sandman69

I am glad they made workbench HD. The interface is so much better and more intuitive. It also better in regard to performance and stability. Not to mention, it resembles HD Edit as well so it gives their software products a similar interface. Which makes sense in any development world. I hope they continue updating it along with the Firmwares to go along with it. I was a little surprised there isn't a SG in the library of guitars and a few other would be nice as well. I just bought my JTV59 about two weeks ago and I first started using the original Workbench. It was very kludgey and that is an understatment IMO. Having to open up different windows and everything about it was minor league ( I am on OSX, so not sure if that is different than the Windoze version ). WB HD was a HUGE step forward. A piece of software where you don't need to read a manual to get going is good programming, IMO. Yes it helps to RTFM and I do, but to be able to get most of what I needed to do immediately without doing that is great. Granted I do have a ton of experience with HD Edit. But that goes back to the smart idea of having applications with similar interface like the rest of a family of apps. Now of course there is the whole USB connectivty through the POD which makes things cumbersome and bulky (taking up a second USB port, extra cable etc) and the fact it has been 8 months and no resolution is bothersome. Maybe not address the other issues in FW2 and WBHD, but at least fix the USB connectivity as they obviously know how to do it since they did before. Also, for my situation I have no need for the Amplifi product as I already have all the effects and amp modeling I need with the HD500. The DT25 is currently on my radar as my next big purchase and I think it will be a great addition for my setup when I play outside of Church with buddies and/or at other venues. I plug straight into PA at Church. They like keeping stage volume down and keep the stage foot prints down as much as possible. I am also looking at a StageSource possibly as well, but think the Tube PowerAmp section would be sweeter for me as I play mostly electric and don't need many options for Acoustic and if I did I could always route that straight to PA anyway. Plus the DT25 is a sweet sounding amp in it's own right without anything else. So could always use it and a few pedals if I need to. Anyway, I am all for a company pushing their products forward and getting every drop of functionality out of them while creating new products as well. Perhaps their development team are stretched too thin currently, but still 8 months I would hope the connectivity issues should have been flagged as a priority.

That's what I thought. Seems odd that the older Workbench wouldn't work through the X versions. Guess they are at more of a disadvantage than regular 500 users.

Hmmm, that's interesting Zap. Doesn't make logical sense to me, but I guess they changed something up with the X's USB configuration. The 500X doesn't work with the Variax either using Workbench HD either right? Now if that was the case, I would definitely entertain an upgrade. Hey that could be a shady way for Line6 to boost X upgrade sales ;)

Very good points and thanks for the feedback. Until I was thinking about upgrading my HD I hadn't really read anything about the 500x. Pretty disappointmented it wasn't a bigger upgrade. But at least they didn't bump the price up more, so guess it isn't aimed at existing customers mainly new ones. So financially makes sense, but why add an X to it. Shoulda been HD500 version 2. That is one of the big reasons I want the USB bug resolved. Would be nice not worrying about the battery pack. Mostly though, once the guitar settings are done it isn't a huge deal. But would be nice to update everything via the Pod for little tweaks. Would be REALLY cool is if you connected a Variax to things and HDEdit itself would enable an additional tab where all the Variax adjustments could be made. That would be slick. One app to rule them all.

How much of an upgrade from the 500 do you think the 500x is? I have been toying with upgrading mine as well. I have had my HD500 since Nov 2010 and it is one of my best purchases through the many years. I simply love it. However, I really love the dual amp capabilities which unfortunately leads to out of DSP pretty easy and I usually juggle a few and use a different preset for some variations. I watched one review of the 500x and it didn't seem to give as much DSP headroom as I was expecting. He was able to add like one more effect on his example preset compared to the 500. Other reviewers have mentioned a couple additional effects, but that probably depends on which ones you are using as some use more DSP than others. They also talk about how much greater the switches are compared to the 500. Personally, I think the 500 switches are pretty damn solid as it is and the thing is pretty much a tank itself. The lights on the 500 are just fine and if I wanted to make the Looper Text more readable I can do that myself. Would have been nice if they added some other simple niceties (Power Switch and a better/longer power brick. ) So other than a little more headroom, I am not sure it is even worth looking at upgrading. So I can focus my fund saving for a DT25 in the future quicker if I don't go the X route. Anyway, gotten off topic. Let me start up Monkey and see if there is a new release to Workbench HD or Variax Firmware... Nope. I will check again in a hour or so

Received my 15 footer cable the other day from Dunkin_Dal. VERY nice cable! Highly recommend em. Super fast arrival as well! Thanks Dal!

Yeah but the fix is right around the corner! ;)

I think you are in the wrong forums ;)

Axe FX won't control the Variax either ;) :P

One thing with the Scratch and dent, or "b-stock" at least according to the websites. The manufacturer warranty may not be in effect. I was going to buy a b-stock from Zzounds. They have pics of the actual guitar, but I wanted to have a warranty, especially with something with a computer and firmware inside. you may and probably would be fine without that, but I decided to pony up a few hundred more for the brand new one.

I just got my JTV59 a week ago yesterday. I actually went on a limb and ordered it online. I would return it if need be. I am really loving it. The one I received plays great. The action and intonation were spot on. The neck plays very close to my Gibson LP Silverburst. I play on my church's worship team and depending on the singer sometimes the key of the song will be changed dramatically. So before I would have to learn it in different positions and use a regular capo at times (i don't like em personally). This past Sunday was the first time with the JTV and it was so nice to simply use the programmed virtual capo and and bam I play it like I always do. Plus being able to change the sound from a Les Paul to a Strat for another song was very cool. If you do a lot of home recordings or just jamming the acoustics sound really good as well. I smiled very wide when I first strummed with the 12 string preset. Using just the built-in pickups and the guitar sounds very good as well, IMO. Actually pretty close to my LPs. It isn't light. It is actually a lil heavier than my Silverburst and about the same as my white LP. I love the feel of it. Now if they would fix the HD500 with Workbench HD interoperability it will be a perfect setup. A little klugey with the USB device, but once you get the presets hammered out you can just use HDEdit and the VDI interface to power and change presets. Since you said you can't afford both, I imagine you can't afford either a US PRS or a US JTV. They both are made in Korea. They both can be great guitars. My buddies SE plays very nice. I just like having the tonal options. And with all the different tunings learn more about theory and playing different styles.

Ok, first off, I am not crying. I am not screaming. I am just stating my opinion as a paying customer and longtime supporter of Line6 on something that should have been addressed by now and actually should never have been a problem. I am also not spending all of my energy on this. You appear to be spending the most energy in this thread bitching and complaining about people not being happy that something that should be simple to fix since the USB via VDI communication was already there. BTW, most people don't read Firmware update documentation before they actually have the product to be updated. They should have updated their documentation and stated somewhere on the Features page "Workbench HD Communication must use included USB adapter"

Sure a document I write up doesn't matter what it says. Unless of course I am making a commercial product that I am making money off of. I would make damn well sure that the documentation matches the capabilities. Especially, capabilities that have been around with older version of the software. Doesn't matter what it says? That is hilarious. Mmmmm Koolaid. Strawberry is my favorite, Grape is a close second. 7 or 8 months they could at least fix the documentation ;) To quote someone earlier in this thread "They tell you up front it doesn't work" Ummmm, where is that information at? Not on any of the JTV Features or Specifications pages...

That's all fine and dandy if it wasn't stated in the Workbench HD Manual that is DOES work through the HD500 or any other Line 6 device that has the VDI interface. Page 13 of the Workbench HD manual, that is STILL online and not updated to address this bug. So not only is it a bug it is false documentation. I just bought my Variax JTV59 after having my POD HD500 since it came out. Which I love. I looked at the manual, prior to buying my JTV. Hey sweet, I can do everything with both HD Edit and Workbench HD. Flash everything to get the latest models and it doesn't work as documented. Pretty sad if you ask me. Very disappointed to discover this after the fact. Guess I should have read the forums more. Luckily the guitar plays and sounds sweet, but should work as documented. Period. Which Line 6 devices will work as a computer interface with my Tyler Variax and Workbench HD? The Variax Digital Interface that came with your Tyler Variax is the best interface to use with Workbench HD. You’ll need a fully charged battery and a 1/4 inch guitar cable plugged in to power up your Variax. Any other Line 6 device with a VDI input will also work. This includes the POD HD Pro, POD HD 500, POD X3 Live, POD X3 Pro and Vetta II. Those devices, when connected to your Variax with a Line 6 VDI cable, will also provide power to your Variax.

I am a brand new owner of a JTV-59 and was VERY surprised once I updated the firmware and got Work Bench HD that I couldn't use my PoD HD500 to manage the USB connectivity to the guitar. If the old Workbench wasn't so Kludgey I would go back. Actually, may do that eventually anyway. Though, the HD software interface is so much better and more intuitive. Seems silly to have to create guitar presets with the USB box, create tone presets with the PoD and then connect the guitar to the Pod to make sure presets are set with the HD500 and the Variax. Sorry, all the arguing if it is a bug or not is silly as well. IMO this IS a bug. You shouldn't have an upgrade and actually regress in some areas. This would be like taking my car in and get the computer re-programmed to change the shift points for more power and adjust the O2 mixture to help fuel economy at the same time. Awesome!. However, my bluetooth audio streaming which has worked since I bought the car doesn't work all of a sudden. If you want to do that, you have to connect your phone via a 1/8th jack now. But hey your car is peppier now, sorry about having to deal with another cable again. Can't believe it has been this long and still no resolution to this. Glad I haven't had the guitar for as long a some of y'all would definitely be more upset. Certainly, disappointed to hear about this. Doesn't make sense to me. This should have been a requirement of the app and firmware from the first day of development. Love the guitar so far, love my PoD, hope to add a L2T or a DT25 to my setup eventually. However, this makes zero sense. The Workbench HD Manual States : Which Line 6 devices will work as a computer interface with my Tyler Variax and Workbench HD? The Variax Digital Interface that came with your Tyler Variax is the best interface to use with Workbench HD. You’ll need a fully charged battery and a 1/4 inch guitar cable plugged in to power up your Variax. Any other Line 6 device with a VDI input will also work. This includes the POD HD Pro, POD HD 500, POD X3 Live, POD X3 Pro and Vetta II. Those devices, when connected to your Variax with a Line 6 VDI cable, will also provide power to your Variax. Sounds like a oversight bug.

Nice, the DT25 is on my target. That combination is so intriguing with the Pod at the control center of everything. Though the new SoundSource speakers are interesting as well, especially to support both electric and acoustic sounds. How does the DT25 do with the Acoustic models?

I just received my Variax JTV-59 Tobacco Sunburst the day before yesterday. I haven't been excited for a piece of gear in awhile. Probably last would be my Pod HD500 in 2010, though the possibilities with this guitar are definitely higher. To be able to change the tunings for when the worship team changes the key of song and play it like I always play has already been awesome during last nights rehearsal. Can't wait to learn the whole setup with the PoD controlling the guitar and really digging in and utilizing all the different guitar models. The guitar is beautiful and plays really well Intonation and action are both spot on. One thing I did notice was with the three way switch. Pushing it to the down position it was a little "tight" Works fine, but wasn't as smooth as my Les Pauls. Is this typical? Will it smooth out over time, or should I be concerned with it?