I have a JTV69 in red currently. I have had a Variax 600, JTV59, and a sunburst JTV69 previously. I loved how the 1st Gen 600 played but all the models didn't quite sound as open as a normal guitar does. When I had the JTV59 it was a nice guitar but was so heavy I sold it, nothing wrong with it but if you go that route I'd hold it because like any LP style guitar they can be heavy. The JTV69 is what I enjoyed most because I like Strats and use a trem a lot. The models are much more convincing and Workbench HD is a blast to get lost in. The real deal is when you pair this with a Helix. With snapshots it is just the ultimate gigging tool. I can be on a Gretsch 6120 with filtertrons for the opening to a Strat neck on the Verse, to a Les Paul bridge pup driving the Chorus, to an Acoustic Jumbo for the bridge, etc. All in one preset, all by just pressing a button on my Helix. It can't get much better than that.

Yes I agree the Acoustic models take longer to dial in but it's possible and in the mix sounds great, even the 12 String acoustic models. On their own you can kind of tell but still more than passable and much better than just using a Fishman power bridge on a Strat or Tele.

The Alt tunings are super fun and have found myself exploring slide again. Overall this thing is a tool that can inspire and drive music out of you that you didn't know you had in you. I like mine a lot. Is it like playing my Mag equipped guitars? No not exactly but once you get adjusted to it it's amazing. It's kind of like how when you get a new guitar with a neck profile you aren't use to, it takes some time to adjust but when you do you don't notice it anymore.

The other big reason I chose the JTV69 is you can put any Strat neck out there on it. The neck pocket is the same. So if you don't like the neck you can put a new one on no problem, one of the screw holes is different but that's really no big deal.

If you have already got good guitars this would be a great guitar to through in there.