Line 6 Helix Stadium Pre-Launch Discussion

[Lysander]

Isn't #3 Josh Homme's secret weapon?

Yessir. Also, Valvestates were featured on a shitton of classic metal albums (Static-X springs to mind), and Crate's Blue Voodoo was sort of an underdog staple of many '80s bands.

 

[EOengineer]

I'd unapologetically would love the shit out of those. These are amp sounds which were very popular at the time, and featured on classic records... yet are somehow ignored by all modelling companies; we need more of those than another JCM800 mod.

See also Sansamps, which is a sound that was everywhere back in the early '90s.

I’ve always thought it’s kind of weird that Helix has the bass Sansamp but not the guitar model. Not sure what’s up there.

 

[Lysander]

I’ve always thought it’s kind of weird that Helix has the bass Sansamp but not the guitar model. Not sure what’s up there.

I've been lowkey hoping that Line 6 graces us with a good Classic or GT2 model some day.

 

[EOengineer]

Yessir. Also, Valvestates were featured on a shitton of classic metal albums (Static-X springs to mind), and Crate's Blue Voodoo was sort of an underdog staple of many '80s bands.

Not a Crate history buff, but I’m pretty sure the BV wasn’t released until the mid 90s. Is it possible you might be thinking of the Stealth?

In either event, I have fond memories of the BV but it’s been like 30 years since I’ve heard one. I’m not sure I trust my memory.

 

[Sascha Franck]

TBH I think the first 3 are useful tools for certain sounds in the studio.

Almost common knowledge: A Peavey Bandit, maybe with another but the stock speaker, makes up for a pretty decent pedal platform. I don't think I'd use one for recordings, but they are very decent live machines. And built to last.

 

[EOengineer]

Almost common knowledge: A Peavey Bandit, maybe with another but the stock speaker, makes up for a pretty decent pedal platform. I don't think I'd use one for recordings, but they are very decent live machines. And built to last.

I have a thing for small amps in the studio. I’d usually prefer a champ or skylark, but the bandit is a lot better than it gets credit for.

 

[ian_dissonance]

Isn't #3 Josh Homme's secret weapon?

Some small peavey.

 

[Lysander]

Not a Crate history buff, but I’m pretty sure the BV wasn’t released until the mid 90s. Is it possible you might be thinking of the Stealth?

Yeah, sorry, i meant 80's bands - whose career lasted longer than a decade See f.ex Poison's CC Deville, and Marty Friedman.

 

[EOengineer]

Yeah, sorry, i meant 80's bands - whose career lasted longer than a decade Poison's CC Deville and Marty Friedman immediately spring to mind.

Yeah once I remembered those full page Marty Friedman ads in Guitar World I realized where I crossed wires.

BV & valvestate stereo rig for the win.

 

[ian_dissonance]

Not a Crate history buff, but I’m pretty sure the BV wasn’t released until the mid 90s. Is it possible you might be thinking of the Stealth?

In either event, I have fond memories of the BV but it’s been like 30 years since I’ve heard one. I’m not sure I trust my memory.

90s I’m pretty sure. I remember them having a very forgiving gain channel and being kinda grainy and scooped, a lot like the solid state amps they made at the time. The distortion channel on the Valvestate stuff was made for gated choppy metal riffs.

 

[Lysander]

Almost common knowledge: A Peavey Bandit, maybe with another but the stock speaker, makes up for a pretty decent pedal platform.

I recall reading that Bandits, particularly the "red stripe" line, had a bit of a renaissance recently as people noticed TransTube amps actually sound pretty damn good.

Which is funny, because back in they day you couldn't give those combos away. Everyone seem to had one at home from a starter kit or something.

 

[EOengineer]

90s I’m pretty sure. I remember them having a very forgiving gain channel and being kinda grainy and scooped, a lot like the solid state amps they made at the time.

The aptly named crate fizzstortion.

 

[ian_dissonance]

The aptly named crate fizzstortion.

Pretty much. I found an old GX120 combo for free fifty and the gain channel was unique. A gate and a boost and an EQ and it could be something, honestly.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Homme amp us a Decade, iirc. Bandit is different and actually a good SS amp.

 

[Lysander]

Pretty much. I found an old GX120 combo for free fifty and the gain channel was unique. A gate and a boost and an EQ and it could be something, honestly.

Oh man, my very first amp was a cheap Crate GX-15 (non-reverb!). The clean channel was OK, but any amount of gain would turn it into a hornet nest.

 

[EOengineer]

Oh man, my very first amp was a cheap Crate GX-15 (non-reverb!). The clean channel was OK, but any amount of gain would turn it into a hornet nest.

Man I can’t tell if this is bringing back fond memories or triggering PTSD. I’m not sure I want to admit this openly, but I loved the hell out of a GX-15 with a DOD Death Metal pedal when I was 14.

 

[ian_dissonance]

Oh man, my very first amp was a cheap Crate GX-15 (non-reverb!). The clean channel was OK, but any amount of gain would turn it into a hornet nest.

That definitely would have something to do with the $2 driver in there, lol.

 

[dbagchee]

Full list of Agoura launch models announced:




Guitar Amps

• WhoWatt 103
• US Tweedman
• US 5W Tweed
• US Princess 76
• US Luxe Black
• US Double Black
• Essex TB30CC
• Brit Plexi
• Brit 2203MV
• German Xtra Blue
• German Xtra Red
• Solid 100
• EV Panama Blue
• EV Panama Red
• Revv 120 Purple
• Revv 120 Red

Bass Amps

• Ampeg SVT 50th
• Ampeg B15NF 66
• US Drip Bass
• Agua 751
• Mandarin Plus 200
• Brit MegaBass

 

[Lysander]

Full list of Agoura launch models announced:

Off topic, but that 8" touchscreen looks glorious.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Off topic, but that 8" touchscreen looks glorious.

Yeah, pretty much.