The importance of an amp vs Line6

Quick question, kind of stems from a previous topic about effects.

I'm on a budget, aren't we all, but i guess i'm 17 so i'm a bit more on a budget - if I saved about $800 and I wanted to get a reasonable giggable package would you ...

1) tell me to get an $800 amp package that sounded great and was powerful enough

or

2) tell me to get a cheaper amp (say $400) that sounded kind of boring but was powerful enough, and then beef it up with a Line 6 Pod XT Live pedalboard that can supposedly emulate a whole heap of different amps.

Coming from anywhere that's not America is pretty difficult too because equipment is really expensive.

I'm not that fussy about tone, i want to play, be heard and be able to experiment with a wide range of different sounds.

Well if you want to experiment with sounds go for the pedalboard. That way you have an amp that is loud enough and lots of sounds to experiment with. No contest really.

I just bought the Line 6 Spider II 112 75 Watts for 350euros and I'm really happy with it, it's loud enough and has a wide range, planning on buying the POD XT Live and I'm all set :D

I'm playing an Ibanez RG370dx btw so clean usually ain't my thing ;)

where do you live?Some amps can be had for less outside of America anyway.

I wouldn't like to rely on a pedal for my whole tone...I know if my pedal(a boss gt-8) busts,my amp(xxx) can still push great tone.Not that its likely to happen...and running a pod or xtlive for your main rhythm and lead sounds is a good option.Its really up to you.

If I were you I would save a bit more and buy a good amp and cab.I enjoy having that power.

If you want to run a xtlive into a combo,then make sure you get the cleanest sounding amp you can get since you sound will be done through the pod.

you can get good sounds either way.

ok awesome guys. I live in Aus, which is good an bad for amps, Marshall, Fender, Line 6 and basically any reputable American brand name costs HUGE ammounts of money but there's a local brand called Ashton that does pretty affordable amps (doesn't have much street cred though but who cares) including a really affordable tube combo, and tube half stack. Might just got the Tube combo with the pedal for now, not to keen on lugging around a half stack and don't think i'll be using the power for a while anyways.

Thanks for the input, now at least i know what i'm saving money for ( it'll be a couple months till i can buy anything :P ).

the tube is definatly the way to go. a multi effects board thru a clean tube amp = beautiful.

Originally Posted by: rockonn91the tube is definatly the way to go. a multi effects board thru a clean tube amp = beautiful.

Absolutely, if you can afford it, do it. I don't see you ever regretting it.

It sounds like on your budget... You might as well do option 2... More bang for you buck. The tricky part will be to find an amp that has plenty of giggable power for around 400 bucks or so... Not sure what the translation of your currency would be to mine (USD) but the POD is the way to go... or even a GNX3 or 4 would be great. Finding an amp with a good sounding clean channel with a lot of power is pretty much what you need. I would look at something in a 2x12 combo... with around 100 watts. With your budget I really think anything in a tube configuration is going to be out of reach... so look for solid state. You don't need to go out of your way to get a modeling amp... since you're going to run a POD through it anyway... And you don't have to be worried about the distortion or gain of the amp either... since you'll just set it to totally clean and pretty much bypass the amps preamp by using the preamp of the PODXT..... So try some different amps out. Look for the Fender 212FM (I think that's what it's called...) It's got pretty much what you need... and it's a basic amp...

With a little bit more money you may be able to pull off a Line 6 Spider II head and a decent cab. I got a little 15w Spider II and I love the little bugger.

Originally Posted by: magicninjaI got a little 15w Spider II and I love the little bugger.

I just have to ask, is that pun intended?

And I reiterate, go for the pedal board if you don't care as much about power and want lots of sounds. No question. You can always get a bigger amp later when you need it, and you'll still have all your sounds.

Originally Posted by: aschlemanbut the POD is the way to go... or even a GNX3 or 4 would be great.

i can personally attest for the Digitech GNX3 that it sounds great. the looper function on it is also incredibly fun.

the Korg Toneworks AX2000G is also a great sounding multieffects for the same amount. you can still afford a reasonable amp for that price too.

Originally Posted by: acapellaI just have to ask, is that pun intended?

what pun might that be? am I missing summin?

Originally Posted by: acapellaI just have to ask, is that pun intended?

what pun might that be? am I missing summin?

Spider? Bugger? Hello, people! :p

reason why i was looking at the line 6 over the Digitech was because the huge ammount of software upgrades, the general strength of Line6 at the mo and just the huge ammount of versatility it has, perhaps i haven't looked enough in to the GNX3 but so far Line6 Pod XT Live has looked pretty strong. And yes i'm thinking now that a 2x12 combo would be best, a 1x12 tube mite be "cool" but all that extra maintenance and it is gonna cost a bit more in the end, looking more towards Fender FM212R, but of course when the time comes to buy an amp i'll probably decide in store after playing the crap out of everything, including of course the $10000 tube amps that are way out of my price range :)