line 6

[whyachi]

Specifically, Line 6 Lowdown amps. The 210 sounds pretty decent at low volumes but I haven't had a chance to really crank it and see if it holds up. Anyone have experience with these? I like the R&B and Grind channels..

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Line 6's strength and bread and butter is their modelling.  Like Behringer, I'm skeptical of anything they put out that has a power amp in it.  Their bass stuff just seems to be there because it seems they are supposed to do bass stuff too.  I don't think their bass amps have been around long enough to know yet if they're any good.  Of the 11 thumbnails on Line 6's main page, bass and vocals are the smallest ones.  That may be an indication of the level of attention they get.  I was considering the LowDown 750 a while back.  I never got to play one, but the modelling appealed to me just for the simplicity of EQing.  I love the "scooped mids" sound in my living room and at low volumes, but playing in a room with a band it's hard to keep that from sounding muddy.  I'm not crazy about the boosted mids sound but use that most of the time because it can cut through a mix and any articulation isn't lost.  "Line6man" here on the forum is a bass player, and quite a tech saavy one at that.  If he chimes in and his Line6 moniker is bass related, he could certainly give the best imput.



Pros (IMO)
-modelling
-1/4" line out (dry)
-XLR line out (wet)
-built in tuner
-built in compressor

Cons (IMO)
-modelling
-no tuner out if using a rackmount jobbie (1/4" direct out could work as one)
-no level control for either line out signal
-no effects loop (since it's a modeller they assume you don't need or want one I guess)
-no sweepable mids
-other than combos, they make 2 heads and one cabinet for bass
-their heads' watts mismatch their cabinets at properly matched impedance levels.  To get 4 ohms of Line6 cabinet, it takes (2) 8 ohm 600 watt cabinets, so 400 or 750 watts of head for 1200 watts of cabinet?
-a quick search yields negative quality/durability issues but excellent warranty and return policies
-possibly made China - not automatically a redflag as most stuff is nowadays, but just throwing that out there

 

[bpmorton777]

Wyliee, if i remember correctly, uses a podx3 pro plugged into a power amp and PA cabs...seems like a good idea.

Brian

 

[Mor Paul]

His moniker certainly is bass related.
I forgot what he uses right now, though

 

[Wyliee]

Wyliee, if i remember correctly, uses a podx3 pro plugged into a power amp and PA cabs...seems like a good idea.

Brian

Yup.  I use it almost every weekend.  My primary bass channels are (1.) vintage console strip pre with no cab sim and a bit of post EQ and (2.) no pre, no cabs with sansamp DI (model of a model?) pedal and a touch of post EQ.

The X3 has a graphic EQ that really helps with the EQ'ing and I think it makes a big, big difference in overall sound.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

The pods and the Line 6 modelling is one thing, but this is a combo amp question and not so much a modelling question.  The OP seemed happy with the modelling aspect of the amp, but was asking about the amp, and LowDown series specifically.  I would be concerned not with the quality of the modelling but the newness and yet unproven quality/durability of the actual amp.

 

[whyachi]

The pods and the Line 6 modelling is one thing, but this is a combo amp question and not so much a modelling question.  The OP seemed happy with the modelling aspect of the amp, but was asking about the amp, and LowDown series specifically.  I would be concerned not with the quality of the modelling but the newness and yet unproven quality/durability of the actual amp.

Exactly. I know the modeling is good. I'm just wondering if it would be beneficial to get a Line6 combo, or to get like a GK amp and a POD.

 

[yyz2112]

The pods and the Line 6 modelling is one thing, but this is a combo amp question and not so much a modelling question.  The OP seemed happy with the modelling aspect of the amp, but was asking about the amp, and LowDown series specifically.  I would be concerned not with the quality of the modelling but the newness and yet unproven quality/durability of the actual amp.

Exactly. I know the modeling is good. I'm just wondering if it would be beneficial to get a Line6 combo, or to get like a GK amp and a POD.

a bass player I play with from time to time does exactly that...he goes through the pod and into the fx return (power amp input)...this way, if the pod unit fails for some reason, he still has a regular amp to use, and the gig isn't tanked...he gets pretty good sounds, btw

EDIT  he has a GK rig that he uses with the pod

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I've seen quite a few amp rigs like that.  One of the best sounding live rigs I've ever heard was Pod into a QSC poweramp into an Ampeg 8x10.

 

[blue313]

The pods and the Line 6 modelling is one thing, but this is a combo amp question and not so much a modelling question.  The OP seemed happy with the modelling aspect of the amp, but was asking about the amp, and LowDown series specifically.  I would be concerned not with the quality of the modelling but the newness and yet unproven quality/durability of the actual amp.

Exactly. I know the modeling is good. I'm just wondering if it would be beneficial to get a Line6 combo, or to get like a GK amp and a POD.

I think these guys are leaning more toward a POD and and PA, skipping the amp altogether.  It sounds infinitely more tweakable than a combo.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Hey Knucklehead G,

I don't know if you've pulled the trigger on this thing yet, but I can't find anything on the actual cabinet in the combo.  What kind of speakers they are, if it's ported, ohm value, nothing.  It's most likely ported, but none of the websites (Line-6, Musician's Friend, Guitar Center) give a good front on shot of it.  It might be shelf ported.  The cabinet is probably 8 ohms too because it made mention that it is extension cabinet capable and the head is 400w @ 4 ohms, meaning the combo is around 250w if the cab is in fact 8 ohms. 

 

[whyachi]

Actually, and I can't link it right now because I'm on my cell phone's browser, Line6's website says it puts out 400W by itself or with an extra cab. Maybe like Carvin and Mesa that sometimes run the same power at two different settings?

I think I found it in Specs or FAQs or something. Line6.com doesn't work on this phone.

 

[whyachi]

Also, and sorry for the double post but I can't Modify from the phone, I found out I have two months wait on the paint job so I'm not buying anything just yet. I figure I'll keep gassing up and see if I have more money to work with in March.

 

[Edin]

Yup.  I use it almost every weekend.  My primary bass channels are (1.) vintage console strip pre with no cab sim and a bit of post EQ and (2.) no pre, no cabs with sansamp DI (model of a model?) pedal and a touch of post EQ.

Mixed 1. and 2. together or swap between?

 

[Wyliee]

Yup.  I use it almost every weekend.  My primary bass channels are (1.) vintage console strip pre with no cab sim and a bit of post EQ and (2.) no pre, no cabs with sansamp DI (model of a model?) pedal and a touch of post EQ.

Mixed 1. and 2. together or swap between?

One or the other.  The console strip is more of a super clean studio sound.  The Sansamp is used if I need a bit more punch and slight growl.  I also use one of their '60's R&B preset with my P bass. (and flatwounds with foam under the strings.)