My channel was created for my studio videos, band performances, equipment talk, DIY builds, and any guitar covers that inspire me as a guitarist. I enjoy learning from others and enjoy the exposure that RU-vid offers. I do not play professionally, however, I have 20+ years of experience encompassing: playing in bands, performing live on stage, and home recording.
Guitars: JS32RR Jackson, WA-600 LTD, Dean Select Tiger Evo, 4-String Rogue-III Bass, an Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro (Alpine White), James Tyler Variax JTV-59, Schecter Fastback II B, and Muslady Headless Guitar.
(Main Rig)Line-6 Helix (Floor) + (Rack) Furman PS8, Digitech Drop Tune, Peterson StompTune HD, Line 6 G90 Wireless, Phoenix Pro PTM-10, and Custom Patch bay built into a RoadRunner 6U rack.
Audio/Visual: 2021 Macbook Pro 13" M1, Logic Pro X, FCP, Compressor, Motion, iPad for Logic Pro X Remote, GoPro Hero 11/7, M-Audio BX5 Studio Monitor, Focusrite Solo Interface, and several DAW Plug-ins for recording.
@@loveaboveall2382 that’s pretty much what happened to me. I’ve got to a different plateau and what I wanted to do in the types of digital rigs I wanted to create no longer existed in the Firehawk. Now I decided to stay with L6 because I loved their tones and the user interface, which is why I didn’t go to another brand
I have been using Variax's since 2007. I have a 300, both 4 and 5 string basses and a Shurken. The only problem that I have with them is solved by putting a fretwrap at the headstock. Palm muting wasn't that much of a stretch for me as I rest my hand on the bridge anyway. I haven't had any problem with strings gorging the piezo pickup and I used the 4 string heavily for 4-5 years when I got it. I did everything with that bass, live gigs, recording, it was my main bass. I still do all my bass recording with that bass. I don't use anything else.
Agreed, the fretwrap for me was a must way before the Variax and it felt weird to not use them afterwards. I have five other axes and this one is always a go to because of the use with the helix.
@@EricVadala I do have samsung note20 ultra but is not letting me to download the app. even on my tablets as well is rejecting the app. what should I DO? any advice
Aside from submitting a trouble ticket with Line 6 or the google play center I’m not sure. Another option would be to pick up a used Apple iPad to use with the product.
If it still works go for it. Your only as good as the equipment you know how to use; however, the advancement in technology now would be worth revisiting looking at new equipment.
@@EricVadala Appreciate your Response sir ! Thanks a LOT. Honestly I am frustrated with the Tuning issues. I played "Simple Man" from Lynyrd Skynyrd band and after doing those bluesy bends and vibratos my power chords sounded unpleasant ! Hope, after installing this device I don't have to tune in the middle of a solo :(
I just used the long allen wrench to adjust the intonation screws on the front of the bridge and was surprised how easy it was to turn them with string tension on.
I am, just took a pause while I build a custom explorer from timber and select blanks. The Variax is everything I was hoping for when I was researching it. Its diversity is amazing and when paired with my Helix Floor it's a consistent dream rig! Have you ever tried one? Definitely a dependable axe.
@@EricVadala yeah I have the JT 89f it plays nice but I'm not too happy with the high gain sounds on the piezo pickups. It's good for a home guitar for me and my situation just pretty much doing covers nowadays. I don't need my full-blown rig at the house to practice and I can still do all of the tunings that I need. I got an HX stomp pretty much running all of my stuff. The Floyd Rose on this is made by graft tech and I must say it is solid as can be. I have used the shit out of that whammy bar and he holds up just like a true Floyd.
@@maxammo6282 I rarely use the installed pickups, I used custom Variax settings/builds and love the tone I get with them. Definitely, a diverse guitar with the helix to switch guitars/pickups/positions during a song with ease. The problem is going back to regular guitars lol.
@@EricVadala ah so you like the paseo pickups. Like I said I cannot get a satisfying high gain sound out of those pickups it sounds great with the regular pickups. Side note I would definitely not gig with this guitar. Four knobs down there is too crowded for me especially doing something live. But I definitely enjoy it at home. My library I used the DigiTech drop the big one with the Miami pedal that way I can still switch around the tunings via a midi. Those older Les Paul very axes the heel joint on them is like a giant cinder block . Glad I got the JT 89f. Lower Fret access is quite acceptable.
It's crazy how popular everyone likes this video and it was one that was a spontaneous record for an early Saturday morning. I appreciate it, definitely one I could rock out to on stage.
I have the JTV-59, the JTV-69S, and a Variax Standard. The JTV-59 is for sure the best looking Variax. But it is so heavy. But I hate the headstocks on the strat style Variaxes, they look like cheapo metal guitars. I got the black JTV-69S so the dial above the neck isn't so obvious, plus I enjoy a maple neck. I have Mighty Mite strat replacement neck I am going to have installed on the 69.
I plan to use (thinking of buying) this guitar mainly for acoustic purposes. I don't palm mute because I mainly play with my thumb and partially with a double glued on fake nail touching the strings. But I also use a John Mayer influenced slap type finger picking, where I slap the strings (forward of the bridge) with index and middle finger nails and part of the side of my thumb. Do you think this would cause the "pinging" problem?
Thanks for the video. Question: I have a Boss VE 8 singer amp ($250) with multiple effects (resonance, chorus, reverb) for acoustic guitars and voice - will I be able to get decent acoustic sounds with the Line 6 JTV 59 using this set up?
@@EricVadala Thanks for the quick response. I have a friend who has this guitar. I will ask him to bring it over for a test. Does this guitar company still support this guitar with online updates etc.? Is it likely to become obsolete in a few years?
@@richarddlewis5422 there hasn’t been an update on the software for a while but a lot of people haven’t been pinging L6 to do so. I really don’t feel like it would be obsolete. I thought the same thing and now having one I couldn’t think of not having it as an option.
I don’t see why not. That was a holding point for me as well but it’s still worth the purchase. I don’t think updates would be a problem-especially since you can sub out tunings. If the UI was updated, I think it would be awesome to change out pickups and guitars. End point, if mine where to be stolen, I would repurchase immediately!
@@shadrackperez7325 Sounds good, the P90s are hard to find. It's a solid piece of gear. The only change I did two years later is upgrade the tuners with RATIO tuners.
Just remember that to have the true feel of the mimiq you need dual amps. When you through it in a guitar chain "solo amigo," you unintentionally create a gate/limiter.
Great video there's a ton of people in some Facebook groups DIY that could benefit from this. Could have touched a little bit on how you finished with the clear coat looks great
Thanks J. I went back and fourth on if I should include stuff duplicated on other channels. If someone else mentions the finish, I’ll just post a follow up video. Thanks for the feedback.
After some time with the helix, I find the sound of the helix more complex and less model sound than the Firehawk. There are for a few reasons, a better chip set and in-depth sound you can achieve with the tones being a huge factor.
The 59 would be such a great guitar if the materials were not of such poor quality. I purchased 2 Brand New from Sweetwater. The first had the saddle ping and sounded almost like the sitar model. It was replaced with another that started dropping out and scrolling through sounds after 40 minutes out of the box! The 3 way toggle stopped working with the models and became haunted, changing models all by itself. After research, I found this is a well documented issue with the 59. It’s a real shame because the design is brilliant and the neck feels like ambrosia. It’s 59 Gibson inspired and nails it. Thankfully, Sweetwater refunded me instantly. They are amazing. The problem is, I really would like to have one that works without issue and I can’t help but wonder if that even is possible. If you are a professional guitarist, You can’t have your tools cut out during a show or a session. Is there a serial number batch that is free from these issues? The JTV 59 is also a 24 1/2 inch scale (not 24.75 like most gibsons) so it’s super comfortable. Not an easily found set of ingredients.
Hi Mat. That’s a crazy list of issues! I can’t say I’ve experienced any of those but the saddle. I seem to wear out the piezo faster than others, but that’s not too much of an issue for a quick solder job. I’ve had mine for a year now and it’s been very reliable during shows. Sorry to hear you had such a problem.
If you move the IR, you will have to update your patch because the software doesn’t track it for you. It will just show a missing IR file or whatever you replace it with.
If your talking about through DAW only then yes, you would buy the Helix native (software) and then download HX Edit for free. If your talking about playing live and through a DAW for recording the pedal and the HX EDIT will work just fine.
I'm a beginner and I just got a les paul style guitar.I bought a tune-o-matic roller bridge,Guyker 3+3 locking tuners and I also ordered a String butler v3.I shouldn't have any tuning issues what so ever.The reason that I spent extra on parts is because learning to play the guitar is going to be difficult enough without the guitar going out of tune.Great video,thank you and may God always bless you and your family.
Hi Nelson. You would be surprised how much people are frustrated with playing because it doesn't sound right when in fact it's due to their tunning. The locking tuners are great but what this adjust is the tension in the angle of the D and G string because of the angle to get to the tuners from the nut.
Excellent video. Is it strictly necesarry to put in the DC Jack? It's the only part I haven't soldered in (and I don't plan to use), but I cant get this to work...
It’s best to connect it and have it for later. As I am new to this world, I’m not sure how this circuit would be affect if ut is not connected and could leave an open connection causing it not to work-based in how they built the circuit board.
Think of the offsets like calibrating each string for a tuner instead of adjusting the pitch. Much like adjusting the saddles of a guitar for intonation. The baseline for Line 6 is set to "0", but when you want to adjust a tuning like in the video you will use another device to calibrate it. In the video example, I used the strobe tuner to tune my guitar. Then I used the Helix and adjusted the value until I matched the Peterson's App tuner.
