johnbartus

It has a whole lot more to do with the person playing the guitar, and how the modeled sounds interact with whatever effects and amplifiers that player uses. I have used both 1.9 and 2.0 at the gig. For the key sounds I rely upon in the Strat department, 2.0 did not work for me. I'm back at 1.9... when I'm not taking one of my real Strats to the gig. Sorry if this offends anyone; it is, however, MY opinion -- and I'm the one who is playing the guitar and counting on certain sounds to make ME happy so I in turn can make the audience happy. Most of them couldn't care less... but I do.

The good news is that if you don't like the upgrade to HD 2.0, you can always "downgrade." I am so thankful for this flexibility!!! ;)

The comparison video totally reflects my experience with HD 2.0 models vs. 1.9 -- most notably the Spank models. I have played Strats onstage and in the studio for more than 30 years. I've owned more Strats than I care to remember, with both maple and rosewood fingerboards, ash and alder bodies, stock alnico/DiMarzio/Vintage Noiseless/EMG/Texas Special pickups, classic vibrato/American Deluxe vibrato/Kahler vibrato/hardtail. I have built a couple of custom Franken-Strats as well. I also own a Variax 600, 300, 700 Acoustic, JTV-69, and JTV-89. And a Pod HD500 that I'm just getting into. I like my Variaxes for the versatility I can have at a gig or in the studio. But for sheer playing joy, I love my Strats. That being said... The HD 2.0 Spank models do not sound like any Strat I have ever played or owned. The 1.9 models are far more accurate in recreating the Strat tones I rely on. As I mentioned before, the video is only a confirmation of my actual experience with the new HD models, and why I downgraded back to 1.9. And I certainly agree with what many have posted about the 335 models... what happened there? :unsure: Yes, tone is a subjective thing, YMMV, etc. But take people who have played Strats for years, decades -- and have them do a blind test on 1.9 vs. 2.0. I bet at least 9 out of 10 will prefer 1.9. HD Spank ≠Strat. Looking forward to HD Version 2.x... ;)

As Frankenstein would say, "Variax... GOOD!!!" :)

The need for a workaround is a problem that needs to be fixed. The fact that we have to have a workaround to get the Strat model sounding like a Strat is a problem that needs to be fixed. Once the problem is fixed, I will gladly re-upgrade to 2.0 -- but when a good 50% of my live gig sounds are Strats, I need a model that sounds like a Strat. I can always go back to playing a real Strat anytime. I really like, however, the flexibility of having a JTV with all the models so I can leave my Strats, Teles, and acoustics at home. The first step is admitting that there really is a problem... ;)

Not true... I never used Workbench HD, and I was so unsatisfied with the Spank models that I "downgraded" to 1.9. While the "quack" from 2 and 4 are important, position 3 is just as important. The new Spank just didn't cut it at all. As I have posted elsewhere, I loved nearly all of the other HD models. Can't wait until the Strat is fixed...

Good ear indeed!!!

I'll say it again... after owning and playing as many Strats as I have, the 2.0 Strat does NOT sound more realistic. That's why I went back to 1.9. I will re-upgrade to 2.0 when they get ALL Spank models correct, 1 through 5. 3 is as important to me as 2 or 4. The correct "quack" tone is REALLY important to us Strat players. I hope they do get it fixed soon -- I loved the Teles and Pauls and the new Ricky 12-strings. Can't wait to have the best of ALL worlds!!!

I "downgraded." I am most happy, however, to have that option!

Wow... seems like we're on to something here! :D I also would pay to have some of the Acoustic 700 models to load into a Custom bank. That would not suck! ;)

The Variax 700 Acoustic has a decent nylon string model (as well as a lot of other acoustic models). It would be nice to be able to trade the Martin O-18 for the nylon string model... or be able to purchase the "Acoustic Model Pack" from the 700 (or new HD versions) as an option like mentioned above.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but... isn't the 2.0 HD Spank model based upon a different Strat than the one in 1.9? The two different guitars likely sound totally different, and that may explain the differences in the Spank sounds. And yes, it is a matter of preference -- some will like the new HD model better. I find the 1.9 suits me better for the "Knopfler-esque" tones of positions 2 and 4, so back I went. I've played so many different Strats throughout the years, and built several custom "Franken-Strats" as well. My current crop consists of an American Deluxe and American Special (both with Texas Special pickups), and a couple of Deluxes with Vintage Noiseless pickups. I had a '62 Reissue that someone had modified with the Gilmour EMG pickup set, and several with combinations of Fender and DiMarzio pickups. I prefer the Spank from 1.9. Simply my opinion!

I've lurked for awhile without posting, but here's my story. Korean JTV-69 & Pod HD500 (which I am still learning). I've been once again using the JTV as a gig guitar to simplify my stage rig and only bring one guitar instead of the 2-4 I usually take. Otherwise, I play Strats -- have for years. I've lost count of how many Strats I've gone through, hot-rodded, etc. I love Strats. Anyway, I got an e-mail about the new 2.0 HD upgrade and finally decided to upgrade the old 1.7 sounds last Friday. Right before a gig. What could go wrong... When I started playing the Spank sounds at the gig, I was pretty shocked at the changes. I was mostly happy with the Strat models before, but the sound of the new HD model, especially in positions 2 and 4, lost a whole lot of what makes a Strat a Strat. Hearing what was coming from the JTV left me far less than happy and certainly not inspired. Seeing as I use the Spank models for about 50% of my electric guitar sounds, I just downgraded back to 1.9. Like others here have said, not all the new model sounds were bad. The Tele and Lester sounds were good, and I loved the new Chime 12-string models. I will wait until V. 2.x, and will upgrade again... and I am so thankful for a company that allows its users the flexibility to go back and "downgrade" to something that still works. Not all the other companies are as good to their users as Line 6 is with its upgrades and product support.