Guitar Journal: John Mayer’s Virtual Rig & More
Höfner’s official statement and Line 6 Helix Stadium 1.2 Firmware Update
5,0 / 5,0 | 
This week, on Guitar Journal, we look at the new John Mayer virtual guitar rig by Neural DSP, which models his boutique hardware rig. Then we look at Höfner’s official statement on the company’s future. Finally, the Line 6 Helix Stadium has just had its first major firmware update announced.
Guitar Journal
Archetype: John Mayer X
Neural DSP has just announced the Archetype: John Mayer X, a virtual software-based take on the guitarist’s boutique guitar rig. It includes recreations of his Dumble amp and Klon Centaur Overdrive pedal, amongst a host of other high-end desirable guitar gear.
Virtual Dumble & More
The Mayer amp collection includes the Dumble Steel String Singer #002, a 1964 Fender Vibroverb, and the Two Rock Signature #83. All pretty desirable stuff if you are into that Blues/Rock guitar tone with touch-sensitive cleans and overdrives aplenty.
Boutique Virtual FX Rig
Neural DSP has gone beyond simply modeling amplifiers by meticulously recreating John Mayer’s entire indispensable signal chain.
This Virtual Pedalboard captures the evolution of his sound from the early days of Blackbird through to the smooth textures of Sob Rock. At the heart of this collection are three foundational drive-and-boost pedals.
The Justa Boost, inspired by the Keeley Katana, serves as an always-on clean boost and compressor, providing essential clarity. At the same time, the Halfman OD replicates the “Holy Grail” transparent overdrive of the Klon Centaur.
For those seeking his more aggressive lead tones, the Tealbreaker serves as the secret dual-drive weapon, blending the characteristics of the TS-10 and the Bluesbreaker.
Dream Delay
The suite also includes the specialised modulation and time-based effects that define Mayer’s most iconic tracks. The Antelope Filter, based on the EHX Q-Tron, is included for the essential envelope filter sounds heard in ‘I Don’t Trust Myself’. At the same time, the Millipede Delay offers the vintage-style analog slapback characteristic of the Way Huge Aqua Puss.
In addition to these five core pedals, the software features the Dream Delay, inspired by the Providence Chrono-Delay, and a dedicated EQ module. To ensure the best possible experience, Mayer personally requested that the entire user interface be refined to streamline the workflow for musicians.
Software Pricing
Pricing for the new suite is €199 (VAT included) in the UK/Europe or $169 (plus local taxes) in the US/Rest of the world.
It doesn’t yet run on the Quad Cortex hardware, which is a pity. John Mayer X is available in 64-bit VST2/VST3 / AU / AAX and Standalone. It runs on both Windows and Mac and requires an i-Lok account.
Official Höfner Statement
The music continues at Höfner. The legendary German luthier—forever linked to Sir Paul McCartney—has addressed its insolvency filing, clarifying that the brand is entering a restructuring phase. Despite the financial hurdles, Höfner insists it is here to stay for musicians and fans alike.
This statement was made on Instagram and follows a week or so of uncertainty in the music world.
Dear musicians, Höfner fans & friends,
some of you may have already heard: our company has been going through a difficult period – especially since the introduction of the US tariffs – and filed for insolvency on Thursday, 11 December 2025.We would like to clarify a few things: We are not discontinuing production, distribution or our media channels. In Germany, there is a three-month period before the actual insolvency procedure is opened. This period offers the opportunity to consolidate the company and restructure it for a better future.
Within this period, we will continue to build and sell our instruments and the Höfner team is doing its best to provide you with the support, service and warranties you expect.
We would like to express our appreciation to all of you who continue to support us even in these difficult times!
Thank You!
The team at Karl Höfner GmbH & Co. KG
Global Trade Pressures and the Path Forward
Rising US tariffs are creating significant headwinds for boutique European manufacturers. For Höfner, a brand whose legacy is tied to Sir Paul McCartney, the American market remains a critical source of revenue from collectors and pros alike.
Restructuring
Industry experts expect Höfner’s restructuring to prioritise export efficiency and to adopt more resilient strategies to counter current global economic volatility.
This is all good news, as we have indeed lost far too many companies in the last year or so.
Line 6 Helix Stadium
Helix Stadium 1.2 firmware update brings some new amp models and refinements to the Line 6 flagship amp modeller and effects unit.
These amp models include the US Super Black (Fender Super Reverb), Cali 2C+ (Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+), and the Brit Jujube (Marshall Silver Jubilee).
Showcase – Your Perfect Live Companion
The headline feature of version 1.2 is the Showcase live automation engine, a powerful update that moves beyond simple guitar processing to automate your entire performance.
At its core, the system features a robust 8-Track Song Player, allowing you to load and play up to eight stereo audio tracks directly from your device to provide a full-scale backing for your live sound.
Event Sequencer
To keep your performance fluid, the Event Sequencer utilises a system of “flags” that can be dragged onto your timeline. These flags automate everything from internal preset changes and snapshots to looper functions and external MIDI gear. This level of Total Stage Control extends your reach beyond your instrument; you can send MIDI commands to synths and lighting rigs, or even trigger laptop hotkeys to advance PowerPoint slides and cue videos automatically.
Managing your show is equally streamlined through the Playlists feature. You can organise setlists with up to 128 songs and navigate them effortlessly with dedicated footswitches. This ensures that while the automation engine handles the technical complexity of your rig and stage effects, you remain focused entirely on the music.
A nice update for anyone who plays out frequently and wants more control of their virtual rig. Line 6 has a fantastic track record of updating its original Helix, so this bodes well for the new Helix Stadium family of products.
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