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Hey everyone, I'm new to the forums and - after much lurking - finally ready to build my dream guitar. Over the years, Line 6 has received quite a bit of my money. ;) So far, I have/had in my house the following products: - Variax 300 Acoustic - Variax 4-string bass - POD 2 with all the X3 updates - Pocket POD (will purchase on Friday) - POD UX 2 (will purchase this weekend) - Varix 300 Electric ... and if I had any more money, I'd probably spend it on some of the newer Line 6 products. :D Instead, like so many of you, I am looking forward to creating my own dream guitar with the electronics that I have in the Variax 300 (Electric). In the last 20+ years, I have used Ibanez guitars exclusively. Because my JS1000 is too thin for a transplant, I have decided to use a painted RG-type "semi"-blank (no Floyd, only humbucker and jack cavities so far) and an old GIO 25 1/2", 22-fret neck (square pocket) to build the guitar that I really want. Since wizard-luthiers Jeff Miller and Roosevelt Walker (midirose) have all but disappeared from the internet (and I don't have facebook :(), I only have you guys/gals to whom I can address my questions. I would appreciate it if some of my final questions could be answered; and that this list - given how comprehensive it - can help other future builders find their answers, too. --- Ok, here goes: Preparing the Body: 1.) Can I switch between magnetic pickups and the Variax 300 piezos by drilling an additional hole for a killswitch (thus not using them at the same time, of course)? 2.) If I can keep both the magnetic pickups and the Variax piezos, is this body thick enough to route the Variax 300 electronics from the back of the guitar? 3.) As you all know, the electronics of the Variax 300 come in a HUGE triangular shaped box (like a tin coffin). Can I pull the electronics from the coffin, so they fit better into the back cavity? 4.) Can I cut through the knob plate in order to facilitate the positioning of the knobs and the routing? 5.) I have seen a few back cavities in transplants that look like the letter "L" sideways. Any ideas where I can buy that type of template online? 6.) What's the best way to cover that type of "L" cavity? A ply of wood, or simply the material luthiers use for customized pickguards? I think the latter is less work... :P 7.) Do I have to drill 6 holes to hold the string ends, as it is the case for the Variax 300, or can I use a hardtail bridge with piezos (e.g. Graphtech Ghost)? 8.) If I can't figure out how to transplant the piezos from the saddle into a hardtail, how do I measure the Variax 300 "neck pocket - saddle - string hole" distance on a RG body? Does the distance matter? Electronics: 9.) If I cut the electronics into more sizeable pieces, do I need to isolate the cavities/parts with copper/conducive foil, to minimize noise and distortion? 10.) Can I connect my magnetic pickups directly to the Variax tone and volume knobs? (total: 1 tone + 1 volume + 1 model selector), or do I need separate knobs (total: 2 tone + 2 volume + 1 model selector)? 11.) Apart from a killswitch, is there another way to switch between the pickups on stage? 12.) One of my family members is a retired technician. He knows a lot about building TVs, radios and telephones. Will he be able to route the wires correctly? 13.) Are there any wiring templates for the "Variax 300 + two humbuckers" online? 14.) If everything above gets a green light, I'd then need to route/drill Back: - one "L" shaped cavity to hold the Variax 300 electronics - one rectangular cavity for the battery pack Side: - one bigger cavity for the dual Variax 300 jack Front: - two holes to hold the saddle with the piezos - six holes to hold the string ends - three holes for the Volume, Tone and Selector knobs, respectively - one hole for the humbucker selector switch (neck, n/b,bridge) - one hole for the piezo/humbucker killswitch - one small hole for the piezo ribbon that leads to the mainboard unit - two small holes for all the humbucker wires Is my math correct? --- Thanks again for all the help you are providing and for keeping their legacy products alive... one way, or the other. :) I'm looking forward to your answers. VX

Hi. When I record my Variax 600 in Cubase 8 AI, it leads to a gap at the beginning (like an enormous latency). I am using the POD HD500x which is USB-connected to an iMac. If I use a regular guitar everything is correct. The recording starts right at the beginning and listening to the live-tone and tempo-click everything sounds okay. But when the recording ends there is a gap of nearly 1 second since the tone starts and it ends with the same (here as an overlap). Any ideas? I will try to reproduce this behavior in Audacity later… EDIT: Don't know how to get rid of latency using Audacity. So, no way to reproduce the problem :(

If I get a nice, braided ethernet cable and connected some Neutrik ethercon ends, it seems like I could have a better VDI cable than is currently available in the market. But how can one activate the locking tab on the RJ-45 connectors with the Neutrik sleeve covering it? I know a few of you have made these already - do you have to break the tab off? Is it locked in the "open" position? Something else? Appreciate any insights y'all can provide. Cheers - Dan

I'm considering assembling a DT25 dream rig. In a nutshell, what are the advantages/disadvantages/differences between using an HD500 and HD500X. I know the "X" comes with more bells and whistles, but are those extras worth it from a dream rig perspective? I completely understand a lot depends on how much flexibility/how many features I may personally want. But like buying a cell phone, I don't want to pay for stuff that sounds impressive that in real world applications, I'll never use. As a point of reference, I primarily work in a touring act that does a tribute to the 60s Brit Invasion and American Classic Rock/Pop. However, I also work with an 80s tribute and sit in on shows that run the gamut from Standards to Metal. I currently have a Flextone III rig with JTVs. At present, I essentially use 6 basic user presets with different effect combinations. Working "globally" like this allows a generalize preset to work across most musical styles. Kind of a one size fits all strategy. Ultimately, I would like to be able to program custom presets for specific songs, and perhaps free up my hands from manual JTV switching between songs. Hoping to get some feedback from others who pondered the choice of HD Pod to get. Thanks!

Hey everyone, I was leading a rehearsal last night and was having some weird problems with my JTV. I use a Helix currently and earlier in the day had tweaked a couple patches and tried a few different guitar models, all with good results. I was however just using a 1/4 cable in my office. At rehearsal I switched over to the VDI to make sure my battery wouldn't die from playing a lot during the day and noticed a few different things: - Tuning - With the VDI cable, I was unable to get the guitar in tune. The tuner on the Helix looked fine, even just listening with my ears and the volume down sounded fine. But with the volume on (models and mags I think) the tuning was all over the place. Couldn't play a chord without sounding strange - EQ/Frequency/Phasing? - With the VDI I was also noticing that none of the sounds I had programmed were anywhere close to what I had worked on. I'm used to this a little bit with going from headphones to a floor wedge (through PA) but I could not believe how awfully different it was last night. It sounded as if I had no lows, extremely bright highs and a thin sound. After about a half an hour, I got fed up and grabbed a 1/4 in. cable (should've done sooner). All the problems were gone! I had my sounds back that I had been happy with. Has anyone had a similar issue? Upon a quick visual inspection, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the VDI and it shouldn't be the guitar if it all works well through the 1/4 in jack. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

I own a Variax 69s that I purchased from Sweetwater in 2013. After I worked out a few bugs with ghost sounds I was pretty happy with what the guitar could do. In those early heady days I spent a good amount of time on this forum. It was exciting to check out everybody's adventures with this line of guitars (and new patches made by forum members). What I have felt for quite some time though is that Line 6 has all but forgotten us as a community of users/customers. The last significant update to the Workbench was the HD update way back in 2013. There have been incremental bumps in 2014 & 2015, but they seem to be more bug fixes or compatibility updates. Have there been new features offered in either the Workbench or through firmware updates to the guitar? Is there still a group of R&D folks at Line 6 that still care about the Variax customers? I thought maybe Yamaha would infuse the company with some new passion and smart engineers to revitalize the Variax's capabilities. They did manage to come out with the "standard", but the only new feature that offered (that I know of) was a lower price. I may be way off here. Am I missing something. If you feel the same way, or conversely, can point out what I am missing - please chime in. I'd love to find out that the company still thinks about us, and our Variax guitars occasionally. The silver lining in this is at least I did not purchase a "Made in the USA" version!!

I just got my VA 2 days ago and every time i put it in the 12 string mode on electric or acoustic, the low E and A string have terrible what sounds like fret buzz. I set the intonation I changed the strings. The neck is fine. None of the other Gtr models on my instrument have this problem. It seems that others are having this problem as well. For the price I paid for this thing the quality Control should be Must be needs to be better. Any suggestion on how to fix this problem.

I was wondering if there is a way to select the preconfigured custom tunings on the Variax that are assigned to the tuning selector dial? I know you can dial up a custom tuning with the Editor using the Custom setting but it seems like it would be a lot more convenient to be able to select for instance the "Open D" tuning from one of the already preconfigured alternate tunings on the Variax than having to dial it in string by string each time you design a Variax oriented Helix preset. Can this be done? I know I could use a template but it would be a lot easier and more flexible if I could just select one of the alternative tunings already set up on the Variax.

Hi, i may be a little late to the Variax party but I was finally convinced by the tuning capabilities to dive in and pick up a well looked after Accoustic 700. I know these are obsolete products now and i've had a bit of a blow off from Line 6 saying that I can send it across the country to be looked at and maybe it could be fixed... Anywho, My acoustic did not work straight out of the packaging and I thought I'd been dudded by the seller. I checked it out through the 1/4 inch battery powered option and I got nada... no LEDs and no sound. I then checked it via the RJ45 port through my xt live... surprise surprise it came to life. i gave it a good work out and it didn't miss a beat. Went back to the battery and nothing... I measured the voltage to the board, changed batteries and thought that that power cct must be knackered... Left for a business trip and returned a week later, thought I'd give it one more crack and it has now come to life! except that it sounds like a dying battery, all crackly on strong plucking. This isn't there through the VDI. I don't run two supplies concurrently after reading about it on here. What I am looking for is any service tips, schematics on this instrument in order to make sure i get a decent life out of this unit. i stumbled on a few threads from the archives which relates to power but hte links are all broken and hard to search. Is there anyone here that still dabbles with my model instrument? I'm capable with schematics and with an iron if necessary.

This info will probably be 101 type stuff for a lot of regulars on this forum in particular, but I had gotten some questions on my other patch videos about dual paths and stereo setups. So I made a video building a patch showing how to do this. If anyone has any questions about setting up dual paths this might be helpful.

Dear all, I've a few quick practical questions. 1- I see that Amplifi can successfully separate core guitar tone and effects, so as far as I understand, if I don't use any stereo effects or reverb etc. it only uses celestion speaker right? Or it also uses other 4 speakers even you have no effects and amp modeling (like bypassing modeling section)? 2- If I connect a multi-effects processor/amp modeler (pod hd500 for example) in "guitar-in" and use Amplifi as a speaker (again by-passing it's modeler section), does it use all five speakers or only celestion? 3- Is there any difference between connecting an amp modeler through guitar in vs. aux in regarding the speaker utilization, frequency range/distribution etc? 4- Elaborating question 3, if I connect variax through guitar in and use one of acoustic models, which speakers does Amplifi use, all speakers or only celestion?

I just got my VA 2 days ago and every time i put it in the 12 string mode on electric or acoustic, the low E and A string have terrible what sounds like fret buzz. I set the intonation I changed the strings. The neck is fine. None of the other Gtr models on my instrument have this problem. It seems that others are having this problem as well. For the price I paid for this thing the quality Control should be Must be needs to be better. Any suggestion on how to fix this problem.

Hello all I play my Helix on a Variax guitar, the JTV89F. I play classic rock covers and have the Helix set up with 2, 3 or 4 presets per song. I'm currently using the built in expression pedal as an output volume control and everything works fine. What I would like to do is free up the expression for other things (I know that the expression pedal is really 2 pedals in one but it is problematic when using the toe switch as it can affect the volume before and after the change). I have experimented with using the volume control on the Variax to control the volume block output but can't find a way to do that in a global way like you can with the built in expression pedal. I currently have the Variax tone and volume controls saved in each preset as I try to keep on stage adjustments to a minimum. The question is, is there a way to control the output volume of the Helix with the Variax volume knob that carries over from patch to patch?

Is it possible to set the Guitar Thru Out in the back of the Helix Rack to send the tone from the Variax? I've got an external tuner that I like and can't figure out how send the Variax tone to it when I use the digital cable. It works like normal when I use a ¼ inch cable but then I don't get the automatic variax switching. How can I send the tone? Also, all of my effects loops are full...

I know the question of which FRFR speaker comes up a lot. I did a gig Friday with my own equipment and used my Alto TS110A as the main. It was a small outdoor event and it had plenty of output. The other videos I've shared have always been using the house PA at other places, so I wanted to post to give an idea of what the Alto sounds like. To me it's a great bang for the buck. This was recorded from a camera mic, but a decent one, so it gives a good feel for how the speaker comes across to the audience or in the room. https://youtu.be/XYnnVSr5xmQ

I was going over some of the ideas on ideascale and came across a request for Variax wireless solution. I think that is an awesome idea and definitely needed for JTV's to be fully embraced by the professional performers, especially on the bigger stages. Interestingly, I also saw this link discussing an actual Line 6 unpublished feature built in to the Vetta II. Apparently they enabled a wireless variax feature during one of the firmware upgrades that enabled the Vetta to make Variax changes over wireless. It wasn't a complete 2 way communication solution but it certainly opened the door and showed that Line 6 themselves were at one point working it. Why on earth they haven't exploited that ability with the POD HD series is just beyond me. Anyway, here is the link to the Vetta info. If you think its a good idea go over to ideascale and vote it up... http://vettaville.nl/pagmore.php?id=166 http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Wireless-VDI/490019-23508#comments

Did another open mic night with Helix and Variax and it was a lot of fun. I'm soooo in love with this setup :) Keep in mind that this is the camera mic that's picking up the audio, the guy filming was sitting where he was getting some monitor bleed (which was overly bright), and it was the house PA with no time to adjust for EQ. I say all that because sometimes I've had folks (on other forums of course :D) pick apart the tone on some of these videos. Hope you enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fd0qeMpSPo

On the parallel pitch tab does it only allow for +12 or 0? I noticed in the manual it says that it defaults to +12 kind of implying, in my mind, that you could use other values. But that doesn't seem to be the case when I try it with Workbench. What I was trying to do was figure out a way to emulate a Micro Pog with 1 octave up, 1 octave down, and regular pitch. I had in mind that I could use alt tuning to drop an octave, parallel pitch to go up 2 octaves (+24), and blend in the magnetic pickups for standard tuning. I figured it was a long shot, but worth a try. I haven't actually messed with this via the guitar, I just had the idea while I was at work and loaded up the software to see if it was theoretically possible. Any ideas on how this could be done?

Did an open mic night and used JTV Variax>Helix>FOH, except for a Digitech Jamman Stereo for playing backing tracks. It went great and was totally happy with my tone!! Totally hassle free :) https://youtu.be/tpUnn8Xckf0

Looking to repaint my 700 when I get it in a couple of months, and I found a site that offers amazing prices if you ship it to them: the only catch is they want you to send it to them the guitar body with no hardware or electronics. Which wouldn't raise concern if I wasn't a complete novice with guitar disassembly/modding, but alas XD Now I'm not expecting guitar disassembly/reassembly to be rocket science, but just how difficult and risky is it to go through with a procedure like this? Don't want to wreck my Variax just to change the color here, being a guitar tech noobie with a modeling guitar and all.

I love my JTV-89F. It's one of the best guitars I ever had. But, IMO, EMG active pickups are the best. I use EMG 81 and 85 and they sound great. So I decided to install those in my Variax JTV-89F. After searching the Internet I could not find any source of reliable information regarding this topic. So I decided to share my experience. I made a video documenting the process. You can find it on Youtube. !!! WARNING !!! If you do this, you'll void your guitar warranty. After installation all the Variax models are working perfectly. Also tuning and custom tuning. Issue #1: The EMG pickups do not allow to split coils and the Variax uses a 5 way switch. While in magnetic pickups mode, position 2 produces the same sound as position 1. And position 4 the same sound as position 5. 1 = Bridge 2 = Bridge 3 = Bridge + Neck 4 = Neck 5 = Neck When you activate the modeling mode, all the positions continue to be independent, as in stock mag pickups. Issue #2: When the active pickups are powered, the volume control acts almost as an on-off switch. At 1/5 of a knob turn you start to hear sound already at almost 80% gain. Bellow 1/5 of a turn, no sound at all. Issue #3: Tone knob seems to produce no noticeable effect. That's it. To me, now I have a perfect guitar. I don't use much the tone knob, and I can control volume with my volume pedal.

Just got my Helix, plugged in my variax via the VTI cable (or whatever its called) and nothing. The inputs are set correctly. It works fine on my POD HD500X. I can play the variax with 1/4 inch and battery but not with the ethernet cable. Tried a factory reset and all firmware on JTV 59 and Helix is up to date. Help

Doing some tests I found out the audio with the VDI cable is just awful. With the regular pickups it sounds bright as hell, and at a lesser level it will dull the variax models. Using a regular cable makes the Variax experience much better IMO, witch is frustrating, because I got the Variax with the Helix because I wanted to be able to change my Variax settings through Helix, as well as the benefit of not having to worry about the battery. Is there a work around or am I stuck?

Working up an instrumental version of Little Wing to perform for an upcoming open mic night. Thought I'd lay down a version for practice and see how it's coming along. First few sections I play like the SRV version and then deviate. A lot of improv so I never play a "perfect" version, but it is what it is :) Signal chain was JTV Variax Strat neck position pickup into Line 6 Helix recorded directly over USB into Ableton Live. No processing done in Ableton whatsoever. I'd love to hear any feedback. https://soundcloud.com/chuskey/little-wing-with-line-6-helix

I want a preset to always be saved with the Preset Variax Model set to Don't Force, even after using the Variax guitar's controls to change the Variax model. I usually test preset changes with several Variax models, but I don't want the Variax model saved with the preset. I am using a Variax guitar and Variax cable with a Helix preset that has the Input, Per Preset, Variax Settings all set to Don't Force and the Global Variax settings all set to Don't Force. Using the Variax guitar's controls to change the Variax model also changes the Helix Input, Per Preset, Preset Variax Model to the same model. Then when I save the preset, the Per Peset Variax model is saved with it, and any time I load that preset, the Variax guitar is forced by the Helix to use that Variax model. I don't want this; I want the preset to always be saved with the Preset Variax Model set to Don't Force, even after using the Variax guitar's controls to change the Variax model. My work-around is to change the Preset Variax Model back to Don't Force every time I save a preset, but that is very tedious when I'm saving often. Is there a way to make the Helix always saving the Preset Variax Model as Don't Force after using the Variax guitar's controls to change the Variax model? Thanks. P.S. I love the Helix! Great job, Line 6, and thanks for an excellent support forum and for continuing development even though you are probably already working on the successor to the Helix that we'll see five years from now.