Line 6 Spider V 120 MKII
The best-sounding Spider amp ever made? You’d better believe it
When it comes to digital modelling, some of us are happy to spend hours tinkering with parameters, while others just want a bunch of great sounds, ready to go out of the box, with a manual that reads: ‘Switch on here, plug in here, GO.’ Line 6’s new Mk II version of the Spider V promises to cater for both extremes, with only a few subtle hints to the
monster technology lurking behind its elegantly understated control panel.
Familiar-looking dualpurpose controls illuminate in white for basic amp functions and colour for the Spider V MKII’S effects levels. There’s a small mono display with buttons for home, edit and save functions, together with controls for the built-in looper and metronome/drum machine. Toward the right of the front panel there’s a headphones/line out socket, while on the rear you’ll find a pair of stereo line outs on balanced XLRS, an aux in, a Cat5 socket for Line 6 foot controllers and a pair of USB sockets to connect to PCS and mobile devices, for editing and recording. Creating sounds from the amp is easy enough, however it’s quicker and more fun using the Spider remote app, which is beautifully designed and hooks up immediately. Other clever features include a built-in wireless receiver that works with Line 6’s Relay G10T transmitter, with classic and FRFR speaker modes and over 200 amp, cabinet and effects models.
There are 128 patches organised in 32 banks of four, most filled with instant gratification presets that make great building blocks for your own tones. The Spider V MKII’S sounds are as far removed from the original POD as 8K OLED TV is from black and white, with a level of realism that’s going to convert many valve stalwarts. The big distortions do what you’d expect, however what really bowled us over were the more subtle crunch and mild overdrive tones, which breathe and respond with stunning valve-like dynamics. The Spider’s effects are equally inspiring, with lush choruses, warm delays and much more.
Digital modelling’s biggest benefit is its affordability, and the Spider V MKII’S features are astoundingly good value.okay, the range-topping FBV3 foot controller is an extra couple of hundred pounds, but we think worth every penny, as it accesses all the Spider’s features, including the looper. With effortless power from its 120-watt output stage, the Spider V 120 will handle any size of gig. One of the best modelling amps we’ve ever heard.
One of the best modelling amps we’ve ever heard