Line 6 Spider V30 MK2 Amplifier Review 2023

The Line 6 Spider V30 is a DSP-based modeling amplifier that is designed to provide over 200 amp models. The amplifier has an 8″ speaker built in to provide full-range quality audio. With the option of auxiliary input. With access to all these presets and 30 watts of power, this is one versatile guitar amp!

Features

Let’s take a look at some of the key features of the Line 6 Spider v30.

• Over 200 amplifier presets.
• Combo with one 8″ speaker.
• Built-In effects and speaker cab models.
• Full range speaker system.
• Auxiliary input and headphone out.
• Built in tuner, metronome.
• Intuitive control scheme.
• Mac/PC, iOS, and Android connectivity.
• 30 watts of power.

Who is This Amp For?

The Line 6 Spider V30 MK2 is a versatile guitar amplifier! It’s designed for many different players, from beginners to experts. I found it to have an easy-to-use interface. But also a good range of amp models, effects, and presets to mess with. I believe it to be an excellent choice for guitarists looking to experiment with different sounds.

Beginners will appreciate the user-friendly interface, especially when getting started. It will allow them to quickly dial in their tone. But without getting bogged down in complicated settings. More experienced players will also appreciate the amp models and effects. For some players, it could also make a great practice amp.

Benefits

The Spider V30 does offer some great benefits to players. The range of sounds is a very large one. There are many different amp configurations available for all different types of music. The effects built in also sound very good. In fact, they sound better than the amplifier models!

The amplifier has some built in drum samples that a guitarist can play along to. This can be very beneficial to beginners as they learn tempo. There is also a built-in metronome and tuner. These are also powerful tools, especially to a person new to the hobby.

Drawbacks

In my opinion, some of the drawbacks with this amplifier is the lack of a looper. I see that some of the V series amplifiers from Line 6 do come with one. But, for whatever reason, they did not include it with the V30. To me this doesn’t make sense as this is a practice amplifier.

Sound Performance

So how does it sound? There are over 200 different amp presets, effects and so much more. Plenty of good sounds are possible with this amp. I spent a few days with the amp to really give it a good chance to show me what it was capable of.

The clean sounds were good. I enjoyed the crunch and high-gain sounds, and adding effects to them was a good experience. Utilizing the spider V remote app made it fun and easy to get good sounds.

I was underwhelmed, as the bass content is a bit lacking. If you are coming from a higher-end amplifier, you may be disappointed with the bass content.

The amp also sounds a lot more digital than other modelers I have reviewed. Some presets are not as digital sounding as others, but it’s more noticeable than I am used to.

The effects on board are really nice sounding for an amplifier in this price range! There are a ton of effects and other options that add to the fun factor of this amp.

It is great for a beginner or a practice amp and will provide you with everything you need to hone your skills. The sound is good for the price. This video is a perfect way to hear how it sounds.

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Construction

The Line 6 Spider V30 is a 16-pound combo amplifier, measuring 15″ wide, 15.4″ high, and 8.2″ deep. It’s equipped with one 8″ speaker in a small wooden enclosure. It’s finished with black Tolex and matching edge protecting corners. The amplifier is also quite light at roughly 20 lbs.

All controls are accessible from the front of the amplifier. They are pretty sturdy mechanically with modern style knobs throughout.

This amplifier has a colored coded control scheme which makes the amp easy to use. It’s very intuitive once you have spent some time with it. There is an LCD screen on the amp that is used to cycle through the different presets and is a nice display. It seems to me that it’s a quality component.

The buttons and controls are configured in a clean, well laid out fashion. Providing most of what a player will use on the front of the amplifier. They are easy to press and don’t feel cheap.

On the rear you will find the connectivity jacks for any iPhone, Android as well as an auxiliary in. Plus the power switch. It’s a closed back amplifier that is well-made. Overall, the Spider amplifier is constructed well and seems built for players to gig with.

Channels and Controls

The Spider V30 has a pretty standard control scheme that is intuitive and easy to use. Line 6 has gone ahead and color-coded some controls. This is to differentiate the options to make it easy to find what you are looking for.

Because it’s a digital amplifier, the controls are programmed to be dual-purposed. They have more than one option they control, which makes the layout less overwhelming. By pressing the amp and FX button, they change their functionality.

An LCD screen loaded into the amplifier makes selecting one of the many presets and options easy to do. Corresponding buttons allow you to select between effects and amp models. Also, to scroll through them with the convenient rotary control.

There are a ton of options on this amplifier, yet it is easy to navigate and configure. On the rear of the amp, you will find the different connectivity jacks. It allows you to run the foot switch for this amp (FBV Foot Controllers) as well as other methods of control.

The USB interface and Cubase recording software will let you record your best new song ideas.

Output Power

The Line 6 Spider V30 MK2 is a 30-watt amplifier that can get loud enough to practice or play with friends. If you are playing in a band with a heavy-hitting drummer, some presets will struggle.

You can throw a mic in front of the speaker. But if you are looking to primarily perform, this might not be the best amp for the job.

Spider V Remote APP

The Spider app lets you control the amp in the same way you would with the LCD screen, but in a much nicer interface.

The app is well-designed and allows you to adjust the settings. All with sliders from your mobile device when connected to the amp. You can access additional amps and effects, as well as edit presets and much more!

FBV Foot Controllers

The Spider V MK2 series amps are ready to go with any of the FBV Foot Controllers from Line 6. Some of these controllers allow for amazing control. Especially when combined with a Spider amplifier. Check out this FBV 3-Foot Controller that is compatible with the Spider V30 Mk2.

Recording Quality

The Spider V30 MK2 comes with Cubase recording software and sounds pretty good. You will not want to record an album with this amp, but for songwriting it’s great! The sound quality is good for such a small and affordable modeling amplifier!

Built-In Tuner

The Line 6 Spider V30 MK2 has a built-in tuner, which is a nice feature. If you are just a beginner, this can be a huge help as you get started with learning how to tune.  If you are not a beginner and wondering about the accuracy of the tuner, rest assured, it is pretty accurate!

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Notable Alternatives

If the Line 6 Spider doesn’t seem to be your thing, there are many great alternatives available!

Boss Katana MK2

The Boss Katana is an amplifier that is hard to beat. The sounds are excellent and the functions handy. This amp is perfect for both beginners and more experienced players. It’s a very popular option because Boss did so well with the voicing.

It even provides the option of acoustic models, making it incredibly versatile as well. This gives you a huge range of sounds possible and it’s incredibly affordable. Check out the full review we did on this amplifier to learn more.

Vox VT40X

The Vox VT40X is another great alternative. They use a hybrid between tube and DSP to create good sounding models. The amp comes with 11 tube amp sounds plus a range of effects. It’s capable of 40 watts and can keep up with a drummer with no issues.

Not only is it built like a tank, it also provides the option of recording through USB. This allows you to use it for direct recording, but also gigging. It’s a very versatile amplifier. Check out my review by clicking the button below.

My Thoughts on the Spider V30

There are many great electric guitar amplifiers on the market for under $500. The Line 6 Spider V30 MK2 deserves to be on this list. It is loaded with sounds, effects, and options that are sure to get you where you want to be!

The included Spider V Remote software allows you to edit the effects. You can also set up amp patches for many types of sounds. Great for those who like to tweak a lot! So if you are looking for a practice or home amplifier, this is one to consider.

A beginner would benefit a lot from this amplifier. If you are a more experienced player, you might want to look into something else. The higher gain sounds are a bit digital sounding, and so it feels this way as well. Plus, there is no looper in this model. I think Line 6 fell short here and should have included it in the V30 model. It’s a practice amp, after all.

Line 6 has provided good value for the money, though. It has some good features and sounds. The output power is perfect for home practice and recording.

Many people use this amplifier and love it for its compact size and its sounds and functions. So if you are interested, it’s worth taking the plunge as the price really can’t be beat for such a versatile amp!

FAQs

Is the Line 6 Spider a solid state amp?

Yes, the Spider V series amps by Line 6 are all solid state. They are in fact DSP based technology that allows the company to create models and effects for guitarists.

How do you record on the Line 6 Spider?

There is a USB port on the back of the amplifier. By connecting this to your PC or Mac, you can use the amplifier like a sound card. Then, use recording software to capture and modify the amplifier’s sound to your liking.