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cbrillow

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Everything posted by cbrillow

  1. Ouch -- probably should've verified it compatibility with the Amplifi. Better reach out to Line 6 customer service on this. I'm guessing that you won't get much help from this forum, which is user-based. Psarkissian may check respond, but it'll probably mean a trip to a Line 6 repaid depot or California...
  2. I'm guessing that he drew that conclusion from the title: Line 6 Expert Most of us realize that this is an honorary designation that reference your contributions to the forum, but usnavychiefret probably didn't...
  3. Congratulations on your build, westryder! Very glad to hear that you found a suitable DC - DC converter and it worked for you! This is a dead-easy solution, and it should be very safe, given the protections built into these modules!
  4. This looks like an advert from 6 or 7 years ago…
  5. If I am reading this correctly, you purchased this new 2 months ago? If that's the case, you should have an active warranty, and you may also be within the return period, depending upon the vendor from which you purchased it. That gives you a couple of options to pursue. At minimum, reach out to Line 6 customer service, either through the website or via phone. My experience with them has been mostly positive, and they should be able to advise you on steps to take to obtain warranty service. Don't expect that they will see your forum post and reach out to you -- this forum is primarily a peer-support tool, and only one Line 6 employee contributes to the discussion, on occasion. If you have the option to return it for refund, this would be a good opportunity to exercise it -- you've purchased a product that, while it may have been 'new', it's basically abandoned by its maker and will almost certainly see no updates or improvement in the future. There have been none for several years now.
  6. I have an AMPLIFI 30 and an AMPLIFI 150, both of which use an FBV Shortboard MK2, which makes for a very versatile solution when used with either of those amps. While the AMPLIFI 75 with the FBV Express MK2 sounds like a decent buy at $275, the EXPRESS is very limiting, as it's a 4-switch box that doesn't control individual amp effects, and I don't think that it allows switching banks, either. (May be wrong on that...) I also have the Brand X amp that you mentioned, which is similar in size and power to the AMPLIFI 30, and costs about the same, brand-new. I'll be honest and say that I've not used it much since buying it, but that's because I've been doing a lot of other things rather than playing guitar. But my impression is that it matches up well with the AMPLIFI 30 in tone, effects and amplifier models, and they sound similar to my ear. The each suffer from a critical (IMO) design deficiency in that they both lack a line output for running directly into a PA. Of course, you can mic the cabinet or use a summing cable on the headphone output, but both of those solutions are 'hacks'... The AMPLIFI has one huge advantage -- access to 25 banks of 4 presets each, controllable via the footswitch. Brand X has just been outfitted with a simple 4-switch foot pedal for selecting one of the 4 presets, but I don't think there are provisions built into the amp, itself, to store more than 4 of them. You can modify them at-will and save in one of the 4 preset locations, but that's it -- only 4. Brand X has some extra functionality that's not in AMPLIFI. But its huge advantage over the AMPLIFI is that it's still quite new and still strongly supported with firmware and app updates, the most recent of which added 3 new amplifiers and an EQ pedal. The footswitch was also developed after the unit was released, appeasing the early adopters who cried out for it. It's possible that future enhancements might include more tone storage, similar to AMPLIFI's banks, but that's just conjecture on my part. For me, the decision would be a no-brainer. I would buy a new device that's still being supported, developed and modified. I like my AMPLIFIs, but they're what I consider abandonware. If they were to come up with a firmware change -- very unlikely -- I'd be scared-to-death to attempt to update it. It failed on my 150, and I had to ship it to California at my expense to have it updated. Look in this forum for tales of woe from users whose amps have bricked during firmware updates. It's an extremely unreliable procedure, and Line 6 gives you ridiculous update advice, like telling you to keep trying different computers and USB ports until, maybe, one will work.
  7. Good luck, especially if it's not running the latest firmware and you decide to update it. These have a nasty habit of failing firmware updates and turning into boat-anchors. Of course, Line 6 will always be willing to fix it for ya. If it's under warranty, maybe even at no cost. Just hope that you don't have to send it all the way across the country - - they don't cover that. Cost me over $100 to have it fixed for 'free'. You should consider these 'abandon-ware'. There may be some 'new' unsold units sitting in stores, but Line 6 turned their backs on us with this series several years ago. Make sure that you have a backup amp...
  8. I ordered a Spark before they went into production and waited for MONTHS for it to be delivered. It's similar in many respects to the Amplifi 30, in size, power and functionality. There are a couple of features in it that the Amplifi lacks. Like the Amplifi series, the Spark doesn't offer a line output, making connection to a mixing deck or external amplifier somewhat of a hack. It can be done, but not in an ideal way... But, IMO, there is one glaring deficiency: Although there are now (mostly experimental, user-designed) 3rd party footswitches available, PG didn't account for this functionality in the original design. More significantly, there's no provision for bank switching, meaning that you're stuck with having the choice of 4 tones at your disposal with the footswitch. This makes the Amplifi far more versatile, although it requires the purchase of a Line 6 floorboard to avail yourself of the extra banks of tones. The big advantage of the Spark, is that it's near the beginning of its life-cycle, and has far more chances of being improved and updated than the Amplifi series, which has been all-but-left-for-dead...
  9. Don't have any experience with the Katana, but the Amplifi series is, essentially, abandonware, fraught with unreliable Bluetooth, and firmware update problems that can leave you with a bricked device that has to be sent to the factory for repair. You'll see many threads on the firmware issue in this forum. IMO, Line 6 dropped the ball bigtime with this amplier...
  10. The Amplfi series was a nice idea -- cool features, pretty good sounding, etc. But there have been a lot of complaints about bluetooth connectivity, and with the amplifier versions, an firmware update process that infuriates users be failing, turning them into monolithic doorstops. If you happen to have good luck with those two issues you'll eventually learn that this is a 'mature' product line. Like your grandfather, who's at death's door. Line 6 has effectively abandoned these, leaving them with unfixed problems, few, if any, updates for several years, and a very good likelihood that the latest version(s) of the app required to use it will not run on your phone or tablet, especially if you use an Apple device. And don't count on Line6 to bring the app up to conform to the latest iOS specs. Ain't gonna happen. I wish you luck -- maybe it will meet your needs and expectations. That's a big maybe...
  11. I'm in the US. My mains adapter takes 110-120Vac as input and supplies 12Vdc 1000ma to the charging cradle into which the Variax battery sits while charging.
  12. It will record whatever patch settings you have selected, so if you want the most stripped-down guitar sound available, you'll have to customize a preset that gives you that result, sans amp model, cabinet model & effects. It all depends upon what you like to hear and whatever signal processing you want to do after recording.
  13. Kudos, psarkissian. That's the kind of commitment that inspires confidence.
  14. Vettacon mentioned the 3-way selector switch, and I wholeheartedly agree -- It is the one axe-to-grind I have with my JTV-59. Here's my problem: I have a Strat and two older generation Variax guitars -- a 500 and a 600. All of them use a 5-way selector switch to achieve their pickup selection, or, in the case of the Variaxes, the model selection. That's fairly straightforward and easy enough to remember. The JTV-59 is patterned after a Les Paul in body shape and also in control positioning and switch functionality. In other words, it has a 3-position toggle switch in a position similar to where you would find it on a Les Paul. When using the Variax models, each model bank has 5 guitars from which you can choose. Only 3 of them are selectable at any given time from the toggle switch. To get the remaining two models, you have to press the model bank selection knob, which sends the remaining models to the 3-position toggle. One of the models that's available from the first set of 3 is ALSO available in this second position, because, well -- you have 3 positions from which to choose. Keep in mind that you have 25 model banks that you'll have to keep track of, plus a couple of custom banks. That's a lot to remember. I'm an older guy whose memory isn't what it used to be, and I find this incredibly confusing, trying to keep track of the various positions in which to find my favorite models. It's MUCH easier to have, say, the Acoustic bank selected and pick from those 5 models on the Variax 500 or a JTV-69, both of which use the 5-way linear model/pickup selection switch. Although I prefer much about the Gibson-like design of the JTV-59, if I had a do-over, I would purchase a JTV-69 or Standard to avoid dealing with this awkward model/pickup selection issue.
  15. Hi Dave, Happy to try to help. Sounds like you have a good handle on this -- a switch is a good idea. Now all you have to do is remember to check the switch position before plugging it in! The power bank that I experimented with was a low-cost, relatively low capacity unit, and my initial thought was also to attach it to the strap. But I really don't play the 600 much, so I just wound up sticking it on the guitar body with a loop of removable Scotch tape whenever I wanted to use it. That was easy to apply and take off, and left no damaging residue on the finish. I would've come up with a more suitable solution if I were to be playing out somewhere, but this was good enough for fiddling around in the basement. Good luck to ya!
  16. This is a 'fool me once' scenario. The life of my G10 battery is pretty degraded, but still works. (kinda, sorta...) Updating the firmware would be like entering it into hospice care. When it dies, it will be replaced, but by something other than Line 6.
  17. They want you to buy another one or send it to them and pay to have it 'fixed'. I bought one that's now on its last legs, and I have not updated the firmware, which would undoubtedly render it useless. Truly garbage-can worthy, but that's such a waste of $. I have two iPads, one of which is 9 years old and it has great battery life. Apple seems to have its stuff together about the care and feeding of rechargeables. Line6? Not so much. My JTV-59 battery started to fade quickly, as did the one in my G10.
  18. As long as the cable has the correct 1/4" connectors and doesn't have an open or short, it should work, regardless of length. As an experiment, can you plug your guitar directly into your amp using this short cable? If it works that way, it should work just as well with from the output of the receiver to your amp. Maybe make certain that the plugs seat correctly in the jacks, and aren't in some way impeded by the angled ends.
  19. I've done some similar experiments, powering a Variax 600 from a 5-volt power bank with an adjustable DC buck that gives me the correct supply voltage. In my case, the DC buck has a 9V battery clip that plugs into the guitar replacing the 6-AA cell battery pack. Works just fine. Your solution is conceptionally-similar, simulating power on the ring of a TRS plug on an XPS footswitch. I have one concern, which may or may not represent an actual problem. Psarkissian may weigh-in with an official position, which would probably be a 'Don't do it', but here's my concern: When you connect the TRS plug from your Variax to J1, the tip - which carries the output signal from the guitar electronics - will be briefly connected to the 9V battery voltage from J3 as the plug is inserted into the jack. The output electronics of the Variax may be such that this isn't a problem. For example, if it's a capacitor-coupled connection, the brief DC voltage connection to this pin would be blocked. An output buffer could also provide similar protection. The bottom line is, I don't know what's connected on the Variax innards to the Tip of the TRS plug, so I'd be careful. If I were to proceed with a connection like this, I would assure that the 1/4" TRS guitar connector to the Variax was fully inserted before any connection was made to the battery at J3. Just one guy's opinion...
  20. Good deal! Always happy to try to help. Sounds like you're well on your way. Hope you enjoy your experience!
  21. Haven't done exactly this, but I think it would work out fine, under certain circumstances. I think the most critical factor would be your role as a guitarist in this instance. If you're just adding rhythm to the mix, you ought to be able to easily find a setting that will work for you. Getting a suitable lead tone might take a little more experimentation and effort, but is certainly doable!
  22. I apologize if this isn't terribly responsive or helpful, but I would honestly advise you to return it and buy something else. I liked my G10 when I bought it in 2017 and used it at home for practicing and at a couple of gigs where I sat in as a substitute guitarist. I thought it worked ok, but a recording of the show had unexplained bursts of noise in a couple of places that could have been from my guitar, but it wasn't conclusive. The band's 'leader' commented that his previous experiences with Line 6 2.4gHz wireless devices weren't good. Still I gave my G10 the benefit of the doubt. After that, I went through a period where I didn't use it for quite a while, and when I did, it started to act up -- most of the times these days, after I've charged it, I can plug it in and it will not have an output, despite the green 'connected' LED being illuminated. Most of the time, fiddling around, plugging and unplugging, flicking the microswitch several times, will eventually rectify the no-sound situation, but not always. I have not updated the firmware, after reading complaints about the reduced playing time, which is the best case for those who did that. Worst case is, exceptionally short battery life or bricked device. I would not purchase this product again.
  23. It's not exactly clear to me how this is relevant to the original post or the previous responses. There have been a number of complaints about the reliability of Bluetooth connections with the Amplifi series, but that doesn't have anything to do with wifi or wifi routers.
  24. Welcome to the forum, Pablo. I am the owner of three Amplifi products: FX100, 30 and 150. Of the three, I like the 30 the best. It sounds great for a small practice amp. However... this series never really 'caught fire' and has been virtually abandoned by Line 6 in recent years. They may be still selling them, but it doesn't seem that there's any active development. Hasn't been a firmware update in a couple of years. If you use Apple devices, there's a decent chance that an iOS update at some point will be problematic with the Amplifi series, as Line 6 probably won't provide an update to keep it running. I would strongly consider something else. There's a 'new kid on the block' - a 40-watt practice amp that has virtually all the features of the Amplifi 30, plus a couple of new functions missing in the 30. It also plays music and backing tracks via Bluetooth and has a large contingent of downloadable tones from 'the cloud' - just like the Amplifi. The one huge difference is, this amp is at the BEGINNING of its development cycle, not a virtual orphan, like the Amplifi. There should be improvements and enhancements on the way. It appears very unlikely that anything new will be added to the Amplifi line.. There's one key advantage of the Amplifi series: it can accommodate a floorboard/foot pedal to change presets on the fly. But it will cost another $150 or more unless you buy a used one. The other device, at its introduction, doesn't support a foot switch, but enterprising users have already developed one, so we may expect the manufacturer to make one available at some point. I won't mention the name of the competing device, out of respect for Line 6's forum guidelines. But it should be easy to find with a search -- the newer device is one of the hottest things going in recent months.
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