Line 6 gurus, gather 'round.....

[PowerTube]

To my ears, the "Modern High Gain" tone is different on the newer models compared to the older models. But that question is VERY subjective. I would NOT call it an exact sound though.

Yep. Like on this Floor POD Plus, for example. Across the headphones, it sounds almost like the original (I have a POD 2.3 for comparison) but not quite. If I remember correctly, Insane (Green) on the Flextone III is supposed to be the same thing but it sounds noticeably different to me.

Another idea for you -- pick up the Flextone II HD, sell your combo, and get another cab. Again - HUGE seperation! I also had that at one point. As a matter of fact, I just got rid of an HD. They've got more than enough power to handle multiple cabs, and also run in stereo.

I'm leaning this way. I've tried the Flextone II HD several times across 4x12's and it's exactly the Modern Hi-Gain tone I love. Since I already have a 4x12, I could add another one and be there.

[skorb]

Yeah, that would do it but it sure sounds expensive.

it would be about $1300 - $1400 or so for all that.

and it's worth every penny because you will have SO MANY tones and options and effects at your fingers the cost/benefit ratio is very favorable. there is no way I know of to spend only $1400 on any other amp/pedal setup and get the same versatility and killer tone you will have with what John suggested.

in fact, once I buy my closed back 2x12, that will be the same setup I have.

[PowerTube]

it would be about $1300 - $1400 or so for all that.

and it's worth every penny because you will have SO MANY tones and options and effects at your fingers the cost/benefit ratio is very favorable. there is no way I know of to spend only $1400 on any other amp/pedal setup and get the same versatility and killer tone you will have with what John suggested.

in fact, once I buy my closed back 2x12, that will be the same setup I have.

All great points, but here's the kicker....I just went to the Line 6 website and viewed the Vetta specs again. The new 2.5 software has both flavors of the Modern Hi-Gain model (SLO 100 and X88R preamp). However, these models sound noticeably different to me on the Flextone III and Floor POD Plus as compared to the original Flextone I and II and POD through 2.3. In fact, the Floor POD plus is allegedly the exact models from the POD 2.0 and I'm not buying it for a minute.

If I had the opportunity to actually try these tones on the Vetta II and they did indeed match, I would be walking out the door with it on the spot because I also love the cleans on the Vetta. But until I can hear these models with my own ears, I don't want to take the risk of buying it and having it not really be the sound I want. Sure, Musician's Friend has a return policy and so does Guitar Center, but who needs the hassle? If they ever get one in stock by some miracle, I'll get my chance to hear it for myself.

EDIT: The Floor POD Plus is going back to GC this weekend.

[skorb]

PT, God love ya bro, you are like the horse that is led to the water but won't drink it.

what you don't seem to understand about the Vetta is that there isn't just "one" modern hi-gain tone, there are almost infinite variations of it just within one amp model depending on how you tweak the drive, presence, lows, mids, highs, cabinet simulations, two amps at once or just one, stereo split, effects, etc.

my final word on this is, if you settle for the lower end products, and don't get the Vetta, you will be totally missing the boat on the absolute best product Line 6 offers. there is a reason the Vetta is head and shoulders above everything else they make.

good luck to you.

[PowerTube]

what you don't seem to understand about the Vetta is that there isn't just "one" modern hi-gain tone, there are almost infinite variations of it just within one amp model depending on how you tweak the drive, presence, lows, mids, highs, cabinet simulations, two amps at once or just one, stereo split, effects, etc.

But.... and this is a huge BUT..... the Flextone III has those same two Soldano models in theory. So does the Floor POD Plus. And of course, they offer the same setting variations you mention here minus the "two amps at once" thing. I still can only get to about 80% of that tone with the Floor POD and not even in the ballpark on the Flextone III.

I have the Flextone II from E-Bay sitting next to me as I type this. Earlier, I dialed this tone in to exactly what I wanted and saved it. It's *the* sound for me.

And don't get me wrong; the Vetta II may have this exact sound, but I won't know until I get the chance to try one. It has the exact same model names, like the Flextone III and Floor POD Plus, but I'm afraid that if I order one blindly it'll turn out to be the "new and improved" flavors of the Soldano models which I don't like at all.

Sorry to be such a pain.....

Hey, Chris! Help me out here!

[PowerTube]

my final word on this is, if you settle for the lower end products, and don't get the Vetta, you will be totally missing the boat on the absolute best product Line 6 offers. there is a reason the Vetta is head and shoulders above everything else they make.

That's another thing that's kicking my ass here. I love the cleans and a lot of the factory presets on the Vetta, but I just know deep down inside that if it won't replicate the Soldano sound I'm after, then I'll never be fully satisfied with it.

[danastas]

I don't understand what's going on here. The Vetta sounds better than the Flextone, so why wouldn't it replicate the sounds? The Vetta SLO Mod Hi Gain should sound much better than the Flextone.

When I had my Vetta combo, I bought a $220 Avatar 2x12 with V30s off EBAY.

So, Vetta combo $700
FBV Long $270
Avatar 2x12 $230
Total $1200

How much would two Flextones and two FBVs cost?

[siggy14]

You would think, but i have owned the vetta, and flextone heads etc.. and i still prefer the high gain on the flextone II and the pod 2.0, it just sounds so much better.

In theory the vetta is suppose to sound better, but if you ask me the pod 2.0's sounds so much better when it comes to amp models. Yeah the vetta's have so many more options, but i found most of the amp models dull and lifeless or lacking clarity. Give me a pod 2.0 or a flextone II head any day over the vetta.

You know, if i was you I would just do the two cabs, or if i remember right there is an out on the back of the flextone II and put it to a power amp going into a second cab.

I don't understand what's going on here. The Vetta sounds better than the Flextone, so why wouldn't it replicate the sounds? The Vetta SLO Mod Hi Gain should sound much better than the Flextone.

When I had my Vetta combo, I bought a $220 Avatar 2x12 with V30s off EBAY.

So, Vetta combo $700
FBV Long $270
Avatar 2x12 $230
Total $1200

How much would two Flextones and two FBVs cost?

[cbope]

it would be about $1300 - $1400 or so for all that.

and it's worth every penny because you will have SO MANY tones and options and effects at your fingers the cost/benefit ratio is very favorable. there is no way I know of to spend only $1400 on any other amp/pedal setup and get the same versatility and killer tone you will have with what John suggested.

in fact, once I buy my closed back 2x12, that will be the same setup I have.

Ummm... yes you could get something else close, for that amount of money, maybe less. If you can find new or used Vox Valvetronix blue series amps (heads or combos) and pair that with the VC12 foot controller. The VC12 can control 2 amps at the same time. It's pretty similar to the Line6 longboard. I just picked up a VC12 to use with my AD60VT and it's great, although I don't have another VT amp at the moment to do what you want. The Vox VT's must be one of the blue series (AD60/120VT or VTX) because the newer chrome series do not support the VC12. And I can compare the sound of the VT to the Flextone II, because a friend that I practice with regularly has one and also the longboard. While it is highly subjective, I prefer the sound of my VT over his Flextone. I believe he does too... though he hasn't admitted it yet. We have not tried to directly compare the two model for model though. Maybe next week...

Also, the AD120VT/VTX is stereo and has speaker out jacks on the back. So you could hook up a cab (or two) and have just one amp and the VC12. Some shops are blowing out the blue series VT amps, because they are being discontinued. I've seen some really good deals posted here in JCF, unfortunately after I already bought my AD60VT. Another friend picked up a used AD120VTX + VC12 for about 900€ a few months ago.

[Robert Burns]

PT - Here's what I did a while back...

Get a good SS stereo poweramp, get 2 cabs (I used Marshall 1936 2x12's), and run your POD into that. You can probably get another cab for the same price as another Flextone.

Here's how it worked:

My old set-up: Guitar >> POD Pro >> Alesis RA-100 poweramp >> 2 - 2x12 Marshall 1936 cabs.

My current: Guitar >> Floor POD Plus >> Alesis RA-100 >> B-52 AT412B (in stereo) This setup *almost* sounds as good as the first one, but not quite. I also don't have as much room anymore, so what do you do??

You can get as much spread with that as you want with 2 cabs. The Floor POD runs in stereo, so if you have cabs in opposite corners, the effects with some of the more "spacial" delays and such will be IMMENSE!

YMMV, but that's what I would do, and you won't have to have a bunch of amps sitting all over. If it's for home use, a SS poeramp will be just fine, but if you need tubes, get something like a Peavey Classic 50/50 or something along those lines.

And all of you thought i was crazy?? Maybe ive started a Stereo
shift in the universe? Immense, is exactly what im experiencing!

[Robert Burns]

But.... and this is a huge BUT..... the Flextone III has those same two Soldano models in theory. So does the Floor POD Plus. And of course, they offer the same setting variations you mention here minus the "two amps at once" thing. I still can only get to about 80% of that tone with the Floor POD and not even in the ballpark on the Flextone III.

I have the Flextone II from E-Bay sitting next to me as I type this. Earlier, I dialed this tone in to exactly what I wanted and saved it. It's *the* sound for me.

And don't get me wrong; the Vetta II may have this exact sound, but I won't know until I get the chance to try one. It has the exact same model names, like the Flextone III and Floor POD Plus, but I'm afraid that if I order one blindly it'll turn out to be the "new and improved" flavors of the Soldano models which I don't like at all.

Sorry to be such a pain.....

Hey, Chris! Help me out here!

*****************************
From what i hear... there is a reason the Vetta II costs $1700.00!
Because most long time POD owners swear its twice the tone,
and tweaking ability as ALL the other POD products. I had the POD pro
xt (burgandy rack mount) for about 3 weeks, but couldnt fall in love with
it. I just like the BOSS GT-8 allot better. So within a week, i will be
running....
BOSS GT-8 into a VHT 2/90/2 stereo tube amp, out into 2 2/12 Stereo
Crate G212S's open backed Celestion 70 watt cabs. Should be nirvana!
Wait... Nirvana Sucks! Should be Satch!

[PowerTube]

I don't understand what's going on here. The Vetta sounds better than the Flextone, so why wouldn't it replicate the sounds? The Vetta SLO Mod Hi Gain should sound much better than the Flextone.

In theory, the Flextone III sounds better than the Flextone I and II. To my ears, on the Modern Hi-Gain models, it isn't even close.

In theory, the Floor POD Plus is 100% identical to the POD 2.3. To my ears, on the Modern Hi-Gain models, it's close but not quite.

See where I going with this? I'm just afraid that if I order a Vetta II sight-unseen and the Modern Hi-Gain models sound like those in the Flextone III, I'll be disappointed.

Now, if I could somehow find a Vetta II within 500 miles of me and actually try it, and the Modern Hi-Gain is indeed the real thing, then I'm all over it.

I understand totally what you guys are saying; the Vetta is to a Flextone what a Ferrari is to a Pinto. Yes, I get that, but if that sound isn't right, I'm back to square one.

[chrisolson]

IMHO, the earlier Flextones sounded better than the current Flex III, buit that's just me. I've bought the damn thing TWICE, and I'm back to a POD.

Sure, the Vetta may sound better to some, but not to all. I'm one of the people very happy with the "ye olde" L6 models. I have a basic sound I look for, and once I get it, why change? I spent YEARS trying to get the tone I found about 8 years ago. More doesn't always mean better. I will also say that the Modern High Gain models on the new POD don't sound the same as the old POD - that I can say with conviction. Also - FWIW, the Soldano models on the POD -- well, I only really find the X88 model to be to my liking. I've never really warmed up to the SLO model for some reason. There's just something missing from it. I do, however, LOVE the Mesa Mark IIC+ gain channel model!!! WOW!! I did find that that channel just BLOWS on the Flextone III though. I don't know why, it just DOES.

There's lots of Vetta lovers on JCF, and I take nothing away from them, as I'm sure it's all that and a slice of cheese, but much like the POD XT, it's a tweaker's amp. I like to turn a knob and play, and that's part of the reason why I like the older Flextone stuff. I had the Duoverb, and just really wasn't enamored by being able to blend amps - it's just nothing of interest to me. I've also found a couple tones I just LOVE from those older amps, and when I turn one on in GC (or wherever) I always get compliments on my tone (I know - it's SCARY) - and I'm a shitty guitar player. I get REALLY self-conscious when someone stands around to listen to me play, when all I'm capable of is throwing out every RATT riff ever written...but it's still flattering that they listen and say how good it sounds even though I suck.

I think that if you like the older Flextone tones, sell your combo, pick up another cab, and a Flextone HD II (or HD I if you really feel spunky), and it'll be the cheapest way to go. If you hate it, you can ALWAYS find another combo out there - they're EVERYWHERE.

Good luck.

[chrisolson]

And all of you thought i was crazy?? Maybe ive started a Stereo
shift in the universe? Immense, is exactly what im experiencing!

Not crazy, just weird...

Stereo has always been out there, bro! No new ground breaking there. I had to get away from it due to space constraints, and while it was cool, it just wasn't a necessity for me. Immense is cool, but playing alone to a stereo...well, let's just say that since I was the only who cared, the thrill just wasn't there any more. Most non-guitarists don't really care (my wife), so it's coolness factor drops a bit.

I get decent stereo effects from my 4x12, so I'm still pretty happy. It's not necessary, but it is fun.

[Dreamland_Rebel]

keep the Flextone and get 2 cabs. 2x12's or 4x12's. angle them the way you want.

BUT... before you turn your back on the xt or vetta version of the X88R, try updating to the newest firmware. AND change the cab sim to the line 6 4x12 cab. that is the original cab model used with the POD 2.0's Modern Hi Gain preset when you put it in manuel mode and spun the model selection to Modern Hi Gain. on the XT they preset it with the vin 30s 4x12 cab sim.