Line 6 Spider III 75w and Spider Jam

Kevin Darty · June 25th, 2008, 07:02 AM

I've been looking to purchase a new amp and since the Fender Super Champ XD came out I've been gassing for that but I got to try out a Line 6 Spider III 75w last weekend and I was really blown away.

I also recently heard about the new Spider Jam by Line 6 that is based on their Spider III 75w with the addition of backing/jam tracks, drum tracks as well as a recording console

I haven't tried the Super Champ XD yet but I am really impressed with the Spider III.

Do any of you have the Spider III or Spider Jam? What do you think about these amps?

Sure, this is an all solid-state amp compared to the Super Champ XD's hybrid tube/solid-state technology but it does put out some really good tones.

Anyone have experience with either of these amps that might be able to share here?

I haven't done an A/B test yet on the Fender vs the Line 6 but if anyone else has please tell me what you think.

Thanks

Axis29 · June 25th, 2008, 08:41 AM

I own a Spider III 15, two of my bandmates own the 30 and 75. They are very flexible and not too bad sounding... as long as you don't compare them A/B against a good tube amp. I cannot stand listening to mine (or theirs) next to my DRRI.

I've tried the Super Champ out a few times and really, really liked it a lot. Again, I haven't A/B'd it with my DRRI, but would really like to do so. I did A/B it in a store to a new example of both and actually preferred the SCXD for lower volume play. But, my DRRI is broken in and has good tubes in it... I love the way it sounds. So I'd have to see how those play into the final equation.

I guess it really depends on the type of music you play and where you'll be playing it.

The Spider III's are good amps. They have the footswitch capability and all kinds of built in effects, that are halfway decent. Maybe better than the Fender built-in ones? Certainly more tweakable with all the line6 software out there. They have a lot of features a gigging guitarist might want. Reliability is not an issue either as far as I know.

But I've really been gassing over a SCXD. I'll take it over the Line6 amps any day. But that may be my snobbishness. I will say that since purchasing my DRRI, I NEVER plug into my Spider III. I think the tube tone of my DRRI is so much better than the Line6's imitation of tube channel.

But I don't play super high gain stuff, or real clean Jazz either. Both of which I think the Line6's might do better.

Lotta guys have made Solid State amps sound good over the years. But I'm a little bit of a snob and like my tubes better.

Hope that helps somehow,

Kevin Darty · June 26th, 2008, 12:02 PM

Thanks for the response... this Amp will get the majority of its use at home. I was looking at the "Spider Jam" version because I like its recording capabilities.

I have never owned a Tube Amp so the Fender Super Champ XD is very, very tempting.

I don't really gig... got out of the band scene after way too much drama but I do jam with friends from time to time so I need an amp thats perfect for the house but will hold its own for a low key jam with friends.

The recording option like the "Spider Jam" is a real plus but not a deal breaker.

This might be a good opportunity to get a cheap Tube Amp and go for the Super Champ XD.

Has anyone tried the "Spider Jam"? What are your thoughts on its jamming and recording capabilities?

ezrydr · July 30th, 2008, 10:49 AM

This may be a little late but I just saw your thread -

I just bought a Spider Jam after looking at the Fender G-DEC for a loing time. I chose the Spider Jam because IMO it is more bang for the buck (and if you buy one before Aug 31 08 you can get the foot pedal for free)

I am amazed by this amplifier!

The jam tracks are terrific sounding. They are actual recordings made by real live musicians so they contain the dynamics and character of playing with a real band.

I looked long and hard at the Fender GDEC before I went to Line 6. The GDEC seems like a toy compared to this amp.

And as a 75w amp, the effects and the 12" Celestion speaker really make it sound great. Even my son's $170 Squier sounds like a million bucks through this thing.

I have owned Fender Twin Reverb, Ampeg, Hughs and Kettner (also a great amp) but this little jewel is the best so far.

If you look at a 30w GDEC you pay $370 and the pedal is another $70 or so.

For $450 you can get the Spider Jam AND the pedal and you have a much nicer amplifier with more power.

I love the teaching options this amp offers as I am teaching my 13yo son to play. I can select a song and teach him how to listen to the chord progressions and pickup some very useful ear training that he could only get with a band.

Just my 2 cents

Steve

Kevin Darty · July 30th, 2008, 01:22 PM

Steve, thanks for the response.. and not too late.. still evaluating not only Amps but Guitars too.

When I tried the Spider III 75w I really liked it and since the Spider Jam is pretty much the same Amp with the recording and Jam Trax that's like gravy

Thanks again, great endorsement for the Spider Jam.

castpolymer · July 30th, 2008, 01:42 PM

I have a Spider 75 watt amp at my office. It is ok for noodling, but as you have probably heard already, it just does not cut it against a tube amp. I don't mean volume wise, I mean tone. I know the modeling feature is really tempting, but I would rather play on a tube amp with no real features than a solid state amp. I have had aFender G-Dec and the 75 watt Spider 3. I feel the same about both of them as far as tone. I have never played thru the XD, so I can't give any real opinion on that one. I hope this helps a bit.

June 25th, 2008, 07:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
Kevin Darty Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Age: 36 Posts: 153	Line 6 Spider III 75w and Spider Jam I've been looking to purchase a new amp and since the Fender Super Champ XD came out I've been gassing for that but I got to try out a Line 6 Spider III 75w last weekend and I was really blown away. I also recently heard about the new Spider Jam by Line 6 that is based on their Spider III 75w with the addition of backing/jam tracks, drum tracks as well as a recording console I haven't tried the Super Champ XD yet but I am really impressed with the Spider III. Do any of you have the Spider III or Spider Jam? What do you think about these amps? Sure, this is an all solid-state amp compared to the Super Champ XD's hybrid tube/solid-state technology but it does put out some really good tones. Anyone have experience with either of these amps that might be able to share here? I haven't done an A/B test yet on the Fender vs the Line 6 but if anyone else has please tell me what you think. Thanks

June 25th, 2008, 08:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
Axis29 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Age: 40 Posts: 1,052 1 Photos	I own a Spider III 15, two of my bandmates own the 30 and 75. They are very flexible and not too bad sounding... as long as you don't compare them A/B against a good tube amp. I cannot stand listening to mine (or theirs) next to my DRRI. I've tried the Super Champ out a few times and really, really liked it a lot. Again, I haven't A/B'd it with my DRRI, but would really like to do so. I did A/B it in a store to a new example of both and actually preferred the SCXD for lower volume play. But, my DRRI is broken in and has good tubes in it... I love the way it sounds. So I'd have to see how those play into the final equation. I guess it really depends on the type of music you play and where you'll be playing it. The Spider III's are good amps. They have the footswitch capability and all kinds of built in effects, that are halfway decent. Maybe better than the Fender built-in ones? Certainly more tweakable with all the line6 software out there. They have a lot of features a gigging guitarist might want. Reliability is not an issue either as far as I know. But I've really been gassing over a SCXD. I'll take it over the Line6 amps any day. But that may be my snobbishness. I will say that since purchasing my DRRI, I NEVER plug into my Spider III. I think the tube tone of my DRRI is so much better than the Line6's imitation of tube channel. But I don't play super high gain stuff, or real clean Jazz either. Both of which I think the Line6's might do better. Lotta guys have made Solid State amps sound good over the years. But I'm a little bit of a snob and like my tubes better. Hope that helps somehow, __________________ John F. TDPRI # 1764

June 26th, 2008, 12:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kevin Darty Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Age: 36 Posts: 153	Thanks for the response... this Amp will get the majority of its use at home. I was looking at the "Spider Jam" version because I like its recording capabilities. I have never owned a Tube Amp so the Fender Super Champ XD is very, very tempting. I don't really gig... got out of the band scene after way too much drama but I do jam with friends from time to time so I need an amp thats perfect for the house but will hold its own for a low key jam with friends. The recording option like the "Spider Jam" is a real plus but not a deal breaker. This might be a good opportunity to get a cheap Tube Amp and go for the Super Champ XD. Has anyone tried the "Spider Jam"? What are your thoughts on its jamming and recording capabilities?

July 30th, 2008, 10:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
ezrydr TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Alton Iowa USA Age: 50 Posts: 77	This may be a little late but I just saw your thread - I just bought a Spider Jam after looking at the Fender G-DEC for a loing time. I chose the Spider Jam because IMO it is more bang for the buck (and if you buy one before Aug 31 08 you can get the foot pedal for free) I am amazed by this amplifier! The jam tracks are terrific sounding. They are actual recordings made by real live musicians so they contain the dynamics and character of playing with a real band. I looked long and hard at the Fender GDEC before I went to Line 6. The GDEC seems like a toy compared to this amp. And as a 75w amp, the effects and the 12" Celestion speaker really make it sound great. Even my son's $170 Squier sounds like a million bucks through this thing. I have owned Fender Twin Reverb, Ampeg, Hughs and Kettner (also a great amp) but this little jewel is the best so far. If you look at a 30w GDEC you pay $370 and the pedal is another $70 or so. For $450 you can get the Spider Jam AND the pedal and you have a much nicer amplifier with more power. I love the teaching options this amp offers as I am teaching my 13yo son to play. I can select a song and teach him how to listen to the chord progressions and pickup some very useful ear training that he could only get with a band. Just my 2 cents Steve

July 30th, 2008, 01:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kevin Darty Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Age: 36 Posts: 153	Steve, thanks for the response.. and not too late.. still evaluating not only Amps but Guitars too. When I tried the Spider III 75w I really liked it and since the Spider Jam is pretty much the same Amp with the recording and Jam Trax that's like gravy Thanks again, great endorsement for the Spider Jam.

July 30th, 2008, 01:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
castpolymer Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2008 Location: Oklahoma Age: 37 Posts: 357	I have a Spider 75 watt amp at my office. It is ok for noodling, but as you have probably heard already, it just does not cut it against a tube amp. I don't mean volume wise, I mean tone. I know the modeling feature is really tempting, but I would rather play on a tube amp with no real features than a solid state amp. I have had aFender G-Dec and the 75 watt Spider 3. I feel the same about both of them as far as tone. I have never played thru the XD, so I can't give any real opinion on that one. I hope this helps a bit.