shawnmx

October 9th? Guess this proves no one ever checks the Workbench forum.

This isn't gonna change anyones mind about anything. But a selection of new U.S.-made JTV-69s showed up in the Line 6 online store this week. Just sayin'.

I've owned a JTV-69 and a Standard and I like the Standard better. And yes, you can use the guitar modeling to get a humbucker sound; the magnetic pickups aren't involved in the modeling. If you really think you want the Shuriken, wait. It's almost always better to wait, save your money, and get the one you really want, instead of getting what might be good enough, because it's available now. I know it can be tough, especially when the GAS is calling. But every musician has probably made this mistake (including me) of not waiting for the right one. It's always worth it, long-term, to wait.

Thanks for the clarification!

Just wondering if this is even possible. Both guitars use tremolo bridges. PCBs and blocks look different for both bridges. But the connection at the end of the cable for both bridges looks similar. I know there are other factors when swapping bridges on any guitar, not just Variax, as well.

Just bought one of the limited edition emerald green Standards and it's reignited my interest in the Variax/Helix system. Have spent most of this afternoon getting caught up on Variax talk across all of the online forums I could find. Based on everything I've read, I don't think the Variax is dead. I do think a number of factors are in play right now: Everybody's still dealing with the impacts of the pandemic (supply chain problems, etc.) Line 6 is part of a worldwide brand (Yamaha) that probably moves slower than Line 6 did when the original Variax and JTVs were released Variax will likely always be a niche product There's a lot of great ideas out there about how to improve the product/expand its market. No telling what Line 6 may do in the future. For now, Variax, Helix, and all other types of gear are ultimately tools. Use them if they're right for you. If not, you can always try something else.

Hope Line 6 makes more of these. Or (wishful thinking, I know) some other kinda green Variax. Would definitely buy one of the emerald greens on the aftermarket if I could find one.

Is the Variax Standard bridge the same design as the JTV-69? Looking at photos, it appears that the Standard bridge loads strings thru the back of the guitar, similar to a "traditional" Strat-style trem block/bridge.

That's pretty cool. Well done!

I could be wrong but I don't think the black JTV69 (the one with the maple fretboard) was ever made in the HSS configuration. It was only produced as the 69S model.

There are a couple threads in the archive about this. The best solution I saw anyone recommend (but I haven't yet tested myself) was to lift the bridge up before removing strings by just depressing the tremolo arm and then putting some kind of block underneath that keeps it raised until you've finished the string change. In theory, that'll keep the bridge from coming free of the pivot screws.

Haven't watched the vid (but I will!) but I wholeheartedly concur. I like my JTV-69 much better with the Stew-Mac neck I put on it.

You'll need some kinda interface between the Variax and the Mac. You can't interface the Variax directly to the Mac and record the guitar sounds, even with the Variax USB connection kit.

No. The Variax interface is only for firmware updates and making custom presets thru Workbench. You can, however, connect the Variax to one of your other Line 6 devices and then use that device's USB connection to get your Variax sounds into the computer for recording purposes.

I assume that this doesn't hold true when connecting a Variax to a Helix over VDI, as that's a different connection for the guitar?

The modeling side of all JTV and Standard Variaxes is the same. The modeling system relies on internal piezo pickups, not the magnetic pickups. The Standard is the most recent model designed/produced by Line 6. But all JTV and Standard Variaxes run the same firmware, so the technology inside is the same. The original line of Variax guitars, the ones without magnetic pickups, can't run the latest firmware. From that technical perspective, those guitars could be considered "out of date." But all modern Variax guitars (including the Standard and 69s) are identical on the inside.

Connect the Variax to a computer with the Variax USB interface and load up Workbench. There are individual string volume settings there that may need to be adjusted. Make sure you have a decent charge on the Variax battery and plug a 1/4" cable into the Variax or the connection won't work.

When I swapped my stock JTV69 neck for a Stew-Mac neck, I had to drill all new holes for the neck bolts. Good to know the Warmoth neck requires a little less work.

Line 6 doesn't ship VDI cables with new Variaxes. It's not an automatic given that all players will buy a VDI cable, so don't automatically expect each used Variax to come with one. But I'm pretty sure the USB interface has shipped with all Variax guitars.

I have a JTV69 and a JTV69S and I don't recall ever experiencing this.

Is the JTV's battery properly charged? Plugging it into the Variax USB interface does not provide power to the guitar's electronics.

I also recently swapped the neck on my JTV-69 with (in my case) a Stewart-MacDonald neck. It's so much better now.

No way you can go wireless with VDI at this time. At least, none I'm aware of. And using a Variax with both the 1/4" and Variax outputs at the same time is highly discouraged. There's a couple posts on the forum where someone from Line 6 says doing that can actually send too much voltage back into the Variax and blow out the electronics.

If you've got an authorized Line 6 service center in your area, you might check with them. But, to the best of my knowledge, Line 6 doesn't sell replacement bodies. You could try looking on eBay to see if someone's selling a smilier model JTV with dead electronics and use that guitar body as a donor. Keep in mind that Variax electronics are more complex than your typical guitar, so the transplant might be a bit of a challenge.

I've switched to JTV69's to the string gauge you want and I haven't really noticed any issues. These guitars are shipped with 10's from the factory so you'll have to do some minor setup work once the new strings are on. Also, be careful with the JTV69 tremolo. One of mine likes to pop out of place if I remove all of the strings at once. The easiest way to avoid this is to swap strings out one at a time. Alternatively, some have suggested putting some kind of block under the bridge (in other words, lifting the tremolo arm up and putting something under the back of it to hold it in place) to help keep it in place.