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New features galore in this latest modelling champ

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As Line 6's Spider amp range is among the bestselling all around the whole world, the launch of the fourth series is big news. The range comprises smaller 15- and 30-watt combos, as well as larger, more advanced items, such as a 150-watt head and the 75-watter we have here.

So what's the deal? "We set out to try to improve on what is already an extremely successful product, without accidentally fixing what wasn't broken," says Spider IV's product manager Scott Waara. "We wanted to see if we could improve on what we and some of our customers perceived as not being our strongest points without altering the things that already work well. We carried out surveys and then just came back to the amp and tried to satisfy our ears and instincts.

"One priority was improving the mid-gain, edge-of-break-up tones. We did this by both adding some new models and by making all of our models more responsive to the player's touch. We had some ideas on how to do this in our approach to the software code, and it seems to have worked very well. Another major priority was getting all the amp models to feel better, achieved by working on both the software code and the cabinet."

Check it out in action in the following video demo:

In fact the number of amp models has increased from the 12 on Spider III to 16, with the addition of Class A and Hi-Gain options, which are selected via the customary eight-way rotary control that also provides two differently voiced settings for each one. Included on the palette now are tones based on classic amps from Divided By 13, Marshall's JCM900 series, Hiwatt and Diezel.

"Kudos goes to Line 6 for the sound and feel of the light break-up to medium-gain tones."

Effects have also benefited from the rethink and their number has increased to a total of 20 with the facility to use four simultaneously. They're controlled via Smart Control FX pots on the front panel alongside the small yet perfectly legible LCD display. "We can now 'deep dive' into up to seven effects parameters," continues Waara, "including the ability for all effects to be routed before or after the amp model.