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Post subject: SpiderJam or G-DEC 3 30, I need some help
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 8:30 am
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First of all I'm a big supporter of fender products, and I'm looking for a practice amp late at night when I can't fire up the drri. I'm having trouble deciding on these two models, and I don't know too much about the new g-dec's features.

I'll just be practicing over backing tracks and looping my own backing rhythm and recording solos over it so I can hear how I really sound to improve. Can the g-dec do that? I've messed around with the SpiderJam and I like that you can use vocals, and also it sounds great with an acoustic, almost like a mini pa system.

Those are just extras I like, but not the deciding factor. Most important is reliability, and user interaction online with new material to download to keep it fresh.

I've also been reading more and more posts about the qc problem with the headphone jack on the new g-dec, that has me a bit troubled.

If you have any experience with these two models, let me know what your pro's and con's were on each.

Thanks!!


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Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 9:06 am
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I have the JM4 Looper which is a Spider Jam without the amp & speaker. I also own the G-DEC 3 Thirty. Choose the G-DEC!!! The only advantage the Spider Jam has is length of loop time. The G-DEC has MUCH better tone, works with normal MP3s and WAV files (the SJ only works with MONO 64-bit MP3s & NO WAV files) and offers all the other features of the Spider Jam, but with more and better effects/editing. I'm considering trading my JM4 on some other gear, as it's redundant now that I have the G-DEC 3.

Good luck with your decision!

Have fun!
Bob


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 10:20 am
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What's the loop length time on the gdec? So you can record yourself soloing? And can you add multiple layers on a loop?

Do you need a footpedal to loop?

Thanks!


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Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 12:35 pm
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Read the FAQ section on the support website at Fender.com. I believe the loop is about 35 seconds in high quality or about 2 minutes and 20 seconds in standard quality. Yes, you can do multiple overdubs on the loop. See below:

http://www.fender.com/support/gdec3/art ... p?kb_id=65

Have fun!
Bob


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 6:17 am
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I have both - I got the Spider Jam a couple years ago and have loved using it. but I'm not overly sold on the presets - I find myself using a digitech pedal connected to it to get the kind of tone I like (sort of Gilmourish). The backing tracks are fun, but there are too many weird ones and not enough mainstream styles. The looper is great, though - very easy to use, and pretty intuitive.

I've only had the g–dec 30 for five days, so I'm definitely figuring it out. I like the backing tracks somewhat better, genre-wise. Still way too many weird ones for my taste (I'm 50, not 14; they should make a "grown-up version" that includes more classic rock and less grunge and shred ... not that those can't be fun). But some good blues tracks, classic surf tones, reggae and others.

Sound-wise, I give the edge to the Fender. Both for guitar tone and backing track quality.

Software–wise, the Fender is complicated! Very un-intuitive. I havn't yet figured out how to put different tones with a favorite track. And while the Fuse software is a cool idea, it too is complicated. Even loading new presets with the SD card hasn't worked yet for me (I've got another post about getting "invalid file format" messages). However, I do like that there's so much potential for upgrades.

So, should you get the Line 6 or the Fender? Main thing I'd say is the Fender is newer and more up-to-date. I'd hope Line 6 leapfrogs Fender with their next version. Until then, I give Fender the edge.

Now, if only Marshall would come out with a stack that has the same capabilities ...


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Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 7:19 am
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I wanted to say a few things about my experience with operating the GDEC. If you run your laptop through the amp then getting new presets going and matching backing tracks to presets is pretty easy. I still haven't figured out how to upload a preset to the site but that has more to do with my time. I sat my GDEC next to a 1969 Fender Twin, a 1972 Music Man 130 watt amp and after listening closely I'm more sold on the GDEC than before. It was so close to the Fender I decided I didn't need the real thing. That's pretty amazing to me.


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Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 7:49 am
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Billy, is there a way to change the order of the backing tracks in the amp? I'd like to organize them by putting my favorites early in the list.

Chris


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Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 8:10 am
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Sure you can do that. You could edit all 100 presets if you want and the corresponding backing tracks. I took the first 8 (0 - 7) and changed the presets to match my set list. Then I changed the backing tracks to the songs in our set list. Perfect for practicing without a band and perfect to use during the show since all my presets are in the same order as the set list. You could also do 10 blues presets with backing tracks, 10 rock presets and backing tracks and so on. Very flexible.


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Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 8:19 am
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Rock on! Can't do that with the Spider Jam! Go Fender! (Just get that Mac 10.6 support figured out, please).

I think that helps answer the original question: g-dec or Spider Jam. One other issue is that the Line 6 is still expensive. I paid $469 two years ago, and it's still $399 - same as the brand new Fender. Although you could pick up a used one ... that way you could try them both, then make up your own mind.

FWIW, I kept both, so if I ever fall out of love with the Fender I've still got the good old SJ ... I've never sold an amp. Still have a 1980 Peavey Mace in mint condition.


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 9:26 am
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I also have heard from other Spider owners that the GDEC kicks the Spiders butt tonewise.


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Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 12:03 pm
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I did a side by side by side comparison of the GDEC 3 30, Boss eBand and Spider Jam at a local music store. I found the GDEC's presets/sound more robust, dynamic and responsive. The eBand was okay and the Spider Jam not very good IMHO. The Spider Jam doesn't really have a community to download and upload presets and backing tracks like Fender—it's very minuscule. The eBand offers backing tracks (Vol 1 -6) on Boss's site, but no presets to download. I would suggest doing what I did and try the GDEC out and others. It has helped me make a decision.


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 2:35 pm
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I ended up going with the Spider Jam. I felt the looper was superior with the length time of 24 minutes, as well as being able to record vocals. Having the vocal input was a big plus for someone with my needs. It sounds great with an acoustic, like a mini pa system. Having 75 watts helps if I ever take it out for a gig, backyard party, etc...

The tones are good enough for a solid state amp, and if I get tired of the backing tracks, there are plenty of regular drum only tracks to mess around with. And if I get tired of that, I can just hook up my ipod with any backing track I can find on mp3. Not gonna knock what the g-dec 3 has to offer, with bigger online community support and midi, (which I just never learned to use), just found more features on the Spider Jam for my use.

I still have my Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue to play with when I need some tube tone!

Thanks!


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 3:53 am
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Good points about the mic input, drum-only tracks, and additional power. Heck, they're both cheap enough - buy one of each and have the best of both worlds!


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 7:48 pm
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Sorry...


...'bought a G Dec 3 30 a week ago. Played it at home about 6 hours and had kind of a "meef..." ambivalent feeling about it.

Went back to local SA and jived around with L6 Spider Jam and ended up trading up.

No regrets, to date. Seems much more flexible. But as said above, you can have one of each for not a huge cash outlay.


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