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So does a variax guitar model sound exactly the same on a different model JTV - have a listen and decide for yourself. JTV59 and JTV69 both at fw 2.1 as supplied (not tweaked in Workbench HD) and using SEMI position 5. Both played via VDI into same HD500 patch and recorded in Sonar X3 without any post production. Same chord sequence. Are these samples identical? If not - what differences can be heard? And can you tell which sample is the JTV59 and which is the JTV69? Recording can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/eddie-wicker/jtv-59-69-semi-compare

Last night I was using Workbench HD to adjust the string levels for models on my JTV59. The JTV59 connected with VDI into HD500 then via USB to Win 7 PC running Workbench HD. Everything running latest firmware levels. I adjusted string levels on quite a few models and reviewed all of them. The ones I changed I transferred (uploaded) to Variax - and I did this several times. Most of the time it was fine, however, sometimes it seemed to take a few seconds to recognise when I had selected a different bank and model and the Workbench HD would grey out and appear to hang but then a few seconds later there would be a click and everything would be in sync. Once I was happy with my string volume adjustments I then thought I would try out swapping a body on one of the models just to see how it worked. I had noticed that whilst adjusting the string volumes that whichever model I had selected, the body type on the Workbench HD screen would always show as Neutral, when I thought it should show the body of the actual model selected. Anyway, I had SEMI bank selected and position 1. I had just tried swapping the pickup from SEMI HUMBUCKER to LP HUMBUCKER and then swapped it back which I did by downloading the SEMI pos 1 model from the JTV59 rather than re-updating the Workbench HD definition. So everything seemed fine at this point and I could see the SEMI model chosen in the main window, and NEUTRAL showing as body type in the bottom part of the window, so I clicked on the slider and rotated through the different models and noted that the main window did not change and still showed the SEMI body type. I just happened to stop on the CHIME body type and decided to use that - so I clicked on the body icon - this seemed to take after a pause and the chime model body was shown but now the sound I could hear sounded like the Chime 12 string model. Odd, so I decided to reset it but then discovered it would not change even when I selected the Semi body type or any other body type. So I tried to download from Variax again and received a popup which I think said Midi time out error with a code. Oh no. So I then tried switching model banks on the JTV59 and using the pickup selector switch and discovered that all positions now just played the Chime 12 string model. So I tried switching off the modelling on the JTV59 and discovered that the push down knob would not disengage modelling mode. Oh no again - what had happened? So I ended Workbench HD on the PC, and again tried to switch off modelling and to select a different model on the JTV59 and found that all I could get was the Chime 12 string model. So then I decided to disconnect the VDI cable and power off the JTV59. I did that and waited for about 30 seconds to make sure that all power had gone, then I reconnected it and to my great relief it reverted back to normal and the settings that I had previously made before messing with the BODY option. PHEW! Unfortunately, I panicked at the time and did not make a note of the popup window and error code or an exact note of every single step I had taken to get to the problem or every step I took to resolve the problem. The description above is what I remember but I am not too keen to try it again in case I break the JTV59 more permanently next time. I am on latest firmware for everything - so I was not expecting any issues. Has anyone used the MODEL BODY Selection with Workbench HD without any issue or has anyone experienced this problem or something similar? Is the MODEL BODY selection part of Workbench HD broken - or was this just a one off glitch that hit me - or was it a particular sequence of actions that caused the problem? Thanks.

I think I accidentally threw away the paper that came with my JTV59 about the charger. I went to charge my battery last night and wasn't sure if it was charged this morning or not. I figured the light would turn green when charged. It was blinking when it had been on steady last night. How do I know that the battery is fully charged with this charger? Thanks. Just got my JTV59 last week and this is the first time I have charged the battery.

I was wondering whether the is any guidance out there from Line6 concerning string changes on the JTV59? I ask because other guitar manufacturers have advised certain things such as one at a time string change in order to prevent undue stress on the neck. When I change strings on a Strat or a Tele, I occasionally remove all the strings in order to clean the fretboard and so on. Any reason not to do this with a JTV59?

As I think I've mentioned elsewhere, I have a JTV59 plus a POD HD500 which I play through a pair of Tech 21 Power Engines. I was just watching a knowledge base video where Sean Halley had this setup: JTV69 -> POD HD500 (via VDI cable) -> DT25 (via L6 Link) and also had the left/right XLR run into a pair of mic pres and then into Pro Tools. This got me to thinking again that if I were to get a DT25 amp, this would be where my electric guitar was played through via the Line 6 Link capabilites. I would use the DT25 as my stage monito, and take the XLR Cabinet Simulated output to the FOH. I could ALSO connect the XLR outs to the FOH for acoustic tones and maybe even select electric tones if they sounded better. Do I have this right in my head, or is there a major flaw in my thinking BEFORE I pull the trigger on the DT25?

The last few sessions with own own version of a Dream Rig have been so enjoyable, I felt the need to share it here, especially sInce I have been moderately vocal about the goings on at Line6 since the Yamaha buy out. My setup is a JTV59 -> POD HD500 -> BossRC-30 Loop Station -> Tech21 Power Engine (x2). I am not gigging regularly with this setup at present, but I will likely be taking it to an upcoming open mic affair. In preparing for that, I have REALLY dug into the bowels of my rig and instead of lamenting what I perceived I couldn't do with it or otherwise focusing on it's shortcomings (real or perceived). The results have been startling to say the least, especially since I damn near sold it all off recently. The things that have made it different include: Using the Cabinet parameters, especially the Lo Cut and Early Reflections parameters. Doing this has allowed me to taylor, for example a 12" Deluxe Reverb cabinet into more of a 10" Princeton type sound. Copious use of EQ to weed out the crazy overtones and tame to signal path where it needs it. Observing the "less is more" rule of effects use. Sure, I can make whacky sounds that some of the more esoteric effects provide, but at times just a pinch is even better for that "is it really there" type of effect -- especially with modulation type effects. Using multiple delays (of multiple types) and using synchronization in sequence to provide some very tasty backdrops for looping. Stepping outside my comfort zone of prefered effects. Fotr example, I almost reflexively grab the 63 Spring reverb out of long time habit. But I have found that the Octo reverb is an exellent pad type tone to add to many of the type of sounds I do with my rig. Great dscovery there. Also, the Echo is very useful as well as Tile reverb at times. Learning to love Compression. As a long time Fender tube amp buy, I always felt that compressors stole my dynamics. But in the context of the POD, it adds so much clarity while keeping the notes discernable. I like it so much, I got an Xotic SP Compressor (with a blend knob) for my analog rig and it stays on all the time now. So I guess what I am saying is what another member said somewhere along the trail of tears that has been here recently -- "I am just going to have fun with what I have" I believe were their exact words. It's worth remembering this at all times to me, and even more so as we all wait for Line6 to establish it's new directions as a wholly owned subsidiary of Yamaha.

Does anyone know where you can get repairs done on a James Tyler Variax in the UK? preferably in Scotland? My pickup selector switch feels like its on its way out, feels like it doesnt quite latch securely in the down position even though it does stay, any help would be greatly appreciated

Today, I have read several threads of people having what I perceive as genuine quality issues with their Line6 gear, including: - Howling headphone outputs - Footswitch issues - Firmware failures In my own world: - my POD HD500 indeed has an F3 footswtich that acts dodgy as hell and won't do what I assigned it to do much of the time. - I can assign FS2 to a volume pedal function, but it won't "take" and refuses to use anything but FS1 until I save the new preset and come back to it to change it after I go to any other preset. Then, it seems to work most of the time, but nbot always. - Last night, my brand new (October 2012) JTV59 developed a problem where the magnetic pickup selector switch (no modelling invloved) in the up (Neck) poitision went wonky and screached with static. While fiddling about with it, i noticed that moving the guitar to a resting on my lap position (resulting in a slight bump) caused it to fix itself for s short time. More movement produced intermittent cut outs. Troubleshot it to a loose connection inside the guitar somewhere (most likely) and even with my strong electronics background, I would sooner traverse razor wire than to open this thing up and try to sort that sure to be rat's nest all out. I guess what I am getting at is this; Since Yamaha just acquired Line6, as a person who works in business I know this acquisition likely took months to work through, so I wonder did quality slip while everyone at Line6 dotted their i's and crossed their t's in prep for the big day of announcement? I have to say that overall I am not too thrilled with the quality of what I have anyway, from a hardware and firmware standpoint. It's all well and good to spend $1500 buying two pieceds of gear that are supposed to effectly replace dozens of guitars, amps and effects UNTIL it ceases to work properly. At that point things change for me. Thoughts from the community on this?

Ok, so I have had my JTV59 Variax for 2 months now. It is connected to a POD HD500 and then out into a pair of Tech21 Power Engine 60s. I also have the EX1 expression pedal. Here are some things I've learned: EQ is your friend to tame low frequencies from the guitar into the POD The extra expression pedal is WAY more handy than I would have expected initially MEAMBOBOs guide is extremely helpful in explaining what needs explaining I should NEVER play the Variax/POD/PE60 setup immediately after I've played my 50th Anniversary Strat into my Princeton Reverb. You know why... The Dr. Z amp model is a resource hungry biotch, but it sounds fabulous. I've never heard a Park amps before, but I do like the models in the POD a bunch. The metal models often sound like an angry wasp in a jar to me...no offence to the Devil Horns crowd. Andy Paredes of Line6 can design the crap out of some classic artists tone in a POD HD500/x, and I am grateful for that Sean Halley can play really good, and his videos are helpful -- could use more of them (Ditto Andy's) Some of the effects in the POD are really, really good. Others are gimmicky or just plain wierd. Very cool. When you nail a tone, it is a joyous moment and you can spend the next several hours playing the same song you designed it for :D So yeah, not perfect by any stretch, but it is FUN -- and that my friends is the thing to know.

I hear its true that the new series of 2013 JTV's have the previous issues fixed? Is This true? IE? Is the switching problem fixed on the JTV-59? The neck on the 69? Thanx

Well, after the first JTV59 I bought was bricked while doing a firmware update, I returned it to my local Guitar Center. They were kind enough to transfer in two different JTV59's so I could pick the one with the nicest top. That took a week. So, yesterday, back to Guitar Center I went and picked up a new JTV59, and played it last night. Really like the guitar. Tonight however, while practicing, I had the model selector set to SEMI and without any interaction on my part, the models would switch intermittently. Then the three position switch stopped working - it wouldn't switch between various models within the model selection. The three position switch works fine when just switching the magnetic pickups, but not with the models. Doesn't matter if I have VDI or battery (which is full) powering the guitar. I updated the firmware to 1.9, but that did not fix the problem. Neither did rolling it back to 1.82. Tonight I also noticed that there is an audible click when engaging the model selector switch. The click comes from the upper cavity and toggles with the selector switch. Not sure what that means. I'm getting frustrated. I love the way these guitars play and sound, but with this kind of reliability, who would be confident to gig with this? I mean, really, $1,500 and I'm two for two with defective units? (Boy am I glad I didn't spring for the US model) So, I opened up a tech support case and they say that they will get back to me within three business days. Great, that's next week! Anybody have any ideas? Frustrated, John

Hello all! I have a JTV69 and an HD500 I'm looking to trade for a JTV59 Tobacco Burst. Both the JTV69 and HD500 are in great condition, I've only had both under 6 months. Anyone interested in a trade? Thanks for looking.