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(More customer reviews)Let me preface this review by saying that I owned a first generation Variax for about a month before selling it because it sounded thin and synthetic in comparison to a typical "real guitar." Not the case with the JTV... Even though the sounds are not perfect, they are enough to raise an eyebrow. A major factor contributing to the experience of this guitar is the wonderful neck. The strings are far enough apart to comfortably fingerpick or play lead, and the radius fits in the hand like a glove with a nice substantial feel. So, when I dial in an acoustic, the combination of feel and sound actually makes me forget that I'm playing an electric, and this really goes for any of the models. My main electric before this was a Gibson ES-335 through a Vox AC30, and I often found the tone to bee too fat and limiting. The new Variax has breathed new life into the Vox and opened up a world of possibilities and fun! I will say, however, that the 12 string models sounded very synthetic when I first played them, and to be frank, I was confused as to why Line 6 included them with otherwise very impressive guitar models. Though I have found that careful playing technique can alleviate the syntheticness of the 12-strings, I will say that this guitar is no replacement for a real 12-string, nor does it even come close. However, if you don't have a 12-string, it is a great window into that magical world. Additionally, I don't think a lot of pro players will be using the drop-D tuning switch. It makes the E string sound wobbley and not natural. Actually, that goes for all of the alt tunings. If you are just changing one strings tuning, I wouldn't be lazy and use the knob, but if you are going crazy with tunings, I would say that it sounds good enough given the convenience factor. While the models are very nice, especially clean, I still prefer my "real guitar" for overdriven rhythm. I went back and forth between the variax and the Gibson to see what the difference is, and the best way I can describe it is that it sounds more like wood, strings, and magnets... aka magic. Though, without a direct A-B comparison, it's hard to tell. The difference is like hearing music through good speakers vs world class speakers -- there is a little more detail and character with the real guitar. The real pickups on the variax are excellently shielded and sound very straty. The humbucker sounds like a cheap les paul, and the single coils sound very edgy and crisp. The middle pickup in particular is very rockin and sounds absolutely excellent with overdrive on the AC30. Almost like a telecaster's middle position in that snarly aggressiveness -- I love it. The set up from the factory was hands down, utterly and inexcusably terrible... The intonation was so far off on the low E that many of the models were not tracking properly, nor were the alt tuning working properly. I actually thought the guitar was defective because I have never heard this effect before. The pickup output was wack, as mentioned earlier, and there was a visible bow in the neck along with a lot of fret buzz. W.t.f. on a guitar costing over 1k, or on any guitar for that matter. Also, there was a chunk of glue at the truss rod recess, careless, and an indentation on the headstock caused by someone using an allen wrench in the wrong orientation to set up the truss rod, which they then proceeded to do poorly. That being said, I brought the guitar to a proper luthier and had the above issues remedied for $80, and because I purchased through musicians friend, all I had to do is fax them a receipt along with my complaint reference number and they credited me for the setup and repairs :-) So, at this point, I am a very happy customer. Considering the American version? I wouldn't, unless I was a pro and want to take advantage of the customization they allow. I think a flame maple neck would be cool and maybe a custom paint job, but these things are rather nit-picky. As far as color goes, I like black because the electronic plates on the back blend in and there is no difference in color between the humbucker and the single coils. I play mine with a black strap which has a white stripe going down it and it looks very nice, bringing out the trim of the pickguard. You may also want to consider replacing the pickguard with a tortoise shell one, which is a very classy look as can be seen by doing an image search for "black strat tortoise." If you need to sell your current guitar in order to get this, I would say that the Variax is finally a suitable main guitar, in fact, I think they will become quite common. One last thought that I will leave you with... This guitar has inspired a sense of wonder in me that I didn't realize was absent. I am now experimenting with alt tunings and playing out of my "normal" style with the large palette of unique guitar tones. The versatility of the guitar really does open up new doors and provide countless hours of enjoyment. Enjoyment which you may not have gotten if you had to constantly keep a large number of guitars in tune, accessibly stored, and in some cases properly mic'd. Enjoyment that you may not have gotten out of the first generation Variax if you couldn't get past the poor sound quality. Line 6 is on to something here.
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Line 6 James Tyler Variax JTV-69 Modeling Electric Guitar; BlackJTV-69 is designed in the classic 25-1/2" scale, 3-pickup tradition. Its alder body, maple neck, and 22-fret rosewood fingerboard produce a bright, percussive snap but can yield plenty of bluesy warmth when required.
The brand-new James Tyler Custom Tremolo bridge, which was engineered for increased resonance and improved tuning stability, gives you access to the smooth vibrato action that is a big part of this breed of guitar.
A PAF-style humbucker in the bridge complements the vintage-style single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions. (All are loaded with alnico magnets and wound to James Tyler's specs.)
JTV-69 guitars are carefully constructed to exacting standards at one of the world's most respected guitar factories. Upon arrival at its region of sale, each instrument undergoes a high-quality, multi-point setup and inspection.
About James Tyler Variax GuitarsThese instruments represent the latest Line 6 Variax technology in a finely crafted guitar designed by master luthier James Tyler. Much more than just guitars -- they are simply inspiring.
60 years ago, the advent of the electric guitar allowed players to connect to their music and their audiences in powerful new ways. As music evolved, traditional electric guitars clung to the past while others provided broader palates of sounds.
James Tyler Variax modeling guitars are revolutionary instruments that offer guitarists unprecedented ranges of tones based on history's most desirable electric and acoustic guitars.
Featuring instrument designs by legendary luthier James Tyler and guitar modeling by modeling pioneers Line 6, James Tyler Variax guitars are turning guitar history on its ear.
Alder body
Bolt-on solid maple neck with rosewood fingerboard
25-1/2" scale length
Tyler '59 neck shape
22 medium-jumbo frets and dot inlays
1-5/8" Graph Tech Black TUSQ XL self-lubricating nut
Sealed locking/staggered tuners (16:1 turn ratio)
Chrome hardware
Fully adjustable Tyler-designed tremolo bridge
L. R. Baggs Radiance Hex piezo pickup system
Alnico bridge humbucker and vintage-style neck and middle single-coil pickups wound to Tyler's specs
Master volume and tone knobs
Model knob and Alt Tune roller knob
5-way selector switch
VDI (Variax Digital Interface) for integration with Line 6 POD xt, POD X3, Vetta' II amplifier, and other Line 6 products
Li-Ion battery (12 hours of play time), and international wall charger
Variax Workbench' software and USB interface
Includes quality padded gig bag
Additional battery, charger and cable kit available separately
Guitar Models
1960 Fender Telecaster Custom
1968 Fender Telecaster
1968 Fender Telecaster Thinline
1959 Fender Stratocaster
1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard
1952 Gibson Les Paul 'Goldtop"
1961 Gibson Les Paul Custom (3 PU)
1956 Gibson Les Paul Junior
1976 Gibson Firebird V
1955 Gibson Les Paul Special
1959 Gretsch 6120
1956 Gretsch Silver Jet
1968 Rickenbacker 360
1966 Rickenbacker 360-12
1961 Gibson ES-335
1967 Epiphone Casino
1957 Gibson ES-175
1953 Gibson Super 400
1959 Martin D-28
1970 Martin D 12-28
1967 Martin O-18
1966 Guild F212
1995 Gibson J-200
1935 Dobro Alumilite
Danelectro 3021
Coral/Dano Electric Sitar
Gibson Mastertone Banjo
1928 National Style 2 'Tricone"
*All product names used herein are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Line 6. These trademarks of other manufacturers are used solely to identify the products of those manufacturers whose tones and sounds were studied during Line 6's sound model development.
Alternative Tunings
Model
Standard: E A D G B E
Drop D: D A D G B E
1/2 Down: Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Drop Db: Db Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
1 Down: D G C F A D
DADGAD: D A D G A D
Open D: D A D F# A D
Blues G: D G D G B D
Reso G: G B D G B D
Open A: E A C# E A E
Baritone: B E A D F B
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