The JTV-59 James Tyler Variax Modeling Electric Guitar offers an innovative design and boutique playing experience courtesy of master luthier James Tyler, and the world's most advanced guitar modeling technology from the people who invented it, Line 6. Plug this guitar into any amp and hear all the models, all the tunings, and both acoustic and electric tones you've ever wanted. No more dragging around multiple acoustics and electrics to gigs or recording studios. Variax gives you an endless variety of sounds from classic acoustic and electric tones all the way to sitar and banjo, all in one instrument.
The JTV features a beautiful arched flame maple top, mahogany back, and a set mahogany neck with a rosewood fingerboard. A contoured heel makes reaching the upper frets a breeze. The JTV-59 is loaded with a pair custom-wound humbuckers designed by James Tyler. (Wound to Tyler's specs). Controls include a 3-way toggle pickup selector switch, a master volume & tones. A rotary model selector dials the 25 virtual guitars plus sitar, banjo, and resonator guitar tones. Pressing the Model knob switches between models and magnetic pickups A rotary alt tuning selector lets you pick from 12 alternate tunings. The fully adjustable Tyler Custom stoptail bridge is fitted with an L.R. Baggs Radiance Hex piezo pickup system for sweet acoustic guitar tones. A Graph Tech Black TUSQ XL nut keeps the strings from gripping and sticking. Comes standard with a durable, padded gig bag with a stitched Line 6 logo and 2 pockets big enough for all your gig essentials.
Dual-core Processor
Dual-core processor delivers 4 times the punch. This new chip is smaller, faster, and more powerful allowing; fuller, clearer models of guitar bodies and pickups; all models to have alternate tunings ; improved alternate tuning purity and speed; provide alternate tuning customization; improved modes of operation and editing. The JVT sounds and responds surprisingly more like a traditional guitar.
Variax Workbench Software
Variax Workbench software is a virtual custom shop. This free software, which can be downloaded from the Line-6 web site, lets you create custom models on your computer and upload them to your JTV-59 via its built-in USB port. Choose from famous guitar bodies, pickups, pickup placement, tone and volume controls, and tweak away until you've designed the guitar of your dreams - without choking on sawdust!
This combination USB interface and software package for James Tyler Variax guitars allows you to see and hear the physical changes to your custom guitar in real-time. Ever wonder what a single-coil pickup would sound like on a hollow-body guitar tuned an octave down? Probably not. That's because it wasn't a reality - until now.
The Alt Tune Knob
Each James Tyler Variax modeling guitar has a dedicated Alt Tune knob. This knob has 12 settings, including two labeled "Model" and "Standard." Set to "Model," the Alt Tune knob lets you access the alternate tunings you created using Variax Workbench virtual guitar workbench software. These tunings are stored on your Variax's Model knob. Set to "Standard," the Alt Tune knob overrides saved tunings to set every model to standard "E-to-E" tuning. The Alt Tune knob's remaining 10 settings are the most commonly used tunings found in the popular genres of the day.
The Virtual capo feature lets you easily transpose any song to the key that suits your vocalist. And you can adjust your tuning on the fly without having to do on "Workbench" software.
Battery powered DSP
A proprietary lithium-ion battery delivers at least 12 hours of continuous performance. A 4-LED battery life meter lets you know how much rocking time you have left. Rolling down the volume knob when not playing will automatically put the DSP to sleep and helps maximize battery life. So even with your cable still plugged in, you will not be using battery power. DSP wakes up instantly when you turn the volume back up. The JTV-59 functions as a standard electric guitar whether the battery installed or not.
Includes padded gig bag.
Check the drop-down menu to the right to select colors and/or other options.
JTV-59 Variax Electric Guitar
Top: flamed mapleBack: mahogany
Neck: mahogany set neck
Fingerboard: rosewood
Scale length: 24-9/16"
Radius: 12"
Number of frets: 22
Nut: Graph Tech Black TUSQ XL
Nut width: 1-11/16"
Hardware: Chrome
Pickups: 2 custom designed PAF style humbucking pickups
Bridge: fully adjustable Tyler Custom stoptail bridge with L.R. Baggs Radiance Hex piezo pickup system
Tuners: Custom tuners
Binding: maple
Included: Workbench USB adapter, Li-Ion battery, and switching power supply
Workbench software downloadable for free from Line 6
Custom Guitar's Friend Gold Coverage
Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.
Gold Coverage Includes:
Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks Normal wear and tear Power surges Dust, internal heat and humidityOther plan features include:
For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks) For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Custom Guitar's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax. Shipping fees covered if required for repair or replacement Plans are transferable in the event merchandise is sold Plans are renewable on new gear*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions for program details
Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.
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This guitar is a mix of standard single cutaway tradiion and cutting edge modelling technology. No one would be disapointed with one of these if they only ever used the magnetic pickups - though it would be outrageously overpriced for that. When it comes to the modelling stuff - you either buy into it or you don't. This technology is not what it was. These models really do capture the essence of the instruments they represent. Some better than others, but none are terrible.Be aware. This thing can easilly sound like a Strat. A good one in fact. But it will never feel like one. Nor will it feel like a banjo or a Danelectro and it certainly won't feel like a 12 String. This is just something you have to get used to. Changes in body style, scale length and bridge affect the feel tremendously. If you must have a strat - buy a strat. Don't buy this thinking it will replace one.
Also, be aware that the acoustic models will never sound right through a guitar amp. If you want really solid acoustic emulation, you will need either an acoustic amp or to run the Vax into your PA. This is not a shortcoming of the guitar. It's physics.
With that being said, the models are very good. Perhaps a newer generation of players won't be as hung up on feel as we older players. This is clearly an evolution of the instrument we've all come to know and love.
The alternate tuning feature is very handy. The built in alt tunings are useful and L6 has made it painfully easy to create your own. Even without getting into Workbench, it really is a no brainer.
Workbench is fun. Who hasn't wated to try a Danelectro with Firebird mini humbuckers? The possibilities really are endless with workbench, though I have to confess that I rarely end up keeping anything I create. If a particular body and pickup combo were a particularly good idea, chances are someone would have made it by now. The standard models really are more or less what you want. The one big benefit though is in getting extra pickup combinations. For example, the only built in present for the Dano is both pups turned on. It's nice to be able to try just the bridge or neck. There are 10 'Custom' presets that you can save your creations in.
Overall, I love this thing. I have some small complaints, but none of these stop this from being one of the most fun instruments I've had the pleasure of owning. I can sit and noodle with it for hours.
Pros:
Excellent modeling on almost all presets.
Workbench is fun and can be useful
Alt tunings open up a world that most players are usually locked out of
Very well crafted guitar
L6 releases regular firmware updates for free.
Nice gig bag
Cons:
No XPS box included
Only master tone and volume. Dual tone and volume would be great.
Switching can be a little confusing at time.
Well documented here and elseswhere.
Basically, this is a somewhat Les Paul Styled guitar with two PAFish (though a tad hotter) pups and modelling of a couple of dozen various instruments.
Made in Korea.
Comes with a battery, wrenches, nice gig bag, Variax Wokbench device and charger.
I would give this guitar a 10 but I think Line 6 should have included the XPS box that came with previous Variaxes. Battery life is decent, but it sure would be nice to not have to deal with charging it all the time.
This is a surprisingly well made instrument. Mine is the tobacco sunburst model and I can find no flaws with construction or adjustment.
The flamed maple cap is gorgeous. I have no idea if it's solid or ply, nor do I care. It looks great.
The wood binding is a nice tooch. I wouldn't have minded real binding, but this does look sharp.
The neck is fairly large. Somewhat fatter than a Gibsons 50's style neck I would think, but still very playable. Frets are quite large. Larger than standard medium jumbo but dressed immaculately.
Tuners are solid. Locking tuners would be nice, but not as necessary on a hard tailed guitar.
The magnetic pickups are fine. They're not going to sound exactly like your favorite PAFish humbucker, but they're in the ballpark. They're a touch hotter than something like 57 Classics, but by no means harsh and they can conjure up some very nice Beano kinds of tone if you roll a little tone off.
This is an expensive guitar. If you remove the electronics from the equation, this is not as expensive of a guitar. It's a solid guitar though and the electronics are obviously an integral part.
Again, I think L6 should have included a power option - like the afforementioned XPS box. You can buy one from L6 though.
Given the versatility one gets with this, I would say it's priced about right. Perhaps a touch on the high side, but there really is no competition. I've played and owned VG Strats and synth modeling gear from Roland. The JTV dusts them all frankly.
Line 6 JTV-59 Variax Electric Guitar Cherry Sunburst
.I bought this guitar on a whim. A bit pricy for a whim, but I honsetly figured I'd return it when I heard how cheesy the sounds were sure to be. I was SO wrong. OK, a couple of them need some tweaking, but then you have the Variax Workbench for that. I have customized the heck out of mine using the workbench, both the tunings and the models, and I have the guiter set up according to my set, when I need acoustic and Strat in the same song, etc. Really cool. I did have some trouble over the first couple of days with both of the switching knobs but it seems to have cleared up on its own.
The finish is beautiful (I got the tobacco sunburst) and it's really a solid instrument while not being overly heavy. It's made in Korea, but don't let that dissuade you. I should say, I own 18 guitars including a Strat, a 12-string Strat, a Tele, a Les Paul Deluxe, an Explorer, a Gibson Vegas High Roller, a J-200, a Martin DM-12, an old Gibson Marauder, an ES-335, a Rickenbacher 330 and several others. I love them all and play them regularly, but there's only one that comes to gigs now. Just the Variax. (OK, I bring the Les Paul as a backup in case I break strings or something).
Highlights - the resonator voices are REALLY good. The Les Paul Custom voice is really good. The Tele voices are great, and so are the Les Paul Special voices. For what this guitar is, I'd have to give a thumbs up to the acoustic 6 and 12 strings, too. They should replace the Danelectro with a classical.
Not as great but still impressive are the strat voices, the ES-175, the Rick voices, the Gibson banjo and the electric sitar. But the best thing is customizing with the Workbench. So cool.
I do wish there was a good nylon string voice on the workbench, basically it just gives you everything you already have on the guitar and allows you to mix and match and tweak like crazy, but nothing other than what you already really have access to.
By the way, programming custom tunings is so easy you can do it between songs at a gig (I did) and it is an awesome function. Also, battery life is really good, and if you run it down during a gig, the guitar sounds pretty darn good all on its own.
Line 6 JTV-59 Variax Electric Guitar Cherry Sunburst
.As I stated earlier, if you are a gigging guitarist you need this guitar. No longer do you have to switch guitars for different tones or tunings. Whether you realize it or not it does slow the show down a little bit and it all adds up. I am the front man so it is almost impossible to keep a good dialog going with the audience when you are constantly heading stage right to get another guitar strapped on. It also allows you to go through a medley of songs without changing guitars as well. I am extremely pleased with this guitar and would like to Thank Line 6 and Rich Renken for doing it again!
If you are a gigging guitar player you need this guitar! A great deal of music out today takes advantage of many different alternate tunings. Your option is to have a full time guitar tech handing you guitars with the tunings set or use this amazing instrument. At the twist of the knob you can be in any number of preset tunings or create your own tunings and store them along with a specific guitar model. The combinations are limitless. Now imagine switching from an light acoustic passage into a full on electric guitar solo without switching guitars again. How valuable would that be? I have sold 5 guitars because I no longer need them. I gig every week and this is my go to guitar now. I cannot part with it. I have another one on order in the event anything ever happens. That's how happy I am with it.
Just like witha new nameplate in the auto industry you can run into some first-run issues. I unfornately experienced this but I was able to get it corrected in less than one day with the cooperation of Line 6 (Thank you Rich Renken) and a local Line 6 Service Center. One the switch anomaly was correct this guitar has been spot-on perfect!
I was shocked about how well the guitar was set up straight from the factory. After my tech did a extremely slight neck adjustment and only 2 of the strings required another slight intonation adjustment the guitar is perfect and probably one of the best playing guitars I have ever purchased. I think Mr Tyler should be very proud of his design and the continued quality that Line 6 places in this instrument. Even if the amazing Variax technology was not in this guitar it stands on it's own just fine. I owned a Variax 700 for quite a while but I could never get it to play. The way I wanted it to.
Line 6 JTV-59 Variax Electric Guitar Cherry Sunburst
. I guess you have surmised that I am very happy with the JTV-59 that I purchased. Try it, you will like it! What would make it perfect would be to have locking tuners. That is why I rate it as a 9.
I purchased the JTV-59 in early December 2011 and also purchased the POD HD500 at the same time (if you are going to do it, do it right). To date I have been extremely happy with the both and because of same I am toying with doing the dream rig and puchasing the DT50 212. The JTV-59 is a wonderful instrument and the emulations of the classic guitars are amazing. Imagine going from your basic electric guitar sound to a varied choice of acoustic guitars, then a banjo, a sitar, a Tricone, other electric models such a Fender, Gibson, Gretsch etc. Marry all the above with the diversity of options afforded by the POD HD500 and the variety of sounds one can create is nearly endless. I don't play professionally but I can see how a professional musician could certainly lighten their load by having this all in one guitar. I have heard some the purists say that the JTV is a gimmick instrument, but once you experience the sound quality and flexibility you will be convinced otherwise. There had been some reports when the JTV first came out that the switching mechanism was problematic, but that appears to have been resolved, because mine is functioning 100% as advertised. The one suggestion I would add to improve the guitar would be to have locking tuners as opposed to the standard tuners that come with the guitar (they appear to be similiar to the Gotoh tuners).
The JTV-59 build quality from my observation is excellent. I closely examined my guitar and could not find any faults. The appearance is beautiful. I am going to have a luthier put locking tuners on my JTV as well as do a set-up and ask him to give it a once over to see if he sees any issues. I am very happy with the quality of the guitar and its appearance.
If you pay the price for one well made instrument and get over 20 other quality instrument capabilities at the same time; I would say you got a real bargain. Plus, if you marry the JTV with the POD HD500 and the DT50 amp you have a fully integrated system to generate all the sounds you could imagine.
Line 6 JTV-59 Variax Electric Guitar Cherry Sunburst
.This is the best guitar I ever had in my life.( I have the gretsch jet pro, fender mexican strat, Martin acoustic and the 70s Ventura les paul ) but this guitar have the tones of it all. The reason I bought this guitar is because I like the sound of Strat and Tele in the song but I just prefer to have the les paul look and feel and this guitar does it job very well. The sound is very close to my Fender Strat. Also I do a lot of acoustic guitar and with this guitar is the ease! I can switch from electric to acoustic in an instant. The sound is even better than my acoustic guitar with plug in. The bettery seem to last pretty long but If you run out of it, it will switch to the magnetic pickups which are pretty good. In fact it had better sound than my friend Gibson les paul studio. In term of the look this guitar is just beautiful( i have the cherry burst) The neck is just very easy to play and smooth. The neck join is awesome! It feel so right, you can no longer feel disconect between the body and the neck! it's like one solid instrument.
Sorry for my poor English.
Line 6 JTV-59 Variax Electric Guitar Cherry Sunburst
.When acquiring any consumer item that comes out of the first production run, be it a car, computer, or musical instrument, there is always that risk that batch number one will be problematic in both construction and concept. Having been a huge fan of Line 6 for years and owning a studio full of their gear, I felt pretty good about taking the chance that the new JT Variax would be a winner. I am truly happy that I did. This guitar is flat out amazing. The sounds are dead on, from the vintage Strats and Teles to the Rickenbacker 12 string to all the acoustics. But this was something that should surprise no one about a Line 6 product. Modelling is what they do and they do it really well. What blows me away every time I pick this guitar up, is how it plays. This is a really finely crafted musical instrument. Forget that it's made overseas. This guitar plays every bit as well as any of my Les Pauls from the '69 on up. It's really pretty astounding. And it's beautiful to look at. The flame is gorgeous, the paint perfect, the feel solid and nice. This is a completely different animal from the past Variax guitars. Throw out everything you know about them and get a hold of one of these fantastic instruments. You will NOT be sorry.
Line 6 JTV-59 Variax Electric Guitar Cherry Sunburst
. An extremely versatile guitar for gigging. I play a lot of slide in 5 different tunings. The Variax means I only need to bring one guitar (and maybe a backup until I have a bit more confidence).
I recently upgraded from the old Variax 500. I particularly like that the guitar now functions as a real guitar as well as 'virtual' guitar. Plays and sounds very much like a Les Paul using the pickups. Another plus is that alternate tunings can be applied to any setting. The settings themselves sound somewhat better than on the 500, but I wouldn't say it was a huge leap.
The quality of the guitar is quite good. I bought one of the 'made in Korea' models and I am quite happy with set-up and the fit and feel.
I had also purchased a Les Paul with Robot technology and was quite disappointed. I much prefer the Tyler Variax for playability and ease of use.
Line 6 JTV-59 Variax Electric Guitar Cherry Sunburst
.I've never purchased a guitar without playing it before and I was worried. After I read all the reviews and watched so many videos I decided to take the plunge. I'm using this guitar with a POD HD Pro, so was excited about the possibilities this will allow me. I must say there are almost too many choices now! The guitar does seem to fret sharp like I read in other reviews on the first three frets but I also fret very hard when I cord, so I'm getting used to a lighter playing style.
The tones are amazing, I love all the different sounds (haven't even tried to make up my own with the Workbench software).
The 2nd to the tones is the ability to change tuning on the fly. No more taking time to drop to D. Now I feel sorry for my 7-string, I don't need to play it to get those low notes anymore.
If your thinking about this guitar and still not sure, take the leap and grab one, so much fun.
My one complaint is like others have talked about in reviews is no hardshell case. Figure I spent less that 2 hundred for an Ibanez AR-50 so many years ago and it came with a hardshell case (to be honest it wasn't till the last few years I noticed how hard it is to get them to supply hardshell cases). But come on add an extra 100 to the price and throw in a hardshell case to protect such a fine guitar.
Line 6 JTV-59 Variax Electric Guitar Cherry Sunburst
.Plugged in to the Marshall 1/2 clean channel right out of the box as the battery was charging (I let it go overnight), and felt very much at home as a Les Paul Custom player! The neck is extremely comfortable, ESPECIALLY the shaved cutaway! Awesome reach! Beautiful tones from both p/u's, all the warmth and sustain you'd expect from a quality L.P.
As a 60s/70s/80s classic rock cover band player, the Variax will get me all the Beatles/Eagles/Petty sounds I need! 12-string Ric, Casino, biting Tele and bluesy Strat, screaming LP leads.
We may even play variax's direct to the board to eliminate lugging amps to small-spaced clubs.
The alt tunings are super fun to play with! Especially drop D and DADGAD. Takes some getting used to, but really fun.
As a writer/recording artist, I already see huge benefits for writing new material with this tool!! I can match the perfect guitar sound for the material.
ONLY drawback... the acoustic programs are still a little digitized-sounding... I hope to clean them up with the software to get a more natural sound.
My other guitars are going to be lonely ;-)
Line 6 JTV-59 Variax Electric Guitar Cherry Sunburst
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Real improvement over previous models, but still not quite right. Doing A/B comparisons (I have several of the models) not quite there. The Rics, in particular, are not accurate. The Fender and Gibson models are usable, but not outstanding. Whether played through a Line 6 board or a real tube amp, almost but not quite there. The tunings are useful for developing ideas, but I wouldn't recommend recording with them. Too many gliches. All in all, a nifty Korean built guitar, but not really all that is is cracked up to be. I find the Tyler pickups to be about as useful as the modelled sounds - ok, nothing to get excited about. In summary, great for developing ideas, but you will need the real thing to record or perform with.Line 6 JTV-59 Variax Electric Guitar Cherry Sunburst
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