Hello.

I am the proud owner of a used Variax 300 that sort of works as follows. I'm posting this looking for best, next steps to get this working 100%.

I was aware that the guitar had the problem below when I bought it and it was reflected in the price. I was also told by the initial owner that he had not worked to fix or repair the guitar, and that it is stock. I have read many posts about coffin issues, connector issues, etc. I'm just looking for any new input people may have for me to go forward to fix this efficiently.

Good News:

I have a Variax 300 and Pod xt live. The Variax 300 works perfectly using the PodXt and digital cable all the time. Every time and right away. I can unplug/plug to my hearts content and get solid signal all the time.

Bad News:

The problem(s) occur with the analog connection when I goto practice. I have the line6 XPS? (black box) power supply. Power supply appears to be fine w.r.t a digital multimeter. YMMV.

What happens is that:

1. I plug everything analog together: Variax 300 -> (*plug*) ->  special analog planetwaves/line6 1/4" "stereo" cable ->  XPS powersupply unit -> Marshall amp.
2. Variax 300 plays fine (any mode/setting) for about 30 sec and then fades out. ....sometimes there is a static sizzly sound....  and fades back in again ~2min later....
3. But if I unplug the guitar from the cable (*plug*) and plug it straight back in again it works right away again.. Usual amp pops, static, etc from amp when unpluging.
4. I repeat step#2 & step#3 for about 30 minutes and then the fadeout just stops happening. It seems to warmup...
5. Guitar now works fine for several hours... time and time again. Really a pain for practicing...

At this point I was able to use a Variax 700 A/B pedal power supply and different analog cable. The problem happens as well. Can's say it's as bad.

I also tried to look at the (*plug*) but really can't get it to come more than 1/2" from the case so I can't really see anything wrong there...

I think it's a "static" buildup type of issue. a.k.a the coffin issue. Possibly a dying cap on the board. Any other ideas?

Next Steps:

1. Take it to the local luthier, who is also an electronics tech, along with my various printouts about coffin issues, connector issues, dissassembly notes, etc.
   a) Have him look at it. b) Have him do the coffin fix anyways, c) replace plug. d)?????
2. Discuss with him his ability to a) do the coffin fix, with liquid insulating paint, b) also replace 1/4" jack, ????

Anybody have this exact type of problem(s). Any other solutions?

Cheers

STephen