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I went to use my Variax with my Helix today and it didn't work. It happened before and I'm not sure wh. First I checked if another car 5 cable worked. I tried a guitar cable along with the Variax cable. It connected. To see if the cable was providing power I took out the battery and I was able to select instruments on the Variax. So the cable is powering it, but not transmitting signal. I have a JTV-69S and Helix floor. I suspect one or the other may need a reset or something. Any suggestions welcome.

Where can I buy a James Tyler Variax 89f? I am not able to find a store in Europe that sells it.

The Helix and the Variax are a powerful combination. I know I can change the tuning of each individual string and volume of each string for each preset. I'd like to add a bass octave to the E string, but *only* the E string. In theory I'd like to take the bottom track and use it exclusively for modeling the lowest string to add a bass effect and then the top track for everything else. However, it doesn't seem that this is possible. I was wondering if any of you knew how I could maybe achieve that?

I have a helix and a variax. I want to use snapshots so there won't be audio ramp-up when you switch presets. I want a Strat sound on Snapshot 1 and a Banjo on Snapshot2, for example, but it appears that inputs can not be changed between snapshots on a preset. Is there a way to alternate variax tones (under input) between a given preset's snapshots? I'm looking at using two separate paths in a preset, but am not sure how to select paths in a snapshot.

Hi, got my first variax standard yesterday and blown away with the models. Not so with the Alt tuning which does not play isolated Alt tuning notes but a blend of original and Alt note/s. I’ve tried thru a helix lt and direct to amp (quilter tone block frfr) and on daw monitoring and it’s the same. However the recorded sound in the last instance was just the Alt notes. What’s going on? I ran monkey and can see, and have updated workbench and the supplied vdi-usb interface but monkey does not see the guitar as a device so no info on firmware or opportunity to flash etc. However, Workbench does download and update the presets to the variax and I have set custom presets with my 1/2step down setups but the same effect. The model/mags balance is set to 100% model for sure in all these examples. the only oddity I recall when unpacking was the model select knob fell off and had to be pushed back on but seems to do its job. Any advice please as I don’t want to give up on it just yet as I had high hopes.

hello everybody, i have variax 600 guitar and i can't find a way to connect with mac os mojave software , can't find varaix workbench or workbench HD , what can i do .. kindly if anyone can help me for this lollipopen lollipop .... Or I will sell it

So I recently got a Variax limited and have been using it for a few weeks now, today I go to plug it in and there’s nothing. So I check the battery and found that it wasn’t charged so I charged it, I come back and try it and still nothing. The magnetics work but the modelling doesn’t, I tried with a battery and 1/4 cable, I tried with a battery and a variax cable, and without a battery and a variax cable, still none of the modelling works, and the magnetics don’t work through the variax cable like usual, basically everything variax has stopped working. I’ve never had this happen and the instrument is still new, I don’t remember anything weird happening, as far as I remember I played it last night just fine with the modelling. What can I do to try and fix this and what can I do to try and diagnose the problem? thanks so much in advance! to note: workbench hd is also not recognising the guitar.

I wanted to ask a question because I've not seen anything about this anywhere else. When you change models, or if you have a model with a switch setup that goes between different pickups, is there a noise gap?

Hello! the 4th string on my variax shuriken makes no noise when i turn on the modeler unless i go into workbench and set the magnetics to 100%. If the variax is turned off and i play, there is no issues with ti. any idea what could be causing this?

Hello. I bought JTV-59 this month. The modeling sound works perfectly on Helix, and there were no other hardware problems(maybe) But the problem is, I can't connect to Workbench HD. My USB interface has a green light on my PC, but Variax in side has a red light.(blinking..) I think there is a problem with the USB interface because the modeled sound is coming out well in my Variax with Helix Has anyone experienced the same problem as me? Please give me some advice. Summary 1. JTV - RJ45 cable - USB interface - PC, but Variax in side is blinking with red light. 2. The JTV turned on the power using a 1/4 jack. 3. The volume is 10. 4. All firmware has been updated, but Flash memory is not visible (probably because it is not connected to Variax) 5. We connected the extra CAT5 but it still doesn't work. 6. The modeled sound of the guitar comes out perfectly. 7. I can set up JTV in Helix Edit and POD500X Edit. 8. USB interface is a black model/ 9. When the Workbench is operated on a PC through JTV-Helix-USB, the following phrase pops up. <The connected Variax is not compatible with workbench HD. You must use a James Tyler Variax version 2.00 or higher. Thank you in advance for your help.

Does anyone know if it is possible to bend the pitch of individual strings up or down on the Variax by use of the Helix expression pedal or using a momentary switch? Similar to another product by another company. Bending the string controlled with expression pedal as if using a finger to bend the string.

Hi I have bought a used Onyx Limited Edition, but I have got no papers. Is there any SW method to see the serial number? Perhaps looking at some window in a menu of Workbench. Is there any physical place of the guitar where is printed the serial number? Thanks! Regards Pablo

Muy buenas, hace poco me compré una shuriken y ahora estoy pensando en sustituir mi ampli engl invader por una Helix , con idea de cambiar los sonidos de la variax , efectos y ampli desde un botón. Pero tengo la duda de cómo hacer en directo, porque para estar en casa o ensayando el cable que viene con la variax de unos dos metros me vale, pero para directo no puedo estar encima de la pedalera, necesito moverme por el escenario. Alguno tenéis está combinación y tocáis en directo? Hay cables largos? Como hacéis? Ojalá alguno pueda darme una solución. Gracias!

Hi folks! I've recently started using my Variax Standard for a 60s tribute band, and a few weeks ago I had a string break at the bridge (4th). Today the same thing happened at exactly the same spot. There's no rough or sharp point at the saddle, so, has anyone got any ideas? I've just restrung with Elixirs. Is this a common thing with Standards? I sweat a fair bit so is it my sweat causing the string to fail? Chris - Nottingham, UK

I'm interested to know if anyone else using a JTV Variax guitar into Helix experiences issues with the Helix 'forgetting' patch information when Helix updates. This has happened to me every time I've done a Helix update, and even again on the 3.10 update this week. I normally use the Variax mags as my preferred pickups, but on occasion for as our setlist requires it, I set up for a drop D or open G tuning or move standard tuning steps up and/or down. The have to be done with Variax guitar models. These patches will also sit alongside patches where I am not using tunings or Variax guitar models. I find I have to go back in to each of these patches and persuade them to remember the Variax aspect of the patch. It particularly seems to affect patches where I have altered tunings. So, I'm interested to see if this is just me, and I'm missing some little trick in my set up, or if others experience the same, and if they do, why can this not be solved as part of the software/firmware update?

Hello, i just recently purchased a variax-jtv 69s from sweetwater. I am currently using a Spider V with the FBV 3 foot board. I'm wondering if is possible to control the variax from the FBV3 like the helix floor can? Thank you.

Hi Years ago a strap gave way and the body of my beloved Variax Bass hit the floor. Not too hard but any is too much. I'm pretty sure the next time I plugged it in, it did not work. It was years ago but i'm pretty sure the drop did it. I just set my gear up and tried it again in case I overlooked something. Still no sound, Just a green light on the bass and xps-DI. Is there something easy that may have come loose that I can spot and fix inside? If not, who can repair this for me in NYC please? Thanks, Tony

Hi all- First time poster here. I submitted a service ticket a few days ago and haven’t received a reply so I thought I would post the content of my service ticket here to see if anyone else might be able to help - are you able to replicate this issue on your Variax? here it is - thanks in advance for any help! — I have a brand new Variax Standard, received Friday, February 19, 2021, so I am still learning the controls/software. In variax modeling mode, "Spank" model, 5-way switch position 1 through 5 (all), the volume knob does not seem to function properly, in that it does not appreciably reduce the volume of the model, even at its minimum setting. With the volume pot at minimum setting and other selections the same as above, the Variax selector knob illumination turns off after 8-10 seconds, then after several seconds begins flashing once per 5 seconds. When this change in illumination occurs, it seems the model "ends" and the sound produced is different - rotating the volume pot by 5 degrees or so will re-illuminate the model selector knob and the selected model sound is produced. On the volume issue, no other pre-loaded models appear to do the same thing - the minimum volume knob setting effectively mutes the instrument until the selector knob illumination turns off (see below). This behavior seems like a fault of some sort, but I do not know - seems unusual to not be able to mute the guitar by turning the volume to minimum. I have reloaded the firmware and the flash memory with the current versions via Monkey with no resolution or change. The spank models that are default in Custom 1 and Custom 2 banks exhibit the same behavior. I have firmware 1.03, Flash Memory 2.23. 2nd issue: with Variax model selector switch illuminated and in "Spank" position, turning the knob to "Lester" switches the model, and the volume pot works as expected - however, when turning the volume pot to its minimum setting, the Variax model selector switch turns off illumination after 8-10 seconds and the default instrument volume returns without the Lester model sound. Rotating the volume pot 5 degrees or so will re-illuminate the Variax model selector switch and cause the volume of the modeled guitar to return.

I have two Variax JTV-69s, early 2010s, both out of warranty. Variax#1: The Virtual Capo "wheel" stopped working for "model" and "normal" settings. Works for all others. Variax#2: The 5 position switch started intermittently working, then not when using standard pickups in humbucker position. Just this week, the 4th and 5th positions stopped working altogether when modeling is engaged. I suspect it's a bad switch. Tried using contact cleaner to no avail. Line 6 directed me to full compass for parts a while back. Both parts were on back order til end of January. Reached out and found out today these parts are now discontinued. Does anyone have these parts for sale from a harvested or broken JTV-69? From what I can tell, it looks like a snap together repair, or quick soldering at worst. I've repaired my own guitars for years and I'm very tech savvy. I need my guitars for live and studio, so I'm willing to try my hand at it first before relinquishing my guitars to a repair center that's well over an hour away for an indefinite period of time, plus the expense. Thanks!

Helix Rack Noob again. Still in my learning curve, and I'm reading a lot about the advantages a Variax brings to the equation. I've never been exposed to one, but I have had several guitar synths, so I have a general idea about what synthetic guitar sounds like. My question for those who use a Variax: how is the latency? In a Roland COSM device, analog to MIDI has more latency, but the COSM modelling is virtually free of any delay. If the same thing is true of the Variax, I can foresee one in my future. Of most interest is the ability to change tunings without latency or audio artifacts Your thoughts? Thanks in advance for any information you can provide. This is a great community, full of smart people. Lots of good information being exchanged here.

Hi everyone. I have an Helix Floor and I use to connect my JTV69 on it directly by VDI and record on Logic Pro. sometimes I would like to record or play without my Helix Floor but just With Helix Native and my Variax. The question is : how to connect the Variax by VDI without the Helix Floor ? thank you.

Hi, I’ve been a Variax owner and line 6 Variax pods and amp owner for a couple decades now. Sometimes I’m amazed at the comments of dissatisfied customers. (I in no way am part of line 6 nor do I speak for them) . Line 6 didn’t start as a guitar company, rather synth centered stuff. But they had some great ideas. I know line 6 advertises instead of bringing multiple guitars, just bring a Variax. Well I’ve been a luthier for years and when the Variax came out I purchased a 300, 500, 600 which is a 300 with tremolo, and the 500 and 700 are similar. ALL the models back then used the same firmware the same sounds and were interchangeable where hardware was allowed. Number 1. I have never believed one amplifier would service this guitar correctly. Especially if you’re trying to play a classic sound of any type then try to play an acoustic guitar through the same rig. If you can only have one rig let it be sent to a high quality pa and use a line pod. Usually when you plug a Variax into a pod, and turn the model non either on the guitar or the pod line six has some pretty good presets to start with, then you can tweak from there. I’m semi retired now on a fixed income and can’t afford the latest in the pod family but I’ve listened to many they are awsome. My BEST Variax rig was 2- 4x12 marshal cabinets . I accidentally came across a vintage Acoustic speaker cabinet. It had 4 vintage celestion green backs 25 watt, and Jimmy Hendrix favorite the 55hz version instead of the 75hz that almost everybody uses. I also use a line 6 short board floor pedal and a line 6 - x3 pro rack unit. For power I used the Mesa bogie Stereo 4 6L6 GC 50/50 stereo power amp. Nice tube compression. So I used my edited tones from the X3 and it sounded fabulous. I also used their Variax editing software. I grew up playing during the mid 60s through early eighties. So I created a bass guitar model that sounds similar when played through my bass amp rig which I’ll talk about some other time. I made a patch where one was a Gibson Les Paul and the bottom one was the precision bass. You know how bass guitarists sometimes followed the lead player in some funky stuff or blues. What an incredible sound and with the foot switch I can turn the bass off and on by copying a patch calling it b instead of a so when I did chords I most often would switch the bass off. what I’m getting at, and especially fir guys like me who no longer has a band but still love recording in my home studio with my Logic x. before line 6 was putting mag pickups in Variax I was doing it. Only problem I know nothing about the software part of this so my guitars had way too many knobs and switches. I saw the JT stuff. It was starting to het too expensive to buy one to canabalize and hope to get your money back with a sale. Then the standard came out. Like I said I started a strat body design with all the contours and that big battery pack is in the way. One of my Variax conversions I still have is a GIBSON Les Paul Double cut. I decided to leave the tone control out because that can all be adjusted with the pod x3 and easily edited and saved . Pluse I never moved the tone control that much . I don’t miss it. I also left the battery cavity out of that one. Anyway it’s clean. Not as clean switch wise as the jt, but it’s not bad. having a Variax is a commitment. If you don’t put much time into this platform, well your sound will give you what you give it. But put some real time in what she’ll do you’ll be a pleased player. Anyway not trying to be know it a;l. I was so impressed with the potential of this system I really got into them. I think I’ve purchased 50 different Variax guitars and bass. Sold most but the favorites/ if you ever have a question with builds or what ever, I don’t know everything like the designers but certain ally have spent the time to get what I want out of it. If you are ready to dump your Variax standard contact me.. I think they are great

What is the mains adaptor for the charger - is it AC output or DC ? I have both but not clearly marked which is needed for charging Variax batteries. It implies that the mains adaptor is AC. If it is in fact AC is the voltage 9V ? TIA

Hi! I’m looking to make a few modifications to my JTV-59 and wanted to get some input of what’s in the realm of possibility with the Variax technology. The main things I’d like to add are tuner locks of some kind, a whammy bar, and a sustainer pickup. Would any of these be possible and what should I look out for when installing these additions? I mainly use the Variax models but, from what I understand, they’re all coming from the bridge so I don’t know what limitations that brings to what I’d like to accomplish. I know the Variax technology can be a very complicated topic and, hopefully, this is the best place to get an answer to my questions! Thanks everyone!

Hi, I currently play on a Yamaha Pacifica that I like a lot, it's a guitar really easy to play for me (I have quite small hands). I'm interested in buying a Variax for the limitless capabilities that this system offers. As they sound all similar with the same electronics, I'm looking at the JTV-59 as I really like the design and it would be complementary with my Pacifica which is a "strat style". But I've never played on a Les Paul style and I see 2 opposite camps in the forums. Some people love the comfort of the 59, some others hate it and have sold their guitar for this reason. Can anyone provide a feedback on this guitar and an advice in my context? I know that alternatives more close to the Pacifica neck would be the Standard or JTV-69, but it's hard to tell when you can't try it in a real store. Thanks in advance for your tips ;-)