POD prototype pics (see how it all started)

[mmcquain]

I just got back from a conference in CA where Brian Swerdfeger (one of the original designers of the Taylor T5 acoustic/electric guitar) did a workshop on getting the best tones out of your guitar. In addition to it being a great workshop, I found out that Brian worked with the guys that went on to form Line 6 and build the now famous POD series of amp modelers. It was Brian's collection of tube amps that helped form the basis of the original models. Brian owns the original POD prototype (see pics below) and brought it to the class.



The other cool thing was that I got to meet Bob Taylor (founder of Taylor Guitars). Both are really cool guys who play in their church bands on Sunday mornings (I was at a Worship Arts conference held at Saddleback Church - home of Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life book series). It was cool to see and hold some "guitar history" with the POD prototype and it was even cooler to meet some fellow Christian guitar pickers! Too bad I didn't have my new T5 with me to get Bob to sign it.



FYI - If you want some great tips on tone, effects, etc. then check out Brian and Bob's video tips at: http://www.taylorguitars.com/see-hear/

[Kap'n]

Cool Stuff!

Isn't Bob Taylor a Scientologist?

[Don]

I thought his business partner was/is a Scientologist.

[Kap'n]

OK, I'm confused then.

[hudpucker]

Cool stuff. Any major changes from the proto to the POD 1.0?

[NeoFauve]

Cool stuff. Any major changes from the proto to the POD 1.0?

They labelled the controls.
Good move!

[Kap'n]

They labelled the controls.
Good move!

They also got rid of the "Metal Coffin" design, and went with the more friendly "Pinto Bean."

One one hand, it expands the market.

On the other hand, there are the fart-tone jokes.

[mmcquain]

Cool stuff. Any major changes from the proto to the POD 1.0?

Not a lot he said. Of course, the clear packing tape used in the center display to hold the buttons/LED in place was "upgraded" and they were able to afford to put sides on the thing to keep the dust out!

[mmcquain]

Cool Stuff! Isn't Bob Taylor a Scientologist?

Not from what I was told. This conference was Christian-based and everyone I ran into talked about how Bob had been playing in his church band for like 35 years. In fact, Bob said he just played banjo for somebody a few weeks ago at Saddleback Church. Don't know about the business partner however...

[Don]

Say what you will about the POD and PODxt's tone (or lack thereof) but I've used both a POD and a PODxt as a headphone practice amp at work for the past several years and they've been great!

[Kap'n]

Say what you will about the POD and PODxt's tone (or lack thereof) but I've used both a POD and a PODxt as a headphone practice amp at work for the past several years and they've been great!

A tool is as good as it's user. The Pod has proven itself in thousands of recordings.

I don't use one, since I don't record, and would rather just turn my amp on than program a computer.