My Standard's acoustic sound is worse than Variax 600/300

[TheBeatnics]

I bought what I guess is one of he last Variax Standards manufactured, the serial number starts with Y22. I also have other Variax models. My Variax 600, without magnetic pickups, has a nice acoustic guitar model sound as do the 300's. But with the Standard I find the acoustic sound inferior, almost sounds like the magnetic pickups are blending into the acoustic piezo sound. But, how do I tell if I got a lemon or if it's a systemic flaw of the Standard model? These Standards are nowhere to be found these days, obviously no longer in production. That's why I'm asking here from any other owners of the Standard. How does yours sound. It would help getting feedback from anyone who's also experienced using the previous generation of Variax models. I'm just going to send this out and later I'll try to attach the acoustic sounds of each model. Thanks! 

[silverhead]

I think there’s a lot of subjectivity in what sounds superior/inferior. I know that many people here in the past have reported that they think the ‘upgrade’ in the acoustic modeling that occurred sometime in the mid-life of the JVT series was not, in fact, an upgrade. They prefer the acoustic modeling of the earlier Variax models that you cite.

 

So I’m guessing that if the modeling sounds just inferior to you and not awful then you are one of those people. Nothing wrong anywhere, just personal preference. If you want to install the pre-upgrade firmware in your Variax Standard you might be able to find the right stuff in the Downloads area, but I’m not sure.

[hurghanico]

Based on what was officially said it is not possible to downgrade a Variax Standard to firmware 1.9.

 

read here: Variax Standard with 1.9 ?

 

But wait!!!

 

According to the description on YouTube of the following video, it is possible to downgrade the Standard using the Line6 Central app. Is this true?

 

 

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

All about POD HD500/X

help and useful tips

[psarkissian]

What silverhead said. 

 

hurghanico,... as for rolling back to v1.90,... no can't be done, I've tried it. Standards are post JTV types that have

differences in the program, so Monkey won't roll back before v2.00 firmware. 

 

Make certain that it comes up as a Standard icon in Monkey,... then re-Flash the firmware.

If it still doesn't sound right after, then have the set-up checked by an authorized Line 6 service

center in your area.

 

If the JTV icon comes up, then it was programmed incorrectly. If you are in the US, sending it to 

Line 6 for reprogramming or board replacement at a Line 6 service center in your area would

be two options. 

 

If outside the US, then the Line 6 service center in your area should be able to get a replacement board. 

 

Y22xx,... Indonesia 2022. Not the last, some in 2023,... haven't seen many of those across my bench,... maybe

when they are couple years old and need servicing. 

 

https://line6.com/find/service_center/  

 

 

[TheBeatnics]

Your answers are all helpful and really appreciated! I'll check everything out in Monkey/Workbench to see if it's all copacetic. I've barely used this Standard, still have plastic on the pick guard, Lol. Yamaha could've used a better quality guitar for this, 3 single coils. Even the lowest budget priced Pacifica would be an improvement for heaven sakes. Want to make sure it's going to be a real upgrade for my needs before I start altering anything for my stage work. The Standard's pick guard for instance physically prevents adding a common divided MIDI pickup without making alterations, unlike the 600. On gig's have reverted back to my 600. 

[hurghanico]

On 1/28/2025 at 10:05 PM, psarkissian said:

so Monkey won't roll back before v2.00 firmware

 

Yes, but have you tried rolling back to 1.9 using Line6 Central (instead of Monkey)?
The guy in the video posted above wrote that it is possible that way.

I'm just curious if it's true.

As for me, the Variax I'm still using is a 700 that I'm happy with as is, no need for different firmware.

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

All about POD HD500/X

help and useful tips