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Up to Discussions in Variax Transplants
2237 Views 9 Replies Latest reply: Dec 7, 2009 3:38 PM by gitarzan53 RSS
spike5 Just Startin'
spike5
61 posts since
Oct 12, 2008
Currently Being Moderated

Nov 16, 2009 9:44 PM

Variax 300 Wiring Help

I am hoping someone can help me.

I recently paid to replace a faulty coffin casing in my variax 300 (it would not work through the digital output) and i now have some spare parts i am planing to use in a fender squire.

I have ordered the correct Graph Tec Ghost saddles for the fender bridge and will be wiring it all into the squire.

I do not plan to use the stock variax output mount at the base of the guitar as i do not have a spare and the digital output on it would not work anyway, the plan is to make use of a standard stereo output jack so i don't change the apperance of the guitar in any way (the trs cable will power the electronics and work fine).

 

This is where i need help, i dont have the ability to test the pin outs to the stock variax output as i have since sold my 300 and purchased a 700 that has totaly different electronics.

I need to know what pins on the circut board i will need to wire to the stereo output jack in order to both power the guitar and get sound.

Could someone who has maybe done this before provide my with a diagram or photo showing what pins coming from the connector i will need to use and what one is ground, active etc.

 

It would also be helpful to know which pins are which for the bridge connector eg. E A D G B E for connecting the ghost saddles.

 

your help will be much appreciated.

 

Please keep in mind i don't have any of the wiring harness only the coffin case itself.

  • amx05462 Power User
    amx05462
    3,579 posts since
    Sep 1, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 16, 2009 9:50 PM (in response to spike5)
    Re: Variax 300 Wiring Help

    the  electronics  in the 700  are  pretty  nuch  the  same  as  the  other  ont . there  just  not  on the  coffin case.

    • spike5 Just Startin'
      spike5
      61 posts since
      Oct 12, 2008
      Currently Being Moderated
      Nov 17, 2009 12:12 AM (in response to amx05462)
      Re: Variax 300 Wiring Help

      i realy don't want to pull the 700 apart - it's still under warranty and i ran into that trouble with the 300 i had - line6 wouldn't replace the faulty coffin case because i pulled it apart so i don't ever want to remove the backplate off the 700

      • spike5 Just Startin'
        spike5
        61 posts since
        Oct 12, 2008
        Currently Being Moderated
        Nov 17, 2009 12:39 AM (in response to spike5)
        Re: Variax 300 Wiring Help

        i have looked at photos of the 700 electronics and while they use the same output connector assembly that is where the similarity ends and they use quite a different and longer connector at the mainboard end.

  • spike5 Just Startin'
    spike5
    61 posts since
    Oct 12, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 23, 2009 10:05 PM (in response to spike5)
    Re: Variax 300 Wiring Help

    Oh come on somebody must be able to provide the information i need

  • gitarzan53 Just Startin'
    gitarzan53
    203 posts since
    Apr 28, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 24, 2009 9:42 AM (in response to spike5)
    Re: Variax 300 Wiring Help

    I'm not too clear on what you're trying to accomplish. Are you saying you're not using the analog output from your 700 at all and just wiring up a standard stereo output jack? You're trying to do a transplant into a squire strat, right?

    • spike5 Just Startin'
      spike5
      61 posts since
      Oct 12, 2008
      Currently Being Moderated
      Nov 24, 2009 2:50 PM (in response to gitarzan53)
      Re: Variax 300 Wiring Help

      almost right - i am using the guts from a 300 to transplant into a squire strat but unlike every other mod i have seen where the body is modified to take the variax output panel at the base of the guitar i am not planning to make any cosmetic changes to the body.

      the issue i have is the variax guts i have are only the circut boards themselves - i do not have the wiring harnesses or the output panel so i need some help to know how to wire a stereo jack to where the standard output jack plugs in to enable the guitar to run through the xps footswitch (powering the guitar as well as sound).

      If someone has this output panel and can note what wires go where i.e. what wire is active, ground and power this will enable me to use a standard switchcraft stereo socket.

      • gitarzan53 Just Startin'
        gitarzan53
        203 posts since
        Apr 28, 2006
        Currently Being Moderated
        Nov 24, 2009 3:45 PM (in response to spike5)
        Re: Variax 300 Wiring Help

        Oh, ok. I didn't get that from your post. I'm not familiar with the 300/600 type boards, but it seems to me the output jack should be the same for all models. It isn't just a simple output jack, but has a board on it that hooks up with a connector. What did you use on your last Strat project? It looked like you did what you're talking about doing already, except you put the digital in/out on the edge separately.

        • spike5 Just Startin'
          spike5
          61 posts since
          Oct 12, 2008
          Currently Being Moderated
          Dec 6, 2009 7:47 PM (in response to gitarzan53)
          Re: Variax 300 Wiring Help

          Well i have completely given up on the idea of transplanting my variax guts into my strat.

          I have ordered Graphtec Ghost saddles and the preamp to make acoustic sounds availible on the strat.

          At the end of the day the Vax electronics have not proven to be reliable enough for me.

          I currently have several Variax guitars including a 300 - 600 and 700 and all of these guitars have some sort of intermitent fault and i am sick to death of trying to keep them running.

          As it is the acoustic sounds i am mainly after, the conversion i am looking to do on the strat will probably do the job.

          I have always found my other line6 gear to be very reliable but not so with the Variax.

          I don't believe i will give the new variax a second look when it is released - once bitten twice shy

          with all the hybrid guitars poping up on the market i would look to save some money and heartache and buy one of those instead.

          • gitarzan53 Just Startin'
            gitarzan53
            203 posts since
            Apr 28, 2006
            Currently Being Moderated
            Dec 7, 2009 3:38 PM (in response to spike5)
            Re: Variax 300 Wiring Help

            That seems unbelievable that you have the same problems with all 3 guitars. I guess I can't blame you, given your experience. I've only owned one and it's rock solid, never had a lick of trouble with it, even after transplanting. When I see all the trouble people have on the variax forum, I just can't relate. I don't think I'm in the minority either, but you're certainly an exception with that much trouble with them. Good luck with the graphtec route. You'll have to post some pics when you get to it.

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