GuitarMannDude Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 I want to find a good match for the HD500X. Anyone have experience going into the front end of a tube amp or going into a tube "amp only" amp? Any suggestions would be very helpful. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 Front end = noisy mess. Avoid it like the plague. Into an FX return, or into a power amp and cabinet rig...much smoother sailing. That being said, expect to spend a significant amount of time learning to dial in tones you like. It's not a "plug and play" unit. But as far as any one choice being "better" than another...that's entirely subjective. The truth is, you should be able to get excellent results with anything you choose, provided that you put the time in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarMannDude Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 Thank you for that. I was leaning that way but wanted some input from someone who has experienced it. I definitely know about the time! It's never right until you tweek it live....and then, it depends....lol. Thank you again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillBee Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 Ironically enough last weekend I dusted off an old Nady GTA 1260 all tube amp that has no fx loop. Ran the HD into it and it was a holy mess until the HD's volume and amp's settings were adjusted. Running into the front of an amp (not just a tube amp btw) is adding another potential layer of gain via the amp's pre. So the distortion patch was driving the amp into further distorting its preamp. It can sound great but not the ideal setup. But if its all you have it will work. Running the HD into the fx loop of a Crate V32 was sweet and deafening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_Brown Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 Get a DT 25/50. They are made for each other.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillBee Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 Haha! Matt for the win! Yeah if you have the $$$ it is an awesome way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_Brown Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 In the U.K. you can find them on eBay for £300. That's erm, just over US$300. A bargain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarMannDude Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 that's a good tip Matt....thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott58 Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Unless the 500x is that different, my experience with the HD Bean is the opposite. Sounds better to me then any modeling amp I've ever heard. And all I have is the front on the valve Jr. It doesn't have an fx loop. Sounds great though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceatl Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 I have run the HD bean every way you can imagine...I have even run it 4CM (yes, it is doable but very tweaky)... You can run into the front of a clean channel without much problem. start with the tonestack flat. One some amps with passive tonestacks that means turning all the filters full (dimed). Anyhoo, best of luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smaxu Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Is it true that using the the POD with a DT.... the POD replaces all the DT amp models in default mode? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_Brown Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 You can 'save' 4 different models on to the DT using midi (if you don't need the defaults). When you use a POD and connect using the L6 Link the model/pre amp configuration is controlled by the POD so any amps you have on there (including expansion packs) are 'on' the DT. They don't call it Dream Rig for nothing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steelmaster Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 I am having extremely good luck using an Ampeg B115 bass amp. I took out the piezo tweeter to avoid shrillness and digital cracking. It has great thump and knock if you know what I mean. It's a little bit on the heavy side and being a kind of cube it's weird getting into a small car. I'm seriously thinking of getting a 15" Neo speaker to knock off some of the weight. Try one, I think you will love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillBee Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 A DT is on my "list". During some of my less affluent years I used to run an old Ampeg V4B head into a Kustom 2x15 (yes blue tuck and roll) and it was thunderous. Those 15" speakers move some air. BTW for the Valve Jr. I know what you are talking about as I've used the Kustom Defender (pretty similar) and as a small tube head it really shined. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravDaddy Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 I've had GREAT sonic luck with, believe it or not, an older Line 6 Flextone II head into a 4x12 stereo Flextone cabinet. Run either from headphone out on 500X - or - 500X L/R outs to the head's Effects Loop RETURN. This bypasses the Flextone's pre-amp section and only uses the 300-watt power amp section. Currently use mine through a Line 6 HD147 head the same way - however, the HD147 requires a dummy cable (or any cable for that matter) to be plugged into the front of the head for its effects loop to work. Recap: guitar into 500X, 500X output (L/R or headphone out) to head's Effects Loop RETURN only. HD147 requires a dummy cable in front input jack. Control overall volume through head and/or 500X. Sounds shockingly good. Works just as well with all versions of "bean" PODs too. If you search well enough, you might even find the older Flextone II head (black tolex with red panel) that has mini-fans on the cooling heat-sinks; mine was made in USA. They can be had for around $200. That's decent for a 300-watt stereo head. Saw today that Carvin makes a stereo TUBE power amp for $500 that runs 50-watts in stereo or bridged mono to 100-watts. That's next on my list... Hope my wife doesn't see this post. Ha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarMannDude Posted April 13, 2017 Author Share Posted April 13, 2017 Thanks Trav. I am still leaning towards a stereo tube amp (no preamp). Let me know if you try that....if you don't get busted....lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atrain_dlp Posted April 13, 2017 Share Posted April 13, 2017 I picked up a Spider Valve 112 for dirt cheap and run my 500x into the power amp. It sounds great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarMannDude Posted April 14, 2017 Author Share Posted April 14, 2017 Great....thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joel_brown Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 I use the PODHD into the FX return of a Marshall JCM900 and 4x12 cab. I play mostly hi gain stuff. The bigger question here is "How much money are you looking to spend ?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarMannDude Posted April 14, 2017 Author Share Posted April 14, 2017 I wouldn't use a Marshall because of their design. They never get a clean sound. Great for rock but not so good for clean country. I'll spend whatever I have to within reason. Thanks for your input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah_Cowboy Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 I go into the front end of my Hot Rod Deville 410 all the time at gigs. I love it. I am looking for a smaller and lighter amp, but for now it has all worked great. I play everything from country, classic rock, and blues. I play a Variax JTV 89F with a HD500X. I do get some noise depending on settings, not sure if I have a FX loop on my amp. I never knew I should be going through the FX loop. I will have to check tonight when I get home. My amp is so powerful, I don't crank it, but use it more as a stage monitor and I mic it with a SM57 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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