psarkissian

The Duncan will just sound really dark in its tone EQ. I think I also answered this one on the Variax FB page over the weekend. :)

Sounds like the 500 needs to be serviced, contact Line 6 Support.

Either a problem with the cable or the FBV connector circuit in the amp. Should be checked out by a Line 6 authorized service center.

It's a tone color thing. Though impedance mis-match can cause problems in circuits,... if it's great enough. Pick-ups don't induce much current. Most damage comes when people try to retro-fit active pick-ups into a Variax without proper supply rail conversions and proper grounding. Make use of the pick-up wiring diagrams i the Knowledge Base here in the Forum page.

I use 0000 sand paper,... gently.

Good chance the cable has a problem. I would start there with the VDI cable. Also consider that the older guitars don't always talk nice to the "HD" new era series of gear.

If they get old or the player plays a lot of gigs, especially metal or blues with a lot of low-E usage,... not often, but sometimes.

CAT5 is for connecting to the VDI/USB interface device for using Monkey and in your case, original Workbench (not the HD version). VDI/VDI 25ft cable is for playing thru.

Best to take it to a Line 6 authorized service center to have the piezo changed out.

Do not use a USB hub, go direct with the Variax interface device. Refer to the user manual and Knowledge Base (here in the Forum) about that.

Flash v1.8x and v1.8xb work, but there's a problem regarding updates and roll-backs from there,... it can brick the board, so don't use it. Once it's bricked like that, even I can't do anything with it. It's a 50/50 chance I can get out of it and into another version. So don't use that one.

Pick-ups usually come with a one sheet with info about it and what to do with it. DC/Bulk Resistance should be in the specs.

As far as I know, to use HD with an HD500, you have to up the Flash to at least v2.00 program. That's where the whole HD world starts,... with Flash v2.00, HD500 and Workbench HD. Unfortunately there is no portability between the two. Save your patches in original Workbench before updating,... in case you decide to roll back to v1.71,... and stay away from v1.8x and v1.8xb Flash versions.

8.9k-Ohm, a bit of a warmer tone color than the factory pick-ups. You may or may not here the difference. Beyond that, it shouldn't be a problem if it's wired correctly to the diagram in the Knowledge Base here in the Forum. Duncans are pretty good.

Use PUP's with DC Bulk Resistance of between 6k-Ohms and 8k-Ohms. It's a tone color EQ thing.

The Goldtop one in the link is the US built one, made in smaller batches by a guy who is really good,... hence the price.

Workbench can work thru an HD500, but an HD500 won't do Flash updates, you need the interface device a RJ45 cable accessories.

Be careful with 3rd party patches. Have heard about some that had amplitude volumes between patches that were so overly normalized, that they created, contributed to, or made worse that plink tone that everyone seems to hate so. Be aware of that when acquiring 3rd party patches, sight unseen (or unheard).

If it's just the knob, that's easy, contact Customer Support on Monday, see about getting a knob. If the potentiometer or circuit board is damaged, then there is no work around for that, it will need to be taken in for servicing. Either way, contact Customer Support.

make sure you use this,....

1.90 and 2.00 are not compatible with 300 or other older Variax guitars.

Certain parts are getting hard to get, other parts are more available. Wish I had more control over that.

Looking at the service records and S#,... -small board at AC input may be damaged. -the amp board has held up well til now, affects of past may be catching up to it. -power tubes not being changed in more than 2-years can also add to it. -power transformer is probably still good, the output transformer should be checked as well.

Old Variax does not have mag pups, just piezo pick-ups. JTV, Standard and Shurikens have mag pups. With old Variax, Alt Tune bleed is what's called "dual tone effect",... hearing standard tune from the string, while hearing Alt Tune thru the amp. They clash. The stuff about pick-up height to strings would apply to JTV, Standard and Shurikens and not old Variax. Wanted to be certain to have both covered in the post, sorry for any confusion.

I'm looking at the serial number. Take it to a Line 6 authorized service center. It's not a self repair problem.