Line 6 + Bogner Announced

   

In what was either the music industry's worst kept secret or Line 6's best buzz marketing campaign, a new amp has been in the works that combines the world-famous modelling of Line 6 with the acclaimed tube sound from boutique supplier Bogner Amplification.  The end result is a new "Spider Valve" amp that appears to have had input from Dave Mustaine of Megadeth and combines the best of both worlds to produce a new line up of amps with a range of prices.  This would fit in well with Line 6's overall strategy to use new technology to disrupt the larger vendors, as they've done with their modelling effects, amps and guitars in the past. 

Reinhold Bogner began doing custom amplifier work in Germany and then in LA in the late 1980s for clients such as Allan Holdsworth, Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai. While Bogner is not as famous a name as Marshall in the world of amps, the company has a devoted base of users, ranging from metal bands like Slipknot, Alice in Chains, Megadeth to a set of mainstream rock bands like Steve Miller, Velvet Revolver and Dave Navarro.

   

Line 6 has been dropping a series of clues over the last few weeks ranging from the first "BeGinNing is nEaR" cryptic message on their home page, to subtle clues on MySpace and and now more clear indicators on Flickr and YouTube.  The YouTube video doesn't quite spill all the beans (they never actually show the new amp) but they let you hear it as well as the reaction to industry insiders who were briefed on the new amp behind closed doors at Summer NAMM in Austin in July. 

Guitarist magazine in the UK broke the story last week and there are now pictures of the new amp showing up on Vettaville.nl along with information on a new rumored Pod X3. In the meantime, you can get pretty good deals on Spider III Amps and the low end Variax 300 Guitars at Guitar Center as Line 6 appears to be clearing out a lot of existing inventory.

There's been plenty of discussion over on the Line 6 forums as well as elsewhere. Watch for more details in the coming weeks.

Update:
Line 6 today made the formal announcement of the Spider Valve amp.  Details are available on the Line 6 web site.  There's also some new videos and an FAQ.  Prices start at just under $700 for the 112 model with 40 watts and a 12" Celestion Vintage 30 speaker.  The amps will be available starting in October.

• Line 6: Spider Valve, Videos, FAQ
• Line 6 Hints: BeGinNing is nEaR, Flickr, YouTube
• Line 6 Forums: Beginning is Near, Next Hint in these Pics, Bogner/Line 6 Appreciation, Spider Valve, Dave Mustaine amp
• Vettaville: Spider Valve,  Pod X3
• GuitarCenter: Spider III Amps, Variax 300 Guitars 
• OnDisruption: Disruption in the Guitar Industry

Comments

[Rolf Harris]

This looks so awsome. Im going to get one as soon as it's out. Thanks for breaking the news.

[Gino Vannelli]

Nice! I'd heard these were coming. I'll be interesting to watch what happens. I love the site. Thanks for tracking this sh*t down.

[ZUrlocker]

Guys, happy to provide new info.

Please, watch the language though, bokay? Otherwise I will make folks register with real names. ;-)

--Zack