Line 6 Helix VS Boss GT-1000 (comparison)
Our pick: Line 6 Helix (or Helix LT)
The GT-1000 is a solid multi-effects pedal. But does it do enough to make us shift our allegiance away from the Helix series? Not really.
The Helix series houses some of the most popular multi-effects pedals on the market, particularly the Helix and the Helix LT. However, there are similar multi-effects pedals available, like the Boss GT-1000 which we'll highlight in this comparison.
We'll look at the Line 6 Helix and the Boss GT-1000 side by side.
Note that you could also apply most of what we're saying to a Helix LT and Boss GT-1000 comparison. If you look at our Helix VS Helix LT page, you'll note that we recommend the Helix LT over the Helix because it's a better value.
The same would go for this particular comparison.
But if you're trying to decide between the Helix and GT-1000 series in general, this post will help you make that decision.
Line 6 Helix VS Boss GT-1000: Simple Comparison
In this section we've built a simple comparison tool and specs table for the Helix and GT-1000. If you want to access a full product description, consider using the Sweetwater buttons in this table, which help support our site at no extra cost to you.
For questions about the Helix or GT-1000, we can help you out in the comments section below.
Pedal | Title | Rated | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 6 Helix/Helix LT | n/a | |
 | Boss GT-1000 | n/a |
Detailed Specs Side-by-Side
The Boss GT-1000 seems to be primarily focused on highlighting other Boss products, particularly the pedal series (including the Waza Craft pedals) and the Katana amps.
Though overall, Boss just seems to have less effects and amp models to choose from. On the GT-1000's spec sheet, it lists effects/amp models in the same breath at roughly 100 total.
Header | Helix | GT-1000 |
|---|---|---|
Pedal Type | Multi-effects | Multi-effects |
Presets | 1024 (8 setlists with 32 banks x 4 presets) | 250 x User, 250 x Presets |
Number of effects | 200+ | 100+ effects and amp models (breakdown not specified) |
Effects types | Distortion, Delay, Reverb, Modulation, Pitch shift, Synth filter, Compressor/Limiter, Wah | BOSS FX, Vintage Stomp Models, MDP FX Processing, DD-500, MD-500 Effects |
Amp modeling | Over 100 Amp, Cab and Mic Models (latest firmware) | Breakdown not specified |
Inputs | 1 x XLR (mic), 1 x 1/4" (guitar), 1 x 1/4" (aux), 4 x 1/4" (return) | 1 x 1/4" (instrument), 2 x 1/4" (return) |
Outputs | 2 x XLR, 2 x 1/4", 4 x 1/4" (Send) | 2 x 1/4" (main out), 2 x 1/4" (send), 2 x XLR (sub out) |
MIDI | In, Out/Thru | In/Out/USB |
Height | 3.61" | 2.75" |
Width | 22.05" | 18.18" |
Depth | 11.87" | 9.76" |
Weight | 14.6 lbs. | 7.93 lbs. |
Can the GT-1000 beat the Helix or the Helix LT? Not really.
Line 6 Helix Details
The Helix just offers more than the GT-1000. More effects, more amp models - the whole nine yards.
The Helix has sort of become the standard by which other multi-effects processors are measured. And, unfortunately for the GT-1000, the Helix just offers a lot more in the way of core functionality.
Helix beats the GT-1000 in all of the following categories:
- Presets
- Effects
- Amp models
When analyzing multi-effects pedals, we like to keep things as simple as possible. Presets, effects, and amp models are the three most basic aspects of what matters when you buy this type of pedal.
And while the Helix is expensive, both the regular Helix and the Helix LT have the same amount of presets, effects, and amp models, thus easily eclipsing the GT-1000.
Boss GT-1000 Details
The setup on the GT-1000 is quite good, making it easy to add and remove effects from certain amp models. There just aren't quite as many of them as there are in the Helix.
What the GT-1000 does provide is quite good.
Effects and amp models sound fantastic, and the interface makes it easy to add/remove effects from different amp models and sounds. It's also fair to point out that 500 presets (250 existing and 250 open for user) is more than enough for most users.
But since we're comparing directly to the Helix, we liked the Helix a bit more in terms of how the control is setup. We also liked the tone and quality of the sounds coming from the DSP a little more. Line 6 has historically done a great job with digital amp modeling, and the GT-1000 - while good - just doesn't feel/sound the same.
Again, it's good - but as a challenger to the Helix, does it do enough to take the crown?
We'd argue that it does not.
Which one do we recommend? (conclusion)
And that's the main criticism of the GT-1000.
At this point the Helix is a well-known and well-liked commodity, which means something like the GT-1000 needs to out-do it for us to recommend it over the Helix or the Helix LT. It needs to give us some kind of a reason to make a switch.
The GT-1000 is good and it accomplishes the basics of a modern multi-effects processor.
But it just doesn't do enough to make us recommend it above the Helix series.
If it's between the two, we'd argue that the Helix - though more expensive - is the better value. Even then, you can drop down to the Helix LT and actually have an option that's cheaper than the GT-1000. In other words, we'd rank them in this order:
- Helix LT (best value)
- Helix
- GT-1000
Questions and Comments
If you have questions about the Helix or the GT-1000, feel free to drop those in the comments section below.
Stories and opinions from owners of these pedals are welcome there as well.
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Written by Bobby on Pedals and Comparisons
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Ive tried many of the various big floor board effects units. I’ve ended up settling on a Line 6 M9 and a Boss ME25 that i interchange. Simplicity is key. Once the operation of the effects unit becomes more of an art than playing the instrument, ya gotta stop and think.
Absolutely agree.
Not that these are bad. If you want the flexibility, they’ll give it to you. But I’ve paired my stuff down like crazy lately.
I bought the Helix since it came out first. The GT-1000 came out and since I owned the GT-100 I thought an incremental upgrade won’t impress me. After a couple years of lugging the Helix on and off planes and trying to find space for it, I bought a GT-1000 on a whim. I plugged it in and was blown away. It’s smaller, lighter, has all the effects I’ll ever need and sounds incredible. The compact part is really important to me. Plenty of storage and amps so I sold my bulky Helix and put my GT1000 in my carry on and get rave review for my sound. I’ll never go back. By the way. I’ve had 3 Helix(s) because my first 2 went belly up. Line 6 lost my first one with its backpack but the sent me a new one right away. when that one died They sent me another but I had to squirrel together rigs when my helix(s) died. That’s how I ended up with a GT-1000. The Boss hasn’t ever had a problem like all the Boss products I’ve owned. Every studio I’ve gone into has been surprised by the GT-1000 and I think I’ve probably sold a lot of the for Boss.
I rented a Helix LT to try it. I am a confessed pedal junkie.
So far: updating to firmware has taken all my time, and … failed. I haven’t been able to get any sound of the Helix due to this. Two days, nothing. The failure of the interface is appalling.
I’m going to rent the Boss next. With Bluetooth connectivity – I can’t believe anyone hasn’t mentioned that – the Tone Studio seems to be far superior in user interface. Do it all on my phone? Sounds promising.
I don’t need or want 1000 spots for tones, so whether it’s 250 or more, doesn’t do anything for me.
Price wise, the Boss is also a bit less than the LT. So there’s that. One more try at the Helix LT and I’m calling it a brick.
Any luck getting the firmware updated?
Hi! After testing both (3 yrs ago) I picked the helix. Regarding usability I really enjoyed the colorizing of the stomp buttons. Therefore, I‘ve decided to get the more costly helix and not the LT. The Helix LT has exactly the same effects as the Helix but it‘s missing the digital labels above the stomps. They are colorized, too, but you have to remember which effect is controlled by which stomp button. You might get confused if you use many different effect programs. In general, for every song I have a separate effect chain and turn on or off certain effects in that chain during the song, e.g. in the chorus, the bridge or the solo. At first I named the labels after the parts of the song but over time I more and more named it by the underlying effects. Because often I copied the effect chain of a particular song to another one and only made minor adjustments to some effect parameters. But then these often do not fit to the named song parts any longer. In one song you have to add a reverb in the intro and in another song to the bridge. So it‘s better to name it STRONG REV (or something similar) instead of INTRO.
The helix has a headphone output which can be used for in-ear monitoring. It also has a volume button and can easily be adjusted by this but I can not recommend such an approach on stage because you do not get a mix of the other musicians then. I prefer to get a monitor mix from the mixer. I‘d say the headphone out is more for home guitar play at night.
One thing I want to mention is the the possibility to edit the effect chains at the computer. The helix has a usb port and I really liked the option to edit the effects on my pc screen. Especially for labeling the effects. I found out after I‘ve bought it but this would have been another pro for the helix. I don‘t know about the boss gt1000 because I wasn‘t aware of this feature while I tested both before buying one. If you adjust your effects over the user interface of the pedal board you often bend over sitting on a chair still having the guitar on which is very uncomfortable. With the computer it‘s much easier because you can keep the guitar on and change the parameters with your computer mouse sitting upright at the screen.
Finally there is one thing I want to say about the amount of effects. Though the helix has more I don‘t think this is an argument for the helix because after 3 yrs I can clearly say that I use only a small subset of these. There still is plenty of effects which don‘t fit into my music style at all and never got used. So I really would recommend to play both boards and check out which effects are more suitable to you. Before the helix I had a boss gt100 and even there I only used a small subset of the effects. For me the decision for the helix came more by the user interface than by the amount of effects. And that‘s what I often hear from other musicians after a gig when they see the color LEDs around the stomp buttons on the helix. Everybody likes it – especially if it is dark in the room.
This is really helpful. Thanks for sharing. It’ll certainly be relevant and helpful for future readers.
It’d be cool if I could sort of package this for a review and list you as the community author. Would you be up for that?
Hola amigos, yo estoy en el dilema de cuál de los dos comprar, ambos sé que son muy buenos, lo usaré para una iglesia, quiero usarlo directo a una consola de sonido, quiero olvidarme de un amplificador; qué me dicen?
Both would work. My preference would be the Helix. Here’s a list of the amplifier models on the Helix: https://helixhelp.com/models
I’d love to see Helix compared to Axe Fx in the same breath as Boss and Kemper. Not just sound quality, but what kind of users these modelers have.
From what I’ve seen, Line 6 is just easy if you are at all computer savvy. Kemper and Axe Fx are far better for metal. And I’m not entirely sure where the Boss unit sits in the marketplace. Boss amp modeling sounds worse than everything imo, but it’s price seems to reflect that.
Hey Brandon, thanks for offering your take. Axe FX would be an interesting comparison and does seem more like a metal outfit based on their artist list. I would expect Boss is closer to the Line 6 style, if not a little more “juveniles” for lack of a better term. For Boss I always come back to the single stomp effects or the Katana amps. Their multi effects are no my favorite.
It’s be great to see what genre’s these excel in. Is it purely marketing or does Axe FX really do something different in their metal tones. I’m a pop rock guitarist more than anything else and the Helix has always fit the bill but Gas syndrome seems to have my buddies trading in pedals for going the way of axe Fx, but imo the helix is a quite a bit more intuitive and sounds fuller without absurd levels of gain.
I think it’s a lot of marketing, maybe even just naming conventions (Axe FX sounds more menacing). But at the end of the day, it’s hard to compare these things because they all do more or less the same thing. FWIW, I’d take the Helix over Axe FX.
I prefer the GT-1000. I don’t care about more effects, more amp models etc. It’s sound quality that matters to me and the Helix doesn’t match up in that department.
Hey Mark – thanks for sharing.
For plug and go and ease, is the boss better. I had helix and was not willing to put the time into it and sold it. Also will boss need a speaker or an amp.
I wouldn’t say the Boss is “simpler” or easier than the Helix, but it does have a headphone out so you wouldn’t necessarily need an external amp.