Line 6 POD2

This review has been waiting for 4 years since I bought it. It's easy to use, very basic once you get used to it and all of it's functions. The manual is humorous and informative.

I have a setup that no longer includes the pod, it's my backup now. I used the pod on cd demos and weekend gigs with my band for over 4 years. It's been a great unit for what I wanted. I never had a backup and it held up perfectly. I've always had an issue with the pod's sound, but considering it's size and ease of use, I just couldn't see replacing it until now. I recently decided to buy a new tube amp, and now I remember what a guitar should sound like. I'm not gonna get into the "tube amp versus pod" and how it doesn't sound like the amps that are sampled in it. Frankly, I don't care if it doesn't sound like the amps. I've never even heard most of the amps that are sampled to know if that's what they sound like anyway. All I know is they sound good for the money I spent on it, and I didn't feel like breaking my back loading in and out of clubs week after week. The effects are weak, I only used the compressor and a bit of delay which are the only 2 decent effects in it. The tone was always just average, nothing special, like it had no balls. In headphones it was awesome, but live and on demos the tone just wasn't strong and didn't cut through. It just doesn't compare to a good quality guitar and tube amp with a pedal or two inline or looped. If you care to know, the amp I got is a new Traynor Custom Valve 40 watt (YCV40). I reviewed it the other day, go check out the praises it's getting from other reviewers. IMO, best tube amp bang for the buck on the market. All of my guitars are high end Fenders.

Very reliable. Held up with no worries for 4 years. It's been dropped several times while gigging, gotten knocked over, stepped on, beer spilled on it, and any other abuse a band can offer to a piece of equipment that's traveled with it for that long.

Never had to use them, so I won't comment.

For a beginner to intermediate guitar player, it would be a great tool. I wish I'd had one 15+ years ago when I started, that's for sure. Since most new players tend to have small solid state amps and don't have a lot of cash to spend on gear, the pod can be bought on ebay cheap and it would be $ well spent. The pod didn't suit me anymore. I got tired of the weak sound, but enjoyed the ease of setting it up for use, so it's a toss up between what's most important.

This is one phenomenal unit. Just keep pushing buttons for tone after tone after tone! The pick up the manual, hook up to Line 6 on the internet and download even more. This is far easier that my Zoom 9003 and the tones are way more realistic.

I am using is with a variety of guitars (LP, Steinberger, Ibanez jazz and Telecaster Custom) plugged into a Roland Cube 30. There are very few sound that I would not find a use for. It goes from Satch sustain to Clapton's Beano to Waylon Jennings in the push of a button and the effects are excellent. My only niggle is that adjustment on things like tremolo is a bit convoluted.

Totally dependable and totally giggable with its metal body. My only complaint is that it adds weight to my luggage when I take it on the plane with Steinie.

No comment. Haven't needed to worry yet.

If it was stolen, yes I would replace it. It turns an old player like me into a good-sounding old player and has all the right tones.

I dont understand why people insist that this POD will only excell if used as a direct recording device and will sound bad if put through a guitar amp. Although I agree that the POD does sound great when recorded direct, I also have to say that it will make a guitar amp sound better since I haven't yet encountered a good practice amp that can create a better sound without the POD. I've owned a Peavy 112 pro , Marshall MG , Gaellen Krueger 250 ML, and a Roland cube 30 and neither of those amps were able to equal the quality of tones and distortion that the POD had.
My point is thatThe POD creates great tone and should not just be judged as an amp modeler or a direct recording device. It's intention is to do everything a guitar amp and effects pedal does but in a small compact package. I think a lot of people that are critical of the POD have a case of ANLYSIS PARALYSIS.... Take a step back and listen to how this thing makes your guitar sound and then compare it to any thing else and if you don't agree that the POD sounds great, then I suggest you yank your head out of your ass.
All these comparison to a high end marshall stack or a Mesa Boogie is rediculous. Although I agree that it will sound better I also realize that those amps cost 10 times as much as the pOD and they will only sound good when put through high volumes. Hope you gear heads like practicing at 100 plus watts cause thats the only way you can appreciate the tone of those amps. Otherwise the POD is the way to go for a more realistic practice.
I chose to give a 9 instead of 10 because the POD XT sounds better.

Went through trying the tube screamers the Fender stage amps the behringer modeling amps and compared it to the POD and none sounded as good. Took all those back and gained a higher appreciation of the POD's engineering.
Line 6's engineering is impressive enough to surpass the sound quality of many manufacturers for whom they modeled their sound after.
I'll give it a 9 since once again the XT sounds better.

if u read the manual, u can learn the ins and outs pretty well. U can also just stick with the presets, which are excellent, but u may want to do other cool things like mix and match speaker cabs and adjust the effects. Overall, it's not too hard to learn. READ THE MANUAL!!! It's pretty self explainatory.

Ok, let me explain something to all you out there who still have not grasped this fact: THIS IS A DIRECT RECORDING DEVICE!!!!! Yes, it was meant to plug into a direct recording situation or similar situations, such as going directly into a P.A system (which in my opinion is the only way to use the POD live without having to deal with speaker simulators and eq's). This was not meant to go into an amp. I know people use it this way and some say it sounds good like that, but I don't. I've used it through a P.A system; in a live situation and it sounded fine. A bit sterile, but still sounded very "pro". The POD shines as a direct recording device. I've plugged it into both mixing boards AND 4 track recorders, and it always sounded amazing. I don't remember the last time I recorded through an amp, I just use the POD now. Why not? It gives u a professionally tailored sound. I may bypass the effects on it and just use the amp settings with my own effects (the soldano setting with the effects bypassed and an EH polychorus is one of my favorites). To each his own? I like it for direct recording and dont care for it live.

It's solid state, so you'll be ok.

I think the POD is definitely one of the greatest inventions to come along for guitarists. It ranks up there with the locking tremolo system as an invention that has changed the way we play and approach music. This has definitely changed the way we record guitar tracks. I know SO many people who exclusively rely on the POD in the studio. I mean think about this: u can get a professionally tailored guitar sound sitting in your bedroom, recording into a 4 track!! U don't think that's monumental? It is.

Very simple twiddling of a few nobs great for getting started however also more demanding once on gets more advanced using the save function to create on models rather than the presets. Good solution to make entry into pod world easier whilst leaving those that wish to be able to create a wide range of effects and sounds.

Excellent highly impressed was not sure if it would fit togeather with my amp (Peavey Bandit 112) but is a dream all of the modles of cabs ond effects replicate close to studio quality you can get as close as you'll ever to sounding as the guys on the record without having to by a recording studio and the sound engineers.

Bit crap that you need an extra floorboard to use live but on whole should be reliable and with so many positives I gues one can forgive Line 6 for one negative point. Hardcase aluminium this thing should never brake plus has warranty so have to wait and see.

Not a clue hope I will never have to shouldn't

Very impressed has to be heared to be believed as every one says it is the industry standard quite simply put in a few words it inspires new ideas for riffs songs and improvisations.

I've had the POD 2.0 for a couple of months now and its beyond me how you can't get anything but great sounds with this invention. Its easy to use without ever seeing the manual, but it really comes to life after reading it. Editing patches couldn't be easier, the manual is a little redundant as all manuals are but it did crack me up.

Its a little noisy but the noise gate takes care of that, I've yet to run effects through any amp that didn't cause some noise. I have a Charvel CX 290 strat copy with a humbucker in the bridge and a Fender Lace Senser in the Neck position so it easily morphs between a strat, Les Paul, flying V, to a 335.

I primarily listen to it through my Sennheiser headphones but
when I connect it into my stereo it sounds better or into a Marshall combo better still, and in all cases the louder the better! It just doesn't quit. I also have a cheap little toy Marshall "half stack" and even that sounds good. Combine that with a speaker from my stereo and I have a real half stack, its eerie.

When you use the Sound Diver editor you have access to the distortion booster and EQ so it even sounds better still. You can adjust the distance of the mic from the speaker cab as well as the reverb tone, diffusion and density, for me cranking all three sounds the best. The effects are excellent.

For extra presence use the 2x12 Blackface Twin cab or the 4x10 Bassman cab, the cabs make all the tonal difference. If you like fuzztone, changing the cabs gives you different varieties of fuzztones, fuzztone with the compressor = total insanity! Fripp time! If you want brittle bright cleaness try the Line 6 Layer with the drive set before the 12 o'clock position. Preset 2B with your neck position humbucker for Scofield and Carlton tones, just back off on your guitar's volume and tone controls accordingly.

I like doing those Zack Wylde type pick/thumb harmonics and the POD can make you do this ad nauseum! Just use the Recifier, Marshall or, my personal fave, the Soldano X88 preamp with the distortion booster on or add some compression. Whoa!

I've only had it for two months but its still rippin'.

Haven't needed them yet, I like their site though, very usable.

I've been a guitarist for 40 years, I like rock, fusion, hard rock/classic rock, surf rock, bop jazz, ambient and classical.

If it were lost or stolen I'd buy one since this one was a gift, and what a gift!

I've noticed my calouses have thickened considerably becuase the POD is so addictive! This thing has so much soul and feeling, it summons more of the guitarist in you to come forth with teeth! I'm afraid in time I'll have huge fangs!

I've owned a Fender champ, Princton w/Mesa Boogie preamp, Peavey Musician half stack, Marshall JMP 50 watt half stack. It would be nice if you could access the wah wah without a pedal board at least for EQ purposes.

If you read the manual you will definetly improve the sound.Once you get use to editing its a cinch!Well the manual is written so any one can read it and UNDERSTAND IT.

I use a schecter omen 006 with a rogue gsr 100.(haha can you say crappy)The noise gate is a life saver although it does slightly cut into the tone.I dont use many effects but they all sound good to me.Well at first running this bad boy through my amp sounded like crap. I spent months trying to get it to sound good.I tried the effects loop that was crap than i tried the High input also sounded like crap. Now when i plugged into the low input it sounded great after a little tweaking.I have my high set at 6 high at 10 low set at 6 and prescene at 7 and it sounds amazing!!!!I usually use the 6D patch.

Havent had a problem im confident that it will be fine

Didnt deal with them.

I play hard rock, 80s metal.I have been playing about 3 years.If this were stolen i would definetly buy another one!I love everything about it the thing i hate is how expensive the floorboard is!When playing through this i am almost always feeling it.Buy this dont even look into the competitors!Please email me if the eq settings helped you!

Deep editing of sounds not straightforward at all.

Fendertype custom guitar, POD 2.0, computer with E-MU 1212M soundcard + Universal Audio DSP, Cubase.

Noisegate works fine. No amps used till now (after 3 months of use)

I like the reverb best - but most fx i do via software. POD sounds better than Nigel emulation software which comes with the UAD-Dsp card i own. But with a decent DI this might equal out - havent try that yet.

POD makes me more flexible mobile - yet for someone who wants good value for money and has DAW capabilities on his home PC i'd defintely opt for a UAD-card or TC Powercore DSP. You get a guitar modeller and some pro FX for slightly more money.

it is built like a tank - but i have not dropped it or used it live
occasional hickups when tweaking the knobs in quick succssion

All styles for 15 years (semipro - punk, metal, jazz, country-noir), custom guitar (Fender-type).

Stolen or lost - I would not bother buying a new one. I love the plug and play thing without annoying the neighbours.

I hate myself for admitting this was an impulsive buy unconditionally believing the hype. Line 6 sure is very visible on the marketing front.

I did not compare it to anything else on the modelling market- how stupid can you be ?

For playing at home I would probably go now for a Behringer V-amp 2 which offers basically the same thing for less money.

I am considering a VOX Tonelab but I will certainly A/B it before buying. (Probably out of laziness I will go for the Tonelab (SE) out of laziness anyway)

The only thing I'd like to thank Line6 for is giving me back pleasure in making music - simple. Which is probably worth the money and makes up for hours spend on it getting my sounds right.

It is fun to play music on it for sure.

One last thing: I can only get a decent sound after I process the POD via my UAD-1 DSP card on my computer. I can add something of that valve-feel to it yet it does not fool me anymore.

It should sound good on its own but it does not. Furthermore, it lacks finetuning abilities - the magic has gone -

sounds really good direct. better direct than in headphones or into an amp. favorites are black panel for rock and roll and modern high gain for killer leads. the rectifier model is cool to. the sounds dont clean up on your guitar just like a tube amp but the full out sounds are good.

Lots of amp models and effects. Could use a bit more flexiblity in the effect dept so a 9 but there is lots here to toy with. The eq knobs are somewhat questionable in useablity with some of the amp models for sure. but again, there is a lot here so a 9.

just fine for me. never even had a hiccup.

I think line 6 support is average. They are responsive but have seemed harried/rushed when I have spoken with them and dont seem particularly knowledgeable about their product, rather more like junior phone folks.

Been playing 20yrs. lots of gear. I think I would get a podxt at some point or another if the pod2 went away. I dont need it that much, only when I have to go direct to the board or to record, so not too urgent. I've heard the podxt and I think that sounds better. Havent heard the vox tonelab thing but thats of some interest to me too.

Read the manual!!!! There's a lot more here than meets the eye. Once you get the hang of it it's pretty easy to get the sounds you want out of it with relatively little headache

The amp models are pretty close and are great for home recording or practicing without making an enemy out of everyone in the neighborhood. I've owned or played most of the amps modeled here and it's pretty close to the real thing. Don't get me wrong, I would NEVER play the POD instead of my favorite amp, but to be honest it's not designed for that kind of thing anyway. It's a practice and recording tool plain and simple. I don't usually use many effects, but when I have they've been good. I play mostly bluesy/alt/rock stuff a la The Black Keys, and my main setup is a 97 Fender Lone Star Strat into a 1 12" Mesa Boogie Maverick and sometimes if I need a little extra ommph I'll run a 70's marshall 4x12" with the maverick. The POD can't touch this sound, but like I said it's not supposed to. I've had the POD for about 1 1/2 years and I have to say what it does it does great, and it's well worth the money.

It's been a home studio/practice tool for me so it hasn't been subject to any kind of punishment, but it's held up great. I've had no problems with it

never delt with Line 6 but I've heard some bad stories about them

I've been playing for 12 years and have been playing and recording my own music for the last 10. This little box is great for getting ideas down in a hurry and for those times when you want to play without pissing off everyone within a 5 block radius. If it were stolen, I'd go out and get the new POD XT. I wouldn't recomend it for anyone looking for a cheap way to get good live tone. This box won't give you that, and honestly there is no cheap way to get the tone of a great amp, but if you're looking to expand your studio or you're tired of people complaining every time you pick up your guitar the POD might just be what you're looking for.