I am looking at getting the newer Line 6 Helix (LT or Floor) as a replacement to my Boss GT-100. Headrush looks great but its more limited than the others. The Helix LT and Boss GT1000 are very similar in terms of quantity if you are looking at number of Amps, Cabs, Mics and FX which puts them more in competition with each other. Headrush though looks cooler and has a touchscreen but its not as quick or as in-depth as Line 6. The Line 6 is quicker to set-up too despite Headrush's touch screen.
I have been doing a LOT of research lately as I am trying to decide which to buy. The Headrush has the strips above the foot switches - more like the Helix Floor but has around half the options. I have found it quite hard to get a 'direct' comparison of all 3 - even just the Helix LT vs Boss which appear to be as well stocked as each other. I initially wanted the Headrush as the touchscreen is a cool idea - it also has the 'best' looper of them all. However, as I researched more, the Helix and Boss seem to be more well stocked - each offering over 100 FX compared to 45 with Headrush. Its similar when you compare Amps, Cabs and Mics too. I am sure Headrush would be great, more than adequate for many people and I hear the modelling is very good. I think the Helix Floor is far more than I need - when you compare the difference between it and the 'Light' LT version. A few less loops, no scribble strips etc but I think the Scribble Strips are cool and helpful - although the screen can display what each foot switch will be set to do instead of having that info above each switch.
From what I have read, as well as the guitarists I speak to, the famous people that use a Multi-FX pedal board, Helix really seems to be the one of choice. I know AxeFX is often used too as a Rack option but as far as floor based Effects, Helix, is the most popular and most recommended. Helix and AxeFX racks can add a foot switch controller too of course.
It seems that I will be going the Helix route and will look to see if I can get a 'bargain' on the Floor version but may end up with the cheaper LT as my upgrade to my Boss GT-100. However there isn't a 'big' rush for me as I am gassing for at least 1 new PRS Guitar and, if I do buy a Helix, that's a big chunk out of my savings pot for Gear. I am not in a position to buy the guitar I want right now but my fund is getting closer every month. I want to be in a position to buy a guitar, should I see one in the colour I want, and if I spend £800-£1k on a Helix, that's going to take a big chunk out of my 'gear' fund and set me back a few month's to being in that position to buy the guitar. I don't like buying on Credit and always buy when I have saved the money to buy.
As much as I love individual pedals, tube amps etc I want the convenience and variety of options these Digital multi-fx pedals offer. They are already at the stage where you cannot tell the difference 95%+ of the time when listening and they are getting ever closer to replicate the feel and the dynamics. Since I have become just a home only player, and with the fact I have neighbours in very close proximity, I haven't been able to play my Marshall JVM410 100w Amp, not even my Blackstar HT5R 212 90%+ o my guitar time. As a UK resident living in a 1 bed apartment, I only have 4 rooms - 2 of which are the Kitchen and Bathroom. I cannot leave my complete rig set-up, cannot have my guitars hanging around the walls (there is literally no wall space thanks to doors, windows, wardrobes, shelving units etc) There isn't the floor space either to have pedals, cables, power supply, guitar stands (more than 1) so a digital Helix is ideal. I can plug it into my amps when I want or able, use it to listen in on headphones, plug it into my PC and use it that way, even plug it into a desktop type Amp (like the Yamaha THR or Katana air and get my JCM800 or Plexi sounds my JVM410 can offer - as well as many amps I don't own like a Mesa Boogie or Vox.
Its not like I am giving up my Valve amps at all and still able to use them if and when I can but a Helix with everything, bar the actual speakers to hear my sound, seems like a win to me. Of course I would love a bigger house, one where I can have a room totally dedicated to Music, a room large enough to have multiple amps, cabs etc, even have all my guitars on the walls and room to add many more, have shelving full of individual pedals, one end completely dedicated to recording, mixing and producing full complete instrumental songs (there is no way I would inflict my singing onto the world or have it recorded so it may leak out) but right now, for the limitations and present day circumstances, a Helix Floor (or LT, GT1000, Headrush) would be 'perfect' for me. Its a sacrifice I am willing to make LOL
