Line 6 Helix

[Kapo_Polenton]

I'd sooner buy a used quickrod for that cash. I just don't think the modelers replace the real deal. Axe and Kemper sound pretty good to very good but the minute you go back to back i think the tube amp feels and sounds the best.

 

[NoiseUnderTheFloor]

I'd sooner buy a used quickrod for that cash. I just don't think the modelers replace the real deal. Axe and Kemper sound pretty good to very good but the minute you go back to back i think the tube amp feels and sounds the best.

Right on. Modelers have their place, especially in the studio setting. But there's nothing like the tone of a real deal tube amp. Plus, in 20 years you'll still have that tube amp, and it will hold a lot more of its value than obsolete digital gear. Even old Boss pedals I bought as a teen are still kicking it after decades of use.

 

[ejecta]

$1500 can buy some nice gear. Based on personal experience, Line 6 is not where I want to spend that amount of money, no matter how impressive the Helix looks. If their reliability and customer service only matched the level of hype surrounding their products...

You know I've owned Line6 gear on and off since the old 4 button delay and modulation pedals, Vetta, PODs, M13, and recently a HD500. I've never had any major issue with their gear or customer service. My M13 eventually gave up the ghost after about 5 years of heavy use. I wasn't happy about it but for the money I spent I feel like I got my use out of it. This thing looks like it's on a whole other level but only time will tell.

My main complaint with Line 6 stuff was that some of their FX and especially amps weren't the best in the world so I'm not Line6 fan boy.

Honestly percentage wise I've had more issues out of high end boutique amps and modelers than I have out of any consumer level gear so I've been over the whole "if it's boutique and expensive it has to be better" a long time ago.

Yeah, I hear you on the boutique amp thing. I don't bother with those anymore either, its like owning an exotic car or something lol.

I've actually used Line 6 stuff going all the way back to the original AxSys amps when they first hit the market. I like what they offer and they're an innovator in the industry for sure. Its just that with some things it seems like the consumer becomes the beta tester, after its gone to market, and by the time they get around to ironing out all the issues and offering updates, they've moved on to something else.

I had a really lame experiences with both the M13 and the HD500, then the 500X. Problems that were known, griped about on their support forums. Yet, they didn't seem to want to own up. In fact, during the M13 problem (known on the forums as the M13 power problem) I got bitched out publicly for calling them out on it. Really unprofessional on their part. Still, I gave them more chances, and got burned with more glitchy shit and completely apathetic customer support with the HD's. They come off like a bunch of slacker hipsters when you talk to them on the phone. "I dunno man, try another USB cable or somethin' or maybe you need to take it somewhere and have it looked at, might be defective." Uh, well, yeah! That's why I called you, dumbass! Lol. My money is hard earned, I want durable, reliable gear. I didn't experience that with them with $500 gear, why should I trust them on $1500 gear?

I've not had issues with either Boss nor DigiTech products, and gotten stellar customer service when I did need something, especially with DigiTech. Loose a knob off the GSP1101...they'll send you another, no hassle. Little things, but still, its cool. Then again, they haven't quite caught up in the modeling game to where Line 6 is, which with the Helix, seems to be on the heels of Fractal at this point. Fractal, from what I've seen offers outstanding support, and fairly frequent updates...for free. No waiting years for model packs, then having to fork out more money for them.

Thanks for sharing that. What issues were you having with the m13 that they couldn't solve? The way I used it it worked fine until it shit the bed. When that happened it was when I changed scenes it would just start to freak out and not let switch pedals or anything. I tried reloading the firmware but nothing fixed it. It was 5 years in so to me for digital unit at the price I just chalked it up.

 

[NoiseUnderTheFloor]

$1500 can buy some nice gear. Based on personal experience, Line 6 is not where I want to spend that amount of money, no matter how impressive the Helix looks. If their reliability and customer service only matched the level of hype surrounding their products...

You know I've owned Line6 gear on and off since the old 4 button delay and modulation pedals, Vetta, PODs, M13, and recently a HD500. I've never had any major issue with their gear or customer service. My M13 eventually gave up the ghost after about 5 years of heavy use. I wasn't happy about it but for the money I spent I feel like I got my use out of it. This thing looks like it's on a whole other level but only time will tell.

My main complaint with Line 6 stuff was that some of their FX and especially amps weren't the best in the world so I'm not Line6 fan boy.

Honestly percentage wise I've had more issues out of high end boutique amps and modelers than I have out of any consumer level gear so I've been over the whole "if it's boutique and expensive it has to be better" a long time ago.

Yeah, I hear you on the boutique amp thing. I don't bother with those anymore either, its like owning an exotic car or something lol.

I've actually used Line 6 stuff going all the way back to the original AxSys amps when they first hit the market. I like what they offer and they're an innovator in the industry for sure. Its just that with some things it seems like the consumer becomes the beta tester, after its gone to market, and by the time they get around to ironing out all the issues and offering updates, they've moved on to something else.

I had a really lame experiences with both the M13 and the HD500, then the 500X. Problems that were known, griped about on their support forums. Yet, they didn't seem to want to own up. In fact, during the M13 problem (known on the forums as the M13 power problem) I got bitched out publicly for calling them out on it. Really unprofessional on their part. Still, I gave them more chances, and got burned with more glitchy shit and completely apathetic customer support with the HD's. They come off like a bunch of slacker hipsters when you talk to them on the phone. "I dunno man, try another USB cable or somethin' or maybe you need to take it somewhere and have it looked at, might be defective." Uh, well, yeah! That's why I called you, dumbass! Lol. My money is hard earned, I want durable, reliable gear. I didn't experience that with them with $500 gear, why should I trust them on $1500 gear?

I've not had issues with either Boss nor DigiTech products, and gotten stellar customer service when I did need something, especially with DigiTech. Loose a knob off the GSP1101...they'll send you another, no hassle. Little things, but still, its cool. Then again, they haven't quite caught up in the modeling game to where Line 6 is, which with the Helix, seems to be on the heels of Fractal at this point. Fractal, from what I've seen offers outstanding support, and fairly frequent updates...for free. No waiting years for model packs, then having to fork out more money for them.

Thanks for sharing that. What issues were you having with the m13 that they couldn't solve? The way I used it it worked fine until it shit the bed. When that happened it was when I changed scenes it would just start to freak out and not let switch pedals or anything. I tried reloading the firmware but nothing fixed it. It was 5 years in so to me for digital unit at the price I just chalked it up.

When did you buy your M13? There was an issue with some of the first and earlier issue units. It was known as the M13 power problem. The units would randomly power of and on in quick succession. Their support forum was loaded with people complaining about. The fan boys were calling BS on it, and Line 6 themselves were keeping very quiet and staying uninvolved for them most part. I ended up taking mine back to the store and just getting my money back. When I did they guy working there actually admitted I wasn't the first person to return one for that reason. It went on if I recall correctly for almost a year of people bitching about it. They kept blaming it on "dirty power" on the user's end. Eventually it actually happened to one of their product manager's M13. So someone on their end finally understood. I was fortunate enough to actually talk to him personally about it later. He left Line 6 shortly after that.

 

[PBGas]

I do really like the look and the features of this new unit. Will have to see how it sounds when folks start buying them and posting up. In any case, I have an amp I really love and I'd rather just use it.

 

[Electric I]

Cautiously optimistic.

 

[steve_k]

Note to all pedalboard/midi-board manufacturers.....give us some real estate between the buttons. damn. one would hit 3 or 4 buttons trying to switch something on the fly while watching titties and mosh pits.

 

[Steinmetzify]

Amp list from a rep:

WhoWatt 100, Soup Pro, Stone Age 185, Tweed Blues Nrm, Tweed Blues Brt, US Small Tweed, US Deluxe Nrm, US Deluxe Vib, US Double Nrm, US Double Vib, Mail Order Twin, Divided Duo, Interstate Zed, Jazz Rivet 120, Essex A-15, Essex A-30, A-30 Fawn Nrm, A-30 Fawn Brt, Mandarin 80, Brit J-45 Nrm, Brit J-45 Brt, Brit Plexi Nrm, Brit Plexi Brt, Brit Plexi Jump, Brit P-75 Nrm, Brit P-75 Brt, Brit J-800, German Mahadeva, German Ubersonic, Cali Rectifire, ANGL Meteor, Solo Lead Clean, Solo Lead Crunch, Solo Lead OD, PV Panama, Line 6 Elektrik, Line 6 Doom, Line 6 Epic, Tuck n' Go, SV Beast Nrm, SV Beast Brt, Cali Bass, Cali 400 Ch1, Cali 400 Ch2, G Cougar 800

 

[gtr31]

Amp list from a rep:

WhoWatt 100, Soup Pro, Stone Age 185, Tweed Blues Nrm, Tweed Blues Brt, US Small Tweed, US Deluxe Nrm, US Deluxe Vib, US Double Nrm, US Double Vib, Mail Order Twin, Divided Duo, Interstate Zed, Jazz Rivet 120, Essex A-15, Essex A-30, A-30 Fawn Nrm, A-30 Fawn Brt, Mandarin 80, Brit J-45 Nrm, Brit J-45 Brt, Brit Plexi Nrm, Brit Plexi Brt, Brit Plexi Jump, Brit P-75 Nrm, Brit P-75 Brt, Brit J-800, German Mahadeva, German Ubersonic, Cali Rectifire, ANGL Meteor, Solo Lead Clean, Solo Lead Crunch, Solo Lead OD, PV Panama, Line 6 Elektrik, Line 6 Doom, Line 6 Epic, Tuck n' Go, SV Beast Nrm, SV Beast Brt, Cali Bass, Cali 400 Ch1, Cali 400 Ch2, G Cougar 800

So really looks like the exact same amps as the HD series just in HX but I see nothing new The Shiva ,Uber ,Reco

BTW whats with the ridiculous names after all these years they are infringing , was a new law passed Interstate Z is obviously DRZ ,Angl is fireball ETC

 

[gtr31]

Amp list from a rep:

WhoWatt 100, Soup Pro, Stone Age 185, Tweed Blues Nrm, Tweed Blues Brt, US Small Tweed, US Deluxe Nrm, US Deluxe Vib, US Double Nrm, US Double Vib, Mail Order Twin, Divided Duo, Interstate Zed, Jazz Rivet 120, Essex A-15, Essex A-30, A-30 Fawn Nrm, A-30 Fawn Brt, Mandarin 80, Brit J-45 Nrm, Brit J-45 Brt, Brit Plexi Nrm, Brit Plexi Brt, Brit Plexi Jump, Brit P-75 Nrm, Brit P-75 Brt, Brit J-800, German Mahadeva, German Ubersonic, Cali Rectifire, ANGL Meteor, Solo Lead Clean, Solo Lead Crunch, Solo Lead OD, PV Panama, Line 6 Elektrik, Line 6 Doom, Line 6 Epic, Tuck n' Go, SV Beast Nrm, SV Beast Brt, Cali Bass, Cali 400 Ch1, Cali 400 Ch2, G Cougar 800

So really looks like the exact same amps as the HD series just in HX but I see nothing new The Shiva ,Uber ,Reco

BTW whats with the ridiculous names after all these years they are infringing , was a new law passed Interstate Z is obviously DRZ ,Angl is fireball ETC

 

[CaseyCor]

If only one of these modeling platforms would nail the Mark series sounds. Then I would be very happy.

This thing looks great though. I'd really like to spend an hour with one. It's got just about everything I need

 

[Racerxrated]

Note to all pedalboard/midi-board manufacturers.....give us some real estate between the buttons. damn. one would hit 3 or 4 buttons trying to switch something on the fly while watching titties and mosh pits.

 

[Steinmetzify]

Confirmed on TGP: no new amp models. Same stuff as in the HD series, just reworked as HX models. Pfft.

 

[shred-o-holic]

Then I play my Axe 2 with my amp last night at practice. Amazing uber tightness using the 4CM and the multi-band compressor....pristine delays....clear and brutal tones.....why change I ask myself...

 

[Shask]

Then I play my Axe 2 with my amp last night at practice. Amazing uber tightness using the 4CM and the multi-band compressor....pristine delays....clear and brutal tones.....why change I ask myself...

Haha. Yesterday, I actually cranked up my favorite Triple Recto (a real one).... and I actually preferred the current preset I have using the JVM model with 3 EQs. Much clearer, tighter, and quieter. It is a little less punchy in the low end, but the other benefits were a nice alternative. This was using an ART SLA-2.



I am just sad to see the Helix has the same models as the HD. Seems like a POD HD with a shiny screen....

 

[shred-o-holic]

Then I play my Axe 2 with my amp last night at practice. Amazing uber tightness using the 4CM and the multi-band compressor....pristine delays....clear and brutal tones.....why change I ask myself...

Haha. Yesterday, I actually cranked up my favorite Triple Recto (a real one).... and I actually preferred the current preset I have using the JVM model with 3 EQs. Much clearer, tighter, and quieter. It is a little less punchy in the low end, but the other benefits were a nice alternative. This was using an ART SLA-2.



I am just sad to see the Helix has the same models as the HD. Seems like a POD HD with a shiny screen....

Yeah the Axe sounds so great in so many ways. I think the Helix is going to be kick ass. I will probably get one down the road bit. I have a DT 25 so the digital link option is super tempting for the next level upgrade. Even with the link between the current POD HD/DT 25 is very good IMO so I can't imagine how that will sound with the Helix

 

[NoiseUnderTheFloor]

Then I play my Axe 2 with my amp last night at practice. Amazing uber tightness using the 4CM and the multi-band compressor....pristine delays....clear and brutal tones.....why change I ask myself...

Haha. Yesterday, I actually cranked up my favorite Triple Recto (a real one).... and I actually preferred the current preset I have using the JVM model with 3 EQs. Much clearer, tighter, and quieter. It is a little less punchy in the low end, but the other benefits were a nice alternative. This was using an ART SLA-2.



I am just sad to see the Helix has the same models as the HD. Seems like a POD HD with a shiny screen....

Yeah the Axe sounds so great in so many ways. I think the Helix is going to be kick ass. I will probably get one down the road bit. I have a DT 25 so the digital link option is super tempting for the next level upgrade. Even with the link between the current POD HD/DT 25 is very good IMO so I can't imagine how that will sound with the Helix

Someone on TGP asked if the Helix is compatible with the DT amps. Here's what the Line 6 rep responded with:

"To be honest, not really. L6 LINK implementation is much closer to how HD500X and StageSource play together. Helix's routing is so different from HD, there's no way to get it to work in the same manner. There are ways to manually accomplish much of the same stuff, as long as you don't mind connecting a MIDI cable and doing a bit of programming. We're still finalizing some things, so anything's possible."

So, its not as simple as just using the link like with the HD. These are supposed to be released in August and they're "still finalizing".

 

[glpg80]

Apparently someone spoke to a line 6 rep over on SSO and they are not touting very many high gain amplifier models. It's being advertised as an effects processor but nothing like what the axe-fx II offers.

 

[Shask]

Apparently someone spoke to a line 6 rep over on SSO and they are not touting very many high gain amplifier models. It's being advertised as an effects processor but nothing like what the axe-fx II offers.

It is the same models that are in the POD HD.

 

[shred-o-holic]

Then I play my Axe 2 with my amp last night at practice. Amazing uber tightness using the 4CM and the multi-band compressor....pristine delays....clear and brutal tones.....why change I ask myself...

Haha. Yesterday, I actually cranked up my favorite Triple Recto (a real one).... and I actually preferred the current preset I have using the JVM model with 3 EQs. Much clearer, tighter, and quieter. It is a little less punchy in the low end, but the other benefits were a nice alternative. This was using an ART SLA-2.



I am just sad to see the Helix has the same models as the HD. Seems like a POD HD with a shiny screen....

Yeah the Axe sounds so great in so many ways. I think the Helix is going to be kick ass. I will probably get one down the road bit. I have a DT 25 so the digital link option is super tempting for the next level upgrade. Even with the link between the current POD HD/DT 25 is very good IMO so I can't imagine how that will sound with the Helix

Someone on TGP asked if the Helix is compatible with the DT amps. Here's what the Line 6 rep responded with:

"To be honest, not really. L6 LINK implementation is much closer to how HD500X and StageSource play together. Helix's routing is so different from HD, there's no way to get it to work in the same manner. There are ways to manually accomplish much of the same stuff, as long as you don't mind connecting a MIDI cable and doing a bit of programming. We're still finalizing some things, so anything's possible."

So, its not as simple as just using the link like with the HD. These are supposed to be released in August and they're "still finalizing".

Hmm that's a tad disconcerting perhaps....thanks for that...