Line6 M5 Stompbox modeller

This second hand guitar effect pedal is in very good condition

The Line 6 M5 Stompbox Modeler is a compact, multi-effects pedal that delivers over 100 different effects, ranging from modulation, delay, reverb, distortion, and filter effects. Essentially, it’s like having a single high-quality effects pedal that can transform into any effect you need at the press of a button. It's an excellent choice for guitarists who want versatility without a complex multi-effects unit.

Build Quality and Design

The M5 is built like a tank, with a rugged metal chassis designed for heavy gigging use. It features:

An easy-to-read LCD screen for navigating effects
Two sturdy footswitches for selecting presets and engaging the effect
Five rotary knobs for tweaking parameters in real time
Stereo inputs and outputs, plus MIDI functionality for more advanced control
True bypass or DSP bypass modes

It’s small enough to fit on most pedalboards, making it a great alternative to buying multiple single-effect pedals.

Effects & Sound Quality

The M5 features the same high-quality effect algorithms found in Line 6’s M9 and M13 modelers, meaning you get studio-quality sounds in a compact pedal. The effects are divided into categories:

Delays – Includes Tape Echo, Analog Delay, Digital Delay, and Reverse Delay, all with tweakable parameters. The Tape Echo and Analog Delay are especially warm and natural-sounding.

Reverbs – Features everything from spring and plate to cavernous ambient reverbs. The Particle Verb is a favorite for experimental players.

Modulation – Covers chorus, flanger, phaser, vibrato, and tremolo. The Uni-Vibe and Rotary Speaker effects are standout options.

Distortion & Overdrive – Includes emulations of classic drive pedals like the Tube Screamer, RAT, and Big Muff, though they sound decent rather than amazing compared to analog counterparts.

Filter & Synth Effects – Offers auto-wah, envelope filters, and synth-style sounds, great for funk, electronic, and experimental music.

The quality of effects is excellent, especially in delay, reverb, and modulation categories, making the M5 a solid choice for players who use time-based or ambient effects.

Ease of Use

Unlike larger multi-effects units, the M5 is designed to function like a single pedal. You can only use one effect at a time, but switching between presets is quick and easy.

Turn the knobs to tweak effects on the fly
Save up to 24 user presets for instant recall
Use MIDI to integrate it into a larger setup

For live use, the M5 is perfect for players who need different effects but don’t want to carry multiple pedals. However, some users may find the lack of multiple simultaneous effects limiting.

Performance & Use Cases

The Line 6 M5 is a great addition to any pedalboard because it can replace multiple individual effects. It's perfect for:

Guitarists who need versatile effects without a full multi-effects unit
Musicians who want a high-quality delay, reverb, or modulation pedal
Players looking for a backup or emergency effects pedal
Live performers who need preset-based effect changes

That said, if you rely on stacking multiple effects at once, you may want to look at the Line 6 M9 or M13, which offer multiple effects simultaneously.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Over 100 high-quality effects in a single unit
Compact and pedalboard-friendly
Great delays, reverbs, and modulation effects
MIDI capability for advanced control
True bypass or DSP bypass options

Cons:

Only one effect at a time
Drive effects are decent but not as good as analog pedals
No built-in looper (unlike the M9 and M13 models)

The Line 6 M5 Stompbox Modeler is a powerful, compact effects pedal that delivers pro-quality sounds without taking up much space. While it only allows one effect at a time, its versatility, ease of use, and great-sounding effects make it a fantastic addition to any pedalboard.

If you need multiple effects running simultaneously, the M9 or M13 might be a better choice. But if you want a flexible, all-in-one effects unit for live or studio use, the M5 is an excellent investment.