Line 6 aaaaarg war story [Archive]

ABKB

08-08-2005, 08:16 AM

I play Sunday mornings in a worship band. There are only 2 pedals I keep on all the time, one is my comp (Mxr Super comp, aint cool I know but I love the thing, and my Line 6 Dl4 delay for just a little slapback unless I want more ambient stuff) So yesterday I am up there playing some amazing stuff (not lol) and I hit one of the longer delay patches to go into a solo, and as I am looking down, the thing just shuts off. Poof, nothing. Luckily I have it in TB mode so my sound is still there. Not knowing what else to do, I hit the patch again and it starts up again. Later on I look down and the thing is now off again. I hit the patch again and it comes back. I managed to limp along till the service was over, but I am fuming. I have had that thing for 2 years give or take, and never had a problem till yesterday. I knew in the back of my head that reliability was a problem with these things, but I chose it because it really did sound good. But for $250, I expect a lot longer than 2 years. And if eqipment goes at a practice, I will futz with it, but when eqipment goes bad LIVE, thats it, bye, too-da-loo, it's over baby. So I spent another $200 I dont have on a Boss gigadelay. I need something where I can switch between short and long delays and about the only affordable ones are the Line 6 and the Boss. After that, I will take the boss reliability, not to mention the 5 year warranty over the 1 year on the Line 6.

Sorry for the long rant guys, I am having a "doh" moment here where I bought something despite repeated warnings from others about the Line 6. And line 6 if your listening, your Dl4 burned me and you lost a customer. Cant say I abuse my pedals, I keep em all mounted on a MKS pedalpad and yes I use the Line 6 power supply for that pedal. I baby my stuff man. I got $30 pedals that have lasted longer than the Dl4.

So theres my war story for the week. I shoulda, but didnt so it burned me.:jo

CBeeper

08-08-2005, 08:24 AM

I had the same problem with mine. I would say it was a power supply issue but i see your using the L6 supply. If that's not it try cleaning the switch pads inside. I opened mine up and sprayed contact cleaner into the small pcb mounted pads. That seemed to fix it for a while. I ended up buying a new one eventually.......:(

ABKB

08-08-2005, 08:32 AM

Originally posted by CBeeper
I had the same problem with mine. It could be a power issue. Are you using the Line6 power supply? If that's not it try cleaning the switch pads inside. I opened mine up and sprayed contact cleaner into the small pcb mounted pads. That seemed to fix it for a while. I ended up buying a new one eventually.......:(
Yep, I use the Line 6 power supply. I am sure it can be fixed, but as I said, once something goes out on me live, it's over done cooked bye bye. I am sure it will make a great doorstop.

MAZ

08-08-2005, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by ABKB
Yep, I use the Line 6 power supply. I am sure it can be fixed, but as I said, once something goes out on me live, it's over done cooked bye bye. I am sure it will make a great doorstop.

But the difference between something going out live and in rehearsal is pure chance... it makes no sense that you would get rid of something because it happened to go out live rather than in rehearsal. It's not like the pedal knows what you're doing!!! If it's really going to be a doorstop send it to me (i'll pay shipping) and I'll get it fixed!! :)

I think you may like the Boss DD20 better anyway though. With the exception of not being able to go from preset 1 to preset 4 without 3 stomps, I like mine better.

ABKB

08-08-2005, 09:27 AM

Hi Maz
Oh I agree, the pedal doesnt know the difference lol. It's just an artificial line I draw in the sand in regards to equipment. As to sending it to you, let me get my DD20 (should be here in a couple days) and make sure it works, then I may put it up in the emporium, clearly stating it needs fixing to see if anybody wants it. If nobody does, we can talk. I would probably cool down and think about keeping the thing, but the record on these units is awful, so out it goes. I dont like getting burned twice.

MAZ

08-08-2005, 09:31 AM

Originally posted by ABKB
Hi Maz
Oh I agree, the pedal doesnt know the difference lol. It's just an artificial line I draw in the sand in regards to equipment. As to sending it to you, let me get my DD20 (should be here in a couple days) and make sure it works, then I may put it up in the emporium, clearly stating it needs fixing to see if anybody wants it. If nobody does, we can talk. I would probably cool down and think about keeping the thing, but the record on these units is awful, so out it goes. I dont like getting burned twice.

Yeah, I hear you, I was just giving you a hard time! ;) I have felt betrayed by a wah pedal that ONLY had trouble during gigs, never in rehearsal!!! Instead of fixing it, it's sitting on a shelf. But then again it was just a run of the mill 90's Crybaby, nothing special. But, man, it sure seemed that thing knew the absolute worst time to act up!!

I don't think I ever had trouble with my DL4, but like I said, in many ways I like the DD20 better. And I've heard about the poor DL4 track record too.

I'd say put it up in the Emporium- with the new Keeley mods, odds are someone will want it!!

ABKB

08-08-2005, 09:44 AM

Originally posted by MAZ
Yeah, I hear you, I was just giving you a hard time! ;) I have felt betrayed by a wah pedal that ONLY had trouble during gigs, never in rehearsal!!! Instead of fixing it, it's sitting on a shelf. But then again it was just a run of the mill 90's Crybaby, nothing special. But, man, it sure seemed that thing knew the absolute worst time to act up!!
I don't think I ever had trouble with my DL4, but like I said, in many ways I like the DD20 better. And I've heard about the poor DL4 track record too.
I'd say put it up in the Emporium- with the new Keeley mods, odds are someone will want it!!
:) I know, it's cool.
I mean I know these little boxes have no intellegence, but I sware they know live vs practice :NUTS I know that makes no sense, but man, when stuff DOES go bad, it always seems to be live.
As to the DD20, I hope I do like it better. I know it's not TB and that bugs me (since I have it on all the time a looper wouldnt do me much good), I can deal with the having to hit the pedal more than once to go from 1 to 3, and I did also buy the little footswitch so I can do tap tempo without having to mess around much. But there was not a chance I was going to pay for another Line 6 so I didnt have much choice. I could have gotten a few different delays to get what I want, but I just plain dont have the cash, so to Boss I go.

MAZ

08-08-2005, 10:00 AM

Well, as to it being on all the time, I think that's where you'll like it more.

It wasn't until I was on a tour with in-ear monitors that I noticed how many of the Line6 models really mess with the direct tone. There's a few that don't, but a lot of them really thin out the direct tone. I think (best guess) that this is Line6's attempt to model what the original pedals do as well, but it became a real bummer to me. So, in that respect, with it on all the time I think you'll like your tone more. Unless of course you were only using the few models that didn't thin out the tone on the Line6!

And yes, a tap tempo pedal is a must! There's a way to do it with the right pedal by holding it for a few seconds or something, but that's just too much for my feet to remember!!!

John Phillips

08-08-2005, 10:09 AM

My DL-4 screwed up at a gig too - the loop sampler wouldn't record a new loop, it just kept playing back the one from the last song no matter which button I pressed, until I actually reached down and turned the Model knob to another setting and back again - luckily it was in the intro to a song, so we just stopped and waited until I'd sorted it out before starting the song again... if it had happened in the middle of a song it could have been an embarrassing Ashlee Simpson moment ;).

Some sort of software glitch I assume, as it didn't do it again, but after that gig I stopped using the loop sampler since I didn't trust it, and it wasn't long before I dumped the DL-4 - I'd begun to dislike the tone of it anyway. I just went back to using two separate Boss delay pedals (DM-2 and DD-5)... smaller, simpler, better sounding. The first gig I played with just the DM-2 was the last time I ever played the DL-4, the tone difference was that big.

Originally posted by MAZ
It wasn't until I was on a tour with in-ear monitors that I noticed how many of the Line6 models really mess with the direct tone. There's a few that don't, but a lot of them really thin out the direct tone. I think (best guess) that this is Line6's attempt to model what the original pedals do as well, but it became a real bummer to me.
It's due to the pedal digitizing the dry signal as well as the repeats I think... I don't remember hearing models any that didn't affect the dry tone. The classic digital delays (Boss DD-3 etc) don't do this, they keep the dry signal analog.

My DD-5 eventually proved unreliable too though... the delay would intermittently go grainy and then stop working, although at least the dry signal wasn't affected so it didn't even interrupt the song. This is the only Boss pedal I've ever had a problem with, and one of only a tiny handful I've ever seen or even heard about.

So now I have no digital pedals on my board - I do have another digital delay in a rack unit, but it's got an analog dry-signal path and a hard bypass switch so I'm happy enough to use it knowing that I can get by if I have to one way or the other.

ABKB

08-08-2005, 10:20 AM

Originally posted by MAZ
Well, as to it being on all the time, I think that's where you'll like it more.

It wasn't until I was on a tour with in-ear monitors that I noticed how many of the Line6 models really mess with the direct tone. There's a few that don't, but a lot of them really thin out the direct tone. I think (best guess) that this is Line6's attempt to model what the original pedals do as well, but it became a real bummer to me. So, in that respect, with it on all the time I think you'll like your tone more. Unless of course you were only using the few models that didn't thin out the tone on the Line6!

And yes, a tap tempo pedal is a must! There's a way to do it with the right pedal by holding it for a few seconds or something, but that's just too much for my feet to remember!!!
Thanks Maz, that's good to hear :dude I do agree that some of the Line 6 models do mess with the signal. Sometimes I liked that, other times I didnt. The tape delay seemed to be the worst offender, but then I played with an echoplex many years ago and it did the same thing. So yeah, maybe Line 6 was a little TOO realistic in that sense. As a result I rarely used the tape delay unless I wanted that type of thing. I did really like the (I cant remember the exact name now) E~H modulation patch, but I have also heard the Boss one is very good as well. For my short slapback I used the analog patch (which also seemed to mess a tad with the signal), but since that patch was based on a Boss, maybe this will be better for me in the longrun! And oh yes, I was not going to mess around with all that tap dancing on stage just to get at tap tempo. It's bad enough we are up there counting time, have both hands working while at the same time getting one foot up for the next effect to hit. Lol, it's amazing we dont fall flat on our faces more often, and thats without having to hold a pedal down for three seconds, then tap the tempo, then let go, then have to figure out how to get BACK to where we want to be for the next part lol. Gimme one button to do it and thats it.

ABKB

08-08-2005, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by John Phillips
My DL-4 screwed up at a gig too - the loop sampler wouldn't record a new loop, it just kept playing back the one from the last song no matter which button I pressed, until I actually reached down and turned the Model knob to another setting and back again - luckily it was in the intro to a song, so we just stopped and waited until I'd sorted it out before starting the song again... if it had happened in the middle of a song it could have been an embarrassing Ashlee Simpson moment ;).
Some sort of software glitch I assume, as it didn't do it again, but after that gig I stopped using the loop sampler since I didn't trust it, and it wasn't long before I dumped the DL-4 - I'd begun to dislike the tone of it anyway. I just went back to using two separate Boss delay pedals (DM-2 and DD-5)... smaller, simpler, better sounding. The first gig I played with just the DM-2 was the last time I ever played the DL-4, the tone difference was that big.
It's due to the pedal digitizing the dry signal as well as the repeats I think... I don't remember hearing models any that didn't affect the dry tone. The classic digital delays (Boss DD-3 etc) don't do this, they keep the dry signal analog.
My DD-5 eventually proved unreliable too though... the delay would intermittently go grainy and then stop working, although at least the dry signal wasn't affected so it didn't even interrupt the song. This is the only Boss pedal I've ever had a problem with, and one of only a tiny handful I've ever seen or even heard about.
So now I have no digital pedals on my board - I do have another digital delay in a rack unit, but it's got an analog dry-signal path and a hard bypass switch so I'm happy enough to use it knowing that I can get by if I have to one way or the other.
Thanks for the input John. Like I said, I sware these little boxes KNOW lol. As to the Boss, I know Boss aint as perfect as some would say, but at least I get a 5 year warranty with the DD20, vs 1 year with the DL4. I got a Boss MEB something or other for my bass rig, and it would just switch between "manual" and patch mode at will. Had it fixed and it did the same thing again a week later. Now it collects dust. But for the most part, Boss will do better than Line 6. Any purchase to some degree is a chance. But I am a bit better covered with Boss.

aarondavis

08-08-2005, 12:28 PM

ABKB

08-08-2005, 12:43 PM

Originally posted by aarondavis
Check your power situation. If there is a voltage drop the DL4 is sensitive to this. Are you plugged into a power source that is drained by many amps/equipment? Is it an old building? If not, is there simply a problem with the wiring in the building?

There are more variables than just your pedal and it's power supply. Plus, there are quite a few high profile pros that use this gear with good results.
Thanks aaron. Checked, all my pedals plug into the same power supply. The MKS pedalboard I use has a the power, unit with one regular outlet on the side, that outlet is what I plug the Line 6 into. So if there were a power problem, my whole sound would go silent. The building is a new (5-6 years old) building that I have been playing in for close to two years now, never had a problem.

BmoreTele

08-08-2005, 02:19 PM

No matter what preparations you make, stuff happens when you're live.

One way to deal with it is to get two delays. That way, if one craps out, you probably still have one to go to. I usually run three delays, sometimes four, so maybe it's just that I'm a delay nut. Or maybe just a nut.

As to $ ... a Korg 301dl usually goes for $75 on Ebay and gives you 2 presets, from slapback to one second. Add a DE7 for about the same and you have a great analog sim, self oscillating wackiness, and another 2.6 seconds. Total cost - under $150. And if one breaks ... see above.

ABKB

08-08-2005, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by BmoreTele
No matter what preparations you make, stuff happens when you're live.
One way to deal with it is to get two delays. That way, if one craps out, you probably still have one to go to. I usually run three delays, sometimes four, so maybe it's just that I'm a delay nut. Or maybe just a nut.
As to $ ... a Korg 301dl usually goes for $75 on Ebay and gives you 2 presets, from slapback to one second. Add a DE7 for about the same and you have a great analog sim, self oscillating wackiness, and another 2.6 seconds. Total cost - under $150. And if one breaks ... see above.

Thanks for the input Bmore, but the reliability rating for the Korg (on HC) is worse than the Line 6. Based on what I have read from other people outside of HC, the unit sounds great, but bad switches etc... seem to drag the unit down. As far as live goes, I know stuff happens with the best of equipment. I am just trying to cut down on those mishaps as much as possible.

kevin hart

08-08-2005, 03:01 PM

i had a switch go bad after about 6 months on my dl4. i decided to open it up & i was able to fix it myself, but it looks pretty cheesy inside. i just bought a boss dd3 and sonicly i think it kicks the line 6's ass. i may just start using a couple of those instead of the dl4. i'd also like to try a deluxe memory man since a couple of l.a. studio guys have told me they are using them again.

BmoreTele

08-08-2005, 04:25 PM

Originally posted by ABKB
Thanks for the input Bmore, but the reliability rating for the Korg (on HC) is worse than the Line 6. Based on what I have read from other people outside of HC, the unit sounds great, but bad switches etc... seem to drag the unit down. As far as live goes, I know stuff happens with the best of equipment. I am just trying to cut down on those mishaps as much as possible.

There is an easy fix for the Korg delay. It's just a case of the original design mounted the input/output jacks to the PCB. The fix is in one of those HC reviews.

DonneR

08-08-2005, 09:51 PM

When/If your DL4 locks up disconnect the power input, this resets it and should be fine..........of course thats no help if your in the middle of a loop or something;)

ABKB

08-09-2005, 07:39 AM

Originally posted by DonneR
When/If your DL4 locks up disconnect the power input, this resets it and should be fine..........of course thats no help if your in the middle of a loop or something;)
:D Loop, or solo, or since I have it on all the time, ANYTHING for that matter.

aarondavis

08-09-2005, 08:26 AM

ABKB, unless you want to spend $400 bucks on a Diamond Memory Lane or a Trex Replica there is really no other choice that does what the DL4 does. Only other possibility is the Boss Gigidelay. You’re talking about a mass produced gadget, by which, for the most part does exactly what the company says it will. Your fuse could blow, it's possible that a tube could go out, you could break a string. It's the same type of thing... equipment no matter how good it is, will have a problem eventually. Some sooner than others (especially pure production gear like L6).

I finally played through a TTE (only $1000:D) it sounds amazing!!!
BUT, even how awesome some of these high priced units are, nothing covers what my DL4 and Echopark cover.

drolling

08-09-2005, 02:14 PM

I never fail to be amazed by tone snobs who say they can't hear the denigration of the direct signal that occurs with the DL4. I've also owned many of the vintage units that the DL's models are based on and can assure you that they sound nothing like the real thing. Not even close.

I bought one to use for the looper function exclusively, and when mine broke, the repair center wanted $300 (Canadian) to fix it!

Companies like Danelectro don't disguise the fact that they make cheap fun toys, whereas Line6 has the balls to promote their 'product' as professional quality for serious musicians. Gimme a break, already!

If you weren't bothered by the 'tone-suck' of the DL4, check out the DigiDrek Digidelay. It's cheap, has tap-tempo, a 'tape' mode, 4 sec. looper and certainly doesn't sound any worse than the DL4.

ABKB

08-09-2005, 04:02 PM

Originally posted by drolling
I never fail to be amazed by tone snobs who say they can't hear the denigration of the direct signal that occurs with the DL4. I've also owned many of the vintage units that the DL's models are based on and can assure you that they sound nothing like the real thing. Not even close.

I bought one to use for the looper function exclusively, and when mine broke, the repair center wanted $300 (Canadian) to fix it!

Companies like Danelectro don't disguise the fact that they make cheap fun toys, whereas Line6 has the balls to promote their 'product' as professional quality for serious musicians. Gimme a break, already!

If you weren't bothered by the 'tone-suck' of the DL4, check out the DigiDrek Digidelay. It's cheap, has tap-tempo, a 'tape' mode, 4 sec. looper and certainly doesn't sound any worse than the DL4.

Thanks for the honest post drolling. I will soon be able to compare (if I can get it to work) the DL4 and the DD20. And I have heard good things about the Digitech unit. The only reason I went with the DD20 was having multiple delays at my feet without having to buy 2 or three different pedals.
I will totally agree with you assesment of Line 6. I am not pleased with them at all. If this had just happened to me I would consider just getting it fixed and modded, and putting it back in my rig. But since I am not the only one by a longshot, the unit goes.
As to others mentioning that stuff happens live, yes I am very aware. I carry backup tubes and guitar and fuses and even a backup amp. I lug around a black box (I call it the coffin) with all sorts of goodies including batteries should my pedalboard die completly. So I am ready and aware stuff happens. But when it does happen live I take a close look at the unit, if this kinda thing has happened to others (as with the Line 6), out, done, goodbye. Humans I can forgive, we make mistakes and even the best machine hiccups, but if I see a pattern of hiccups in the machine, bye bye.
And :dude I have some Dano pedals. Let me tell ya, I got a cheap plastic tremelo that has held up for 3 (1 year longer than the DL4 BTW) years, and it sounds great, never had a problem. I also got a couple other Danos that sound really cool. No it aint boutique I am fully aware, but Dano doesnt pretend to be boutique and they make some cool stuff. Some cheesy stuff to be sure as well. But I can live with that for the price.

aarondavis

08-09-2005, 04:38 PM

Drolling,

Did I say anything about it not degrading your direct signal? And did I say the pedal was perfect? No. I'm simply stating cost/size/portability/features/benifit FACTS. BTW, the DL4 isn't my favorite delay, their Echopark is. It doesn't process the direct signal, which is definitely is a shortcoming of the DL4. Because of this and updated software, the EP sounds a lot better. How often do you gig? I gig quite a bit and the best tone, features and size for me comes in the Echopark actually, second would be the DL4. The only pedals I know of that would be in the ball park or better in some cases would be:

Trex Replica
DLS Echotap
Boss DD20
Diamond Memory Lane

All of which have a dedicated tap tempo, not a momentary switch or tap tempo mode like the small Digitech and Boss pedals. But none of which have 3 presets and up to 30 seconds of loop time. LET ME BE CLEAR, the DL4 has it’s draw backs. The plus’s simply out way the minus’s in my opinion. BTW, are Bill Frisell and the Edge not serious enough for you??

drolling

08-09-2005, 04:52 PM

Arron, I'm truly flattered that you thought I was was talking to/about you. These discussions go on all over the net at many forums and I was making broad generalizations.

As far as pros using line 6 gear- What's your point? Pros use Boss gear, too.

ABKB

08-09-2005, 05:57 PM

Peace bretheren. I appreciate both points of view and I think you both make great points.:YinYang There are better things to argue about than Line 6 vs whatever. I am of the school that a great guitarist can make an out of tune banjo sound good.

aarondavis

08-09-2005, 06:01 PM

drolling, I'm glad you're flattered. No need to comment further, if you just want to make condecending statments.

Oh I can't resist... what gear do you actually approve of, and where do you gig with it?

65bfdr

08-09-2005, 09:46 PM

I just sold my dd20 since I couldn't stand the blue light flashing like a christmas tree. My good old Ibanez em-5 will get some more milage until I can afford the Diamond memory lane.... Among other, more expensive things, I need.... (damn it)

DonneR

08-09-2005, 10:03 PM

Originally posted by ABKB
:D Loop, or solo, or since I have it on all the time, ANYTHING for that matter.

Yeah good point too, for some, efffects are nice add ons, for others its their 'sound'......... I looove effects, but could play what I play straight into an amp and still get t he song across, but if t he textures are the song then they are more a part of your instrument and have a different priority and value level...... :cool:

ABKB

08-10-2005, 08:27 AM

My point exactly Donner.

As to a diamond memory lane, I am just not in a financial position to get the GREAT stuff right now. Hopefully I will be soon but until then I have to do sumptin. I would like to try the DML, as well as a EH memory man, a Maxon analog, as well as a real tape delay for studio use. :( Soon.

As far as the flashing light lol, The Line 6 does that too, so it's no big thing for me. Kinda lets me know it's working.

BTW, I should get my DD20 today. Give me a couple a days with it and I will post a review.

drolling

08-10-2005, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by ABKB
I would like to try the DML, as well as a EH memory man

Me too, the DML sounds like a great pedal.

I've had a Deluxe Memory Man since EH reissued them some years ago. A great pedal, but not my main delay - I have it mounted on a mic stand so I can work the regeneration & speed controls while playing the guitar. Thing is capable of some serious speaker blowing runaway self-oscillation and the funkiest chorus I've ever heard, but I find it a bit too dark and noisy for slapback.

They've changed the specs over the years, so some of my comments may not apply to the newer models.

DonneR

08-10-2005, 10:55 AM

Ha!... just hit me -- I was reading you guys posts and goin , 'oh yeah ive loved t he DML for yearstoo ', then realized you were talking about t he Diamond Mem Lane... the Ibanez DML sereis has been my fave mod delay for years....... doh! at least I have one coming so Ill know in a few weeks I guess..... big hopes for the 'Lane :cool:

ABKB

08-10-2005, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by drolling
Me too, the DML sounds like a great pedal.

I've had a Deluxe Memory Man since EH reissued them some years ago. A great pedal, but not my main delay - I have it mounted on a mic stand so I can work the regeneration & speed controls while playing the guitar. Thing is capable of some serious speaker blowing runaway self-oscillation and the funkiest chorus I've ever heard, but I find it a bit too dark and noisy for slapback. .

The only thing I have ever worried about with the EH is the reliability. EH does make some great sounding stuff, but the sheet metal and the floating boards (maybe not on the MM, but I know they are that way on the Holy Grail) have always given me pause. Still, I would like to get one someday, even of it's only for studio use. I know Edge uses em at times so I guess they cant be that bad. And your right, no it wouldnt use it for slap, the MM is more an "effect" type thing. But a cool one at that.

ABKB

08-10-2005, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by DonneR
Ha!... just hit me -- I was reading you guys posts and goin , 'oh yeah ive loved t he DML for yearstoo ', then realized you were talking about t he Diamond Mem Lane... the Ibanez DML sereis has been my fave mod delay for years....... doh! at least I have one coming so Ill know in a few weeks I guess..... big hopes for the 'Lane :cool:
Donner, give us a review when you get your Lane!

avenerjimmie

08-10-2005, 11:17 AM

All of these stories scare me. I know of no other pedal that can replcae my DL-4 function-wise. I actually like the delay tones, and many of the features better in the DD-20, but its looper can't do reverse, and I do a part in my band's set that can't be done any other way. If I were to get rid of the Line 6, I'd have to buy the Boss Loop Station as well as the Giga Delay. That's almost $500 worth of stuff, and more space taken on my board for the same functions I'm getting now (Albeit, more also. That loop station would be a ton of fun to have).

Is there anyone here that got the Keeley mods? Does that improve reliability of the pedal, and is the tone improvement as significant as the difference between the stock analog delay in the Line 6 vs. the stock analog delay in the DD-20 (imo, a big difference)?

drolling

08-10-2005, 11:20 AM

Originally posted by ABKB
The only thing I have ever worried about with the EH is the reliability.

And you do have just cause for those worries. If I'd known then what I know now, I probably wouldn't have bought the pedal at all.

They make such cool stuff, but after all the horror stories I've heard, I'd be very reluctant to buy another one of their FX.

The other guitarist in my band returned THREE mini-Q-trons, before giving up and getting a maxon envelope filter.

If they'd only get their quality control together, there's about half a dozen of their boxes I'd love to have on my board.

ABKB

08-10-2005, 11:24 AM

Originally posted by avenerjimmie
Is there anyone here that got the Keeley mods? Does that improve reliability of the pedal, and is the tone improvement as significant as the difference between the stock analog delay in the Line 6 vs. the stock analog delay in the DD-20 (imo, a big difference)?

I have not heard the Keeley mod, but I know it says on the website that if your Line 6 aint workin, he will send it back. From what I remember the mod is just a fix for some sound issues inherant with the pedal (volume drops etc..).

ABKB

08-10-2005, 11:28 AM

Originally posted by drolling
And you do have just cause for those worries. If I'd known then what I know now, I probably wouldn't have bought the pedal at all.

They make such cool stuff, but after all the horror stories I've heard, I'd be very reluctant to buy another one of their FX.

The other guitarist in my band returned THREE mini-Q-trons, before giving up and getting a maxon envelope filter.

If they'd only get their quality control together, there's about half a dozen of their boxes I'd love to have on my board.
Thanks Drolling, my suspision confirmed. And yeah, I agree it would be nice if they had some quality. But they have been making those sheet metal tin cans since at least the 70's, so I aint gonna hold my breath.

alderbody

08-11-2005, 04:03 AM

the only pedal (or should i call it a waste of money?) i have from LINE6 is in the box,
so it can't harm my tone any more... :D

But i'm still furious with myself for buying it... :mad:

DonneR

08-11-2005, 07:31 AM

Originally posted by ABKB
Donner, give us a review when you get your Lane!

Will do!.. and if I get the bugs worked out I think a video clip would be in order too.....;)

ABKB

08-11-2005, 08:48 AM

Originally posted by DonneR
Will do!.. and if I get the bugs worked out I think a video clip would be in order too.....;)

Cool :dude
Just got my DD20 yesterday, need another day or so b4 I give a review on it though. Still in play mode with it.

holyears

12-29-2005, 07:35 AM

So...now that you've been playing with it for 4 months...what's the verdict?

Kaiser

12-29-2005, 08:25 AM

where are the reviews and the video clips????

bluestein

12-29-2005, 09:18 AM

Check your power situation. If there is a voltage drop the DL4 is sensitive to this. Are you plugged into a power source that is drained by many amps/equipment? Is it an old building? If not, is there simply a problem with the wiring in the building?

There are more variables than just your pedal and it's power supply. Plus, there are quite a few high profile pros that use this gear with good results.

Exactly.

The dl4 will glitch when the voltage drops. Every time I had the problem, I put a meter on the supply - usually 105 or less - sometimes measured as low as 90v.

A battery backup with AVR solved the problem.

Low voltage will also mess with the tone of your tube amps. I've found voltage to vary all night long - so the initial ac measurements can change by the second set.

ABKB

12-29-2005, 09:39 AM

So...now that you've been playing with it for 4 months...what's the verdict?

Hey there holyears. Review is here.
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=96735
The verdict, LOVE IT! :BEER Had it for 4 months and nary a glitch anywhere. Also easier to get to exact settings as you dont have the ambiguos "tweak and tweez" knobs which change what they mean from patch to patch. As for clips, I have yet to post any clips yet on TGP, I shall in time, but too many great players on this board and I dont want to embarrass myself too badly. Plus been busy getting a band ready for live gigs so I havent done any recording of anything for a while.

ABKB

12-29-2005, 09:46 AM

Exactly.
The dl4 will glitch when the voltage drops. Every time I had the problem, I put a meter on the supply - usually 105 or less - sometimes measured as low as 90v.
A battery backup with AVR solved the problem.
Low voltage will also mess with the tone of your tube amps. I've found voltage to vary all night long - so the initial ac measurements can change by the second set.
In my case, if it was a power problem that caused my Dl-4 to die, it didnt affect any other effects that day. Since this thread went dormant, I have since plugged in my DL-4, only to find that it now does NOTHING. :FM Tried it with batteries even, nothing, no power nada, dead as a doorknob. It now sits gathering dust in my studio in the box. bluestein, your in the Chicago area, any idea where I can get this "pos" fixed? I might be able to use it for some studio stuff if I can, but I will NEVER use it live again, or buy any L6 products again for that matter. I did send an email to L6 and never got a reply :horse

JoeyD

12-29-2005, 11:18 AM

There are more variables than just your pedal and it's power supply. Plus, there are quite a few high profile pros that use this gear with good results.

This is very true, but having a DL-4 in their live rig, even if it craps out once a year and they have to run down to the local shop to buy another (which they can AFFORD to do), would be easier and less costly then lugging arround a tape-echo, analog this and that etc.

drolling

12-29-2005, 11:35 AM

In my case, if it was a power problem that caused my Dl-4 to die, it didnt affect any other effects that day. Since this thread went dormant, I have since plugged in my DL-4, only to find that it now does NOTHING. :FM Tried it with batteries even, nothing, no power nada, dead as a doorknob. It now sits gathering dust in my studio in the box. bluestein, your in the Chicago area, any idea where I can get this "pos" fixed? I might be able to use it for some studio stuff if I can, but I will NEVER use it live again, or buy any L6 products again for that matter. I did send an email to L6 and never got a reply :horseYour experience w/DL4 runs exactly parallel to mine. Started w/inexplicable sporadic failures, which progressed to an intermittent problem that I could cure for short periods by plugging & unplugging the unit and then finally, nothing. I, too, wrote Line6 and, like you, never recieved a reply. I suspect there could be some kind of design flaw, as we're not the only players who's DL-4s have died in a similar fashion.

As I said in another thread, I've no qualms about replacing VCRs, DVD/CD players, and even computers, as I have come to expect them to break down sooner or later. I've probably been spoiled by my old, bullet-proof stomp boxes (MXR, Boss, etc) that are still going strong almost 30 years later.

Mr. SD-1

12-29-2005, 12:22 PM

I believe the DL-4 issues are directly related to its power supply. I run my Line 6 modelers with a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 and I've never had any problems.

ABKB

12-29-2005, 12:34 PM

I believe the DL-4 issues are directly related to its power supply. I run my Line 6 modelers with a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 and I've never had any problems.

Better knock on wood there I.T. It's only a matter of time. You might be one of the lucky ones, but then again....

I hear ya Drolling, but I have a vcr that has been running now for 10 years w no problems. And I spent less on that than I spent on the dl4. I have 30$ Dano pedals that have made it longer than this pos. But I do hear what your saying. However, I think L6 really hoodwinked us on this one. No proof of course, but the fact that they do not answer emails with the same problem over and over again, makes me very suspisious. And I dont feel that way just cuz L6 is a "big" company. If ANY company put out expensive gear like that and people started complaining about the SAME thing over and over, and no answers or help was forthcoming, I would feel the same about them as I do about L6.