gtrman100

Are you using the Spider Edit app on PC or Mac? That will do just about everything you've asked for. You can't drag an drop presets, but you can save on the app, go directly to the cloud, reorder presets by dragging, import or export presets, etc. Check it out.

I'm not sure what you mean by "table top amps", but there are a variety of clean amp options under "Clean" (lol) when you look at the amp menu on Spider Edit-Line 6 Super Clean, Sparkle Clean, etc. Most of the time, when using pedals, you'll want to look for an amp model that has the basic tone you want and put the pedal in front of that model. In other words, if you want a Marshall type sound, find a Marshall amp model that sounds close to what you're looking for, and use that as your pedal platform. HOWEVER! The Spider V series are digital modeling amps, meant to be an all in one solution to recreating a variety of amps and effects. They don't act like a normal tube guitar amp when using stomp pedal, etc, plugged in front. Most of the time it doesn't sound that great, but you can try it out.

That is not the right software- you need Spider V Edit- the one you've got is Spider IV Edit. It won't work with Spider V's. You need to download Line 6 Updater, and drivers before you load the software. Here's the link- https://line6.com/software/index.html

You can use either or both. I usually use the tone controls on the amp to get the sound I'm looking for. If you're in Full Range mode, you can try changing cabinets and mics. Then fine tune it using the post eq. I prefer the classic mode and usually can get good tones by starting with an amp model that's in the ballpark of the tone I'm looking for.

You know you can work this amp very simply- just twist the knobs on the front! Twist the knob under the display to scroll through the presets. Twist the knobs and get the amp sound you like when the lights are white. Push the effects button and the lights turn to colors and turn the knobs to add effects. If you like what you hear, just press and hold the button under the display- press it again to save the sound. Spider V's do have many options, but you can use it very simply if you want. Then take some time and explore other options if you like- it's easy to get some very good tones. Also, if you're connected to a computer using the usb port on the amp, go to Customtone and try some of the presets others have made.

There is only one rule- use your ears! If you have some Variax models you like, keep those. Then start experimenting with different bodies, pickups, all the possible changes and listen. There is no right or wrong, and everyone will have their own preferences on what sounds good. Have fun, that's the beauty of a Variax- no soldering necessary.

1) Yes 2) Let your ears be the judge. Personally, I think Classic mode sounds more real-er. IMO

If I could get a copy I'd really appreciate it. I have had no overheating issues with the earlier firmware. Please PM me. Thanks

When you are in Classic mode, it bypasses the cabinet modeling because the amp model is tweaked to sound through the speaker. The Full Range mode is more like sending the amp model through a PA speaker with a tweeter (like the one built into the Spider V's). So in Full Range mode the amp model is sent to the speaker cabinet model to emulate the sound of a recorded amp. That's why you have a whole range of different speaker cab models to choose from. Use whichever sounds best to you. IMO, the Classic mode sounds much better than most of the amp models in the Full Range mode. The Full Range mode is still useful to me when playing an acoustic guitar or other acoustic instrument.

You are in the same boat as the rest of us. If you search The Gear Page, you'll see that the update of the G10 basically lowered the amount of storage that the battery contains. And so the battery life is about half. I put in a support ticket because my older G10 transmitter was getting less than 2 hours of life. The new one is better, I haven't been able to determine exactly how long it will last, but I think it's around 3-3.5 hours. Nowhere close to the 8 hours advertised. If you haven't upgraded the firmware on the G10 transmitter- don't, if you don't have an overheating problem. You have to upgrade the Spider V AND the G10 transmitter. I know this is against Line 6 policy, because they consider it a safety issue, but I had my G10 for over a year without any overheating. It's up to you.

Tube amps distort more as you increase level incrementally. So there is a sweet spot on tube amps where the output tubes distort in a way we find pleasing. Solid state amps, though, don't behave this way. They produce power up to their rated watts, and louder than that they produce a very different kind of distortion that we usually hate. This is a simplification but it generally is how it works. Pedal create distortion using solid state components, but are designed to distort in a more pleasing (amp like) way.

What kind of guitar are you playing- single coil or humbucker. If it's a single coil, you'll hear hum especially if you are playing a high gain amp model. It's picking up electrical noise around the guitar. If you have a dimmer on your lights, you might try turning it off. They are notorious for sending electrical noise around the house. If it's a humbucker guitar, you might have a problem with the AC wiring in your house. In either case, use the gate module to reduce the loudness of the hum. Just be careful not to set it too high, or you'll choke off the sustain of the guitar.

#1 is the best way, even though this is a solid state amp. Set the Master at a desired level, and use the Amp volume to set the preset volume level with your other presets. With a tube amp, the master volume can be used in different ways to get power tube distortion, but obviously it doesn't apply to Spider amps.

If you haven't updated already, you should really update to version 2.0. Try using the classic mode which will get you closer to the sound of a regular guitar amp, rather than a FRFR system. There aren't much or cab models in the new classic mode. I would personally sift through the presets and find a tone that is close to your desired tone. I would turn off the effect and use the tone controls of the amp to tailor the basic tone. Then add effects to taste.

First, have you upgraded the software on the V to 2.0? It makes a huge difference with the Classic vs Full Range mode. Classic cuts the tweeter so it sounds like a regular guitar amp and they've tweaked the presets to sound better. Second, are you tweaking from a computer or tablet? The controls on the amp are ok, but it's much easier to find what you're looking for on one of the computer apps. I never use the amp controls to tweak unless I'm at a gig or jam. Third, go to Custom tone and try some of the presets that others have posted. There are 1000's there. I'm sure you can find something close to what you have on the IV. The V is lightyears ahead of the IV in quality of amp models. It just might take a bit of experimenting to find your tone. Fourth, the V 240 will be better to amplify your Helix. It's tweeters and extra power will do a better job of reproducing the sounds. But, the Helix is a whole different ballgame when it comes to tweaking. If you think the Spiders have a lot of controls, wait until you get the Helix. Learning on the Spider V now, will help you learn the Helix when you get it.