mykejb Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Really the question is as the title. I have an X3 Live and I use it occasionally through a keyboard amp (Traynor K4) but more often than not I use it with a Marshall JVM205 combo using the four cable method. Would an upgrade to the Helix floor unit give me any major improvements? I know the X3 is pretty old tech now and it seems to work ok, but I do like the look of the Helix unit and I have to admit I'm a sucker for new shiny stuff :) I play in cover bands playing rock/pop etc Thanks in advance for any comments. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHamm Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Whether it's better for YOU only you can decide.A good analogy would be like this: The X3 is like a Made in Mexico Tele.Helix is like a Custom Shop Masterbuilt Tele. X3 is a Ford Focus Helix is a Lambo... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spikey Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 Good analogy. X3 toothpick, Helix Redwood forest... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glideman Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 X3 = flour and water biscuit Helix = Steak & Lobster dinner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miguel_lopez Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 made in mexico teles can be totally re-designed: paint(lacquer or polyurethane) high grade hardware(steel or brass) custom shop pickups(bare knuckle/seymour duncan/lollar) bourns switchcraft orange drop circuit combo, professional fret rectification, bone nut, high grade tunning machines and guitarrist own choice set up, and YES, you will sound as you will never imagine Custom Shop Masterbuilt Tele don't need too much modification and when you hear the band playing together you WILL NOT notice the difference between helix, X3 made in japan/mexico or even the player on stage; drums smash all the beautiful sound of a guitar tone rig, and also your custom shop masterbuilt may sound crap if X3 is a ford focus and helix a lambo, I may say both do the same: transport from one place to another X3 sounds great, it demands much much work tweaking and tweaking helix sounds incredibly great, it demands the same effort as using the x3 go for a helix, play better, write better songs, reharsal more and well, do your soundcheck untill it's balanced and have fun =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRalphN Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 If you are going to use it direct, record with it, or use FRFR speakers I say yes. If you just want another multi effects floor board for into an amp then I would stick with the X3. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hideout Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 If you are going to use it direct, record with it, or use FRFR speakers I say yes. If you just want another multi effects floor board for into an amp then I would stick with the X3. I completely agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spikey Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 and when you hear the band playing together you WILL NOT notice the difference between helix, X3; The audience at 1 am in the morning may not be able to tell the difference between a sac of dung banging off a tin building as long as it carries a beat. So In regards to both boxes making noise, that is where most of the similarity ends as far as a comparisons in tone. I do agree with you that Helix sounds good. Better than everything they have released in most cases so far IMO, by miles. So to the OP, yes I think you will hear and feel the difference. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHamm Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 The bottom line is this.The audience (in my case congregation) can't hear the difference between an HD 500 and Helix I think. They can't hear the difference between a Squier CV Tele and my Anderson that costs 10 times the money new.But......I can, and it makes me play better and enjoy life more. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spikey Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 But... ...I can, and it makes me play better and enjoy life more. Exactly... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miguel_lopez Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 it absolutely worths every cent you pay for an expensive music device, I'm NOT presuming but how many times I've been said "dude! I can't make my squier cv guitar sounds the way you do!... "how do you do that?" even the same happens with those cheap korg processors; it's all a matter of tweaking the best possible. BUT, if you are a professional musician it's your responsabilty to get the best of the best, AND YES, you play better, you sound incredible and you enjoy life and make the audience happy... YES I have cheap pedals 'cuz I find them useful for certain applications, but I totally notice the quality and differences. Very interesting those experiences when I have to play with other musicians and when is my turn to play the audience notice the difference inmediately; they do NOT know(don't have to, they are just listeners) what it is(not much different from the oher musicians around, they are carying almost the same expensive devices involved) but they definately get surprised and amazed by this difference; i'ts all in your playing and ears... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornerstonetom Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Lincoln Brewster playing his Danelectro through his X3 Live sounded pretty good... I don't think any device could make me sing, jump AND play lead all at the same time the way he's able to. :blink: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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