It's that time of year again!
Mr Monkey Man and all of the rest of you guitar enthusiasts,
Merry Christmas to you, be it hot summer sun or cold winter snow!
monkey man wrote:Tremolo issues, methinks (the piezzos are built into the bridge, which is why I'm waiting for Tyler to build a locking trem for the '89 model), and lots of uncertainty...
The roll-out for the current JTV models has been very sloppy, and after a whole year and a half of promises I am not even sure that the Australians have even seen a JTV yet. If they have, it is very recent. They finally showed up in Canada just last month.
Anyways, I would not hold my breath for a Trem '89 model. I doubt it will ever materialize. And left-hand models are unlikely as well. If either of those variations appear, it'll be a long time down the road, if you want my prediction. I was not impressed with the long wait and lack of communication from Line 6, so I ended up getting a my previous generation model and saving more than $1200 in the process.
But it works and it works well. I am very disappointed to learn that yours has been giving you troubles. The current Tyler generation seems to have a whole bunch of different issues as well (some users get good guitars, while some get problem guitars), so there seems to be a bit of a quality control problem with their Variax products.
monkey man wrote:Zedster wrote:Another option is a thing called RackVax, where all the electronics come in an external box and you can play the Variax emulations using any GK-equipped guitar. That's more flexible in some ways, but more of a nuisance in terms of moving around freely. Apparently latency is not an issue, however, in case you are wondering.
Good call, Zedster. I did look at these a year or so ago, but the context has now changed. The rack would mean I could have me a locking trem after all... Hmm... I'm talking to a head honcho at Music Link (the L6 distributers here in Oz) tomorrow in the hope that he can shed some light on where L6 is headed as far as locking trems are concerned. The site itself has proved impenetrable for me; I've not been satisfied with being fed the company line by so-called experts who one would hope would be a little more forthcoming. Reeks of politics to the ol' simian sniffer.
Keep in mind that RackVax is not made by the unforthcoming Line 6. It is another company which uses the guts of the Variax to stuff an external box. Basically they can take a Variax and build a unit for you, so it will cost you the price of the guitar plus some extra. At present I think you are also limited to previous-generation models. But soon, I'm sure, they will have the 2nd generation version of the product in a box as well. It is a versatile option, but will probably set you back around $1500, since the previous generation models can be had for so cheap on Craigslist. I think the current ones are just over $1000, and guaranteed for a year, if I recall.
monkey man wrote:Thank you for the suggestions, mate. Again, I'm happy for you that your 600 worked out so well.
I guess I got lucky, and for that I am grateful. Was just using it earlier today.
Boxing Day is right around the corner, folks. I am planning to attend both my local big music stores that are having big Boxing Day sales. Last year I picked up a very nice vintage Gibson SG for less than half price. I'm hoping for some other no-brainer bargains will be available this year. I'm thinking Gretsch. But if nothing shows up on Boxing Day, there is another music store that has a used Danelectro Baritone that I am considering as my new baby.
Wishing you all the best of the season!
Zedguitter
