Great Comparison V1.9 Vs 2.0

[vjclaus]

Somebody at youtube started a real great comparison between v1.9 vs 2.0

 

for me the 1,9 works better

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stlVpOJLzPk

[Junis]

I had sucess to solve one problem, put the marsonite plank body in all spank positions and sounded very good, in my opinion better than the spank of 1.9. but I do not have any idea to improve the semi, anyone?

[Junis]

I just can not understand who insists that spank the 2.0 is better than 1.9, this video makes it very clear

[TheRealZap]

I don't need a video to tell me that 2.0 is better than 1.9... my ears do that...

it's subjective is the point... i think you're wrong... you think i'm wrong... and in the end we're both right... because it's just an opinion.

 

I just can not understand who insists that spank the 2.0 is better than 1.9, this video makes it very clear

[Junis]

but zap, watching this video, you really think the spank the 1.9 is better? I'm saying based on this video

I don't need a video to tell me that 2.0 is better than 1.9... my ears do that...

it's subjective is the point... i think you're wrong... you think i'm wrong... and in the end we're both right... because it's just an opinion.

[phil_m]

In that video, the difference between 1.9 and 2.0 isn't that dramatic to me, but still, I think in general the HD just feel more realistic while playing. The sound is only one side of the playing experience. The way the guitar reacts to my playing is just as important.

[ozbadman]

but zap, watching this video, you really think the spank the 1.9 is better? I'm saying based on this video

"Video? We don't need no stinking video" :)

[TheRealZap]

just for the sake of speaking about it intelligently... i watched the video... and yes 2.0 still wins by a mile...

the muddy mids in 1.9 never really bothered me... but side by side... 2.0 pulled out the earplugs for me and sounds much cleaner and defined.

again just my opinion... yours is worth as much... 

but zap, watching this video, you really think the spank the 1.9 is better? I'm saying based on this video

[guilhordas]

Zap,just now I see, very nice your semi upgrade, great, I got the 5 positions , so that now the semi were much higher than the other models, this normal? you set the other to balance with the semi?

[TheRealZap]

I used the LP humbuckers for the 335, and the special p90s for the casino, which are a little hotter themselves, but then i changed some pot/cap values to smooth it off.

I tend to make them run a little higher volume wise, because i tend to use the volume control to roll those down a little as well.. just gives it a little more dynamic throw on the volume control. I didn't balance them with any of the other models... just made the semi models work in and of themselves :)

thanks for checking them out.

you can of course adjust the preset volume easy enough without disturbing the core tone.

[anonyrat]

Well the video just proved to me what my own observations were when I upgraded.

1: Of the electrics, except the LP and the new Casino which I really like a lot, they were all insipid sounding and

2: Low on volume. Using the presets in the HD500 that I was using for 1.9 Most of the electrics were way down on what I had before.

(Now on a lot of the single coiled guitars I was doubling-up on a position - i.e. two bridge tele pickups at the bridge in exactly the same position.

I have moded nealy all the v2.0 guitars that way plus most I have upped from 4db to 6db to get back to par with 1.9)

3: Maybe it is just me but on my pre 2.0 guitars I am sure they were all Linear but the v2.0 all seem audio

4: Again to me some of the neck positions sound more trebly than v1.9

[silverhead]

Well the video just proved to me what my own observations were when I upgraded.

1: Of the electrics, except the LP and the new Casino which I really like a lot, they were all insipid sounding and

2: Low on volume. Using the presets in the HD500 that I was using for 1.9 Most of the electrics were way down on what I had before.

(Now on a lot of the single coiled guitars I was doubling-up on a position - i.e. two bridge tele pickups at the bridge in exactly the same position.

I have moded nealy all the v2.0 guitars that way plus most I have upped from 4db to 6db to get back to par with 1.9)

3: Maybe it is just me but on my pre 2.0 guitars I am sure they were all Linear but the v2.0 all seem audio

4: Again to me some of the neck positions sound more trebly than v1.9

 

I think those are great personal observations. You don't say whether you plan to use v1.9 or v2.0 going forward, but your observations certainly illustrate that the move from 1.9 to 2.0 requires a commitment to tweak existing presets (either HD500 or JTV) in order to 'get back to par'.

 

What I think it boils down to is this: if you're happy with par and want to remain there, then stay at 1.9 and continue to use your existing HD500 presets. When I say 'you' here and in the following I mean the general You, not you specifically anonyrat.

 

However, if you want to take advantage of the new HD modeling (now being applied to guitars as it was earlier to amps) then you will need to adjust to the new modeling. By 'take advantage' I am not referring to the new stock models in v2.0. I am referring to the new DSP engine - most notably the increased dynamics of the HD modeling. There is ,imho, much more realistic sensitivity of the guitar models to aggressive strumming and picking, and more realistic behaviour of the Tone control knob at the upper end, not to mention the enhancements of Workbench HD.  I think most people would agree that the playing dynamics are improved - you can really hear the amp responding much better now to the 'digging in' when you are playing.

 

But if your goal is to reproduce exactly the same v1.9 tones, using the same HD500 presets..... well, then, you don't need or want v2.0. How lucky! You avoid any need for upgrading and tweaking. On the other hand, you compromise on playing dynamics. There is no right or wrong choice here; to each their own.

[clay-man]

I don't need a video to tell me that 2.0 is better than 1.9... my ears do that...

it's subjective is the point... i think you're wrong... you think i'm wrong... and in the end we're both right... because it's just an opinion.

 

I like these videos because it helps tell me if I should bother buying a JTV to step up from my 600.

 

One of the reasons why I was so comfortable with getting an old Variax in place of a JTV is because the modeling technology is the same before the HD update came.

The HD update might be a real game changer in the modeling guitar race, and it definitely catches my eye and makes me wish i had a JTV more.

 

I knew it was unrealistic for me to get 1.4k for a 69s maple neck.

[TheRealZap]

not knocking the video at all... think its great when people take their time and put these together... not everyone has multiple variaxes etc.

[anonyrat]

You don't say whether you plan to use v1.9 or v2.0 going forward, but your observations certainly illustrate that the move from 1.9 to 2.0 requires a commitment to tweak existing presets (either HD500 or JTV) in order to 'get back to par'.

 

 

Good question. I think I will be happy with v2.1 :)  As to get back to par I really have never been at par - every v1.9 patch was tweaked - some v2.0 are tweaked.

Yes I like the new dynamics but what good are dynamics when a) the sound is wrong (ES-335 I have one and can do A/B comps L6 sounds like a low pass filter has been applied) b) The volumes too low - There is a lot of difference between the Variax sounds and the mag PUs. 

[germanicus]

thanks for the above link

IMO the  2.0 Les Paul is a good one

the Strat 1.9 is better than 2.0

and the 2.0  335 and 175 seem almost toys in comparison with those of the 1.9

 

100% agree. 

The new strat is way too thin. Much rather have the one from 1.9 available in the firmware.

[dkemusic]

Personally I don't think the video is really making a fair comparison.  It's common knowledge many of the 2.0 models are lower in volume, comparing them without compensating for the volume difference between the 2 is not a valid comparison IMO.  You can't make comparisons just plugging the guitars in, you need to also set the amp up for the guitar.

 

That said the more I use 2.0 the more I notice that particularly the G thru hi E strings are too low even compared to low E thru D and some models those strings don't even sound like they are on the same guitar.

 

Overall I still think 2.0 is quite an improvement on the most of the models, but I do think the volume and balance need to be tweaked on quite a few of the models, the strats, semi's, and rbilly's in particular.  I hope that is something that the next update covers, It's quite evident in the video as well that the top strings are lacking balance (at least to me).

 

Dan

[infor-bumeran]

that video does not do justice to the actual sounds v.2 looks worse and interpretation in different settings,

working a bit in the HD version sounds far exceeds the old version

[arislaf]

hurghanico, about the 700...Comparing the jtv with the 700 is 2 different worlds.Sure the electronics of the 700 were not supperior of the jtv, but there was not any lag at all...And the feel of the guitar (700) was much more better that the jtv.Although the sound of the jtv captures the correct tones of the modeled guitars, the 700 captured the soul of the guitars..You know it is not a stratocaster, but is the soul of the strat, and in some tonalities better and worse than the strat...700 had it's own character...

And the acoustics (for me) were much more better than the jtv's...And the feel of the 700.. O my god...so nice...I spent countless hours with it...As for the pick ups that not exist, for me it was better, it gave a unique character to the guitar..

 

For the point:

 

JTV 2.0 is more realistic sounded than the 1.9, but after downgrading to 1.9 and comparing, i found that the 1.9 is better than the 2.0..

At least (for me) I have more sounds to use.

[Junis]

I'd love to see a video comparing the 700(or 500,300) with the Variax JTV

[phil_m]

sincerely I would like to see evidence that the HD dynamics are so improved in the last 2.0 fw, and that it is not only a different makeup of overtones and volumes that changed so far (and mostly for the worse, I would say)..

 

 

You're welcome to your opinion, but I'd say your opinion is extremely short-sighted without having actually played a JTV with the HD models firsthand. You're basing it on a few Youtube videos and clips and whatnot. I'd say you have you to play a guitar to know if you like it.

 

Personally, I think the HD models are a whole other playing experience to the first gen of modeling. I had a Variax 300 for a while, but I never got to the place where I could play it consistently because while I thought it sounded OK, it always felt like I was making quite a trade-off between playing it and the real thing. I think there's always going to be some trade-off, but the question is how big can we tolerate. With the HD models, though, I feel the gap has gotten pretty small. There are some models where I can tell very little difference between the JTV and the real thing.

[Junis]

cool, I had already seen this video, and this video, except for the 335. jazztone 4 and strat, I consider the 2.0 far superior in every way ,but the strat with marsenite plank body is better than 1.9, test! and semi with ZAP upgrade is very good

I made confusion,I had already seen this video, but I'm talking about another of this same guy he compares the 1.9 to 2.0

[Junis]

would have been nice if the line 6, before the release hd, had done research with consumers to know which models should change or not? I know that maybe this is impossible but it would have been cool

[stevekc]

I have 2 variaxs

After trying the HD 2.0 update on one for a while Im reverting both back to 1.9 or possibly 1.72

 

Im not hearing anything in HD 2.0 but hype myself. Even a 7 year old VG-99 does much better guitar modeling than HD 2.0

[vjclaus]

me too, i roll back to 1.72 with the old acoustic sounds and i tweak the eq´s on the fx-rack higher(presence!). the guitar works good for me.

i think a softwareupdate is a good thing, if there were huge improvement, but you listen to the comparison of v1.9 vs 2.0 and v 1.9 to old v500, the difference is not very big.

Cause everytime you change your settings (update)  you´ll have to change (tweak) your sounds to your personal taste, and in the end it´s more an "tweaking" than an guitarplaying!

 

i always say: never change a winning system - don´t tweak to much --> play your guitar (it´s all in your fingers)

 

greetings vjclaus

[johnbartus]

The comparison video totally reflects my experience with HD 2.0 models vs. 1.9 -- most notably the Spank models. I have played Strats onstage and in the studio for more than 30 years. I've owned more Strats than I care to remember, with both maple and rosewood fingerboards, ash and alder bodies, stock alnico/DiMarzio/Vintage Noiseless/EMG/Texas Special pickups, classic vibrato/American Deluxe vibrato/Kahler vibrato/hardtail. I have built a couple of custom Franken-Strats as well. I also own a Variax 600, 300, 700 Acoustic, JTV-69, and JTV-89. And a Pod HD500 that I'm just getting into. I like my Variaxes for the versatility I can have at a gig or in the studio. But for sheer playing joy, I love my Strats. That being said...

 

The HD 2.0 Spank models do not sound like any Strat I have ever played or owned. The 1.9 models are far more accurate in recreating the Strat tones I rely on. As I mentioned before, the video is only a confirmation of my actual experience with the new HD models, and why I downgraded back to 1.9.

 

And I certainly agree with what many have posted about the 335 models... what happened there?  :unsure:

 

Yes, tone is a subjective thing, YMMV, etc. But take people who have played Strats for years, decades -- and have them do a blind test on 1.9 vs. 2.0. I bet at least 9 out of 10 will prefer 1.9. HD Spank ≠ Strat.

 

Looking forward to HD Version 2.x...

;) 

[phil_m]

Yes, tone is a subjective thing, YMMV, etc. But take people who have played Strats for years, decades -- and have them do a blind test on 1.9 vs. 2.0. I bet at least 9 out of 10 will prefer 1.9. HD Spank ≠ Strat.

 

Looking forward to HD Version 2.x...

;)

 

 

Did you see the post I made comparing the Variax Spank model to a real Strat? They were pretty darn close. The biggest difference to me actually was the output level. The Variax model is a little hotter than the real thing, but that can vary from Strat to Strat.

 

I'm not saying you're wrong, per se, but I don't how you can say the HD Spank isn't accurate.

[jdenkevitz]

The comparison video totally reflects my experience with HD 2.0 models vs. 1.9 -- most notably the Spank models. I have played Strats onstage and in the studio for more than 30 years. I've owned more Strats than I care to remember, with both maple and rosewood fingerboards, ash and alder bodies, stock alnico/DiMarzio/Vintage Noiseless/EMG/Texas Special pickups, classic vibrato/American Deluxe vibrato/Kahler vibrato/hardtail. I have built a couple of custom Franken-Strats as well. I also own a Variax 600, 300, 700 Acoustic, JTV-69, and JTV-89. And a Pod HD500 that I'm just getting into. I like my Variaxes for the versatility I can have at a gig or in the studio. But for sheer playing joy, I love my Strats. That being said...

 

The HD 2.0 Spank models do not sound like any Strat I have ever played or owned. The 1.9 models are far more accurate in recreating the Strat tones I rely on. As I mentioned before, the video is only a confirmation of my actual experience with the new HD models, and why I downgraded back to 1.9.

 

And I certainly agree with what many have posted about the 335 models... what happened there?  :unsure:

 

Yes, tone is a subjective thing, YMMV, etc. But take people who have played Strats for years, decades -- and have them do a blind test on 1.9 vs. 2.0. I bet at least 9 out of 10 will prefer 1.9. HD Spank ≠ Strat.

 

Looking forward to HD Version 2.x...

;)

 

The new strat sounds nothing like my actual strat. Obviously, like almost any type of guitar, there can be tremendous variation tonally between models from different years and specifications. However, 2.0 Strat sounds like it has a balsa wood body.

 

I really do not care if its a more accurate 'HD' replication of the guitar they used.

 

 

Let L6 know. Heres a topic I started asking for the capacity to load older models...

 

http://line6.com/support/topic/2230-please-make-the-non-hd-models-available-in-workbench/

[Bobbyl]

As I always say-The HD strat and 335 are not guitars I would buy in the real world. The 1.9 strat and 335 are guitars I would buy in the real world.

[Junis]

I already am becoming boring saying the same thing, but I insist, try to put the marsonite planks body in place spank body, I found that much improvement.
My final opinion, after several gigs is that strat, 335 and jazztones worsened much but the rest of the models are much better, despite the very low volume in comparison to 1.9

[arislaf]

I would say that the jazzies got better on th v.2 IMHO, but all in all, v.1.9 was better...I try to udjust on v.2 for the moment..

[Junis]

something I've been thinking too, I think the delay for this update was so, we have created a huge expectation, that would be the greatest wonder of the world, and despite the advances, some models walked back and disappointed

[jdenkevitz]

^{The Masonite body is a good substitute when used with the Strat pickups.} 

^{I also recommend folks drop the resistance on the Tone control to darken the sound more akin to the 1.9.}

[TheRealZap]

right... and you see a few people saying they prefer 2.0... and a few more are probably too busy playing and enjoying 2.0 (or even 1.9) to care...

 

just saying... none of this is very scientific... and of course people that are happy with the update, aren't hanging around to preach to the choir...

 

 

I see many customers here me included who prefer the previous strat sound, maybe that's not important for Line6 but IMO it should be so in case we were the majority

[ozbadman]

I see many customers here me included who prefer the previous strat sound, maybe that's not important for Line6 but IMO it should be so in case we were the majority

See:

 

http://line6.com/support/topic/2271-jtv-20-poll/

[johnnyayyy]

write... and you see a few people saying they prefer 2.0... and a few more are probably too busy playing and enjoying 2.0 (or even 1.9) to care...

 

just saying... none of this is very scientific... and of course people that are happy with the update, aren't hanging around to preach to the choir...

 

Artists rendering of forum members trying out JTV 2.0:

 

[arislaf]

Hahhahahahahahaha, perfect!!!

[guilhordas]

Now, undoubtedly is sad that after this long wait, we have to change the models so that they sound good, spank and changed the semi, I think it was not that angry people waiting, lol, but okay, we love our JTvs

[jdenkevitz]

I saw the above poll, but IMO a total of 64 votes is too little to be of any value, there are people who probably does not even know that there are firmwares .. or even dedicated forums.. and polls..

 

anyway everyone obviously is free to do what they prefer

personally instead of having a masonite-spank and use other workarounds to get some decent sounds, I prefer to stay with what I have

if there'll be a significant better fw update in the future maybe I'll go for that

 

I made a submission on Ideascale that you may agree with.

 

http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/JT-Variax-Allow-user-access-to-all-replaced-models-in-workbenc/524926-23508

 

This would allow us access to the removed models. I believe access to the 'old' models would allow greater tonal versatility, and for me, that's the point of the Variax.

[TheRealZap]

using simply logic we can with 100% certainty say that it is not possible.

any version of the variax software before 1.83 had both the factory models and the user models installed (all models were basically duplicated. which was a HUGELY nice unknown feature of the original variax)

after 1.83 when they added the HD acoustic models, they removed the duplicate factory models to make room for the HD models.

i'm certain that if one bank of HD models required the removal of all the duplicated models... that there is NO room to put them all back with the HD models.

if there was enough room for say a handful of the old models... i'd still say no thanks... make me more new HD models. (that and picking and choosing old models will never make everyone happy anyway... slippery slope.)

 

 

I saw your idea on ideascale but unfortunately I don't believe it's possible to realize what you're saying there..

 

I believe that every variax has all the avaible hardware memory loaded with the specific fw included parts of the modeled guitars..

and the workbench is not much more than a remote control to assemble those parts together and eventually save/load the results..

 

probably there is no room into the variax memory (ie fw data) to accomodate every model part done so far, and so only Line6 decides what to include or not in every fw..

 

certainly ideally it would be really very nice if it was possible, but for now you can only choose which fw as a whole package works better for you ..