Community: Message List - Variax 500 jackplate assembly replacement ?

Re: Variax 500 jackplate assembly replacement ?

support@line6.com — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 08:26:48 GMT

That Spectrum Audio page has "Discontinued" on it.

An update:

I called Line6 support and was asked to email them a completed form specifying what I wanted to buy.

(Note, Line6: If all your operatives do on the phone is tell me to email them, would it not have been simpler for everyone just to put the email address and the form on your website?)

A month passed with no word from line 6, so I sent a reminder.

Within two days I got a reply, and two brand new 50-04-180 jack plate assemblies were on their way to me, at a mere £16.56 each.

These are an improved part with the spring-loaded cover over the digital jack, no doubt because like me everybody wrecked them poking analogue plugs in there.

It went straight in the Variax 700 - didn't need the blue wiring harness, and I re-used the green earth harness from the guitar - and it all worked perfectly.

However, it didn't work in my original Variax (and early one before they renamed it the 500). - first of all the analogue jack is soldered in a couple of places, rather than using little plugs, so I had to do a bit of mixing and matching.

However, it looks like I'm going to have to bust the soldering kit out anyway, because when I plug it in via the digital cable I only get the signal in a square-wave-type on-off-on-off pattern. The new digital jack has a bank of surface-mount capacitors on it (as did the old one in the 700) whereas the original jack does not have these. I guess I'm therefore going to have to swap the small boards over on the digital jacks...

Oh well, at least I now have one working Variax, which I am delighted about. I will report progress with the other.

Re: Variax 500 jackplate assembly replacement ?

support@line6.com — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 01:15:42 GMT

spectrum audio still have the item up on their site for sale: see - http://www.spectrumaudio.com/line-6-50-04-0181-4.html but I can't accept the $45 odd they want to charge for shipment to Australia. Awaiting email response from (newly appointed) Line 6 service agent in Sydney to verify they can supply said unit. I have been quoted around $28AUD for the jack plate, but 6-8 weeks wait.......

AAAARGH!

Re: Variax 500 jackplate assembly replacement ?

support@line6.com — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 21:15:11 GMT

Hi Londonbabe

I recently got a jack plate.

Maybe you can be lucky too .... Ring Line 6 Customer Service and speak to Chris ...

He got me one out of a Variax that never made it to sale because of some flaws (I think in its paintwork) so there may be more to be had, its worth a try

Cost me £26

Cheers, Mark

Re: Variax 500 jackplate assembly replacement ?

support@line6.com — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:47:38 GMT

I had high hopes, but after claiming it was in stock, and keeping my money for two months Spectrum Audio have now refunded it and cancelled the order, saying they cannot get Line 6 parts any more.

They have now removed them from their website.

There is now, as far as I know, no possible way to get new jack plates unless you live in the US.

I have two Variaxes which unless I can replace the jackplates, are basically firewood.

If Line 6 cannot even keep and send spares for these - a part they know to be the main failure point of the product, why on earth would they expect anyone to fork out even more to buy a JTV?

Re: Variax 500 jackplate assembly replacement ?

support@line6.com — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 08:42:11 GMT

For anyone who is in same position ....I got my jack plate assembly from a company called Spectrum Audio in the States. (There were other companies but they didn't readily ship to UK)

Below is the link to the actual part. Cost about £42 all in. The part costs about £20 but please note the international shipping is another <> £22 on top !!)

http://www.spectrumaudio.com/line-6-50-04-0180.html

Then what you do is "Add to Cart"...

This brings up the "Shopping Cart".

On the right hand side of this screen just below the "Proceed to Checkout" button you'll see "International Orders". Click on that

Then it will ask for billing country. Select UK and you are away.

It came pretty quickly via DHL... about a week give or take..

And the part is actually better than the original one fitted to my guitar.

Hope this is of use to people

Re: Variax 500 jackplate assembly replacement ?

support@line6.com — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:35:51 GMT

Just as an update. After a number of further conversations with Line 6 in UK it transpired they can't get hold of them in the UK and the original info I was given was incorrect (after being told to call back in 6 weeks when they were expecting a shipment - clearly untrue). .

Then tried to contact Line 6 in the States to see if they could help. Received no reply.

I eventually managed to get hold of one through a supplier (completely unrelated to Line 6) in the States and get shipped over to the UK.

Not at all impressed with Line 6 customer service in UK it has to be said and not really sure what the point of the European section is.

Re: Variax 500 jackplate assembly replacement ?

support@line6.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:23:01 GMT

Hi Mark

contacted them today (new number 01788 566 566). None in stock but they are expecting delivery from US in 6 weeks or so... "if they send them" Failing that they will get me a salvaged part. So definite progress.... fingers crossed.

Cheers

Graham

Re: Variax 500 jackplate assembly replacement ?

support@line6.com — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:10:43 GMT

Mark

Thanks for that.... I'll give it a go and let you know how I get on.

Cheers

Graham

Re: Variax 500 jackplate assembly replacement ?

support@line6.com — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:11:27 GMT

Things may have changed but a few years ago I got one direct from Line6 UK in Rugby.

The latest number I have for them is 01327 302700

Let us know if you get one as it will be handy to know

Cheers

Mark

Variax 500 jackplate assembly replacement ?

support@line6.com — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:08:32 GMT

I'm based in the UK and am looking to replace the jackplate assembly for my left handed Variax 500 as it is cracked in a number of places where the screws hold it in (see photo) and I don't think it will last much longer.

I know there are companies in the USA that supply them (eg Full compass) but not do not ship to the UK. My local guitar shop has contacted Line 6 in UK who say they don't have them. Does anyone have any idea how I can get hold of one ?