Line 6 pocket POD or Behringer V-Amp

Dave-the-Pub-muso

Hi all. I got a wealth of good advice the other day about getting a good baic set of sounds for live cover shows. Best suggestions were for Boss GT-8 or Line 6 pod. Both of these are out of my price range (and I think maybe more than my humble self needs or understands). So I'm looking at a Line 6 pocket pod or a behringer V-Amp which both retail for around R1500.

I don't want a trillion sounds (i.e. different one for each cover song) just a couple of good patches. Maybe 2 or three clean sounds, 2 overdrive rhythm sounds and 2 overdrive lead sounds.

What do you guys reckon is the best option?

(old forum) Poll Results: Best bang for buck

Line 6 pocket POD: 5
Behringer V-Amp: 3

Squonk

You will be able to get better tones from the Line 6, but the lack of foot pedal makes it quite difficult in a live setup. You will only be able to use one patch per song. Also it's tiny, your fingers might push you onto a Bumblefoot patch! :-[

Maybe with your pricerange go for the Zoom G2.1u which is usable in a live setup. I know because I use both of them.
The Pocket Pod is more for practicing but the tones are very true.

The Zoom also has an expression pedal which is great as a volume control or for assigning an extra effect, e.g. digital delay or reverb, or whatever you want.

Dont know the Behringer ?

FenderBender

The Behringer V-Amp is a good rip off off the line 6 pod pro. As Squonk says, you need floor pedals and switches for a live gig, particularly if you want to change effects mid song.

The pocket pod falls short here. The V-amp pro interfaces nicely with Behringer's FCB 1010 MIDI foot controller or any other MIDI device.
I recently sold both to Skywalker for under 3k, so look around for bargains both here and on gumtree.

Lacuna-ZA

For a live setup, I would avoid the Pocket Pod. Don't get me wrong. I love mine to death. Its a great piece of equipement for the price. But I have no idea how you'd be able to perform live what thing. If you really wanted to, you could... but getting a floor pedal is essential (imo) if you are doing shows.

But for recording and home use, I can endorse the Pocket Pod.

No opinions on the quality of the V-amp. Sorry

AlanRatcliffe

Between the Pocket Pod and a V-Amp, I'd probably go for the V-Amp - you get more for your money.

The Zoom is usable and relatively inexpensive. Sound quality is not the best, but they work.

BTW, there is a GT-8 going for R2,800 on Joburg Gumtree: http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-musical-instruments-Boss-GT-8-Guitar-Multi-effects-Pedal-Processer-W0QQAdIdZ132723726

@Graeme - the V-Amp Pro is a copy of the Pod Pro, but there is also a more common (and cheaper) V-Amp, which is a copy of the "Kidney Bean" Pods.

CDee

Iv'e been playing around with my friend's V-Amp pro Bass, and it's not bad at all. Actually it's very nice. For live you'll need a footpedal the FCB1010 works great.

BTW. My friend was selling his V-amp pro Bass for R1150, not sure if he still wants to sell, if you are interested I can find out for you. The Bass version can be used for Bass, electric, acoustic and keyboard. You can download preconfigured patches and tools from Behringer's website and load them via midi onto the unit.

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Dave-the-Pub-muso

Ja, just to clarify, I'm comparing the pocket pod to the V-Amp "regular" (V amp 2 )see http://www.muz.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73_222_224_335&products_id=1547

My plan was to find a nice set of sounds in either the pocket pod or V-amp and then use my SD-1 to either add overdrive or as a boost for leads, solos etc.

Dave-the-Pub-muso

Thanks for the heads up on the Boss Alan, but too expensive for me. Music is only a part time thing for me, so it's hard to justify a lot of spending. By the way, what do you make of the Boss ME-20?

AlanRatcliffe

My plan was to find a nice set of sounds in either the pocket pod or V-amp and then use my SD-1 to either add overdrive or as a boost for leads, solos etc.

Good plan - that's exactly what I would do. You can still change patches manually between songs, bit it would be akin to playing with a single channel amp. Also, don't forget, you can set an amp model with a bit more crunch for leads and simply turn down the guitar's volume knob to clean up the sound for rhythm. Old school, but still a very valid way to play.

Dave the Pub muso wrote: By the way, what do you make of the Boss ME-20?

The ME-series are designed more as multi-effect pedals to be used with an amp than instead of one (like the GT-series). So not ideal for your situation.

Dave-the-Pub-muso

Thanks Alan. I'n terms of practicality is it better to put an overdrive effect (like a SD-1) before or after a multiFX/amp sim?

Squonk

@ Dave

If you do decide on the Behringer it's a bit cheaper at Sountrader.co.za R1499.00 ?

AlanRatcliffe

Dave the Pub muso wrote: Thanks Alan. I'n terms of practicality is it better to put an overdrive effect (like a SD-1) before or after a multiFX/amp sim?

Think of the amp sim as an amp, so an overdrive would always go in front, between guitar and sim.