d1stewart

Changing to and from alternate tuning on the Variax Acoustic 700: I have my VA7 on my Helix floor through the Variax jack. I’ve learned that I can change the guitar to and from the alternate tuning by sending a sysex command to the Helix. This sequence: F0 00 01 0C 07 01 5E 01 F7 changes from normal tuning (green LED) to alternate tuning (whatever is saved to the instrument) (red LED). This sequence: F0 00 01 0C 07 01 5E 00 F7 changes from alternate tuning (red LED) to normal tuning (green LED). The change is irrespective of model selected. This can be used to switch to altered tuning (or whatever alteration you have saved in the red position for the given model) from apps like Song One, OnSong, and various DAWs and others that can send sysex to MIDI. Thus it can be used programmatically if needed. Channel is not used for sysex, so you don’t need to specify that.

Apple has moved on from OS X and now calls the operating system, generally, macOS. The version is now Ventura, which is macOS 13. Line 6 still uses "Mac OS X" to identify Mac's UNIX-y operating systems past OS 9 in the Downloads drop-down menu. But all the versions are correctly identified by name (not number) in the individual download listings.

Here's how my Variax Acoustic 700 shows up on Helix (3.5 firmware) when connected with the Variax ethernet cable. The Variax models can be changed on Helix by using MIDI. Variax is on Helix's MIDI channel 16. Name on Helix Name on HX Edit Name on "Preset Variax Variax - Model MIDI PC on VA700 Knob Model" Setting (Preset) Helix Channel 16 ============================================================================ parlor_1.0 Don't Force PARLOR parlor_1.0 Custom 1-5 0 TRIPLE O tripleO_1.0 Custom 1-4 1 DREAD dread_1.0 Custom 1-3 2 JUMBO jumbo_1.0 Custom 1-2 3 C & W c&w_1.0 Custom 1-1 4 GYPSY gypsy_1.0 T-Model-5 5 JAZZ jazz_1.0 T-Model-4 6 NYLON nylon_1.0 T-Model-3 7 FOLK 12 folk12_1.0 T-Model-2 8 BLUES 12 blues12_1.0 T-Model-1 9 RND NECK rndneck_1.0 Spank-5 10 SQR NECK sqrneck_1.0 Spank-4 11 BANJO banjo_1.0 Spank-3 12 MANDOLA mando_1.0 Spank-2 13 SHAMISEN shamisen_1.0 Spank-1 14 SITAR sitar_1.0 Lester-5 15 PARLOR parlor_1.0 Lester-4 16 TRIPLE O tripleO_1.0 Lester-3 17 DREAD dread_1.0 Lester-2 18 JUMBO jumbo_1.0 Lester-1 19 C & W c&w_1.0 Special-5 20 GYPSY gypsy_1.0 Special-4 21 JAZZ jazz_1.0 Special-3 22 NYLON nylon_1.0 Special-2 23 FOLK 12 folk12_1.0 Special-1 24 BLUES 12 blues12_1.0 R-Billy-5 25 RND NECK rndneck_1.0 R-Billy-4 26 SQR NECK sqrneck_1.0 R-Billy-3 27 BANJO banjo_1.0 R-Billy-2 28 MANDOLA mando_1.0 R-Billy-1 29 SHAMISEN shamisen_1.0 Chime-5 30 SITAR sitar_1.0 Chime-4 31 Send MIDI Program Change message with number above to the Helix over channel 16, and it will load the Variax corresponding model. This means you can control the Variax models from apps such as OnSong, Song One, and BandHelper, and MIDI equipment.

The nut is 1-11/16". The string spacing at the nut is 1-3/8" (1.375").

I just tried out my new (to me) Variax 700 Acoustic on my Helix floor. Somehow in the updates in the last few years, the Helix has started reading the model names from the V7A, because they show up. In lower case and with extra characters, but they show up. The model names roll through twice and then repeat Sitar. I hoped the first set would be the green LED model settings, and the second set would be the red LED model settings, but no. Either one selects the green; however, regardless where the knob is, pressing the knob does change to the red setting of the model the Variax has loaded. (So that if, say, the knob is set to Sitar, and the Helix preset is set to choose the Jumbo, then pressing the knob on the V7A will, even though it's showing the Sitar, choose the Jumbo's red setting.) I also found that the Helix's Tone setting is controlled by microphone slider, but altering the tone on the Helix alters both the microphone setting and the compression setting. Which is weird.

Thanks, soundog. I just happen to have the old Workbench around on an old MacBook, which I keep just for using Workbench with my first-release Variax 500. This is good news.

Does anyone have the nut width spec for the Variax 700 electric? I can't find it anywhere on Line 6 site or the web. Thanks.

I'm looking at a Variax 700 Acoustic. (Used, of course.) I'm wondering if it will save multiple copies of the same model in different slots. For example, say, saving a Gibson J-45 with an alternate tuning into the slot for the Shamisen (really, I will never ever need to use a shamisen). Can the VA700 do that?

You are saying that a STRAT neck fit in the pocket just fine? Or do you mean a TELE neck? Because the Strat neck is radiused all along the heel, and will not sit square in the pocket. A Tele neck, however, is flat at the end (with radiused corners) and would (I'm speculating here, but the dimensions are the same) fit square in. So do you mean you tried a Tele neck, or did you try a Strat neck?

Or you could get a used Amplifi 75---they're going for a not bad price, often under $300. Create an Amplifi preset with "No Amp," "No Cab," and no effects, and save it as a FRFR. The Amplifi behaves nicely as a FRFR amp, though it may not be a true FRFR---it's pretty close, with no amp or cab. And you can run the Helix into the amp input. I use this FRFR setup with Bias Amp, Pod HD500, and Helix. It's nice.

Okay, now I've learned that having the G10 receiver in my house (I don't know how far the problem goes, probably anywhere in the vicinity) cuts off my WiFi connection. I have to restart my router to reconnect any device--PC, phone, tablet, Apple TV--that connects by wifi, and I have to restart the router for EACH ONE to make its connection. I've seen that other G wireless numbers have the same problem. Okay, Line 6--what do I need to do to keep my WiFi and G10 from conflicting? And a larger issue---does this mean that everywhere I go with my G10, WiFi connections are at risk? I go to a friend's house, set up my G10, and trash their WiFi connection? Play at a bar that has WiFi, set up my G10, and trash the bar's WiFi connection? I see a real problem here.

Er... what? Are you saying that if one is plugging in a VDI cable---say, to run to a Helix, or POD HD500---I need to remove the battery box from my Variax 500? If so, that might merit a mention in the manual and maybe a service alert to owners. It's sure not in the currently available Pilot's Guide for the Variax 500/700.

You know why I bought the first Variax (the 500) in 2005? Because I wanted all those guitars, and I didn't want to buy a lot of electric guitars. It worked, pretty much. When I bought the Variax, I had a Strat (1986 purchase) and a Tele (2003 or 2004 purchase), and a Takamine dreadnought acoustic. The Variax let me have the 25 or so guitars in it, and the models are for the most part excellent. I did not buy any more electric guitars until I bought a JTV-89 last year. I sold the Tele a few years ago. So I find the Variax to satisfy my guitar acquisition syndrome. You can tell your wife that a bunch of us here testify in your defense---it didn't ignite, in fact it doused, electric guitar acquisition syndrome for us. If only I played only electric guitar... But I don't. So I also own three acoustic guitars (6, 12, travel), two basses (in two different locations), and a couple ukuleles. But you know, all those are strictly necessary as they do things that the Variax can't. That's inarguable, no? :)

Just did. Nope. "Helix not connected." It's not looking for an Amplifi, I guess.