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15 Replies Last post: Nov 25, 2009 3:15 AM by lindsayward   1 2 Previous Next
tenbrink   6 posts since
Nov 15, 2009
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Nov 15, 2009 12:33 PM

variax out of tune, intonation didn't help

Hello! I've had my variax 500 electric guitar a couple of years now and it has worked flawlessly until now. When I play barre chords with the lowest keynote on the a-string (for example a high E) the b-string and the g-string doesn't "agree" and i get that tremolo effect which occures when the guitar isn't in tune. However the guitar is perfectly tuned cause when checking the strings separately on those frets that are problematic they're in tune. And I tested to record when first playing on the b-string and then I dubbed that with playing on the g-string and it sounds perfect. It's only when they're played together at the same time it sounds out of tune. If i tune down the b-string just a little it dissapears, but then all other chords gets out of tune. As i've just had it in for intonation I know that that isn't the problem, and i've checked that all frets are in tune. My guess is that something is wrong with the technical part of the guitar, maybe the piezo mics are damaged or something in the "computer" of the guitar. I don't know what to do, I guess I need to get service, but when searching for a service center in sweden i get no results, why is that?

amx05462 Iknowathingortwo 1,533 posts since
Sep 1, 2008
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1. Nov 15, 2009 1:23 PM in response to: tenbrink
Re: variax out of tune, intonation didn't help

sounds  like  the  first  thing  to do is  to reflash  the  firmware.

mdmayfield Juststartin' 66 posts since
Feb 24, 2007
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2. Nov 15, 2009 3:31 PM in response to: tenbrink
Re: variax out of tune, intonation didn't help

Two suggestions:

 

1. Change your strings

2. Listen to the tuning *unplugged*. It might be a physical problem.

 

 

Idea: (You may already know this, but I will post it anyway for the benefit of the forum)

 

Tuning is a funny thing. For example, the note E needs to be tuned higher as the 5th of an A chord (A-C#-E) than as the 3rd of a C chord (C-E-G) to blend just right. Singers, violin players, trombone players, etc. do this instinctively. But on instruments like piano and guitar, where a note can only have one pitch, each note is tuned to the average spot so that it comes close, but is not perfect, for all chords.

 

If you tune so that the G string sounds just right on the 1st fret in the E chord (G# as the 3rd, E-G#-B) then it will sound flat open in a C chord (as the 5th, C-E-G). The only solution is to compromise - make the G string a little flat for the C chord but a little sharp for the E chord.

 

This "compromise" system is called equal temperament and is what electronic tuners automatically use.

amx05462 Iknowathingortwo 1,533 posts since
Sep 1, 2008
Currently Being Moderated
5. Nov 16, 2009 2:41 AM in response to: tenbrink
Re: variax out of tune, intonation didn't help

yes  you need workbench to flash  the  chip.  i see  no service  center  in your  area either.  do you know  anyone   who has  workbench   that  could   do a  reflash  for you. you could  try rigging  a  pickup like  you already  said  just to test  it  but if  it  sounds   right   playing   it  not  powered  it  will sound  the  same  with a  pickup.  if  thats  what  you need  to  do  to be  sure  then do that  but  i still think you need  to flash  the  chip.  as far as the  service  center  youll have  to find  the  nearest one  to you (i know  theres  none  listed   there)  ship  it  both  ways   and   pay for  repair .  im assuming  your  warrantee  is  long  done.

roblof Juststartin' 122 posts since
Jan 24, 2007
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7. Nov 17, 2009 1:57 PM in response to: tenbrink
Re: variax out of tune, intonation didn't help

There is a service center (actually the distributor for the nordic countries) in Stockholm called Luthman (www.luthman.se) but you need to go via a dealer since they normaly not are the frontend for end users.

 

If you for some reason can't go thru a dealer you might give them a call to see if they will help you anyway...

 

First I'd try to borrow a xt-live or x3-live from a music store or friend and use the free workbench software and reflash the guitar again to see if this helps. Then you don't have to buy the workbench hardware.

amx05462 Iknowathingortwo 1,533 posts since
Sep 1, 2008
Currently Being Moderated
8. Nov 17, 2009 1:57 PM in response to: tenbrink
Re: variax out of tune, intonation didn't help

probably  the  only thing  thats  gonna  fit  under  the   strings  is an old   top mount  guitar  pickup or if you know  someone  with a  dogear p90 laying  around or someone  with   a roland  gk pickup or  maybe  one of those  thin  acoustic  pickups. what  you could  try  is  getting  a  support  ticket that  would   put  you  intouch  with   a line 6 tech.  i dont  know  how  to do that  because  ive  never  had  to but    i know   that  you can   work  one on one  with  a tech  that way.

 

  the  trouble  woth  the  usb  audio  interface  is  getting  it  connected  to the  guitar if you look at the  attatched  photo  of  thw  workbench  hardware   theres  two cables    and  the  interface. so  it  changes  the  guitar connector  to  usb  that way. i think  theres  a  chip  in there  that does  something  too.

 

   yeah  there is  i just looked  at it  so it  probably  has  some  miniscule  program  on it.

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roblof Juststartin' 122 posts since
Jan 24, 2007
Currently Being Moderated
9. Nov 17, 2009 2:01 PM in response to: amx05462
Re: variax out of tune, intonation didn't help

The workbench hardware is an specialized thing that does (usb<-->midi).

Line6Andy Line6Support 4,031 posts since
Jun 5, 2006
Currently Being Moderated
10. Nov 17, 2009 2:55 PM in response to: tenbrink
RE: variax out of tune, intonation didn't help

Hello,

   Outside of the software reflash and changing strings (to make sure there is not a string issue), you may want to have a qualified guitar luthier/tech go through the guitar to make sure there are no other problems with the nut or saddle piece that could be causing some other issue that would knock the intonation out of tune.  You can also take a look at this Peterson FAQ where they discuss how to correctly intonate and setup a guitar, as well as the ideas behind tempered tunings:

 

  http://www.petersontuners.com/index.cfm?category=85

 

 

   Please be sure to award Helpful and/or Correct points to community members who respond with helpful or correct answers, and close out the ticket as “answered” if your situation has been resolved.

Line6Andy Line6Support 4,031 posts since
Jun 5, 2006
Currently Being Moderated
13. Nov 19, 2009 9:53 AM in response to: tenbrink
RE: variax out of tune, intonation didn't help

Hello,

    You may want to have the tech redo the intonation to make sure there is no problem there. 

    None of the POD Studio devices have a Variax input, but you can submit your feature request at the following link:

 

  Feature requests

  http://line6.com/company/contact/productFeedback/?topic_id=3

 

   Please be sure to award Helpful and/or Correct points to community members who respond with helpful or correct answers, and close out the ticket as “answered” if your situation has been resolved.

Line6Andy Line6Support 4,031 posts since
Jun 5, 2006
Currently Being Moderated
14. Nov 23, 2009 4:20 PM in response to: tenbrink
RE: variax out of tune, intonation didn't help

Hello,

    It's been a couple of days since we've heard from you. We're going to assume your question has been answered and close this thread. If you still have questions please feel free to open a new question with us and we will answer your questions accordingly. Thanks!

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