ColonelForbin

I just noticed the firmware notes from the latest "flash" update to the HD500, and it seems to indicate the master volume on the HD500 now controls the DT25/50 - is that working properly for ya'all? The post doesn't indicate a date, so I have no idea how long this has been in play; my guess is my HD500 is overdue for a couple updates next time I get a chance to plug it into Monkey! Does this update do anything to address the issues being reported with the latest Variax update, in terms of the "popping" and "clicking" sounds which occur, when using the HD500 patch changes to force change models on the Variax? I can't tell which update is more recent - this HD500 firmware, or the newest HD update to the Variax. I am going to for the first time, play a JTV59 in GtrCntr sometime this week, and see how it feels and sounds. Very interested in how the three parts are supposed to integrate, though for some it's doing nothing by irritate, rather that inta-great! (bad pun, sorry, still on my first cup of coffee... ;) http://line6.com/support/forum-18/announcement-22-new-flash-memory-updates-for-pod-hd500-hd500x-hd-pro-and-hd-pro-x/ "Master knob on the POD now attenuates the level sent to connected L6 LINK devices. § Previous firmware versions had no attenuation at the output to L6 LINK connected devices - for the same results as before this update, simply turn the Master knob to maximum."

Thanks everyone! Tracking says the DT25 arrives on a FedEx truck today... We have a rehearsal scheduled for Saturday, so like Tom Petty sings... "Oh, the Waiting, is the Hardest Part!" :)

Also make sure the looper is set to "post" (after all the FX and amp banks) and not "pre" (before everything)

Just to offer a totally "what's behind door# 3" viewpoint / speculation... JANUARY 23rd?????? New L6 Amp? I can give L6 props here : the NSA could take some tips from Line6 on how to control information release. It's easier to learn national secrets that the POTUS wants hidden than it is to get info about new L6 releases before the time they choose to tell us. :)

How are you liking the P-90's? I like the overall vibe and idea of the JVT59, and as I already own a USA Fender strat, didn't want to duplicate it with a JVT-69 or JVT-69s. I am liking the looks of the Tobacco and Cherry JVT59 with the standard humbuckers. That being said, the other guitarist I am jamming with plays a Gibson USA SG with those cream P-90's, and he swears by them. He is also a 100% analog / tube guy, so his approach is way different than my own. I would be playing a supporting role, and the versatility of the JVT is appealing. It's not strictly a lead guitar - rhy guitar thing, but he is the lead singer, so it somewhat plays off his role as front man. I'd like to be able to use acoustic models and change mid song, be able to cut loose on riffs and solo fills, then be able to slip back to a comp or rhy tone, and that's where the Variax seems to really give me some amazing choices on the fly. I'd also like to still be able to just use the onboard humbuckers instead of the modelling, and have it be a different tone to the strat I have, as it always pays to have a backup guitar on stage with you! When the HD500 came out, I sold my X3L, and have since been waiting this whole time to "complete the rig" so to speak. Just ordered a DT25 1x12 combo, and it arrives tomorrow. Now my G.A.S is acting up! It's a combination of now taking the time to discover and research the JVT models, plus the new HD firmware, plus I haven't bought any cool gear in well over a year... ;) While I am most interested in the amazing array of insanity the JVT+HD500+DT25 offers, I also want the core functionality of it being "just a guitar" as well, and that's why I was leaning toward the JVT59; as an alternate to my strat (which has the humbucker in bridge) \ I would imagine the JVT59 being similar to a PRS-SE, or some variant of a Les Paul feel / neck scale, and tone with the two humbucks. I can actually go to my local GC and play a Cherry JVT59, to at least see the finish and feel how the neck, frets and scale feel. If they offered the Cherry or Tobacco with P-90's, this decision would be way easier! I am just not a fan of the gold top, nor the black.. And it goes without saying, cannot even remotely afford the USA custom shop models.. Cheers!

Some factors to consider- how much $$ do you want to spend? And, are you using or ever considering using the JTV with an HD500? I already have the HD500 floor POD, looking at add a JTV59 soon.. Beyond that, I can' speak from experience yet, but will be soon -as the DT25 I just ordered is arriving tomorrow! I am on a little tight budget, so ended up ordering the DT25 combo from Zzounds, and doing the 8 payment installment plan. I can afford $125 every 30 days, and they call it "pay while you play", they ship your gear after the first payment clears. Sort of 'reverse layaway'. If you have the $$ ready to go, you can probably get a lower price from a Guitar Center, or a scratch and dent thru an online store (Zzounds, American Musical, Sweetwater, etc.) I don't think they do installments for scratch and dent gear, but the price can be wayyyy lower. I am scoping the JTV59 tobacco, it's like $1,500 new on Zzounds. But they are offering some blemished for closer to $1,000; just not with the multi-payment plans... SO be it! Same for GC; they have the JTV59 cherry in stock by me, and it's around $1,000 also, new. But they don't let you take it home until it's all paid for! ;) Now, the DT25, others with experience can chime in, but its a Bogner tube amp with Line6 interface. It runs as 25w or 12w; though I think it may also have a low volume mode - not sure how that works in terms of what it's actually running into the power amp. Same for some of the Class A, A/B, etc models. If I end up with the JTV, will report back on "bedroom" volumes with the DT25. I live upstairs in a two flat, so I am very limited on how much speaker volume I can make at home... Combining those three items [JTV + HD500 + DT25, or DT50] is going to give you some overall majorly heady options.. The HD500 can store Variax data, so when you change patches on the HD500 it changes the guitar models and setting on the Variax (when using the ethernet cable), which also powers the JTV while you play. I have read it can take 12 hours to charge the JTV battery up, which could be an issue without that external power source. [NOTE - the connection powers the JTV but does not charge the battery] In terms of JTV into front jack of a tube amp, endless options. Egnater! As far as JTV+POD HD, or others, into a tube amp, it can be picky. I prefer sending POD to the fx return of my Fender or Marshall amp, and do XLR to the mixer / PA. I did a jam recently, and borrowed the amp that was at the spot. Amazing amp, sounded horrible with the POD though. I had to turn the tone stacks all to zero, and mess with my patches ALOT to get it not sounding really, really bad. I listened back to the direct feed from my POD that got recorded with a line in to a Tascam, and it was 100% not what I heard in the room. That amp was a beautiful old Fender 4x12, amazing amp- it just didn't play nice with the "Full Studio" mode coming off the POD into the front jack. With an FX return, you get some better options - but again, this may all be off topic if you do not intend to use an HD, POD ,etc.

What is the interface that costs extra? IE, is it required to connect the JVT to the PC to use Workbench?

-Does the HD Workbench software come as a free Monkey download with a JTV Variax? -Or does it cost $100, as it shows up on Guitar Center, etc.? Sorry, I realize this is a no-brainer! I just didn't see the conclusive yes or no when I looked thru product info. For that, I will ask another, 100% totally subjective / opinion question- I want a JTV. I like the looks of the JTV59; I already have a Fender USA strat, so would be nice to get the humbucker / Les Paul style; both in terms of the options Variax presents, but also the simple use of having a Les Paul style neck and humbuckers. Of the finish options, I like the tobacco, though when I go to GC to play one, they only have the Cherry sunburst; though I really want to know how heavy it feels, how the neck feels, and the fret feel - the actual playability of the guitar. Beyond that, I want to know how the various models sound, all that jazz (have never actually played a Variax!) Thanks ya'all :)

Yeah, I am in the same basic situation, but 2014 has brought with a few feet of snow, a serious case of G.A.S... As in, the new DT25 arrives tomorrow! On that note, if you are struggling with figuring out how to pay for this stuff, places like Zzounds, etc have these "installment" plans, where you get the gear after making first payment, then do 7 more payments every thirty days. Free shipping, no tax. So, the 1x12 DT25 combo is $125/month for 8 months. The JTV59 tobacco sunburst (around $1,500) is 8 payments of somewhere around $160 to $180 I think? For that, I have thus far resisted the urge - gotta learn the amp+HD500 connect first, but definitely going to hit guitar centre and put my hands on one they have in store, the cherry sunburst JTV59. It's definitely less $ in store, and I don't think the online guys do price matching when you are doing installments, not sure on that.. American Musical and Sweetwater also offer similar payment plans. I have never played a Variax, never not once, so for me there is no pre-existing condition or expectation of what it's supposed to sound like; which I'll take as a good thing. For instance, I've heard people struggling with the newer "HD" Variax models doing things they don't like, and choosing to roll back to previous firmware. I suppose that's the issue with software / DSP driven tone, where you like the old model, they do something new, and it now no longer sounds good with settings and patches you invested serious time tweaking and adjusting. Such it is, I suppose! I will report back after I get my hands on an actual JTV59. I am going to haul my HD500 to Guitar Center, plug the JTV59-CS into a DT25, and see what happens.

Oh man, they are killing me with GAS!!! I clearly have been out of touch with the world of Line6 product releases. HD500X!!!?!?! Really???/ Uh, dang. I am guessing it's more DSP, and the lighted footswitches. Any additional features that make the 500X a better companion to the DT series over the HD500?

Sounds familar! I played bass for a band long ago (2001-2008, back in Boulder, Colorado) and was in much the same situation, regarding setting up the mixer, PA, wiring the stage, and getting everything other than my rig ready to go. Didn't have to deal with lights though. I still have weird dreams where I am scrambling around trying to find gear, and wire cables, get recording gear plugged in, and then suddenly it's time to start the gig, and I am still running around trying to find an XLR cable or something! Lol, not sure what that means! I guess it means I miss being in band.. :) Living in Chicago now, definitely a cool town, and as far as musical opportunity, it's a pretty amazing city. I miss Colorado like crazy though! Anyhoot, my buddy who plays the lead guitar / lead vocal role in this ensemble just parted ways with the band he was with for a long while, so we are just going slow and having fun, no gigs yet - just had our first few jams over the last month or so. I was using a hodge podge of solid state guitar and bass amps I had around, and running the HD500 into the FX return. Sounded fine at home or by myself - but with drums, bass and his amp going, I just wasn't keeping up in tone and volume. He uses a 40w Fender Tweed, and he's an all-analog pedal guy; some combinations of his pedals make that Tweed louder than; well, friggin' loud! He does struggle some with getting all those pedals and signal levels to play nice, and he's got a couple different compressors in his chain, and a noise gate. Overall, nice tone, he uses a really sweet USA Gibson SG. In that regard, concerning stage volume, and not overwhelming vocals, another reason why I was drawn to the DT25 with my POD, knowing I can use the DT as my stage monitor, and keep the stage volume from getting out of hand. And I like the idea of running direct to the board, in terms of having an easy signal path for the monitor sends to the rest of the stage and for my main mix to the PA in gigs when mic'ing the DT isn't feasible. I have been with the POD multi-fx idea for a while - I love analog pedals, IMHO, the Keeley 4 knob comp is the greatest pedal ever made! But, I also feel right at home with a programmable all-in one type set up. Had the X3 previously, sold it to fund the HD500 when it first came out, but then got more into recording other friends bands, and let the HD500 collect a bit of dust. Gets tough cranking up at home when you live in the upstairs apartment. I dig the way it sounds via headphones, when ya just gotta play, but that gets old - and makes patch creation quite challenging. Was making all these patches that sounded fine in headphones, and they were not usable when played through air into an actual amp or PA. In terms of the lure of the DT25 stage volume, I had noticed watching various friends and bands play, that when you record the direct off the board, that the louder the guitarist plays his amp on stage, the lower his signal is in the board mix, to the extent that sometimes they would just turn him all the way down in the mix! I did end up picking up a Tascam portable recorder that can do four track recording - stereo line in and stereo built in mics, and it records them to two different .wav files, at up to 24bit/96k. Put that on a tripod, point it at the stage for the room mix, and take whatever I can get for line signals, then merge them later in software on the computer. Got some nice mixes from a few shows, but the file size limit is frustrating; end up having to stop and start between each song, no matter how large an SD card I use. But I digress.. What's cool about getting back to jamming is there are two different rehearsal spots we can use, with drums kits, PA's, all that jazz. I am psyched, though going to definitely need some time to tweak a bit with the patches I already use on the POD, to maximize the benefit of the link control over the DT25. As I understand it, using the Link is akin to what they used to call the "four cable method"? In terms of, it places the digital preamps in the correct location of the sequence, so that the input and output stages are in the right order. I tried that 4 cable method with the X3 and never really got it to work quite right - though that I think was a factor of the crappy amps I was using. I did order the DT25 combo today - from Zzounds. Warning to you ALL : if you suffer from GAS, you may want to be careful on that website! They offer an 8 payment plan, where you pay the installments every 30 days, and they ship it after you make the first payment. Looks like it shipped out today, UPS Ground, so probably be jamming by next week sometime! That being said, literally as soon as I confirmed the order today, I started poking around on these forums, and saw mention of this "New" amp thing that L6 is dropping on us January 23rd.. I was like, REALLY???? Come on!!! ;) One can only speculate.. I do feel that the DT25 has progressed nicely in terms of firmware updates, looks like the expanded the selection of amps one can use without needing the HD500, though I still think the idea of using the POD with the Link is a great concept. Guess I better brace myself for a serious case of GAS on January 23!!!!

Happy New Year! I have had my HD500 for a while, and now I am finally buying a DT amp to go with it. I have been doing the research, comparing the different models, and settled on the DT25 combo as the most applicable to what I am going to do. I am also going to add a DT25 1x12 extension cab to pair with it. I like the DT50, I just didn't want that much power, volume, and weight! I also liked the look of the DT25 head+cab, but I didn't want only closed back cabinet sound. The band I am jamming with is standard two guitar lineup with bass and drums- funk-rock-jam-blues sound; not metal, not heavy rock. I will be playing more of a rhythm guitar role, with some riffs, fills, and leads. I use a Fender USA strat, with a humbucker in the bridge slot. That being said, I would like to hear about your opinions, experiences, and any technical details you've encountered when using the DT25 combo with the 1x12 extension cab. Things like: -Will the combo stack securely on top of the extension cabinet? -Does plugging in the extension cab while also running the combo speaker make the sound much different? IE, louder, quieter, cleaner, dirtier, punchier, more headroom, etc.? I know this changes the ohms, but I don't really know how that impacts volume and tone. -How does the combination of the open backed combo speaker sound paired with the closed back extension cab? -Can the internal speaker of the DT25 combo be disconnected safely, and only use the combo to power the closed back extension cabinet? -And in general, what is your take on using the DT25 with the HD500, using the L6 Link feature? Thanks!!