Line 6 Or Fender

[BS123]

Hi all,

Since replacing a microphonic tube this past week, I have realized that I need another amplifier to share duties with my Peavey Classic 50/212. I am looking at either a Line 6 Flextone III Plus or a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. Which one and why?

[nuntius]

It would depend on how many sounds you want.

I have a flex 2 and despite all the models it has, i only use about 6 of them.

The flex 3 sounds a ot better than the 2, but i havent played it loud (my 2 has a problem on high gain and loud volume, it loses definition)

I havent played a hot rod so i duno bout that

[aleclee]

IMO, the question comes down to whether you want an amp that is a true backup or more of a compliment to the C50. The L6 will definitely expand your sonic territory more than the HRD.

Personally, I'm now a tube bigot who got tired of chasing gremlins in my L6 AX2. My Rivera and Soldano might not be as versatile but they're versatile enough for me. Like nuntius points out, even with scads of tones available, the typical person will only use a very small subset of 'em.

[MikeS]

I guess I would ask what you're planning on using it for, Butch. Those Line6s are nice, but unless you are really looking to explore the tone horizons, I might stick with the Fender.

FWIW, my fellow guitarist/friend/bandmate has a Line6 that sounds great on its own, but pales in comparison to the other amps we've got in his mini-studio. Sounded thin and out of place in the mix with the other guitar (recorded from my Marshall). Apples to oranges, I know, but just a thought.

[Benjy_26]

I'd go with the Fender HRD. After chaning out the speaker and getting some better tubes, it's a killer amp.

[BS123]

Good thoughts so far. I basically like 3 tones; clean, a little dirty and edgy, and warmly distorted. I can color those tones up with all the delay, reverb, chorus, and whatever. I sat down with a Flextone III Pus the other day and with the FBV Shortboard, I was able to generate sounds that were really very nice. I tried a Vox AC 30 TB with a Marshall 4x12 cabinet and it sounded very cool. Also, I found that I can go straight from the amp to the PA because of the XLR outputs on the back. Miking the spaeker is a nonissue.

[Scott_F]

Butch, quit screwing around and get a nice used tweed bassman 4x10. With that tele of yours, you'll lose the peavey PDQ.

[BS123]

Butch, quit screwing around and get a nice used tweed bassman 4x10. With that tele of yours, you'll lose the peavey PDQ.

That's a thought Scott, but believe it or not, the Variax is still the best sounding guitar I own...

[texasguitarslinger]

I'd go with the Fender HRD. After changing out the speaker and getting some better tubes, it's a killer amp.

+1

[mjsever]

If you already have a "vintage-style" tube amp (not high-gain), it might be nice to have the variety of the Line 6. When I had one (an AX2), I only used a few settings on it, but those settings sure did sound good. The new Line 6's blow my original AX2 away. A friend of mine sold all of his amps (Fenders, Buddas, Randalls) and now only plays Line 6 amps. That Vox setting does sound nice.

Also, I'm just not a big Hot Rod fan...

[BS123]

That Vox setting does sound nice.

You got that right...

[nuntius]

Just noticed you're looking at the plus.

well imo, you should shell out the extra for the XL.

i tried a tele through the plus the other day and it sounded thin..

a 1x12 open backed digital amp isnt the beefiest of things but the 2x12 version makes up for it

[BS123]

a 1x12 open backed digital amp isnt the beefiest of things but the 2x12 version makes up for it

Interesting...

[Hellion]

The 112 models of Line 6 are a bit thin sounding and require a lot of bass, but they are a very versatile unit.

[Gearjoneser]

My opinion is that single coil pickups sound sound sterile through modeling amps. You've already got the Variax, so I'd stick with tube amps, and move upward.
Not to knock Line 6 stuff, because they do serve a good purpose, but Brad Paisley struts out onstage in front of stereo Dr. Z's, not Flextones. Sell off some dead stuff and splurge on a nice Dr. Z, Blues Pearl, Victoria, or Fender. I've A/B'd those type of amps next to modeling amps, and the outcome would make you laugh. It's like a Mercedes next to a Hyundai.

[BS123]

My opinion is that single coil pickups sound sound sterile through modeling amps. You've already got the Variax, so I'd stick with tube amps, and move upward.
Not to knock Line 6 stuff, because they do serve a good purpose, but Brad Paisley struts out onstage in front of stereo Dr. Z's, not Flextones. Sell off some dead stuff and splurge on a nice Dr. Z, Blues Pearl, Victoria, or Fender. I've A/B'd those type of amps next to modeling amps, and the outcome would make you laugh. It's like a Mercedes next to a Hyundai.

You have a very good point Gearjonser - a very good point... I have the "Plus" model here at home right now. It does sound good on the clean stuff (especially the AC-30 settings); but it's hard to get it to "Keep" its settings. That seems to be a pain. The reason I am thinking about a Fender Hot Rod amp is because I have about $1000 to spend. I have the Peavey and it's a fine amp. I use basically 3 tones - Clean, gritty, and distorted. The Hot Rods can deliver them. Also, I use a Boss ME-33 for my effects. The Flextones DO NOT like them. I think it's because I have two preamps working at the same time.

[sweet_lou]

this is better than both of them

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MESE:IT

[InstituteOfNoise]

Gearjonser... I guess that's my que! I've heard almost every concievable boutique amp and if the player doesn't know how to dial it in for the gig, session, whatever, it's gonna sound like crap. I've heard guys playing a Peavey 30 right next to Soldano's, Vox's, Budda's, Tophats and it sounded great. And I can't stand Peaveys. Same goes for Line 6, which I happily endorse. Dialed in right, I believe it's more like a Mercedes and a Lexus, than a Hyundai.

Many times I hear guys can't get heard in the mix. Well maybe the EQ is never set right for the guitar they are using. Happens all the time! I have no problems cutting through with my Vetta HD II and a Genz Benz GFlex 212 cab. Never! Even running my PODxt in 2 Atomics in stereo... no issues.

I've got a buddy whose coming in to start his album and he plays through an AC30 and a Tone King Comet 40 (killer amp!). He asked me to keep my POD and Vetta HD on hand because he just can't get everything he needs out those. I've already handed out my patch libraries to some heavyweight engineers and producers to use for their Line 6 gear. I and I both bet you'd be hard pressed to decipher on their albums what's modelled and what's not.

Bottom line, I love great sounding amps, no matter what the are. Live I've said before, I'd prefer a bigger palette to paint from. Since you are in North Hollywood, I welcome you anytime (when it's not booked of course) over to my recording studio (in NoHo) to A/B against the Vetta just for the heck of it. Shoot me an email.

[Gearjoneser]

Butch, http://drzamps.com/ You've probably checked it out before, but check out their update.

[mjsever]

Since you are in North Hollywood, I welcome you anytime (when it's not booked of course) over to my recording studio (in NoHo) to A/B against the Vetta just for the heck of it. Shoot me an email.

Heckofa nice guy. I wouldn't pass this offer up! On my last project, I insisted on using my amp for the recording. The engineer kindly set up the mic, checked it in the mix, then said "let's split the signal, just in case". Next week, after a rough mix when he put my dry signal through the models and compared it to my amp, I laughed and didn't bring my amp in again. The modeled sounds were that much better. He said that every guitarist who comes in there insists on bringing their amp, then gives up after they hear how great the modeled sounds are.