ah, you bring up a good point. i totally forgot about the X3.  i guess what got me thinking about the spider iv was the new tones, supposedly being their best to date.  would those new tones be available to update on the X3?  cuz that might be a good solution, move my vetta over to my practice spot and use the X3 in my recording setup.

and one more question, i heard that if i acquire the armin mod for my vetta, then i cant use custom tone and the editor for patches?  so will installing that mod (which i'm really interested in because of the supposed improved sound on recording direct in) mean i cant use any updates now, if say line6 provides an update for the vetta with new tones/effects?

youre right, i probably need to go and hear it for myself since tone is so subjective.  i just hate going to GC, i've yet to have a good experience there (but thats a whole other topic).  plus, i think it takes time to tweak tones and get to know what it can do... and that's hard to do with others amps blaring the latest djent and drop tuned brootalz all around you.  but thanks for your personal recommendation (or thumbs down on the new tones).  i guess i just need to take my time on this decision.  its just tough when you suffer from G.A.S. and you actually have a lil cash for once    plus that vetta option is gone, someone else jumped on the steal of a deal.  damn

yea, thanks for the input.  i think i'm gonna save my money and wait and instead use my time going thru the user tones.  there's so much out there that i really should spend time exploring and finding a few tones that get me what i want.  i'll probably also explore the armin mods after that.  and maybe by then, there will be talk of a vetta iii... yea right