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[Virtual Tone]

If so, what's your take on the modeling compared with the VG?   

[germanicus]

I like the JTV's modelling quite a bit more. The only exception is the sitar on the vg99 due to its extensive 'tweakability'. All other models I prefer the JTV. I also really like the convenience of the tuning knob. This removes the need to have duplicate banks of patches (acoustic, clean, crunch, lead tones) for each set of tunings I use live. I can keep my pod hd500 on the same bank for any song and just change the tuning knob.


I made a few videos on the JTV and vg99:

- Modelling Guitar Series - Part 1 - James Tyler Variax Acoustic sounds

- Modelling Guitar Series - Part 2 - JT Variax and VG99 warble and feature comparison.

[guitarnstuff]

Germanicus:
That was an awesome video summary of the VG99 vs JTV. I liked your sounds and jams on both! I did really dig the pure acoustic sounds of the JTV. I am wondering if the JTV has room for an internal GK-Kit?

Do you see yourself combining the JTV and VG99?

[germanicus]

Germanicus:
That was an awesome video summary of the VG99 vs JTV. I liked your sounds and jams on both! I did really dig the pure acoustic sounds of the JTV. I am wondering if the JTV has room for an internal GK-Kit?

Do you see yourself combining the JTV and VG99?

An internal GK installation on the JTV would probably be quite involved. Im not sure how much extra room there is in the JTV for the necessary PCB but you would probably need to do a fair amount of routing.

I currently have a gk3 pickup on the guitar, and have been using it live with a pod hd500 and gr55 (I have another video posted from a recent live gig using that combination). I can definitely see one using the JTV with a vg99. That combination gives a huge degree of flexibility. It would allow up to 3 different modelled guitar sounds through 2 amp/effect chains, crazy stuff.

[Virtual Tone]

Thanks germanicus for your reply and the vids! 

I was wondering... are there more acoustic guitar models in the new Variax than the VG-99?

Thanks!

V.T. 

[germanicus]

Thanks germanicus for your reply and the vids! 

I was wondering... are there more acoustic guitar models in the new Variax than the VG-99?

Thanks!

V.T. 

The JTV has 3 different steel string acoustic models, as well as 2 12 string acoustic models, a dobro, a resonator, and a banjo. Its the same model set as the original variax line.
Its also possible to wrangle 2 additional 6 string acoustic models out of the guitar by modifying the 12 string models in the workbench software (you lower volume on the extra strings so you only hear the original 6 strings).

With the vg99 you have more options for tweaking the acoustics, but in my opinion, all that tweaking doesnt compensate for the lack of detail in the vg99's acoustic models. Theres a 'rubber band' quality affiliated with the vg99's initial transient pick attack that I was unable to get around after extensive tweaking. It sounds closer to the sound you get with a standard built in pickup on an acoustic as opposed to the natural sound of an acoustic.

The vg99 does a fairly decent job with the acoustics, good enough for live performance, but it doesnt sound like an acoustic when recorded. The variax, at least to my ears, sounds more like a well mic'ed acoustic guitar.

[Virtual Tone]

The vg99 does a fairly decent job with the acoustics, good enough for live performance, but it doesnt sound like an acoustic when recorded. The variax, at least to my ears, sounds more like a well mic'ed acoustic guitar.

That's what I was wondering cause I have a lot of songs I've written featuring the acoustic guitar. 
Do you have any songs recorded using the acoustic settings?  Would love to hear some!

[germanicus]

The following is a live recording of the JTV through a pod hd500 into a Traynor K4, and theres also a gr55 supplementing the sound with a quiet sitar part. The beginning is an acoustic guitar part. The audio isnt that great (camera mics), but not absolutely horrendous either.

Steam Theory at the New Deal Cafe - "Steam Theory"

If you want 'studio' recordings:

The song "Sword Runner" has acoustic sections that were done with a vg99.  The 3:42 mark has a section with 2 vg99 acoustics. All guitar parts on this song were done with the vg99.

The Sword Runner - or - Baltimore Via a Fast Car

I also have a 'studio' version of the song 'steam theory' that heavily features Variax acoustics (reso's and steel strings) and electrics.

That can be heard at http://music.steamtheory.com/

Im working on a few more live videos (with much better sound) that use the JTV extensively.

One other option you are looking to use alot of acoustic guitar sounds, is to check out the "Variax 700 Acoustic". Its older, but has many more acoustic guitar models than the regular variax line has (including the new JTV). 

[Now_And_Then]

 That Baltimore Via A Fast Car was easily the most enjoyable music video that I have ever seen. Although to be honest, I have not really seen a vast number of music videos and generally have nothing but contempt for both music videos and the very concept of "music videos". (Was not thrilled with the driving backwards parts, though.)

 Nevertheless!

 It reminded me of the Qatsi movies, actually. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatsi_trilogy)

[brooster]

germanicus

How does the VG-99 compare with the GR-55 on Cosm sounds? I know that the VG-99 has two Cosm sounds but comparing one cosm VG to the Cosm GR, is it the same if the settings are the same?

One more question. How much difference does the Acoustic Vari guitar settings make?

I tried the Tyler Variax JTV-89 a few months back. At the time it didn't occur to me to add a GK-3 to it. Interesting idea.

[germanicus]

That Baltimore Via A Fast Car was easily the most enjoyable music video that I have ever seen. Although to be honest, I have not really seen a vast number of music videos and generally have nothing but contempt for both music videos and the very concept of "music videos". (Was not thrilled with the driving backwards parts, though.)

 Nevertheless!

 It reminded me of the Qatsi movies, actually. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatsi_trilogy)

Thanks! Yeah im a fan of those films (cool Philip Glass scores!), as well as the similiar-amazingly shot sister film 'Baraka'.

[germanicus]

germanicus

How does the VG-99 compare with the GR-55 on Cosm sounds? I know that the VG-99 has two Cosm sounds but comparing one cosm VG to the Cosm GR, is it the same if the settings are the same?

One more question. How much difference does the Acoustic Vari guitar settings make?

I tried the Tyler Variax JTV-89 a few months back. At the time it didn't occur to me to add a GK-3 to it. Interesting idea.

The VG99 and GR55 Cosm Sounds are very similar (the gr55 does have one new electric guitar cosm model (HH Strat), but I believe it has less HRM sounds). The bigger difference however is in the much more limited effects and signal routing capability of the gr55 in comparison. This has an impact on what you can accomplish with the gr55. Its still extremely powerful, and can do things the vg99 can not, but I wish there was a unit with the vg99's powerful dual cosm channels as well as having two of the updated PCM synth channels.
The acoustic Vari is useful, but its absence in the 55 isnt exactly crippling.

[brooster]

The VG99 and GR55 Cosm Sounds are very similar (the gr55 does have one new electric guitar cosm model (HH Strat), but I believe it has less HRM sounds). The bigger difference however is in the much more limited effects and signal routing capability of the gr55 in comparison. This has an impact on what you can accomplish with the gr55. Its still extremely powerful, and can do things the vg99 can not, but I wish there was a unit with the vg99's powerful dual cosm channels as well as having two of the updated PCM synth channels.
The acoustic Vari is useful, but not its absence isnt exactly crippling.

I got to play around with a VG-99/RolandReady Strat today. I landed on the acoustic settings that had very little effect processing. I changed the regular acoustic steel-string guitar models to the acoustic vari with Microphone models. The sound was not as loud and the EQ seemed a little off but I did not hear the goofy rubber band sound on the lower strings.
I was leaning towards the GR-55 but since I don't care much about using samples I think I might get a VG-99 and spend some serious time with the acoustic vari microphone models.

[Elantric]

Just received my back ordered JTV-69.

This is one fine guitar IMHO. The User interface is perfect and the workmanship initially is very good.

All the online pics of the Lake Placid Blue JTV-69 make it appear to look like a Blue Variax 600  - which is Nothing like the actual Lake Placid Blue JTV-69. My guitar looks more like a factory Metalic Blue '64 Chevy Impala.  I'm extremely happy with this guitar.

This is just an awesome guitar. But the Neck Profile at the nut is a tad slimmer than the one I played in 2010.

(I prefer chunky larger neck profiles)

 

The Gotoh Staggered 16:1 tuners may need to be replaced ( the "G string is very touchy) they appear to be very similar to these:

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Now-STAGGERED-Gotoh-style-Locking-Tuners-Sperzel-Style-String-Lock-_p_514.html

 

 

I see they now include the Variax Workbench USB hardware module. Which might partially explain the higher MSRP prices this year

 

A few minor complaints:
* Line 6  provides a tool bag of 6  allen wrenches - but none of the included wrenches are the proper size for the "wilkinson style" Tremolo bar tension set screw.  No worries as I have plenty of tools here.

 
As Delivered out of the box, I found the Neck and Middle pickups to be set too close to strings. Due to magnetic string pull from the pickup magnets , this creates un-wanted warbeling when you fret notes above the 12th fret on the low strings. (same classic phenomena occurs on real stock 1961 Strats too)

So I had to lower the bass side of Neck and Middle pickups, and all is good now.


I find the JTV-69 Vibrato Bridge to be excellent.  This is the first Variax that I can play Jeff Beck  Whammy harmonics and not have problems with notes falling out due to strings not making contact with the Piezo bridge midway thru the dive bomb.


 

Only negative mark would be when raising the pitch with the bar, it may not always return to pitch (stays a tad sharp) because the internal bulky Piezo cables may come into contact with the internal feedthru hole to the DSP board. As the cables make contact with the feed thru hole, they may become "stuck".

 

Luckilly a swift push down on the Tremolo Bar (to lower the pitch), and let go and everything comes back into tune.

 



Great Guitar, great design this time arround ( this my 4th Variax)


The internal JTV DSP does have twice the horsepower of all prior Variax's.

Older Variax's used a Motorola/Freescale DSP56367

The JTV Variax use a DSP56725: 24-bit Dual-Core Symphony DSP

http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/prod_summary.jsp?code=DSP56725&nodeId=0127959D9D
The JTV Alt Tuning is now amazing and warble free for me.


BTW - the JTV Li-ION Battery appears to be identical to a Sony NP-F570

[Elantric]

All,

My Guitar has now been returned to me from Line6 repair.

First I want to thank everyone who worked on my JTV-69 at Line 6!

 

This guitar is wonderful now!

 

It now plays very well, and the tremolo reacts to my subtle touch and aggressive dive bombs and stays in tune  - just as I always wanted it to be!



====

This is what they did:

 

Repair Details: Root cause of failure

Bridge post prevented bridge from returning to pitch.

 

Technicians notes:

- replaced nut

- high E-string had a buzz and 2nd tone due to the slot in the nut not being cut correctly

- did setup on the guitar and verified the problem

- changed the cable tie on the piezo cable to the new suggested part

- retested and found that depressing the bar and releasing it, the bridge would return to pitch, however pulling back on the arm and  releasing it, the bridge would remain sharp in pitch.

- removed bridge and verified that the tremolo arm nut was rubbing on the body (routing)

- Shaved away the wood on the body where the nut was rubbing.

We reassembled and tested again….while it was improved, the guitar still  remained sharp when pulling the arm back (sharp).

- replaced bridge posts and retested.  The guitar now returns back to  tune in moving the bridge both directions""


--


For reference, Here is a video of my JTV-69 Sticky Tremolo problem, which has now been fixed by Line 6!

JTV-69 Stuck Tremolo2

[Elantric]

Here's a link to a PDF doc I created for Variax JTV-69 owners with the 2nd generation tremolo bridge.

Tyler Variax JTV-69 - Tremolo Set-up (for 2nd generation Trem Block) Oct.30, 2011
 

http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=17

[Smash]

Very interesting comparison vids - appreciate you taking the time to do them 

I had a Variax 600 before the VG99 and whilst I love what the VG99 is capable of, the Variax had the VG99 acoustics outgunned and I am disappointed with the VG99 acoustics (yes, even Bill Ruperts patches!). They "strum" OK but when you switch to finger picking they're a world apart. One of my fav Variax sounds was D28 with octave dropped E & A going through a Fishman Aura (was using the limiting with a tiny, tiny amount of Aura effect) with a tad of delay and chorus - it sounded totally glorious, a sound I cannot - no matter how hard I try - replicate with the VG99. I also think the 99 acoustics are very noisy. Don't get me wrong i love the 99 - I'd just take a Variax over it for acoustics any day of the week 

[steadystate]

I've been using the VG-88 and VG-99 acoustic sims for years.  After hearing these clips, I believe that the Variax acoustic tones blow the VG's away.  It sounds MUCH more like a miced acoustic.  No contest.  I'm impressed, and a little bummed, since I have no plans to buy a Variax.

[Elantric]

I believe that the Variax acoustic tones blow the VG's away.

I own both  and you are correct.

[bbob]

Looks like the JTV-69 does not do a nylon guitar sound.

A Line 6 forum poster says you can approximate a nylon sound but that requires modifying an acoustic steel string model with the HD500 or POD HD Pro.

I can get a really nice nylon sound with a RR Strat & VG99.

Bob

[aliensporebomb]

Does anyone have any high bitrate MP3 files of the sounds of the Variax steel string acoustics?  I've heard some of demos but it was usually in the context of the band not a stereo solo'ed track.

Most of the best VG-99 acoustics do sound like piezo acoustics although that new "Branded Guitar" patch sounds pretty darned usable to me.

[Elantric]

http://tylervariax.com/sounds.php

[Elantric]

New Tyler Variax Models

JTV-59 with P-90's in Gold

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JTV59P90GT/

JTV-69 with S-S-S in Gold

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JTV69SSG/

Thanks to oddguitar for the heads up
http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=4933.msg48747#msg48747

[cynegetic]

Dems puuuurrrtyyy.

[Now_And_Then]

 (Off-topic, sorry)

Thanks! Yeah im a fan of those films (cool Philip Glass scores!), as well as the similiar-amazingly shot sister film 'Baraka'.

 Samsara, 2011, Ron Fricke: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0770802/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

 I just recently found out about, got from the local library, and watched this. Clearly not the best of this particular genre but still very absorbing.