The Spider II series makes owning a great digital modeling amp more affordable than ever. As the follow-up to the best selling Spider series, Spider II embraces the same style but delivers much more. Spider II features 12 unique amp models made from combining the sounds of some of the greatest amps in history and places them all in one mean package. Spider II also features an impressive array of effects (7 different effect types, 3 simultaneous) including Chorus/Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo, Digital Delay, Tape Echo, and Sweep Echo. All effects can be easily tweaked using Smart FX, and delay times can be adjusted using Tap Tempo. Other features include a front panel tuner, Spring or Room Reverb, and a headphone out. All models include custom Celestion speakers. Finally an amp that gives you insane tone and power at a new lower price. The Spider II 112 is a 75-watt (mono) amp with one 12 in. speaker.
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 ModePress 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 hear 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
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!
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