gene
1086 posts
Sep 12, 2012
12:49 AM
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Has anybody tried one of the higher-powered modeling amps, such as Line 6 Spider or Peavey Vypyr in the 75w to 120w range? How do you like it?
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Stevelegh
578 posts
Sep 12, 2012
1:43 AM
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Yes, I have a Line 6 Spider IV 75.
If you're a complete tone hound and demand a perfect valve sound, you're not going to get it from a modelling amp. Close, but not quite.
What you are going to get is a bunch of cool amp tones and effects which are updated from Line 6 quite regularly and volume enough to play a reasonable sized gig for not a lot of money. Another upshot with modelling amps, you can also turn it right down for home use and still have some great sounds.
My personal opinion: If you know you want a valve amp, you're probably at that stage where the organic sound that valves provide at volume can't be substituted.
If you're a mere mortal like most people on here, I'd say a modelling amp is the way to go. They're cheap and far more useable than even a small valve amp.
Another thought: A lot of great players on here use Line 6 Pods. That's another way to go and plug straight into the P.A.
Last Edited by on Sep 12, 2012 1:51 AM
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gene
1087 posts
Sep 12, 2012
2:53 AM
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Sounds like what I want! I just play for myself, but I have a habit of buying stuff I don't need. I've listened to demos/comparisons on YouTube, and one of these days I'll get me a Peavey Vypyr 100.
I was pleased with your response in general, but the one thing that pleased me the most is that you said it still sounds good at low volume, if I read you right. Right now, all I need is low volume, but someday...who knows.
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rogonzab
110 posts
Sep 12, 2012
4:05 AM
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I own a MiniVox3. It sounds unbelievable! great tone! If you only play for yourself I would recomend that amp. 75w is a lot to play at home.
Now, if you want the power go for it!
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Stevelegh
579 posts
Sep 12, 2012
6:33 AM
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@gene:
'but the one thing that pleased me the most is that you said it still sounds good at low volume'
You did read me right, but I will add that you'll be enjoying 'nice' tone at low volume. Obviously, there are physical things that happen to valves and speakers when you turn a valve amp up and for my use at home, I can't even get my 5 watt Fender Champion 600 up to an overdriven level without falling foul of the wife. You could get a valve set up and add an attenuator (a little bit like a lighting dimmer switch for your amp), but you're talking $100's and then $100's more for an amp.
I don't know what the US price for the Line 6 Spider IV 75 is, but you're probably taking $300 ish? For what you get it's a bargain and you've still got it for home use if you decide to upgrade in time.
Glad to have been helpful.
Cheers
Steve
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eharp
1971 posts
Sep 12, 2012
7:54 AM
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You might want to try a digit each pedal.
Richard hunter has samples on his website.
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HawkeyeKane
1172 posts
Sep 12, 2012
8:43 AM
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I've always been pretty happy with my Vypyr 15. Even more so since upgrading the speaker, and then later chopping it into a head cab. Now I can either use the 12" 50W speaker I used in the original upgrade, or a 15" 30W bass cabinet, both of which give me far better low end frequency. See all three items here:
But I've had my eye on the high wattage Vypyrs too. Especially the tube driven ones. Not only for the higher level of versatility and power behind them, but also because they're footswitch accessible. If I went for one, it'd prolly be the Vypyr Tube 60. The Tube 120 would be nice too, but 120W kinda feels like overkill for most applications I'd be using it for.
SIDENOTE: Has anyone given the new Nano-Vypyr a whirl yet? It looks awesome, and some may consider this next statement blasphemous, but I do believe with the personal experience with a Vypyr 15, I'd bet the Roland Micro Cube has met its match in it. Especially with the additional microphone input for vocals.
Nano Vypyr
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Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by on Sep 12, 2012 9:18 AM
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Gig74
125 posts
Sep 12, 2012
10:18 AM
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I also have a Vox mini3 and although initially the choice of models left me a little confused as I spent more time playing with the amp than playing harmonica, but I've grown to really like it and it's now the amp I play most out of my small collection (vox mini3, pignose 7-100 and an epiphone valve jnr)
I only use a couple of settings for everyday playing (mostly the tweed 4x10 model with a little analog delay) but then have the option to try some different stuff when the mood and time occurs.
@ rogonzab what settings do you use mostly?
cheers
Greg.
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Living the dream and learning the blues one little trouble at a time.
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gene
1089 posts
Sep 12, 2012
10:56 AM
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I'm surprised that a bunch of folks haven't jumped in to pooh-pooh modeling amps in general, saying that they just ain't "the real thing."
Anyway, I'd get a solid state because they cost about half as much. I assume I could plug a tube preamp into it like any other amp, right? I have an Art Tube Amp Studio preamp.
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timeistight
838 posts
Sep 12, 2012
11:16 AM
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They ain't the real thing. Feel better now?
If I was going to explore modeling, I'd get a pedal or table-top unit without a built in amp and run it through headphones or my stereo at home and a PA or keyboard type amp when out. Seems like a much more flexible solution.
Richard Hunter sells specially created harmonica patches for the Digitech pedals which seems to be highly regarded.
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HawkeyeKane
1174 posts
Sep 12, 2012
12:10 PM
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@timeistight
So would you also dismiss the Micro Cube as not being "the real thing"? Because if I had a nickel for every time I've read accolades for it on this forum, I could buy three of them.
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Hawkeye Kane
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Stevelegh
580 posts
Sep 12, 2012
12:55 PM
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To quote timeistight, they're not the real thing, but I'm getting a vibe that you know exactly what makes for good tone.
A crappy or pissed off sound engineer can make the best amped tone sound horrible to the front of house, but going down the modelling route you have the opportunity to get a nice sound for little money. On the upshot, if you get great tone, you're on a winner!
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Rick Davis
661 posts
Sep 12, 2012
1:22 PM
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The original Roland Cube 30 is one of my favorite solid state amps. Very nice harp tone.
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-Rick Davis
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timeistight
839 posts
Sep 12, 2012
1:19 PM
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@HawkeyeKane: gene was looking for someone to say that, so I did.
Any amp is "the real thing" for some purpose. No amp is perfect at everything.
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gene
1090 posts
Sep 12, 2012
1:25 PM
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Yeah, I know it ain't the real thing, but to my ear, it's close enough (from what I can tell from YouTube & the commentary). And I suspect that audiences would never know the difference. Couple that with the very wide variety of choices of tones - and effects- with just one amp, I'd say that's a LOT of bang for the buck!
I already had my mind pretty much made up before I started this thread, but I did need some confirmation from people I trust that these amps are not just crap, even if they're not as good as spending thou$and$. I'm pleased with the responses I got!
Thanks.
Last Edited by on Sep 12, 2012 1:29 PM
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Libertad
118 posts
Sep 12, 2012
2:12 PM
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I would love to hear more on the Mini Vox 3, I have recently modded a VHT, but it still needs a fair bit of volume to get that overdrive sound. It would be great to have a similar sound at lower volumes for practicing.
How does it compare to the Roland?
Last Edited by on Sep 12, 2012 2:13 PM
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SuperBee
576 posts
Sep 12, 2012
2:26 PM
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My mate had a vyper 60. He was always complaining about it. He reckoned it had some intermittent issues which he could only fix by shutting it down and restarting it. But he is a guitarist so you know, he has issues too
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HawkeyeKane
1178 posts
Sep 12, 2012
2:50 PM
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@SuperBee
Those would have to be some processor issues which I've never had with my Vypyr at least. Basically he was doing the equivalent of rebooting a computer when it freezes. He probably could've solved it by reverting back to hs preset settings rather than switching it on and off.
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Hawkeye Kane
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rogonzab
112 posts
Sep 12, 2012
3:26 PM
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@ Gig74, My main settings is this:
Ac15, Gain 5/10, Tone 3/10, a lot of compresor (but not all), Tape Echo, whith a short repeat (I tap the tempo for this)
I plug in my mp3, press play on a few baking tracks and I am happy for a few minutes!
I also like the 4x10 amp, but is to clean for my taste.
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Gig74
126 posts
Sep 13, 2012
6:22 AM
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@ rogonzab cheers I gave those settings a wee shot last night sounded pretty good, a little bit darker sounding than what I was using, but you know I might be a convert :o)
cheers
Greg.
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Living the dream and learning the blues one little trouble at a time.
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