• From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Topic: Line 6 Flextone III

So a friend of mine has a Flextone III that he's not using.  Now that I'm in a band I need an amp that is loud enough to have clean head room over a drum kit.  Andy gave me a very nice offer on a Hot Rod Deville, but I need to raise some money up before I can pull that one off.  Anyway my friend has offered this amp to me for free.  Its still his as far as I am concerned but he's letting me use it indefinately.  I had a little bit of success with a spider 15 using the rock channel as my rythem and switching to the metal channel with a little more volume as the lead channel.  Does anybody have any experience with these amps and some useful tips on how to operate with them.  These solid states really seem to not care for a guitars volume control to be adjusted like a tube amp.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2006-05-31
  • Posts: 489

Re: Line 6 Flextone III

I used to have one and sold it pretty quick. The amp doesn't cut through in a band context. Lack of meat and balls all the way. Lack of warmth anyway.

The only model that I could get some kind of acceptable sound from was the JTM45 model.
I put pedals in front which the amp handled pretty well.

I have tried to fire it up a little with a Presonus Tube, to get some tube warmth at least.
If I remember correctly I used the effects loop to do this.

Improvement was very little only.

For home use this amp is okay, for playing with a band unfortunately not.

Jimi75's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Line 6 Flextone III

Thanks for the input.  I'm a little worried about that.  Maybe if I start saving now I can raise that money for the Deville someone is trying to sell me.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: Line 6 Flextone III

You just can't use them with a band...

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Line 6 Flextone III

Welp, until I've got money to buy what I want this will just have to do.  Most places we'll be mic'd and I might not even bother with this amp.  But for shows were we are using our own pa system I've got to turn up loud.  This amp might not cut well, but its really all I got for playing cranked.  The good thing is our drummer has a very soft touch and can play loud if its needed but he's not constantly pounding the kit so that should help.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Edwardsville, IL
  • Registered: 2010-05-17
  • Posts: 656

Re: Line 6 Flextone III

Joe has one in his rig back in the day. I want to say he used for the clean though, granted he was mic'd in all of his gigs as well.

Good luck with the amp, and with buying a good tube amp.

I'd recommend a Fender Blues Jr. I know a bunch of guys that gig with them and they work real well in a bar/pub setting.

my guitar playing. http://www.youtube.com/user/09ncowan?feature=mhee
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Line 6 Flextone III

I have a blues jr however with it being 15 watts I was thinking I need more power when we play gigs that I don't mic.  We've got a couple of out door gigs where 15 watts just isn't going to carry.  But having tried the amp tonight (the flextone) I can honestly say I don't think this amp will be the answer to my troubles.  Its loud, but I'm having a hard time finding a tone I can live with.  I've got a spider 15 as well and I can say they sound identical except for a couple of amp settings.  Plus this is a huge amp that weights 65 pounds...  I've got another friend who would let me borrow a peavey verson 1 5150 however I think that goes beyond 65 pounds and is very over kill for our modist band.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Line 6 Flextone III

AD3THREE wrote:

We've got a couple of out door gigs where 15 watts just isn't going to carry.

I played a short set at an outdoor wedding with a 50 watter dimed and it wouldn't carry.. Dual 100 watt heads though did the trick on another occasion wink Some advice on the inside gigs if you're not micing is try using an Amp Stand. I don't really care for them as I think they rob you of a good amount of bottom end, but they do help your small amp project nicely. I just played a gig in a larger venue with a class 5 on a stand, I was mic'd but I was still VERY loud. -S

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Line 6 Flextone III

guess it really depends how big outside is.  We are doing 2 gigs in somebodys yard.  I don't care to be heard a mile or 2 away.  I've gone to gigs that I've seen guys take a good 40 amp and it carry over.  In fact I have had a hot rod deluxe carry over 1 yard nicely so I know it will work.  Guess the best thing to do is just try it and hope for the best.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Line 6 Flextone III

Put that baby on a milk crate or 2 and you'll be good.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Line 6 Flextone III

Line 6 really sucked at practice.  Some of the guys liked it but I had volume issues the entire time I used it.  Will not be using this again anytime soon.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Line 6 Flextone III

Yes. they don't cut through the mix very well...

I was going to say put it though the PA, as I've done in the past.... but hmm
They are awesome for effects, etc., but fall flat on their face when it comes to balls.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool