tmntshredder Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 I’ve been shopping for a variax and am a bit confused about the JTV-59 pricing and availability. Sweetwater has them listed for $1199, but the website says “new item” and they’re out of stock. AMS has them for $999. Was there a recent change in these that would warrant a $200 price difference? Also, I’m considering a standard as well. Is the build quality much different in the two? I would rather have the Strat style, but it seems that with only a $100 price difference in the two that I might be better off with the JTV. Any JTV-69’s I can find are $1199. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertokia Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Not sure about pricing....I tried both, and went for a JTV. the standard had a flat fretboard that was ok for chording, but was impossible to bend strings for soloing...the JTV69 is better IMHO plus the 5 way Stat pickup selector is more convenient for switching between models, than the JTV59 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseyboy Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 I prefer fixed bridge JTV59 is the only choice. I know, it’s possible to setup and lock vibrato bridges but I’m not a fan of springs countering string tension for my style of playing. I want strings tugging on wood not coil springs. 59 uses 24-9/16” scale length so if you’re exclusive to 25.5” that might be a downer. 3 way toggle vs 5 way blade switching is no issue here. Many like the magnetic 59 hum buckers as I do. Modeling provides Fender’ish spank & boink. 59 prices have recently climbed IMO. Line6 clearance store had em priced about $840 couple weeks ago. Now they’re $960. But you do get warranty from mothership…. I just checked - Line6 store also has refurbished 69's for $960 - https://shop.line6.com/hardware/guitars/?cat=235 That Lake Placid Blue looks sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilrahi Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 On 3/6/2019 at 10:37 AM, tmntshredder said: I’ve been shopping for a variax and am a bit confused about the JTV-59 pricing and availability. Sweetwater has them listed for $1199, but the website says “new item” and they’re out of stock. AMS has them for $999. Was there a recent change in these that would warrant a $200 price difference? Also, I’m considering a standard as well. Is the build quality much different in the two? I would rather have the Strat style, but it seems that with only a $100 price difference in the two that I might be better off with the JTV. Any JTV-69’s I can find are $1199. Well, first, Sweetwater always seems the pricier to me. The thing to keep in mind though is what the manufacture's suggested retail value is. Sweetwater says it's $1,678 and AMS claims it's $1,400 so umm . . . errr . . . honestly the difference there is a bit of a WTF. Now, if you're comparing the build quality of the Variax STANDARD (MSRP $1260 at AMS) with the JTV I personally think the JTV has a higher quality. It's supposed to. That's part of the point of the JTV line. That isn't to say the Standard is bad, though. I went for the JTV though, which tells you where I fall. If you want a strat style guitar that is intended to compare in quality to the JTV-59 then what you want is the JTV-69. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmntshredder Posted March 7, 2019 Author Share Posted March 7, 2019 Thank you for all of your help, guys! I just took the leap and ordered a JTV-59 from AMS. They knocked some money off too, which sweetened the deal even more. As much as I wanted the Strat style, I couldn’t bring myself to go with a standard or pay significantly more for a JTV-69. I’m super excited to try this out. I think it’s going to make a huge difference in my live performances! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDoggie Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 When comparing prices, don’t forget to include the value of service provided. Since Sweetwater includes a 2 year warranty, it adds to what you receive. Especially with the electronic components of the Variax, I think it increases the value of the purchase. It it took me a while to figure this out, but trust me that a bad experience with another MAJOR retailer convinced me. Good luck... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilrahi Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 16 hours ago, tmntshredder said: Thank you for all of your help, guys! I just took the leap and ordered a JTV-59 from AMS. They knocked some money off too, which sweetened the deal even more. As much as I wanted the Strat style, I couldn’t bring myself to go with a standard or pay significantly more for a JTV-69. I’m super excited to try this out. I think it’s going to make a huge difference in my live performances! I love mine. Ultimately, when it comes to the guitar modelling (the reason you buy a Variax) the two guitars sound identical despite how different they look, and they can both sound like a strat, which is pretty cool. You'll have to let us know what you think of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmntshredder Posted March 9, 2019 Author Share Posted March 9, 2019 10 hours ago, Kilrahi said: I love mine. Ultimately, when it comes to the guitar modelling (the reason you buy a Variax) the two guitars sound identical despite how different they look, and they can both sound like a strat, which is pretty cool. You'll have to let us know what you think of it. I will for sure. It’s supposed to be here tomorrow. I forgot to order the VDI cable, so I’ll have to wait for that before I can fully use it with my Helix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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