Due to another GAS attack I'm finally about bulding a stick rig this summer (I used to play directly into an amp for practice till now)
My primary option was getting a Rane AP/SP-13 and a TC G-Major or two (I had one in a guitar rig and I like its effects much more than ones in Line6 processors). The problem is that Rane preamp is hard to find, I don't know if it worth it.
The other option is two get a Line6 POD X3 Live. It can be find anywhere for sp-13+gmajor price, it is versatile and also lighter/smaller that a rack + footswitch (optional).
So what would you advise to pick? Or maybe some other options?

- Vladimir.

Hi Vladimir,

I'll ask James (Bizon) to respond as well, but I think the X3 Live is a pretty good unit and works well with Stick. I haven't spend as much time with it as he has, but I've liked the results and it's pretty easy to use, especially connected up to a laptop/desktop. There's a lot of good bass and guitar amps, cabs and effects, plus the routing is pretty flexible. You always need to re-adjust levels and EQ when testing patches out at stage volumes, after developing them using headphones, but that's normal for most gear.

Cheers,

EG

How about the POD HD500? I like it better than the X3 Live because the modulation control (assigning switches and pedals) is better and I think the effects quality is improved from previous generation Line6 gear. However it doesn't yet have bass amp models which might be a problem for some (I don't use them).

I use both the line6 podx3 live and a gt electronic wich is at the effects loop of the line6. I don't know if there is a device that is such a versatile router. For each preset you can choose processing for bass and melody separate. You can also choose to wich channel the effect loop goes and pan channels to two different amps. ( Bass+Guitar) this is just what à stick needs! Is there any other device that does this?

I meen tc. G major. (typing on iPhone keeps correcting things to my language...)

Thank you for your opinions guys.

HD500 is also an interesting option, thank you, Rob.

Routing options in PODs are great for the Stick, I have tried X3 already.
The main question was however is an external preamp worth using? I like the EQ controls on Rane AP-13, so the sound could be quickly adjusted to the specific amp or PA without editing the patches in fx processor. And it also provides great routing possibilities, according to the manual.

- Vladimir.

Hey Vladimir--Isn't GAS fun?

The Line 6 Pod stuff has as much all-in-one flexibility as I've seen. As far as EQ, the standard tone stack on the X3L is useful, and the parametrics, once you learn to get into them, are really snazzy. They weren't that difficult to call up right on the pedalboard, after you got familiar with it. A parametric isn't as quick as a graphic eq, of course, but gives you a *lot* of control when you get used to it, IMHO.

GAS IS fun, otherwise I'd pick a POD and would be happy with just it and without surfing the forums