2019 Line 6 Helix Limited Edition Lightning Blue

Background:

This Limited Edition Lightning Blue effects unit is in excellent condition. Only ever used in the Living Room by me.  It does everything a Helix should do flawlessly.

My 2 cents on Helix:  I love these, I have 2 currently.  I started with the Line 6 POD 2.0, then moved to POD X3 Live, and now to Helix.  Helix fixed a lot of the wish list items from X3 Live:  standard power cable, internal 120/240V switching power supply, color scribble strips, higher resolution color main screen, capacitive touch footswitches, super high quality metal case.  Of course, the 48 kHz processing quality and extensive configuration capabilities are mind blowing. 

You can see endless videos on YouTube about recording direct to PC with Helix.  What I appreciate most is Helix as a front end amp/effects modeler with a regular guitar/bass amp pushing air on the back end.  You may find this hard to believe – but my 1965 Fender Blackface Tremolux amp is the PERFECT power amp to all of the Helix’s amp models – Marshall, Fender, Vox, Gibson.  It even works well with high gain amp models like Mesa, EVH, Soldano.  Just leave out the speaker emulation, and your amp and cabinet become the live speakers.

I bought the Helix in Mar 2024 from Reverb. 

This unit has the latest 3.80 firmware updates.  Note that Helix gets better with age: Line 6 releases new amps, pedals, cabinets with each firmware release – more than double the amount now from when released.  Also, with Yamaha’s purchase of Line 6 in 2013, you can have confidence that this company will be around for a long time.

Condition:

1.       Excellent overall.

2.       All switches and knobs work perfectly.

3.       There are some very minor dots and scratches on the metal panels of this unit – I have highlighted these with orange circles in the photos.  These are really minor.  I am just trying to completely disclose any marks.

4.       The main screen is flawless as far as I can see.

5.       The scribble strips have some minor scratching that is apparent at certain angles but not noticeable when looking at the unit while it is on. 

6.       The footswitch 2 Scribble Strip has a bubble that is noticeable.

7.       The footswitch 5 Scribble Strip shows some marks.These were noted in the original Reverb listing by the seller (see Links section).

8.       There is a vertical mark on the flat front metal panel of the unit.

Links:

YouTube “Line 6 | Helix | Overview” from Line 6:  youtu.be/pivTu1RPUUg?si=QZRAByZu2PAf40tj

YouTube “The Best Amp Modeler In 2024 REMATCH! (Things Change....)” from Sonic Drive Studio:  youtu.be/Fi8dAvDnh7c?si=UbB_zsmvVQV_Xx3V&t=1978

Line 6 website:  Line6.com/helix/helix-guitar-processor.html

Helix amp/effects/cab models:  helixhelp.com/models

Helix Cheat Sheet:  Line6.com/data/6/0a0643391bb055fca90096a38/application/pdf/Helix%20Cheat%20Sheet%20-%20English%20(%20Rev%20A%20).pdf

Internal chip/circuit level analysis:  tonymckenzie.com/line6-helix-effects-unit-floor-pedal-inside-and-out-review.htm

Yamaha purchase of Line 6 in 2013:  usa.yamaha.com/news_events/2013/20131220_yamaha-announces-share-acquisition-full-ownership-line6_us.html

Original Reverb posting:  reverb.com/item/80790917-line-6-helix-floor-multi-effect-amp-modeler-limited-edition-blue

Manufacturer Specs:

Pedal Type:  Multi-FX

Analog/Digital:  Digital

Presets:   1024 (8 setlists with 32 banks x 4 presets)

Number of Effects:  200+ effects (Helix & Legacy combined, latest firmware), Up to 32 simultaneous FX (DSP permitting)

Effects Types:  Distortion, Delay, Reverb, Modulation, Pitch shift, Synth filter, Compressor/Limiter, Wah

Amp Modeling: Over 100 Amp, Cab and Mic Models (latest firmware)

Impulse Response:  IR support

Looper:  60 seconds (mono), 30 seconds (stereo) full speed

Inputs:  1 x XLR (mic), 1 x 1/4" (guitar), 1 x 1/4" (aux), 4 x 1/4" (return)

Outputs:  2 x XLR (L/mono,R), 2 x 1/4" (L/mono,R), 4 x 1/4" (send)

Digital Inputs:  1 x Coax (S/PDIF). 1 x RJ45 (Variax)

Digital Outputs:  1 x Coax (S/PDIF), 1 x XLR (AES/EBU, Link out)

MIDI I/O:  In, Out/Thru

USB:  1 x Type B (8 x 8)

Headphones:  1 x 1/4"

Other I/O:  1 x 1/4" (control voltage), 1 x 1/4" (ext amp switch), 2 x 1/4" (expression 2/3)

Expression Control:  Built-in Pedal

Features:  450MHz SHARC DSP Processor

Compatibility:  OS X 10.10 or later, Windows 7 SP1 or later

Power Source:  Standard IC AC cable (included), 100-240V, 50-60 Hz, 60 watts max

Height:  3.6 in/9.2 cm

Width:  22 in/56 cm

Depth:  11.9 in/30.2 cm

Weight:  14.6 lbs/6.6 kb

Terms:

Free shipping in the Continental US.

Shipping provided for other locations – Canada, EU, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia.

Free hand delivery within 2 hours of Columbus, OH – I will drive to meet you with the item.

Packing will be provided by The UPS Store or FedEx to ensure full insurance value coverage.

Shipping is insured for full value – if any damage, photograph and report immediately to the carrier.

I am offering Reverb’s standard returns policy – any flaws are described in the listing, I will do my utmost to ensure you are satisfied, feel free to contact me after receipt of item with any questions/comments.