titchyblackcat Posted September 25, 2020 Share Posted September 25, 2020 Hi, I'm debating buying a Helix. So, is it that much better than my Pod HD ? If so, in what way ? I'm trying to get a Peter Green tone, if there's anyone that could help it would be appreciated. I have a Stray, Tele, and a les Paul. Regards AD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester700 Posted September 25, 2020 Share Posted September 25, 2020 It's easy to say "yes, in every way", but it depends on your needs. I had a desktop HD, and I thought the sounds were really good (I thought that about my Digitech GNX3k, too, so maybe I have low standards). But Helix has a LOT more on tap in building complex sounds/FX chains. The problem there is usually the UI; flexibility and complexity come at the cost of usability. But the Helix UI is so slick IMO that everything is pretty straightforward and intuitive - to me, anyway. And of course the sounds are better in most folks' opinions. And IR capabilities expand that a lot. I don't use IRs for cabs any more, but I use them to EQ my various headphones & speakers. SO cool. You should be able to get a good Peter Green (R.I.P.) tone, provided you have his OOP pickup wiring on your Paul. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
titchyblackcat Posted September 25, 2020 Author Share Posted September 25, 2020 Thanks, My Les Paul is a Traditional but i don't fancy taking it apart. It's the basic amplifier / speaker tones i use most often. I've always fiddled with the Pod HD which is not good. I'm sure my Pod 2 has more pleasing tone than the HD that's why i'm thinking of trying a Helix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brue58ski Posted September 25, 2020 Share Posted September 25, 2020 I"ve had every iteration of POD and then the Helix. The Helix is what I've been waiting for. The amps just seem more musical and do not sound as "processed" as the previous Line 6 modelers. They also respond better to your guitar's volume i.e. you can get into the subtle break up with just your guitar's volume knob which you really couldn't with the other modelers. If you can afford it, I would go for it. You do still have to do some tweaking, but I found it wasn't near as much as the HD500(X). Just my opinion. I'm not a pro.The next gen of modeler had better be something special for me to put out any more money on these things. I'm very happy,. The reverbs seem to be lacking a bit, but i thought that was always true with Line 6 modelers. Definitely useable but I've heard better in much older technology (Alesis Quadraverb). That could change. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datacommando Posted September 25, 2020 Share Posted September 25, 2020 3 hours ago, titchyblackcat said: I'm debating buying a Helix. So, is it that much better than my Pod HD ? Way back at the beginning of this digital modelling age I started out with the original big red kidney bean POD, then moved to a PODxt Live in 2006 moving on the POD HD500 four years later, and ultimately the Helix in 2015. Always onwards and upwards, never regretted a moment, (even though I got sidetracked by the BOSS GT for a short time, and toyed with the idea of the Fractal - ultimately - nah!). This stuff just keeps getting better and better, plus it’s light years ahead of the POD HD. If you are after Peter Green tones they should be pretty straight forward to create. His set up was really simple and all the bits are in there. Bear in mind, your old HD presets are NOT transferable. The sound creation engine is completely different, and much better. What’s to debate - do it. Version 3.0 firmware in the pipeline, that’s got to make you want to jump to a new platform. Hope this helps/makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codamedia Posted September 25, 2020 Share Posted September 25, 2020 42 minutes ago, titchyblackcat said: I'm sure my Pod 2 has more pleasing tone than the HD that's why i'm thinking of trying a Helix. You and me both. I found the HD 500 harder to dial in compared to my Original POD Bean and X3 Live. I made the move to a Helix LT about 2 years ago and have never regretted it for one second. It's a great sounding unit, easy to use, and enjoyable to use! As for Peter Green tones... there is no reason you can't get those out of a Helix. The harder part is getting them out of yourself :) (ie: playing like him) And as @jester700 brings up.... you can't get the out of phase tones without having a Les Paul that is out of phase. If you are not comfortable doing that yourself, it's a really easy job for any guitar tech. 15 minutes on a bench for a permanent swap (like Peter Green had) or 30 - 60 minutes and a push pull to make it an option! If that is not one of the tones you are after... no need to have it done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
titchyblackcat Posted September 25, 2020 Author Share Posted September 25, 2020 That's sounds like the problem i've always had since the V2. Many thanks for the info' i'll start looking now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
titchyblackcat Posted September 25, 2020 Author Share Posted September 25, 2020 Which Helix is the same as the kidney shaped desktop Pod HD ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datacommando Posted September 25, 2020 Share Posted September 25, 2020 13 minutes ago, titchyblackcat said: Which Helix is the same as the kidney shaped desktop Pod HD ? Uh? No such thing! Are you sure that you know what a Helix is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schmalle Posted September 25, 2020 Share Posted September 25, 2020 32 minutes ago, titchyblackcat said: Which Helix is the same as the kidney shaped desktop Pod HD ? Lazy? - Me too: https://line6.com/helix/ https://line6.com/podgo/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codamedia Posted September 25, 2020 Share Posted September 25, 2020 3 hours ago, titchyblackcat said: Which Helix is the same as the kidney shaped desktop Pod HD ? They never produced a BEAN for the Helix.... The closest comparison (at least in size, with amp modeling) would be the HX Stomp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarnstuff Posted September 26, 2020 Share Posted September 26, 2020 I started out on some great tube amps back in the day but switched to modelers in early 2000s. Used Boss, Vox, modelers as well as Line6 HD500. Never felt they were at the level of the real thing. The Helix has the subtlety of the real thing and if they never upgraded again it’d be content with my Helix Floor. But I am a gear hound so if they do upscale again, I’ll likely chase it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmontana19kc Posted September 26, 2020 Share Posted September 26, 2020 Absolutely, get a Helix! and then get a pair of Line6 Powercab 112 +’s or a Powercab 212+. Then watch the you tube videos to get everything setup. Download HX Edit for the Helix and Powercab Edit. You will not be disappointed! At least it’s what I did and I love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
titchyblackcat Posted September 26, 2020 Author Share Posted September 26, 2020 Thanks for the input guys, i'm deffo going to get something new. I now have new dilemma. I only use Amps, Cabs, EQ, Noise gate and maybe delayn and only ever play into a pc. So. would a Helix stomp have a better tone than a Pod Go ? I've only just heard of the Pod Go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
titchyblackcat Posted September 26, 2020 Author Share Posted September 26, 2020 Cancel the last post. I'm going to buy the Stomp. The Pod Go can't do 2 paths. Thanks for all the comments. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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