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1116 Views 7 Replies Latest reply: Sep 28, 2011 10:27 PM by SSstormtrooper RSS
metalhd77 Just Startin'
metalhd77
159 posts since
Jul 1, 2008
Currently Being Moderated

Jul 13, 2011 8:56 PM

Back to SV or keep the HD500 and get DT-50?

Hello guys,

 

I am getting back into playing guitar after taking a long break after quitting my last band.  At the time I was using a MESA Roadster 212 (great amp BTW), and a bunch of stomp boxes.  I was just so sick of the low quality and reliability issues that line 6 was having with their Spider Valve MKII's at the time.  The short story is, I went through 2 different units.  The first one was shipped with a bad set of power tubes.  After only about 3 hours of play, one of the tubes was red plating.  They sent me a new one, which was fine, but I kept getting this crazy popping noise when switching presets.  It was pretty ridiculous.  I spoke to one of Line 6's techs on the phone and he told me to turn my patch volumes up, and just keep the master down.  It would have worked okay if the master volume knob wouldn't have been so touchy afterward.  You could literaly breathe on it and it would go from bedroom levels to blasting loud.  I was sick of it and just traded it for the roadster.  I needed an amp that was going to be reliable, so I took the leap for the MESA.

 

So I sold my MESA rig after quitting the last band because I knew I wanted to take a break from music for awhile just to at least let my ears stop ringing.  My head wasn't clear, I had a pregnant wife, and things just weren't looking good for playing.  So a few months went by and I seen the HD500 being advertised on the site.  So after reading many reviews and watching youtube vids I decided to get that so I could at least play around with headphones and jam along to some tunes.  Well, I haven't really had a lot of time to even go through all the shitty presets that line 6 put in it (We all know most of their presets are way over the top).

 

It seems like a decent concept, but I really don't think it is that great.  Especially when you compare it to an AxeFx or something like that.  The Axe blows it away in every aspect.  Seems like every tone I have heard out of it still has that digital sound.  At least from what I have been hearing on YouTube.  Not sure if these dudes just aren't taking the time to dial it in or if they really think it sounds decent to them.  There are a few that sound okay, but they are using DAWS with plug-ins like reamping and Recabinet.  Stuff like that.

 

So..............

 

Have the Spider Valves gotten better since about June of 2010 when I got rid of mine???  Are the clicks and pops and other digital glitches worked out now?  If I could find a used HD100 head cheap enough on ebay I might think about trying it again.  I had the 212 combo before.  Definitely lacked low end and the V30's were the chinese ones and were really shrill on the high end.

 

Or..........

 

Should I combine the hd500 with its partner in crime, the DT50?  Or maybe use the pod as a preamp and just run it into a poweramp?  I did that before with my Pod XT Live, and it sounded great.  I had a Rocktron Velocity Stereo power amp and a sonic maximizer in a rack and ran into a Peavey Triple XXX 4X12 cab.  It was a beefy sound for sure!  Still however that digital artifact.

 

Any suggestions?  Thanks

  • kgoroway Just Startin'
    kgoroway
    25 posts since
    Mar 21, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 14, 2011 12:47 PM (in response to metalhd77)
    Re: Back to SV or keep the HD500 and get DT-50?

    "Have the Spider Valves gotten better since about June of 2010 when I got rid of mine???  Are the clicks and pops and other digital glitches worked out now? "

     

    I can't answer most of your questions, but this one is easy.  The answers are "no" and "no".

    • jws1982 Iknowathingortwo
      jws1982
      207 posts since
      Jul 26, 2008
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jul 14, 2011 2:04 PM (in response to kgoroway)
      Re: Back to SV or keep the HD500 and get DT-50?

      +1.  They're still the same.  I can't speak on the reliability issues, as every one I've used has been solid.  The first thing I did though, and still do now every other month or so, was go over the entire amp, check bias, tubes, fuses, and anything else possible.  Also, using a power conditioner on stage helps a lot too.

       

      As for the V30's being made in China, the parts have been made there for many years.  Only years ago did they move the assembly to China.  The only real difference, besides who's hands put them together, is that the 'English' ones are more broken-in after years of use.  If you don't like the sound of a new V30, you could look for old used ones that are smoother-sounding or get a different brand speaker.

       

      ...but you'd still have the channel switching pops and delay.

       

      If you get a chance, try running that POD HD through a DT50 or another tube amp / speaker combo.  And if you have the cash to blow, get an Axe Fx and midi footswitch.

      • metalhd77 Just Startin'
        metalhd77
        159 posts since
        Jul 1, 2008
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jul 15, 2011 3:39 PM (in response to jws1982)
        Re: Back to SV or keep the HD500 and get DT-50?

        Thanks guys!

         

        +1 on the AxeFx

         

        -1 on the cashflow!!

         

        I'd love an AxeFx and a atomic reactor tube driven wedge setup.  Problem is I don't want to have to take out a loan, cuz that would set me back a few thou.

         

        So I haven't heard too many complaints on the HD500, but I haven't been exactly following the forums either.  I just want to have something that I can make sound good, and don't have to search forums for other guys having the same issues, and brainstorm ideas together on how to resolve them. (Mainly because Line 6 is a big company and doesn't have time to get to everyone's questions.)

         

        If money weren't an issue, I'd have a setup like Tremonti or a Mark IV setup like Petrucci.  Um...........ain't happenin'!!!

         

        Maybe the DT50 would be a good partner for the HD.  I haven't seen a lot of reviews or demo vids of them together.

         

        The big problem with watching those videos is that they could sound bad *** on the computer, but then you demo it yourself at Guitar Center and it can sound like ****, even with the same settings.  I had that problem with my Roadster and the SV MKII combo.  Sounded great at GC, and got it home and it sucked balls.  I think GC has some special **** in them jam rooms to make anything sound awesome.

         

        Wish we could go back to the good ole' days when equipment was manufactured and sold with good intentions, and not to fleece the musician, and make them believe they are getting something they really aren't.  I think Line 6 has great products when they work.  Problem is, the bugs NEVER get completely worked out.  They are still working on bugs for the XT series stuff probably.

         

        I like digital stuff for the versatility of not having to haul around tons of gear between home and rehearsals.  The floorboard idea is great.  Plop it down, plug it in, and go.  Unfortunately, it isn't that easy.  Maybe I got a good unit?  Maybe it's a lemon?  Who knows?  They turn out hundreds of thousands of products a year, and thats what they are in business to do.  MAKE MONEY!!  Other companies like MESA, MARSHALL, CELESTION, PEAVEY, etc. give you your monies worth at least.  Even though you probably are paying for a lot of the name.  Chances are if you like Marshalls, you might find better value in something like an Egnater.  They are a little more reasonable, but not really an imitation like modelers are.

         

        I don't know what I'm gonna do at this point.  Might just keep my little pocket pod for practice jamming and get an egnater rig with like an M9 for effects or something like that.  Time will tell I guess.

         

        Thanks again guys

        • mrasmodeus Just Startin'
          mrasmodeus
          35 posts since
          Jun 18, 2010
          Currently Being Moderated
          Jul 18, 2011 8:51 AM (in response to metalhd77)
          Re: Back to SV or keep the HD500 and get DT-50?

          yeah, GC can be insidious with teh sound. then again, look around, theres a reason everything is carpeted, things hanging on teh walls, open space, but not too much, etc... its acoustically not bad in there.  give the place the clap test and you'lll usually find the amp area is completely different than teh acoustic room  vs the accessories desk.

  • mrasmodeus Just Startin'
    mrasmodeus
    35 posts since
    Jun 18, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 14, 2011 2:03 PM (in response to metalhd77)
    Re: Back to SV or keep the HD500 and get DT-50?

    For what it's worth, until recently, I was playing a Roadster Combo with an HD500 in front of it, and I traded it in for a SV MkII head and cabinet, and leaving the HD500 to just basic late night bedroom jamming.

     

    I haven't felt sorry about it at all yet.

     

    The HD500 and crew have a number of issues, including shutting down at times for a few seconds (meaning no sound). Outside of that, read the HD forum and look at the various complaints. I don't agree nor have I experienced all of them, and I've had my own oddities with some of the amp models.

     

    The DT50 doesn't sound like that bad of an amp, but I went with the SV MkII becuase I recorded with it before on the band's latest release and it was pretty darn nice.

     

    In my (very) humble opinion, I like the SV tones over the HD ones. Your feelings may differ depending on your style and type of music.

     

    SV Mk I's, I can't comment on, having no experience with them.

     

    The gag to it all is, I added up the weight of the SV II head and cabinet, and it's exactly 4.5 pounds heavier than the Roadster 2x12 combo.

     

    About the only thing overall I would like to see from Line6 would for (especially) their high gain patches to not sound so compressed. The Metal & Insane channels sound a lot like my old Mesa, and in ways better, but it plays and responds like my old Crate amps.

    • sammy13 Just Startin'
      sammy13
      21 posts since
      Oct 12, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jul 23, 2011 8:57 AM (in response to mrasmodeus)
      Re: Back to SV or keep the HD500 and get DT-50?

      turning down/off the noise gate and noise reduction might help make the sound less 'compressed'

      • SSstormtrooper Just Startin'
        SSstormtrooper
        73 posts since
        Jan 19, 2011
        Currently Being Moderated
        Sep 28, 2011 10:27 PM (in response to sammy13)
        Re: Back to SV or keep the HD500 and get DT-50?

        And the presence knob can make a huge difference.I had it on around the 4 o'clock position for the longest time(on the HD 100) and then moved the rig to another area and dialed it back to around the 12 o'clock position and everything sounds way beefier now.It's almost like a different amp.

         

        I think people really need to take extra time in dialling in the tone shaping controls(myself included sometimes) of their gear before freaking out.Alot of money could be saved with people being happy with what they have instead of always thinking the $3000 boutique amp or effects processor will make them sound better.

         

        Heck,I have a super cheapo ZOOM 2020 pedalboard from the early early 90's that has kick *** distortions straight from the factory and sound wayyyyy better than alot of the new stuff I feel.

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