Leftzilla

I do have an Amplifi but I am using it as a monitor for my HD500x. Its my understanding that Amplifi is using the X3 algorithm's so as stated prior I don't think you will get and apples to apples comparison between the Amplifi and the HD500X

I ended up lowering my string volume across the board for both of my JTV 59 and JTV89F because I was getting distortion from the acoustics. I have left my 59 at the 1.9 firmware due to some Fender emulation issues and upgraded my JTV 89F to the newest. My band has recently started production on a live DVD based on our performance at RosFest in May. In this setup I am running directly to the house from my HD500X which I specifically asked the sound guy to run flat since I run up to 5 different guitar emulations per song (Its Prog I have to!). Anyways listening to the board tap very happily surprises me how good the acoustic emulation combined with the patch setup in my HD500X sounds. It has even fooled some of my other guitar playing friends into asking whether I am doing the Alex Lifeson thing with an acoustic mounted on a stand. Another nice thing I heard from the soundman at RosFest was "Finally somebody that knows how to use a variax" and I was also complimented by the sound guy at the Dover Brickhouse recently on the acoustic sound of the JTV89F who also said I was one of the first variax user he enjoyed the sound from. I personally prefer the latest firmware sound.

Also in HD Workbench choose one of the ALT tuning and see what workbench thinks it is.

Yes us Burlingtonians get around! Sorry bigmac, poor reading comprehension, I only was commenting on your last post and didn't put the review and you together. Glad you are happy with your 59.

Interesting point bigmac. But I think that in my opinion their marketing is fine. Most guitar demos or marketing that I see is somebody shredding the crap out of it. When I first heard the capabilities the first thought I had was now I don't have to carry around3-4 guitars. I initially resisted even trying one out because I didin't want to be redundant and replace my 3 main guitars (The Paul, Kramer Pacer Custom, Parker Nitefly) which handled my gigging needs quite b=nicely. I had Parker Peizo fail me one week before an important gig and I found myself buying a Red VAX700 from the local store here in Burlington VT. And yes that guitar ended up replacing the other three for playing out. I am now 4 deep into the variax with the latest being JTV89F. Do you currently own a Variax? I find the modeling quite convincing and effective.

Very Nice Thanks for sharing!

I play in an 80s cover band and an Original Progressive Rock Band (Elephants of Scotland) I use my JTV 59 for the 80s band an my JTV89F for the progressive band. Since I will switch between up to 4 modeling emulations in a song live (and that's the way the songs were also recorded) I can pretty much only use a Variax for live performances. I started with the original VAX 700 and VAC700. I have found all of my Variax's (4) to be well worth the money and the capability with the VDI into an HD500X to automatically switch modeling emulation and alt tuning on the fly to be indispensable in live situations. I do use the mags about 10-20% of the time also.

Another option is a keyboard amp. Any type of full range spkr would work. Also behringer INuke power amp series are very cheap and sound good.

Thank phil_m!

Triryche, Thank you for the feedback. Unfortunately I don't have an IOS device, but I will try this with a windows 7 32 bit to see if that is the issue. Also does anyone know how to do a factory reset on the Amplifi. I couldn't find it in the pilots manual or any other documentation. It could be that there isn't one. The main reason I want to do this to update the Blutooth since I have noticed some stuttering from my Android devices. I don't use the emulations currently on the Amplifi as I drive my HD500X through it and use it as a practice amp and small monitor while onstage.

Windows 7 64 bit

I am trying to update my Amplifi 75 watt with the new windows app so I can control it via my android. However it keeps giving me update failed check USB. USB cable is good, but when I try to set the unit into update mode I here the pop but the tone light is still lit and it fails the update. Amplifi app installed correctly, first time I plugged the amplifi into the computer it recognized it. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated

Good point about calling ahead. The FAA does have a ruling that instruments can be carried on, however anyone watching the news knows that not all airlines or the personnel behind the desk or boarding the aircraft got the message. In my area everything flying is a biz jet with little to no overhead stowage.

There may be something wrong with your JTV. I hate to mention it but a reflash may correct the issue. I use my HD500X to swap modeling patches, combine acoustic with the mag pickups and use the volume switch and dual amps to switch seamlessly between acoustic and electric distorted guitar. I also have patches that will switch between the Sitar and a clean sound with the mag pickups. Are you using workbench?

Yeah that sounds like either string stretch or the springs aren't balanced correctly. Can you see if the Floyd is parallel or tilited vs the guitar body? This is the tricky thing about Floyd Rose systems. However once you get them set up correctly they stay that way. I have had my VARIAX hold tune with the Floyd rose for 4 months at a time with active gigging (I use Elixirs). Also make sure you use the same guage strings when you swap out.

I run a Roland S-500 sampling pads into the MP3 input on my HD500X and control the volume from the S-500 directly to balance out between the guitar and sampling pads. This is very easy and works well

Also just so you know Line6 may monitor these forums but they do not directly do support here. You would need to contact them directly. This is primarily a user support forum meaning the other Line 6 users provide the support here. I use a POD HD500x with a JTV 89F Variaxand primarily do directly to the PA and fold back through the monitors. The only time I have feedback issues is when I get a system that has very powerful monitors. And then it is a typical feedback problem due to very high volume.

I have absolutely no problems with my tuning, Can you explain your problem in a little more detail? It sounds like your Floyd rose springs are not balanced correctly against your string tension.

I would also be disgusted with a guitar sent out in the condition you described, yet unfortunately the only way Line6 can fix the problem is replace or repair the guitar.

I consider my 89F one the best guitars I have ever owned. Its a Korea stock but very well made. I also own a JTV 59. which is also an excellent guitar but I ended up preferring the feel and playability of the 89F. If you want to see and hear the guitar in action go tohttp://www.elephantsofscotland.com/

I recently had a problem with my HD500X switching patches on me at a recent gig. I have had the POD XTlive, POD X3 Live, 2 HD500 (I broke the switch used to change set lists hence the second one). All of these units were used in a live environment and behaved flawlessly until the recent issue with the HD500X. Since then, the unit has not shown this behavior and I highly suspect that the issue was with fluxuating current. So the suggestion of looking at power surges I would take seriously especially with the among of equipment and timing of the failures. I wish you better luck in the future with whatever equipment you end up with.

There are subtle differences in how modeling on guitar sounds different than another model. I have a JTV59 and a 89F and I my band swears that the 89F sound "better" than the 59. However I think that is shape BIAS because when I recorded both guitars doing the same thing the opinions were split. I notice some subtle differences that are definitely due to the different body's and necks but they are just that Subtle. Also there are different piezos between the two

I use the effect loop and punch in a gain of +3db, works great. Just drop an FX loop block at the end of the chain, run the effect out right back to the return on the back of the HD

Another thing you can try... I am assuming you are in workbench is to engage the alt tuning knob on the guitar to the tuning you are looking for and see what comes up in workbench, I would think it should default to the tuning that is labeled on the alt tune knob itself. Zap is correct the only thing that is different between the 89 and the 89F is the Floyd rose tremolo and the Piezos used. Everything else should be identical meaning software and hardware.

Think of MIDI as hardware commands, setting the volume, note duration, actual note command etc to a Keyboard/Drum Machine/MIDI Device where as the interface definition you are trying to apply is the transfer of pure Audio information between a PC and Musical Instrument or audio source.