psarkissian

Been using the same JTV's in the lab since JTV's came out, hasn't been any problems with battery contacts. I like using VDI so that I don't have to think about batteries. But keep a couple batteries close by, they do comein handy in a pinch when you need one.

And Ronnie Cox actually plays that kind of guitar music,... one of the reasons he got the part was so he could the guitar and banjo scene with the guy on the porch. He really plays that way, he's really good.

Like the title of a Bill Bruford piece he played on, he was "One of A Kind". Words are insufficient. :(

Make sure the speaker cables you're using are speaker cables and not guitar/instrument cables. Seen a couple times where someone mistakenly grabbed the wrong cable type, and so the wrong impedance.

Line 6 authorized tech who does guitars, and have the set-up checked for fret buzz, and maybe the intonation needs to be dialed in a little tighter.

Actually, the LA area. I know the guy that does the builds. He's pretty good. An old timer tech like me.

Thank you. Being from that era and having known some of them, I remember a lot from those days. Also, it helps that I'm a Valley Dude from just over the hill from Malibu. Glad I could help.

One of James Tyler's people has a place in the LA area where the US ones are made. How many are made,.... don't have that info. Wouldn't know where to find that info.

Don't do that. Go back to the original specified tubes. These are not all analog tube amps where you can get away with doing things like this. These amps are not forgiving of modifications.These are optimized for the specified tubes. "... seems to reach the breakpoints earlier and with lower volume compared to EL84 from electro harmonix"--- Shortens the life of the tubes in these circuits, stresses the amp circuits and the digital board. And you run the risk of voiding the warranty.

Apparently also owned by Mike Matthews. Wasn't aware of that as we usually chat about EH and Sovtek, since we get tubes from his EH firm. I'll have to remember to ask him about that when I see him at the next NAMM here. Cool. And we chat about his stompboxes,... I run two Small Stones at different rates, gets a nice stereo swirl effect in the headphones when I record guitar. With an electric 12-string, it's even better. He's amused by that, thinks it's cool.

The "Live" version floor effects with the VDI. Not using the word "Live" or the Pro (rack) versions (with the VDI connector), tends infers the Bean version of the product, which doesn't have a VDI. As I mentioned, Flash version has a lot to do with it, regarding which Workbench version to use. Though the Interface Device is better and is isolated from other functions that would be running simultaneously with Workbenches. Should be something in the manual and Knowledge Base regarding Workbenches and effects products running together so you can hear the audio of changes being made. Very good. You're on the right track, just wanted to fill in a couple of blank spots.

Not with "Black Box Display". It's more involved than that. That's something that can only be done here. We have parts and a set-up for that sort of thing. For outside the USA, check with our service partners in your area, they can consult with our service people here to see what options there are.

http://line6.com/sup...structions-r103 Check the Knowledge Base link, it has some tips about this sort of thing. You also have an earlier one. Going beyond v1.90 may require multiple passes before it takes it. Check the extra tips in the link regarding the TRS plug. And what crusinon2 said,... download the file to the computer, do the "Update from file..." from there, via the desktop. Use the interface device and not a floor effects unit with a VDI, between the floor effects and computer, too many variables that can glitch, so use the Variax Interface device. Also, disconnect any USB/IEEE1394 hubs from the computer while doing the update. Once completed and all is good, then re-connect the hub.

At this point in time, I read that the Australian built ones may be available in left handed version at some point. Check with Stevic McKay's Shuriken Facebook page for further information on that, as I am not certain what the current word on that is.

As far as Workbench goes,.... Original Variax (300, 500, 600, 700) uses Workbench. JTV's with Flash version before v2.00 can use Workbench, v2.00 or later have to use Workbench HD. Standards and Shurikens can't be rolled back prior to v2.00, so they are strictly Workbench HD. as far as playing thru goes,... I have an X3 Live at my bench I use to test and check original Variax (300, 500, 600, 700), JTV, Standard and Shuriken, and all run fine. XT Live,... anything up to a JTV, as I've not tried Standards or Shurikens on anything earlier than an X3 Live yet. "... WILL ONLY PLAY with Pod HD 500, Pod X3, Pod XT"--- don't mean to sound particular, but to clarify, it's the "Live" floor effects versions of the afore mentioned that you can play thru. Basically, if it has a VDI (Variax Digital Interface) connector, it's for playing Variaxes thru it. And use the VDI cable with the Canon XLR type shells on both ends. Tighter connection, less jiggle, less electronic transients to damage internal circuits.

We have a tech here who does board repairs with special gear just for this sort of thing, and has success in repairing Spider Valve boards with this sort of problem.

Here's a good place to start. http://line6.com/support/page/kb/_/amplifiers/spider-ivspider-online/spider-i-ii-iii-iv-head-and-cabinet-and-conn-r477 It's all about impedance matching. Whatever the amp output says as far as Ohms goes, make sure that the speakers it's going into is the same Ohms.

Bulk resistance is also good to know for selecting resistor and capacitor component values for the tone control range you're trying to get. Something else to bear in mind. Enjoy.

Resistance here has more to do with impedance matching, since Variax uses active circuitry. If it were a guitar with passive electronics, then I'd say mix and match to your hearts content. I do, but with passive electronics guitars. Or I do some impedance matching calculations when dealing with active circuits, like I had to do with Oz Noys' custom 89F. With an active circuit, there is some impedance matching to do, or you run the risk of audio artifacts. If the Kinmans have less magnetic pull, then you would have a bit more leeway margin to adjust with when finding that pick-up height adjust point and still avoid warbling. Just be aware that you're connecting into with an active circuit, can't treat it like a passive circuit. Happy hunting.

1. ... anyone has had any luck with replacing the frets with smaller ones? <-- Can be done. Would have to be done by a tech with a paint booth and finish coating station, as the side of the 59 neck is coated. ---Doing anything custom like this, that affects function (and will as silverhead said may need a set-up) may void your warranty, so check with Line 6 Customer Support on that--- 2. I've always used 11s on all my electric guitars.<-- Yes, what silverhead said. Changing gauges changes the tension and in-turn the set-up. Have the set-up checked by a tech, preferably a Line 6 authorized tech, as they will have access to service info,... and me. 3. I intend to hook it up tonight and to a full factory reset and update it to the latest firmware. Anything I should be know about this process? <-- Ditto silverhead. 4. Is it worth getting a spare battery or Variax cable for it? There are very few circumstances in which I will not be playing it with my Hd500x straight to a PA. <-- Yes,... ditto silverhead. 5. Is there are other tips or tricks you guys care to share that would be beneficial for a first time Variax user? <-- Like any new piece of gear, read the manual before plugging it in. Enjoy.

I start from the spec point, then go higher or lower according to the neck relief, string action and the climate to which the guitar is going to. Probably don't want to go lower. Fret the highest note, then measure the distance from pick-up to string, and adjust to the spec points from there. If you've retro-fitted other pick-ups, then it will be trial-n-error, since not all pick-ups have the same specs.

Different volts, current draw is optimized for the standard alkaline batteries. Lithium Ion current draw would be different. Current and voltage controls on VDI are consistent among all models of Variax, battery systems are different and not cross compatible.

Being that I've had both Stevic's Australian custome prototype and his Line 6 Shurikens on my bench for check-outs and adjustments, and have played both, I have one thing to say,.... Niiiiiiice!!! Yes, actually played them. I want one.

EH Matched Set Mediums,... yes. EH Mediums for the pre-amps,... yes. For those who say that EH's are just Sovtek Russian tubes with EH painted on it, let me remind,... EH owns the Sovtek factory in Russia. The EH's go through further scrutiny and sorting, which is why we use them, and are better suited for this amp. I chat with Mike Matthews (owner of EH) about this every year at the trade shows here, to stay current with what they are doing. As for grades, this is determined by the proportion of vacuum vs gas,... Soft--- more gas (a gassy tube), less vacuum, saturates more easily, so it distorts more easily. Hard--- less gas, more vacuum, higher saturation point, harder to distort and so more headroom. Medium--- in between, has good headroom, but will distort if you push it. It's not an all analog tube amp of old, so stay with the mediums on these.

1.5 years,... 18 months, time to change the tubes (valves). Red Plating typically sounds worse, but yes, maybe that or a failing grid element. Do not use JJ, Mesa or Groove Tube. This is not an all analog tube amp. You can't get away with the same kinds of tube swaps as you can with an all analog tube amp. When I service DT series amps with tubes that are other than the specified tubes, it's because they came back for servicing for that reason. Use the specified Electro-Harmonix versions, they are optimal for this product. Can't put other tubes in, bias to the specified bias volts without problems down the road. It's a digital/analog (hybrid) amp. Can't treat it the same as an all analog amp.