THE gem
By stringman from Seattle, WA on December 28, 2009 Music Background: Pro Musician, Guitar / Synth
Buy it before Line 6 discontinues it. This amp is worth your $699.00. The models do sound distinct and the tube models are just as warm as the real ones, complete with tube compression and sag. I've only owned mine for a month, and already have been asked about my tube configuration, of course the Flextone III XL is solid state. There are a few high-gain models for those that like that, but there are more boutique-sounding models that deliver everything from shimmering or smooth cleans, to tube grit and warm overdrive, to thick or snarly sustained lead tones. Add the cab simulations and you really got a room full of precious gear, I say "precious" because the sounds are incredible. I play in a semi-cover band and all those tones that were probably pulled out of some pricey vintage gear are on-tap through my Flextone II XL. The Fenders really took my breath away - I thought I had plugged in my Blackface or Tweed. The JC-120 is super stereo clean, just like the original. The Marshalls do Marshall, the Mesas sound great, and there are other models like the Connor, Soldano and Gibson (to name a few) that are a stunning bonus. I've used multi-effects amp emulation for years, and this thing blows all of them away, coming so close to the real thing. Effects are laid out to be simple to use, but none of them are generic. Also, with Line 6's free editor software, you can deep-edit the effects and amp settings. I did get an overdrive/boost pedal to run in front of the amp - a Fulltone GT-500 - just to boost a solo tone or to distort a particular model that has a voicing I'd like to maintain throughout the tune. You can, however, just dial up another patch with a higher gain amp model and switch to that for a solo if you want. You would need a foot switch for that - I bought a FBV Shortboard mkII - which you should also buy when you get this amp. I could go on, and on, and on.................
If you're a tone seeker, you have this amp.
Flextone lll XL stuns me, a complete amp for once
By Glenn Baker from Trenton, MO on July 16, 2006 Music Background: Retired but I still play guitar every day.
The Line 6 Flextone 2x12 amp stunned me right from the first. For many years I've played Twin Reverbs, Peaveys, Gibsons, Standels and the likes but the Flextone lll wraps them all up in one beautiful looking amp then added more limitless sound possibilities to choose from. It's a wonderful engineering job and my hat is off to the Flextone people who designed this beauty. Many thanks !
Awesome amp!!!
By Jeremy from Pamplin, VA on January 18, 2010 Music Background: Hobbyist
This amp is what I've been looking for for the last year. I tried more than a few amps over the last year and this one topped them all. Granted, it doesn't sound quite as good as a tube amp, but for a budget musician or a hobbyist this amp is worth 5x the $$. The amp models sound great and there are definitely sonic differences in the cab models. The effects sound great and the added effects loop and XLR Direct out are great! I give it a 4.5 b/c the stock speakers aren't great, but you have a ton of speaker combinations to choose from on the amp. For what is is and the price it can't be beat. Tube amps are great, but not as practical as modeling amps for a budget musician. If your in the market for a good amp that's not all tube, try the Flextone III, I think you'll be surprised!
Dang! That sounds good!
By JCFE from Georgia on June 9, 2009 Music Background: Hobbyist, Tone Chaser
This is one of those amps that just jumps out at ya. You can spend thousands of dollars and years of your life searching for that perfect sound and sadly may never find it. Combo amps, if done right, can be a savior from this unfruitful journey. This amp in my opinion is done right. You would have to have a warehouse to store the different heads and cabs that are modeled into this thing. The option of effects pretty much covers those offered in the world of pedals. The fender mods sound great and I would go as far to say that the two cleans are the brightest and clearest sound I have ever gotten out of any amp, tube or solid state. I will admit both the Mesa models sound absolutely nothing like the originals to me. I beleive this has something to do with the open back chassis on the Flextone. The reason I didn't give this a five is for one reason, the Insane mod. This amp's distortion leaves alot to be desired. The biggest problem with a solid state amp is it can come off sounding artificial and bland, this is the only amp mod that suffers. If you like to use distortion, whether it be mild or extreme, use an external pedal. Mix and match heads and cabs, don't just settle for the factory settings. If you rely on Insane for your distortion you will be insanely dissapointed
the tone KING
By Craig from Tacoma, WA USA on September 17, 2007 Music Background: Hobbyist, Student, etc
How cool is it to actually hear your chorus in TRUE STEREO?? not to mention the pong delays... all of the stomp boxes provided in this amp are top notch quality. The presets really help to dial in the PERFECT tone for nearly any situation. I gave it 4.5, and not 5 simply because it does not have distortion stomps, which really would've helped to go from clean to dirt. I guess its just as easy to put a distortion pedal before the amp though... I'm being nit-picky... Anyway, I LOVE THIS AMP!! GO CHECK ONE OUT!!
Flextone III XL fits the bill
By AJB from Frederick, MD on September 6, 2007 Music Background: amateur guitar player
THE BEST value for your money. The sounds are wide-ranging and very flexible. A large variety of high-headroom cleans to work with, which was my major need. I have a pedal chain that i'm always diddling with, and i needed an amp that would provide enough headroom, while taking my various OD's and boosters well. The Flextone takes everything i throw at it, and responds like a high-quality amp at all times. The FX loop is equally usable. This amp does NOT suck tone - it SERVES IT UP on a platter. The amp models cover a wide range of initial gain & tone flavors, that are very 'sculptable'. The Cab models are equally usable - you can dial through them like a sort of global EQ, and pair one up with whatever amp model you've selected. The Flextone doesn't steal your guitar's individual sound; my Strat sounds excellent in any of many different clean-to-crunch setings. My HB guitars drive this baby full-on. The on-board effects - reverb, modulations, delays - are good for most standard uses, and run quiet. If you need totally high-end stuff, then the FX loop will work well. (Nice to have on-board noise gate & compressor too, though i run a Carl Martin Compressor thru the front.) This amp DOES respond with excellent dynamics. I had read an extended piece by the Line 6 founders, and how the newest version III was designed with a transformer that operates with Current, rather than Voltage, characteristics; this apparently is how this Flextone is able to so closely mimic the playing dynamics of a tube amp. Anyway, it's a pleasure to own this amp for only $700, when i've had so much equipment over the years that all told, as run me many thousands. Sure, the best tube amps WILL deliver ... my favorites presntly are the Mesa Lonestar Classic, the Carvin V3, and the Peavey JSX. All great pieces of equipment; BUT, the rub is the COST. I'm a serious amateur player of over 30 years, but i don't earn my living playing. I require VALUE, coupled with quality. I love the "idea" of owning my favorite amp's, but not the reality. The Flextone DELIVERS everything i need & want, and it's GIGGABLE to boot. "'NUF SAID".
Eehh....it's fair.
By Andy H. from Parkersburg, WV on October 28, 2008 Music Background: Musician, recording engineer
I have been a line6 addict...i mean fan since the I first played one. I own 3 line6 amps now. Flextone II plus, Spider II 75w and HD147 full stack. I have owned other line6 amps including this one. I had the duoverb half stack, the flextone III plus and the flextone III XL. I got the III plus first and wasn't really diggin the sound I was getting and other guitar players agreed that the low end just wasn't there. I fiddled with it for a week then took it back and got the III XL thinking the extra speaker would help the low end problem. Still sounded kinda thin even on line6 insane. The clean sound was pretty good though. I got them when they first came out so maybe I got some flukes. I was actually splitting my guitar signal and running to my flex III xl and the flex II plus and was using the flex II for some low end. I ended up trading the flex III for the duoverb (no onboard effects dummy!) and then the duoverb for the HD147. That paired with my michael kelly patriot glory is sweet, my eye is on the spider valve...I might have to poke it out so I won't buy one...
My Favorite Amp
By Ellisl50 from Gulfport, MS on April 15, 2006
Always used Fender Twin Reverbs until now. This Flextone III XL is easy to use and I can dial in any tone I want. The foot controller is a must. I wish Line 6 would add the Vetta II double tracking and two amps at once feature. I also own the Fender Cyber Twin SE and the Line 6 out performs it in every way. My new favorite amp!! And it's half the price.
What an amp!
By Vic Peppler from Wachapreague, VA on February 1, 2005
I more that I use this amp, the more I like it. Sure, I was worried about straying away from tubes but... this amp has and does it VERY well. Add the floorboard and the sontic options are almost endless.
I got the XL but if I HAD to do it over again, I'd get the PLUS and get the speaker cab for TRUE sound separation!
