List Price: $1,119.99
Sale Price: $549.99
Today's Bonus: 51% Off
- 400 watts of power through two 10" speakers
- 5 Incredible Bass Amp Models: Clean, R&B, Rock, Brit, and Grind; 5 Essential Bass Effects: Synth, dedicated studio-grade Compressor, Envelope Filter, Octaver, and Chorus; Deep Switch with special tone shaping for supreme fatness
- Neutrik® four-pole mono speaker output; XLR direct out with exclusive Line 6 A.I.R.(TM) processing; Headphone out; CD/MP3 1/8" input for working out parts on the bus or in the hotel; Footswitch jack for FBV Express(TM) or FBV Shortboard(TM)
- Built-in chromatic tuner; 4 programmable channel memories, 36 with FBV Shortboard(TM)
- 85 lbs; 23" W x 23" H x 17" D
- 5 Incredible Bass Amp Models: Clean, R&B, Rock, Brit, and Grind; 5 Essential Bass Effects: Synth, dedicated studio-grade Compressor
- Neutrik® four-pole mono speaker output; XLR direct out with exclusive Line 6 A.I.R. processing; Headphone out;
- CD/MP3 1/8 input for working out parts on the bus or in the hotel; Footswitch jack for FBV Express or FBV Shortboard
- Built-in chromatic tuner; 4 programmable channel memories, 36 with FBV Shortboard. 85 lbs; 23" W x 23" H x 17" D
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On the whole, this really is an excellent bass combo. It's versatile... reasonably well built... excellent sounding... powerful... and great value given what's on offer. The amp models are varied but all very usable, the memory facility is clearly brilliant, the built-in tuner is very good, as are the effects (dynamic filter, octaver and chorus). And the on-board compressor is superb. It'd ultimately be 'badge snobbery' that would truly keep 'the pros' from considering it, as I reckon it'd surprise most decerning bass player's ears in a blindfolded A-B-test alongside some of the more well-known and established 2x10" combos.However... it does do a few things that explain it's value:-
It does that really cheap transistor 'fizzle pop' noise when you switch it off. The headphone output is quite noisy, as is the CD/MP3 input. If the knobs (with the exception of the Master Volume) aren't 'zeroed', it jumps into 'edited preset' mode, which can change your live tone entirely, which is frankly embarrassing on a gig if it happens (I've tried a couple of these combos. They all seem to do it). Also, when it's pushed, it's definition can go to pieces (although to be fair, it takes some pushing).
And why on earth haven't Line6 supplied a cover?!
Despite all those negatives (and given what else is currently available), I still find it a bass combo that's difficult not to recommend... as really, the minuses pale almost into the background to the combo's pluses. It's also worth noting that this combo really opens up if you get a compatible Line 6 'floorboard' as you can access more presets than the four on the front panel as well as giving you a wah-wah option (I use a FBV, which is a bit overkill... but I wanted separate 'volume' and 'wah' pedals).
So in summary, until hardback novel-sized 'Class D' heads and paper shredder-sized 'Neo' cabs become sensible money, go for one of these. It's a great package.
Just remember to zero all your knobs before a performance...!I play in a rock/punk band with members that total about 50 years experience playing live, and we haven't found a sound out of this that we don't like. I purchased this understanding that it is a modeling amp, so I'll never get "That Sound" that I'd need to spend thousands of dollars on. Honestly, my audience cares more that I sound good and I'm getting the idea across, so if there is someone out there that is going to judge me for not having the right brand name on my amp then they don't belong at my show. Not only does this thing rock, but it can say it in a number of different ways, without having to spend tons of time and $$ on a bunch of pedals. I've got enough to do just playing my instrument. If all you want is one sound, this still does it very well, at a much better price than elsewhere (and then if your tastes change, you can always switch it up). A foot pedal is pretty much mandatory with this amp, which can tack on a few hundred bucks, depending on which one you get, but I feel like I got my money's worth with just the tuner, volume pedal, and the ability to switch between two channels, and I'll probably get more adventuresome as I use it more (it can do a lot more). As far as power goes, with an 18" extension cab this thing is nuts. No, it will not rock a concert hall, but even a 2000w stack will end up getting miked at that point, and besides, such fame is not in the stars for me:)when you want to reach down to the bottom and pull out some DEEP smooth cold notes, this unit has all you'll ever need. I purchased mine from another source and just happened upon it here at amazon for the same price, so right at the $500 range is about as low as you're gonna find one new, and i even looked for a used one, with no luck. the octaver is my favorite feature, when tied into a Big Muff Pie pedal the sound is so think and clear, that once you hear it, you'll absolutely know that you did not make a mistake when you laid down your hard earned $$ on this unit. certainly for twice the amount of $$$ you can get a better performing unit, but that would require a seperate head and cabinet configuration..and honestly unless you are relying on your skills as a bass man as your sole source of income , then perhaps that extra expense could be justified. but if you just play gigs in bars and small venues for a little extra cash or as a hobby, then save your money. this unit will more than suffice for almost any of your playing needs. I have never had a problem with being drowned out. i drive hard and fast and she has never faltered, and if the guys you gig with all have the NIGEL COMPLEX/spinal tap mentality about amps controls that "go up to 11" i still don't think you would be drowned out. if it broke tomorrow, i would go right down and buy another one, it's that simple. and i have driven mine hard for going on 2 years now, and for all intent and purpose she is still rocking just like the first time i plugged into her and laid into a steady growling Low B pulse.
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