phil_m

Well, everything is a matter of taste, but one thing to remember is that Line 6 is modeling specific models of the guitars in the update, and they may or may not be the same exact guitar that they modeled before. If you don't like the way a particular model sounds you have two options. You can either roll back to the previous firmware, or you can keep the current firmware and try adjusting the models to your liking with Workbench. Line 6 isn't going to be changing the base sounds of the models. If they tried to do that in order to make everyone happy, well, that would be an impossible task.

I think a big part of comes down to service and maintaining the base code. I suppose they could possible make the different models available through Workbench, but even then it could become troublesome. If you have models that were constructed using one modeling technique and others that were made another way, if issues come up with things, it could be a real pain trying to work back through two different modeling paths. I think what's different with the update compared to other Line 6 updates is that typically Line 6 doesn't radically alter the core sounds of an existing product. Usually the only do that with a hardware change. The Variax was weird because even though the hardware was updated in 2010, the software models weren't updated beyond some tweaking until now. But the original Variax models are almost 10 years old now, and that's a really long time for a platform. I think Line 6 decided now was the time to renew the platform.

I don't think the magnetic pickups are useless, though. I still use them sometimes. There are still a few things that you can do with real magnetic pickups that you can't do as well with the piezos. Generating feedback is one of them (although you can actually generate feedback with piezos, it's just not quite the same). Another one if you're doing very percussive Edge-like delays, I still think the mags have a slight edge (and, to be honest with the 2.0, the difference is very minor). But mainly, it's just the extra peace of mind knowing that you have a backup ready if you need it.

It is fully assignable in the sense that can assign any MIDI command to any footswitch in any preset, so it can be pretty powerful as a controller. There are actually a good number of people using the HD500 as a controller for the Axe FX. I guess I don't see what the controversy is. It is a configurable controller even if it doesn't behave in the way some people think it should.

There is a bug in Workbench that needs to and will be fixed. But the base Strat sound in the HD update is not going to be changed. Once the bug in Workbench is corrected, though, it will make it easier for people get a sound that is more like the 1.9 sound without going through a workaround procedure.

I agree with you... To me the Strat does sound and feel more realistic, to.

I don't think it's going to be fixed. It's not broken.

They can say it because it's true... What they're not saying is that you can change the HD500X's MIDI mapping for calling up its own patches and effects. Those are all described in the Advanced Guide. What you can do is assign MIDI commands to the footwitches and expression pedal within the presets.

You don't have to use the Workbench interface to do the update... You can do the update through the HD500. You just can't use the HD500 to access Workbench HD at this time.

You would have to pick up a device like this to filter out the messages you don't want getting through. I have one, and it works great. They have a little software utility that you can use to program it, and as long you understand the basics of MIDI, it's not too hard.

The switching issue on the 59 was dealt with quite a while ago - like in 2011. The neck on the 69 was kind of trickier. They have changed the slope of bevel on the frets, I believe, but the neck is still somewhat narrow, and there are some people who seem to be really bothered by it. But anyway, Line 6 did change that spec on the neck. It's not a huge change, though.

You need to try 2.0 in person and not try to judge from a Youtube compressed video... The experience is almost exact opposite in person. The 2.0 models feel much more like the real guitars.

Well, not from an earlier POD, really. They did bring back a model from an earlier firmware as something else. That was a bit different because they were both models on the same platform. The thing that's different here is that the pre-2.0 firmware and the 2.0 firmwares are kind of totally different modeling platforms. It's kind of like the difference between the X3 and HD PODs. So I don't know if it's even possible for them to plop an old model into the new HD platform. It might be. It might not. I'm just saying I'd kind of be surprised if they do it.

Have you tried tweaking these models in Workbench at all. It would seem it would be at least worth a shot. I mean, if you like everything else, it seems to me that tweaking these models and still being able to take advantage of the other HD stuff would be to your advantage. I'd bet pretty good money that Line 6 isn't going to bring old models back - that's generally not how they do things. So if you insist on staying with the old firmware, you're kind of swimming against the current, and eventually you may find further incentive to upgrade. I just think it's probably easier to bite the bullet earlier on.

It wouldn't work for the M5. Line 6 doesn't use a TRS connector for it's expression pedal. They use a regular TS 1/4" cable.

They sound great if you ask me.

I definitely use the models more than the magnetic pickups. There are few thing I like the mags for, but the models sound so good to me, there's no reason to go to the mags. The nice thing is that having the magnetic pickups adds a bit of insurance policy if you're playing live while using the battery power. You know that even if for some reason you're battery dies, you won't have a dead guitar. I personally also like having the mags for the simple reason that they make the Variax look like a "real" guitar. I always kind of disliked the look of the original Variaxes because of that. I know that's kind of a vanity thing, but I guess we're all vain in one way or another.

I personally do like the 69 neck. Toasterdude is right, though, it's a unique profile. It is deeper than a typical Strat neck, so it feels a bit different. However, I've found that it actually feels faster to me than most Strat necks. And I played Strat for years before getting the Variax.

I'd have to give a 5 for my JTV69US. It was set up perfectly out of the box, and it's been my main guitar since I got it. I don't regret buying it one bit. The one thing that was nice about getting the US version was that I was able to get more of a finish that I like. I got the 2-Tone sunburst with a maple neck. It's still the only one I've ever seen like it.

The big thing is to make sure you choose not to save your presets when doing the update.

You'd want "line". That switch controls the level of the 1/4" outputs. If it's set to amp, there at instrument level which is much lower than the power amp needs. At line, they'll be at line level. The switch doesn't affect the tone in any way, just the level.

OK... Do you have the switch beside the expression pedal to "line" or "amp"? Using the 1/4" outs, you really shouldn't have a problem getting the levels you need.

Are you using the X3L's XLR outputs to go into the power amp? If so, that's your issue. The XLR outs are at mic level so they're lower than what a power amp would be designed for. To get line level, you either need to use a separate preamp or use the X3L's 1/4" outs.

Funny because to me the new Strat sound chimier and more bell-like than the old one. One thing I'd say is that it may be worth a string change before making the decision to roll back. New strings can make all the difference in the world on the Variax guitars.

If beta testers did know they wouldn't be allowed to comment on it because of the NDA... But, I can say, I have no idea where that picture came from or what it means as far as the future of the JTV is concerned.