ColonelForbin Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 Well, this will be a short post - Guitar Center has a cherry sunburst JTV59, but they have no battery available! So, all I can comment on is using it like a regular guitar. Sigh. Oh, Guitar Center, what's up with that?? Also, the poor guitar had a nasty - very obvious - huge ding in the front face, where it looks like it took a bullet. Scratched and Dented! That being said, I am liking the onboard pickups - plugged it into a DT25 at the store, then got to test my DT25 at rehearsal that night. Lovely amp, it just sings. But I digress... Will need to return to GC with my HD500 and an ethernet cable to actually test drive the JTV. But, as a playable, sweet looking axe, it's really quite good. They also had a JTV69, the strat style, and I personally 100% prefer the JTV59. I have a USA strat at home, and I just prefer the Fender headstock, neck, and vibe - I also didn't like the position of one of the Variax dials on the 69, where on the 59, all four dials are on the face at bottom. 69 they put one of the dials on the face at the top which seemed awkward. As for the guitar and it's playable quality, the strings bend well. The action and neck feel nice, and it has a springy, clutch tone, and you can easily feel like you're playing a Les Paul, with a little less weight. Someone on these forums compared it to a PRS SE (also Korean) and that is an apt comparison, in terms of quality. Though, to put the price point in comparison: the new JTV59 Korean is $1,500; and they had a stunning vintage 1970 Les Paul in the 'special room' for $1,600... Hmmmmm.. Though, what the Variax offers goes beyond just what a Les Paul can offer. Verdict is still out, though I like what I am seeing so far. Definitely concerned with the problems being caused by the new HD 2.0 firmware, though I'd imagine that L6 is deep in the middle of figuring out a revision to that firmware as we speak. This is always the same debate, "I like the old version!" vs. "I like the new version!". Understandable, because no two people are going to want the same tone and use the same amps, fx, etc., so, for me, I suppose it's worth waiting to see what they do to respond to the myriad "new firmware" problems. For that, it does go beyond the simply subjective, as in brass tacks, you have to use a different editing interface to utilize the new models with the software editor. So, for now - G.A.S. has been mitigated; the DT25 is so awesome sounding with my HD500 and strat, that I don't feel the immediate urge to drop $1,500 on a work in progress Variax.. "Yet" being the operative word. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffersteinVS Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 how much did you get it for at gc in that condition? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radatats Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 I just got a brand new, not scratch and dent, 69 from Sweetwater for $899... Wait for sales, clearances. You don't really need to drop $1500 for it. I have only played the mags so far and while it is not as hot a signal as my Schecter, it still sounds great. Much more to investigate this weekend... :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColonelForbin Posted January 18, 2014 Author Share Posted January 18, 2014 "I just got a brand new, not scratch and dent, 69 from Sweetwater for $899." WOW!! Now that's a happy price... Dang, definitely worth getting it for that much less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColonelForbin Posted January 18, 2014 Author Share Posted January 18, 2014 how much did you get it for at gc in that condition? They had it marked as $1,500, but that was for the new ones' they had in the back, still in boxes. The gash on this one was so bad, I just couldn't go for it. There was literally a chunk of the clear coat missing, approx the size of a nickel or larger. It looked like you could almost slice your arm open on it, and it was right in the center middle of the face, on a Cherry Sunburst. Looks like a guitar hanging on the rack next to it smashed into it or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColonelForbin Posted January 18, 2014 Author Share Posted January 18, 2014 Guitar Center has the JTV59 on sale right now, via their website. I just called my local store, and they say the stores will match pricing with their website. It's currently advertised new at $1,083.74. One point worth noting, is when ordering online or in store from GC, they will charge you tax no matter what - pickup in store or ship to your home or business. (other websites, Sweetwater, Zzounds, etc. don't charge tax) So, I just emailed Zzounds to inquire about price matching, and the option to do their '8 payment plan' on the price match. We'll see what they say! http://www.guitarcenter.com/Line-6-JTV-59-Variax-Electric-Guitar-107187056-i1548451.gc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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