Line 6 Spider II HD Head

I got this head for a giggle last xmas cause it was cost effectifve and had a lot of toys but when you want to play with the Big boys this just fkn sucks man it cant hold a sustain note at high vol and no matter what you do to the eq it sucks am very dissapointed come home tubes all is forgiven

i tried my sig model strat with emgs actives and killed it dead cant respond to that signal stregth

watch out for overheating you push it burns

dont know am selling it

on a scale of 1 to 10 a 8 for trying but for road work 3

I had a Flextone II XL, and gave it to my brother who likes "bells and whistles". I had the longboard and everything! Ask me how many channels i used... 4 out of 32 availible. This amp has fuck all for features... and i love it!!! i dont need to pick from 9 billion different amp models and 12 billion different cab models. I need one dirty and one clean !

Needs a better impedance selection

Its plenty loud, especially on the Metal Green channel, it has like a 4 billion dB volume boost.

I bought the FBV express as well, it has a dual function gas pedal that has a decent wah if you need it.

I gave it a ten because less is more.

I love playing KSE, Korn, Fear factory and **** like that so the amp i really want is a Boogie dual or triple recto, but i dont have a reason to pay $2000+ for a head.

This amp has just enough to get me by (Metal Ch-Green all knobs at 75% with gain boost on) until i can justify the cost.

Compared to the first bout of line6's i'd say that everything that came after the Vetta platform has benefited greatly. It has great attack and great bottom end.

I give it a 9 because its better as a backup when you get a boogie.

I sugest getting this head and buying a set of cabs with V30's for when you can afford a Boogie, if you like marshall you should be shot!

Awesome, just dont beat the **** out of it!

Dont need em, i got it from Long and Mcquade, they take care of you!

For $250 its a wicked head. Like i said before, ITS NOT A BOOGIE, but its way more that enough to get you by as long as you have a set of good 412's.

I give it a nine because it pisses nme of that the only availible ext spkr impedance is 8ohm stereo.

I bought this amp about 10 months ago and was fairly happy with the sounds i got in the store, so I picked it up. There are a few good distortion settings on here to start. The extra gain feature is neat if you read the (short) owners manual. "Turn it up to 11". One place I think it is definately lacking in is power. This thing barely gets up over my drummer and its not my cab..

The clean sounds suck, I don't know if I just got a dud amp but the volume on the clean channel is very weak, and its thin when you take off the reverb and chorus. Its not my guitar because I play a very heavy Les Paul with thick thick tone. The distortions I was very happy with to start, but I noticed that the tone and gain weren't consistant. Since I bought the amp, Iv'e gotten a new guitar, new cab, new cables EVERYTHING, and it still loses gain and ends up sounding gritty and toneless after a few hours of playing.

Read above...

Never bothered because they didn't put an ASC withing 400 miles of where I live, SD... so it was pointless to even call because I couldn't take it that far, and couldnt be without it for that long

I'm selling it

The unit I bought was a Spider II HD75 head. I think it was made in 2006, at least that's when I bought it (October of 2006). I bought it because it was cheap and Line 6 has a trumped up reputation for the modelling capabilities. I was just looking for a cheap but decent head unit to tie me over until I finally come across "the sound" I'm looking for.

I suppose for a detailed rundown you can visit the Line 6 website, but here's the skinny:

The head is a solid-state modelling amp, it features onboard effects (chorus, flange, delay and reverb), 4 switchable channels, 75 watt output (stereo). It has one 1/4" input on the front for a CD or line input and a 1/8" headphone jack on the front. The back has two 1/4" speaker outputs for stereo. There is no effects loop, so you gotta be careful with whatever it is you want to daisychain in front of the guitar input, because if you pump too much into it you'll fry this thing.

As far as I/O goes, it's about as weak as it gets, just speaker outputs and a headphone jack...nothing that you can plug directly into a PA. If you try and run direct through the headphone jack, you kill the speaker outs on the back. Nice, huh?

The amp does not come with any sort of switches to change channels or toggle effects, so you're kind of screwed unless you want to spend more money on a FBV Express or shortboard. I took the FBV express route and still ended up disappointed, so let the buyer beware...

I'd say out of all four channels the amp has, the clean and the "metal" distortion are the best. I play everything from punk to brutal death metal and the other two channels are basically useless.

The clean sounds pretty good, and it's the saving grace of this head...it's a shame they didn't add an effects loop to this thing because then an array of stomp boxes would solve the problems the other three channels have as far as distortion goes.

The "Crunch" channel fails miserably. Maybe it's my setup, I play through a Jackson Rhoads with a Duncan Invader at the bridge, but even the high output of that pickup doesn't give this channel any life. If crunch is what you're looking for, use the "Metal" channel and dial the distortion down a little bit. I honestly didn't use this channel for more than maybe ten minutes of the course of the last 6 months I've owned this thing.

Ah, the "Metal" channel. I've been primarily using this and at least for me, I'm disappointed with the sound that comes out of it. It gets the job done, sure, but even my Behringer GMX212 sounds punchier than this. I'd run a single output mono into my Marshall cab and most of the time I had the volume around 8 to keep up with the bass (and yes, I was running it into the 4ohm set for mono input). I suppose it's not horrible for what it does, it's just not the sound I'm looking for. It'd probably be alright for people who don't tune a full 2.5 steps down like I do. If you tune to D it's probably okay, but I'm not about to screw with my Floyd Rose and bring everything up on the off-chance that the amp will give me a decent sound.

The "Insane" channel has way too much high end, when you try to cut some of it from the EQ it sounds incredibly flat. Some people compare it to the Metal Zone pedal from BOSS. Sike, I own one of those, the Metal Zone trounces this thing and actually gives some definition, not just wailing high-end.

On both the Metal channel and the Insane channel I got TONS of feedback. If the thing has a built in gate, it sucks (I don't believe it does). I run a BOSS noise suppressor pedal because I know my pickups are loud but even before I swapped them I got plenty of feedback out of it, so don't stand too close.

I haven't had a problem with it, so I'd say it's pretty stable as long as you pay attention. It's solid enough as to where I don't bring a backup head unit to gigs, I just don't have to worry about it so that's a plus.
The guy at GC where I bought it talked about frying it if you don't use an actual speaker cable, like if you use a guitar cable to hook up the speaker. He said something about the shielding, and honestly I didn't pay much attention to the guy. Been doing this long enough to know insturment cables are for instruments, speaker cables are for speakers. God forbid you use the right equipment and you won't have a problem. Imagine that!

Never really needed to deal with Line 6, so I can't comment. I have poked around on their site to see what it is I'm doing wrong with the amp, all it is is forums, the documentation included is kind of worthless.

Originally, I was just looking for a cheap head unit to tie me over for a while while I settle on my "sound". It was either the HD75 or a Behringer GMX 1200H, and I picked this up. Looking back, I should've gotten the Behringer, and if it was stolen guess what I'd replace it with?

I think if you're pretty early on your guitar career, maybe the first 2-3 years, this wouldn't be bad at all. On it's own, the features and effects are not bad. To mess with at home or do direct via the headphone jack doesn't sound horrible, and if you're recording then patching effects isn't a problem. For someone like me, I've been playing for over a decade now and I actively gig, so it's a letdown. In case you're wondering why I bought a cheap head yet I've been playing so long, it's because I just needed something to get by with and I wasn't about to lay down a grand on a B-52 head or a Mesa just for a few months.

This Line 6 wouldn't be bad to just dink around with, but the lack of decent I/O on it, the hidden cost of buying at the minimum an FBV Express just to get half the functionality they promise out of the amp and the fact that the "modelling" features are already preset and all you can do is tweak them via EQ or intensity is pretty lame and not worth the cost. It'd be great if you could duplicate say the "Metal" channel over the useless "Crunch" channel and add a delay to it to use for a lead, but nope, can't do that either. Maybe I'm spoiled, but hey, don't give me 4 channels and lock me into what they're going to sound like, let ME decide what I want them to sound like. I am the one who's playing it, after all.

The effects it has, although decent, suck because you can't switch them on/off dynamically and they're "per-channel". I bought that FBV Express for the sole purpose of changing channels and effects on the fly, all it lets me do is change channels, which I personally think is a rip. The effects are okay, the delay delays, the reverb reverbs, etc. The wah works alright, but for the cost of just the footboard I could've bought another Ibanez Weeping Demon wah pedal. Again, in a studio setup it's probably not bad, but live, yeah save your money and get something else.

I've got a Behringer GMX 1200H on it's way right now, and I actually use a GMX212 at home to practice. It was a toss-up in my head on which one to get, and the Behringer has more watts, built in tuner, comes with a footswitch (OMG!!!! you mean I don't have to buy it?!?) and effect on/off on the fly. It should've been a no brainer, but I bought the Line 6 because of what it promises. It just fails to deliver. Next please!

The catch with the Behringer is a "delay" between switching channels, but AT LEAST it's not silence between them, and any decent guitarist should be able to time it right after a few minutes.

Mine was built in 2006 (i think) I've had it 3 days now and have given it a decent workout. Basically this thing can do anything you feel like. Although it's not a tube amp and will never be one it's close enough for me for the money. I play hard rock (think AC/DC), metal (think Iron Maiden and Judas Priest), progressive metal (Dream Theater and DragonForce). I don't play much really heavy stuff like SlipKnot etc. BUt it can do all of that if required. Powerwise 150 watts is more than needed for me. But now clean can be heard at high volumes and still be clean. It's 150 watts is actaully 75x2 (stereo) each side into 8 ohms and it's all solidstate but if you read this far down the reviews you'd already know about all that. I bought with it for $299 AU the FPV express pedal which has four channel buttons, a wah or volume pedal and a tuner, make the whole aqmp work much better, the standard pedal is shit. Almost useless but it can change channels so it's better than nothing.

This thing can sound like anything or sound like something you've never heard before (insane channel) The distortion on Insane with full drive and tone adjusted to your specification with distortion boost on its like nothing i've heard before, beyond brutal. I play lead stuff more than anything so I have my bridge humbucker (Michael Kelly Tribal Sun) biased to the higher strings for extra boost in solos, so this amps can play basically any tone, style or sound you feel like playing. The website has some settings that help you achieve certain tones, I tried most of them they were pretty accurate, especially Purple Haze tone. This amp isn't noisy at all due to it's in built noise gate, which is awesome no buzz at all, just clear tioll you hit that octave E powerchord then BAM, so be careful you may not know when this thing is cranked!

Not sure I've had it three days, seem tough, the cab seems very tough too.

Don't know but I got 1 year warranty.

Well 10 obviously. I mean it ain't a big marshall 100 watt all valve but it's close. I've only used this with my Michael Kelly Tribal Sun (They are awesome give one a go!) have't tried it with my Epiphone Nighthawk (crappy guitar, don't bother to try it!) I got this with the Line 6 stereo cabinet which is equally great, well as great as four Celestions can be. whole lot Amp head, Cab and pedal cost $1823 AU with two speaker cables. If it were stolen now, I would call insurance and get them to buy a new one. I compared it the with Vox Valvetronix and it's far superior. More useful, better value for money nad louder. What more can I say? Try one out! PS I've been playing four years. Only other amp I own is a 15 watt Vox practice amp. But at school (I'm in year (grade) 11 right now) I use a Peavey Bandit which is 85watts. It's got crazy distortion but it's way too noisy and this thing beats it by a mile, even the 75 watt mono version is still pretty awesome, but I needed (wanted more like it) more features and more power. Try one and If you're in need of a feature-full amp with stage level volume, give this a go!

There are several different "channels", or amp models all of which vary drastically in sound. I only use 3 of the 10 (I believe) available though I can see getting use out of the others. I've always liked the simple preset feature. With the 4 button/4 preset FBV footswitch I have my rhythm, lead, bluesy breakup and "icicles in a cave" clean tone. It has several effects built in, some are hit and some are miss.

I used this as my main weekly gigging amp for over a year, and now it's second in line behind my Carvin X100B. I play it through a Carvin 4x12 with G12T-75's.

First things first - if I were to forget for a second that this was digital and that I can't possibly squeeze any dynamics out of it whatsoever - I would (and have) put it up against any monster Mesa/Marshall/Peavey tube amp out there and beat its ass in terms of metal rhythm/lead and the "icicles in a cave" clean tone. The green light metal channel is truly an awesome sounding metal tone. Bright with plenty of midrange gnarl and low-end thunder. Mixed with the surprisingly deep reverb, some delay and a volume boost it is also a killer lead sound. A bit harsh but that is to be expected from a digital gain monster.

I like chorus and delay on my clean sound, and both of these effects sound pretty good...on clean, anyway (the chorus sounds horrid with distortion as you really can't customize the parameters at all). This is a nice clean sound - certainly nowhere near on par with the X100B, but definitely a sparkly top end that gives me, again...my "icicles in a cave". :)

I wouldn't use this for anything else, but as my once fulltime and now back-up metal amplifier it is one hell of a steal! To think, between the Spider, X100B, its matching cab and my recent purchase of the 4x12 w/ G12T-75's...I've spent a measly $1,500!!! I have a full stack and a back up for UNDER the price of any overrated/modded Marshall or Mesa Boogie. I'm happy!!!

...oh, and by the way...this is a NOISEFREE amplifier!

Absolutely 100% reliable all the way. Never had a single problem whatsoever.

I have been playing for 8 years - I already told you my amplifiers, my axes are two Jackson PS-4's, an SL-4, DK-2 and an Ibanez RG550. This is a surprisingly good digital amp. I have, as I said before, literally A/B'ed this with a MEGA-MODIFIED 5150, JCM800 and recently Carvin's new V3 (which I sent back)...the distortion is absolutely monstrous, the clean tone sparkling clear and the ease of use, reliability and affordability make this amp a sleeper.

I am sort of a tube snob, I put the Carvin in front of this at every show...but I am not afraid to admit good tone when I hear it! Metal heads on a budget, you WILL like this amp!

lots of effects and loads of different sounds. a bit of everything in one like a multi effect.lots of okay sounds and no awsume ones.

sounds good in your room but live it just doesnt cut through.

it died after 1 year and 4 months of not very hard use.

dnt no

no good to use live and to big for your room. if u want it get a small onr for your room and find a good amp for live

I got the amp about 5 years ago had it for a year and a half. It is a stereo head with a bunch aof effects and four banks that you can use as channels. It is a versitile amp by normals standrds but is a one trick pony by line 6 standards. at 150 watts SS its loud but has no presence. It can sort of recreate every nuance of most of the sound it is designed to but not the FEEL.

I play an eclectic style of music and I need a featrure packed high gain head. It worked well for me when I was a begginner and needed an amp to gig with fast. I did like its versitility. I didnt however think its tone was amazing.Not to compare it to anything but there are better sounding amps out there and without digital front ends they dont get a mismatch in the bank.

It worked well enough for na amp in it price range but every now and then the footswitch would go ape and put the wrong sound in a bank.

Never had a problem so bad it requiered me to go to them.

sold this amp to get money to get a mesa dual rec. Couldnt be happier. I have some $$ now so I might get it back from the store I sold it to. It would be an exellent recording tool. Maybe a good backup. But I wouldnt cry a river if it were stolen.

This amp has a lot of features which make it versatile and a good choice for those people on a budget that need a decent sounding rig with a quick and easy setup. It is capable of many different sounds and is pretty easy to use...it is not perfect, but does most things pretty well.

I play mostly original alternative rock, requiring clean, crunch and full blown distorted sounds with quick switching between all of them. I also needed a light and portable rig which was easy to setup and tear down with these shorter sets with 4 or 5 bands that we have been playing. I love my tube rigs, but it is just not worth dragging it around for these type of gigs. The Spider II HD does a decent job of getting all of these sounds, is more than loud enough (make sure and use a cab capable of running 8 Ohms in stereo), and includes effects which are good enough, tuning and quick patch changes with the FBV shortboard which I highly recommend. A few of the amp models aren't very useful, and the effects adjustments are limited...the biggest concern for me was the combination of the Chorus/Flange effects into a single section and it is difficult to get a suble chorus or flange effect.

No problems yet...I think a lot of the problems people have posted in reguards to problems with these heads have to do with ohm mismatches or not running the head in stereo which is a must.

I have not needed any warranty service, so I cannot comment.

I think this is a great sounding amp and offers a lot of features for the price...I have actually had better luck with this amp in getting tones I like, than with some of the other higher end Line 6 amps, which I know most folks won't believe...I have owned or currently own the Vetta II, HD147 and Flextone XL...those amps all offer much more options and tweaking ability, but I just always come back to the Spider II for the sounds and ease of use...call me crazy!

Attractive styling. It has enough channel switching and effects to get you up and running without spending a fortune. A couple downfalls worth mentioning: No Effects loop (what's up with that???) and the Chorus effect is infinitely melded with the Flanger. (what a shame.)

This head along with the matching 4x12 cab sounds pretty decent. I've ran a Tele through this rig and an Ibanez RG and both guitars stayed fairly true to their tonal characteristics. The clean channel is suffice and the overdrive realm ranges from a gritty crunch to a lush, saturated, distortion. Even at increased volumes, this half stack holds together without breaking up.

Take good care of this amp and it will take good care of you. Solid construction.

Never used.

I don't own this half stack. However, I teach guitar and use this setup frequently. Like most Line 6 products, you'll never create a signature tone. However, this rig is great for getting an immediate good sound in both live and studio applications. Keep in mind, there's no new technology with this amp. The same sounds can be generated from an older POD. I'm not a tone guru. I just like to plug into something reliable. The Spider series are fun, attractive amps at a nice price. If you want the authentic Marshall JCM tone, than shuck out the unjustifiable amount of money for it. Finally, Line 6 has done themselves a diservice by claiming to emulate ledgendary amps. I think if they'd just stuck to claims of general versatility, their products would be better received.