REVIEWED LINE 6DT50 212
Line 6 introduces a new line of amps featuring its new HD modelling technology, in collaboration with tube amp guru Reinhold Bogner...
Words: Tim Slater
So, you are in the market for a new guitar amplifier but what type of amp will cover all of those important tonal bases that you need? If bold crisp clean tones are your thing then you might desire an amp with plenty of clean headroom that won’t noticeably distort when you begin to crank it up. Alternatively, players seeking that classic British crunch or else a softer, more dynamic-sounding interaction between their guitar and amplifier will probably find that a medium to low-powered tube amp with a fairly low gain threshold is the ideal tool for the job. Let’s not
LINE 6 DT50 212
SRP £1349.00
All prices include VAT CONT
ACT
Line 6 UK T:
W: 14 3pickup
01327 302700
www.line6.com
forget the metal-heads that demand a combination of power, headroom and, naturally, gain by the bucket load. And, last but by no means least, there will always be a strong swath of guitarists looking for an amplifier that is capable of covering all of the above and more besides. Whilst there are plenty of amps out there already with their own highly distinctive individual sound, a guitar amplifier that can truly claim to be able to nail all of those highly prized tones in one box simply doesn’t exist, or does it? Digital modelling offers virtually limitless access to just about every tone you could ever dream of but when all is said and done it’s still a digital facsimile, no matter how sophisticated the technology behind it might be. Line 6 realised a long time ago that if it was going to convince die-hard fans of traditional guitar amps to come over the digital ‘dark side’ then it had to rethink its approach. The collaboration with US-based amp guru Reinhold Bogner has seen Line 6 develop several great sounding tube/digital hybrids but the new DT50 series tackles the hybrid concept from a different angle. There are no built-in effects or multiple banks of presets but instead
we get an apparently simple twin channel analogue tube amp that uses digital technology to help the user effectively ‘speed-dial’ the pre amp and tone circuitry to create their desired tone. This more subtle use of modelling technology definitely feels like it was designed to remove any anxiety in the player’s mind that they are relying on digital noughts and ones to create their tone as opposed to the reassuring glow of valves and warm purr generated by a decent pair of speakers.
Four on the floor The DT50 series is currently available as 50 watt 112 or 212 combos or a separate 50 watt head. Whether your preference is dictated by budget or how much lifting you are prepared to do we’d say that the 112 version is going to be the easiest option,
although bear in mind that the compact 112 combo doesn’t come with the MIDI in and out sockets or the new L6/Link connection (that lets the user adjust settings in their Line 6 HD processor using the knobs on the amp’s front panel) that are both included on the DT50 head and 212 combo. The 212 combo that we reviewed is a bit of a beast to lug about but the twin speaker design certainly shifts some serious air once the amp is fired up!
So, how does Line 6 address the issue of offering multiple sounds in one amp without falling back on previous amp modelling presets? The DT50 replicates four individual amp types – or ‘voices’ – that are based on British and American clean tones, a Marshall style crunch and a modern American style hi-gain overdrive. A lot of the character of each individual
Don’t be scared to experiment, the DT50’s user-friendly design offers a wealth of great tones...
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