stevekc

 

Some folks here who report bad experience with the official Line-6 VDI cable, IMHO they are describing the old 2004 era 1st generation VDI cable.

 

I find from direct experience  the "current" production" official Line-6 VDI cable is a very different animal vs the old 2004 era VDI cable 

 

the current version is very flexible and robust uses Van Den Hul Tourcat CAT5E Flexible Cable.   (- not "kinky and prone to tangles" like the 2004 old era version ) 

 

Yes it is the updated switch  - dated Jan 2012

To adjust the JTV-59 bridge
* Loosen the strings
* loosen the small allen screws
* now use a larger allen wrench and adjust the height of the bridge to taste. occasional retune the guitar to check, but always loosen the strings prior to adjusting the large height "bolts" under the bridge.

Upon achievement of desired bridge height reverse the procedure

* tighten the small allen screws
* retune the guitar
* and recheck intonation with a strobe meter

 

http://line6.com/support/topic/8942-adjusting-jtv-59-bridge/?p=61663

 

 

I just thought this was worth a bump. I just signed up... awaiting approval.

You now be a member at VGuitarForums
and have access to all the Workbench / Workbench HD Variax patches


* Tyler Variax WorkBench HD Patch Exchange
http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?board=138.0

 

Two options: Option #1: You must run two cables to the guitar * Cable #1 = TRS 1/4 cable from Line-6 XPS Power Supply to the Variax 1/4" Output jack * Cable #2 = Gk -13 pin cable to GK-3 , then to your GK processor ( GR-55, GP-10, VG-99, etc)

 

or

Option #2 : Use the Line-6 Variax Lithium battery for Tyler Variax, then connect the short 1/4" cable between Variax and GK-3 , then 13 pin to your GK processor ( GR-55, GP-10, VG-99, etc) you cant use the XPS or the TRS cable - must use the Tyler Variax Lithum battery for option #2

Great idea - sadly there are government agency bureaucracy hurdles (FCC/CE) in many jurisdictions around the globe that often make it illegal for a company to sell upgrade faster DSP boards, into older products for consumers to install. 

https://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/398

 

 

For example this practice was made illegal in Japan a few years ago. 

http://musicthing.blogspot.com/2006/02/vintage-synths-to-be-banned-in-japan.html

 

and at the end of the day - Line-6 must be profitable, and often that runs head on against the idea of offering upgrade PC board with faster DSPs for Varaix owners to install themselves 

 

Similar issue occured for GIbson 1st run 2007 era Robot guitars. in 2009 Gibson announced to dealers that upgrade kits would be offered for the consumer to install, but the legal team nixed that idea after they reviewed the FCC/CE compliance and service center cost burden.

 

Its more profitable ( and be able to comply with FCC  / CE / WEE  regulations in different countries ) by  simply  marketing a whole new model 

http://incompliancemag.com/topics/news/you-cant-make-this-stuff-up/

 

write a letter to the new government regime in Jan 20, 2017 

If I'm always using VDI cable with my Firehawk or Helix  - I remove the Tyler Variax internal battery during the gig  - never had a problem. 

 

Also I remove the internal battery when storing the Tyler Variax. 

 

There is a fair amount of "leakage current" in the Variax circuitry ( due to power steering diodes) , which translates into if you have a fully charged battery, and install it in the rear of the Tyler Variax, then put the guitar back into the gig bag for a couple weeks, don't be surprised to find the battery has died when you finally get back into playing. 

 

Also I once had a  Tyler Variax Battery that seemed dead - but I left it in the official Line-6 Tyler Variax AC charger for 24 hours and the Battery finally came back to life and is still working today.   

As an alternative there is Jam Origin MIDI Guitar application that can convert normal electric guitar (no hex PU required) into polyphonic MIDI Note on/off messages to drive synthesizers

http://www.jamorigin.com/ 

I'd look at the GP-10 and a 13 pin hex PU guitar of choice

 

You may feel right at home with s Godin MultiAC feeding a GP-10 then use GP-10 guitar to MIDI and a laptop with Softsynths

 

All can be found at VguitarForums

Workbench HD does not work with my Variax 600.

 

Variax 300/500/600/700 all use the original Workbench app

 

download it here:

http://line6.com/software/readeula.html?rid=5162

 

--Workbench

Version 1.75

Released 7/26/12

 

You need a compatible VDI interface  (PODXT Live, HD500, or VDI-USB interface and a compatible OS ( see the Read me files) 

I used a small dab of clear RTV Silicone Adhesive 

https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-80050-Silicone-Adhesive-Sealant/dp/B0002UEPVI

 

Line-6 has always treated me fairly 

 

and their support is outstanding and all my Variax's still work as designed 

And FWIW - ALL "JAMES TYLER VARIAX"  (JTV-xx")  and current VARIAX STANDARD" models can be upgraded to latest Variax HD V2.21 firmware  and can use "WORKBENCH HD (Version 2.12) application 

 

The older generation Variax's  (Variax 300/500/600/700) remain on older Version 3.10 Firmware and older  Workbench Version 1.75 application  

Everyone is cost sensitive these days  - crucial to stay in business 

 

But does not stop me from dreaming or making my own list of desired Variax  improvements  ;)

And you got a Pacifica, lol.

 

Not me - 

 

I prefer my JTV-59's  - both of them over any Pacifica or Variax Standard 

 

 

It would also alleviate the issue with palm muting and the dreaded "plink." If only there was a way to use that roland P/U with the JTV processing...

 

Exact reason i prefer using  Roland VG-99 or Boss GP-10 or Antares ATG1 

 

more here

http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php

 

 

i have mentioned what I want in the next Variax here

 

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?posts/22339103/

 

What would you like to see in the next Variax?

============================================

* Dual hex string pickups: Magnetic Hex PU and piezo hex PU,

- Magnetic Hex PU allows standard Palm Muting playing and improved electric Guitar Models and no plink!

- Leave the Piezo Hex PU for Acoustic Sims

 

* Add proper String Ground wires to each piezo saddle - so string signals dont drop out when playing with damp palms or high humidity conditions.

http://line6.com/support/topic/9587-low-e-string-piezo-pickup-volume-way-too-low/?p=69286

 

* Avoid "Black Chrome hardware for bridge as it yields ground noise due to the high DC resistance of that type plating.

http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=18726.msg133540#msg133540

 

* Add a Blend control for MagPUs & Variax models

 

* Over the next gen VDI Interface ( and added USB-C connector) I'd want bi directional digital audio of separate audio channel for each string and path for multichannel USB audio IO interface , to allow "Re-Guitaring" ( like the Boss GP-10 does today) and Direct USB connection to Mac/PC Android / iPad version of Workbench HD

 

* MIDI Bluetooth LE wireless connection to BLE enabled Workbench app for IOS.

 

* upgrade FireHawk Remote to support full Variax Workbench on iPad

 

* Polyphonic Synths in future Combo of 2018 PolyPhonic Variax and 2018 Helix II or Firehawk II using the new "Poly VDI" Ethercon cable

 

* Polyphonic guitar to MIDI

- ability to map picking dynamics to transmit separate MIDI CC# (one per string)

 

* More stealth guitar mounted MIDI CC# Controllers ( to control Helix FX or other gear in my rig ) built into the guitar

 

* Arpeggiator, with user defined sequence ( see Roger Linn Adrenalinn, and Roland GR-30)

 

* Pickguard that is a stealth Kaoss style x-y touch controller , but looks just like a normal guitar

 

* 3D axis Gyro orientation module , to modulate fx based on guitar orientation -

 

* "Virtual Jeff" style digital whammy bar for assignable string bending -pedal steel , B Bender effects

 

* String Spilts with separate Guitar Models per string : Bass on low E, A strings and normal guitar on D, G, B, E

 

 

I guess I want a Line-6 guitar and Helix combo that matches or tops what I already do with my 20 year old Roland VG-8 or 10 year old VG-99

No piezos, no modeling...at least until some miraculous new means of isolating the signal from each string comes along.

 

Actually divided magnetic pickups work fine for Guitar modeling since 1995 as used on Roland VG-8, VG-88, VG-99, and currently on Boss GP-10 

No MIDI involved  - Roland uses one  A/D per string into a  DSP - same as Variax

 

 

 

http://roland.com/V-Guitar/about.html

Dont be afraid to adjust the Tone knob on Tyler Variax when on a Acoustic patch - this alters the timbre on the Acoustic guitar models quite a lot 

 

 

By the way, if that is your variax in the picture, it was thanks to seeing that Bigsby that I pulled the trigger on a jtv59 yesterday! She's a stunner.

 

Thanks!

 

Ive accumulated a few now 

http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=9291.0

 

 

 

Must buy VDI cable with Neutrik Ethercon plugs on each end separately 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Line-Variax-Digital-Interface-Cable/dp/B000JLMXSC

 

Must be handy with hand tools  ,have prior experience building model kits as a child, or  know a luthier to do the work 

 

The JTV-59 pickup rings are slightly larger than genuine Gibson PU mounting rings and a it takes some rework, cutting,  to make a stock LP pickguard fit a JTV-59

 

And many folks have added the LP style PU Selector ring 

 I was initially a bit shocked at the neck. Super thick, all the way down to the nut

 

Correct - just like a genuine vintage Les Paul ( or reissue)

 

 

 

For me, thick necks = less hand fatigue.

 

And explains why I prefer the  JTV-59 - get them while you can !

 

Here's mine

 

http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=9291.0

 

 

 

 

Nigel speaks the truth!

 

DO you have HipShot Tuners?

There are several small allen screws on the JTV-59 bridge base that is used to locl the bridge base in place