I’ve played through this pedal for a few years, and I’m very happy with it. I just take it straight into the PA, and it’s all there. For those who say, “It’s not a Marshall” or “It’s not a Bassman,” yup, you’re right. It’s a serviceable JCM-800 AND a serviceable Lead-100 AND a serviceable Deluxe Reverb AND… I play a Strat and a Variax through it and it’s a dream. There was an early problem with the pedal that was taken care of under warranty. Other’n that it’s been rock-solid. The only complain I can come up with is that it’s sometimes difficult to find the drive “sweet spot” for the Line6 amp models. Also, the old Pod 2.0 was more responsive to volume knob and picking dynamics. Don’t miss the Bass Pack downloads. It adds the bass amp models to make my old Thunderbird rumble again. I’d buy it again if ever I needed to.

First of all, if you're considering the X3L, forget about it. Despite being its predecessor, this bad boy blows the X3 Live out of the water in terms of durability, user-friendliness and value. My best friend has the X3 Live, while I happen to own this particular model. He's always asking me, "Can I borrow your XT Live for my next gig?"

The major selling point of the X3 is the fact that it can run more than one stompbox/modulation effect at a time, but I haven't really had any need for that. If I want both an Octave effect AND distortion, I simply plug in either my old Digitech Grunge or Boss DS-1 stompbox (I'm sure we all have an old distortion pedal lying around somewhere), or simply rely on the distortion of the amp model I'm using. I don't really see why anyone would want to pay so much more just to be able to run two effects at once.

The other reason why the XTL is a better investment than the X3L is that, like I said earlier, it's a LOT more durable; the X# has a plastic chassis, while the XT's is all-metal. It doesn't take a genius to see which of the two would survive longer on the road.

So in short, my recommendation is to forget about the all-flash, no-substance X3L and stick with a tried-and-true, versatile, built-to-last, affordable workhorse.

I bought the first one available in Nashville. I've averaged about 150 shows year during that time. I've worn out a power supply and knocked an internal cable loose during a road trip, but the thing sounds great. The presets suck, but so do analog pedals that are used wrong. Use the line 6 website and check out the forums. There is a reason that most every pro has at least line 6 delay in their arsenal, the stuff is great. I personally use a modified Fender Blues Jr. onstage (or a Twin Reverb if I need more volume), and keep the amp modeling on. My presets are all custom and made for my gear and my songs. I run everything from acoustics to tele's, to EVH Musicman's and Les Paul's through here. Set it up and you want be disappointed. For a working musician from stage to studio who must provide jazz, gospel, country, rock, contemporary, indie-rock, you name it at any given time, this is the only way to not have a van of amps and effects with you all the time. Just like anything else, this won't make you a better player, but it will not stand in the way of you playing great!

WORD OF WARNING: Anyone who is a Mac User, Line6 support is horrible for the Mac. Current programs and drivers are NOT working for Snow Leopard. This is typical of Line6. SL has been out for developers for over a year. Line6 has chosen to ignore the Mac user base. I suggest another company, like Native Instruments.

I had this 3-4 months now and have spent some serious time with it. Specific comments: In general the AMP models are good (surprisingly good!). I've played some of the real AMPs (typically the cleaner and crunch ones) and I've been impressed on the responsiveness and realism of this - AFTER tweaking it. The presets (my opinion) are pretty useless and don't do this justice (not even close) - I've been busy over-writing most of them. Lots of work to edit to get good sounds - but you sure can. I'm still working on them - have focused so far on about 5 different amp models, and my setups are really beginning to sing. Plan on spending some time - but if you know how to get good sounds - pick and amp and start adjusting and you'll be rockin soon... I'm not real big on a lot of the effects, and most of them I can't compare to the originals. Overall - my opinion is that they are workable and usable, but you can find better effects. I do like the fact that I can step on one pedal and change the amp/settings and multiple effects settings at the same time - instead of a pedal dance. Makes up a lot for what I consider to be average effects. This thing works really well into a PA and/or recording console - and you can get "loud" sounds without the neighbors calling the cops. I'd love to have a 5th setup (rather than 4) on each bank - but thats a nit-pick... I'd also like to be able to have 2 outputs - one to send to a PA and one to send to an amp - at the same time, so that I could use the amp as a personal monitor and not have to mic it to send to a PA (obviously I can do this with a DI box - but thats running an amp into and amp...results not always workable). Note - on one of the 2 different consoles I've run this into, I had to engage the pad - the outputs are pretty loud. Same for running into head phones - back off that volume before you put the cones on and hit the strings...if you want to save your ears. The editing software REQUIRES a PC connected to the internet. This doesn't work in my studio which has a PC intentionally NOT on the internet. Summary: Strengths - Amp models - surprisingly good - with some work you can make great tones A lot easier to haul around to a gig than an amp (or a bunch of amps) Major positive - one pedal setup changes Effects - Workable but not great Weakness - the presets are really bad. If you don't know how to set up good guitar sound and are depending on the presets - you're in trouble...--> Try some downloads from the Line 6 web site if you need help here. Annoying - Downloadable editor would be a lot nicer if it didn't REQUIRE an internet connection.