Line 6 Spider Valve, Anyone tried it? Options

[Shime]

Just wondering, has anyone tried the Spider Valve (combo 112, 212, or head + cabs)?

Does it really offer the best of both worlds (tubes + digital modelling)? Can it compete with a good tube amp for tube sound?

[Marc_Maiden]

well i dont know how much they are in belgium, but in the US they are on clearance marked down half price! for that price it will sound better than anything in that range even higher end stuff


i loved it when i played...very versatile, sounded great. you cant ever have the best of both worlds when it comes to guitars, but the modeling is great, and the tubes help a ton

[Shime]

It costs about 700 euros at Music Store in Germany (which is where many Belgians buy their gear, because it's cheaper). That's probably a very good price if it can do everything Line 6 says it can.

I am reading a lot of good reviews on the spider valve, also read a couple of bad ones. I'll be sure to try one out.

[MickeM]

I've read a review that said the tube sound was great but when only using the POD part, lined, it sounded awful.
I havn't played it myself.

[Ivan Milenkovic]

Just wondering, has anyone tried the Spider Valve (combo 112, 212, or head + cabs)?

Does it really offer the best of both worlds (tubes + digital modelling)? Can it compete with a good tube amp for tube sound?

I don't think it can compete with some good all tube amp, but it most likely better then solid state digital modeling amp.

[Marc_Maiden]

i agree with ivan and here is why



each tube amp whether it be mesa or marshal each have their own circuitry with different valves. that is what gives mesa the mesa tone, and marshal the marshal tone. so what modelers do is try to copy that, but since they dont have the exact circuitry or valves, they can get close, but still not close enough

[Bogdan Radovic]

I think this amp is for those who liked the modeling sound of Line6 amps and want something a little better (tube tone). But I'm pretty sure this can't compete with amps it emulates.

[Shime]

I have this '81 Fender 75 tube amp (combo 1x12) which I wouldn't sell for the world. It has a phenomenal tube sound for blues, surf and vintage rock. BUT as I'm more of a metal player I'm looking for an affordable amp with good plain metal sounds to play alongside the Fender in the future. That's why I was thinking of the Spider Valve.

What I do at the moment when playing metal is run a Pandora PX5D with US Hi-Gain amp + 4x12 cab model settings through the Fender 75 (from guitar to input - it doesn't work in the effects loop). Rather unorthodox don't you think? But the result is a massive, brutal and rich metal distortion with tons of sustain. Judging from the response, finding all that sound incorporated into one amp would probably cost a bit more than the Spider Valve...

[Marc_Maiden]

well dont get us wrong,


for right now, lets forget line 6 amps are modeling amps.

i never believe in modeling amps, when i look at an amp, i look to see if it sounds good, not if it sounds like another brand...if you want it to sound like a mesa, go buy a mesa.


but if you just find to like the versatility and sound of the valve, then get it! its a great amp for the price, you cant go wrong!