Electric Guitar Review

When You Absolutely, Positively, Must Have Every Amp And Guitar Effect Known To Man

As I’ve often mentioned, when it comes to guitar amps my personal preference is for a plug-n-play set-up – just haul your amp into the club, plug in your guitar, and play. That doesn’t mean I don’t like options, it just means I want to have my cake and eat it too.

In short, I want an amp/guitar combo that gives me the highest number of tonal varieties possible, with the least amount of equipment, which is why I’m so intrigued by the Line 6 Vetta II Combo amplifier.

The Vetta II is Line 6’s top of the line modeling amp, and as such it packs virtual versions of an incredible 73 classic & contemporary amp models, 27 cabinets, and over 50 effects pedals & DSPs into it’s diminutive 65lb cabinet.

I Want It All And More

In fact, the main selling point of the Vetta II is that it apparently does everything but wash windows – besides the models mentioned above, the Vetta II sports Line 6’s A.I.R. technology, which uses advanced modeling techniques to allow for direct-line recording that mimics the sound-quality of six different microphone models and positions (a nice touch for today’s home-recording artist.)

It’s also got a built-in tuner, MIDI in/out, a programmable effects loop (in case you don’t have enough virtual effects to choose from!) digital audio in/out, support for the Line 6 Variax digital guitar, and even the ability to play through two different amp models at once.

Too Much of A Good Thing? Nah…

Of course, having that many options at your fingertips can actually be rather daunting and more than a little complicated, and that’s the one downside I’ve heard mentioned about this amp.

From what I’ve read, however, the use of Line 6’s optional FBV Shortboard foot controller makes this process a whole lot simpler. It gives you quick and easy access to your pre-set amp/effect combinations without having to wade through the GUI on the amp itself.

The FBV Shortboard also gives you a Wah/Volume pedal, tap tempo switches (for controlling the speed settings of some of the Vetta II’s on-board effects,) chromatic tuner, and a large backlit display so you can actually see what you’re doing on a dark stage.

Vetta II Combo Specs Include: 73 amp models, 27 cabinet models, 50+ effects-pedal & DSP models, A.I.R. microphone modeling, digital & analog re-amping, AES/EBU & S/PDIF digital audio in/out, Variax support, 1/4-inch effects loop, on-board chromatic tuner, 150-watts/stereo, two 12-inch Celestion speakers, Dimensions: 29“W x 20”H x 10.1“D (74cm x 51cm x 26cm.)