Low to Mid Priced modelers

[GuitarBilly]

Not for me, it's for one of my guitar students. He's 15. Plays metal mostly and some classic rock on the side. He already has a decent amp rig (Peavey XXX 1/2 stack I helped him buy at Atomic) but he wants a modeling pedalboard. New units only, nothing used. Let's say under $800.


My first thought was the Pod Go, but I told him I'd ask around since I am not up to date with the current modeler market.

Thanks!!

[rock flag and eagle]

I'm a fan of the POD Go for headphone use, recording and plugging into my amps power section. I think for what I use it for, I prefer over the HX stomp and HX Stomp XL.
The Boss GX-100 also fits under that price, but I have never tried it. It looks more rugged plus its touch screen for editing. I found the POD Go pretty quick and easy to get going on editing.

[spawnofthesith]

HX stomp seems like a no brainer

[GuitarBilly]

HX stomp seems like a no brainer

Aside from the format, what is the difference between the Stomp and the Pod Go? Aren't they both based on Helix modeling? Does the Stomp have more amps etc?

[rock flag and eagle]

I believe you can run dual amp setups with the stomp and more blocks for effects. On pod go you’re limited but I think the models and effects are the same and sound the same

[mortatone]

He can model all kinds of shit with a cheap dirt pedal and delay. $200 all in can cover so much.


Just a thought…

[Yarbicus]

I would get one of the Valeton units before the Pod Go. Had the Pod Go and felt kind if cheap. The Valeton had similar functionality and is built like a tank.

Hell, I have an old school Behrinher V Amp I be happy to for free. Just so he can see how they work.

[GuitarBilly]

He can model all kinds of shit with a cheap dirt pedal and delay. $200 all in can cover so much.


Just a thought…

Yeah I agree, but that's not what he's trying to do. His band is going to practice in his drummer's bedroom with an e-kit and headphones for everyone and he needs something that allows him to play silently through headphones.

I would get one of the Valeton units before the Pod Go. Had the Pod Go and felt kind if cheap. The Valeton had similar functionality and is built like a tank.

Hell, I have an old school Behrinher V Amp I be happy to for free. Just so he can see how they work.

Thanks for the offer on the V-Amp, I appreciate it. I have one here too, but he wants a modern modeler , which I understand being a kid etc..


I was wondering about the "sub" brands, Valeton, Joyo, Mooer, NuX etc... how are these units when compared to the better known brands?

[Yarbicus]

I have the Valeton and had the Pod Go. I much prefer the Valeton. Sounds better, easier to program, and built better.

[ibenhad]

Say this every time it comes up, Atomic Amps AmplIFIRE 6. These have amazing sounds, great FX and the ability to load IR's. I mean good enough for Satchel good enough for me.

[Marc G]

HX Stomp XL would be the way I'd go.... since Line6 upgraded their Cab sims the Helix sound so much better

[Zozobra]

Maybe check out the zoom g3n. It has physical knobs for each part of the patch so it's not going to suck to edit patches compared to buttons.

I had one of their small units 10 years ago for exactly this purpose and it was fine. One of my friends still uses it to record with

[Zozobra]

One of my friends bought a Valeton GP-200LT and he's happy with it. Big gear head too who has definetly gone down the GAS rabbit hole in the past.
I think it can load like 20 IRs, which is what will make or break it in this application.

[Heath]

I have a helix and my son has been rocking the Pod Go since 2020. The pod is a great unit and sounds really close to the Helix. That being said, it is limited in some of it's functionality. The routing is more set in stone. Every patch has a wah, a volume pedal, eq, an amp block, and either a speaker sim or IR. This does limit things like using dual amp setups or using one preset with snapshots for clean and dirty sounds, etc.

If a simple path works for their needs, then the Pod Go is a great option. If a little more complex chain is wanted, then the HX Stomp or Stomp XL would be my path if it were me. With the extra money saved, he could get some York audio IR's as well.

[GuitarBilly]

Say this every time it comes up, Atomic Amps AmplIFIRE 6. These have amazing sounds, great FX and the ability to load IR's. I mean good enough for Satchel good enough for me.

I thought about it. But they seem impossible to find these days.

[GuitarBilly]

Maybe check out the zoom g3n. It has physical knobs for each part of the patch so it's not going to suck to edit patches compared to buttons.

I had one of their small units 10 years ago for exactly this purpose and it was fine. One of my friends still uses it to record with

I have a G3n here that I use as my acoustic guitar processor for effects and looping. It works well for that purpose. But I remember the amps/drives not sounding good. It's been a long time since I tried out that side of it, so maybe I need to revisit it.

One of my friends bought a Valeton GP-200LT and he's happy with it. Big gear head too who has definetly gone down the GAS rabbit hole in the past.
I think it can load like 20 IRs, which is what will make or break it in this application.

yeah I am reading good reviews on these. Definitely a contender.

I have a helix and my son has been rocking the Pod Go since 2020. The pod is a great unit and sounds really close to the Helix. That being said, it is limited in some of it's functionality. The routing is more set in stone. Every patch has a wah, a volume pedal, eq, an amp block, and either a speaker sim or IR. This does limit things like using dual amp setups or using one preset with snapshots for clean and dirty sounds, etc.

If a simple path works for their needs, then the Pod Go is a great option. If a little more complex chain is wanted, then the HX Stomp or Stomp XL would be my path if it were me. With the extra money saved, he could get some York audio IR's as well.

Yeah I think the simple effects chain would be fine for him. Hell, it was fine for me when I owned it.


I think I will recommend the Valeton and the Pod Go and go over the features on both with him so he can decide.

[Zozobra]

On phone so no link formatting, sounds pretty brootz

https://youtu.be/SxSlpwDCu3E

If fx aren't a necessity then I used to use a Randall rg13 for e-kit practice with an old band and that definitely gets metal. I do miss that pedal. I'd buy a rack preamp of that in a heartbeat.

[Landshark]

Ampero II Stomp ($499) ... really good amp models without needing a bunch of tweaking, and a pretty good selection of effects. has dual signal path. the editor is one of the best i've used, too - will actually describe what the amps and effects and their controls are in a little paragraph on the bottom. i can't speak to the cab models, but it comes with 20 Celestion IR's and you can add your own.

my only gripe is that i wanted a "flagship" version with more knobs and switches. the Ampero Switch can be added for $20 to add two more footswitches, or some sort of MIDI controller if you want more.

[headlessdeadguy]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185870712255?v ... olid=20006

These can't be beat for the money.

[GuitarBilly]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185870712255?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338765313&customid=138bf405801ca329d5dbfc1f7f7092e6&toolid=20006

These can't be beat for the money.

yeah that looks great for the money. But given that his budget is around $800 I think we can do a bit better, even without spending all of it.

Ampero II Stomp ($499) ... really good amp models without needing a bunch of tweaking, and a pretty good selection of effects. has dual signal path. the editor is one of the best i've used, too - will actually describe what the amps and effects and their controls are in a little paragraph on the bottom. i can't speak to the cab models, but it comes with 20 Celestion IR's and you can add your own.

my only gripe is that i wanted a "flagship" version with more knobs and switches. the Ampero Switch can be added for $20 to add two more footswitches, or some sort of MIDI controller if you want more.

I will check this one out.

[colejustesen]

I have been impressed by the Headrush Gigboard. The unit sounds great, but I what like the best is the feel. All around, it is great.

Cole

[GuitarBilly]

I have been impressed by the Headrush Gigboard. The unit sounds great, but I what like the best is the feel. All around, it is great.

Cole

Yeah we've been looking into that one too.

I had the Eleven rack and really liked it. As far as modeling goes, it was one of the best I've tried. The Headrush is the evolution of that technology so I bet it's good

[RaceU4her]

this is where that "updated" GSP1101 ive been asking for would be so great, he could just plug it right into the xxx loop return and be rocking.

[GuitarBilly]

this is where that "updated" GSP1101 ive been asking for would be so great, he could just plug it right into the xxx loop return and be rocking.

yeah for shows he's just going to use the XXX. I taught him well.

That's for silent practice and possibly to make their demos. The GSP1101 is not a bad idea though, now that you mentioned.

[RaceU4her]

this is where that "updated" GSP1101 ive been asking for would be so great, he could just plug it right into the xxx loop return and be rocking.

yeah for shows he's just going to use the XXX. I taught him well.

That's for silent practice and possibly to make their demos. The GSP1101 is not a bad idea though, now that you mentioned.

i think i remember a 5150 model in the gsp, would be a fun comparison with the xxx