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Line 6 POD XT
Variax 700
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By Andy Z - July 2004
This time around I wanted to draw some attention to some of the amp models that aren't talked about as much as the Marshall, Mesa or mainstream Fenders. Some of these amps can really give your recording or live sound just a bit different flavor than just going to the commonly thought of amps. Different tones can change the inspiration of the performance overall. Hopefully, this will help give you some ideas outside of the models you normally use.
For the purposes of this example, I'll be using a PODxt displaying the settings using the GuitarPort software. I've also included MP3's, so you can hear the differences explained below. The audio samples were played on a Line 6 Variax 500 guitar.
In this sample, I'm using the Variax T-Model (Telecaster) model on pickup position 1 (neck pickup). The amp model is the 1960 G-Brand Two-Tone (based on the Gretsch 6156) using the 4x12 1967 Green 20's cabinet. I opted to use this cabinet model over the default cabinet, as I like to get a bit more bottom end resonance when using single-coil guitars with this model. The picture below shows you where to roughly set your A.I.R. and Mic model.
This tone gives a focused and warm tone. When pushed a bit harder, the gain breakup is nice and smooth, while still leaving notes clear and not overly distorted. The details you don't see are as follows: Compressor Threshold=-10db% and Gain at 7db; Reverb set to Vintage Plate with Predelay=45%, Decay=50%, Tone=46%, Mix=19%, Config=POST; Delay set to Digital Delay at 372ms with Feedback=28%, Bass=52%, Treble=50%, Mix=12%, Config=POST.
Click here for the 1960 G-Brand Two-Tone MP3 sample
1960 G-Brand Two-Tone Setting...
In this sample, I'm using the Variax Special (Les Paul Jr.) model on the pickup position 5 (bridge pickup). The amp model is the 1961 Class A C-15 based on the Vox AC-15 using the 1x12 1960 Class A-15 default cabinet. This model gives a much more woody and warm tone than it's big brother, the AC-30. The picture below shows you where to roughly set your A.I.R. and Mic model.
This tone demonstrates that by using the volume knob on the guitar, you can see how dynamic this can be. It starts out with the volume rolled back about half way and continually gets louder and edgy by adding the volume back in. Very British sounding! The details not seen are as follows: Compressor Threshold=-13db% and Gain at 8db; Reverb set to Vintage Plate with Predelay=42%, Decay=55%, Tone=48%, Mix=24%, Config=POST; Delay set to Tube Echo at 352ms with Drive=0%, Flutter=50%, Feedback=24%, Mix=13%, Config=POST.
Click here for the 1961 Class A C-15 MP3 sample
1961 Class A C-15 Setting...
In this last example, I'm using the Variax T-Model (Telecaster) model on the pickup position 1 (neck pickup). The amp model is the 1963 Super O Pawnshop based on the Supro 6x9 s6616 using the 4x12 1967 Green 20's cabinet. The Supro amp is widely recognized as being used by Jimmy Page (along with his Tele) quite a bit on the first couple of Led Zeppelin albums. Again, I opted to use this cabinet model over the default cabinet, as I like to get a bit more mid to bottom end resonance with this model. The picture below shows you where to roughly set your A.I.R. and Mic model.
This tone shows how a small amp can sound like a small amp, but still have a nice rich tone. Very useful for having a focused part, without it being overbearing in the mix. The details not seen are as follows: Compressor Threshold=-16db% and Gain at 7db; Reverb set to Vintage Plate with Predelay=50%, Decay=57%, Tone=49%, Mix=24%, Config=POST; Delay set to Digital Delay at 383ms with Feedback=29%, Bass=50%, Treble=50%, Mix=15%, Config=POST.
Click here for the 1963 Super O Pawnshop MP3 sample
1963 Super O Pawnshop Setting...
The patches for the soundbytes in this article are below. These files can be loaded into the Guitarport editor or the Line 6 Edit software. Even though these were done on the PODxt, with minimal tweaking you should get close to a decent sound if you open them up using a Flextone III, HD 147 or a Vetta.
Go to the Line 6 CustomTone page.
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