Line6 Flextone III

bentele · March 20th, 2003, 07:18 PM

Hi all. Has anyone tried the new Flextone III amps from line6? I traded in my Flexy II on the III two weeks ago. I was never really happy with the clean tones from the II, but line6 really did their homework on the III's. Really nice cleans great distorted, and good effects. Much easier to use than the II's also. Anyone in the market for a new amp should give them a try.

And no I don't work for line6.....:)

Ben

Mike Better · March 21st, 2003, 12:00 AM

Was goofing around at GC yesterday and played a few Line6 amps.. a Flextone III and a Vetta.. I thought they sounded horrible.. stuff like that always sounds decent until you compare it to something good.

Mike

Wally · March 21st, 2003, 09:32 AM

I have yet to hear one of these amps that can stand next to a good tube amp. They are versatile, but I don't have any use for any of the various sounds they make. A good muliti-effects unit and a good tube amp wins every time if you need versatility. It might take more time to set up the various parameters that yield your desired sounds, but imho the results are superior.

Mike D. · March 21st, 2003, 09:36 AM

I have owned and currently gig with some Line 6 stuff (FlexII HD, Ax2). I won't consider buying another one but haven't been totally unhappy with what I have. The advantage is having a large palette of sounds and a simple set up. They almost never sound really good in stores because the presets are all geared toward muic store volume. To get the most out of one you have to tweak and program them extensively. The other issue that I have had is reliability. They are no better, and in some ways worse, than any tube amp that I currently, or previoulsy, have owned. They have their good and bad points, just like any amp. Basically, you get what you pay for.

Mike Better · March 22nd, 2003, 04:02 AM

To me, the top of the like Line6 Vetta (priced at like $1600), sounded worse than the beat up old Peavey Bandit sitting next to it. I'm a gear snob, that's a given, but even analog solid state sounds much better than the modeling stuff. Given 100 years to work on the technology, I can see it being a usable alternative, but in my life, no.

Mike

Michael R · March 22nd, 2003, 08:30 AM

Agree with Mike D. though that the stock patches aren't very good and you have to do a fair amount of tweaking/programming. I think they are good for recording and while I have several tube amps that I agree generally sound better, I play pretty varied music in small local bars and jams with friends so the ease of switching between presets (90 of em) suits my my needs fine... But hey I used to work for them 8)

bentele · March 22nd, 2003, 06:44 PM

Well I have had this amp for 2 weeks now. The more I use it the more I like it!

Ben

Dacious · March 22nd, 2003, 08:20 PM

Bentele, if the amp does what you need, that's all that counts.

James · March 22nd, 2003, 08:39 PM

I think they are pretty dang close. They are great for what they are- portablte, flexable, simple- it dosent sound as good as my rig -Pro Reverb for clean stuff, Plexi 50 clone for dirty stuff, rackmount Line 6 Delay modeler, AD-9 analog delay, Direct Drive, Fultone 69, Soulbender, Uni-Vibe, Dyna Comp, Chorus ext...
but when I play a modeling amp that gets even close.....
somtimes im tempted. It's a pain carrying around and maintaining all that crap. I allready made the switch from tube echoplex to the line 6 delay modeler cause it was so close- and I'm thinking about buying the Modulation Modeler too. Its a tough call, but anyone who says the Line 6 stuff sounds like "crap" isnt listening with thier ears.
IMHO

Abe · March 22nd, 2003, 09:09 PM

If it sounds good to you, be happy!

So many people spend thousands of dollars and many years striving for "that sound". And in reality, the folks ordering the beer probably can't tell the difference between "that sound" and "this sound over here". The difference comes in how it inspires you. If the Line6 stuff floats your boat you probably ended up saving a bunch of cash and getting a ton of flexibility! That's something to smile about. :)

I will say that I own a POD, and it doesn't do it for me. However, I've heard stuff done with a POD on tape that you'll never be able to tell wasn't a real AC-30.

Play what you like - remember that there was a time nobody had ever heard of Marshall - someone had to buy one and figure out what you could do with it!
Abe Mathews

bentele · March 23rd, 2003, 06:18 AM

Dacious and Abe, I couldn't agree more! I was never really happy with the flexy II, but I really like the III. I think it's a keeper....:)

Ben

Tim Bowen · March 23rd, 2003, 02:04 PM

...the only ears you really need to satisfy are your own. I guess it boils down to how big a deal (or not) the complex harmonic overtones & asymmetrical clipping that only "the real thing" can deliver, are for you. Not everyone has a bevy of Tweeds & Plexis at their disposal, and the modelers can be a very useful tool.

A few weeks back, I cut some tracks on a Vox AC15. Afterwards, my friend & I headed over to a buddy's studio to eavesdrop on their session. They were using a Johnson J Station, I believe it's called, with the "Brit Class A" model. Just for grins, we played the rough mix I had cut with the Vox, back to back with the "modeled" tracks... everyone in the room agreed that it wasn't a fair fight. But in all fairness, I think the Class A EL84 deal is about the toughest thing for a digital modeler to emulate, even moreso than copping a Tweed vibe.

March 20th, 2003, 07:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
bentele TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 27	Line6 Flextone III Hi all. Has anyone tried the new Flextone III amps from line6? I traded in my Flexy II on the III two weeks ago. I was never really happy with the clean tones from the II, but line6 really did their homework on the III's. Really nice cleans great distorted, and good effects. Much easier to use than the II's also. Anyone in the market for a new amp should give them a try. And no I don't work for line6.....:) Ben

March 21st, 2003, 09:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
Wally Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 3,444	Have to agree with Mike. I have yet to hear one of these amps that can stand next to a good tube amp. They are versatile, but I don't have any use for any of the various sounds they make. A good muliti-effects unit and a good tube amp wins every time if you need versatility. It might take more time to set up the various parameters that yield your desired sounds, but imho the results are superior.

March 21st, 2003, 09:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mike D. Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 569	Line 6 I have owned and currently gig with some Line 6 stuff (FlexII HD, Ax2). I won't consider buying another one but haven't been totally unhappy with what I have. The advantage is having a large palette of sounds and a simple set up. They almost never sound really good in stores because the presets are all geared toward muic store volume. To get the most out of one you have to tweak and program them extensively. The other issue that I have had is reliability. They are no better, and in some ways worse, than any tube amp that I currently, or previoulsy, have owned. They have their good and bad points, just like any amp. Basically, you get what you pay for.

March 22nd, 2003, 08:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
Michael R Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mystic CT Posts: 579	I like em too... Agree with Mike D. though that the stock patches aren't very good and you have to do a fair amount of tweaking/programming. I think they are good for recording and while I have several tube amps that I agree generally sound better, I play pretty varied music in small local bars and jams with friends so the ease of switching between presets (90 of em) suits my my needs fine... But hey I used to work for them 8)

March 22nd, 2003, 08:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
Dacious Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Godzone Posts: 2,601 35 Photos	That's all that matters Bentele, if the amp does what you need, that's all that counts.

March 21st, 2003, 12:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mike Better Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 507	Was goofing around at GC yesterday and played a few Line6 amps.. a Flextone III and a Vetta.. I thought they sounded horrible.. stuff like that always sounds decent until you compare it to something good. Mike

March 22nd, 2003, 04:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mike Better Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 507	To me, the top of the like Line6 Vetta (priced at like $1600), sounded worse than the beat up old Peavey Bandit sitting next to it. I'm a gear snob, that's a given, but even analog solid state sounds much better than the modeling stuff. Given 100 years to work on the technology, I can see it being a usable alternative, but in my life, no. Mike

March 22nd, 2003, 06:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
bentele TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 27	Well I have had this amp for 2 weeks now. The more I use it the more I like it! Ben

March 22nd, 2003, 08:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
James TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 43	Line 6 I think they are pretty dang close. They are great for what they are- portablte, flexable, simple- it dosent sound as good as my rig -Pro Reverb for clean stuff, Plexi 50 clone for dirty stuff, rackmount Line 6 Delay modeler, AD-9 analog delay, Direct Drive, Fultone 69, Soulbender, Uni-Vibe, Dyna Comp, Chorus ext... but when I play a modeling amp that gets even close..... somtimes im tempted. It's a pain carrying around and maintaining all that crap. I allready made the switch from tube echoplex to the line 6 delay modeler cause it was so close- and I'm thinking about buying the Modulation Modeler too. Its a tough call, but anyone who says the Line 6 stuff sounds like "crap" isnt listening with thier ears. IMHO

March 22nd, 2003, 09:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
Abe Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 236	If it sounds good to you, be happy! So many people spend thousands of dollars and many years striving for "that sound". And in reality, the folks ordering the beer probably can't tell the difference between "that sound" and "this sound over here". The difference comes in how it inspires you. If the Line6 stuff floats your boat you probably ended up saving a bunch of cash and getting a ton of flexibility! That's something to smile about. :) I will say that I own a POD, and it doesn't do it for me. However, I've heard stuff done with a POD on tape that you'll never be able to tell wasn't a real AC-30. Play what you like - remember that there was a time nobody had ever heard of Marshall - someone had to buy one and figure out what you could do with it! Abe Mathews __________________ Member-in-exile, The non-Cult of the Hamer Tele Creator of the TeleFAQ

March 23rd, 2003, 06:18 AM	#11 (permalink)
bentele TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 27	Dacious and Abe, I couldn't agree more! I was never really happy with the flexy II, but I really like the III. I think it's a keeper....:) Ben

March 23rd, 2003, 02:04 PM	#12 (permalink)
Tim Bowen Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Age: 47 Posts: 3,031	Like some others said... ...the only ears you really need to satisfy are your own. I guess it boils down to how big a deal (or not) the complex harmonic overtones & asymmetrical clipping that only "the real thing" can deliver, are for you. Not everyone has a bevy of Tweeds & Plexis at their disposal, and the modelers can be a very useful tool. A few weeks back, I cut some tracks on a Vox AC15. Afterwards, my friend & I headed over to a buddy's studio to eavesdrop on their session. They were using a Johnson J Station, I believe it's called, with the "Brit Class A" model. Just for grins, we played the rough mix I had cut with the Vox, back to back with the "modeled" tracks... everyone in the room agreed that it wasn't a fair fight. But in all fairness, I think the Class A EL84 deal is about the toughest thing for a digital modeler to emulate, even moreso than copping a Tweed vibe.