ice9mike

I managed to pick a Helix up at the local platinum Guitar Center on Tuesday. I was diligent in calling in weekly to ask about status. The sales guy was super knowledgeable and remembered to call me when they came in. He said they sell out within an hour of their arriving so I did get lucky. But it does happen. Now it's time to configure it to work with my DT25 and Variax. So far I'm liking what I'm hearing. The dynamics are improved and the quality of the effects are way better. The amps sound different than the HD 500 models so I'm adjusting all my patches accordingly. One thing I can say for sure is that the UI is completely awesome and it makes me smile maybe as much as the sounds I am dialing in. Good luck!

The frets themselves are fine. Just the beveled ends are a little sharp for my tastes. It's perfectly playable as is. And polishing the frets is a luxury, but I love the way bends feel with polished frets.

They are so nice. Very stable, no finish = fast, and look great. Mine even came with some flame at no extra cost. You can even specify quatersawn for a little extra. I just need to take it to my luthier to have the fret ends dressed and polished. But it plays great as is.

I replaced my neck with a baked maple Warmoth with stainless frets and Gotoh rolling nut. It plays way better to me. Pickups were replaced with DiMarzio cruisers in neck and middle, AT-1 in the bridge. The pickup ring is the Seymour duncan triple-shot: http://www.seymourduncan.com/accessory/triple-shot-flat That allows me to coil tap the humbucker or put them in parallel. This is my main guitar now. Sounds awesome and none of the mods were difficult.

The only answer is to return the guitar until you find one that sounds great. They do exist. I have had 2 JTVs (59 and 69) that have sounded great, and one (jtv-89F) that sounded horrible with the exact same plinky sound issue as others. Never once did anyone at Line 6 acknowledged that they could even hear the issue. The closest they have come is to suggest that is how a strat is supposed to sound. Which is not like any strat I have ever heard. I was lucky to buy my JTV's from Sweetwater who accepts returns for things like this. Yet, it is still really frustrating to keep reading this thread which has the 2nd most number of replies in this forum and still no resolution on the issue.

I would rather get some information on how to make my DT amp work with Helix thru the line 6 link. Debating the legality of what they can and can't tell us is off topic and boring.

Thanks for the update Robbie. I look to you to blaze the trail for DT integration with the Helix. I am also not impressed with Line 6 support on this. My ideascale request has 114 votes, and I am sure they are working on a solution, but I don't see it as a top priority for them. DI did mention that the next "Major" firmware update would have the DT integration, but I have no idea when that would be released. I suspect it's several months out. Until then I will continue to enjoy my dream rig which sounds awesome.

Does this firmware update include any line 6 link/DT amp optimizations?

I understand that there are NDA's in place for publicly traded companies on products that have not been released. I work for one and am bound by those same rules. I would expect that there is a solution to the DT amp integration coming in the next few months, but until it is out and proven to work effectively, I won't buy the Helix. There is just too much that is unknown and not enough people using the Helix/DT combo at this point.

My question is now, does Line 6 recommend one of these varieties? And what if any tone differences can be expected from each? Thanks for your quick answers.

Please do, I want to do what is right for my amp and the big box stores make it difficult to tell which EL84EH is the right version. I would think "Medium" is probably the one to get, but I want to make sure.

Is there a recommendation for hard, medium, or soft tubes? What does the Dt25 come with?

I have installed these on my Korean JTV69. The posts are shorter and create more down pressure on the nut. They solved an issue on my high "E" String that tended to slip out of the nut slot. I also installed the universal mount plate which allows installation without drilling new holes for the small screws: http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=392

Votes at 49 now. Thanks to everyone who voted for it. If everyone heard the difference between DT amps vs. FRFR, there would be 500 votes. We'll get there.

I'm glad you were able to work it out. Returning the faulty guitar is the only solution for this problem.

Good news, with 27 votes, the request in now in process. Keep up the votes and I'm sure it will make it to in progress soon.

You are correct. BI-directional was for data only. Which is part of the topology switching. So if we have L6link and MIDI cable from the Helix to the DT amps, what do we use in terms of functionality?

Let's not forget that the current L6link between the HD500 and DT amp is 2 way meaning that post amp effects truly run after the preamp. That will not be the case with Helix unless you run 4 cable method. I would have pre-ordered the Helix by now if it were not for the lack of DT amp integration like the older POD units. I will be waiting for this request to be implemented before I spend my money.

I submitted an ideascale request for the DT amp backwards compatibility. Please vote for it: http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/DT-amp-compatibility-for-Helix/726817-23508?submitted=1 Thanks.

I submitted this request here: http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/DT-amp-compatibility-for-Helix/726817-23508?submitted=1 Please go vote for it. Let Line 6 know how important this is. Thanks!!

I think a new DT series amp and Variax are inevitable. I would just like to see some backwards compatibility with the existing products. Should I create an Ideal Scale request? It's never too early.

Don't worry pianoguyy, I respect your opinion. I don't hate on anybody.

Back goes the model pack. Thank goodness for the 30 day return policy. Don't worry Line 6, the refund will go towards the purchase of a Helix.

Will the new model packs apply to the Helix or are they already included?

Sweetwater pre-order page is up: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Helix Nice product pictures. The power wart is gone. Standard power cable only. That's a great change too.