It's time for a new JTV guitar version

[Keeperus]

Helix Stadium has been released and it seems that the time has come for a new JTV guitars.

1) Switching to some modern tremolo system(tremolo by Tremoline or something like that) would be nice. You can't switch on your own because of the piezos.
2) Adding a killswitch would be great. Maybe a new volume knob with a killswitch button would work.
3) Current tone knob is pretty sloppy. I can't turn it on with the first try in 35% of all of the cases. So maybe a knob with a button on top would be better (the same thing goes for point 2)
4) The tone knob has too many(12) positions, so it's hard to switch quickly to the correct tone while playing. having about 6-8 knob positions looks like a better choice for a precise switching. but there should be a better application for the configuration where you can set the tone for a knob+switch from a preset library. 
5) Helix Stadium has a wireless connection, so implementing wireless guitar tone switching seems to be a perfect choice for a new guitar. yep, there is a small delay, but it might work.

And maybe some knobs and switch repositioning...

[silverhead]

I'll copy/paste my response in an earlier thread on this topic......

 

Firstly, the official way to make feature requests is to use the Product Feedback form. Look for the “LINE 6 PRODUCT FEEDBACK” link on the bottom left of the Line6.com home page.

 

Secondly, the Variax product line now comes under the ownership of Yamaha as part of the takeover of Line 6 several years ago. Development of several previous Line 6 product lines that competed directly with Yamaha, including Variax and StageSource/Stagescape, were halted at that time. It is unlikely that Variax as a Line 6 brand will ever be seen again. But who knows?

 

[cruisinon2]

On 11/28/2025 at 11:31 AM, Keeperus said:

Helix Stadium has been released and it seems that the time has come for a new JTV guitars.

1) Switching to some modern tremolo system(tremolo by Tremoline or something like that) would be nice. You can't switch on your own because of the piezos.
2) Adding a killswitch would be great. Maybe a new volume knob with a killswitch button would work.
3) Current tone knob is pretty sloppy. I can't turn it on with the first try in 35% of all of the cases. So maybe a knob with a button on top would be better (the same thing goes for point 2)
4) The tone knob has too many(12) positions, so it's hard to switch quickly to the correct tone while playing. having about 6-8 knob positions looks like a better choice for a precise switching. but there should be a better application for the configuration where you can set the tone for a knob+switch from a preset library. 
5) Helix Stadium has a wireless connection, so implementing wireless guitar tone switching seems to be a perfect choice for a new guitar. yep, there is a small delay, but it might work.

And maybe some knobs and switch repositioning...

 

Well anything is possible, but don't hold your breath... because in all likelihood, it ain't happening. While the Variax still has an extremely devoted cult following, that's also it's problem. It's a niche product, which the masses never embraced in numbers big enough for Yamaha to care about. Much of the guitar playing world doesn't even know it exists, and that is why they ultimately killed it. Giant multinational corporations are only interested in moving large numbers of units, not satisfying a miniscule percentage of the guitar market.

[Keeperus]

One day it might happen)
After releasing first Variax guitars they didn't stop and continued it with JTV. So...

I've been looking at the support form and thought that forum might be a better place for it.
We can gather different opinions and discuss the features we need to find the best solutions.

[cruisinon2]

On 11/28/2025 at 3:13 PM, Keeperus said:

After releasing first Variax guitars they didn't stop and continued it with JTV. So...

 

 

Yes, that's true. It's also true that the JTV's debuted years before Yamaha bought L6. After the acquisition, they tried continuing the Variax line with the Standards (which is really just a Pacifica with Variax guts, but I digress), but they didn't move enough of them. It's a different ballgame now...L6 isn't holding the purse strings anymore, and if Yamaha is not convinced that a product will sell in large enough numbers, they're not throwing money at a complete redesign. It costs a small fortune to bring a product like the Variax to market, and the projected return on investment has to be substantial, or it won't even be considered.