Anyone using a Pod X3 for bass?

[SteveC]

I am debating effects, pedals, individual board, multi modeler, etc. The X3 seems to be pretty powerful and decent sounding. I currently have a tuner and compressor pedals that go to every gig. Debating adding my chorus and/or phaser and would like to get an envelope filter and maybe an overdrive. Hence the mutli modeling option.

Curious about this for use in the "real world" live. I don't record much at all. I play an active 5 string fretted and a passive fretless piezo 4 string.

[stflbn]

I was for about 6-months. Loved it. Still could be using it. Ended up being more than I actually needed for what I'm doing now.

[scotch]

I've had the X3 for a long time now & I love it! I use it for studio recording. It is definitely a big improvement over the original Bass POD as far as tones & fidelity!

For what you are looking to do, however, I wouldn't recommend it. The effects are o.k., but I really feel that the amp models are what the X3 does best. The effects are pretty tweakable, but for a live performance the multi-screen interface is hard to adjust on-the-fly. Sure, you can set up like 128 presets, but in my extensive gigging history nothing is as immediate to tweak as good ol' fashioned single pedals!

Just my opinion, but the POD family is much more at home in the studio than on a gig!

[SteveC]

Yes, you are probably correct.

[cybersnyder]

Have one, like it, but rarely use it because I spend more time tweaking than playing.

I have an X3 Live which served me well for six months. However, just recently, all the inputs failed and the outputs began making weird noises... after a non musician decided to carelessly move it out of her way, ugh. I'm not sure if it's a reliability issue with the X3, or if indeed no piece of gear could have survived the wrath of the particular situation, but given this particular non-musician's temperament, I wouldn't be surprised if it was the latter. Just in case though, I recently bought another new X3L, and the old one is being fixed under warranty, so I'll have a backup ready to go at all times just in case.

FWIW, Lincoln Brewster (guitarist [not bassist] who toured with Joe Perry and now plays in a megachurch) uses a Pod X3L on all recordings and live performances, and evidently he had a freak incident with one of the earliest X3L's made failing during a performance. He now runs a backup at all times but hasn't had an incident since.