psarkissian

"... are the Piezo’s unique to different strings" --- no, but the saddles are. Saddles are grouped in pairs (outer, inner and mid) to conform to the neck radius spec at the bridge. Same piezos in each saddle, but each saddle pair height is different. "... the low E volume was crazy low" --- it is probably connected to the incorrect connector pin. Each string piezo has to got to the correct connector for that string. "... I might have the connections to the board the wrong way around on the multi pin. " --- more than likely. As stated above, they have to be in the correct order for that string. Yes, it knows which string is which. And can't go any deeper than that,... it's an NDA thing.

Find the Line 6 authorized service center in your area that does our guitars and have them do the set-up and give it check up. https://line6.com/find/service_center/

Try here,... https://www.tubedepot.com/products/sovtek-5881wxt-power-vacuum-tube Make certain that they are medium (as in soft, medium or hard) and matched pairs.

There are still batteries out there. Supply is slow flow, due to limits on how many can be shipped at once, for safety reasons.

SR270 should be physically tune to standard tuning, then go to alternate tunings using the Alt Tune function knob.

Right, no WB for the nylon, forgot that. Haven't serviced a nylon in a while. Service center would be good. An older product like that, I would expect a solder point or two to go intermittent, or a connector not seating in all the way. And they can check and/or adjust the set-up as needed.

No broken string ends in the cavities messing with the electronics? You have v2.23 program, good. It may need a going over by a Line 6 authorized service center. Find me on the FB Variax Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/VariaxUsers , ... then personal message me, with the "W" and the first four digits,... only. I can check a few things quick. Will be able to check deeper once back at work on Tuesday.

What silverhead said. Hmmm,... the model knob should stay blue while you a in that mode. Can't do a 3-way to 5-way conversion, the program won't know how to deal with that. Board is programmed for the guitar body, pick-up and switch configuration it's in. And not enough space in the cavities if you could do a conversion.

Try using the original Workbench application. Check the Lin6 downloads page for that, and the computer OS compatibility. May need a secondary back compatible OS for that.

Nice heat sinks.

If it's an oxidized intermittent solder point, a Line 6 authorized service center can deal with that and do an overall check up. Tubes are still available, but other parts are not,... processor boards are all gone and no longer available. https://l6c-acdn2.line6.net/data/6/0a06434d8ea4507efaf692112/application/pdf/Spider Valve MkII Pilot's Guide ( Rev F ).pdf?_ga=2.19226620.559611353.1693237757-1854743224.1659634079 Can bypass effects and use the power amp input. MkII has MIDI In/Thru connectors, the MkI does not.

Monkey is used for updating the Flash memory. Workbench HD would be used to customize patches and to get the Shuriken bundle,... if it isn't already loaded in. More information on the Knowledge Base,... https://line6.com/support/search/?&q=shuriken &type=cms_records1&search_and_or=or&sortby=relevancy

2017 build,... sounds like a loose or intermittent contact somewhere inside. Have them check that out.

Correct, polish would be the wrong thing to use, it would smooth away the matte finish. Polish is more appropriate for clear coat lacquers. Use blue "Scott Shop Towel", lightly dampened with a wide spray (so it's not too concentrated) burst of Formula 409 or Meguiar's Mist & Wipe Quik Detailer.

Yes. In regards to using modeling,.... Lighter than 10's lessens the string tension-to-piezo pressure, and so the signal can start to sound thin. 9's would still work. 8's might have less tension to the point where artifacts such warbling or pitch tracking issues can occur at some level. You may or may not notice it. It's a matter of a balance of tensions on the instrument.

Please keep it civil and in accordance with the terms of use, regarding things like insults. Forum is here to help. Thank you.

"....the guys from line 6 are actually looking at the Ideas Scales for further development. " --- Yes. That is how the Helix came about, among some others. "... my primary argument was that there was no reason a future Variax couldn't keep what we have and add more. " --- It would be a mixed balance between memory capacity on the board and features in a future Workbench application.

SD Card --- 2GB, Fat 32.

Yes they do, using the Workbench HD application,... https://line6.com/software/ ... free on the Downloads page.

This page ids for Spider Jam amplifiers. https://line6.com/support/forum/30-pod-farm-pod-studio-toneport/ ... would be the page for this question. You can get the ESN by connecting the unit to Line 6 Monkey thru USB to your computer.

"... apparently it could be the DSP chip in the main board overheating ?", that is one of the things it could be. "... don't understand how that's possible if I'm just using it for bedroom projects and practice ? ", clock rate and data rates generate current, and that dissipates heat. No, weather would not affect that. Being that there is a heat sink on the processor board, and it is a 15+ year old product, then it could be intermittent solder point(s), or intermittent connecting cable to the front controls. Either way, it should be taken to a Line 6 authorized service center and have their tech check it out and determine what the cause is. They would have experience with our product.

And constantly being used and gigs and all. Sounds like something has gotten loose again and need a good going over. It's been a couple of years since its last servicing.

Too many differences between the old and new. It's not a matter of just translating old to new, it goes deeper than that.

brue58ski, "... I remember something like this and it used original Variax hardware and not the JTV's. ". Yes, the Parker Fly had a Variax 700 Electric board in it. Original RackVax was a rack mounted JTV board with connectors on the panel. One problem would be the programming. There are many programs, depending on which body switch and pick-up configuration it is going into. JTV board is therefore NOT a-one-size-fits-all situation. Another problem was support. RackVax is not a Line 6 product, therefore unsupported by Line 6, so it would be use at your own risk. Other problem is, it won't sound the same using other guitars. All that's left are the connector widget on the site. Problem is, it claims it's compatible. How much so is not totally spelled out. So it's a use at your own risk proposition.

It was. Been a couple years or three since it was on my bench. Screws have had plenty of time to loosen. See touring musician Variaxes on my bench one every 12 to 18 months, typically.