The Variax JTV-69S Electric Guitar w/ Single Coil Pickups is now available with all single-coil pickups and 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-69 features a beautiful flamed maple top, alder back, and a bolt-on maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. A recessed heel makes reaching the upper frets a breeze. The JTV-69 is loaded with three single-coil pickups designed by James Tyler. Controls include a 5-way blade pickup selector switch, a master volume & tones. A rotary model selector dials the 25 virtual guitars plus sitar, banjo, and resonator guitar tones. A rotary alt tuning selector lets you pick from 12 alternate tunings. Comes standard with a durable, padded gig bag with a stitched Line 6 logo and 2 pockets big enough for all your gig essentials.
Redesigned tremolo bridge
The JTV-69 has a redesigned tremolo bridge that offers improved tone and tuning stability. This design lets the string go into the bridge through the front of the tremolo, which brings the ball end as close to the saddle as possible, instead of stringing it through the tremolo block. This also makes restringing much easier. The knife edges and tremolo pivot posts were designed to provide nearly zero resistance. This, in conjunction with locking tuners gives this standard tremolo bridge much more tuning stability. A Graph Tech Black TUSQ XL nut keeps the strings from gripping and sticking. James Tyler Custom tremolo bridge is also fitted with an LR Baggs Radiance hex pickup system for sweet acoustic guitar tones.
Dual-core Processor
Dual-core processor delivers 4 times the punch. This new chip is smaller, faster, and more powerful. It has allowed Line 6 to run fuller, clearer models of guitar bodies and pickups; let all their models have alternate tunings; improved alternate tuning purity and speed; provided alternate tuning customization; and 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 you 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-69 functions as a standard electric guitar whether the battery installed or not.
Check the drop-down menu to the right to select colors and/or other options. Includes gig bag.
Includes Workbench USB adapter, Li-Ion battery, switching power supply, and padded gig bag
Variax models based on:
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"
Alternate tunings for JTV-69S:
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
Get all the guitars you've ever wanted plus the option of three single-coil pickups.
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 humidity
Other 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.
Displaying reviews 1-10
Back to top
PreviousNext »
I have to confess that I used the earlier model of Variax for years prior to the new James Tyler Variax coming out. I was excited to upgrade after reading about it. There are numerous improvements over the first generation of Variax that make JTV-69S a huge improvement much more usable guitar.
- Overall the guitar feels better. The neck and fretwork are excellent feeling more like the quality of a custom axe.
- The tremolo bridge is much improved over the original Variax model. You can now use the tremolo without needing to tighten any hex screws on the bridge that never worked properly anyway. The new trem is solid and doesn't wobble inside the sleeve holding the trem arm (way more user friendly.
- The locking tuners add a big improvement to overall tuning stability (Yeah!)
- The addition of standard pickups is a Godsend! I have the all-single-coil model of the JTV and I have to say that it is a very usable guitar as a strat alone. The pickups have excellent tone and can easily be used as just a normal Strat. My only complaint is that the pickups are a little weaker output than my Eric Clapton strat but the tone of the JTV single coils is still very usable. I often go back and fourth between the standard single coils and the modeled sounds since I like characteristics of both.
- The re-chargeable battery is a great thing! Now I don't have to carry any extra floor boxes or special stereo cables to power the guitar. I just charge up the battery and use it like any other guitar. A fully charged batter usually lasts me through at least two full 4 hour gigs and a rehearsal before needing a recharge.
- The modeling is much more accurate on the JTV Variax as compared to the original Variax. I use the Tele, Jazzbox, Les Paul, and Gretsch tones quite a often for most every gig. The sounds are so accurate that I often impress my bandmates with the realistic Coutnry, Surf, and Les Paul lead tones I can get with this. Add the new re-tuning control and I can easily take my favorite Tele patch into a Barritone territory when needed for great retro stuff that I use so much. Or, take the Tele sound to a drop-D which is used in so many country sounds that I play.
Overall, I'm thrilled with the guitar as is now my main must-have axe for any gigs I play.
My only nit with the JTV Variax is that the palm-muting response (although much better than the original Variax)is not exactly the same as a standard guitar. You will need to adjust your technique somewhat if you play a lot of styles that make heavy use palm-muted sounds such as rockabilly, and some chicken-pick'n stuff. However, I'm getting more and more accustomed to making a slight adjustment with my picking hand to get those sounds more reliably with the Variax. It's do-able with some adjustment to your technique.
Overall I'd say this is a winner and I'd highly recommend this guitar for anyone to use for recording or live performance when they need access to a wide variety of sounds. Nothing else comes even close. Line 6 is the best in this category.
Line 6 Variax JTV-69S Electric Guitar with Single Coil Pickups 3-Color Sunburst Rosewood Fingerboard
.Purchased a new guitar yet received one with hand prints all over it, well worn strings and pick scratches. It had been sealed then resealed with tape 2 more times (total of 3 layers of tape) with the last being Line 6. Tried on 3 amps and same issue, completely distorted sound. Getting double notes out of playing a single string on the acoustic 6 string mode. Completely unusable.
Custom Guitar's friend sent a 2nd Line 6 out and I knew it was headed for issues when I could tell this "new" guitar had also been opened and resealed twice beyond the original tape from Line 6. This one was slightly better meaning the distortion was not so bad that it scared the kids next door. However, it was completely useless.
So two "new" guitars that were defective to the point they could not be used. Custom Guitars friend was great in this process. It was sealed twice with Line 6 Tape plus once with clear tape. From this it is clearly that Line 6 sent out these guitars which then were opened, played, retaped and returned to Line 6. Line 6 just retaped them without so much as cleaning the dirty hand prints off then and sold these defective guitars as if they were functional and new.
I contacted Line 6 to try to find out how I could get a 3rd one (they had absolutely no concern about all my time they wasted) and their suggestion was to order a 3rd one and then return it to Line 6 if it did not work. I asked them if there was any way to get one that did work to me (local dealers or could they ship a functional one to me direct) and they had no other options and they made it clear they did not want to be on the phone to try to get a working guitar into my hands.
Summary: Awful quality, awful customer service from Line 6 (Custom Guitar's Friend had great customer service) and selling used guitars by Line 6 as if they were no guitars.
Line 6 Variax JTV-69S Electric Guitar with Single Coil Pickups 3-Color Sunburst Rosewood Fingerboard
.Disappointing, to say the least. Had trouble with it from the get go. Can't play with nine gauge strings, they'll pop out of the finger nut. and with any gauge string, the high E slips down off the neck when soloing. neck joint is a bit hinky. But the worst is the bridge saddle design - it ensures that when you change strings, the tremolo springs cause the whole bridge to pop up and off the two mounting posts and smash the tremolo block against the interior wood of the guitar, no big deal except they mounted the pc board for the piezos right there so it is guaranteed to be smashed quite dramatically every time you change the strings. they could have prevented this with a half penny's worth of plastic stopper. pitiful oversight. two smashes and my jtv 69 was out of commission with all kinds of electronic glitches. had to spend about 80 clams to send it back for warranty because unless you live in a big city, there aren't many Line6 service centers. Good idea poorly executed.
Line 6 Variax JTV-69S Electric Guitar with Single Coil Pickups 3-Color Sunburst Rosewood Fingerboard
.After unpacking and inspecting, while the included lithium-ion battery was charging, I set up the guitar & "pushed it" - just as a Strat style mag. pickup. Really nice blues/rock guitar. Solid - not the fastest neck, but not bad - JT must have desired the extra mass for better resonance and sustain, which this has. Really good tuners, solid. The bridge and tremolo system are well built. The tremolo is unique in feel - different than Fender, Bigsby or Floyd Rose. Once you get it's feel, controlling intonations is spot on. Nice guitar as is. Now comes the fun - especially if coupled with a POD. The modeling is astounding - I have a couple of the guitars it replicates (and access to a few others) and it is accurate. Telecaster to banjo - or an LP hollowbody rhythmic backing to a tricone resonator picked lead. Then the tunings. No more not playing this or that on certain guitars just because it's in a different tuning and you don't want to re-tune. Just turn the tuning dial. And programmable! Just added my Hawaiian slack-key. I'm very happy with this purchase. I must say, the electronics concerned me with some of the reviews - so I added the extra coverage for peace of mind. Mine is solid however - I've been really wailing on it a couple of hours a day, intrigued by the multiplicity of sound creation ability. Also comes with a nice gig bag. You'll want to order an extra battery.
Line 6 Variax JTV-69S Electric Guitar with Single Coil Pickups 3-Color Sunburst Rosewood Fingerboard
.I've had this guitar for about 2 weeks now, and I can't stop playing it!!! I carry it everywhere. Some people will complain about the acoustic sounds, but if you don't like them then carry an acoustic. If you go from the HD500 into a PA system, the acoustics sound good enough for me not to bother carrying another guitar around. The electrics are so close on most you can't tell the difference. I have several of the guitars that are modeled and I've played them side by side and they're spot on. Sorry for the long review. But if you're on the fence about trying one, find one and play it and you won't be any longer. The 69S has a great neck profile and overall feel.
Line 6 Variax JTV-69S Electric Guitar with Single Coil Pickups 3-Color Sunburst Rosewood Fingerboard
.I bought this about a month ago through Stupid Deal of the Day. Bottom line upfront - great tones, good feel, ready to play out of the box, over all well done. The stock pickup is good but I don't use it.
I had an original Variax 300 model years ago. I never liked it. It was cheap and the tones were too digital sounding. NOT REALLY USABLE. This new line is a HUGE IMPROVEMENT. The various tones are excellent especially the Les Paul, Strat, Tele and LP Special tones. Very very good! The alternate tunings are fantastic. Much better that that system Gibson uses. The instrument quality is very good. My guitar was flawless and set up pretty well. I've been playing this a lot through a Marshall JCM800 and its delivers on its promise 100 percent.
The one negative is the battery. It's a much better design over the original design on my old 300 and is quite easy to use and charge. It will hold up through a full gig no problem. The only issue, and it's minor, is I need to charge it after each use. I think line 6 says it will last 18 hours. Not true, more like 6-8. The battery charger is very good and the battery pack is super easy to remove. Also, you don't need the battery pack if you connect to a POD XT LIVE, X3, HD, or any floor board or line 6 amp that supports Variax - and a lot do. My suggestion is to buy a spare and you are then good to go otherwise the battery issue is a minor inconvenience.
I've been playing 40 years and my guitars include various USA strats, tele, Les Pauls, PRS, Musicman, etc. I still find this James Tyler Variax to be a lot of fun with some great tones. I took a chance only because of the multiple tuneings which are near instant. I was prepared to return it but it really does deliver what Line 6 says and it exceeded my expectations.
Line 6 Variax JTV-69S Electric Guitar with Single Coil Pickups 3-Color Sunburst Rosewood Fingerboard
.Great idea but mine had major intonation problems and had to be returned. MF was extrememly helpful and made the return a painless process.
Line 6 Variax JTV-69S Electric Guitar with Single Coil Pickups 3-Color Sunburst Rosewood Fingerboard
.First off...I've never been compelled to write a review until now. Biggest reason is the treatment given to me by MF. Oh and of course this review wouldn't of been possible without a junk guitar made by Line 6.
I've only had the JTV 69s for three days. String buzz was horrible. Neck feel was horrible. After spending two days setting up this hunk of wood, it became apparent that this instrument would always be terrible. The neck...well it needs a new neck honestly. Poor finish with spots of rough wood near the head stock, first fret buzz, nut appears to be notched poorly, high frets, too much polish of the finger board. The play-ability is just sub-par. I should have known better but I was had to give it a try.
I would have been happy to try a new one but I apparently the color I bought is no longer being carried by MF so they wouldn't honor the price I had paid originally. So my only options would be to pay more for another finish (same model), return for full refund or send it to Line 6 for repairs!!! I'm opting for full refund. I'll do my business else where.
Line 6 Variax JTV-69S Electric Guitar with Single Coil Pickups 3-Color Sunburst Rosewood Fingerboard
.The Variax is a versatile guitar that is easy to use and change guitar models. It does a great job of digitally modeling the various guitars.
Line 6 Variax JTV-69S Electric Guitar with Single Coil Pickups 3-Color Sunburst Rosewood Fingerboard
.Great to have a variety of sounds for Jamming with others
Line 6 Variax JTV-69S Electric Guitar with Single Coil Pickups 3-Color Sunburst Rosewood Fingerboard
.
English
