM

I have a Spider III and like slammer said, it sucks.

Only kidding, it doesnt suck, I just hate it. What i want instead is a tube amp, and then i will get pedals for the effects. Buying this amp I feel was the worst mistake I made that day.

Pros: Can make lots of wacky sounds and distorted stuff, which can be fun. Probably the price, this thing is cheap as chips.

Cons: Like slammer said blues and clean are not so good, im still trying to get a good blues sound out of it, and I have just given up on trying to get a nice clean sound.

Sorry I don't think this post is particularly helpful. It all depends what you want to get out of the amp.

Posted by: Wyvernx Oct 16 2007, 11:26 AM

I like it, even though I have no previous experience with amplifiers, I'm pretty sure it's not the best for its price, but since I didn't do much research, and the guitar center near my house was having a sale, I said why not? try it out is all I can say.

Posted by: Delusions of Granduer Oct 16 2007, 12:00 PM

I like mine......it's great for what I wanted and I don't know much about amps .....It has a ton of presets that are fun to mess with and some amp settings that where set up by some of todays artist out there..... for the price..it packs a wallup .... I have the 75w version and it's loud.... if you get it...I'm sure you'll have some fun w/it .

Posted by: swingline Oct 16 2007, 12:13 PM

I got one as slammer said the people who try them walk in and have it on Johnny B Goode and think it sounds terrible. I like it and I would recommend it.

Posted by: Davidian Oct 17 2007, 04:52 AM

I agree with slammer, for metal it's a good amp with many distortion but blues and clean channels are really bad. You lose lots of volume and it doesn't sound right
my friend has a 120W and that one comes with 2x 10 inch speakers

Posted by: VinceG Oct 17 2007, 10:22 AM

Ive been checking out amps for a good 2 months. Going to Guitar Center 2 days a week after class. I always try out the Spider III amps and I could honestly say, they sound way to digital. Yes it is cheap and have a lot of presets but if your looking for tone of your own, this isnt the way to go. Although this amp could be good if its your second amp thats replacing some cheap one.

I am looking at the Spider tube amp recently though. 40 watts of tube with 300 or something presets on it for about $840, or something along those lines, and they sound pretty good. Try those out because it has the warmness of tube w/o giving you a digital voicing. Although when I tried out this amp, ive played a more drone like sound using slow riffs and feedback and those feedbacks are good.

Play them for yourself. We cant tell you what to buy, you have to find your own tone not an artist pre-set.

Posted by: Twibeard Oct 17 2007, 04:05 PM

For a modeling amp this is a nice amp in my opinion. I'm only a beginner on a guitar, but I do know a lot about making sounds on a pro-level. And for the money ... and for the need you mentioned above ... this is a very good amp.
I got the 75W and its really really Loud for an amp this size For practising guitar-scalas and trying to learn how to play a guitar, as im my case, this amp make it so much more fun, i never get tired or bored, I just pick another preset, get a new sound and time flyes ...
Any kind of rock++ sounds nice on the amp, you can use some of the 250 sound + 150 song presets and tweak the lot, then program your version of the sound into different channels. You can then use the footswitch like the smaller 4 channel FBV-Express that I got or the bigger one like Slammer told you about.
Don't forget that you don't have to use the presets, you can start from scratch and make absolutely any sound you want and program/save them into the amp, it will take some minutes, yes, but so what - we are having fun right? You can ofcause connect any Blues Effects pedal or what ever, to the amp if you dont like the sounds
Another nice thing about this amp, and the reason why i choose it: Its absolutely "humm" free and if you connect it directly into say a recording setup, you will actually get the eksact same sound into your recorder. And for tube amps ... well how would I know ... they still make tubes? lol

Posted by: Robin Oct 18 2007, 03:52 AM

I also have a Spider, I think its HORRIBLE. I will try my best to sell it(Not to anyone on GMC of course ). My advice to everyone NEVER buy a Spider.

Btw I only have a Spider II. I'm not sure of the difference beetween I, II and III. All I know is that Spider II sounds like #)(¤/")#/)"#/%)/"#%)/("#()%/")=#/%=!#/%

Posted by: jeff Oct 18 2007, 04:08 AM

I have to agree. I have the Spider II and I must say that it is a good coffee table or boat anchor. On the other hand, I have the Line 6 AX212 and it sounds much better. Although the clean sounds just don't cut it on either amp for me. I'll be putting them both on ebay pretty soon and looking to get a tube amp. The best thing that Line6 has made IMO is the PODxt. That is awesome for recording.

Posted by: Robin Oct 18 2007, 04:15 AM

Indeed. I have never heard anything negative about any Line6 products, other than the Spider amps.

Posted by: Twibeard Oct 18 2007, 06:01 AM

Seems that you hit the head on the nail here Slam.
Wel - I would never buy a Spider II either. It's not comparable as it is a different amp with different electronics. Definately wouldn't buy the 30W SpiderIII either.
To me the Spider III in versions: 75w, and 150W are "most Bang for the bucks". Yes it has many "bells and whistles" but when you have spend some days and nights getting to know the amp for real, you will find awesome and very loud sounds.

Posted by: bricktop Oct 22 2007, 03:20 AM

Ouch, well maybe I'll have to look at a Roland Cube 30x and compare it to the Spider III 75

Any Roland Cube owners...

Posted by: swingline Oct 22 2007, 03:30 AM

Hell I have tons of stuff people think are crap but I use it because I like it so I don't care. So basically your the one buying it so go with what you like.

Posted by: Legions Oct 22 2007, 03:39 AM

I have a Spider II 210 and I love it haha... I've been playing for about 3 1/2 years and I haven't had one problem with my line 6. I'm sure I will upgrade to a nice tube amp once I can afford it, but hey... if you're looking for something to easily record with and something to just have fun jamming with... it should be just fine.

Posted by: swingline Oct 22 2007, 03:42 AM

Lets just agree to disagree, lets just say you rather love them or you hate them.

Posted by: Twibeard Oct 22 2007, 05:37 PM

Nah bricktop ... The Spider III 75, 120 or 150 gives you lots and lots of really nice options, it's Solid State and it dose what is promised by Line6. Take a look at the review: http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/search.php?s=spider+iii&w=reviews