ColonelForbin

Sorry, I wasn't more specific - the new $99 model packs.!

Interesting! Pickups definitely make a huge difference. P90's are awesome!! And no, definitely not blasphemy! Lots of guitars, lots of styles. So many other variables, so many players, so much music.. I must say, when I plugged in the 30th custom 24, the pickups sounded really excellent. Some cool, unique tones from the dual humbuckers, and no push-pull coil tap thing, just a 5-way blade. Has some strat like sounds in positions 2 and 4; the neck pickup was loud!! Sounded great, for that saturated ripping lead tone. A bit louder / more present than a typical strat neck pickup sound. The center and bridge positions also sounded killer / fat humbucker tone. Different enough from a Les Paul or a Fender, that I can see why some folks love 'em, and those that do not, I can see why, since it's definitely a different sound. I would imagine it varies alot based on which model, which pickups, how many frets, semi, hollow or solid. Plus, the amp!!! A side note to that, I love the sound of plugging directly into the DT25 head+cab, it just rips. Great stuff, very low noise floor, even with the high gain amps. I have spent so much time just using the HD POD with the link, that it was cool to go simple.. Yeah, I think strats will always be my favorite, though I'd like to add a sweet Les Paul some day.. Just, NOT these awful 2015 models - where almost the entire line comes standard with their electronic robot tuner, and it's fugly black plastic with a weird hologram of Les Paul on the back of the headstock? TERRIBLE!!!! I can see offering that as an option - but the only 2015 Les Pauls that don't have it are like, $6-$8k This thing is what I am referring to - and the guys at Guitar Center says it voids your warranty if you remove it!!!!

Possibly; the new firmware update that is due out tomorrow is for 500x only at first; might be some people ready to let go of their 500 to fund a 500x.. I stuck with the 500 for about four years, I still have it, just noticed some footswitch glitches starting to appear, and I didn't want to wait for the firmware, so I sprung for a 500x a few weeks back. Still considering working the dual 500's into the rig; use one with amps, use the other with the FRFR speakers.. So yeah; be picky if you buy a 500 used! check Reverb.com, I see an HD500 on there for $250 right now! Also maybe look at what GC has in their used gear on the website, eBay is always an option. The new firmware should be at some point available on the HD500; just not right away. But, the new firmware will also include some new bass amp models (in HD), so that will expand your home recording options! The HD does well for USB ASIO recording; it becomes the soundcard, plug your headphones or speakers into the HD, and set it as the soundcard in your recording software. Minimal latency, definitely a decent option, as it gives you standalone amp models and effects, you can upgrade / expand in the future, if you ever get a Variax or DT amp, the HD can connect with both of those quite nicely.

Hey, good catch!!! Yeah, it sure is there, and as of 3/30, not allowing it to be added to the cart... Will have to keep eyes on that one!! HD Fully Loaded Bundle http://store.line6.com/hd-fully-loaded-bundle.html You're all like, Yesss!!! then you get... Sorry, That item is not allowed!

I like your thinking! And Tuesday is the last day of March; so that works.. Here's to hoping!

I realized with PRS guitar, that the neck choice makes a BIG difference. I was playing some $3k and up core / custom 24's side by side with some S2's; for comparison's sake, the core's all had the 'pattern thin' neck - the S2 line all has the 'pattern regular' neck. For me, it's no question, I prefer the 'pattern regular' which is to me a 'regular' neck. The pattern thin is actually a wider at the nut neck - while also being thinner in depth. And on the models that offer a 'pattern' neck, that is actually a wider / fat neck! Just to keep things confusing..

I was pretty pumped on those for a while.. Then I made the mistake of taking a closer look at the new 30th PRS guitars... Yowser! The core stuff is obviously going to be ridiculously awesome; but I was quite surprised by how much I was liking the S2 series! Something keeps telling me that PRS should make a Variax offering.. Or to be more specific; it would be stellar if Line6 convinced PRS to build a Variax! :) #WishfulThinking Here's a cool guitar build process page; "PRS-Variax transplant guitar" "The guitar is a handmade solid body in the style of a PRS custom 22, fitted with the electronics from a Variax 300" http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.langwade/

Love it! I just picked up a used DT25 head (for $500!), and I have a Mesa 1x15 600w bass cabinet. I will give this a try next time I have the time to give it a test drive. I tried the DT25 head to the Mesa for guitar tones, and the 1x15 is the wrong speaker / cab for that, but for bass...Might just be stellar! And the new model packs have some new HD bass amp models- could even use the MIDI interface to load at least that FlipTop model on to the DT into like, B, typology IV or something. Cool idea!! This forum is awesome, you think up some crazy idea, and someone else is already trying it and reporting back their findings.

I am predicting a timely 4/20 release.... But I retain hope for much sooner!

Yeah; I think it's an ideal feature that sadly didn't make the cut in the 'Dream Rig' design. Essentially, even though you can link DT's and L2/L3's, the compromise is they must share output modes. If the DT is first, it forces combo/poweramp, but then it can store certain data. If the L2/L3 is first, then something doesn't get passed to the DT properly - possibly typology>? Though, that seems like less of an issue than the speaker mode. I suppose you could try doing L2->DT->DT; knowing you might needs to manually set the DT typologies; but this *might* allow you to force studio direct, while also saving the L2 speaker mode for the acoustic stuff. Ideally, the link system would be able to create the entire signal chain for all parts of the rig, and specify individual output modes, but it seems there are some issues with passing DT data through an L2, or passing L2 data through a DT... I retain hope it can be adjust in a future firmware, but not knowing enough about the specifics on what make the DT's and L2's "talk" back to the HD, I am not certain. I know output modes can be saved on a per patch basis, so there has got to be some way to force a patch into studio/direct, but I

That's what prompted the sudden onset of spontaneous GAS! While I was playing through it before I decided to buy, I used my phone to look online at any other used DT25 heads on eBay, Reverb.com, etc. Nothing even close!! They said it had just come in a few days prior, and another guy had spent a couple hours jamming on it when it first got there. They gave it a good listen and were not hearing any obvious issues; so I will hold off on immediately retubing it! Learned my lesson on the last round of retubing DT's... If it sounds good, and it's got the EH tubes in it, leave well enough alone!! I have two purposes in mind for this rig; #1.) make a massive three-DT "wet/dry/wet" stereo ensemble for my use alone!! Total overkill, but will be awesome to try.. #2.) share the gear, and make my band sound better, by loaning this to my buddy who is our lead guitarist / lead singer / song writer - to be his new amp rig for gigs and stuff.. He's already using my Keeley pedalboard anyway, so it should sound pretty friggin' EPIC when I get it all dialed in. We just took his SG in to Third Coast to get a setup and adjustment, so that axe will be making an appearance on our 5 song EP we're recording in studio right now. I will keep my eyes out for a second DT 1x12 cab, get another used one when the right deal comes along. He has a sweet older US Fender tweed 1x12 40 watt or something. It sounds decent, but it has issues, needs some possibly expensive repairs, and the speaker does not sound good when it's mic'd up, no matter what we try!! Hence the DT head rig, we'll run that XLR DI out for his signal, since I already do that with my DT's to send the main mix via the DT XLR DI. Then the two guitar signals will be isolated, comparable levels and tones. Me in stereo, him panned center. On that studio note, just got word from the engineer, our bass player got his parts recorded over the last couple weeks! Vocals round 2 start next week; then more guitars. It's been a cool process. We're working on a shoe string budget in a cool well put together mini-studio. Console room, and an isolation room, it's been perfect. Simple is good; Life is good. And if you want to avoid major GAS, stay away from Reverb.com!!!!! :)

So, I completely did not plan this!! On a whim, after work, I had some free time, decided to stop by a couple of music stores. ended up at the Guitar Center in Napervile an hour before closing, and stumbled across a used DT25 head they just got in to the store a few days prior. Played it through a 4x12 Line 6 cab they had (not the 412 DT cab; older, somewhat beat up). Oh man, sounded amazing, they had a used JTV59 hanging directly over it; I plugged it in direct and played for 20 minutes or so; sound was flawless, it just rips plugged in straight with no POD.. So you can see where this is going - home with me!! And I snagged it for $499!! Can't pass a used DT25 head in stellar condition for that price.. So, I don't have a proper cab at home; I ran it through my Mesa Boogie 1x15 bass cab, it cranked, but that's not the right speaker / cab setup for this head. I took one of my DT25 combos, and just pulled the speaker cable and plugged it into the head... Sounds stellar, so I figure, ok I gotta now get the 1x12 cab (or two) that I have been holding off on. Looked around a bunch for used deals, compared payment plan options for new; then found a new listing on Reverb.com for local pickup, near me- somewhere halfway between where I work and home, for a used mint condition DT25 1x12 cab for $180.. Yeah, so just snagged that too; will have to meet up with the seller next few days to grab it. All in all, at $680+ some tax, a decent price for a local, used DT25 head+cab set! Happy Friday ya'all, rock on :)

How are you liking the Archon? I was just looking at one of those in a store recently, really nice.. So tempting; I didn't play through it, I was worried it would give me too much GAS. Not playing through it has given me even more GAS though!! Which Archon model did you go with? I was looking at the 25 watt 1x12 I think, it's around $1300? Here is the amp I saw, looks so damn nice... I like the lower watt stuff, but would be nice to try the 25w next to the 50w.. I think the Archon 50 is switchable between 25 and 50 anyway. The DT25 does that, but switching to low volume mode does that weird digital thing so I never really use it.. Would be nice to have a true tube rig at 13 watts... This is the Archon combo I was looking at in Chicago "is a little more forgiving than its 100 and 50 watt big brothers, and won’t break your back every time you load in for a gig." This is actually so true too; I tweaked my back loading my DT25 in my car a few weeks back, and now that I am 41, it took me two weeks and three visits to the chiropractor to set things right again!! Proper tube tone is essential, but unless you can afford to pay people to move your heavy gear for you, a lighter weight killer sounding 25 watter is a life saver on the back. Even at that, be careful when ya lift them! I made the mistake of lifting the DT25 towards my left to get into the back seat with it, and pulled weight across my body, and that is what tweaked out my back. Lift straight ahead, and bend those knees...

That's a good way to get dual output modes. set one to studio direct and the other to an amp mode, combo, stack, etc. use a JTV, run the vdi into one, and the 1/4" into the other, maybe with a wireless. run one into a DT for electric with the other to an L2 for variax acoustics

Uh. yeah!! Crazy steep prices.. It's like they know they have something good, and a target audience; it's within reach, but not a casual expense for sure. How is this superior to any of the various $200-$400 PA speakers; other than, it's got Bluetooth! And it looks cool..

Just came across this thing from Mission; powered speaker. Looks cool! Full range or guitar-cab style; switchable. Similar to the Stagesource possibly? You only need one for stereo though, and for $1,600 it's comparable to a pair of L2's I suppose.. A bit heavy; 50lbs - more than an L2 which is 40lbs; less than an L3 which is 57lbs.. They also have a mono 1x12 version too for $1,200.. Mission Engineering Inc Gemini 2 2 x 12" 220-Watt Powered Cabinet with Bluetooth Stereo Sound for Your Amp Modeling Rig! "2 x 12", 220W Powered Speaker Cabinet with 1" Coaxial High-frequency Drivers, USB Digital Input, and Bluetooth Connectivity" The Mission Engineering Gemini 2 powered guitar cabinet makes gigging out with stereo amp modelers and effects a piece of cake. This birch cabinet features a pair of internal 110W Class D power amplifiers, each of which drive a 12" woofer and a coaxial 1" tweeter, providing you with extremely transparent full range sound. A flexible EmPower EQ onboard gives you the option of choosing a more traditional sound with smoother highs. And it gets even cooler. In additional to its analog inputs, the Gemini 2 offers you high-speed USB and class 2 stereo Bluetooth inputs, so you can play backing tracks or tap into software modeling and effects.

Put some Variax guts in one of these!!!

Hey, think positive on the build quality! I mean, check these out - PRS S2 Standard 24 for $1,400 - and it has a six screw trem... The design of the pickguard and body reminds me a little of the Variax standard. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/S2Stb24MT

Yeah; it's an interesting price point distinction; $1,000 seems to divide most major brands between their 'high end' import guitars, vs their 'entry level' USA guitars. For example, $800 gets you a PRS SE from Korea; $1,300 gets you a USA S2 with a gig bag instead of hard case. Though that same $1,300 gets you a 2015 US Les Paul with a hard case. PRS S2 Vela: $1,279 w/ a gig bag http://www.prsguitarseurope.com/2015/03/all-new-s2-vela/ http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/S2VelaDMT Les Paul 2015 Studio: $1,229 w/ a hard case http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LPST15DBSN-15 On the 6 screw trem conversation, I was curious to note the 6 screw PRS trem on a more than $4,000 US custom PRS. I guess not all six screw trems are created equally!

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DecimatorV2 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GStringV2 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DecimatorPRG Lol, MMA - those dudes (and ladies) are *scary*! I could totally see someone using the Decimator as a ring name

Do it!! I miss Colorado more than I can say; Denver is a great city; Boulder is an amazing city! Real estate is probably more affordable / available in Denver. You'll find the elevation a little tough on the lungs at first, but you'll acclimate. Check out Pearl street in Boulder, and 16th street in Denver - pedestian malls, closed to car traffic. Awesome little spots everywhere, great hiking, biking, and skiing / snowboarding. Believe me, I wonder why the heck I ever left every day I spend out here in Chicagoland.. Mt Sanitas trail is killer, great views of the front range. Check out the Dushanbe Tea House in Boulder, it's pretty awesome.

Nice play on the phrase there!

Yeah; the Kemper is just outside the range of G.A.S. impulse spending; anything that costs the entire tax return, for example, gotta hold off! Knowing going in that I would need to also find a floor controller option, that's also holding me back; and quite frankly, I like using dual amp models with my HD500/JTV/DT25 rig! And two Kempers' is definitely too much $$$. I agree with the HD500 patch tweaking; keep it simple. I try to make the foundation of my tone the amp model; where with everything FX related "off", that amp tone still sounds good, and sits in the same basic volume range that I want be near. I work with the tone and volume knobs on my guitars alot, so I never really think about the patch volume as 'absolute'. I feel that when the effects and drive boosts drastically increase the volume or change the fundamental tone of the guitar + amp model, regardless of amplification options - that once that occurs, you lose something. Stick with effects that compliment the amp model and guitar choice. Get your volumes right without using compressors or boosts or eq's or anything. Then when you add compression effects, dial back the amount of volume boost. Often we repond favorably to 'louder' as seeming like it's more 'full' sounding; but that doesn't translate to stage and recording. Listen to your favorite songs and albums; it's not 'louder' during that more intense part; it's the perception of volume increase. The way they digitally master everything now, it's all relatively equivalent in output level. Listen for tonal changes, and let your ear strive for those critical changes where it gets better sounding, not just louder. Personally, as far as patch programming the HD500 goes, I take a somewhat on the fly approach. I also use DT amps with it, and so I very rarely ever use it in studio/direct mode anymore. I suppose the place the Kemper succeeds in, is taking a narrow slice of your amps settings. Yes, you can adjust the tones and drive of the amp 'profile' once it's created; but still, it's a snapshot of your favorite settings. And often, if you're using a real amp on stage, once your amp is set, you don't change it around much; other than maybe switching channels. So in that sense, the Kemper makes a lot of sense. The Line6 approach, is to give you ALL of the options and control over changing your amps sound, not just a snapshot - but ultimately, for your patches to work well and be consistent and realistic, you still need to dial in the amp, and then don't mess with it. If you are all over the place with tone knobs, and drives, and volumes, plus using alot of FX, then try to balance volumes, it's nearly impossible; or at least, challenging in a non-rewarding way: it's work, not fun. Which is why I still really prefer the HD+DT combination, over going true "FRFR". I really like the XLR outs from the DT, and I don't need to experiment with a bunch of different studio related settings. So I can see why people like the Kemper route, despite the price; especially people who might otherwise eschew digital amp modeling. Because the Kemper is the most likely you can plug and play, and get close to what being with the actual amp feels like. You can probably make analog pedals work quite well with the Kemper; possibly more so than with the HD. I've experimented a bunch with the HD and using analog pedals, yeah, ok, but not great. Ended up going back to using the JTV/HD/DT in dual inputs / dual amp models / dual DT's. And for me, I like it. I tweak less and play more. But I still want a Kemper :) And that's why they call is The G.A.S. :)

Vaguely HD500 related; another similar floorboard design; though a good bit steeper in the price point. Looks like this was part of the Winter NAMM 2015 gear. The Sweetwater page shows a price of $1,298.00 and says "Contact us for More information"... Enigmatic! Curious to see how this new contender in the floorboard market fares. I've used their noise gate pedals before; they work reasonably well for analog pedalboards and tube amps; looks like they integrated the noise gate pedal into this design. The one review on Sweetwater is from someone who got to play this a bunch at NAMM. ISP Technologies Theta Pro DSP Preamp and Multi-effects Pedal http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ThetaProDSP "The new patented ISP Technologies THETA PRO DSP™ is a Floor controller with the programmable digital Theta preamp plus built in Studio quality effects processing. The THETA PRO DSP is based on ISP Technologies new DSP platform using a 32 bit floating point processor and the latest generation of high quality audio converters. The ISP engineering team continues its Digital Signal Processing legacy with the original designers of the Intellifex®, Chameleon®, Voodoo Valve® and Prophesy® working to make the THETA PRO™ the ultimate DSP processor with the tone and sound quality surpassing any digital guitar processer available. The THETA PRO™ is fully programmable with a DSP software version of the ISP Technologies Theta Preamp providing super high gain and zero aliasing typical in other digital preamps with considerably less gain. This allows over the top gain unlike any other digital preamp without any background aliasing. The THETA PRO DSP will also provide a classic preamp for vintage tones and a full complement of built in studio quality digital effects. Instant access to your effects allows you to switch your individual effects on or off in any of your programmed presets. Also included is a full digital implementation of the Decimator noise reduction for silent operation and dual stereo outputs with one stereo out to drive a guitar rig and a second with ISP’s speaker simulated output for direct recording or line out to the mixer. The Speaker outputs offer ISP’s new “TRUE SPEAKER™†convolved speaker outputs providing the actual time domain aspects of vintage speakers with adjustable microphone placement. An input for an external expression pedal map-able to countless parameters for on the fly control is also included. The THETA PRO DSP includes 256 user programmable presets for sound library storage. Designed and manufactured in the USA."

"Arizona in March: In like Bermuda, out like Bahama!".. Yeah, wasn't a ton of snow out here in Chicagoland, but it just stuck around for a couple months. First day of snow is magical, the other 57 days, not so much. I hear ya, same priority here - HD500x model packs upgrade first and foremost! All the other stuff, will be interested to hear how people respond. I can see the basic concept - reduced price variax and floor board as an alternate to the JTV / HD series. In terms of price point, it's enough to catch a certain market. Somewhere between the HD and the AMPLiFi gear perhaps? Firehawk + Variax Standard is $250 less than a JTV + HD500x.. Will keep my eyes out for JTV sales around the time the VS comes out.