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Hello. I'm quite tempted to purchase a Helix to replace my trusty Bass Pod XT Live now that Line6 no longer provides working software for in on macOS Mojave ; but I'm weary of one thing: I'm using a Variax bass with the Bass POD, and they have dedicated presets, and communication mechanisms. However, in the Helix user manual, there are plenty of references to what one can do with the Variax Standard or James Tyler guitar, but exactly zero reference to the Variax basses. What exactly is the level of interaction I can expect ? e.g.: "nothing", "just power", "power and audio", "bass knobs work like EXP-n pedals like on Variax guitars", "preset change can change the emulated bass in the bass ? What else ?

Hi, I am completely new to the variax and maybe I am missing something simple. I am running the Variax through a G10 Relay into an Amplfi. All line 6 no outside imposter gear! The problem i have is that when I select an alternative tuning I hear both the magnetic pickups and the alternative tuning through the amp. I thought by turning on the variax it automatically disabled the magnetic pickups? Any help appreciated. Also if I've missed something completely obvious light mockery is also welcomed! Thanks

Looking for any input from someone using a Taylor T5Z with Helix. I currently have a JTV59 and JTV89F along with a VAC700 and all sound great through the helix. I am primarily trying to give myself a kick in the butt into playing more and have been looking at the Taylor T5Z. Any insight would be appreciated-Leftzilla

I have the 'dream rig'. I have become more and more frustrated trying to get decent usable live tones from the rig to the point where I'm thinking of chopping it in for a guitar, an amp, and a couple of FX pedals. Glen Delaune has some wonderful sounding patches which I bought but when I changed the amps in the patches to the 'Pre' version, the sound died. When I try to ramp up the volume, it sounds like I'm playing through an old 5w Tandy (RadioShack in the US) blown speaker underwater. Now, if I leave the patches as they are; using the non-Pre amps models, the sound is great. My question therefore is why should I bother with the Pre's? Am I using the valves in my DT25 head as they were intended or am I in some what bypassing all of the goodness in the rig by using the full modelled amps? For reference here is my setup; JTV59p connected with VDI to HD500 connected with AES/EBU via L6 link to DT25 head connected with 2 x mono 6.3mm to 2 x L6 1x12 cabs Global inputs on the HD500 are set to Varian 1 and Aux 2

I need to swap out the jack plate assembly on my Variax 700. The contact when using modeled tones is intermittent. If I provide pressure to force the Neutrix connector all the way in, the modeling works but letting go on the pressure results in a disconnect. I have the replacement assembly from Full Compass. I have very bad eyesight (legally blind) so I need to know whether swapping jack plates is simply unscrewing the 4 screws securing the jack plate to the guitar body and then pulling the connectors out of their respective sockets or, if in addition, desoldering of connections from the current jack plate and soldering connections to the new jack plate is required. In the first case, I feel I can do it myself. In the second, I would have to arrange for a local tech to handle the swap. Smart blind folks don't do soldering by the touch method<g>. Thanks, Glenn

Does anyone know if it is possible to custom-order a left-handed Variax guitar?

Hi, I'm on that scary precipice of just about to order a new guitar. I have been torn between the JTV-69 Standard and the JTV-59. I know when in Acoustic modelling mode, the 5-way switch on the JTV-69 will change the acoustic model. But since the JTV-59 only has a 3-way switch I wonder if it has the same number of acoustic model choices. Thanks in advance for your help. P.S. - I sure wish there were Variax dealers in my area. I have never bought a guitar without playing it first, and to be honest, I'm a little nervous. Lee - Warwick, RI

All the recent hype about the Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster motivated me to launch my "Electro-Roots Workshop" YouTube channel with a review of the Variax acoustic sounds. https://youtu.be/HyyO-1V-XLQ Much obliged!

I love my Variax Standard, but I've been underwhelmed by the acoustic models. From what I've read online, you really need an acoustic amp for these to shine, which I don't have. I saw the Firehawk FX has an acoustic amp model specifically designed for to use with the Variax models. Has anyone used this? If so, do the acoustic models sound better through it? This is the only acoustic amp sim I have been able to find. Also, is it still worth it to get the Firehawk FX? I like the functionality of the Firehawk FX and that you can control the settings with an app as opposed to being locked in front of my computer. But is Line 6 phasing them out? I don't want to buy something that's already obsolete and in danger of losing support. Of course, I'd get the Helix in a heartbeat, but at 5 times the price it's WAY out of my budget. Sweetwater has 48 months interest free financing on these for the next two days, so I'm kind of under the gun to make a decision. Any info you guys can give is most appreciated. Thanks, and rock on! Sandy

All then recent hype about the Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster motivated me to launch my "Electro-Roots Workshop" YouTube channel with a review of the Variax acoustic sounds. https://youtu.be/HyyO-1V-XLQ Much obliged!

I have a 9 string, and I’ve been wanting to replace it with a variax for my projects I have. I tune to standard, but in 432, not 440. Standard is C# F# B E A D G B E, but I’d like to go lower if possible I was looking to buy a new variax, but wanted to make sure I can recreate everything the same as I have with my 9 string. I bought a used shurkien a few months ago, but it had issues, so I returned it. I do like the new JTV-89F because of the ebony and Floyd, but the shuriken has the longer scale. Any help is appreciated.

Hey guys, I have a Variax JTV but I don't have the USB interface in order to use it with the Workbench. If you have a Variax USB and don't need it anymore because you have the Helix or another unit that interfaces with the Variax, I would appreciate if you would be willing to donate it or sell it for a reasonable price. The brand new unit is too expensive for me. Thanks.

I am currently using my JTV59 with a Pod HD500x. I want to reduce my foot print and would like to replace the HD500x with the HX Stomp. Will I be able to get as good or better acoustic sounds from this proposed product union? I use both 6 string and 12 string models from the JTV59 and with the HD500x and I am currently getting pretty nice sounding acoustic guitar. I don't want to buy the HX Stomp and find it lacks in this primary area of my usage. Has anyone had an opportunity to pair the JTV variax type guitar with the HX Stomp? (Specifically in the acoustic guitar sounds)

Hey guys, I have a JTV variax but I have no USB interface to change it's parameters, and I have no other interface (POD, helix, etc.). The interface by iytself is 150$ here, which is absurd. Would this cable make the Workbench HD see my JTV and allow me to update firmware/upload patches and change params? https://bencraven.com/?p=1616 Thanks!

Forgive my ignorance, but I picked up a used Variax 300 recently. It was my understanding that you could set it up with different synthesized tunings, but the standard "Pilot's Guide" doesn't mention this. Am I wrong? Is there an "advanced user" manual that describes how to access extra features?

I know this has been posted but I've been digging for an hour and can't find the post I read a while back on how to clean the pickups. Any tips?

My brand new Variax has had only intermittent success when I've used the switch to go from mags to modeling. Oftentimes it sticks when I use it, and sometimes I can depress it several times yet still the thing won't switch modes. This can happen while switching from/to either the modeling or the mags. I seem to notice a higher success rate if I remember to hold the switch down for a couple of seconds before releasing it. Other than the problem stated it seems properly installed, and it doesn't wobble or anything. Questions: Is the switch intended to operate in the manner described so as to curtail inadvertent switching while playing? If not, should I be worried? (It is still in the return period, so I could ship 'er back for a replacement model.) Is there a simple fix? THANKS in advance for your help! Mike

I've seen in multiple threads and the manual that you should be able to change the variax model per snapshot; however, it only seems to allow it globally or per preset. Using "HX edit 2.6" (in the first image) you can see that there is an option for snapshot clicking on the camera in the upper right. But in the actual selection area (second image, right side), you only have the global and preset option, nothing on snapshots. I have a JTV59 I think it is, and am using the cat5 cable between it and the helix. Although this snapshot option should be visible independent of the variax. I didn't see anything in the release notes for HX edit that addresses it so I doubt upgrading will fix it. Has anyone else run into this or is there a work around? Thanks, Bobby

I finally found a great deal on a (not) scratch n dent V-Standard at SW, and after 2.2 days I'm starting to get blown away. Let me back up. I entered the modeling realm with an HD500 when they were fresh (what, 2010?), thinking that I'd have more capability than the Spider Valve MkI that amazed me. First thing I noticed on the POD was that all the stock presets sucked. Playing at very low volume, I had to develop my own, which relied on a fair bit more gain than I'd normally go for in order to achieve any kind of crunch. I moved from FRFR to DT amps, but still, always kinda had more gain than I wanted (except when I went totally clean with the lovely Twin model). I picked up a Variax 600 and finally reached "dream rig" status, but really only liked the Strat models, Tele neck, and the Rick bridge. The alt tunings seemed kinda crappy too. Most of the other electric models were just too loud--much louder and with more gain than my real guitars with hot pups. When I first tried my new V-Standard, it was looking like more of the same (except usable mags). So I wondered, how do I get away from my presets with too much gain and into presets that work for my Variax? In an epiphany of sorts, I started trying out all those presets in my HD500 that sucked, and guess what? NO MO SUCKY! They're amazing, for the most part. Also, to my surprise, they all have variax settings already. So all I had to do was plug my dream rig in, using an ethernet cable and the digital L-6 Link, and now folks, I hardly have to tweak, I can just play my heart out! Turns out those patches were very well crafted using Variaxes of some kind, and so far about 2/3 are keepers! Has anyone else noticed this as well, or am I the first to stumble on this total treasure chest? The magnetic pickups are pretty sweet too! But the other thing I'm really thrilling over is the neck on the Variax Standard. I was afraid that something this flat, this thin, and with medium frets might not work for my aging knuckles, but I gotta tell you that even with 10's at concert pitch this thing is a joy for my hand! It's the most comfortable neck I've felt since the Japanese Variax 700 I've been wishing I'd have bought--and that's saying a lot. I do have questions: Is the light on the alt tuning knob supposed to be only momentary (unless you go to the "model" position)? I wish the thing would stay lit in mag mode so I could dial up the tuning I want without activating all those other tunings in between. Does anybody know how hard it would be to change pick guards? I'm thinking white would look very sweet with my sunburst brown... THANKS!!! Mike

Hello! I have the chance to buy a JTV-59 and I love the body style but I want to make sure that it has the same capabilities as the shuriken. Can anyone tell me if there are any differences other than body style?

Hi there. I´m a spanish musician playing several times a week in a cover band. Always have had Line 6 products, from the first POD model to HD500, Relay Wireless Systems... etc... Now I´ve sold my HD500 and bought a HELIX LT. I´m quite happy with it; good sound enough for giggin' and great flexibility to organize large setlists of songs with many changes and variations in gain and FX thanks to snapshots. My big problem is... I also have a Variax 500, wich I love, but I can´t see what to do now.. Old Variax models and Helix are not fully compatible. And.... there is no left handed models for the new variax range. I could put my Helix on sale and get an old HD 500 again, but it seems a lollipop solution, don't you think? I don´t want to give up to all my new bank of sounds (better than ever) and the "snapshots" flexibility. If Line 6 is not decided to create a lefty model for new Variax is OK to me, I´m fine with my old 500... but we need a solution for fixing this, and we need it soon, please. Is there any chance to create any sofware "patch" for the Workbench editor in order to connect with Helix? Or any special update for Lefty registered owners? Right handed people can update from Variax 500 to Standard, JTV or Shuriken.... but there´s nothing we can do so far.

A few days ago somebody smashed out my window out in AZ and stole all of my gear from my trunk. Now, being that I’m 17, I rely heavily on modeling products to cut down on costs, but I still won’t have the funds for years to replace any of the equipment that was stolen. The idiot was able to get away with my Helix, Powercab 112 Plus, JTV-89F, and a few other miscellaneous items, but I was wondering if there’s some warranty that can cover products that were bought not directly from Line 6? They were all bought used and from pawnshops. Also is there some form of security meaure that prevents the Helix from connecting to another Line 6 account or some form of lock out precaution? I ended up creating a GoFundMe in the meantime to help fund the replacement items, but so far no one wants to donate or share the link since I’m not a 5 year old cancer patient. I’ll include the link just in case of some miracle happens from the guitar world. Thanks in Advanced, JB

Hi all! I am new to the Line 6 family, have recently purchased a Line 6 Helix and am loving it and its flexibility! Now I want to move onto the Variax line of guitars, especially for the alternate tunings as I play in a cover band and we split between standard, 1/2 step, and full step down. Whilst at home I really enjoy the heavier side of music, in particular Drop B tuning... So the question is: Will the Variax Standard ($1400 AUD odd) be able to do this sort of tuning (Drop B) or do I need to go the Shruiken model...? Price isn't really a major issue, as you get what you pay for in everything, its more that I didnt want the 'full metal guitar look'... Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Cheers Trent

Hi! Wondering if anyone knows if a new input jack would fix this. Or if i should chase something else. Here is what happens: JTV89F -> VDI -> HELIX. Mags give extra hum until I touch the end shroud of the VDI cable. Either end will do it. JTV end or HELIX end. It hums like a single coil. Using my 69S through the same path and I do not have the same issue. No change whatsoever when touching an end of the cable so I am thinking that at least rules out other components in the chain. Thoughts?