Slingy wrote:

 

based on X3 models potential is there to be a decent amp, maybe great.

Maybe.

Remember, the Spider III is based on POD 2 models.  So is the Spider Valve.  And there's an obvious winner, at least in my mind, between the two.  So I think they're going to have to improve a whole lot more than just where they got the models from to make it a great amp.

Looking forward to seeing what the Spider Valve MKII is going to bring also.

Keep an eye on Vetta Ville, they usually have the latest...

cgtrox

Grr your kidding right I just bought a Spider Valve 212, read alot of stupid reviews from stupid people on it. Everyone bashes it which its just like motorcycle racing, it's not the bike it's the driver. Same goes with guitars a lot of younger kids say crap and talk in the forums with no knowledge what so ever. The amp amplifies what you play, it doesn't matter how many pedals a person has or gear if they play like crap the amp will play the same crap they are putting into it. I am sorry it just pisses me off how people bash Line 6. I just got back into playing and took a 18 year break, yes you heard it right sucks because the innovations of technology now are awesome back in the day I use to play the first ever Les Paul EP around that time Zakk was first making a name for himself with Ozzy. The gear and pedals were minimal and the best pedal at the time was the Hendrix pedal along with Crybaby Wah. That is how long ago it was jeeshz I think I will shoot myself now lol!

Yeah the current Spider 15w don't have a pedal jack, the new does. 

I wonder what improvements the 15w and 30w will have "under the hood" in terms of the distortion and amp models.

the original ads that i posted (which don't seem to be working anymore) said Late Summer.

that's always a tough one--buy the current one or wait for the new one.  of course the blowout prices probably won't go away after the release so you should be able to pick one up somewhere if the IV isn't a major leap.  nicer cosmetics and a bigger LCD, for me, would not constitute a leap--not that i have any information that this is what to expect, i have only seen pics of the 15 & 30 and pricing for the line-up.  "X"-modelling would be a leap but i really think you would have to sit down in front of both to see how dramatic a difference it would be--at the same time taking into account the context in which you will be using the amp (are you really going to notice that "increased openness, and slightly rounder, warmer bottom end" (my phony descriptions--but who wouldn't like a rounder, warmer bottom end?) in the full throws of a death metal show?

Spider IV is here, see the pressrelease and first info

http://www.vettaville.nl/page.php?id=136

from the Vetaville sheet it looks like the major improvements are in the effects section--Looper, Auto-Wah and Intelligent Pitch Shifter plus 4 effects at once and control over routing and "deep editing."  very nice stuff!  also, "tonally superior" amp modelling could mean superior to others or superior to Spider III--hard to say (those sneaky marketing gurus) then the press release also hints at a leap in sound quality;

Each Spider IV preset, amp model and effect exceeds the renowned Line 6 standard of sound quality.  Every aspect of the tone, from the guitar input to the three-quarter closed-back cabinet and Celestion® speakers, delivers exceptional definition, clarity and feel. "

i don't know, there might be a Spider IV in my future--ridiculous because i don't really have a need for an amp (i've got a powerblock and 2x12 to amplify my XTL when needed) but this seems like pretty tasty stuff.

Oh, nstuffmusic is taking pre-orders for August and their list of new features:

SPIDER IV:  WHAT'S DIFFERENT?

• Better Sounding and Better Feeling Amp Models Using Revamped Line 6 Modeling Technology
• Total Control of Better Sounding FX, Use Smart FX Interface or Dive Deep into FX Parameters
• Newly Remastered Artist and Song-Based Presets with Improved Preset Navigation
• New Black Aesthetic Connects to Spider III But Now Vibes More Pro

SPIDER IV FEATURE

• 16 Revamped Amp Models - Benefit: Experience better sounding and better feeling amp models, ably handled by a SHARC processor.  Amp models are based on the top-selling POD®X3, and optimized for Spider IV.
• Total Control of 20 FX - Benefit: Use the familiar Smart FX interface for instantly inspiring FX tones from POD X3, or choose to dive deeper and tweak up to 6 FX parameters.  Route any effect Pre or Post for unmatched flexibility.
• New Artist Presets and Improved Preset Navigation - Benefit: Spider IV offers over 250 killer presets dialed in and approved by real Rock Stars.  We also added a bigger LCD display and improved the menu navigation.
• On-Board Looper and Other Premium FX - Benefit: Loop to your heart's content, or go crazy with our new intelligent harmonizer, pitch shifter, and auto-wah. Get even greater control with FBV.
• Improved Direct Out Sound Quality - Benefit: Many of our customers use computers to record, and Spider IV delivers a POD X3 quality solution with Spider's ease-of-use.
• Seamless FBV Integration - Benefit: FBV Foot Controllers make it easier to practice and perform, add additional FX like Volume/Wah, and are an easy up-sell.
• Upgradeable Amp Platform via FBV Mk II - Benefit: FBV Mk II Foot Controllers feature USB connections that will allow for future firmware upgrades.

it sounds like you might be a candidate for taking advantage of the blowout pricing on the larger spider iii's.  best buy has a 150watt head for $149--get a used cab somewhere and you won't be worried about output.  i haven't tried the vyper amps.

I picked up my 75 last night. I played the floor model and was quite blown away using the insane model. I had awesome low-volume feedback using a Peavey V-Type guitar (which I traded in). I had only enough time to unbox it last night when I got home. I am looking forward to a weekend full of structured noise! This IV model seems so much more articulate and even tone in its tube simulation!

I am also unable to locate whether my FBV longboard will be compatible. The GC sales person said yes; however, I will find out very soon.

I, too, cannot wait until the Advanced Users Guide comes out.

does it work without the short board?

Yes, the Spider Valve is being discontinued and replaced with the Spider Valve MKII...

guitargman - glad to hear that I am not the only one that thought the Spider IV is worse than the Spider III.

I have been anxious to try the Spider IV, but last week I finally got the chance to plug into the 150 watt 2x12 version. I thought the Spider III was pretty sweet for the price and I was hoping that the Spider IV would be even better. The tweakable effects is a great update, but the amp models sound much worse to my ears.

Maybe the PODxt amp models just don't work for a real amp/speakers? The old POD 2.0 technology seems to work better in an amp - the old Flextone 2 sounded good, and then when L6 changed to the xt amp models I thought they ruined the Flextone amps. Now it seems that the same thing has happened with the Spider amps. The III was good - especially the high gain models. I was very close to buying a Spider III half stack (even though I already own a PODX3L) because I think it sounds good.

The main flaw with the xt/x3 models to me - the high gain models sound buzzy and bad unless you tighten them up with a tubescreamer or some kind of front end boost. The older POD 2.0 models seem to sound fine on their own without the front end boost.  Even when using my PODX3 direct for recording I always put the tubescreamer model in front of almost all of the high gain amp models to tighten them up and make them sound less fuzzy and digital.

I think L6 made a big mistake by not making the tubescreamer available as a stomp effect on the Spider IV - it would have improved the high gain sounds tremendously just the way it does on the X3 and xt. They put the compressor model in there, how hard would it have been to include the TS too?

Wow ..is it that bad?

... I mean I got the SV HD100 but am thinking about trading up for the MKII if it comes out soon (within 45day return range) and one of the new Shortboards as the more I read up on the USB capabilites of the new boards the more excited I am getting ... but after reading these comments on the Spider IV Im beginning to wonder if I should hang onto my SV HD100 and just find a way to deal with it and the Podxtl.

See if they don't announce presale soon of MKII (as I said within my 45days exchange cutoff) then I was thinkin of gettn just the Spider IV 150/W stereo head and new MKII shortboard as an all in one solution as opposed to the shortcomings with the Spider Valve HD100 Podxtl setup but if it sounds crappy by comparison then I dunno if I wanna go the Spider IV route or not.

@ kc90 the main difference between the two 30watt amps is the iii only has four amp models preset on the four buttons and the iv has twelve amp models which you can save how you like on the four channel buttons.

I gotta admit i have the spider four about two weeks now i thought i was sattisfied but yesterday i realised i miss the metal green of my spider 2 it had more balls and a tighter low end than the spider iv. Sadly i sold the spider 2 to get this one, i am now returning it to the shop as soon as i got my money back i am also getting the spider valve 212. I know i could wait for the mark 2 but i dont need all the fancy fx i just want my distortion with big balls and some sweet delay, I just discovered the valve has an FX loop so maybe i will leave the onboard delays and get a second hand DL4.

The spider iv is a great amp, i just dont like that it kind of gets muddy in the lows, maybe its because of the 3/4 closed back, i would have removed it if i did not have my money back warrenty.

Just one question to the valve can i bypass the fx loop with the shortboard?

@ fester2000

your right i should net let others tell me whats good or not. But somehow they where right as soon as all the flare of the new amp was gone, their was something that was not right, and i could not figure it till last night, when i played the amp.

Cant wait for my spider valve, i tested about a year ago it was awesome i just did not trust myself with tube technology. I think i will learn to take of the the tube and replace them every year.

Speaking for the Spider IV 75, I find it absolutely an unbelievable value. I’ve been playing my Vetta for years at home. My personal taste involves the ability to achieve feedback. With my Vetta, I have had difficulty tuning in a sweet spot; however, the IV, at relatively low volume, makes my mouth drop with glorious rock supreme. The articulation from the IV was what I wanted, and it delivers. This is what I define as valuable.

FYI - The patch is swamp throat, which uses one of the insane models. For me, the ideal practice jam involves dialing the drive to near low, decrease channel volume, and then laying down a chimy Strat progression (bridge-middle select) using the loop feature. Then, I dial up the drive, add some delay, and reverb to taste. I am able to direct feedback ala any rock star with ease. 

This is what drove me to the $299 1x12 75. Plus, it is so light. I cannot believe the bass thump that comes out of this. A few months ago, I nearly purchased a used Spider Valve. When I called on it, the Gent and I chatted for some time, comparing gear, potential trades, and what roles music played in our lives. He ended up revealing he was an R&D guy and had a IV that he was blown away by. I took his words as knowledgeable, he said, “You need to wait for the IV, it is significant break though” in the context of solid state vs. tube. So, I did.

I will tell you that newness of strings plays an important roll in whatever amp you use. Sometimes, this is not obvious, so I was compelled to mention it. I can hear the loss of brightness in the IV, clearly driven by the descent of the strings.

Again, find what you like, but, this is what I value in this product.       

Very interested in your feedback on this.  I have a Spider III 15w and wanna upgrade.  I'm very seriously considering a Spider Jam - I've given one a test drive at a local store and am very impressed.

Looking forward to hearding your feedback - When you're doing your A/B test can I ask you to have a look at the AC/30 models along with delay, as I play a load of U2 songs.