Line 6 Spider Valve Head

[Hellbilly1969]

Has anyone on this forum had any working knowledge with the Line 6 Spider Valve Head.  I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about it and I’ve heard some negative stuff, mainly due to the fact it’s not a dedicated tube head and “it’s a jack of all trades/master of none.

However on paper I can’t help but be impressed at the versatility of this amp, or should I just gent an XT or X3 and download the Metal Pack?

I play a cross of Heavy/Black/Death/Gothic Metal and Space Rock in another band.  I use my lovely Mk I 5150 and Mode 4 cab, live and in rehearsals, but can’t get the bugger in my studio, however my friend is selling 100W, 1x12, which will fit in my studio, so the Line 6, will fit perfectly.

[MrBump]

Not at all sure what they are like, but would be very interested to year what people think.  Like you say, on paper it looks fantastic.

[noodleplugerine]

I've never played it, but I know Hunter hated it.

Or was it Twinfan - I forget.

[Dakine]

sounds, not bad
build quality RUN AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I played a few and those really are my impressions. Built to price. Sound decent enough but summit had to give y'know.

[hunter]

I've never played it, but I know Hunter hated it.

Or was it Twinfan - I forget.

I didn't hate it.

Didn't love it either.

But hey it was the 1x12 combo and just gave it a 15 min rundown, cannot tell really. Different tubes and transformers than the head, ain't it?
Might be the 100W head is killer, who knows?

[HTH AMPS]

I've never played it, but I know Hunter hated it.

Or was it Twinfan - I forget.

I think we can safely assume Dave hated it - he's a vintage Marshall kinda guy, can't see it being up his street.

[indysmith]

it sounds like poo. tbh. Sounds like all other line6 gear. throughly underwhelming and painfully hollow and bassy

[dave_mc]

the one i tried was alright. not awful, but not great either. i thought the lower gain channels sounded reasonably "tubey", but it got high gain too quickly (too many of the models aimed at high gain, in other words), and the high gain sounds were very solid state/harsh/digital-sounding. I wouldn't get it for high gain stuff, in other words. :) this was at low volumes, to be fair, and i don't think i tried the presets.

[Twinfan]

I've never played it, but I know Hunter hated it.

Or was it Twinfan - I forget.

I think we can safely assume Dave hated it - he's a vintage Marshall kinda guy, can't see it being up his street.

Too right HTH!  I've never played one, and I have no desire to  ;)

[HTH AMPS]

I've never played it, but I know Hunter hated it.

Or was it Twinfan - I forget.

I think we can safely assume Dave hated it - he's a vintage Marshall kinda guy, can't see it being up his street.

Too right HTH!  I've never played one, and I have no desire to  ;)

how you doing with that new 4x12?

[Twinfan]

I'll tell you properly after my gig tomorrow, but so far I'm dead impressed.  Big solid tone  :D

[JDC]

I've tried one, I'm no expert, but it sounded decent for a high gain metal sound, but, it was lacking in the "ooooo" factor I've got from trying proper tube amps

but that could just be how I felt on the day, maybe if I'd A/B tested it with a real tube metal amp I'd have better idea, basically my opinion is useless :P

[PoshCollins]

Actually to be honest with you it was rather cr@p. Get a proper Valve amp but I think the line 6 is the step below a proper valve amp.