Line 6 Flextone II HD

this amp does everything you want it to and probably more stuff than you would even really care to use. Thats true honesty on my part there are so many dimensions that this amp covers that you just really wont need everything and thats not a bad thing either because you have way more options for your style or styles of music your really about playing. I do wish it had a head phone jack like alot of the newer line 6 stuff so i could practice more with out lugging my cab around. cant totally complain though atleast its STEREO, guys remember that! hook it up in stereo that is how you get more power out of it and the effects sound way better along with everything else. If people are having problems with goofy things like trying to get it louder download the manual for it off line 6 web site i had problems that i coudl not figure out but i found the manual for it on the site and it took care of everything.

all the tones are great on this for all styles of music whatever it is your wanting to play it does it and well. ONE THING THOUGH! i realize now why alot of solid state heads are using preamp tubes this amp is really good and brutal and clear especially and it sounds fat etc etc but there is one thing that tube gives and that is this over the top fat sound you get from a maxed out gain that just makes the notes roll and sound fatter its hard to explain but i was getting that sound from my peavey ultra and my crate blue voodoo which are all high gain tube heads but this doesnt have it. its like really clear and clean and tight which is good i suppose. anyways some of you may know what im talking either way this amp is still worth the money and just because it doesnt offer that total over the top gain that is so full of saturation that i like doesnt mean that is what other hardcore or metal guys like. i admit though i do need to mess with it some more i spent a good few hours with it and had the manual with me its rather simple once you get going with it and the manual is there the compressor is really cool to as one of the effects.

no problems yet the warranty thing seems shady to me though from the company i dont like that but if i take care of it im sure it will be alright.

currently i own a peavey ultra high gain all tube head and fender stage master 4x12 with celestion GT-75's this cab is HUGE and DEEP holds low great i own a ton of boss effects and i have a fender champ red knob combo for practice and i own a ltd 7 string danelectro 6 string and a kramer 6 string

daaaaamn, I love it. It has a ton of built in effects, which are good for some, but I just use my POD XT live through the effects loop. I play uber-shred and virtuoso, hoping to have a CD out soon, and this amp is perfect, I record on it, I play live on it, everything.

I'm using (3) 7 strings, an Ibanez RG 1527 w/ dimarzio blazes, an Ibanez UV77bk w/ dimarzio blaze, and a jackson w/ EMG 707's. I have to say, it sounds great with all. There is no extra noise, I sold my alesis comperssor. Every tone is compact and clean, amazing. The clean channel is clean at all volumes, and runs perfectly with my effects board.

I'm running it with a Line 6 4x12 cab.

I use it, for everything, and it's sturdy.

line 6 rocks! this is self explanatory.

BUY IT

Tons of amp styles, effects, cab simulations, and other goodies you don't expect from an amp in this range. If you know how to tweak this, you can get exactly the sound you're looking for (to the tube afficionados, I've played using many quality tube amps and can simulate the same sound with no problem. Of course there are going to be subtle differences, but unless you're playing solely for yourself, no one is going to notice). My only qualm is that you can't bank unless you have the floorboard footswitch, which is just a bit under what I actually paid for this head ($300, at... get this... Sam Ash. You're lucky to find a deal on eBay that sweet!!!).

As noted above, if you know how to tweak this, you can get any sound you want. Straight from the manufacturer, the sound is quite harsh, as this amp is geared more toward heavy players. After about three hours I got my 4 channels sounding exactly how I wanted them. This thing gets loud without breaking up (playing through a 120 watt max amp) and it retains the tone at low volumes - something that tube amps have a lot of trouble doing.

This is Line 6's downfall. I've been playing music for around 3 years with a guitarist that has this head, and I have seen it have its share of problems. Input jack popping out (which I've seen with a lot of Line 6s), having to cycle power because it literally freezes up (I assume some sort of firmware update would fix this), and the most notable being that the heatsinks get extremely hot after about 20 minutes. Doesn't seem to cause a problem, but is a bit worrysome for me (then again, I'm a computer tech so I think in terms of what heat can do to computer components). I plan on alleviating this by installing 2 fans on each heatsink. Just hoping now that I didn't get a lemon.

Overall a great head at (for me) a great price. A little sketchy if it's a lemon, but still a good value.

Just wanted to point something out. I recently did a review for the Flextone 212 combo, and overall I wouldn't reccommend it for anything more than a practice amp. BUT - I saw a great local band recently and always liked the tone I was hearing on their demo cd...lo and behold, it was a Flextone II HD!!! This thing blows away the combo in every respect. If I hadn't just bought a new head (Carvin X100B, which is inredible) I would probably have looked into this one some more. I had been playing digital for years and simply wanted the "real" versatility of a good tube amp, ie the Carvin. From the very little time I had to play around with this amp, let me tell you - the thing is flat out brutal, and it doesn't sound "harsh" or "fake" like some other Line 6 products. THIS is Line 6's ace in the hole, a marvelous amp well worth the money that I will surely spend on one in the future (I'm not a "Tube Guy" or a "Digital Guy", if I like what I hear than my fingers can surely do the rest!)
I cannot rate this as I do not own one, but the features are similar to my combo only 100 times better, so if I were to theoretically rate it it would get a 10++++++ - AMAZING AMP!!!!!!!

Bought it used, made in 2001 i think. Lots of features all the amp "models", quad outputs etc...

I play with an SG standard and it's a few years old so the pickups are pretty warm. However the noise gate built into the thing is a fucking killer. I can't figure out how to shut the f*ing thing off and it causes the pickups to squeal unless i hit the toggle switch. This can be avoided by turning down guitar volume (which decreases distortion)or turning down tone ( which sucks,enough said ) However it made our band's other guitarists' Marshall solid-state modeller thing sound like a joke. The distortion was excellent considering that it was modelled and i actually used it to record over a JCM900 because i couldn't get a satisfactory dirty sound, however the clean tone was a source of constant disappointment.

I gigged with this amp for almost 3 years. I never had a problem with my sound, and even got some compliments (seldomly) but following a band who used tube amps, our sound lacked that rumble your chest quality that the big boys had. The amp itself never broke on me, but the FB4 footswitch's buttons were constantly fucking up. The problem was easy to fix by hand with a screwdriver and some skinny little fingers( the latter of which i wasn't graced with)

N/A

I've been playing for about 7 years, but i've been in gigging bands for about5. I replaced this amp with a JCM2000 DSL100. I sold it. It treated me very well while i owned it, and was leagues ahead of my prior head. I just grew out of it. I HATE THE DAMNED NOISE GATE!
Metal heads are not tone gurus. You gotta have some mids in there.

I bought the amp in early 2002, guess it was made in 2001.
It features 32 amps modelled, 16 speaker cabinets and a few effects.
With the Line 6 floorboard - or any other midi controller - you can store and use 36 differnet sounds (including amp, effect and cabinet settings) which is enough I would say.
Some other nice features like direct recording output or the possibility to connect up to 4 (!) speaker cabinets. You can even use this amp without having it connected to any cabinet, which you should never try with most other amps, including any tube amp.
All in all this amp is very versatile and can be used for any kind of music.
I use it for very heavy modern thrash-style metal, for grungy rock, some bluesy stuff every now and then and some almost pop-like soft-rock. It's perfect for all of this. You can get lots of different clean sounds of of this amp, slightly distorted or crunchy sounds and some real heavy sounds too.
I've used this amp for just playing around at night, for pretty loud rehearsals, for recording and for some mid-sized gigs and it always had enough power (200W) and the right sounds.
The effects are okay, too. I think the effects included in this amp are those that are most commonly used, like chorus, delay, flanger, compressor, tremolo and wah-wah (only available if you got the Line 6 floor board sold separately ...). They all sound quite good. Still if you want some really exotic sounds or so, a good phaser, a pitch-shifter, etc., you got to get you some additional effect pedals oder some multi-effect unit.

I've used this amp with a few different guitars: a Gibson SG and an Ibanez 7-String for the heavier stuff, an Ibanez Ergodyne and an Epiphone Special II for the softer stuff, along with 2 Marshall 4x12 cabinets and, alternatively, one Engl 4x12 cabinet. I have never tried a Line 6 cabinet so I can't tell if that sounds good or bad.
With all of these guitars - even the bad-sounding cheap Epipihone - I've managed to get some nice sounds. Atually even mostly great sounds!
High-gain sounds from 80's heavy metal to modern (nu-)metal/hardcore can be achieved with this amp. You can get more distortion than you'll ever need. One of my bandmates even admits that he likes the sound of my amp as much as that of his Dual Rectifier, which I totally agree with.
Some excellent retro-rock, 90's grunge rock and modern alternative rock sounds are available too.
Moreover you can get some nice and warm clean sounds and good jazz and blues sounds.
All these different things sound great if you take your time to adjust a few parameters.
I have never had any problems with noise since the integrated noise gate works great. There aren't many settings you can change for the gate but it just works fine.
The effects are great, too. I'm using the choruses and the delay a lot and really love their sound. Of course I've also tried the other effects and they sound good, too.

I have met lots of people saying amps like this one are crap, don't sound good, etc. because they're just into tube amps and wouldn't admit that this thing really manages to get you some excellent sounds. I bet if they would close their eyes and just listen, without knowing what amp they're hearing, they would admit it sounds great. So it's about some kind of intolerance. I like tube amps too, but I don't have that old-fashioned menatality that tube amps are the (only) real thing and that everything else could never sound as good. I'm saying this because you should keep that in mind if some people (even dealers ... I've had that!) advise you not to buy an amp like this because apparently it sounds bad or so.
I can tell you this amp sounds great! You just need a little open-mindedness and some patience.

I can't say much about this. I have had a minor problem twice - at both occasions the power switch was stuck or so, but the second time they changed the switch, which was like 2 years ago, and it worked perfectly since then.
Besides that I have never had any problems, so all in all nothing serious.
My amp has travelled a lot and still works.

I have never dealt directly with the company or its costumer support, only with my dealer. Can't say much about that ...

I really love my Flextone II. I often think that this is the best "investment" I've ever made. I didn't regret buying this amp for one second in 3 1/2 years!
I have even considered getting myself a second Flextone II HD, just in case it stops working someday because I wouldn't want to use any other amp anymore! Unfortunately I don't have enough money to spend right now ...
I really love everything about it, there's so much you can do with it. Even after all that time I haven't discovered or tried everything about the amp, I haven't really used all the modelled amps and cabinets.
Great amp!

I'm pretty sure this was made in 2001. I bought it used in 2002 though and I still have it has been with me for 30,000+ miles with my touring band. I play in an Industrial metal band and this is great for metal. With several different amp sounds, and effects there isn't much missing. I would like to see some more unusual effects in the later Line 6 models like Pitch-shifter and harmonizer. You can emulate the sound of any amp though for sure. I go between the British High Gain (Think Orange) and the Modern High Gain (Marshall sound). The rectified setting is great too. This amp can shred with the best of them. The distortion is excellent and can be controlled to whatever you want it to be. The clean channels are also great sounding. And with 300 steroe watts this thing is a beast on the stage. It gets tone as good as any tubed amp in my opinion. But I still like tubed amps too, so I am not saying they are bad or this is neccessarily better. I used my amp as a line in while recording our album and the tone is excellent, just like the real thing. This amp is for the person who wants everything in one amp. I have a zillion different amps and I will always keep this one around.

I play an Epiphone SG, Les Paul and a B.C. Rich Warlock. All guitars have EMG 81 and 85 pickups. This amp suits heavy music and in my opinion could suit any other type of music at all. Whether lining in at the studio or cranking it through a single cab on the stage, this thing will roar and will deliver the tone you set it up for.

I have been using this for 3 years now without a backup amp and this thing has held up greatly. Never broken down on me at all. I do take care of it though and keep it in a sturdy case while on the road.

Haven't dealt with any problems regarding the amp yet but I wouldn't be afraid to try.

I have been playing guitar for 10 years now. Before owning this amp, I owned a shitty solid state Peavey amp. This one is great. I do have a variety of tube amps like Marshall and Orange and I love them too. This amp is just a great toy and will spoil you quick. I even bought a pod to play on for fun in my room. If I lost this I would either buy a new one just like it or move up to the more current Line 6 models like the HD 145 or one of the Vetta amps.

Think of a feature and its in here.

Brutal distortion,well actually any distortion you want. This amp is for METAL and thats what its best at. The BEST amp to my ears and everyone else who hears me play through it. Go ahead tube freaks, bash it,hate it,call it a toy I dont care. You wont find a tube amp that pushes out this much gain. Plus tubes fuckin sound like shit and you still have to replace them. I know this amp emulates tube amps and certain boutique amps, it does it very well. But this amp also has its own sound and to me its better. Plus the guys that review this amp and bash it need to stick with their tube amps and really need to try what theyre buying first.

way more reliable than tubes.

excellent

If Your a tube guy and listen with your eyes and not your ears then dont buy this amp. Especially if your going to write a shit review so you can justify buying a shitty tube amp. Plus METALHEADS know tone. So dont be a bitch and put a bad review on a amp you dont try before you buy you tone deaf retards.

Feature ladden toy. I guess it's OK if your looking for something that can cover lots of bases, but remember...Jack of All Trades = Master of None.

Total digital crap, I'll say it again TOTAL DIGITAL CRAP. Trust me fellow musicians, when you grow up musically, (I.E. start to play all kinds of music with feel and taste) you will abandon this amp, wonder what the hell you ever saw in it, and go buy a good tube amp. I went through a early tube stage (cheap tube amps - Carvin, Peavey, etc.), then to digital amps (because i just wanted to jam at home cheaply), then back to high quality tube amps (Matchless, Fuchs, Carr, etc.). So what if they have one amp sound, its the organic feel and 3-d character that these amps push out. Its this "one amp" sound that sets it apart from all the rest.

There's an interesting phenomenom with Line 6 amps and most digital amps. Most reviewers are young, inexperienced, or tone deaf metal heads. Not to bash metal heads, I know plenty of seasoned musicians who are tone deaf...they can't hear tonal differences between equipment. Can you tell the difference between an EL84 and a 6v6 at full clip? How about the hollow mids of a EL34 compared to the mid punch of a 6L6? No....then go out and buy a Line 6 or other digital amp and be happy in your ignorant bliss. I hate to admit, I do admire these people...they will probably save A LOT more money that I will.

I've had line 6 before, I hope they fixed their reliability issues.

Pure crap. I have a Fender 1973 Deluxe Reverb that will blow this amp out of the water in pure tone, feel, and character. My main amp is a Fuchs Overdrive Supreme that will KILL this amp in pure musicallity. Every time I go into the music store, the young sales kiddies always point to the line 6 or other digital amps (because the mark up and commisions are very high, these amps cost about $150 to make). I tell them I want to try real amps, not toys.

I won't give it a "hunk of junk" rating since they do work and will amplify your sound.

You know these already.

This amp was made to deliver versatility on a budget. I have owned Mesa, Marshall, Fender, Laney, Soldano, and Peavey (5150) tube amps. No...this amp will never sound as good as a quality tube amp with good tubes, sorry. But I have found myself using this amp more and more. Here's why...Yes, tube amps sound better, if you have fresh tubes, can have it cranked to at least 7, or have a variac, good speaker cab, dummy load to cut your signal down before you run through your effects, poweramp, ect. In other words, a ton of gear. I have it all. But this amp has every thing I need in on package. Most of the amp models sound good and come closer than any other amp to getting me that cranked Marshall tone. Plus it has built in delay, comp., chorus, ect. So the features and portability and ease of use far out way the small tone difference for me, live that is, the studio is something different. And most people cannot tell the difference between your beloved 68 Marshall plexi and this amp. So unless your ready to spend thousands of dollars on multiple vintage amps, effects, ect. DO NOT COMPLAIN. This amp has tones of great tones. From raging metal to some usable jazz sounds. I must agree with one of the other reviews in that the clean sounds seem rather one dimensional to me. But when I use single coils it really opens up as far as clean sounds go. I'm 18 and play alot of Vai, Malmsteen, Satch, and Van Halen, but also play alot of the modern stuff too. So I have used every amp model and have found that over half of them are very usable and have a pleasing tone. So try out one of these for yourself and then go practice...that will make the biggest difference in your tone anyway.

Has been taken all over, from Michigan to Florida and never let me down.

Never delt with them.

Great amp for a great price. Tons of great sounds available. Will never sound exactly like a tube amp, nothing ever will. But this amp is the closest I think we will ever come. I owned the vetta and personally I think it sucks. Dead lifeless tone on very setting. This amp has tons of response. If your looking for a versatile rig and don't have thousands this is the way to go. I am a tube-purist...Bash me, I don't care. But this thing rocks. I can get everything from a modern rock to Vai and everything else. I have owned every line6 amp made. Spider, Spider II, Vetta, Duoverb, Flextone III. To me this amp has an awesome tone. I just wish line6 would have stuck with it. Anyway check out this amp. And just to let you know I have owned every digital modeling pedal and rack unit available. Boss, Digitech, Rocktron, and everything else. I was never happy. This thing comes so close to my sound and has awesome versatility. Check it out for your self. Im giving it a nine because, as I said it doesn't sound quit like a tube amp.