DickFoster

You'd think they could change the patches without messing with the Midi interface code bit. I can't quite wrap my head around that one. I guess I need to investigate a bit further. I could care less about what they call the patches. Line6 probably named theirs the way they did to avoid any potential legal hassles. Understandable to me anyway. If I were more of a software type than a hardware type, I'd probably get a lot more out of it but I still like it.

It was probaby from Alpha a Taiwan company. I suppose you're talking about one of small knob encoders under the user interface display. I'm pretty sure you could get a part to replace it if needed. They are mechanical incremental type encoders that output two bit quadrature code and 24 pulses per revolution. Some of the screen printing has probably worn away or the one of the contacts in the bad encoder has some crud on it. It may even respond well to some electronic contact cleaner if you can get it worked down in there. I would not use any cleaner with lube in it for a rotary encoder. Use some that is residue free and plastic safe of course. If you can't find the Alpha part, you can probably replace it with something from the Bourns Proaudio line, perhaps one of these http://www.bourns.com/data/global/pdfs/PEC12R.pdf. Make up the part number for what will best fit then check with Mouser, Digikey and other electronic parts distributors to get one. At only a buck or so each, you may as well get yourself some spares.

If there were anything along those lines it would probably be found on Vettaville somewhere. I've heard good things about the Armin mod and have thought of springing for it myself. I guess it can still be had. I suppose it's just a bunch of patches that replace the factory junk. It seems everyone has about the same thing to say for factory patches regardless of brand or equipment, Line 6, Roland, Digitech et all. None of it very flattering. In the end, you're just not going to get away with not twisting a few knobs and spending some time with it. I just wish they'd label it differently, like what it does in the same manner as many synths instead of putting it in terms of copying something that it can never can really be. Give me something like 2nd and 4th harmonic levels etc.

Mine is an origianl Vetta I combo that has been software upgraded to Vetta II but the inteface board simply isn't obtainable anymore. If I get into guitar modeling, I think I'll give one of those Roland VG99s a shot. With their record of practically no to non support and complete abandonment, I'd be hard pressed to buy a Variax or anything they make for that matter. You may as well go out and buy a car made by Tucker. Heck even DeLorean has parts availability.

It's probably the best thing Line 6 ever built. It's too bad they didn't stick with it. Can you imagine where it would be today if they had?

and not going away anytime soon. Think I like the look of the new board.