Line 6 Spider 412 Cab, Spider II 112, Spider II 210, Spider II 212, Spider II HD User Manual

Pilot’s Guide

40-00-0018 Electrophonic Limited Edition available @ www.line6.com Rev C

Channel Memories

10

Plug In Here

1

Four programmable channels come pre-loaded with great factory presets. Press one of
these buttons to hear them. To store your own “snapshot” of all knob positions (except
Master Volume), press and hold one of these four buttons for two seconds. The LED
changes to green and then back to red when the save is complete. To copy from one
channel to another, press the button for the channel you want to copy from; now press
and hold the button of the new channel location until the LED changes to green and
back to red. For more memories get an FBV Shortboard.

AMP MODELS

GUITAR

Amp Models

Spin this knob to select one of twelve Amp

2

Models. All the other Spider II controls will
automatically be set to sound great with that
Amp Model, so you can just play!

3

BLUES

TWANG

CLEAN

Tone Controls

Drive is like the volume or gain knob on other amps; controls how much “dirt” you get in your sound.
Bass, Mid, and Treble controls are customized for each Amp Model to give you optimal tonal control.

CRUNCH

METAL

INSANE

CHAN A DCB

DRIVE BASS MID TREBLE CHAN VOL

Channel Volume

4

This control helps you balance the
volumes of different amp-and-effect
setups that you store in your Spider II’s
channels. See 10 for the low-down on
channels.

CHORUS

FLANGE

Foot Control & Headphone/Line Out

Plug in an FBV2 foot switch to scroll through the 4 channels or connect a Line 6 FBV Shortboard controller

9

for channel switching, effects on/off control, wah/volume pedals, access to 32 more channel memories, a
chromatic tuner, and tap tempo for delays. Or use an FBV4 for channel switching and tap only. Listen in
stereo with headphones, or use this as a direct out for recording! (If you need a stereo out, use a 1/4” TRS
stereo-to-dual mono Y-adaptor cable).

8

TAP: Tap on the TAP button a few times to set the delay time. Also Tap button extra functions.

SMART CONTROL FX

PHASER

DELAY

OFF

TREMOLO

A B

Smart Control FX

Spin one of these knobs to get great FX, fast and easy:

5

Knob A picks chorus/flange, phaser or tremolo, with
a range of settings – from subtle to overpowering – for
each effect. The LED shows the active effect.

Knob B picks delay, tape echo or sweep echo, with a
range of mix settings from low to high. The LED shows
the active effect and flashes the delay time. Tap the
TAP button to change the delay time.

TAPE ECHO

OFF

SWEEP ECHO

- HOLD FOR TUNER

TAP

PEDAL

PHONES /

DIRECT OUT

REVERB MASTER POWER

Reverb

Dial up more or

6

less virtual room.

Master Volume

You can choose the overall

7

volume of the amplifier,
without affecting your tone.

Welcome The Spider II...

Thank you for inviting Spider II home with you. This
amp mines the tonal heritage of the past forty years of
guitar amplifier design and matches it up with the kind
of digital signal processing magic that will still be ahead
of its time ten years from now.

Amp Model Details

Clean

Red LED - Select this Amp Model and adjust the tone
controls to get crisp, amazing clean tones, great warm
jazz tones, and all the high-end shimmer you’ll need
with a generous amount of bottom end to boot. Then
dial up a little chorus and delay to get the ultimate
clean sound!

Green LED - We developed this Amp Model to emulate
those late 60’s and early 70’s clean tones. It started off
as an Amp Model based on a 1973 Hiwatt custom 100.
We extended the tone control range and tightened up
the low end. Hit an open A chord and let that big
sweet tone ring!

Twang

Red LED - This Amp Model draws on our analysis of
mid 60’s Fender amps, including the blackface ’65 Twin

All product names referred to in this manual are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Line 6. These trademarks of other manufacturers are used solely to identify the
products of those manufacturers whose tones and sounds were studied during Line 6’s sound model development.

Reverb, blackface ’64 Deluxe Reverb and ‘63 brownface
Vibroverb. We wanted an Amp Model that has that
classic glassy high end tone, with some snap and bite
for some serious chick’n pick’n. Things don’t get too
crunchy until reaching the top range of the Drive
knob.

Green LED - This Amp Model is based on a number
of vintage tweed amps. We evaluated a ’53 Fender
tweed Deluxe, ’58 Fender tweed Bassman and a ’60
Gibson Explorer to create a swingin’ Rockabilly tone.
Add some reverb and a slap echo and Be-bop-alu-la!

Blues

Red LED - What would happen if we based a model
on three helpings of ’65 Marshall JTM-45, one scoop
of ’58 Fender Bassman, a schmeer of ’63 Fender
Vibroverb and a dash of Supro for good measure? The
biggest, fattest down home Blues amp ever heard. This
Amp Model slides between gritty swamp-infected
cleans to syrupy smooth, walloping drive tones. It’s
time to get down and dirty!

Green LED - Ready, steady....GO! This Amp Model

is based on a fawn Vox AC-30 amplifier with an
updated and expanded tone control circuit. We wanted
to capture that early British pop rock tone that the
Beatles and the Stones are so well known for.

Crunch

Red LED - This sound was crafted during our studies
of the '68 Marshall Plexi 50 Watt. This type of Marshall
amp was used by a number of early metal bands. Check
out albums like British Steel, Number of the Beast and
Black Out. Crunch provides a wider range of tone
control settings than the original Marshall amp had.
This Amp Model will allow you to bump up the mids
even at the highest Drive settings.

Green LED - Plexi On Fire! This Amp Model is based
on a ‘68 Marshall Plexi 100 watt with a few added
extras; The combination of a Variac and the jumpered
input channels creates that infamous brown sound
that will feel like flames are shooting out the input
jack! “Come on Dave… Give me a break!”

Metal

Red LED - This Amp Model is based on the Mesa
Dual Rectifier. For Spider II, we made careful
enhancements to this classic tone. The resulting Amp
Model has a definite modern flavor. This monster
truck of tone delivers a tight bottom end that’s big,
powerful, tight and fast. Use this Amp Model to get
a tight and punchy, high gain Metal sound. 

Green LED - This sound was created to be an aggressive
high gain Amp Model with a unique Mid control that
will sweep though an entire spectrum of tone on one

knob. The Mid knob for this Amp Model changes the
character of the distortion. When set to minimum,
the distortion exhibits Fuzz pedal characteristics. When
the Mid is set to noon, it mimics the creamy modern
high gain amp tones. And when the Mid knob is
turned up to max, it’s very much reminiscent of that
Class A sound. Of course, then there are all the places
in-between...

Insane

Red LED - Now, here’s something we know you’ll
really like. We combined a sub octave distortion with
our Insane Amp Model to create a bone-crushing,
brain-piercing, heavily distorted tone! Because there
is a sub octave we suggest playing single note lines or
simple power chords.

Green LED - Our goal with Insane was to provide you
with as much input gain distortion as possible short of
complete meltdown. You get an obscene helping of
distortion, while still retaining tonal definition and
character. As a result, you get way more bottom end
and cabinet character than other small amps. Crank
up the Drive control and prepare to dominate!

Smart Control FX:

Great amp tone is only part of a great guitar sound.
Effect processing – whether it’s stomp boxes or rack
gear – is also a big part of the story. Your Spider II
packs the power of several of these tone shapers in its
Smart Control FX section.

The delay knob gives you a trio of delay effect choices:
a standard delay, tape echo, and a sweep echo. The
modulation effect knob lets you choose between
chorus/flange, phaser, and tremolo, and for each of
these effects you can choose anything from a subtle
hint of processing to total tone-mangling overkill.
While turning the knob, Spider II adjusts all the
individual aspects of the effect automatically to give
you the range of sounds you're looking for, without
having to mess with multiple knobs and switches to
get your tone. So you can spend your time making
music instead.

Tap Button “Extra” Functions

The Tap Tempo button, in addition to setting the
speed of your delay effects, also lets you access a few
extra Spider II features: a Tuner, Distortion Boost and
a built-in Noise Gate (the tuner and the boost are also
accessible via the optional FBV Shortboard). When

you hold down the Tap Tempo button, you can use
some of Spider II’s knobs to access these extra features.

Tuner Mode

Press and hold the TAP button or TAP footswitch for
3 seconds or more and and you get instant digital tuner.
The volume is muted during tuning so you won’t here
anything coming out of the amp. Press any button to
exit Tuner Mode. If there is no FBV Shortboard
connected, the LEDs on the front panel of the Spider
II will work as the tuner display.

The Amp Model LEDs correspond to the following
strings on the guitar:

Clean = Low E string
Twang = A string
Blues = D string
Crunch = G string
Metal = B string
Insane = High E string

AMP MODELS

D STRING

A STRING

LOW E STRING

CHAN A DCB

G STRING

B STRING

HIGH E STRING

FLAT

IN TUNE WHEN BOTH

LIGHT GREEN

SHARP

The Channel memory LEDs indicate when the string
you are playing is in tune. Channel B and C should
both light GREEN when the sting is in tune. If channel
A’s LED is lit then the sting is flat. If channel D’s LED
is lit then the string is sharp.

Distortion Boost

Press and hold the Tap button as you turn the Drive
knob up past twelve o’clock. As you do this, Spider
II’s Channel A LED comes on. This gives the kind of
extra ‘dirt’ that you’d expect from a Distortion pedal
with the distortion control set low and the output
control set high. It boosts your guitar signal before it
reaches the Amp Model, so that you hit the model
harder and get a more distorted sound. Enabling this
is the same as kicking on Stomp on the FBV
Shortboard.

Noise Gate

Press and hold Tap as you turn the Reverb knob up
past twelve o’clock, and you turn on a built-in Noise
Gate, which helps to cut down on hiss and noise.
When you do this, the Channel D LED comes on to
indicate that the Gate is on.

Special Hidden Functions

When you select an Amp Model, Spider II
automatically sets its tone controls and effects to match
that Amp Model. You can disable the auto-FX selection
(but not tone control auto-selection) by powering up
Spider II with the Channel D button held. The auto­selection is re-enabled next time you power up.

Want to know where your Spider II's controls are set
in the programmed channels? Hold – and keep holding
– the Tap button. Now, before you do anything else,
turn the Amp Models knob. This activates Spider II's
"Compare" mode. Now turn any knob other than Amp
Model and Master Volume, and the channel lights
will tell you whether you need to turn that knob up
(Channel A lights) or down (Channel D lights) to
match the stored setting. The Channel B & C lights
will be lit at the same time once the knob position
matches the stored setting exactly.

You can reset your Spider II’s programmable channels
to their factory-programmed states by holding down
the Channel A button as you turn on the power.
Warning: This will erase ALL custom sounds you
might have created. Ask yourself, “Do I really want to
do this?” If your answer is yes, then go for it!

Using Your Feet

The FBV series of foot controllers includes the original
FBV—with its extensive effects controls for the Line
6 Vetta amps—and the more-compact FBV Shortboard,
which includes all the controls needed for the Spider
II. Also available are the FBV4 for channel switching
and tap and FBV2 for channel scroll. Note that the
Line 6 Floor Board and FB4 foot controllers will not
work with Spider II.

FBV footcontrollers come with an included RJ-45 cable.
Connect this cable between the front panel of the
Spider II and the side of the FBV. If you ever need a
replacement cable, look for a Category 5, 10 Base-T or
RJ-45 cable with male connectors on both ends. These
can be found at almost any computer supply retailer.

1. FBV2: The FBV2 functions as a two button channel
scroll foot switch. This foot switch allows you to scroll
through the 4 channels (the A,B,C & D buttons) of
your Spider II.

2. Channel A, B, C & D: Select from the four Channel
Memories. Note: On the FBV4, you can also use your
active channel to change your Tap Tempo setting. Just
Tap the channel button twice to the drummer’s beat
and presto - you’re locked in!

Saving with FBV Shortboard: To prepare for saving,
it’s a good idea to browse through the various factory­stored preset sounds to decide which you can do without.
Make a note of their Bank number and Channel letter
so you can save your own sounds there instead.

Save: Step on the FX LOOP switch until “NAME
EDIT” is displayed. The Shortboard’s COMP and MOD
switches then select one of the characters of the channel
name so you can edit it. The DELAY and REVERB
switches choose from the available letters, numbers and
symbols. The Bank Up and Bank Down switches then
pick a Bank you’d like to save within.

Complete the Save: Press the A, B, C or D switch
to store to that Channel Memory in the chosen Bank.
The display will show “SAVING”. Congratulations,
you’re all done!

3. Bank Up - Bank Down: The FBV Shortboard gives
you 9 banks of 4 channels each. Bank 1 is the same 4
memories you get from the Spider II front panel A,B,C,D
buttons when no FBV is connected.

4. STOMP/MOD/DELAY/REVERB: You guessed it!
These switch the Spider II effects MOD, DELAY and
REVERB on and off kinda like they were stomp boxes
on a pedal board. STOMP engages the DISTORTION
BOOST (see Tap Button extra functions)

5. Tap/Tuner: Tap a couple beats to set the tempo. Or
press and hold this switch until you see the tuner on
the pedal’s display. Press it again to exit tuner mode.

6. Wah and Volume Lights: These light to show that
a pedal is ready to control Wah or Volume. Note: Press
the pedal fully forward to click the toe-switch, switching
the pedal to control Wah or Volume. If a separate
expression pedal is connected to the Shortboard’s rear
panel 1/4-inch jack, the Shortboard pedal controls Wah
only, with the toe switch toggling the Wah on/off.

7. External Pedal Jack: You can connect an expression
pedal (such as the Line 6 EX-1) to the Shortboard’s
rear panel 1/4-inch jack, and the connected pedal will
control Volume, while the Shortboard pedal controls
Wah only.

8. FBV Pedal: Press the pedal forward to click the toe­switch, turning the pedal from Volume to Wah.

Line 6, Spider II, FBV, FBV Shortboard, FBV4, FBV2 and Vetta are trademarks of Line 6, Inc. All
other product names, trademarks, and artists’ names are the property of their respective owners,
which are in no way associated or affiliated with Line 6. Product names, images, and artists’ names
are used solely to identify the products whose tones and sounds were studied during Line 6’s sound
model development for this product. The use of these products, trademarks, images, and artists’
names does not imply any cooperation or endorsement.

CAUTION: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to
Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do
not expose this appliance to rain or moisture.

CAUTION: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do
not remove screws. No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer
servicing to qualified service personnel.

Spider II Pilot’s Guide © 2003, Line 6, Inc.

The exclamation point within a triangle means
“caution!” Please read the information next to
all caution signs.

The lightning symbol within a triangle means
“electrical caution!” It indicates the presence of
information about operating voltage and
potential risks of electrical shock.

This symbol within a triangle means “caution!
hot surface!” It is placed in areas that may become
to hot to touch when device is in operation.

You should read these Important Safety Instructions.
Keep these instructions in a safe place.

Before using your Spider II, carefully read the applicable items of these operating instructions and the safety suggestions.

1. Obey all warnings on the amp and in the Spider II Manual.

2. Connect only to AC power outlets rated 100-120V or 200-240V 47-63Hz (depending on voltage range of the unit; refer to back panel).

3. Do not perform service operations beyond those described in the Spider II Manual. Service is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way, such as:

• power-supply cord or plug is damaged

• liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus

• the unit has been exposed to rain or moisture

• the unit does not operate normally or changes in performance in a significant way

• the unit is dropped or the enclosure is damaged.

4. The bottom of the metal chassis can get hot during operation. Do not touch during operation or shortly after.

5. Do not place near heat sources, such as radiators, heat registers, or appliances which produce heat. Keep the rear of the unit at least
three inches from walls or other items that might block heat radiation.

6. Do not block any of the ventilation openings or use in an enclosed space.

7. Guard against objects or liquids entering the enclosure. Do not use or place unit near water.

8. Do not step on power cords. Do not place items on top of power cords so that they are pinched or leaned on. Pay particular attention
to the cord at the plug end and the point where it connects to the amp.

9. Unplug the amp when not in use for extended periods of time. Unplug the amp during lightning storms.

10. Clean only with a damp cloth.

11. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the grounding type plug. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong.
The third prong is provided for your safety. When the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement
of the obsolete outlet.

12. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

13. Prolonged listening at high volume levels may cause irreparable hearing loss and/or damage. Always be sure to practice “safe listening.”

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Sending in your registration card allows us to register key information so that we may handle problems faster and inform you of advance information, upgrades and other news. Thanks
in advance for filling out your registration card and sending it to us. And good luck in your music!

Line 6, Inc. (hereinafter “Line 6”) warrants that your new Line 6 product, when purchased at an authorized Line 6 dealer in the United States of America (“USA”) or Canada, shall be
free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the original date of purchase. Please contact your dealer for information on warranty and service outside
of the USA and Canada.

During the warranty period, Line 6 shall, at its sole option, either repair or replace any product that proves to be defective upon inspection by Line 6.
Line 6 reserves the right to update any unit returned for repair and to change or improve the design of the product at any time without notice. Line 6 reserves the right to use reconditioned

parts and assemblies as warranty replacements for authorized repairs.
This warranty is extended to the original retail purchaser. This warranty can be transferred to anyone who may subsequently purchase this product provided that such transfer is made

within the applicable warranty period and Line 6 is provided with all of the following items: (i) all warranty registration information (as set forth on the registration card) for the new
owner, (ii) proof of the transfer within thirty (30) days of the transfer purchase, and (iii) a photocopy of the original sales receipt. Warranty coverage shall be determined by Line 6 in its
sole discretion.

This is your sole warranty. Line 6 does not authorize any third party, including any dealer or sales representative, to assume any liability on behalf of Line 6 or to make any warranty for
Line 6.

Line 6 may, at it’s option, require proof of original purchase date in the form of a dated copy of original authorized dealer’s invoice or sales receipt.
Service and repairs of Line 6 products are to be performed only at the Line 6 factory or a Line 6 authorized service center. Line 6 may require advanced authorization of repairs to

authorized service centers. Unauthorized service, repair or modification will void this warranty.

THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS THE ONLY WARRANTY GIVEN BY LINE 6 AND IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, EXCEEDING THE SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THIS WARRANTY ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED AND
EXCLUDED FROM THIS WARRANTY. UPON EXPIRATION OF THE APPLICABLE EXPRESS WARRANTY PERIOD (1 YEAR), LINE 6 SHALL HAVE NO FURTHER WARRANTY
OBLIGATION OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. LINE 6 SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES SUFFERED
BY THE PURCHASER OR ANY THIRD PARTY, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS OR BUSINESS, OR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM USE
OR PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCT, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT. LINE 6 SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY EXPENSES, CLAIMS, OR SUITS ARISING OUT OF
OR RELATING TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties so some of the above limitations and exclusions may not
apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary, from state to state. This warranty only applies to products sold and used in the
USA and Canada. Line 6 shall not be liable for damages or loss resulting from the negligent or intentional acts of the shipper or its contracted affiliates. You should contact the shipper for
proper claims procedures in the event of damage or loss resulting from shipment.

DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF WARRANTY

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Before contacting the Line 6 Customer Service team, please take the time to look through this publication to
see if it can answer your questions. Additional helpful information is on the Support page of the Line 6 web site
(www.line6.com), including the searchable FAQTRAQ system which is often the fastest and easiest way to go
answers.

Need to talk to an actual human on the Line 6 Customer Service team by phone? Have your serial number handy
and take some notes for yourself before you call, so you remember everything you want to ask about. In the USA
or Canada, you can contact Line 6 at [phone], 8AM to 5PM Monday through Friday (Pacific Time).
Outside the USA and Canada, please contact your distributor directly to arrange service. The list of Line 6
distributors is available on the Internet at www.line6.com.

To obtain factory service:

If a member of the Line 6 Customer Service Team determines that your Spider II needs to be sent to Line 6 for
service, you will be given a return authorization (RA) number. Products returned without an RA number will
be returned to you at your sole expense. Pack the product in its original shipping carton and attach a description
of the problem along with your name and a phone number where Line 6 can contact you if necessary. Ship the
product insured and freight prepaid to:

Line 6 Customer Service

6033 De Soto Avenue,

Woodland Hills, CA 91367