• Registered: 2008-01-28
  • Posts: 18

Topic: Line 6 Spider Valve Head vs Budda SD18/30 Head

Hey Guys,

I've had the darnedest time with all my tube amps recently... prompting me to begin selling them all off and look into something new.   I'm looking at either a Budda SB18/30  or a Line 6 Spider Valve Head.   Here are the pros/cons i'm weighing... opinions welcome

Budda SD18/30 Head

pros:
good resale value
good build reputation
lots of people speak highly of it
sound clips are great

cons:
never played one
no dealers within 3 hours of me to play one... so i have to mail order
used prices are about 1000-1100

Line 6 Spider Valve HD100

pros:
solid sounds... no need for the internal fx's
plexi sounds are fabulous!
local dealer that i like has in stock and i've played it
new with 5 year warranty - 799.99

cons:
not much resale value... or resale value is yet to be determined
not much respect from the mature guitarist world


all in all, i like the Line 6 a lot, but i'm concerned that i might be into a fad and that the budda would be more satisfying.   Money is an issue, as is reliability and consistency.  Opinions?

  • Registered: 2007-11-25
  • Posts: 143

Re: Line 6 Spider Valve Head vs Budda SD18/30 Head

well sounds like you already made up your mind.  Get a used DSL combo or head.  100w heads going for 600-700 in near mint condition.  I've never been much on Line 6 at all besides a practice amp.   No sense getting a 1100 Budda if you don't gig much or at all.  If there are no dealers near you, that is unsettling as well.  If you ever have major issues with it then you would be in a bind.  Stay within you spending limits or wait and save up for the be all end all of amps that suits your needs, and has great sell back in case someday you want something else.

  • gsj
  • gsj
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: North Essex, England
  • Registered: 2006-09-21
  • Posts: 2,149

Re: Line 6 Spider Valve Head vs Budda SD18/30 Head

I couldn't possibly give an opinion on this forum......just in case Line 6 are watching wink

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • jamm
  • jamm
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Honolulu
  • Registered: 2007-10-26
  • Posts: 15

Re: Line 6 Spider Valve Head vs Budda SD18/30 Head

Hey Mike

I own a SD 18 combo, and I must say, it's one of my FAVE amps.  The Budda has a great tone all its own.  But I'm like you in that I always like to try it out before actually making a purchase/decision.  1100 bucks may or may not be a justifiable purchase, especially if you're not going to gig with it.  There's another factor you may consider also, such as how many effects/pedals you have/are planning on purchasing?  If you already own quite a few pedals/fx, there really is no need to purchase the Line 6. 

IMHO without the fx factor, hands down, I'd pick the Budda. 400 dollars or so more than the Line 6 is definitely worth it.  Good Luck!! smile

Blues in Honolulu, baby!!
http://www.myspace.com/lovechiletheband

jamm's Website

  • Registered: 2007-11-25
  • Posts: 143

Re: Line 6 Spider Valve Head vs Budda SD18/30 Head

yeah, true...for $400 more I would get the Buddha.

  • Registered: 2008-01-28
  • Posts: 18

Re: Line 6 Spider Valve Head vs Budda SD18/30 Head

Hey guys, 

thanks for your input.   Currently, i'm in three bands gig at least once a week... that's why i need it to be reliable.   I currently have a combo that was custom built for me by a guy in upstate NY and it's just been a hassle from the get-go.   I paid a ton for it, so i've been trying to make it work and it's just not.   Reliability is the biggest issue.   That's why i want to make sure that a new amp is reliable and gig-worthy.   The Budda stuff has really caught my ear as a great Marshall-meets-Vox deal, and having heard some of my favorite tones come out of them, they intrigue me.  The closest dealer is 4+ hours away.   I've had great experience with Line 6 stuff and have gig with both their combos, heads and PODs run direct.  I still keep a POD and a Vox Tonelab LE for direct gigs and for backups.   Their tube head (Spider Valve) plays nicely and is incredibly loud... maybe too loud.   But, i can get some great Marshall and Vox tones there too.   So, that's why i bring the question up.   and whichever amp i get, i will gig a lot.
thanks for your opinions, i look forward to more.
Mike

  • SRVTWO
  • SRVTWO
  • Silver Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2007-12-03
  • Posts: 59

Re: Line 6 Spider Valve Head vs Budda SD18/30 Head

Hi all.
I find that with all the amps I own, (about 9) with the giging schedule I keep (5 to 6 nights a week) my nicer amps stay home more and more.  Versatility and ease of getting a good tone quickly has become more and more important to me.  I am sure that the Budda sounds great but probably doesnt have the flexibility of the Line 6.  Oh yeah don't worry what people think about you playin a Line 6 if it sounds good use it.  I seem to remember seeing our boy Joe playin a Line 6 for a little while and it sounded pretty damn good.  Chances are you wont be as worried about the Line 6 getting that everyday wear and tear as you would a Budda that you may want to sell later.  Anyway after all is said and done my advice would be to buy both.  wink

Mike

  • From: Glasgow,Scotland
  • Registered: 2006-09-26
  • Posts: 460

Re: Line 6 Spider Valve Head vs Budda SD18/30 Head

gsj wrote:

I couldn't possibly give an opinion on this forum......just in case Line 6 are watching wink

Are you on their "WANTED" list? You naughty boy you. wink

"Stars fall like tears from your eyes"
  • Registered: 2006-04-28
  • Posts: 8

Re: Line 6 Spider Valve Head vs Budda SD18/30 Head

You can't go wrong with the Budda. Buy a used one and it's a great deal. I've had a few, every time I sell one I regret it. I just picked up a SD18II Head and 4x12 Budda cabinet. I'm not letting this one go. Thegearpage.net just had a few killer Budda deals on the for sale forum.

10 Reply by gsj

  • gsj
  • gsj
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: North Essex, England
  • Registered: 2006-09-21
  • Posts: 2,149

Re: Line 6 Spider Valve Head vs Budda SD18/30 Head

big_smile No. I just thought that, as a stockist, I shouldn't say anything about Line 6 that could in anyway give the impression that I think for a company to continually say that their modelling amps are better than tube amps...and then make a tube modelling amp seems a little ....shall we say...contrary. Oh crap....now look what I've gone and done..

millhouse wrote:
gsj wrote:

I couldn't possibly give an opinion on this forum......just in case Line 6 are watching wink

Are you on their "WANTED" list? You naughty boy you. wink

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Line 6 Spider Valve Head vs Budda SD18/30 Head

Buddhas are lighter in weight...and has more headroom.

Line6 on the other hand would be more complex to fix if dropped on the road, whereas many local amp techs should be able to fix a Buddha- youd have to send the Line6 in to the company.

- 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
  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Line 6 Spider Valve Head vs Budda SD18/30 Head

gsj wrote:

big_smile No. I just thought that, as a stockist, I shouldn't say anything about Line 6 that could in anyway give the impression that I think for a company to continually say that their modelling amps are better than tube amps...and then make a tube modelling amp seems a little ....shall we say...contrary. Oh crap....now look what I've gone and done..

millhouse wrote:
gsj wrote:

I couldn't possibly give an opinion on this forum......just in case Line 6 are watching wink

Are you on their "WANTED" list? You naughty boy you. wink

I say, old chum.  Now look whatcha done did.

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

bigjeffjones's Website

13 Reply by gsj

  • gsj
  • gsj
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: North Essex, England
  • Registered: 2006-09-21
  • Posts: 2,149

Re: Line 6 Spider Valve Head vs Budda SD18/30 Head

Don't start that Mary Poppins-Van Dyke stuff again Jeff.

bigjeffjones wrote:
gsj wrote:

big_smile No. I just thought that, as a stockist, I shouldn't say anything about Line 6 that could in anyway give the impression that I think for a company to continually say that their modelling amps are better than tube amps...and then make a tube modelling amp seems a little ....shall we say...contrary. Oh crap....now look what I've gone and done..

millhouse wrote:

Are you on their "WANTED" list? You naughty boy you. wink

I say, old chum.  Now look whatcha done did.

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • From: Akron Ohio
  • Registered: 2008-03-17
  • Posts: 19

Re: Line 6 Spider Valve Head vs Budda SD18/30 Head

Depends on your playing style, and what you want from an amp. The Budda is a stellar sounding amp at a very reasonable price. With a few pedals you can cover about anything. The Line 6 is very versital, pretty easy to use, and has some convincing tones in it. The thing I find is I don't FEEL the Line 6. I really doesn't respond to picking dynamics or changes in your guitar volume knob like the Budda does, or for that matter any good tube amp. Just the nature of the beast. You can still make that Line 6 work out as a very usable gig amp, but you'll always miss that little certain special something you get with tubes. Just my opinion though.

bigjoeblue's Website