Around two years ago Line 6 released the lovechild they had with Reinhold Bogner, and the Spider Valve did pretty well for itself (and for Line 6's and Bogner's wallets too I imagine). In response to so many people buying Spider Valves, Line 6 has stepped up to the mark and put in some more R&D and came out with the Spider Valve MKII, and it's basically the SV MK1 + all the things that SV owners said they would want in the next generation + a couple of little extras that Line 6 threw in for good measure.

Now I don't want to bore you by just copying out the SV MKI and MKII specs from Line 6's website to compare the 2, so I'll just focus on the new features.

• MIDI: Doesn't really need any introduction, but the lack of it in the Spider Valve MKI means that this is a welcome upgrade.
• Quick Loop: An excellent tool for jamming, with the added bonus that with an FBV foot controller, the SV MKII has a fully functional looper pedal function with up to 14 seconds of sound on sound recording.
• FX options: The SV MKI had several FX, but they were very limited. With the MKII you have more control over up to 7 parameters for each effect, including routing options. You also have more effects built in, and the ability to use up to 4 at once.
• Pitch Effects: Line 6's first major effects upgrades in a while brings the most up to date effects to the Spider Valve MKII before even the POD X3 series. These pitch effects include Smart Harmony, which you can use to emulate a 12 string, or sound like you're playing chords when you only play one note, and it tracks really well. Pitch Glide is another new pitch effect with up to a 4 octave range. Using an FBV MKII controller you can dive bomb all night.

All in all the Spider Valve MKII is definitely going to show that Line 6 are still coming through with some great new products 10 years after releasing their legendary POD. For more information, check out the Spider Valve MKII product page on the Line 6 website.

Rowbi is hobby guitarist based in Cambridgeshire UK, and also frequents the Line 6 forum community in his spare time.
www.rowbinet.co.uk www.youtube.com/rowbi12345