Even without the gadgets, the Line 6 Variax JT guitars are amazing and are worth the money. The gadgets and models are a bonus. These guitars are well designed, well built, and will last a lifetime. The magnetic pups are awesome.
Great vid! While the James Tyler Variax line has been discontinued, Line 6 does offer a very good Yamaha line of Variax guitars. Also, Line 6 offers JTV guitars on their web site if they are old surplus stock or reconditioned. I would be interested in your Variax models that you have created for FM. I use my JTV-69S with the Line 6 Helix which allows me to run direct with the sounds that I have created. The line 6 Helix can even change Variax models which I will use within a song to get the sound that I am looking for on that part of the song. Keep us updated. I look forward to more of your content.
Add a Helix floor or LT, and you can use a cable made of cat5 to power the guitar, and change the models and tuning within the presets. I play 4 hour gigs with a JTV69 and only touch the volume control, the tunings and model selection is done automatically by the Helix.
There is a Variax specific cable that is a bit more robust than your standard Cat-5 cable. It is essentially a Cat-5 cable inside but has thicker outer shielding which helps it coil better which the twisted pairs of Cat-5 typically fight against. It also has metal cap ends that shield the RJ45 connector ends and clip into the Variax port and the port on the Helix in the same way XLR cables do. They lock in so you get a more reliable connection at the guitar. I've tried to use a standard Cat-5 cable on the cheap and even with the standard RJ45 clip it would easily fall out. The specialized cable is well worth the money if you can find it.
@@motomike71 Yes, it's called a VDI cable. It uses stranded rather than solid wire, and has a Neutrik ethercon fitting on either end. Line 6 is still selling them, $40 for 3o feet. I need to get a couple for backups for backups.
I picked up an amethyst refurbished strat style Variax Standard Limited Edition last August 2023 from the Line 6 store before they were all gone. I had a Shuriken Variax I picked up from Sweetwater as a dent and scratch special the year before but wasn't happy with the form factor of the guitar and that it did not have a tremolo. I'm very happy with the Standard LE and have used it on a few musical theatre pit gigs along with the Helix floor. It's nice not having to do guitar switching between or mid number and I even used the re-tuning to simulate using a capo on a 12-string. The great thing about being able to do that is you don't run into the intonation issues of using a capo, especially on a guitar with that kind of tension. I'm glad I have two Variax. If I need the 24 frets of the Shuriken I have it and at any rate can be used for spare parts if the time comes I need them.
I agree with "TheGuitarJeff"...! I have my Variax 500 since 2005 - and I am still happy with it. The Neck is awesome, the feel, the intonation, the response , the tuning stability is also great. Really a shame they just let go these great Guitars... I know, in times of the hysteric Vintage-Hype these guitars are sort of stigmatized (...they are no REAL guitars...) but I have heard that ONLY from people who haven´t even played one of them. Everybody who has played my Variax is simply amazed. But it is what it is...seems as a Fanta Advertise I saw many many years ago in cinema was terryfying true, when it says "...Fanta: Thirst is nothing - Image is everything...". Great Video, Scott. I really dig your approach. Very honest, very normal (in a good way!) and many great points you make... Thumbs up!
Well done. Thanks for this... interested to learn that they are discontinued as I run a Helix Floor live and would appreciate a ONE GUITAR FOR GIGS approach! Great workaround tips, too! Excellent.
I'm so glad I managed to get two of these before it seemed the penny dropped for everyone! Playing in a covers band, with this + Helix floor really puts everything not just at your fingertips, but easily with one foot switch change. i know it's not a cool looking custom shop or anything but it's a tool for the job. I use it mainly for tuning changes cos I prefer the LP Special or just the Variax Mags.........all controllable from HX Edit so don't really use Workbench any more. It's a killer solution for a cover band scenario. I still take 2 guitars to a gig, but I take 2 of these ;-)
Some of the modeled sounds get plinky as you go up the fretboard. I had an old Variax 700 but gave it to a friend. I've been using a Roland hex pickup on my Strat and prefer it.
I too use this as my only guitar for shows and open mic nights. I didn't know that the jack was part of the board. I know it's playable through the cat5 connector but for ease of use I'd never really go there. There's a little bit of latency in piezo mode but nothing to throw you off. I love being able to switch between the humbuckers and a 12 string acoustic or sitar or banjo. Definitely gets the attention of players who wonder, "how the hell?" I got mine used at Guitar Center for $725. Word it they're having a sale this weekend.
Be careful performing outside. That Belgium concert in the rain had the chance for possible electrocution! I agree with your Variax overview. Should be updated and made in Indonesia. Also, pedal steel guitars should be make inexpensively in Indonesia also. The best, lower cost guitars are coming out of Indonesia now. Probably one factory, Cort? All the major guitar companies must have contracts with that factory to make their overseas stuff. Reasonably priced, high quality.
I bought a 59...then a 69 because strings break lol - love the flexibility, I run the acoustic sound to DI & the elec to 1/4 & DT-25 & YES - strongly agree w/conclusion
Pretty great overview of that guitar. I have the same exact JTV-59 Tobacco model as you for close to a decade. Especially on pub cover gigs, the variax let's me just use one guitar for the night. Models are close enough, even though I agree about the 12 string being kind of crappy. Can't wait to see you perform in Chicago in October. My wife and I will be up front!
@@ScottPoleyMusic Can't come to Chicago without trying a Deep Dish pizza. Tourist guides will tell you Lou Malnati's and Giordano's are the go to's. They're good but my personal favorites are Peaquod's and Chicago Oven Grinder, depending on where the band is staying. Can't go wrong with any of those. Also, if you get time, all the museums downtown are a fantastic way to spend a day. You guys will have a blast. Tons to do in the city and by October, it won't be blistering hot like it is right now.
Most of us play at home. If some friends come over play with them. Cannot afford too many instruments, retired, kidneys are failing. Need to learn computer, DAW, multiple tracks to mute when a player if a particular instrument comes over. Need software to create Hendrix sound on guitar, Rickenbacker 325C58 sounds, etc. cannot afford to buy many instruments, so it must be done with minimal equipment via a laptop computer, portable. Keyboard? I prefer a Casio Privia PX560M. It has lots of sounds and rhythm patterns.
great guitar, at the end of the day there tools you use to make a living. As somebody who has spent thousands of dollars on tools over my lifetime you go after functionality if you want to survive. A few years back caught Steve Winwood and his guitarist was using a Kemper guitar and amp, sounded just like he did 30 years ago
I have a 1959 les paul reissue Gibson and it has an autotune/keychange unit on it but its a lot of fiddling about to get the sound you want whereas the Line 6 guitar Aviax changes tune instantly with a turn of the knobs as well as many other instruments. I cannot understand why no one has come up with a system like it one can attach to a guitar. Aviax wont sell the system separate and yes there would be a very large market for it!!!!!
I had the exact same guitar, but stupidly (perhaps) sold it about 2-years ago when I had the Covid Blues. I loved the feel of it and obviously it's versatility, but I never really played it and would usually pick up a Tele instead! If I'd have been a gigging guitarist, I'd probably have kept it, rather than lugging half a dozen different guitars with me... I have however 'promised' myself that I will look for another if I really don't get over selling it. Great video (as always) by the way!! 🤔🙄😅👊
Something I've never liked about Line Six is they make a product and then at some point in time drop the product and support goes into hiding. I have this same guitar and everyday I hope and pray nothing breaks because I know it will the Variax portion will just become a paper weight.
It didn’t catch on, didn’t really sell. I think a lot of guitar players are caught up in the “analogue only” world. Also, the first VARIAX guitars were not nice guitars. They always sounded good but looked weird and played like a cheap instrument. Once that was released, the damage was done. Fender tried too, with the VG Strat.
Yes! It’s the most idiotic design. We’re working on a mod to split the input jack from the board, in theory it’s only a few solder joints but it’s getting the mounting points for the socket & the pcb correct.
I mean, you say "attached to THE circuit board". If you take the back of these guitars, there is SOOOOO much circuitboard in there it almost makes the jack less of a worry 😄 but i love them, even though I know one day it'll break somewhere inside that thing and it'll probably cost me a fortune to fix if that's even possible! I'm even considering a 'donor' parts Variax for that reason. Toggle switch is another weak point on these I think.
I’ve had my JTV-59 for close to a decade now. As a gigging musician with a diverse set list, this guitar is a life saver. I know I can pretty much show up to any gig with this guitar and my modeler and cover any genre. It’s great especially for when the singer puts together the set list which any thought to guitar tunings or changes 😂
I see your point chickenlickin3820 - 90% of the sounds are good, close enough to distinguish the difference between a Strat / Les Paul / Tele. The alternate tunings function makes the guitar indispensable for me. Of course the digital models are not as good as a ‘real’, analogue guitar sounds, but you could say the same of a modelling rig Kemper / Helix vs a tube amp, or a keyboard vs a Hammond or piano.
