Skip navigation
Up to Discussions in Spider Jam
3918 Views 16 Replies Latest reply: Jun 27, 2010 6:45 AM by Decryphe RSS
dabinski Just Startin'
dabinski
1 posts since
Mar 9, 2010
Currently Being Moderated

Mar 9, 2010 4:35 PM

Is there a NEW version of Spyder Jam being developed?

Is there a Spyder Jam IV being developed? If so, what's coming and when will it be available?

  • Buy-a-Fender Iknowathingortwo
    Buy-a-Fender
    426 posts since
    Jul 25, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 10, 2010 5:58 AM (in response to dabinski)
    Re: Is there a NEW version of Spyder Jam being developed?

    the Spider IV and the Spider Jam are two entirely different products.

     

    This is the Spider Jam forum

     

    If you are looking for info on the Spider IV you should post in the appropriate forum.

     

    http://line6.com/community/community/support/amplifiers/spider

  • timothybaugh Just Startin'
    timothybaugh
    183 posts since
    Jun 29, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 19, 2010 5:07 AM (in response to dabinski)
    Re: Is there a NEW version of Spyder Jam being developed?

    I guess that will depend on how well the existing Spider Jam has sold. This forum seems to be quieter than other sections which may indicate a lack of sales/interest. I haven't seen a Jam in any of my local guitar stores for ages.

     

    I can't see it being too difficult to re-engineer the newer Spider IV 75 into a Spider IV Jam, and I think that going forward Line 6 will want to rationalise it's manufacturing processes as the Spider IV and Spider Jam use different components leading to additional costs and production issues. IMHO the existing Jam will either be discontinued or upgraded.

    • Buy-a-Fender Iknowathingortwo
      Buy-a-Fender
      426 posts since
      Jul 25, 2008
      Currently Being Moderated
      Mar 19, 2010 8:15 AM (in response to timothybaugh)
      Re: Is there a NEW version of Spyder Jam being developed?

      I think the Spider Jam is a niche product. It is a practice amp.

       

      As much as I love my SJ I would never gig live with it. It is just too finicky with the unexpected volume changes when switching presets. (along with ohter occasional, quirky behavior)

       

      I also think that the 'quietness' of this forum has no reflection on the number of units sold or popularity of the product.

       

      Of course I don't have Line 6 sales figures but I am sure there far fewer SJ's being sold than the primary line of Spider amps simply becuase it is a 'niche' product.

       

      I cannot imagine Line 6 turning a IV into a Jam type product as the amps have totally different purposes.

       

      And of course I could also be full of sh*t and ti would not be the first timne...

       

      .

      • timothybaugh Just Startin'
        timothybaugh
        183 posts since
        Jun 29, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Mar 19, 2010 9:13 AM (in response to Buy-a-Fender)
        Re: Is there a NEW version of Spyder Jam being developed?

        The Spider Jam is a niche product, but I think it's expensive as a practice amp. In the UK you can get a decent practice amp from Line 6, Roland, Marshall and Vox for under £75 that you can connect your MP3 player to. Most people have a PC/Mac and can use that – my SJ has been collecting dust since I upgraded my computer last year. I have a set of powered pro monitors and get a decent sound to jam along with using Amplitube3 or Pod Farm. I can't see Line 6 wanting to make an amp based on the older Spider III for too long.

        • Buy-a-Fender Iknowathingortwo
          Buy-a-Fender
          426 posts since
          Jul 25, 2008
          Currently Being Moderated
          Mar 19, 2010 9:51 AM (in response to timothybaugh)
          Re: Is there a NEW version of Spyder Jam being developed?

          expensive?

          maybe, maybe not.

           

          Who else sells a practice amp like the Jam? Fender? I think not. The GDEC does not even compare. Roland? Marshall? sure they make great practice amps and you can connect your MP3 player but...

           

          can you record loops?

          can you slow down pitch or temp?

          can you plug a low impedence mike in it if you want to practice singing along with your guitar?

          do they have built in tuners?

          do they have the array of tonal presets and effects?

           

          The 'niche' factor of the Jam is that you can just sit down, grab your guitar and jam. No need to for a computer, or any other gear. It's all there and the learning curve is certainly easier than learning to manipulate computer software and interconnected equipment.

           

          Lots of people have computers and lots of people are doing amazing things with them as far as jamming, recording etc. But there are those of us who just want to practice without having to deal with connecting up computers, installing software, connectiong cables, configuring, torubleshooting etc etc.

           

          For me, the last thing I want to do when I get home is have to fiddle with a computer in order to practice my guitar.

          With the Jam I just switch it on and everything I need or want to do is all there in one box. That is the real beauty of this product.

           

          Personally, I think Line 6 has a filled a real void with the Jam and I for one hope they continue to sell this little beauty.

           

          I just cannot see any reason they would migrate the Jam functionality to one of their amps designed for live use.

           

          But let me restate for the record...I could be completely full of s**t

          • timothybaugh Just Startin'
            timothybaugh
            183 posts since
            Jun 29, 2007
            Currently Being Moderated
            Mar 19, 2010 11:15 AM (in response to Buy-a-Fender)
            Re: Is there a NEW version of Spyder Jam being developed?

            But the Jam is based on the Spider III 75 which was a standard Line 6 amp – I could see Line 6 upgrading the existing Jam by using the Spider IV 75 as a base. The issue is whether they sell enough units to warrant the move.

             

            I agree that the Jam has a great bunch of features and is simple to use, but how many people use them all? The nearest competitor is probably the Tascam GA range, although I've noticed that some of the models have been discontinued - maybe it didn't sell.

             

            I'd actually like to see Line 6 make a power amp combo with no amp modelling or effects, but with the dual speaker, looping and multiple inputs. That way you could connect a POD X3 or X3 Live and have access to the full range of Line 6 amp models and effects. It could also give you something you could gig with that's cheaper than the Vetta II. Line 6 could probably sell more of these units as people who use other modellers, such as Boss and Vox, could be tempted to buy one.

    • Iangw Just Startin'
      Iangw
      180 posts since
      Mar 22, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Mar 19, 2010 1:07 PM (in response to timothybaugh)
      Re: Is there a NEW version of Spyder Jam being developed?

      I think the reason the forum is quiet is it is difficult to use and not much fun to use any more

      • timothybaugh Just Startin'
        timothybaugh
        183 posts since
        Jun 29, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Mar 20, 2010 2:23 AM (in response to Iangw)
        Re: Is there a NEW version of Spyder Jam being developed?

        Are you on the Music Radar forum Ian?

         

        I did prefer the old Line 6 forums ....

        • Iangw Just Startin'
          Iangw
          180 posts since
          Mar 22, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Mar 20, 2010 3:00 AM (in response to timothybaugh)
          Re: Is there a NEW version of Spyder Jam being developed?

          Yes and Yes is your answer

          • timothybaugh Just Startin'
            timothybaugh
            183 posts since
            Jun 29, 2007
            Currently Being Moderated
            Mar 20, 2010 3:49 AM (in response to Iangw)
            Re: Is there a NEW version of Spyder Jam being developed?

            I thought it was you - I post regularly on Music Radar and get accused of being a Line 6 fan boy ... :-)

            • Iangw Just Startin'
              Iangw
              180 posts since
              Mar 22, 2007
              Currently Being Moderated
              Mar 20, 2010 4:49 AM (in response to timothybaugh)
              Re: Is there a NEW version of Spyder Jam being developed?

              Nothing wrong with that best amp for messing about on I love it

              • timothybaugh Just Startin'
                timothybaugh
                183 posts since
                Jun 29, 2007
                Currently Being Moderated
                Mar 20, 2010 10:57 AM (in response to Iangw)
                Re: Is there a NEW version of Spyder Jam being developed?

                Although for practice the new Boss eBand JS-8 looks cool – it's not a gigging amp, but it has some nice features such as loads of COSM amps and effects, centre cancel, the ability to play MP3s and WAVs, support for USB keys, PC integration. It also has a looper, a tempo change function and a mic input. Line 6 could easily produce something similar. I prefer the Line 6 tones to the Boss COSM amp models.

                • testy99 Just Startin'
                  testy99
                  3 posts since
                  May 1, 2010
                  Currently Being Moderated
                  May 1, 2010 5:04 PM (in response to timothybaugh)
                  Re: Is there a NEW version of Spyder Jam being developed?

                  If they plan on growing the Jam product line, then it would be natural for them to have a new Jam version based on Spider IV.....

                  otherwise JAM is a deadend product.   It all depends on the Roadmap they have for JAM which apparently no one wants to provide onfo. about at this time.

                  • ghodaddyyo Just Startin'
                    ghodaddyyo
                    3 posts since
                    Jul 19, 2008
                    Currently Being Moderated
                    May 3, 2010 5:32 PM (in response to testy99)
                    Re: Is there a NEW version of Spyder Jam being developed?

                    For a while I let my SJ collect dust after I picked up a UX2, Amp Farm and powered monitors. About a month back I decided to plug back into the SJ to compare tones and was instantly pleased with the thump and chug I was getting compared to going through my powered monitors. Now I just use my computer for recording, and playing backing tracks but get my thump fix through the SJ.  I have jams at my house and when I used to play through my computer, I was constantly fidgeting with the tone to get some thump. Could never quite get it and maybe it's my monitors, but since I've gone back to my SJ, my friends have noticed the improvement. Now it's no match for my Mesa Boogie which I break out for gigs, but for low volume jams, I'm lovin it.

                     

                    I'm one of those people who used to post here alot, but can't get used to the newer forum or the lack of updates. I'm still waiting for the fix that will keep my SJ in Jam mode when I power down as it used to in the original firmware. No updates, no new topics, nothing interesting. Sometimes I think L6 is more interested in churning out new product then they are with updating existing products. Most of the time I'm not interested in the new products because they just do more of the same, but in a new package. All in all, I'm pretty pleased with what I have bought from L6.

                     

                    Now if I can only find a shortboard that still works with the SJ and doesn't cost me an arm and a leg.

                    • Decryphe Just Startin'
                      Decryphe
                      3 posts since
                      Dec 9, 2009
                      Currently Being Moderated
                      Jun 27, 2010 6:45 AM (in response to ghodaddyyo)
                      Re: Is there a NEW version of Spyder Jam being developed?

                      I have the FBV Shortboard Mk2 with my Spider Jam and am very happy with that combination. Controlling the loops with the pedalboard is the most practical thing there is.

                       

                      I don't get how people can have problems with using their presets... I never have problems with how loud my presets are. Just remember that channel volume is saved with tone, master volume controls overall volume and isn't saved.

                       

                      In any case, I don't think that there will be a newer Spider Jam out there within the near future. Afaik it wasn't really a success (rather expensive compared to the standard Spider series... almost as expensive as gig-ready amps or the cheaper half stacks like the Bugera 6262), unfortunately, because having all you'll ever need in one smallish package is awesome. Drums, metronome, tuner, looper, lots of tonal possibilities, one pedalboard for everything... you don't get that for less money anywhere else.

More Like This

  • Retrieving data ...

Bookmarked By (0)

Legend

  • Correct Answers - 5 points
  • Helpful Answers - 3 points