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Comments
Headrush doesn't do what I need it to do. In many ways in terms of features, helix is light years ahead. There is no point me looking at any other modelling unit as the only one that delivers features I need is helix.
If sound was no.1 criteria I'd be wanting to try all out in person.
However for my use, I can see that headrush is a non starter for me.
I'm saying that the OP's question includes tone, as well as including all of the other stuff - and that people can easily have opinions on the latter because, contrary to your implication, it's easy to know those things without having seen or tried one in person.
You're just spoiling for a fight for the sake of it.
There's going to be a homogenisation of design when two products fulfil the same fuction, but Headrush is as much a copy of a Helix the same way a Ford Focus is a copy of a Honda Civic.
It's in keeping with the general layout of modern multiFX. They all have one or two rows of footswitches, a screen, a few knobs. Most have an expression pedal. Active scribble strips are old hat for digital mixers so it's no surprise they're appearing on other kit.
You might as well say that a new world horse is an obvious copy of an old world horse because they look similar. They didn't get there the same route, it's just a pretty good design.
http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/q493/Warren3333/H.jpg
Some of the clips of the Headrush sound really wry good, some sound appalling, I guess that the nature of something so tweakable.
In general I do prefer the Helix design (mostly because I'd rather have physical knobs than a touch screen).
However there is some sense in having a colour strip above the scribble strip, rather than an illuminated switch. Imagining the scenario where you are lining up a swtich change, your foot will obscure the view of the light on the Helix before it does on the Headrush. It's a tiny thing, and not something to buy/not buy a product for (either implementation is superior to previous generation stuff) but yeah I actually think the way the Headrush does that is preferable.
Headrush prices are mis-priced now and will HAVE to drop significantly if its going to have any chance of breaking into this sector, in order to be more competitive against Helix LT, simply because Line 6 has the more established name & market share. I'm talking £699- 749 max i.e. below Helix LT prices.
Right now the Headrush is still £899. But LT prices are already reducing - Dawson's are still selling Helix LT at the original price of £849 but Andertons are £817, Gear for music £799, and Bax Shop is £782.
But 'full flavour' Helix prices have come way down too - £1,039 from Andertons & GAK. At the cheapest price as above, £257 is the difference between LT & full Helix - arguably big enough for some folk to go LT but for me the price difference between LT and full Helix has to be wider or LT sales are going to suffer.
The Headrush is now priced smack bang in the middle - and clearly LT wasn't good news for the Headrush team. But between £899 currently for Headrush and £1,039 (only £140 more) for full Helix, it's a complete no brainer - full Helix all the way! But I have to say that I really do like the Headrush drag 'n drop display - and it's ease of use might be its saving grace.
Currently, the prices are:
Headrush - £899
Helix - £999
Helix LT - £715
I wasn't too keen on the Helix plug in when I tried it out... which is making me nervous about that.
My gear is:
Ibanez RG6PCMLTD
Yamaha Pacifica 311H
Peavey ValveKing II 50w
I don't gig - just play with myself (no comments ) and do a bit of home recording.
The Line 6 stuff is on offer at the moment at Andertons, GAK etc
What didn't you like about native? Chances are you won't like Helix.
I've had Thomann send me a new one because the expression pedal broke on the first LT I bought and believe or not this one is already making weird noises with just light use. I'm sure it's just a question of time for it to break too.
"You don't know what you've got till the whole thing's gone. The days are dark and the road is long."
I just read on a Helix Facebook Group that a lot of people have issues with the expression pedal on the LT.
Then again, a lot of people are getting bricked Headrush devices with their new update... as well as if you don't power it down, you can brick it.
I think i'll go with the Helix - I am sure the Native I didn't have it set up right... all the demos i've heard sound excellent...