Guitar Center review: Line 6 Spider Valve MKII

Tim Wenger | January 1, 2014 | 0 Comments

Line 6 Spider Valve MKII

For budding guitarists of the drop tuned, chugging, and sweeping variety, Line 6 is a brand especially sought after. I fell into this category when I got my first Line 6 Spider III about five years ago in hopes of obtaining the heaviest tone. I’ve grown up as a guitarist playing mostly heavy music aided by the intensity of the Spider III’s “Insane” channel. However, in the past year or so I’ve gone through a major style change and still have a Line 6 amp at my side. Ever since my introduction to the brand, it has seemed to be typecast as “metal”. Don’t get me wrong, it definitely fits as such but has so much more to offer.

In the summer of 2012, I was approached by a creepy, little surf band called Dustin Bones and the Body Stealers to play guitar. I knew that I needed a gig worthy amp and something that could achieve a vintage, tube driven tone even with EMG’s blasting through it. I had always been a fan of Bogner amps, but not so much of their price tags. When I saw that Line 6 had teamed up with Bogner to produce an affordable tube amp, I looked no further. I sat down to play through the Spider Valve MKII 212 Combo and was instantly hooked. I could tell that the tube design of this amp was warmer, richer and rocked harder than anything else I was used to. With the models and built in effects I already knew and loved, I felt confident that I could easily develop a new tone for my new band.

Almost all of my guitars, with the exception of a Les Paul Studio, are equipped with EMG pickups. I know what you’re thinking, “There’s nothing vintage about that!” But there is so much to tweak on this amp I believe I have found a good balance that fits my style and the overall style of my band. The four preset channels allow me to have a little bit of dirt for my rhythm playing, and a little more for my leads. We keep it fairly simple. The other two I reserve for my at home playing and the occasional Metallica jam.

For absolute control in live situations, I have used the FBV Sortboard footswitch. It’s a perfect addition for a gigging guitarist. But I have recently begun to venture outside of my comfort zone and include other effects pedals in my rig. I run a Fulltone GT500, MXR Carbon Copy, and a ZVEX Instant Lo- Fi Junky through the guitar input. With the help of the two Celestion Vintage 30 speakers pumping out reverb, I’m still able to create my own weird, gritty, surf tone.

The Line 6 Spider Valve MKII 212 provides versatility and durability (I bought the floor model) along with all of its other features. However heavy or weird your style may be, this amp will help you achieve it.

– Olivia Cruz is the Accessiories Department Manager at Guitar Center Englewood