indyj_son Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Just to give some background, I play in a fairly busy cover band playing typical bar rock standards. Everything from Van Halen to Van Morrison. I always looked to the line 6 for live versatility for pop to standard rock to heavy rock tones and ease of transport (not really heavy metal). I was never quite satisfied with the overdrive tone I was able to get. I've used my HD300 direct, through a Crate Power block, through a Tech 21 powerstation, marshall head, 8081 power amp, various other tube and solid state amps, etc. Every combination of front of amp, effects loop, etc. Just never could get that "headroom, sharp, cut through, not fizzy, ballsy" OD I was looking for. I read all the suggestions, went through all the settings...just never quite got there for me. I didn't need a bunch of effects, just a basic setup. I recently picked up a 1st generation Spyder Valve 112 used on the cheap just to try it out. It was OK, I actually like the built in crunch tones better than anything I was able to get out of my HD300 + everything else. Just for fun I tried running the HD300 in the Effects loop return of the Spyder Valve using just as a power amp. Finally!! A really good OD tone (sort of "brown soundish".) Just wanted to post this that if anyone else is having trouble getting that type of "rock tone" that isn't too metal but not too whimpy, and you can find a spyder valve on the cheap, give it a try! HD + Power Amp In (effects return) on the Spyder Valve. Best combination (to my ears) I've heard. (short of spending a lot more money). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumblinman Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 To this day, nothing beats tubes cranking out the goodness. I just put my HD running direct to PA aside and went back to using a DT25 and pedals because of it. There's some good patches out there, but they still don't breathe like an amp. Glad you found your nirvana! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonisPat Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Hi indyj_son Did you use the "full" model from the HD300 of just the "pre" running throung the power section of the Spider? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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