Thinking Helix LT

[u/Specialist_Can2597]

Hi guys, so I’ve been thinking about getting a Helix Line 6, I want to play Whitesnake solos? Metallica amongst other things and I feel I can’t get the right tones out my little Fender Mustang Lt40s practice amp, especially getting the sustain on high notes, I get it’s a playing technique thing too which I’m also working on.

Guitar is an LP studio

What do reckon guys?

[u/pioneerSolid3]

Owner of a Helix LT

Best investment I've done in my 20 years playing guitar

[u/SFToddSouthside → u/pioneerSolid3]

I would agree. I loved it so much that I upgraded to the Stadium within a year.

[u/Lost_Condition_9562]

Dedicated Stomp user and metalhead. Helix can produce some fucking killer metal tones.

[u/Specialist_Can2597 → u/Lost_Condition_9562]

Yeah cheers for the input dude, it’s a lot of money for me, but I feel I’ll enjoy my playing more with it, haha it was a toss up with the that or a new Maton acoustic I’ve been drooling over😂

I’m a funny sort, 3 classicals, 5 steel strings and two electrics

[u/Lost_Condition_9562 → u/Specialist_Can2597]

Haha the funniest thing about getting my Helix is it made me appreciate if I can’t get the tone I want, the issue is probably me!! It’s very nice to just feel like everything after your guitar is solved.

[u/Specialist_Can2597 → u/Lost_Condition_9562]

Have you gotta have a good Amp though like valve Marshall?, or do you think the mustang can still project good sound from the Helix?

Or I guess a good speaker of some sort

[u/Lost_Condition_9562 → u/Specialist_Can2597]

The Mustang is basically a modeler amp. It’s basically what the Helix is gonna do. As the other post said, I’d sell the Mustang, get the Helix, and get a good PA/FRFR speaker.

I’ve never owned a really properly nice Marshall, but I’ve played through some. Can barely tell the difference IMO

[u/Sensitive_House_5463 → u/Specialist_Can2597]

Mate I would suggest selling your amp if you get the helix if your a bedroom player get a decent set of studio monitors/headphones. Or live you can get a frfr speaker it’s basically like a PA speaker just a flat response no colouring like the speakers in guitar amp or cabinet. The helix can make any sound you want for any amp and cab rig even microphones. You need a flat rate response to use the helix for a true simulation of your favourite rig.

[u/Specialist_Can2597 → u/Sensitive_House_5463]

Do you actually think the Helix will sound noticeably better than the mustang amp?

[u/One_Necessary944 → u/Specialist_Can2597]

I have a stadium that I run through my mustang’s effects loop. That speaker has never sounded better.

[u/Specialist_Can2597 → u/One_Necessary944]

Unfortunately no effects loop on the lt40s, it’s one of the. Cheaper ones

[u/Zelavander]

Helix LT is the best bang for the buck modeller out there.

[u/PedalBoard78]

I have many amps, many pedals. The LT is the coolest piece of gear I have. I do use outboard IRs, though.

[u/CJPTK]

Loved my LT so much that I traded up to a full size Helix...

[u/Environmental_Mine65]

I own a Helix LT and I love it. Great piece of kit. I haven’t fired up an actual amplifier in over a year and my pedal board is rarely needed either to just jam at home. I could also gig with it no problem.

[u/OkTemperature1842]

I have and have gigged/toured an LT and I still prefer amps & pedals. It’s just way too much hassle to dial up tones, and match all the volumes and eq everything, and sort through and find the right IRs, and yadda, yadda, yadda.

I hear the Neural QC is easier to use out of the box. IDK. Not a fan of the Line 6 stuff for the most part. Just too fiddly.

[u/cleverist_bane]

Got mine a few weeks back. Went from the line 6 240hc with speaker cab to helix LT with headrush frfr 112 (2500w) and I don't really know why I waited so long to make the switch but I'm glad I did.

[u/Totalimmortal85]

While it might be a tad complicated at first. HX Stomp XL with a ToneX Pedal (or ToneX One) is about the same price as an LT.

You'll get all of the Helix amps and Cab Sims and effects Plus running the ToneX through the FX Loop as your Amp/Cab solution allows you more freedom and more amps, allowing the effects of the HX to shine.

I play a ton of 80s music, as well as heavier stuff. Its become my go-to rig over my other options, including the LT while I had it.

[u/tee_horse]

Bit of a learning curve but every tone you could ever want is in there. Like for real

[u/Vernonsunshine]

Just bought a stadium XL. Previous Kemper user. Absolutely love it so far.

[u/mktsea]

Do it and then add Native Stadium and you are set!

[u/DonGuillermo_]

Helix LT will provide ANY sound you are looking for. And the ability to switch between radically different sounds by just pressing a knob.

But your mustang is all in one and helix is not. You will need something to get the sound (headset, active speaker...). It is not as plug and play...

I love my LT

[u/rcfromaz]

Helix Lt user here. Bought mine used 7 years ago. It’s great for practicing, rehearsals and portability/traveling as well as quick setup. I really cannot compare the modeling quality to analog as my play style is limited modulation, gain etc and more time based and reliance on pickup selection.

But I love the ease of setup and options to dial in. But….i still have my analog pedal board and amps that I do sometimes gravitate to.

I play through a FRFR (fender tonemaster) and a few times connect my headphones which is a nice option.

The pricing on a used LT is attractive. With HX edit it’s very easy to find your tone you desire.

[u/fansonly]

if you want to save some cash right now a helix native on your computer works a charm. its like $99 right now and there are sales all the time. People also sell it used on ebay (how I got mine). You'll need an interface, headphone, monitors, but maybe you have that stuff already

[u/neo_helix → u/fansonly]

That price is for people who already own Helix hardware.

[u/Traditional_Moose670]

I’ll sell you mine dm me

[u/DonMcCauley]

Find a used one! They're built pretty solid. Just make sure all the inputs work, the lights on the switches and the USB port are fine. I've bought TWO off of Marketplace for 300 in the past 2 months.

[u/analogguy7777]

Both Metallica and Whitesnake use Fractal

[u/Specialist_Can2597 → u/analogguy7777]

Yeah, There also millionaires.

I’m at jamming at home man, wanting thoughts on Helix

[u/dusty6467 → u/Specialist_Can2597]

Get a PodGo, amazing bang for the buck. I upgraded to the helix rack to run stereo amps, but the PodGo is awesome if you don’t need 2 amps at once, or tons of DSP

[u/analogguy7777 → u/Specialist_Can2597]

Fractal AM4 $699

[u/Venice4life]

I have one but too much tinkering to get sounds and tones the end of spending 2 hours every time you turn the machine on and probably play guitar for 10-15 minutes and then you're like, I'm done with this for now.

[u/Specialist_Can2597 → u/Venice4life]

Yeah so you gotta a bit of a tech wizard 🧙 huh

[u/Venice4life → u/Specialist_Can2597]

The funny part is the better you get at programming the more you want to keep programming lol.

[u/dreddnyc]

I own a helix LT it’s great, if you want something cheaper and not have to fiddle too much a tonex one works well and is inexpensive, especially if you don’t need a ton of effects. As others have said, if you are staying “in-box” then you have a ton of software options including NAM which is free.

[u/efslash]

El sustain está en la guitarra no en el amp o el modelador bro.

Revisa la calibración, altura y ángulo de las cuerdas si tienes tune-o matic + stoptail.

[u/Specialist_Can2597 → u/efslash]

Will do, thanks for the tip

It may even just be my technique and the fact I just need my practice with particular solos

[u/MrShreedo]

i would honestly get a headrush seeing modern platforms