clay-man

Nah, removing those 2 screws won't do anything. The only possible thing that could do that is if you take them off and violently started shaking the guitar while hardware could be loose, but even then that's probably hard too. I suggest following up with your idea. Get the same gauge screws with a flathead so the fishman lays flat against the pickguard.

I think the new acoustic sounds need some EQing for a mix. Like I said, it's more now to sound like actual miked acoustics than DI'd acoustics. Try to EQ to your liking to make it sit out in a mix better. If you honestly like the older acoustics better, then go for it, but you will have to lose some features with the POD (if you have one).

Removing 2 screws shouldn't do anything if you can put them back afterwards. It could make the pickguard loose if you leave them off though which could result in hardware being loose as well.

I like how the new firmware sounds more mic'd than DI'd. I can understand how some people want it to sound more clean and clear. I think the old acoustics probably cut through a mix better.

Then why did you freak out when I said that it was kind of off the wall to state that their modeling is faker? I've already stated, the modeling is not the problem, it's the type of strat they used. The fact is that a decent Variax user will be used to the tonality of the old firmware, so when they released the new firmware with different a strat (and the other guitars people complain about) being modeled, it threw everyone off guard. I seriously doubt they'd waste theirs, and our time using inferior modeling techniques to replace the old one. Whether or not you like the sounds of the guitars they used, it has more clarity now and they've obviously worked carefully on the new modeling. If you truly want a strat sound to your liking, then tell them to add another strat to the roster in workbench to choose from on ideascale. You have the option to roll back if you truly do not like the new models. It's not going to really break any features if you do.

Compared to you taking pot shots at Line 6 for no reason? Your wording are daggers at best, not any constructive criticism. 2.10 is more real than the older models, the problem is the guitar they're modeling. Did you really need to downvote me stating the fact of how powerful Workbench is? No. I get if you didn't like me calling you out saying that "2.10 is unrealistic", but seriously. Now if you're done making crap personal then we can move along.

Agreed. Like I said, take the time to look at the back and plug it in, do not do a felt plug in or anything like that. The USB port plastic piece isn't the thickest thing in the world so it's susceptible to breaking if you plug it in incorrectly time after time, it'll break the plastic. I have no clue how abused mine was before I got it used, but even then, just be cautious regardless.

Good post. It would be nice to know a durable port replacement. The plastic they use on the POD's USB ports obviously aren't the strongest. The best type of plastic is the one that's hard but flexible for durability. Make sure to take the time to plug in the usb cable as straight and nicely as you guys can when connecting to the POD to ever avoid this. I know the plastic isn't THAT fragile, but that's why this happens in the first place.

Seriously. There are VSTs that do more than that and cost less. The thing is that you're paying for the hardware too, but is the Axe FX hardware really cost THAT much in reality instead of their price choice? I doubt it.

I'd love to have a VST floorboard host but for now the POD is fine, and it's a lot easier to edit things.

Really Really? Because that's their concern, because 1 guy said it's not real? It's real, and is probably more real than the old models, the problem is the strat they modeled.

Hardware is a lot harder to update compared to software. Hardware has it's walls, and so many updates and addons will start making it hit those walls. Even the HD500X isn't really a hardware update for more firmware updates, it's more for just processing the FX. I've already stated I think the HD500 sounds great even compared to present day VSTs. The tones are very very usable. The only thing that really needs to be improved is the cabinet simulation.

There's a difference between criticism and unrealistic complaining.

It's safe to say people will get a firmware error once in a blue moon even if it's in good working condition. I just recommend taking the time to slide in the usb cable as straight as you can to prevent any type of damage to the plastic on the USB port. If you do that, you should be fine. As for MIDI capabilities, it is all via MIDI cables. There is no MIDI through USB. For me, the USB is functional enough to do stuff on, the only problem I'm running into is abrupt halting during using the POD with a DAW, and it eventually freezes my computer because my computer doesn't like the POD's driver too much. Luckily I can run SPDIF into my old Audio Interface for now.

I tried replacing my POD's broken USB a few weeks ago and it failed. Unless you absolutely know how to solder, I strongly suggest handing into a repair center to do the job. I know I should of.

You realized Line 6 like to focus on improving 1 thing at a time right? At least most of the time. They're busy with their amplifi stuff right now.

Does that mean we'll get a 5150? :P

It's how you program whatever reads the MIDI signal. What are you sending it to?

I'd like to see if there's any patches I like to use on my HD500. I know there's one that sounds like an organ.

Worst case is that their contract with James Tyler ran out or something. I'm hoping they're expanding the Variax if anything. I'd love to see new models, but I don't want shoddy playability.

Is there any way to order a maple neck from Line 6? I'd kill to have the guitar in the image.

I totally forgot that the fret dressing was a big contributor to the issue. Makes a lot of sense.

"Fallen waaaay behind" Excuse me but are you talking about BOSS or Line 6? Last time I checked, Line 6 was the best floor MFX hardware out there.

You could push them to make a better pitch shifting algorithm for pitch glide 2. Pitch shifting without artifacts is possible, it's just kind of more complicated to make than a basic pitch shifter.

I kinda wonder how they model pickup positions already when it's based on convolution. Must be some crazy math magic. Pickup height would probably be in the same vein, and I imagine it would be complicated to model.