BigRalphN

I had JTV69 and it was just too heavy. I loved the neck. In all honesty the actual models sound about the same to me. Except when I get the clang/Resonate issues. The magnetic pickups were better in the 69. It's just odd a Helix reboot fixes it.

Interesting. It goes away on my standard with a Helix reboot. As far as the Variax end between the two guitars only the saddles are different.

I would just be happy if they fixed some of the integration issues I have with Helix (I just posted in the Helix group). I sold my JTV because it seemed abandoned. Then they had the Onyx edition and the Shuriken and I thought just maybe there would be updates. I could care less about more models. I just would like fixes and improvements on models, especially acoustics.

After trying a Standard and a JT69 I had given up on Variax and Helix. I finally decided to try a Standard again. While I am much happier with sounds I am still having annoying issues I can't seem to resolve. First, sometimes when I use a patch with Variax Acoustic or Reso, then switch to another patch and switch to Lester for example, I lose all output from the Variax. If I hit the model button on and off it comes back but everything has a slight resonate quality no matter what model I use. Second is same as above but I don't lose sound. I switch from acoustic or Reso and everything has that slight resonator sound. I reboot the Helix and it fixes it and all is fine. I have not seen others mention this issue but this is the exact same reason I got rid of my first Standard. Sometimes it was fine and other times had that sound. I just didn't test enough then to realize a reboot fixed it and as long as I didn't use acoustic or Reso it never happened. I am using a VDI cable but it affects both outputs. I have tested it. The JTV did the same thing. Am I doing something to cause this? I can't imagine what.

I know Line 6 does not say when to expect updates or what they include but is one even in the works at the moment? It has been awhile and they seem even more quiet than usual. There is still a lot of room for improvement in all of the models.

What I find odd is that my Kiesel Ae185 sounds many times better with its Piezo into my Helix patches than the acoustic of the Standard. Maybe it's the acoustic bridge on the Ae185 but the Ae185 totally rocks with magnetic pickups for many styles. I would sort of like to see them try a standard with an acoustic bridge to see what it does fir the acoustic sounds. Didn't Line 6 once make an Acoustic variax with different acoustic types? How did it sound?

I should add I had a, JTV69. It was crazy butt lollipop heavy. Otherwise it was much better build wise but you have to like how James Tyler does things. He uses a unique neck profile that some love, others not as much.

One other thing I did Greg was use some 0000 Steel Wool on the neck. First I taped the entire fingerboard and did the whole neck. With about three minutes of buffing it felt perfect. Both standard necks I have had were ok but felt a little uneven in texture. For some reason this bothered me. And this one felt rough with bends so I taped between bends and used the 0000 wool to shine them up. I think it must have been oxide as they are fine now. Sweetwater did a good job on the fret edges unless it was done well by Yamaha. The first one I had took me an hour of fret touch up. Luckily I have a lot of fret tools.

If you like the tuners then you might be OK. Hipshots would still be an upgrade (higher ratio and locking of that's what you choose). I love Ratios but at $109 to $119 they are pricey. Best out there in my opinion though. This one has decent nut but it does appear to be plastic. I might put a Graphtech on it. I doubt it would do anything for modeled stuff. I am also considering Kiesel Berylium Single coils for in it if I keep this one. I figure if I make it sound great with the magnetic setup I at least have that if I still end up not liking the rest. I am not sure about this whole piezo settling in thin people say you have to go through. As a former sound guy and electronics guy I don't see that actually occurring. But who knows.

I have had two standards. One was like yours. My most recent I got from Sweetwater so I can't say because they do a full check and would fix the problems. One thing I have found is that the tuners on the Standard suck. Even with adjusting. And I know how to over and under so you get a good wrap. Do yourself a favor and put Hipshots or graphtech ratios on. My favorite are the graphtech but at half of the price Hipshots do the trick well. I put the open Hipshot locking tuners on my current Variax. I am trying to ride it out and learn this time. I have had three others and sold within a week. I am reading now that it can take longer than that for the Piezos to settle into place. Never heard of such a thing but I admit some of the buzzing I was getting is going away.

I am desperately hoping for upgrades to the HD Models. With Helix going full speed it seems like the guitar modeling is being left behind a bit. It honestly is not that good. It got better, but not as good as it should be. My only fear is that for a great Variax it might be a complete overhaul like the Helix was. Sure people get passable tones. I have gotten some and I think it's good. Then a grab my Kiesel and plug into the same patch or amp and then I want to smash the Variax. I justify it by saying it is a tool and only use it for things like banjo, sitar etc. Instruments I do not have. The guy in the Doobie Brothers uses a Standard live and sound great. He does it so he doesn't have to switch instruments. No one notices in the mix but I bet they would if he switched back to the real thing with a guitar tech to hand him the next instrument

I do not use an amp, cab, or preamp with my acoustic or my piezo equipped electric. I just use 3Sigma IRs a compressor, just enough reverb to add a bit of depth, and i add a parametric eq to rid of pick noise.

All of the preset makers I bought from on AX8 are suddenly doing Helix presets. Pretty nice since I just sold my AX8

I agree and disagree here but everyones mileage varies. Did I find stock presets better on AX8? Yes. But I also found that despite the addition of a meter I had a more difficult time balancing scenes vs snapshots and it was far easier to make AX8 clip. The Helix takes a little tweaking to make presets decent but once you learned the tricks for your rig I find it easier to make your own. Ii have had a Helix since day one and my name came up on the AX8 list just two months later so I gave both a run through. But seriously both are great and you can't goo wrong either way (unless you are just to lazy to learn).

I totally agree . Both are incredible. I just sold my AX8 but not because its inferior. I need the large display (poor vision) and things change so often at church that I need the ease of editing on the fly. Plus USB recording. There were pluses to the AX8 (like superior reverb) but all in all it was pretty even.

Do some searching. One of the guitar players in the Doobie. Brothers uses a Helix and Variax Standard live. You can see both in a few videos. King Crimson also uses one.

I am not at my Helix, but acknowledging the issue, I wonder what happens if you bring the fuzz in on a different path setting that input to guitar. Then join it in the main path before the amp. Will the main path maintain integrity then if the fuzz is off? I am not sure if I am getting my thought across and obviously it's not a fix.i am assuming the issue is not there if you set the input Z manually.

Enough has been said. I will only add that the list of Pro Helix users continues to grow (Doobie Brothers guitarist uses Helix and a Variax Standard). I sold my AX8 today.

I sold everything but recently added a Keeley Delay Workstation for the reverbs.

It took my cookies.. It was really odd. It was like it kept switching polarity. Full volume was up one second, down the next..

I totally agree about the toe switch part. I have not seen a plastic expression pedal with one but I am sure they are out there. My fat self might crush a plastic one. Its funny but I think this thread jinxed me. My Moog was not working right with my Helix yesterday. I don't need more than one external so I just hooked up my good Line 6 Mission Engineering model.

I have a super high speed business connection and these forums are still terribly slow and lag. They have been for ages. This is the only site that ever gives me issues. They must be run off an original Bean POD.

I am not a fan of Variax at all. I hear people make them sound fine (like the guy in the Doobie Brothers) but I have tried two and both sounded horrible. I was told it was that I sometimes rest my palm on the bridge. Whatever it was they are not for me.

I am actually surprised Line 6 does not provide factory preset download links.

And I thought the topic title sounded a little wrong!!