Stewartcmiller Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 Hi, since it is no longer possible to buy a power supply cable kit for the Variax standard I was wondering about other options other than the battery. My FBV3 pedal is powered via RJ45 cable from the Spider V. So I tried to plug the Variax into the Spider V instead with this RJ45 cable and it worked. Can this damage the guitar? Ie too much or too little power supplied to the guitar? Assuming this won’t damage the guitar the Second question is can I somehow plug in/power both the FBV3 and Variax at the same time? Is there a RJ45 cable with one Jack on one side and two jacks on the other side or any other cable I could use? thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 If the mod plug in the back of the amp says FBV, ... then NO, DO NOT plug in. It's not a matter of too much or too little supply, our amps and FBV's are NOT audio for Variax. 1) Yes, it will damage both the guitar and the amp's mod jack. 2) NO! These are two different functions, FBV is a controller, not an audio device. NO! You can't power both from the one jack. 3) No, there is no plug to do that, FBV and Variax are two different devices with two different functions. DON'T DO THAT! Check the owner's manual for using Variax with battery, power wedge or VDI. --- https://line6.com/support/manuals/variaxstandard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewartcmiller Posted May 19, 2021 Author Share Posted May 19, 2021 Thank you for the response and warnings! Clear that that is not a solution. In the manual it only mentions that one can power the guitar if plugged into the VDI digital Input of certain equipped hardware eg POD HD 500X. But seems a bit much to spend €400-500 on a device just to power the guitar. My problem is I bought two brand new batteries and am lucky to get 3 hours from each before having to re-charge again hence wanting to have another power option. Which line 6 hardware other than the POD has a VDI Input that could power the Variax Standard? There also used to be a cabled power kit, but from various other threads, I see this has been discontinued. thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 "... new batteries and am lucky to get 3 hours from each before having to re-charge again hence wanting to have another power option. " --- When using a guitar cable, use one with TRS (tip, ring, sleeve) plug ends on it. " Which Line 6 hardware other than the POD has a VDI Input that could power the Variax Standard? " --- POD floor effects or a rack mount with a VDI connector on it. Check the product pictures with "VDI" connector on the back. Use a VDI cable and not a standard network cable, it's a tighter fit and better connection. https://line6.com/products/ There's a difference between out of stock and discontinued as I have mentioned in some of those threads. Check the Line 6 online store VDI cables and power kit. https://shop.line6.com/accessories/guitar-accessories/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundog Posted May 24, 2021 Share Posted May 24, 2021 I always power mine with a Line 6 Variax Cabled Power Kit. Using batteries sucks. The Power Kit is getting harder to find and is overpriced, but they show up on flea bay now and then. I bought two; one as a backup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewartcmiller Posted May 25, 2021 Author Share Posted May 25, 2021 Don’t understand the link from the second to last post. https://shop.line6.com/accessories/guitar-accessories/?_ga=2.25316413.1283601388.1621075881-883773111.1620765254 it says to check online for VDI cables and power kit. When I click on the link all I can see it a $99 VDI USB interface kit which one uses for Workbench but no power kit. Also unfortunately as others seem to have mentioned the only hardware with an option to power the Variax is 100s of €. No cheap option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punkyboy Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 7 hours ago, Stewartcmiller said: Don’t understand the link from the second to last post. https://shop.line6.com/accessories/guitar-accessories/?_ga=2.25316413.1283601388.1621075881-883773111.1620765254 it says to check online for VDI cables and power kit. When I click on the link all I can see it a $99 VDI USB interface kit which one uses for Workbench but no power kit. Also unfortunately as others seem to have mentioned the only hardware with an option to power the Variax is 100s of €. No cheap option. Hes' speaking about that stuff, that can powered the guitar without batterie https://www.ebay.com/p/1803832669 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewartcmiller Posted May 25, 2021 Author Share Posted May 25, 2021 The only product on the line 6 website is what I mentioned above, the USB interface Kit. I already have this, but this is to connect to the HD workbench software not for powering it while playing. My conclusion still remains (and believe others have written it as well) there is no power option anymore.....unless you are prepared to spend approx 400-500€ on hardware like a POD that has a VDI interface. This is crazy if I just want to connect to my spider amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 They are not discontinued, just out of stock right now due to the CoVid related supply chain issues. Supply chain is slow as molasses right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewartcmiller Posted May 25, 2021 Author Share Posted May 25, 2021 Would really appreciate if when they are available again you could let us know in the forum. As I called Musicstore/Thomann etc. about a year ago and they (rightly or wrongly) told me they can no longer order the power kit as it has been discontinued. https://www.musicstore.de/en_DE/EUR/Line-6-Variax-Cabled-Power-Kit/art-GIT0036165-000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 Odd, because we still have PX-2 supplies for other regions. Someone there must have confused "out of stock" with "discontinue". https://shop.line6.com/accessories/guitar-accessories/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewartcmiller Posted May 25, 2021 Author Share Posted May 25, 2021 I think we are not on the same page. The PX-2 power adapter (aka power supply in some regions) is available. However this is used to power the Variax XPS “box/kit”. Says as much in the link to Line6Tony posted above. Musicstore also lists the PX-2 as being used to power the XPS box. The large music stores are however saying the XPS kit is discontinued and not the power adapter. Re the line 6 link, not sure if different products show up in different regions, but for EU only 1 product shows up for the Variax and that is the USB interface kit. Hope it’s clear what I mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 And the power kits are boxed and labeled for the different regions according to which PX-2 is in it. "The large music stores are however saying the XPS kit is discontinued,... " --- out of stock, as it says in the accessories link. And the USB interface kit is another Variax accessory that comes with a Variax, while the XPS is an optional item. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewartcmiller Posted May 25, 2021 Author Share Posted May 25, 2021 I changed the region to United States on the Line 6 website and now it shows the XPS kit as “out of stock”. But as mentioned for Europe it only shows 1 product. The XPS kit doesn’t show up. Will have to see in the future if it becomes available in Europe as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 Log a Support ticket, see if they have a recommendation for you for the area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punkyboy Posted May 26, 2021 Share Posted May 26, 2021 :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ymel Posted July 26, 2022 Share Posted July 26, 2022 On 5/20/2021 at 4:29 AM, psarkissian said: "... new batteries and am lucky to get 3 hours from each before having to re-charge again hence wanting to have another power option. " --- When using a guitar cable, use one with TRS (tip, ring, sleeve) plug ends on it. " Which Line 6 hardware other than the POD has a VDI Input that could power the Variax Standard? " --- POD floor effects or a rack mount with a VDI connector on it. Check the product pictures with "VDI" connector on the back. Use a VDI cable and not a standard network cable, it's a tighter fit and better connection. https://line6.com/products/ There's a difference between out of stock and discontinued as I have mentioned in some of those threads. Check the Line 6 online store VDI cables and power kit. https://shop.line6.com/accessories/guitar-accessories/ Hello Guys, how about this one? Would it work with the guitar? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003691965843.html This is a modded battery that has a USB cable. I guess you may have to cut a whole for it on the battery holder's door - I mean in case of it were a solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted July 26, 2022 Share Posted July 26, 2022 Ymel,... do not use that, aliexpress product does not the correct power specs. It would be an unsupported use and any damage from such products would not covered by warranty. Stick to the Line 6 power items. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorama55 Posted August 14, 2022 Share Posted August 14, 2022 Hope this helps. Ordered mine but did not receive it yet. https://sweetfootpedals-com.3dcartstores.com/Power-Manager-for-Line6-Variax-Line6-XPS--Handmade-USA_p_19.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 Just be aware that this is not a Line 6 product. Use at your own risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorama55 Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 psarkissian, Thank you for the warning. I would very much like to purchase an original Native Instruments power unit for my amazing Variax 700! I somehow lost or misplaced my cabled power kit. I searched everywhere for a new, or even a used one and it is nowhere to be found. The guitar is really heavy because of the batteries and I am not getting any younger. Having to pause in the middle of rehearsal (or song) in order to replace the batteries is also annoying. I had a beloved FirehawkFX that died on me a year ago. The local NI representative at the repair shop told me that as it is out of warranty, and there are no spare parts (chips) available in order to fix it, that basically it is not fixable. I would actually purchase a new one but they are discontinued. So I am stuck. I believe and hope that this static, simple, yet effective handmade device can solve my problem (coupled with a proper 9V AC AC 2000mA regulated power supply), fingers crossed. Purchasing a Helix in order to power my Variax is not a feasible or desired option. So please advise, highly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.