Is an HX Stomp still worth buying?

[Jim Soloway]

I keep reading about new offerings coming from Line 6 and I'm wondering if an HX Stomp is still worth buying, or are they getting old enough to be reaching their expiry date? Even used they seem to still be selling for a pretty hefty amount considering how old the technology is. Any thoughts?

 

[Dom Mcsweeney]

Oh hell yeah. I'd say it's 100% worth it.
It's one of the greats, and I doubt Line 6 will discontinue it any time soon.

 

[Mikael Dez]

Yes.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Yeah it’s an awesome device. You should be able to score one used though, if you’re patient.

 

[Jim Soloway]

Yeah it’s an awesome device. You should be able to score one used though, if you’re patient.

Someone has raised the idea of trading me a used HX Stomp plus cash for a guitar I have for sale. We'll see how much cash but the idea of a Stomp kind of appeals to me. Life was pretty good when I had my Pod HD.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Someone has raised the idea of trading me a used HX Stomp plus cash for a guitar I have for sale. We'll see how much cash but the idea of a Stomp kind of appeals to me. Life was pretty good when I had my Pod HD.

The Stomp is definitely of higher quality, IMO. Check Reverb.com sold listings, to see what the going rate is. It fluctuates.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

Someone has raised the idea of trading me a used HX Stomp plus cash for a guitar I have for sale. We'll see how much cash but the idea of a Stomp kind of appeals to me. Life was pretty good when I had my Pod HD.

I'd say the Stomp is going to be a high-value device for a good while. The whole new-gen Stadium stuff is focused sooooooo much more on what/how it can control other stuff and new approaches to UI/tone tweaking. Only including, what, 16 new amp models at launch?

So the new generation Stomp-sized thing is similarly going to require a whole new vision for UI/interface, which will take time. My guess would be that they'd rather let the Stadium-sized devices live for long enough in the wild to get a sense of how best to iterate the Stomp-sized version. So years. And its unclear whether such a thing will actually sound much different than the current Stomp.

 

[sleewell]

Yes

 

[dbagchee]

100% yes. It is just an indispensable utility device that can be used in so many different applications. It also happens to sound awesome on its own as well.

 

[sashimi]

Yes. I got mine a couple years ago and I would buy one again if I lost it. I think it’s the greatest pedal ever made. It’s going to be a while before a new stomp replacement comes.

 

[banned]

Yes, if you can get a small power amp and nice guitar cab to play through (i.e. vs FRFR) - it's well worth it.

 

[Jim Soloway]

Thanks to all for the input.

 

[James Freeman]

expiry date

No such thing for effects.

I still have my HX Stomp XL for when I'm bored with Strymons, the Stomp can do pretty much all of it.

 

[hunter]

I'll be a bit controversial but my honest opinion is, if the size is OK, I'd rather get a used MK1 Kemper Stage for chips. I prefer the Kemper effects, all of them actually, it has more ins and outs (incl. XLR) and more switches, 4 Expression ins too. It can send Midi as well. Even if the profiling is of no interest, it's a very powerful control center also for amp based rigs.

I had big Helix right when it came out, and a Stomp later. But the effects always sounded not right there. The Kemper effects sound warm and fat, awesome reverbs, too. Even the Wahs and drives and fuzzes sound legit. Only thing it's missing are switching relays for amps without Midi, but that can be added if needed with an external device.

 

[Sascha Franck]

I have a main board and a Stomp based one. I sometimes grab the latter even if I could use the big guy. That should already tell some things (at least for me).

Whatever, it's possibly the most flexible utility there ever was - and it sounds great while being that.
And as you're into clean tones a lot, you'll likely love the Princton and (possibly even more) Super Reverb models. I certainly do.

 

[PorcinePicker]

Gosh, I don’t know. It is a very capable and compact unit, but mine’s been sitting on the shelf for years. I think it’s because (1) it doesn’t add anything compelling to the units I do use, and (2) it doesn’t have an internal power supply and I lack the pedalboard gene. I don’t need to sell it, so I haven’t….

 

[Lysander]

I don’t need to sell it, so I haven’t….

Mandatory PSA:

 

[Lysander]

Even after L6 launches the inevitable Helix Stadium Stomp™ a couple years from now, the OG Stomp will remain as incredible value - specially if you can find one used at decent prices. They sounds stellar, and can do pretty much anything; i still believe it's overall the best guitar pedal ever made.

The Stomp's only drawback is the PSU with a non-standard plug, which has always been a pain in the ass. Thankfully there's plenty of third-party alternatives available, for dirt cheap.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

I hadn't used my stomp in ages and was all set to sell but just hadn't gotten round to listing it yet.

Some friends asked me to sit in with them for a few songs last week so I took my stomp instead of my pedalboard. I didn't want to take my board for three or four songs. I ran it straight into the front of a DSl40 and had a great time. I setup a patch with the KWB, transistor tape and retro reel. It sounded great and I'm probably going to hold onto it now for just in case scenarios.

 

[Lysander]

I'd say the Stomp is going to be a high-value device for a good while. The whole new-gen Stadium stuff is focused sooooooo much more on what/how it can control other stuff and new approaches to UI/tone tweaking. Only including, what, 16 new amp models at launch?

Not only that, new effects for the HXS are but guaranteed to trickle down to the OG Helix line, including the Stomp.