I still own the "1st Variax", and a JTV-69. I pull them out on occasion, play them a while and then put them away.
My ears can't seem to get past the artifacts introduced, but I know it's just me because most rave over the features it has, and they are all impressive.
I wish there were a way to limit that strange "after" effect noise I hear/feel, and Have tried many things including string sizes both smaller and bigger.
It's like drinking a diet coke for the first time after years of drinking regular ones lol.
So, in a few weeks/months I will pull my JTV-69 out again. ; )