I have an XL in transit and I can not figure out most of the models.
Is there any way to get a hint list like they have on the current models where they list popular songs recorded so we know what the tone is? I played the demos and I kid you not, I think that the power of suggestion cuts both ways and I have been an audiophile nut since I was in grade school and I made my own cabs, and modded my first student guitar w brass nut and bridge and so forth. I have seen people who hear what they expect to. I also hear idiots complain about modeled tone that NAILS it, and because they can not discern that a modeled rig playing through a direct line in and a small spaker to monitor, it is not going to sounds like a Marshal full0stack through a single speaker. They do not think much.
Anyway, the Vox amps are the absolute best modeling amps on the market for under $500. Any of the small combos are so superior that they have no real competition. If today's players had a bit more brains and a bit less BS, then Vox would be the only amp left in business.
As a matter of fact, I was comparing some 15 to 50 watt all-tube combos from the top brands, Peavey, Marshal, Fender, Matchless, Crate and so forth. Sure there are more brands and each all tube amp had sme great unique tone, and they are each as versatile as one expects from a well-designed all tube amp. The Vox on the other hand sound just as good for any given sound (ie a given patch) and then can go after each of thoe amps in their own tone.
The Vox can replace a good half dozen amps if one needed that variety for a recording session (in theory). I played a Fender Twin Reverb 212 in the 1970s and it has its own classic tone and feel. I played the Vox first through a 50 112 and a dude was saying "not quite" so I set up the 212 (either a 50 or 100, not sure which) and it was as much like the Fender as you might expect from one to the next in the same model.
I actually think that if Vox was able to solve the marketing problems behind having a brand with a strong niche, but the brand is known only for that niche and many players go straight for the LINE6 amps. which sound really crappy next tp the Vox. Here is the power of suggestion where the young teens all just can see the LIVE6, which makes an OK product, it was innovative to try what they did, kudos to them for that but their amps do not sound good. They are just as you would expect from a SS amp with a built in circuit board driven tone stack. They do not FEEL like real amps. You might get away with it if you record direct from the LINE6 while using a real amp to play during the recording so that player can feel the string attack and so forth.
It is much harder to record styles you expect to be driven hard, and then you can't hear it till after the take. Nobody does that well (not that I know). The bottom line is that if there was a way to educate each player before they buy, LINE6 would be unable to sell their combo amps. They are SO overpriced! Buy a table top or floor processor and then get a real amp.
It is more than just the solid state issue. I understnad they are not trying to sell and Vox style amp (that is what they want the players to think). The teenagers right not might be too far gone to be saved. Vox needs to buy a new brand name to get more people to see that they execute in their Volvetronix what Line6 claims to do.
One last problem w Line 6 is their support is a joke. I tried to use their amp farm software with their proprietary hardware and man, I do not even wnat to go there. I have never returned anything so fast. It was all smoke and mirrors with and VERY cool looking interface, but functionally it was idiotic.
Sorry for the rant, I love Vox and I want to evangelize them but I need to have hints for the models.
Thanks in advance, Chris
