I've been were you are, so I understand the feeling. Pod XT bean (when it was just released) was my first device that I started using when deciding to learning guitar at the advanced age of 30. I later bought a duoverb, and a vetta. At the time, it felt like Line 6 was attempting to have offerings for a pro-sumer type player, and really trying to be in the same level as the other major amp makers. They discontinued all the higher level stuff and started pushing the spider line of gear, and started with the Bogner tube/emulation hybrids.
My duoverb ended up blowing up and the vetta line was discontinued, and I got to thinking about spending those sums of money on something relies on dsp and code. With all the great amps around since the 1960's that still function and can be repaired with readily available resistors, caps, and tubes....how will this stuff fair 40 or 50 years from now. If I am going to spend $1000+ on something....I can get something built (in the USA no less) that can have longevity.
I have been following your posts on other topics....I am a former Carlisle,Pa resident (N. Bedford St) that left for Maryland about 5 years ago. You seem to feel the same way and spoke about a Fender amp and your grand kid being able to play it many years from now.
I still like digital, and ended up getting a used 500HD after my old Tonelab had met with an unloading accident. I play at a local church every Sunday, and have moved on to traditional tubes amps for my big ticket purchases, but it just isn't worth lugging around my roadster or jcm800 when only playing 3 or 4 songs. Its easier to grab the all in one unit and let a sound guy set the levels, etc. Its also nice when messing around with home recording to use the hd500 or eleven rack and not have to go for extreme volume or worry about mic placement. I had to rethink and redefine what these devices bring. I had fallen into the Line 6 fan boi trap at first, but having a more neutral feeling about the company...if I can get a used device every couple of modeling generations to play around with its fine as long as its inexpensive. When I have the time and really want to experience joy of the interaction between amp and guitar...I go to a source of what this stuff attempts to emulate.
all the best,
David
