Flextone HD vs. Flextone II HD

[DumpyWumpy]

Does anyone have experience with both of these? I have a Flextone II right now and I love it, but I want to get a backup because I've heard of reliability problems with some of the Flextone stuff. I don't use any of the models on the Flextone II that aren't on the original Flextone, and I don't use cabinet sims, so I'm sort of interested in picking up an original Flextone HD because they seem to go for a bit less, plus I've actually heard in a few places that they sound better than the Flextone II models.

So can anyone chime in here? The added headroom with 300 watts on the original Flextone is also a bonus, because my Flextone II can BARELY BARELY BARELY keep up with my drummer, it seems to stay at the same volume anywhere past 5, which sort of concerns me since I've heard so much about them being extremely loud amps...

[jgcable]

If you only want it for a back up you should look at an XT Live.

[DumpyWumpy]

Already have an XT Live, I think the amp models sound like shit compared to the Flextone...the effects are pretty good, but everything Line 6 has made since the introduction of the XT technology is so fizzy sounding and there are way too many parameters to deal with...the Flextones are so easy to use and they sound a lot more real to me...

I'd rather use the current Flextone II that I have as the backup, that's why I want another one, since my current one has some sort of problem with the power section and doesn't get any louder after halfway, which is a LOT quieter than my old 100 watt Peavey Supreme, and the battery on the inside is taped to the circuit board since Line 6 shipped it originally with the wrong clip, and had it jimmy'd up like a clamp holding it to the circuit board, definitely SKETCHY AS FUCK.

Thanks anyways though dude!

[jgcable]

Already have an XT Live, I think the amp models sound like shit compared to the Flextone...the effects are pretty good, but everything Line 6 has made since the introduction of the XT technology is so fizzy sounding and there are way too many parameters to deal with...the Flextones are so easy to use and they sound a lot more real to me...

I'd rather use the current Flextone II that I have as the backup, that's why I want another one, since my current one has some sort of problem with the power section and doesn't get any louder after halfway, which is a LOT quieter than my old 100 watt Peavey Supreme, and the battery on the inside is taped to the circuit board since Line 6 shipped it originally with the wrong clip, and had it jimmy'd up like a clamp holding it to the circuit board, definitely SKETCHY AS FUCK.

Thanks anyways though dude!

No offense... so don't take any...
If you think the Flextone HD or Flextone 2 HD sounds better than an XT Live you have 1 of a possible 2 problems.
1. You possibly don't know how to dial in an XT Live
2. You are using the wrong type of power amp.

Now.. to answer your direct question.
I think both of the Flextones you are looking for are relatively the same cost used. I would go for the Flextone 2 HD because it has more amp models.

[chrisolson]

I have had all the Flextone models - I, II, & III. I still like the I best. With that said, I just (re)bought an HD a few weeks ago, and haven't looked back. I still have a POD 2.0 for when I want to use other amps models (NOT OFTEN), and I just plug that into the loop of my HD. I'm pretty happy with that. I have never heard of reliability issues with the original HD, but the HD II is know to have power section issues. Don't know why... The costs are pretty close, but due to the reliabilty problem, to me the choice would be obvious. Especially if you aren't using the other models. About the only ones I use are the Marshall & Soldano models myself, so I don't need 16 other amps I don't use.

[chrisolson]

BTW - I agree with you on the XT. TOO many parameters, and the sound trade off wasn't worth all the screwing around you have to do to find a good tone. The older POD/Flextone models are much easier to deal with and get GOOD tone. I found good stuff on the XT, but I spent so much time tweaking parameters that I wasn't enjoying playing any more. It is TRULY a tweaker's delight though.

[siggy14]

Actualy it was the AX2's and the first run of the original Flextone HD's that had the power amp issues. By HDII they had worked them out.

I have owned both and like the HDII alot better, more flexibility and the extra amps are nice.

Currently i have one but as you guys know in the classifieds it is for sale, and the only reason for this is because i have two pod 2.0's that i will just direct connect to a PA if i need too.

Overall if it is a big difference in price, I would go with a regular flextone HD, however if it is about a $75 or under in price difference i would defintly go with the HDII

I have had all the Flextone models - I, II, & III. I still like the I best. With that said, I just (re)bought an HD a few weeks ago, and haven't looked back. I still have a POD 2.0 for when I want to use other amps models (NOT OFTEN), and I just plug that into the loop of my HD. I'm pretty happy with that. I have never heard of reliability issues with the original HD, but the HD II is know to have power section issues. Don't know why... The costs are pretty close, but due to the reliabilty problem, to me the choice would be obvious. Especially if you aren't using the other models. About the only ones I use are the Marshall & Soldano models myself, so I don't need 16 other amps I don't use.

[DumpyWumpy]

Cool thanks man!

Yeah I find with the XT stuff, for every decent sound there is about 900000 absolutely fucking terrible ones...It's so hard to get that thing to sound real, I dunno...I tried my buddy's Vetta 2 HD the other day as well and all the presets he had and it still sounds SOOOO fizzy and digital, I'm not down with it at all... I have yet to hear a single high gain rhythm sound out of anything "XT" that sounds even remotely good. I've heard good lead sounds and good clean sounds, and probably good low to mid gain tones, but those are all secondary tones to me, I need that tight as hell high gain sound, with no stupid digital fizz in the background...

[siggy14]

JG,

I have to disagree with you here, the flextone I's and II's are alot warmer sounding.

Yes you can get a passible tone with the XT's, but it takes alot of tweaking, where the originals are pretty much plug and play.

Although i have heard the new software upgrade has improved the XT's somewhat. But i sold my XT so i havent had first hand experience with the update.

No offense... so don't take any...
If you think the Flextone HD or Flextone 2 HD sounds better than an XT Live you have 1 of a possible 2 problems.
1. You possibly don't know how to dial in an XT Live
2. You are using the wrong type of power amp.

Now.. to answer your direct question.
I think both of the Flextones you are looking for are relatively the same cost used. I would go for the Flextone 2 HD because it has more amp models.

[jgcable]

Cool thanks man!

Yeah I find with the XT stuff, for every decent sound there is about 900000 absolutely fucking terrible ones...It's so hard to get that thing to sound real, I dunno...I tried my buddy's Vetta 2 HD the other day as well and all the presets he had and it still sounds SOOOO fizzy and digital, I'm not down with it at all... I have yet to hear a single high gain rhythm sound out of anything "XT" that sounds even remotely good. I've heard good lead sounds and good clean sounds, and probably good low to mid gain tones, but those are all secondary tones to me, I need that tight as hell high gain sound, with no stupid digital fizz in the background...

Your buddy doesn't know how to dial in a Vetta. My Vetta kills every other high gain tube amp I have in every respect except for simplicity.. and I have a fair amount of them!!

[siggy14]

The vetta's can sound great, as to being the best amp no, put them up the real things and you will see. However if you need flexibility then it is the best choice, and they are damn close to what they clone and most normal people would never know the differnce.

My dislikes about the vetta.

It is a little fizzy, put its uber up against my real uber, you had this top end fizz that i couldnt get rid of.

Not as clear as the originals. Putting the XTC model up against my XTC, well lets just say it sounded not as good. The note definition was just not there. Now take it if you do not own these amps, you would never know the difference and be in heaven.

Alot of the models sound like ass, i hated every marshall model on there.

Not enough control, this was the deciding factor for me, if they would have let me decide on tube or diode recto on the mesa one, i would have kept it. But i hate the way the tube sounds for rythems and would much rather have it on diode.

Overall if you are playing super gained out metal, I would say get the Vetta and dont look back, great bang for the buck, but if you are a amp purist, trust me you will eventualy get tired of it.

Your buddy doesn't know how to dial in a Vetta. My Vetta kills every other high gain tube amp I have in every respect except for simplicity.. and I have a fair amount of them!!

[lhrocker]

The flextone II HD that I had was plenty loud at 200 watts into 4 ohms. It had no problem keeping up with my loud drummer.

[Carbuff]

I have an original flextone plus combo. Ive found 2 things that bother me about it. There is no midi connections and the floorboard is still only capable of holding 4 presets whereas the II will allow you to hold 36 I think. I dont know if the HD has the same limitations. I did get my flextone dirt cheap ( a couple of cosmetic issues) but I wish I had gotten the II. Like I said I dont know if this applies to the HD versions.

[chrisolson]

It doesn't. Plenty of storage.

[Carbuff]

So, youre saying that the original flextone HD allows for more than 4 presets with the floorboard, but the combo limits you to 4 even with the floorboard?