Line 6 POD XT Live vs. BOSS GT-8

Garth-S

Hey there

I am currently throwing around the idea of replacing my POD XTL with a Boss GT-8. Have any of you compared the two? I know they are fairly old models now but I was just interested in exploring the idea. I mainly use the POD's modeling through our church system and a little with recording. What do you guys think?

AlanRatcliffe

They both have some good sounds, but overall I prefer the GT-8. The XTL is a little easier to use, but there are so many things I cannot do with it. The GT-8 is more complex to use, but if you tweak it properly you can get some really good sounds.

Vintage-Vibe

Hi Garth

Having owned both (now currently owning a GT-8) I must agree with Ratty boy.
The Line 6 is more accurate at producing "brand-specific" sounds, whereas the GT-8 has very useable sounds which aren't always as accurate (useable should always be the focus).
The XT does heavy sounds better, whilst the GT-8 is better with time-based & modulation effects - many complain about the GT distortions/preamps being "fizzy" - it takes time to edit.

The XT has a great carry handle on the chassis (sounds sad, but you miss it)

L6's support online reads along the lines of "go to the user forum" - BOSS are much more helpful.
Roland also have far better service/repair support here locally.

Don't bother with the GT-10 if you want the most sounds per buck - the 8 is better and cheaper.
You should be able to make an offer on Gumtree on a mint condition 2nd hand one 4 about R 2000.00 - best buy.Don't be scared about used goods - just check all the footswitches/buttons work and don't pay any money before you get the goods.

The GT-10 has more flashy lights and an easier user-interface than the 8, but doesn't really sound better.
Depends on your editing experience with multi-effects units.
The GT-8 can do a HELL of a lot more option/assign/edit wise than the XT, PLUS you can insert your favourite stompbox in the loop - unlike the XT.

Both are built like tanks - speak soon

VV

Renesongs

I have spent a lot of time with BOSS GT6 and GT8 I chose the GT6 because it offered the same range and quality of sound as the GT8 with a slightly easier interface. The pre-set sounds on both these units are pretty ordinary but they can be tweaked to sound really good. In this respect it is best to get a piece of PC software to mange and tweak your pre-setss because it is back breaking work to tweak it through it's tiny buttons screen and knobs on the pedal

cain

I had a pot XT live, i think line6 stuff is crap. I did some church session stuff with it, dialing in a sound they want on demand there and then is too much off a mission. The line6 is way more complex to use than than the boss in my opinion. This in turn affects you in getting great sounds, my friend has a boss GT-6 and that is an awesome pedal, i would take it over the GT8 and the podXT anyday but they are not made anymore. I would opt for the GT8 if i was you.

Riaan-Combrink

Francis Viviers wrote: Imy friend has a boss GT-6 and that is an awesome pedal, i would take it over the GT8 and the podXT anyday but they are not made anymore.

As an owner of a GT 6 that has used it onstage a couple of nights a week, every week (!), for about two years, I can only say +1 to Francis's comment. Try and get hold of one to try out, then attempt to find one 2nd hand. They are rugged as hell, and a well looked after used one will be fine. It's an option to think about.

Riaan C

AlanRatcliffe

I'm surprised you guys didn't like the GT-8 if you liked the GT-6. I happily used a GX-700 (GT-6 in a rack) for years until upgrading to the GT-PRO (GT-8 in a rack) and found it to be pretty much more of the same with a better sound engine, more FX and more tweakability. Knowing the GX-700, I didn't even have to crack the manual.

I was also using the POD Pro simultaneously and liked the amps but didn't use anything else. I kept that, not bothering with the XT versions as I preferred the sounds from the older one.

Of course, then I got Guitar Rig and sold both hardware units ?

Garth-S

Thanks guys. Wow! it seems like the BOSS is by far the better option. I must say I have been happy with my POD to date, but I have not really compared it to the GT-8 (actually I've never even tried one).

Vintage Vibe wrote: The Line 6 is more accurate at producing "brand-specific" sounds, whereas the GT-8 has very useable sounds which aren't always as accurate (useable should always be the focus).

I totally agree with you Vintage Vibe, I wouldn't really care if my sound wasn't a perfect emulation of a specific amp, but it HAS to be usable.

What do u think I could get for my POD XTL (with metal shop expansion) + Line 6 expression pedal + Big Ass pedal case (where everything fits like a glove ? ). I am really keen to replace the POD after hearing all your comments. There is a GT-8 on Durban Gumtree for R3000 incliding a case. What you all think?

Renesongs

Of course, then I got Guitar Rig and sold both hardware units

+1 Alan, although I do miss my GT6 sometimes - mainly because I spent so many hours tweaking the sounds on it to perfection - on that note I still have all my personal presets from the GT6, I did them on a per song basis, White room, Red House, For the Love of..., etc mainly 70's 80's stuff I would be quite happy to mail the syx banks to those who want. ?

Vintage-Vibe

Hey Garth

Look at what the other XT Lives have been selling for as is.
You might see them asking R 3500, but are they selling at that price, and if so how quickly ?

Depends on how quickly you want to sell - with all the extras I would say R 3000 to R 3500.00
Maybe you can keep the case ?
Make sure when you put it up for sale you mention each of the extras and their retail value

VV

Reinhardt

I had a Pod-xt live, I sold it and got a gt-8. The Pod is a very simple pedal with very few features. The only decent distortion pedal is the Killer z (Line 6 Uber distortion), and if you want more distortion tones on your pod u have 2 buy it >☹ . The amp models sound horrible. I use the gt-8 for a tuner, delay and eq, then I loup an external Analog distortion pedal... Line6 sounds plastic...

Reinhardt

At Toms in Joburg they have Gt-8's for about +- R3000...Brand new

Mr-M

Reinhardt wrote: At Toms in Joburg they have Gt-8's for about +- R3000...Brand new

That's probably because they wanna get rid of them because the new GT-10 is out. I believe that one goes around R7000+?

AlanRatcliffe

Yeah, you'll probably find Bothner's doing the same soon too.

Riaan-Combrink

Renesongs wrote: on that note I still have all my personal presets from the GT6, I did them on a per song basis, White room, Red House, For the Love of..., etc mainly 70's 80's stuff I would be quite happy to mail the syx banks to those who want. ?

Hi Rene!

The offer still stand??? ?

If so ....

riaancombrinkATtelkomsaDOTnet

Keep well.

Riaan C

AlanRatcliffe

I changed your addy Riaan - fastest way to start getting tons of spam is to have it on a forum. Spambots love that stuff...

Riaan-Combrink

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: I changed your addy Riaan - fastest way to start getting tons of spam is to have it on a forum. Spambots love that stuff...

Phew! Thanks, Alan.

I didn't consider that for one second. Thanks for having my back. ?

Cheers

Renesongs

I've attached a zip file with various sysex files from the various bands I played with in the last 2 years. You will need to hook your pedal via midi to your computer and do a dump request on the pedal or use a bit of software like GT Manager. These patches should work on GT8 and 10 as well. Patches are by songlist order and are clearly labelled. Just don't lag yourself stupid at all the shit I have had to play on the cover circus 8) https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/attachments.guitartalk/b83aac23b9528732c23cc7352950e880-GT6%20Setups.zip

Renesongs

I changed your addy Riaan

And here I was WTF Riaan is an email noob???

Riaan-Combrink

Renesongs wrote: Just don't lag yourself stupid at all the shit I have had to play on the cover circus 8)

Thanks, Rene. Looking forward to trawling through it. My attempts to program good patches have been spectacularly unsuccessful. Battling to just get a nice clean, and a slightly chorussy (with a little delay), sound for my acoustic. [that's aside from working out how I can connect both my electric and acoustic to the GT6 so that I don't have to plug and unplug between songs!! Is there some kind of splitter box I can plug into the single input?? ???). I've got three workable patches (clean, overdrive, distort) for my electric someone else did for me.

By the way, look at the stuff I have to play and have a laugh!!!!!!!!!!
http://synchronicity.rsa.googlepages.com/Synchronicityfullrepertoire-15Aug08.pdf

Renesongs wrote: And here I was WTF Riaan is an email noob???

Ouch!!!! ☹ ☹ ☹

I deserve it. Of course you could havce accessed me addy from within the forum's profile feature (which makes me an even bigger twerp!!! ) ?

Riaan C