Opinions on a Line 6 Flextone 3?

Blues-Guy · August 5th, 2004, 04:37 PM

Just curious on what everyone thinks of these amps.

BobB · August 6th, 2004, 12:02 AM

I like it. It does a lot of things very well. Though not the same as a tube amp on some models. I have several other tube amps.

What would you like to know about the amp? Perhaps I could give you more details.

Bob

Blues-Guy · August 6th, 2004, 08:57 AM

Are they reliable? I havent heard that much about them. I really dont use a lot of effects. I prefer a straight Fender sound. I also like to use a tube screamer and wha wha. Thats about it.

Line 6 states they can dublicate the sounds indicated above and more. Is that true?

Thanks.

Michael R · August 6th, 2004, 09:54 AM

I don't have a FT-3, just FT-2's and a vetta which have been reliable for me, they get alot of use but pretty much stay here. If you want a certian straight fender sound I wouldn't go with them, while the modeling is very good I have a few of the amps they model and it just isn't the same, I don't know how to describe it but to me some of the picking dynamics are lost, alot has to do with the cab and speakers too, in general close but not the same, maybe the FT-3's are better, I only noodled around on one so can't comment there. In general I find if you are looking at any modeling amp to reproduce the tone/response of your favorite amp(s) you are going to dissapointed, what they do well is provide alot of good usable/tweakable tones and effects all packaged in one box. And just to add I never cared for the wah that is on the floorboard, IMO terrible mechanically but usable sound wise, thats just me though, I'm used to my favorites. I don't know if the 3's model different wah's and pedals but notice on other modeling boxes thats the trend.

Quote:

Line 6 states they can dublicate the sounds indicated above and more. Is that true?

I belive they duplicate the sound in a controlled/scientific reproduce the graphs kind of way, granted thats the best metric, but in the end you have to go with your own ear.

halouis · August 6th, 2004, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blues-Guy

Are they reliable? I havent heard that much about them. I really dont use a lot of effects. I prefer a straight Fender sound. I also like to use a tube screamer and wha wha. Thats about it.

Line 6 states they can dublicate the sounds indicated above and more. Is that true?

Thanks.

if you dont like lots of effects and like a "straight Fender sound" then why not just go buy a nice Fender, a wha and a TS? Why try to replicate somethign when you can just go get that?

Not trying to be a smart*ss, its jsut that the Line 6 products are about having many different models or amp tones in them. for someone who wants a Marshall, a Boogie, and Fender but not need to buy all the amps. I think if someone wants to have a close approximation to many amps and have some nice modelled effects built in, the Line 6 is the way to go.

But if you know the tone you want and its pretty basic, just go get the real deal. you'll be way happier. trust me.

BobB · August 7th, 2004, 02:12 PM

Re: Line 6 Flex 3

To start off again I love my Line 6, but it is not a simple thing to EXACTLY match the tone of you favorite amp.... any of them.

The Flex 3 Plus is loud and can get set up to cut through the mix, but if you have a lot of experience playing a tube amp loud, there is something missing. Hard to put a finger on it but to me the tone has an odd compression. Perhaps you can dial it out... I lost patience.

I took a different approach for dialing in tones.... rather than look for a match with a Twin Reverb or Deluxe, I dialed in my ideal clean tone, ideal crunch, ideal metal or searing lead tone. I have settings programmed for single coils and humbuckers. My current favorites are the Vox AC30 and JTM 45 setting for crunch and mild over drive, the Line 6 clean for clean, The Roland Jazz for a smokey clean with buckers, and the Soldano lead. I don't set them up to sound like the amps they model, just the tone I want. I've done some side by side with Vox AC 30's, and Fenders (I have a SFDR and Tweed Deluxe) and it's right there. The fact that the Line 6 is a 2x12 does alter the tone a bit.

I use the Flex almost exclusively at home since it..... I guess I have to say it.. is flexible and you can dial in the dirt at lower volumes. My ears and my family get tired when I play my tube amps at stage volume at home.

If you do choose to go this route, please note that if you dial in great tones at low volumes they will not sound good live at stage levels and will not cut through the mix. To compensate for this I have two levels of programs..... one for stage, one for home practice.

Bob

charliebrown · February 13th, 2005, 08:13 PM

One thing you need to realize on these amps (Flexone II or III) is that you need to set your models for live playing..it's usually a matter of just tweaking the gain and tone settings for the additional volume used when playing live. They cut through when set correctly...they definitely cut through. Most problems I've seen with the Flextone stuff is due to "pilot error" or not reading the manual. I do program mine using the Line 6 Edit program on my computer. It cost me $10 for some midi cables and a free software download. It works like a charm...very easy to edit tones and models.

August 5th, 2004, 04:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Blues-Guy TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 31	Opinions on a Line 6 Flextone 3? Just curious on what everyone thinks of these amps.

August 6th, 2004, 12:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
BobB TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Hudson Valley, NY Posts: 72	I have one..... I like it. It does a lot of things very well. Though not the same as a tube amp on some models. I have several other tube amps. What would you like to know about the amp? Perhaps I could give you more details. Bob

August 6th, 2004, 08:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
Blues-Guy TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 31	Line 6 Are they reliable? I havent heard that much about them. I really dont use a lot of effects. I prefer a straight Fender sound. I also like to use a tube screamer and wha wha. Thats about it. Line 6 states they can dublicate the sounds indicated above and more. Is that true? Thanks.

August 7th, 2004, 02:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
BobB TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Hudson Valley, NY Posts: 72	Blues guy..... more info Re: Line 6 Flex 3 To start off again I love my Line 6, but it is not a simple thing to EXACTLY match the tone of you favorite amp.... any of them. The Flex 3 Plus is loud and can get set up to cut through the mix, but if you have a lot of experience playing a tube amp loud, there is something missing. Hard to put a finger on it but to me the tone has an odd compression. Perhaps you can dial it out... I lost patience. I took a different approach for dialing in tones.... rather than look for a match with a Twin Reverb or Deluxe, I dialed in my ideal clean tone, ideal crunch, ideal metal or searing lead tone. I have settings programmed for single coils and humbuckers. My current favorites are the Vox AC30 and JTM 45 setting for crunch and mild over drive, the Line 6 clean for clean, The Roland Jazz for a smokey clean with buckers, and the Soldano lead. I don't set them up to sound like the amps they model, just the tone I want. I've done some side by side with Vox AC 30's, and Fenders (I have a SFDR and Tweed Deluxe) and it's right there. The fact that the Line 6 is a 2x12 does alter the tone a bit. I use the Flex almost exclusively at home since it..... I guess I have to say it.. is flexible and you can dial in the dirt at lower volumes. My ears and my family get tired when I play my tube amps at stage volume at home. If you do choose to go this route, please note that if you dial in great tones at low volumes they will not sound good live at stage levels and will not cut through the mix. To compensate for this I have two levels of programs..... one for stage, one for home practice. Bob

February 13th, 2005, 08:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
charliebrown Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 195	Flextone for gigs... One thing you need to realize on these amps (Flexone II or III) is that you need to set your models for live playing..it's usually a matter of just tweaking the gain and tone settings for the additional volume used when playing live. They cut through when set correctly...they definitely cut through. Most problems I've seen with the Flextone stuff is due to "pilot error" or not reading the manual. I do program mine using the Line 6 Edit program on my computer. It cost me $10 for some midi cables and a free software download. It works like a charm...very easy to edit tones and models. __________________ Sarcasm is only one service we offer.