Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: hunter on October 12, 2007, 05:49:49 AM

Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: hunter on October 12, 2007, 05:49:49 AM
Was in London for a business trip yesterday, so I went next to Denmark street Sohosoundhouse, where they have the Line6/Bogner 1x12 Combo on display.

Played it with a Les Paul from the shop. The amp is fun, does not have  that "special something" like my Bogner Shiva, but sounds very good. Nice different flavours of clean, breakup, crunch, all-out guitar sounds, with decent reverb and some more other FX. It was a bit harsh in places, so I had to dial the settings a bit here and there. My preferred sounds were
-the hotter of the two Twang settings and
-the hotter of the Crunch settings ... erhm
-yes I also liked "insane".

Oh and the Tolex of the Combo is almost of the same kind  as the Shiva, very noice .

I preferred the sound when the Master is up and Ch Volume down, as the power amp seemed to respond a bit more "tubey" - but be careful, when you switch modes it can be very loud as the Ch-Vol is then reset to the mode preset. I'm sure there could be a way to figure it out if  you have more time with the amp.

I should have A/B'ed it with a Transistor Spider, to get a feel for the actual difference. The shop assistant told me though that it was a huge step up tone wise.
 
If I didn't already own all the amps I own, I'd have one right away.
I think this is one of the best choices of new amps in that price range, if you want the versatility and the integrated FX.

By the way, as I went out of the shop (I was a bit in a hurry), I heard the shop assistant continue to play it, turn it up and get all crazy with it, really seems he'd like the amp a lot.
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: Twinfan on October 12, 2007, 08:38:32 AM
Interesting stuff Hunter, but I don't think it's the type of amp I'd enjoy.

How much was it?
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: sgmypod on October 12, 2007, 09:49:14 AM
what about compared to the vox valvetronix?
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: hunter on October 12, 2007, 11:25:36 AM
Trust me, it's fun. I would be interested to hear it in band context, if it's punchy and dynamic enough to blend in and cut through.

Compared to Valvetronix, it's a different league, you do feel and hear a significant difference with the tube power amp.

It's 700 EUR for the 1x12" 40W combo.
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: sgmypod on October 12, 2007, 11:27:21 AM
cool....but a bit pricey for that price would prob get a valve amp..or a good valve amp S/H....though am always interested to see what Line6 do...have have a few things by them some better than others
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: hunter on October 12, 2007, 11:35:51 AM
well you could try a Pod through a ValveKing, might be similar :o)
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: sgmypod on October 12, 2007, 11:43:32 AM
Nah sold my xt....got a tonelab now...use it either through a power amp or the pedal part for dist  etc for main amp
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: Stevepage on October 12, 2007, 12:09:09 PM
I tried the spidervalve out this morning. Only got to use a Yamaha Pacifica with it, but I was quite impressed with it. If I had the money I would of walked out with one and used it for home practice and band practices. Sounded much more 'alive' than the regular line 6 stuff.
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: dave_mc on October 12, 2007, 01:44:40 PM
interesting... I've heard mixed things about them, I want to try one for myself!

thanks for the review, hunter. :)
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: Transcend on October 12, 2007, 01:47:43 PM
im looking to try one of these too

but none of the stores up here stock stuff like that... just your typical marshall & hiwatt stuff

maybe sound control have them...
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: indysmith on October 12, 2007, 01:48:52 PM
Quote from: hate_growth

maybe sound control have them...

yeah im gonna look for them at sound control on monday
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: Transcend on October 12, 2007, 02:12:27 PM
Quote from: indysmith
Quote from: hate_growth

maybe sound control have them...

yeah im gonna look for them at sound control on monday


if you find any let me know and ill go look, its too much of a pain for me to get to leeds nowadays
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: noodleplugerine on October 12, 2007, 02:15:00 PM
Quote from: indysmith
Quote from: hate_growth

maybe sound control have them...

yeah im gonna look for them at sound control on monday


One in London does.

Or that's what my friend said, and he tried it out there.
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: Transcend on October 12, 2007, 02:16:10 PM
Quote from: noodleplugerine
Quote from: indysmith
Quote from: hate_growth

maybe sound control have them...

yeah im gonna look for them at sound control on monday


One in London does.

Or that's what my friend said, and he tried it out there.


ill go take a look tomorrow
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: JDC on October 12, 2007, 04:40:15 PM
just had a quick look at the line6 site, metal orange and insane orange are based off dual rectifiers

so is it anywhere close to being a dual rectifier for 1/3 of the price?
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: Transcend on October 12, 2007, 04:52:13 PM
found some clips

http://www.soundclick.com/pro/view/01/default.cfm?bandid=80186&songid=5848557&content=song

http://www.soundclick.com/pro/view/01/default.cfm?bandid=80186&songid=5848914&content=song


well adam.m did......
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: apmaman on October 12, 2007, 05:17:21 PM
They are in sound control. There are several in my local which I shall be trying out.
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: Crazy_Joe on October 12, 2007, 10:28:29 PM
Machinehead in Hitchin have the 112 and 212 and Coda Music in Stevenage and Luton have the whole range.
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: JDC on October 14, 2007, 10:00:48 PM
I played the 212 today, I quite like it, I've never owned a tube amp, so I don't think I can really compare it too one

but I am tempted to get a spider valve instead of an engl fireball, never tried a fireball though, I really wish I could compare the 2 side by side
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: Crazy_Joe on October 14, 2007, 11:23:55 PM
Quote from: JDC
I played the 212 today, I quite like it, I've never owned a tube amp, so I don't think I can really compare it too one

but I am tempted to get a spider valve instead of an engl fireball, never tried a fireball though, I really wish I could compare the 2 side by side


Engl Fireballs are breathtaking!! When I played one and didn't want to part with it, so much power, i shall need to play the Spider Valve and see how it compares. :D
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: _tom_ on October 16, 2007, 12:19:13 PM
Someone on HC just posted this clip of the Spidervalve, sounds great to me http://www.eddegenaro.com/audio/spiva.mp3
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: sgmypod on October 16, 2007, 12:32:02 PM
would like to hear a less processed sound
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: indysmith on October 16, 2007, 12:34:57 PM
there wasn't one in the birmingham sound control :( maybe they're waiting for delivery or summit. I'll try again in a few days
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: apmaman on October 16, 2007, 01:05:40 PM
Quote from: _tom_
Someone on HC just posted this clip of the Spidervalve, sounds great to me http://www.eddegenaro.com/audio/spiva.mp3



It sounds great!! Now I dont have a clue what amp I want to get now :(
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: gingataff on October 16, 2007, 01:32:35 PM
Quote from: _tom_
Someone on HC just posted this clip of the Spidervalve, sounds great to me http://www.eddegenaro.com/audio/spiva.mp3

If that 'Someone' is THE Ed Degenaro it should sound good. He works for THD amps and does loads of demos for THD, MI Audio and others, and he's supposed to be a really top bloke with loads of great advice on tone..
OK, rant over I'm going to listen to the clip now :lol: (Those last clips didn't do it for me btw, my POD sounds a million times better)
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: indysmith on October 16, 2007, 01:45:51 PM
that clip tom linked us was a delicious morcel. still REALLY need to play a modelling amp in the flesh. The sounds easy to nail - the feel is a completely different ball game
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: _tom_ on October 16, 2007, 04:21:03 PM
Quote from: gingataff
Quote from: _tom_
Someone on HC just posted this clip of the Spidervalve, sounds great to me http://www.eddegenaro.com/audio/spiva.mp3

If that 'Someone' is THE Ed Degenaro it should sound good. He works for THD amps and does loads of demos for THD, MI Audio and others, and he's supposed to be a really top bloke with loads of great advice on tone..
OK, rant over I'm going to listen to the clip now :lol: (Those last clips didn't do it for me btw, my POD sounds a million times better)


Yep I'm pretty sure that it is the real Ed Degenaro :P He does always have awesome tone on any jams over there, so he could probably make anything sounds decent.
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: hunter on October 16, 2007, 05:56:05 PM
I think Eds clips are lacking some depth because HE'S NOT GOT THE RIGHT PICKUPS  :P  :P  :P  :P  :P  :P
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: Stevepage on October 16, 2007, 06:08:54 PM
that clip is a really good reperensentation of what the Spidervalve sounds like  :D
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: sgmypod on October 17, 2007, 03:46:59 PM
Just been and played one..didn't realise has valves in pre and power.....first one died after 2 mins...but second one sounded great....but then heard a Tiny terror.....think would take TT if you have effects and maybe the spider if you didn't(actually think i'd still maybe go for tt.
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: Will on October 17, 2007, 03:55:01 PM
Quote from: indysmith
that clip tom linked us was a delicious morcel. still REALLY need to play a modelling amp in the flesh. The sounds easy to nail - the feel is a completely different ball game


Didn't you use Alex's flexitone thing at any point?
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: indysmith on October 20, 2007, 07:11:46 PM
Quote from: Will
Quote from: indysmith
that clip tom linked us was a delicious morcel. still REALLY need to play a modelling amp in the flesh. The sounds easy to nail - the feel is a completely different ball game


Didn't you use Alex's flexitone thing at any point?

i tried it once and was nearly sick, lol.
I brought the JCM800 round. 8)
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: indysmith on October 20, 2007, 07:15:10 PM
Went out and tried the spider valve today. to be honest guys, I'm disappointed in you. Completely funking TERRIBLE amp. it was really really horrible,
nasty boomy low end,
fake, dull sound,
Hideously bad models,
Lack of variety,
Just PAINFULLY disappointing. Played a 60's strat through a Mesa Lonestar Special afterward, and that was a completely different story - i nearly creamed my pants. delicious amp. Actually made me physically dance. i never usually rock out in a music shop - (im actually very shy wen it comes to trying out gear, because i suck) - but THIS was amazing. i want one for my strat... It's the right thing to do.
Title: Played the Spider Valve yesterday
Post by: sgmypod on October 20, 2007, 08:28:02 PM
totally agree tried one again, still very sure I did the right thing buying a TT, a basic amp..but far more life compared to the spidervalve..even when the guy in the shop had both cranked(was early so no one in)