I have Line6 JTV 89 guitar which has 6 dedicated pickups for each string.
How can i use it to work with MG3 hex version…
Guitar has RJ45 cable output… Any help would be greatly appreciated…
I believe that the output through the RJ45 cable is digital. MG3Hex needs 6 analog inputs. If your processing unit offers the feature to extract six analog signals you might take them from there.
How do you connect your guitars to mac/pc in case of Roland Gk series hex pickups…
As in my case I have Two outputs in my Line6 Variax guitar.
First is 1/4 jack pin socket and other is RJ45.
If I want to use the JTV’s Onboard processing unit ( which has alternative tuning, transpose, and many acoustic and electric guitars) using the 1/4 inch jack cable I have to power it up with the line6 battery supplied in the guitar.
On the other hand if I connect it with RJ45 cable going into my Line6 Pod X3 live processor, which has variax input, the unit inside guitar is powered automatically and then the signal is sent through the line out from my Processor…
Can you suggest any cable connection workaround to connect it to my Mac and get it working with Hex. If possible. @LoFiLeiF your inputs will also be highly appreciated…
You need a Hex PU that delivers audio signals (you can “tie” in) and/or a processor that can provide those audio signals. In your case both isn’t applicable. For a GK-3 you can buy or make a breakout cable and connect it to a interface with at least 6 inputs. It is also possible to use either the Boss GP-10, SY-1000, GM-800 or VG-800 as an interface.
Most MG3Hex users here use a GK-3 or GK-5 and a Boss interface, some have a breakout cable and a suitable audio interface.
As I understand, Variax’s hex tech is proprietary and cannot be funneled out of Line 6 units in a hex config. End of story.
That said, maybe somebody has hacked it. Check out the VGuitar forums for the best info on this kind of stuff.
1 Like
Sorry @SumitEdwin
I really don’t have anything here! If none of the techsavvy guys in here doesn’t have a great suggestion I would probably also go to the Guitar forum first. Best of luck, and be sure to report back if you find a solution. I am sure you are not the only one that will ever have this question. 
1 Like
This is what ChatGPT thinks you would need to do! It would of course make your Variax unusable for the Pod X3 unit.
1 Like
Thanks a tons for sparing time to answer my query…
What would be the cheapest method to make my guitar work as a hex output… except from buying a roland Gp10 or similar unit…
swap out your bridge pickup for an uber, add a gumtown gk13 jack, a primova 13 pin cable and a separate strings splitter cable.
roughly speaking that will set you back $400. you’ll also need an audio interface.
are you certain that mg3 standard will not address your needs?
although ‘hacking’ your way toward a solution would be a great learning experience it likely will end up surpassing the cost of a ready made solution and deliver a substandard result.
The Boss GK3 Pickup and GP10 are often found bundled for around $350 if you search Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist etc.
I suggest you try MG3 with a regular guitar (you may already have reached this stage of your journey), and once you have faith in that go for the MG3 Hex using a Boss Roland device.
If you want to go big, for the money a VG800 and GK5 pickup are going to be significantly greater value in dollars/feature. With that you’ll have the GT1000 CORE modeling/effects unit, Variax type guitar modeling combined with great Hex to MIDI conversion as well as Hex audio via USB and still have your functioning Variax guitar!
You aren’t going to be able to ‘build’ anything close to that even if you spend twice the money.
1 Like
@kimyo, this means that in addition to the 400 dollar cost, there is at least 300 € for the 6x audio interface and the costs for MidiGuitar 3 are around 150 $ and Midi Guitar 3 Hex Addon another 150 $.
In other words, to convert a normal electric guitar with a magnetic pickup to the MidiGuitar Hex version, you need roughly 1000 dollars! This does not include the possible costs for MidiBass.
But for about 800 dollars you can also get the GM800 (incl. GK5 pickup) from Roland in the Hex version…
MidiGuitar Standard costs about 150$ and an Audio interface of about 100$.
@ Kimyo @JamO : I just want to show how important the further development of MidiGuitar 3 Standard with magnetic pickup is, which should one day take over all the features of the HEX version 
1 Like
my main objection to the gm800 is that no one would choose it as an audio interface, as it wasn’t designed to serve that function.
most notably it doesn’t have balanced outputs. this is completely unacceptable.
no independent headphone volume, no ability to use a mic, and reliance on boss for updates (as it is not class compliant) adds up to four strikes against.
@kimyo, we agree that the VG800 from Roland is not a real alternative either. GK2/GK3 are also legacy.
But what’s left for equipment with a HEX pickup in the future that anyone can buy without additional tinkering?
Therefore, the only real alternative in the future is that MG3 Standard with one Standard Magnetic Pickup will have all the features of MG3 HEX.
For @JamO: This means that the algorithms in the MG3 Standard will have to reliably identify the individual guitar string from which the played audio tone originates.
a zoom l6 shipped to me today. if it works as well as its older sibling (l8) the following lists all parts req’d. if not, add $100 and op will be good to go.
aside from being less expensive than the gm800, this setup delivers balanced outs and an input for your 1/4" guitar out.
pro audio gear has balanced outputs. consumer audio has unbalanced.
maybe your experience is different, but at every venue i’ve been to, from the seediest biker bar to most posh, if you show your 1/4" unbalanced cable to the sound guy you’re not likely to make her smile.
can we please stop promoting boss gear on this forum? it is not suitable for the majority of users here.
| product: | cost: |
|---|---|
| ubertar pickup | $185.00 |
| sep strings breakout cable | $137.00 |
| gk13 jack | $35.00 |
| gk13 cable | $35.00 |
| zoom l6 | $300.00 |
| prices include shipping | |
| $692.00 |
1 Like
@Kimyo, the price lists and delivery options may apply to non-EU countries, but they are not transferable to residents in countries of the European Union.
I live in an EU country. After my personal inquiry: www.separate-strings.co.uk does not deliver its breakout cable to EU countries.
Also Ubertar HEX Pickup is much more expensive in EU countries due to customs.
What alternatives do I really have other than Roland? And no, I’m not advertising for Roland, but they are the market leader. And no: I don’t have these systems, which is why I’m still looking for acceptable alternatives.
yours is a painful situation, i’m very sorry to hear it.
i do dispute your statement that ‘roland is the market leader’ though. they were, but they squandered their lead by failing to improve their technology, and offering ‘solutions’ like the $500 kit you need if you want to use your 1/4" output.
in any case, about how much is the ubertar w/customs?
even a luthier with rudimentary skills could wire one up to a gumtown jack, that solves everything on the guitar end and would be doable in less than two hours.
on the other end, it’s not as clean. the separate strings cables are solid, and seriously road-worthy, i believe mine will outlast my time on earth by a significant margin.
a lesser, but still studio-worthy solution could involve the same luthier, another gumtown jack, and six 1/4" jacks.
aside from the ubertar and the audio interface you’re probably looking at less than $150 worth of parts.
as long as you can score the ubertar for $300 or less, and figuring on giving your luthier $75/hour, you’d still come in near or below the cost of a gm800.
there would be three advantages:
- fidelity-wise i’m pretty sure the ubertars will beat the gk5 hands down
- all wiring would be internal, nothing need be glued to the surface of your guitar
- none of these items can ever be obsoleted by boss
on #1, i’m referring to analog processing, effects like hex fuzz or mg3 deep expressor. note detection would probably be very similar regardless.
1 Like
Hi @kimyo, that’s very kind of you to reply to my post in such detail again. We certainly agree that roland is not the technology we want to use. Their advantage is the narrow pickup that fits easily on any guitar without having to interfere with the electronics or mechanics with additional work.
Is it possible to easily remove the cable from the gk5 pickup and then connect the pickup alone without the converter electronics directly to an audio interface?)
I also suspect that Ubertar is much better than GK5 pickup.
It’s a pity that no Ubertar user has yet commented on their experiences here in the forum.
The disadvantage of the HEX pickup remains that it always has to be installed separately for each guitar. That’s why I would of course prefer an MG3 standard with HEX features for the future. Everyone can still dream 
Until this combination of MG3s is available, I will probably try the rocky road you suggested.
Thanks again for your many constructive comments, also elsewhere in the forum.
Hello @anjo, the “cheapest” is you buy a GK-Kit-GT3 (sometimes I got them for 99 Euro at Thomann or Musikstore Koeln). It includes all you need to attach a breakout cable. The only thing you will have to do is to route a cavity on the backside of your guitar for the board and drill a hole for the output connector. If you don’t want to control any Boss device you must not install the switches and the volume pot. It sounds more difficult as it is. I can guide you through that modification or do it for you if you can send me the guitar, I wouldn’t charge anything other than the return shipment costs.
1 Like
i know this is not helpful information, but i did purchase and install an ubertar pickup for my bass guitar.
this was before hex tracking was available. i was running 4 instances of mg2 or mg3, using the piccolo bass string method.
the crosstalk was very very bad, it was essentially impossible to use. i believe this was the result of the thicker strings and the fact that the ubertar is very sensitive.
now that hex tracking is here with its internal magic blocking neighboring string signals, i need to revisit that setup.
unfortunately i swapped the ubertar out, but once spring arrives i’ll put it back in place and report back.
Hi @Dutti67, thank you very much, that’s a very generous offer you’ve made me 
I’ll have to think about it a bit more. The guitar I’m referring to belongs to my son, I’ll ask him if he would agree to it. I play more bass myself and less guitar at the moment.
Where is your workshop located then? Is there a website? Perhaps we can clarify this with a personal message.