Variax 300 vs. JTV 69 modeling

[p4player]

Hello

I have a Variax 300 and a POD x3 live.

I am thinking of upgrading to the JTV 69 and Helix.

Can my 300 model other guitars as well as the JTV?  IE. has the modeling electronics changed?

Will my 300 sound the same as the JTV with a Helix floor?

Also, I love the neck on my 300.  I have read that the JTV neck is often replaced.

How do the two necks compare.  I believe they are both 'C' necks with similar frets.

Thanks

Cheers

 

[silverhead]

The JTV series uses different electronics and modeling than the X3. Only you can say whether it sounds better or worse to you. I use and enjoy both. Because they are different they will not sound identical with your Helix Floor. Again, I like both with my Helix Rack.

 

I don’t have a JTV69 so can’t compare the necks.

 

One other thing to be aware of - the Variax 300 is not officially supported on the Helix platform. In practice, my Variax 300 responds properly to model settings stored in Helix presets - but that’s all. While that is most likely to happen in your case also it is not guaranteed. Also, communication is a 1-way street. The Variax 300 responds to model change commands from the Helix but the Helix does not respond properly to model changes, or any other changes, made manually on the Variax 300.

[psarkissian]

What silverhead said, he knows his stuff. 

 

Nice thing about the X3 Live is that it connects fine to both. Own a 300 electric and a JTV-69 and they connect fine to X3 Live. 

Still use one at my bench at Line 6, because I can use it to test and check both original and current Variax guitars when I finish servicing them. 

 

The main difference is that the JTV-69 looks and feels more like a Strat than the 300 electric. Both play fine,

I like and use them both when I record.