Search the Community

The following values are out-of-box measurements: DT50 Weights / Dimensions: Height, Width, Depth, Weight 112: 21.75", 26.00", 10.75", 63.1 lbs 212: 22.50", 27.50", 10.75", 76.2 lbs HD: 11.00", 27.50", 10.75", 39.8 lbs 412 Cabinet: 30.70", 29.90", 14.00", 88 lbs DT25 Weights / Dimensions: Height, Width, Depth, Weight 112: 17.00", 21.00", 11.125", 47.0 lbs HD: 10.75", 21.00", 9.50", 30.0 lbs 112 Cabinet: 17.75", 21.00", 11.25", 36.0 lbs

This document explains how to update the flash memory of the Spider Valve Mk II using the FBV Mk II and Line 6 Monkey on Windows XP, Vista, 7 and Mac OSX 10.4.11, 10.5.8 and 10.6.x. Before you get started, you will need to have your Spider Valve Mk II connected to the FBV Mk II (Express or Shortboard) using a CAT-5 cable, and you will need to have your FBV Mk II unit connected to an open USB port on the back of your computer (do not use a USB hub). Be sure that your computer is connected to the internet. 1) Run Line 6 Monkey and you will be asked which unit you want to work with. Highlight the Spider Valve Mk II unit and select 'OK'. 2) Highlight 'flash memory' (it will turn blue), then select 'update selection'. 3) Select 'Yes' to continue. 4) Select "I Accept" for the software agreement and select 'continue'. 5) Select 'Yes' to update the Flash memory. Do not run any other programs or disconnect the cables while performing the update. 6) Allow the unit to go through the update process. This can take 5-10 minutes. 7) Select 'OK' when the update is finished. 8) You will see a green check mark in front of flash memory to show it is now up to date. Note: If you are having difficulty getting the Spider Valve Mk II to update, you can start the amp in "boot mode" by powering the unit up while holding the "Manual" and "B" buttons.

Q: What is Spider Valve Edit? A: Spider Valve Edit is offered as a free software editor for all Spider Valve Mk II (112, 212, HD) amplifiers owners. Spider Valve Edit requires either a MIDI to USB connection from the amp to a computer, or a and CAT-5 connection from the amp to a Line 6 FBV Shortboard MkII or FBV Express MkII Series Controller with USB connection to a computer. See the following link for more information on updating your Spider Valve Mk II: Updating the Spider IV (75, 120, 150, 150HD) using the FBV Mk II and Line 6 Monkey Q: Do I need to have version 1.50 (or later) firmware installed on my Spider Valve Mk II amplifier to use Spider Edit? A: Yes, firmware version 1.50 or later is necessary to interface with Spider Valve Edit. Q: Where can I download Spider Valve Edit? Spider Valve Edit Download Q: How Can I get the Spider Valve Edit Manual? A: You can open the PDF document attached at the bottom of this document, or select the F1 key when using the Spider Valve Edit program. Q: Can I share Spider Valve Mk II tones using Customtone? A: Yes, here is the direct link to the Spider Valve customtone sharing site: Customtone Q: What is the file extension for files that will load into Spider Valve Edit? A: Spider Valve Edit will accept the .sve (single patch) and .svb (bundles) file extensions. Q: Are Spider Valve Mk II tones compatible with the Spider IV tones found on Customtone? A: Although the amp models are the same, the extension name for Spider Valve Mk II and Spider IV are different. Q: Why am I seeing an asterisk in the patch title when I change a parameter in a preset? A: An asterisk will show preset that has been edited, and will need to be saved either on the computer or the amp to make the change permanent. Q: Can I use the FBV Mk II to control the Spider Valve Mk II when I am using the FBV controller to interface with Spider Valve Edit? A: The FBV controller cannot function as an amp controller when being used as an interface for Spider Valve Edit. Q: Can I import multiple tone patches at once? A: You can import single tone patches or bundles at once, but not multiple single patches simultaneously. Q: Can I change the global (Auto FX, MIDI, Loop routing, etc.) parameters in Spider Valve Edit? A: Global parameters can be changed on the amp, but cannot be controlled by the editor.

Application Q: What are the presets on my Spider Valve Mk II amplifier? A: There are 64 presets (16 banks of 4) programmed into the amplifier at the factory, and 64 empty preset locations for an end user to program. The empty 64 preset locations have defaults (1-4) in them as a starting place. Q: I noticed that the Artist/Song Presets from the Spider IV are not present on the Spider Valve Mk II? A: Yes, as many end users had asked for more locations to store their personal presets, we have removed the artist/song presets for the Spider Valve Mk II. Q: Are the Spider Valve Mk II series amps Mono(phonic)? A: Yes, the Spider Valve Mk II series amplifiers have a monophonic output (as are most tube amplifiers). Q: How can I connect a POD unit to my Spider Valve Mk II series amplifier? POD Connections, Routing and the 4 Cable Method Q: Do the Master volume and presence control applied to the power amp section only? A: Yes, the master volume and presence control are true analog. Q: Where is the Master volume located in the chain? A: it is after the preamp, and before the power amp. Specifications Q: What are the specifications of the Spider Valve Mk II series? Spider Valve Mk II Specifications Q: What speakers are used in the Spider Valve Mk II amplifiers? Spider Valve 112: Celestion Vintage 30, 8 ohm Spider Valve 212: (2) Celestion Vintage 30s, 16 ohm Spider Valve 412 cabinet: (4) Celestion Vintage 30s, 16 ohm Q: What tubes ship in the Spider Valve Mk II amplifiers? What is the power output? Spider Valve Mk II 112 & 212: (2) Sovtek 12AX7LPS or Shuguang Electron Group 12AX7B China preamp tubes, (2) Sovtek 5881/6L6WGC WXT matched set power amp tubes. 40 watts. Spider Valve Mk II HD: (2) Sovtek 12AX7LPS or Shuguang Electron Group 12AX7B China preamp tubes, (4) Sovtek 5881/6L6WGC WXT matched set power amp tubes. 100 watts. Q: What are the function of the 12AX7 tubes? A: V1 is the booster to the output tubes, V2 is the phase inverter for the output tubes. When viewing the SV MKII HD100 upright from the back, V1 is on the right side. On the combo, V1 is on the left side. Q: Can the Spider Valve Mk II handle another 12A_7 style tube without damage to tubes or circuitry? A: Yes, the 12AX7/AT7/AU7/AY7 types, but as these tubes act as a phase inverter and a boost to the power amp (rather than traditionally "cleaning up" the preamp section), you may not get the result you are looking for. Care must be taken with this and should be done by a technician well practiced in tube technology and modifications of this type. Q: What Line 6 controllers work with the Spider Valve Mk II series amplifier? Controller compatibility chart Setup/Connection Q: Is there a bias switch to change the power tubes to EL-34s or other power tube types? A: No, the Spider Valve Mk II does not offer bias switchable options and was designed to only be used with 5881WXT type of 6L6 power amp output tubes. Q: Is there a headphone output on the Spider Valve Mk II series? A: There is no headphone output on the Spider Valve Series, but you can use the XLR output to go to a mixer, then use the headphone jack from the mixer. Q: Can I run my Spider Valve Mk II amplifier without a speaker load? A:No, you cannot run the Spider Valve Mk II series without a speaker load. Please see the following link for more information on cabinet connections: Cabinet Connection and Ohm F.A.Q. Q: Can the Spider Valve Mk II be run with a Variac? A: This is not recommended as the lower voltage can cause problems with the digital processing in the Preamp section of the Spider Valve Mk II. Q: Can I run a Palmer S.E., THD Hot Plate, Power Soak, etc. for speaker simulation or power attenuation? A: There are no known issues regarding the use of any direct recording simulators or power attenuators between the power amp output and the speaker cabinet, but if there is damage caused by improper connections or malfunctioning gear, it will not covered under the Line 6 warranty. Be aware of “red plating”, when too much current across the plate can result in damage to the tubes and nearby circuits. Q: Do the Spider Valve Mk II 112 and 212 combos support external speaker cabinets? If so, will the external cabs mute the internal speakers of the Spider Valve Mk II? A: Yes, the Spider Valve Mk II supports the use of additional cabinets. Please ensure that the ohm load is correct to avoid damaging your amplifier if you intend to use both the internal and external speakers simultaneously. Q: What is the bias voltage for the Sovtek 5881WXT matched set of tubes? A: 35 mV (+/-2mV) Q: Does the XLR output still send signal when the amplifier is on standby? A: In some cases yes, in some no. Spider Valve MkII actually has two different modes of Direct Out, which can be found in the SETUP menu in Edit Mode. They are Studio and Performance. Studio mode is a traditional, DSP POD-style output with speaker simulation and will function when the amplifier is in standby mode. In contrast, Performance mode takes a tap off the output transformer, then goes through the speaker simulation before going through the Direct Out. This allows the tubes to interact with the DSP, and because the amp has to be on to allow this to happen, there will be no signal at the XLR output in standby if Performance mode is selected. Q: Does the Spider Valve Mk II have an FX loop? A: the Spider Valve Mk II has a pre-amp out (effect send) and Power amp in (effect return) section. Q: Is the effect loop series or parallel? Is the effect loop mono or stereo? A: The effect loop is series mono. Q: Does the Spider Valve Mk II have MIDI ports? A: Yes, the Spider Valve Mk II amplifier series has both MIDI in and MIDI out ports, and the Spider Valve Mk II will accept MIDI program changes on MIDI Channel 1-16, from values 00-127. The MIDI channel assignment can be accessed by pushing the “preset” encoder and using the left/right arrow key to reach “MIDI”. This greatly increases the opportunity to integrate Spider Valve MkII’s into your existing rig, and will also allow you to update your amps firmware via MIDI. See the advanced user’s guide for the full MIDI story. Q: Can I send a MIDI output from the Spider Valve Mk II to another MIDI-capable Line 6 amplifier and control both amplifiers with one FBV controller? A: Yes, but as different Line 6 amplifiers have different MIDI implementation you will want to go through each control on the FBV to ensure that you get the desired control on both units. Q: Is there an editor where I can connect my Spider Valve Mk II to my computer and edit/store tones? A: Yes, Spider Valve Edit is the editing software that can be used to edit the Spider Valve Mk II. Please see the following link for more information: Spider Valve Edit FAQs Q: What do the FBV Shortboard series stomp, FX Loop/Function 1, and Function 2 do? A: The Stomp button activates the "boost" on both the original FBV shortboard series (Mark I) and Mark II controllers. The FX Loop (Mk I)/Function 1 (Mk II) activates the Noise gate. The Function 2 (Mk II only) activates the loop feature on the Spider Valve Mk II. Q: What do the FBV Shortboard MkII Function 1 and Function 2 buttons do with Spider Valve MkII? How is it different from the original FBV Shortboard? A: The Function 1 button activates the Boost setting saved with each preset. The Boost setting (up to 8db pre and/or post amp model) can be found by entering “edit mode” on the SV MkII and pressing the R arrow on the 4-way nav button. The button equivalent to Function 1 on the original FBV Shortboard is labeled FX Loop. The Function 2 button (FBV Shortboard MkII only) is equivalent to the Quick Loop button on the faceplate of the SV MkII, and arms the built in Looper. For full functionality of the Looper, see the Spider Valve MkII Advanced User Guide. In addition, the Stomp button activates the first Smart FX on both the original and MkII FBV Shortboard controllers. Q: Can I run the Spider Valve Mk II head with only the outer two power tubes (removing the inner pair) to operate at a lower output volume? A: Yes, it is safe to run the Spider Valve Mk II Head with two 5881WXT’s. It is recommended that the output impedance be run at "half" when running in this configuration. An example would be running the 8 ohm head output connected to the 16 ohm cabinet connection, or the 4 ohm output to an an 8 ohm cabinet connection. Line 6 recommends re-biasing your amplifier to 35mv after removing the tubes, as the current draw will have changed. This should be done by a technician with lots of experience with tube amps. Q: Where is the fuse located in the chain? A: The fuse is located between the 12AX7s and 5881WXT’s (there is no master fuse). Spider Valve Cabinet FAQs Q: What are the specs for the Line 6 4x12 cabinet? A: 9 ply, ¾" wood with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers. There is no internal baffle. Q: What are the ohm load options for the 4x12 cabinet? A: The switchable ohm load options for the 4x12 cabinet are 16 ohm mono, 8 ohm stereo, and 4 ohm mono. Trouble shooting Q: What is the manufacturer's warranty for Spider Valve Mk II? A: The warranty for the Spider Valve Mk II amplifier is 12 months from the date of purchase, the tubes warranty is 90 days from the date of purchase. Q: How do I perform a factory reset on my Spider Valve Mk II? A: The factory reset for the Spider Valve Mk II series is to hold the "A" button while powering the unit, then pushing the presets encoder twice. Q: I hear a loud "pop" when I switch between certain presets on the Spider Valve MKII. Is this normal? A: Sometimes if the Channel Volume is set or saved too low on a preset a loud pop will be heard when navigating to it and away from it. This is because of the level difference between it and the other saved presets. Try adjusting the preset's Channel Volume above "12:00" and saving again. This should level out the difference between the presets and eliminate the popping sound. Q: Will using different brands of 6L6 tubes in the Spider Valve Mk II void the warranty? A: Yes, so no Ruby, Mesa, GT, JJ, Tung-Sol, or others. The characteristic curves are not close enough, and the vacuum-to-gas ratio (soft, medium, hard) of the tube plays a role in that. So it’s best to use the specified Sovtek 5881WXT matched set tubes. Q: My amp seems to be malfunctioning. What can I do as an end user? Amp Troubleshooting Tube Troubleshooting and Replacement *Q: Where can I download a Spider Valve Mk II manual? Line 6 Manuals Miscellaneous Q: Where can I get a cover for my Spider Valve Mk II amplifier? Cases And Covers