TEST: Line6 Jamer Tyler Variax

What characterizes a real world star on the guitar? "Oh my god, what an entry-level question for a test", many will now say or at least think. Detached from the arrogance to answer this question, there is at least an iron law. If we take the unearthly tonal ability of a Jeff Beck, the harmonic extravagance of a Steve Vai or the high-gloss claptrap a la Rammstein aside for once and concentrate on the purely "guitaristic", there is only one real mortal enemy for the worldwide Champions League, tonal variety!

Media-known artists like Carlos Santana, Mark Knopfler or right at the front Angus Young impress above all by a stoic presence of their very own and always identical sound. Always the same amp, always the same guitar, best of all always the same pickup and always the same scales let or better let the artists become the blueprint for millions of successors over the decades. In the case of AC/DC is also always the same song added, marketing-technically the perfection in bags! So beautiful, beautiful were the times ...

But what does the next league do, which, due to the late birth and the collapse of the media empires, will remain closed to the Champions League forever, because it no longer exists? It looks for its economic gap in flexibility and looks at a huge pool of possibilities, which requires exactly the opposite of the old guard, namely to be able to offer everything at any time and any place. The same refers to the technical skills of the artist as well as to the sonic component in particular.

This is where the concept of the LINE6 JAMES TYLER JTV-69 VARIAX comes in, combining tradition in the form of a "regular" James Tyler electric guitar with modern modeling technology from the house of Line6. Watch out, the magical sound circus opens its doors and leads you into unimagined sonic emulations. You've always envied keyboardists for their immense choice of sounds? Let's hope that the gentlemen dress warmly ...




Construction

It's interesting when two protagonists of instrument/amplifier construction join forces, which at first glance have nothing to do with each other. So there is also a clear demarcation regarding the area of responsibility of Variax. Except for the modeling area and the necessary electronics, the production is exclusively in the hands of James Tyler. We are dealing with a regular electric guitar, which can be operated in standard mode, as well as expand its sound spectrum many times over via an internally installed hex pickup from LR Baggs inside the bridge.

This operating mode, called Variax mode, completely frees you from the usual limitations of an electric guitar in terms of sound and tuning. In order to use this technology, there is a recess on the back of the instrument for an included lithium-ion battery pack. According to the manufacturer, the battery should last about 12 hours, which should hold up to an extended gig at a street festival throughout the day. An included modem also allows software updates to be applied directly to the guitar's electronics via an input next to the jack output.

In standard mode, we are dealing with a classic solidbody which has its primary leanings in the Strat range. Alder body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard and finally a Candy Apple Red finish show at first glance who was the godfather of the JTV 69. Just like its godfather, the instrument features a vibrato system that keeps tuning even without a locking saddle, even with heavy vibrato use. The reason is a self-lubricating saddle along with locking tuners, which run in 16:1 ratio and do an excellent job.

The neck itself has a decent C-shaping, is only thinly lacquered and should suit most guitarists from the handling very well. Also the 22 cleanly dressed medium jumbo frets are aimed at the average user and should not be unpleasantly noticeable. The pickups are two vintage style single coils in the neck and middle position, while the bridge operation is driven by an Alnico humbucker. Switching is standard via a 5-way switch, so far so good so traditional. However, if we now bring out the modeling club, the settings increase abruptly.

Pressing the Modeling selector in combination with the 5-way switch now results in the following guitar emulations:

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 “Tricken”

Similar to the emulated guitar types, the pickup selector and the volume / tone controls also switch between the respective pickup combinations of the emulations, whereby the functions are naturally adjusted. For example, as expected, the acoustic guitar models have no tone control.

But that's not all. The guitar modelings are also joined by a tuning modeling, which is quickly and easily accessible via a dial above the neck pickup. There are 11 different tunings to choose from:

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



Practice

When you pick up the JVT 69 for the first time, you feel like you're "fingering" an old familiar. The guitar is very well adjusted at the factory, nothing buzzes, there is no hard edge or unergonomic transitions. This feeling should not be underestimated, as modeling opponents always like to complain about the lack of "naturalness" or else one or the other limitation. None of this is noticeable with this guitar. If you disregard the Variax mode, you are in fact dealing with a completely normal high-quality electric guitar.

When using the Variax mode, the first thing you notice is the slightly higher output level, which you may have to adjust on the amplifier for clean sounds. In direct comparison to their analog counterparts, the Variax emulation does indeed cut a fine figure. It lacks a bit of the openness, respectively the sonic assertiveness of the originals, but the modelings come quite close to the source material in some passages. One should always keep in mind that a perfect copy is not (yet) possible due to the manifold sonic components of the analog originals, but in return one gets a comprehensive selection of sounds.

It is similar to the plug-in technology of current recording programs. The top products already come very close to a real amp plus appropriate miking, but ultimately do not quite reach the absolute analog class.


Conclusion

Respect! The unusual marriage between James Tyler and Line6 is bearing real fruit. In addition to a very well crafted and sounding traditional guitar, the instrument offers as an "encore" a good modeling technique, which does one thing above all, offer an almost unlimited flexibility in terms of sound variations. In addition, the whole thing is offered at a price where you can not even buy a standard electric guitar elsewhere.

Who is upset here at slight sonic sacrifices, for example, with the Martin Modelings must undoubtedly be called ungrateful. Many guitarists will also appreciate these acoustic touches within their performance and also enjoy the very good modelings such as the Telecaster settings. If you own a very good modeling amp like the top models of the VOX Valvetronics series and play in a cover band, you have at least soundwise all common combinations at the start to copy pretty much every hit.

Additional informations:

Line 6 is a renowned company in the music industry that has been at the forefront of innovation and technological advancements for over two decades. Founded in 1996 by Marcus Ryle and Michel Doidic, Line 6 has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in music production and performance.This comprehensive report aims to provide a detailed overview of Line 6, its history, products, technological advancements, impact on the industry, and future prospects.

Company History: Line 6 began its journey with a revolutionary invention: the digital modeling amplifier. This groundbreaking technology enabled guitarists to emulate the sounds of famous amplifiers and effects with remarkable accuracy. Line 6 quickly gained recognition for its innovative approach to tone and sound reproduction, attracting musicians worldwide.

Product Range: Line 6 offers a diverse range of products tailored for musicians, audio engineers, and recording enthusiasts. The company's flagship products include:
a. Guitar Amplifiers: Line 6's amplifiers feature advanced modeling technology, allowing musicians to replicate the sounds of iconic amplifiers and effects pedals. Their amplifiers cater to a wide range of genres and playing styles, providing versatility and flexibility.
b. Effects Pedals: Line 6's collection of effects pedals encompasses everything from classic stompbox effects to intricate multi-effects units. These pedals offer musicians an array of sonic possibilities and creative options to enhance their performances.
c. Digital Wireless Systems: Line 6 has pioneered digital wireless systems, providing reliable and high-quality wireless audio transmission for musicians. These systems eliminate the constraints of cables while maintaining uncompromised sound integrity.
d. Recording and Studio Gear: Line 6 produces cutting-edge recording interfaces, studio monitors, and software solutions for musicians and audio engineers. Their products cater to both home studios and professional recording facilities, ensuring high-quality audio production.

Technological Advancements: Line 6's commitment to innovation is evident through its continuous technological advancements. Some notable breakthroughs include:
a. HD Modeling: Line 6's HD modeling technology offers incredibly accurate emulations of amplifiers, effects, and speaker cabinets. This technology has revolutionized the way guitarists approach tone and has become a benchmark for modeling in the industry.
b. Variax Guitars: Line 6 introduced the Variax line of guitars, which incorporate advanced digital modeling technology directly into the instrument. These guitars can accurately reproduce the sounds of various vintage and modern guitars, enabling musicians to switch between different tones effortlessly.
c. Helix Multi-Effects Processors: The Helix series of multi-effects processors combines Line 6's state-of-the-art modeling technology with a user-friendly interface. These processors offer a vast array of effects, amp models, and routing options, catering to the needs of both live performers and studio musicians.
Impact on the Music Industry: Line 6 has had a profound impact on the music industry by empowering musicians and revolutionizing the way they create and perform music. The company's innovative products have democratized access to professional-grade sound, allowing musicians of all levels to achieve studio-quality tones.
Line 6's technological advancements have also influenced the development of the music production and performance landscape. Digital modeling technology has become increasingly prevalent, with numerous manufacturers adopting similar approaches in their products.
Industry Partnerships and Collaborations: Line 6 has collaborated with renowned artists and industry professionals to refine their products and develop new technologies. These collaborations have resulted in signature product lines, custom presets, and valuable feedback for future innovations. Some notable partnerships include musicians like Steve Vai, Peter Frampton, and John Petrucci.

Future Prospects: With a strong track record of innovation and a dedicated user base, Line 6 is poised for continued success in the future. The company's commitment to pushing technological boundaries and delivering high-quality products ensures that it will remain a key player in the music industry.

Conclusion: Line 6's impact on the music industry cannot be overstated. Through its innovative products and technological advancements, the company has transformed the way musicians approach sound and performance. With a rich history, diverse product range, and a commitment to pushing boundaries, Line 6 continues to be a driving force in the evolution of music technology.