Line 6 Spider II 112 Combo

This is one of the cheapest Line 6 amps and don't have all the features of his "big brothers", but it's enought for the price.

Well in my opinion this amp sounds pretty for the price. You can't compare it with a tube amp because a tube amp is very expensive in comparison. Fits perfect for home situations and small club gigs. The basic sounds are OK, but if you're patient you can get better sounds. I have a Laney VC30 that sounds much better, but for small gigs I prefeer the Line 6 because is more transportable. The sounds are Ok, the price is OK... all is OK... but you must judge this amp with the 300 dollars in mind.

I bought it one year ago. No problems here.

Not needed

I'm very happy. A very good home/practice amp in my opinion.

A follow up review, read below.

At one time I thought this amp was great until I noticed something, at least with mine anyways. The Metal and Insane settings actually muddy-up your sound. I bought a Dimebucker for my guitar and at first I thought "DAMN this thing SUCKS!", I played it on my friends amp and it sounded beautiful. Just to let you know, don't get it for distortion.

More gadgets than I really need. See the company's website.

This amp sounds quite good, in my personal opinion. It is extraordinarily practical for someone who doesn't want a massive setup to haul around. If you're an old-fashioned tube junkie, then no, you probably will not like this amp. Stop comparing a $299 digital amplifier to $2000+ tube amps. IMHO, however, it is convincing enough. The cleans are warm and defined, and the high-gain distortions are absolutely devastating. The only real knock on this amp is that it lacks a truly good Marshall-crunch type sound. Chances are, however, that if you buy this amp you're not really in need of that sort of tone. The effects are decent, although it would be nice if the chorus and the flanger were seperated. I don't use a ton of effects, I just needed something that was portable and could pull off a number of sounds rather easily. The Celestion speaker is probably one of the nicer ones I've played through.

I've owned it for about a year and a half now, and no problems thus far. Take reasonable care of it and it should do fine in this department.

I've never dealt one-on-one with Line 6. I've heard mixed things about them.

I've been playing for a little over six years. I've previously owned Peavey, Fender and Vox Amplifiers, and I'd have to say this is my favorite. I'm currently using an Ibanez SZ320 through this amp, although I've also used it in conjuction with a Gibson Les Paul and another LP knockoff fixed with Duncan pickups. The best reason to own this amp, in my opinion, is if you are like me and you are tired of fooling with distortion and effects pedals. In terms of digital amplifiers, I'd say Line 6 is the best on the market. Is this thing going to sound identical to your $2000 Marshall? Absolutely not. Don't expect it to. However, it is reasonably close (the untrained ear couldn't tell the difference) and a pretty darn good deal.

You would definitely do well to purchase the FBV Shortboard along with this thing. It's expensive, but well worth it. It really opens up a world of possibilites with this amplifier.

Also, if you're looking for a moderate crunch sound (i.e. Train), you'd probably want to have access to some sort of overdrive pedal as the cruch sounds on this amp really don't cut it in that department. Otherwise it does quite well.

Brand new, 2005 model Spider II single 12" speaker, 30 (transistor) watts. No channel switching. I wanted a lightweight amp I could take to open jams with that was versatile. It seemed too good to be true and sounded decent enough in the store. And then I brought it home.... Nice effects, easy to use and store 'preset' settings for use on the fly.

I've got a '67 Strat. The amp sounds great when the volume is very low, but take the gain/master past 3 or so and it totally pukes. Very thin and clippy, raily and flat. Loses all the 'character' it might have had when the volume is low. The clean setting is horrendously thin and grating, no matter what you do. No matter how you slice it, this is a transistor amp, and it SOUNDS like a transistor amp. The effects are nice, but a little hard to control. It should have a separate effect level knob, as opposed to the 'graduated' settings it has on each (multiple) effects pot. Also, the save feature is 'strange'. If you happen to have saved a setting with the volume high, then switch back to that setting, the volume will be saved at the same screaming level regardless of where the master volume is turned to physically. It's really unnerving.

Don't know. Only had it 2 days before returning it.

Wouldn't recommend or buy another one. Too thin and transistory. Great for a low-volume practice amp, but not good in any real world situation. I returned it and got a Vox Valvtronix. It's amazing what a 12AX7 tube in the preamp circuit can do to smooth out the tone.

Too many... I think less is more. Like they say, jack of all trades, master of none.

I agree 110% with reviewer "Bruce" below. My local shop had one of these on consignment for several months, and I played through it several times, since they wouldn't let people go near the Marshalls or Fenders without practically waving cash in your hand.

Awful. No tube tone in any way. The best thing it does is distortion, super ultra high gain distortion. If you play metal, you'll love this. If you play things that require variable singing tone, forget it, dump this amp immediately. I compared with several quality tube amps (Mesa Single Rec, Hiwatt, Sunn, Marshall, Fender, etc.) and it was WAY behind.

I suspect the people who like this have grown up listening to bands with "synthetic" sounds ... totally digital distortions without harmonic complexity. Guitar that is more computer chip wizardry than actual tone. If you crank this up, it's painfully apparent. Things don't get richer, they get thinner and that's not good.

I couldn't use anything I dialed in that wasn't insanely high gain.

Worked fine all the times I played it...

This amp is not for me. I'm a tone hound, born and raised on Hendrix and and Clapton, and not Satriani and Vai, who both have generally terrible guitar sounds to me. Excellent players, terrible tone crafters. Eric Johnson knows what's going on - listen to his giant singing guitar cut through, then hear the hard, harsh treble mess that is Satch's tone on most albums. Stripped down to the basics is my idea of a good sound. I hate these computer-generated "modeled" tones - they sound terrible to me, and I've been playing through tube amps for over thirty years. No one bought this amp from the store, and the original guy just returned and picked up. That says a lot.

I believe this is the 2003 model. 75 watt amp features 12 amp models, 4 user programmable channels, normal amp control knobs (mid, treble, bass, channel vol, drive, etc.), smart control fx (up to three simultaneously) and tap tempo, ethernet out for pedal, and a headphone/record out.

This is a very versatile little amp and seemingly very well built. I've bumped it a few times moving it and it's never had any problems. Also, I don't know why so many people say that they don't like the distortion settings. I think the metal and insane distortions kick the crap out of the Marshall and Vox distortions that you could get at a similar price range. But since I'm still fairly new to guitar (been playing about a year and a half) I don't play that many different "styles" mostly rock, metal, a little alternative and a little blues and this amp does all of those very well. Something that I didn't know before I got this amp was that each default amp preset has it's own personalized tone settings which have nothing to do with however you have it set AND when you change something on one knob ONLY THAT KNOB IS AFFECTED. I really like this feature because it allows you to use the preset as a starting point where you don't have to guess at the rest of the settings if you just want to change one or two things. Also, you can save different channel volumes on your own presets which is VERY NICE.

I use this amp in my dormroom and it definitely gets the job done. I'd say that it's packing the perfect amount of power for my needs. I was originally going to give this an 8 because the footcontrollers that are made for this amp and other Line 6 products are UBER EXPENSIVE!! But I gave it one extra point just because of the cool light up sequence when you turn the amp on. I know that seems like kind of a silly superficial thing, but it's still cool nonetheless. Oh, and it sounds GREAT going into my computer. I just bought a plain old RCA stereo cable and a convert for both ends (1/8" and 1/4") and I was very pleased with how good it still sounds. I was a bit worried because the distorted sounds really sound like crap in my headphones but now I know that it's just the headphones (got em for like 10 bucks, so what can you expect?)

I currently have a Yamaha Pacifica with stock everything downtuned to Drop B and I've gotta say that this amp makes my crappy little guitar sounds quite good. The cool thing about this amp is that you can just plug straight into it and let the fun begin. I actually tried to run my digitech RP300 through it and it got a really crappy sound quality to it. After messing with the settings, I got an "alright" tone but still nothing as good as what comes out of the amp by itself so I gladly pawned off the digitech.

I just ordered an Ibanez RG370DX which will be my new "standard guitar" and to test out my amp with a similar guitar, I played my friend's RG321 through it. Gotta say that the overall tone was pretty much the same, although his guitar's pickups obviously are putting out more power (or maybe just treble) because I had to adjust my amp settings a bit. The only real differences that I could figure were like with doing legato-type stuff. His guitar is DEFINITELY better suited for that.

As I said earlier, the amp has a great variety of sounds and tones; my favorites being the clean settings and the green metal/insane settings. Using the different amp models, you can pretty much get any kind of clean tone you're looking for. You can have a nice syrupy thick clean sound with little distortion and a slight bit of delay, or you can have a more rock-like distorted clean tone. I swear though, the first time I turned the amp to one of the metalish distortions it just blew me away. First of all, it was LOUD! I could've turned it down, but instead I turned it UP and adjusted my ears to compensate. The insane metal distortion sounds just awesome with my guitar's dropped tuning. Gives it kind of a Slipknot edge to it and the notes are still clear dispite all the distortion.

This amp seems very dependable, but it's not exactly a "gigging amp." This is more of a personal practice amp, but it's light enough to where you could take it with you on the road if you wanted to and it would be ready to rock whenever, wherever. I've had it for about 4 months of heavy usage and it hasn't once even started acting like it was going to mess up.

N/A

I've been playing for about a year and a half and was looking for a new practice amp to help me define my tone (or actually GIVE me a tone) and I'm quite sure I've found it. I remember finding this amp in Guitar Center and messing around with it for like 30 minutes, only to come back later and mess with it for another 2 hours. Compared with other amps in and around this price range, it just can't be beat! I played through all kinds of amps before on my search for something new and better (Marshall, Ibanez, Fender, Fox, etc.) and I've still gotta say that this one sounds better than those that cost twice as much. Everyone that I know who's heard me play through this amp or has played through it themselves has fallen in love with it (in fact, 5 of them have bought it and similar models afterwards). If this amp were stolen, I'd track down the person who took it and beat them to death with their own severed legs.

If you're a total newbie to guitar, then I would recommend one of the new smaller models (15 or 30 watt) because they also sound awesome and just have a few less features. But if you've been playing for around a year or so and are still trying to define your tone (or figure out what tone really is) then I'd definitely recommend this amp or one of its bigger brothers depending on the situation. I use this amp as a practice amp, but I know people who use the 212 and HD for live gigs and they sound just awesome. As for older players who've been at it for years (or decades even), you may like this amp or you may not. But you figure if you've been playing for that long, you've narrowed down the kind of tone that you want and have found more specialized (and more expensive) amps to suit your tastes better. But even so, sit down with this baby and dial into it. Who knows, you might just like it....

see oher review, has plenty for the price range

Playing 2 wolfgangs and a Les paul and they all sound great. I also have a 5150,a Marshall AVT 50 with peavey and Marshall 4x12 cabs so this little guy is my backup. but I would feel fine using it for whol;e show if Mic-ed up which I may do this weekend. High gain sounds are awesome, very tube-like if you spend time to dial in the EQ properly. I have been a 5150 user for 13 years so Im used to that low end heavy, crunchy, searing sound and this can duplicate it pretty well on the green insane setting as long as the gain isnt cranked too much. The clean channels are ok, dont really use them. The Crunch, "EVH" model is a cool take on a variac-ed Plexi. I used to own one and still have the variac so I know what they sound like and this is definitely in the ballpark. The effects are pretty good too except for the chorus which doesnt give you any control over the rate..sucks!! Again, for the money this is a fantastic amp. If you are a shreddeer or 80s rock fan you will ove it. Minus 2 points for the Chorus which should have been a lot better

anyone who gigs without a backup is just plain irresponsible, things happen, tubes blow, amps break. If you are about to play in front of a lot of peopl who paid money to see your band and that happens then what??!!

called once and got a live person on the phone who was clueless about the questions I had, not impressed

Been playing 22 yearsm + , Its a great backup-practice-small gig amp for somone who is playing hard rock to metal type music. I see myself keeping this one, especially since it is under $300!!! The high gain sounds this thing can dial in will blow away some amps that cost 4-5 times as much

this has a great marshall and fender tone the marshall is great with no over-drive ( a little buzzy). here's the trick and this turned my new spider II amp into a marshall tube amp. I use the spider with no digital over-drive (raw) and the TOne bone hot british dist pedal. wa-la...it's all there tube tone . quite amazing and all I have to mantain is one tube in this product . probably comes with a cheap chinese tube so when this oges I'll get a good tubethat I've resarched already. the effect is a little pricy but look at the what you get, tube tone easy maintence (one tube). it's as close as you're going to get . there are a few tube dist pedals out there but this is the best . I hve no use for other pedals, mxr dist +, mxr 10 band EQ, selling them both as the tone bone has 6 knobs and switches to get EQ.

great marshall and fender. the big floor board is great too. you get the WAh and the tuner is digital read-out for all KEYS, sharp flat D, C you name it. selling my chrono tuner as well don't need it with all this . I use the EVH pedal into the tonebone to the marshall setting. awesome.. just hav eto get a maxon compressor to try out and see where that gets me. read my reviews in tone bone and EVH pedal. I play 61 SG and 62 strat

so far so good.

great when used as I described. let me know if you try it with the tone bone British, i'll be reading...

Bought it brand new at Guitar Center for $254.00...I never pay sticker...always ask them for a better deal. Versatility is the amps strong point without having to compromise. I only wish the foot controller came with the amp.

I am playing a Gibson Les Paul Standard, Fender Telecaster and Epiphone Riviera through the amp. It suits all styles of music. Built in noise gate is great. Clean is beautiful and rivals a Fender of equal price. The distortion is fabulous, creamy and thick or thin if that fits your taste.

So far so good. It seems very well built. Not cheap in any way.

Haven't had to deal with them. But I have dealt with Line 6 on other matters involving a Guitar Port....they were great.

I would definitely replace it if lost.

Same as above.

Good feature variance for modeling.

Play with an ibanez and les paul. The sound is okay for a beginner but as I have gotten more ear practice and have been doing production work on albums I have grown more weary of this amp. Although one can find value in most sounds (even bad ones) when the moment arises.

I would never gig with this amp. I had problems with it at first (playing too loud probably) and got it repaired by the manufacturer. It worked great again and then it suddenly stopped working properly right after the warranty ended. There is absolutely no sound unless chorus is in use and even then it sounds like crap, crackling and certain frequencies (high G) do not come through for some reason.

So....I contacted their customer support and they suggested I reset it (which I had already done since it was in the manual). After that they said to send it to a service shop as they had "no idea" about what could cause it. It seems if it was your amp that you made you would maybe have an "idea" at least. Anyway the service center for line 6 wanted $250 and the amp was purchased for $300 so I said forget it. I bought a Marshall tube amp and a distortion pedal for $200 more. Now I gig happily without ever worrying about my amp breaking or crackling or otherwise being a piece of crap like this one.

Good for quiet practice and modeling tone. Bad for everything else. I wouldn't even bother with this company. I think that they even had some of their employees put reviews on here since some of them seem so deceptively enthusiastic (come on, a 10!; does it cook you dinner or something)?