GladToBeBack Posted July 15, 2010 Share Posted July 15, 2010 I have a studio in my home but have limited space. I am looking for a practice amp that I could also run direct to my mixer for recording. I was looking at 2 different models. First was the Roland Micro Cube and the other was an Orange CR20Ldx. I went into a Guitar Center near my house and then to a small privately owned Guitar shop, both times I was steered away from the Roland and The Orange and was recommended the Line 6 Spider IV (15 or 30 Watt). Anyone have any thoughts or recommendations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GladToBeBack Posted July 17, 2010 Author Share Posted July 17, 2010 No suggestions. I'm leaning more toward the Line 6 only because of the 'bang for buck' aspect of it. I don't trust online reviews I just wanted to hear people's input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSDx Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 ....I went into a Guitar Center near my house and then to a small privately owned Guitar shop' date=' both times I was steered away from the Roland and The Orange and was recommended the Line 6 Spider IV (15 or 30 Watt). Anyone have any thoughts or recommendations?[/quote'] Perhaps they make more $$$ on the Line 6 amps than the others? I honestly don't know..... I think the Roland and the Orange may have more fans, but yeah, you should take online reviews with a grain of salt. If the Line 6 sounds good to you and has the features you need/want, then go for it. It's going to be your amp, don't let others' opinions bother you[cool] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GladToBeBack Posted July 17, 2010 Author Share Posted July 17, 2010 Thanks for the input. I really need to go back the local shop and hear the Orange model. GC only carries them online. If it sounds anyhting like the larger Oranges I may spend the extra money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philpm Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 Try out some of the Vox amps as well, especially the VT30. They have a line out, and I believe the VT50 and 100 have an XLR out. Also, something I want to try but haven't found any of in my area are the Tech 21 amps. I know the Tech 21 30 watt combo has an XLR out. Might be worth looking in to. Hopefully you're GC has more knowledgeable people than the last one I went to. I asked about the Tech 21 (which shows on the website as a special order for the stores), and the guy had absolutely no idea what I was talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GladToBeBack Posted July 19, 2010 Author Share Posted July 19, 2010 Thanks for your suggestion. After looking at all amps I really like the built in tuner feature. I did not see that on either the vox or the tech 21...plus Tech 21 is a little bit out of my price range. I know it makes no difference but its a convenience I really really like. I just gotta hear that orange, it doesn't model like the Line 6 will but i love the big Orange sound. And I'm not trying to blow anyone away here, just using in my home studio running direct line out to my mixer...not micing. If the sound of the orange is so much better than the Line 6 to make it worth $60 more for less features, then I'm goin orange. If I'm torn at all on the sound...then I'm going Line 6 on 'bang for buck' aspect. As far as the GC by my house goes, I don't rely on them for a lot of questions. I find most of my answers online, then anything that I just need to talk to someone about I go to this privately owned guitar shop that is just as close as the GC. I would stay out of GC all together...if their selection and prices weren't so damn inviting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Try one of these little 5w wonders...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdsmith3 Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 I have a Line 6 Spider III 15 watt and a Fender Vibrochamp XD 5 watt that is a tube/hybrid type amp. Both are modeling amps. I like the little Fender a lot. You can get some great sounds out of it for the type of music I like (classic rock, blues, and other stuff). I think the Line 6 is OK but perhaps more suited for the type of music that my teenage son likes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 I have both the Line 6 III 30 watt and a Fender XD. From a completely emotional standpoint (tube snobbery) the XD is the preferred amp, but frankly there are many more useful sounds and functions (including a tuner!!!) on the Line 6. If you're tube obsessed like some of us, you might also consider the Bugera V5. It's only $150 and has a headphone out for those nights when the S.O. is asleep and you're buzzed out on double-shot cappucinos... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 There's always the Peavey Vypyr 15 and 30 ($99 and $199). The 15 has less effects and stompboxes built in, but the 30 is gig worthy, sounds great, and has all the effects you'd want, complete with a line out and USB port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefrs Posted July 24, 2010 Share Posted July 24, 2010 Yeah, avoid the Line 6 Spider like the plague. They always come near bottom in the modelling amp reviews. Also avoid the JM4 looper which houses the front-end of the Spider3, reliability/firmware problems. What come out tops is invariably the Vox Valvetronix e.g. VT30, next up the Roland Cube--X, then the Orange. The Fender (SCXD) is an also-ran. The VT30 actually sounds like several brilliant valve amps, only lacking a tiny bit in in dynamic pick-response, down-side is too many knobs. All offer various i/o for recording. On the valve amp side, suggest the all-in-one Peavey Windsor Studio 20, avoid the migraine-inducing light show of the Vypr, great light-show, kiddie's sound. For recording, I use Epi BC30, Laney L5T-112, AD30VT and Cube20X, and a couple of exotic vintage jobs. The PVWS20 belongs to a mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rathole Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 I have a small home studio also---I have a roland cube--(it is OK) but I bought a Fender g-dec 3 and I love it--has loads of sounds--I plug it into 2 channels of my Akai recorder and it sounds great--it also has songs on it that you can jam with to practice. has a SD card slot--headphone jack so you don't wake up the neighbors---I REALLY love this little amp----I have the original g-dec also but the g-dec 3 is alot better---IMHO P.S. it also has a usb port that I haven't used yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sjael Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 I have a Roland Cube 30x, it has some pretty good models in there, especially the high gain ones and the clean channel. The Orange Crush series are also fantastic amps (I have a Micro Crush ) that are quite versatile, and I think they have a pretty damn good tone for solid state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocman13 Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 For a practice amp, it's hard to beat the Spider Jam. 75 watts, built in recorder for looping, SD card access, and it has RCA outs to go to your board for POD compatable output. I also run a Tech21 power engine off of it and get the extra boost for vocals. I love mine, it would be a good choice. I have a Roland street cube that is great for camping and parties outside, but I don't think I would gig or record with it because I have the Spider. Love all things Orange too, so my recommendation is.... gosh, I like them all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legs Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 I have a studio in my home but have limited space. I am looking for a practice amp that I could also run direct to my mixer for recording. I was looking at 2 different models. First was the Roland Micro Cube and the other was an Orange CR20Ldx. I went into a Guitar Center near my house and then to a small privately owned Guitar shop' date=' both times I was steered away from the Roland and The Orange and was recommended the Line 6 Spider IV (15 or 30 Watt). Anyone have any thoughts or recommendations?[/quote'] I recommend the Roland Cube 30x. My last pro amp was a Mesa Boogie .22 before that Peavey 30 watt tube Classic. In the dark ages 4 Hi-watt stacks. I got too decrepit to tote them when we lost our 6' 8" Roadie. The first time I toted the Boogie, I thought, this is how heavy a amp should be. I recorded my last album on a vintage 5watt Marshall. I had several metalheads ask what kind of stack was using. I said it was about 1/2 meter tall... then explained the metric system. Any of these suggestions are good, but with a Cube or Peavey you can drop it, piss on, it and subject it to abuse that should be reserved for US congressmen! That Orangelooks mighty good. Old Oranges had a unique fast blow fuse... the head, but as with all things electronic they've improved mightily. Any of you geezers like me pay old Marshalls? Remember their relyability? I saw the lead guitarist for GirlSchool mash their tech guy's nuts over her 50w Marshall crapping out again at a show at the Cavern (B'ham) that my wife produced! Legs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordy01 Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 I've got a little Vox ADVT 15. This little amp really kicks butt. Small [8 inch spkr] models 11 different amps. Built in foot switchable effects. I even used this little amp for small gigs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rathole Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 gotta say that Orange Crush demo you did sounded darn good--I have never actually seen one anywhere but it is quite impressive for such a little thing--thanks for posting that vid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GladToBeBack Posted August 6, 2010 Author Share Posted August 6, 2010 thanks for all the input. I ended up going with the Line 6 Spider IV 15 Watt. I have already recorded with it. I'm diggin it more evey time I turn it on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 Yeah' date=' avoid the Line 6 Spider like the plague. They always come near bottom in the modelling amp reviews. Also avoid the JM4 looper which houses the front-end of the Spider3, reliability/firmware problems. What come out tops is invariably the Vox Valvetronix e.g. VT30, next up the Roland Cube--X, then the Orange. The Fender (SCXD) is an also-ran. The VT30 actually sounds like several brilliant valve amps, only lacking a tiny bit in in dynamic pick-response, down-side is too many knobs. All offer various i/o for recording. On the valve amp side, suggest the all-in-one Peavey Windsor Studio 20, avoid the migraine-inducing light show of the Vypr, great light-show, kiddie's sound. For recording, I use Epi BC30, Laney L5T-112, AD30VT and Cube20X, and a couple of exotic vintage jobs. The PVWS20 belongs to a mate.[/quote'] Great suggestions jefrs, wish I'd bought a VT30 or PVWS20 for my son instead of the Line 6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.