Community: Message List

Re: JTV comparison videos

support@line6.com — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 13:28:15 GMT

Hello, Andi!

How do I deal with the "dullness"? When I am sure that it is not my playing and something really sounds dull and not clear enough in the mix, then I am using my Dunlop M108 MXR 10-BAND GRAPHIC EQ pedal. It does wonders, especially with the difficult mixes and when you need to have just a bit of difference in tone. Here it is:

-- Denis

Re: JTV89F

support@line6.com — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:50:11 GMT

Dear Randy,

Thank you so much for the update and for taking time and thought to compose your amazing message! Personally, I believe that exactly such in-depth messages are capable of bringing out the information, the impression, the opinion, the thought and the emotion about a musical instrument or probably any other subject. It's great that there are people out there still paying enough respect and attention to the readers and the fellow forum members. Thank you for that, Randy!

Now on the topic of JTV89F. I want to thank you for being one of the people who helped me make my choice and now I am also a very happy JTV89F user. The first thing that I would like to note is that I am really impressed with the magnetic pickups and I also realize the fact that I am spending more time using them. I remember that when I saw JTV89 model for the first time (at the time being), I instantly had a notion of what the magnetic pickups would be like to match these looks. Being a fan of progressive rock/metal genre, I wanted to reach the extremes, - the best of high-gain world when it is necessary and the soft acoustics at the same time. JTV89F allowed me to reach all of these goals and it is one of guitars where each detail and each feature plays it's valuable role - from the way how it is crafted and the looks to the way how all the models are made and the fact that there is no hum with the Strat models which is usually inevitable without the noise gates and the other means of filtering of the sound. A chance to play amazing acoustics without having to worry for the traffic jam outside, construction works and the neighbours is another plus, not to mention the need of the expensive and vulnerable mics. The addition of banjo, sitar, tricone, the amazing Rickenbacker guitars which I always dreamt of... The list it endless!

Randy, it's amazing that you could get both blood red and the black versions of this amazing guitar. Since I am not playing live at the moment, I have no need for the backup guitar, but with the presence of the live gigs, that would be amazing to be safe! Congratulations again!

Thank you very much again for your message and for the detailed impressions! It is, indeed, quickly becoming a guitar you really love from the first look and it's not possible to put it down since it keeps you playing and exploring new territories of musical space. I should take some time too and write of my personal thoughts and impressions, but I can admit that mine are very much like yours - very happy with it!

-- Denis

Re: Just ordered a new JTV-89F-few questions

support@line6.com — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:07:08 GMT

Hello!

Thank you for your message and congratulations on your new guitar! I am happy that I could be of some help to you! I'm glad that you like it and I am sure that it will be your best friend at the upcoming gig.

Now about the alt tunings: you can mix and match any tuning with any instrument and also create your own tunings on the fly with Virtual Capo. It’s easy to save your custom tunings, either to the open Model slot on the Alt Tune knob, or to one of the other alternate tuning slots. Here is how it looks in action:

Also there is Variax Workbench software that comes along with guitar and you can use it to create virtually any tuning possible. I have only tried Variax Workbench software so far and it worked great. Virtual Capo feature sounds even easier, but the fact remains - it is possible to get any tuning and match it with desired guitar. If there is anything else that I can help you with, be sure to let me know!

Take a good care and best of luck with the upcoming gig! You will rock the place, I am sure

-- Denis

Re: JTV89F Piezo

support@line6.com — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:31:32 GMT

I thought that the second guitar was JTV89F! I should agree with your bass player - the sound is indeed fuller on the second recording. I have tried listening to your recording in the headphones and then I thought that JTV89F sounded with more clarity. I guess that it is really hard to tell, but there is probably a difference made by the different strings gauge. Both guitars sound amazing in any case and I think that the guitar shape perception bias may still play a role there. When I pick up a Strat, for example, then I am trying to sound like I am playing a strat and when I pick up a shred machine, then I am subconsciously trying to play in a heavier style with the different attitude which affects the sound. I think that this may be the explanation why your lead singer swore that she thought the 89F sounded better with your 80's new wave cover band, - it fits the times and JTV89F is a 80's style guitar to me - all flashy and beautiful! By the way, any place where I could hear your band and what covers do you, guys, do?

And few off-topic questions:

What soundcard were you using during recording? Did you use any patch on the HD500 or simply bypassed all the signal chain? I wonder if POD Farm software could allow me to emulate some of the things that are possible with HD500, like the acoustic amp settings. Do you think that would be possible?

Thank you again!

Re: JTV comparison videos

support@line6.com — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:50:16 GMT

Dear Andi,

Thank you so much for your time and effort in making of these amazing comparison videos! The very first thought that came to my head is that you are able to make any guitar shine and sing with beauty! When an excellent guitar player picks up an instrument, then he or she is able to pick out all the best from what it offers. I kept listening to the examples with a smile and couldn't help, but picked up my JTV89F to try out few things!

I was pleasantly surprised with the sounds of Variax 500 and the clean sounds there are somewhat brighter and closer to the magnetic pickups than the native sounds of JTV-69 modeling. I agree that at times it does seem that the electric models sound a little bit darker compared to the magnetic pickups, but I must say that when I was watching the second video where you compared JTV modeling with the real iconic guitars, I actually liked JTV modeling better than the real thing. There was a lot of clarity and the sounds were close to perfectness.

Now the electric models with a bit of overdrive comparison between JTV and Variax 500. In my opinion, there is a lot of difference and JTV-69 modeling sounds more alive and responsive. There is that improvement which is hard to describe in words, but it is probably the processing power or the way how the sound is processed. And the acoustics on Variax 500 is what was a pleasant surprise to me. Acoustics on JTV sound awesome, but the sound on Variax 500 is different and it is what I often try to achieve. If I try to put it in simple terms, it is as if JTV acoustics are more distant and Variax 500 acoustics sound closer, like the different miking. I think that both examples are great! It is the first time that I've heard acoustics of the first generation Variax and I must say that I am impressed! And the priceless comparison of JTV with the real iconic guitars was a great proof to me of how much successful and talented the people at Line 6 are!

Thank you so much again for sharing these awesome videos and for the truly terrific experience! Once again, I should note that you made a great job not only in comparison of guitars, but also in guitar playing. If I could choose a guitar instructor, it would be you! Take a good care!

-- Denis

Re: Just got JTV-89F

support@line6.com — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:12:14 GMT

I have done some more testing with my guitar through the various scenarios (effects, no effects, different processors, amps), did a recording in Drop C# tuning - it seems to be working well. Even my issue with the low E string's being a bit too loud seems to be gone. It cannot be noticed when you strum the strings and if I am playing arpeggio passages with the bass string walk, it may seem at times that the low E string is a bit too loud, but when I am listening to the recordings, it has the necessary tone and it even adds some real-acoustic-guitar flavour.

Nevla might be right that using the different strings gauge may be causing all the difference - maybe a ticket with Line 6 would be of some help if the support can answer this particular question.

Re: JTV89F Piezo

support@line6.com — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:47:11 GMT

Thank you so much for doing this head-to-head guitar test! The sound with the JTV 89F is more full and there is more vivid feel to the sound, it is as if it sounds clearer. Great playing, by the way! Would you mind doing a 12-string test or even something from the RESO instruments? Thank you so much again!

I also did a little test with the acoustics (both 6 and 12 string) with my JTV89F. Here is a little track I did with the direct recording. The only processing I did was the addition of the M40 Studio Reverb from TC Electronic. Other than that, it is a direct recording with 1970 Martin D12-28 and 1959 Martin D-28 models. The link:

http://soundcloud.com/iceman777/line-6-jtv89f-1970-martin-d12

Enjoy! And thank you again!

Re: Just got JTV-89F

support@line6.com — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:36:43 GMT

Hey, guys!

The owner of the blood red JTV89F here. I shall test my particular model tomorrow, but I did not notice any difference with the low E string since I've got my guitar. I play with the stock strings and listening to some of my recordings (with acoustics too), I do not notice the change in sound of the low E string. I remember that at some point it even seemed to me that the bass lines were a bit too loud compared to the rest of the strings. I hope that testing will help me determine if my guitar has this trouble.

Only one thing to note - I am not playing through the POD, but usually directly to PC via external soundcard (with the acoustics) or via Nova System effects processor from TC Electronic. Perhaps, it would not make any difference to volume of particular strings, but still thought I would mention it for the record. I wonder if editing in the Variax Workbench would be of any help?

I'll update my post as soon as I do some testing with the various setups. Good luck to all of you, guys, and let's hope this issue can be resolved or at least the source of it understood.

-- Denis

UPDATE: I have tested my JTV89F for some time and I can say that in my particular case it does not sound less in volume, but actually sounds a bit louder than the rest of the strings. This is the case with all the models, not only acoustics. I shall see if this can be edited in Workbench, but Capo 2001 mentions that there was no change. I shall do more testing and playing with the low E string. If I would not do the in-depth testing, I think that I would not notice this difference, maybe only during recording of the quiet guitar parts. Usual magnetic pickups sound fine in regard to the volume and response.

Concerning the 12 string acoustic models, I actually like them. And the alt tunings - it sounds good to me as long as I am playing in the headphones or the volume is loud enough, so I do not hear the actual physical response from the strings. If I would, then it sure would sound awful!

I wonder if I am the only JTV89F owner with the low E string actually being a bit too loud ?

Re: Just ordered a new JTV-89F-few questions

support@line6.com — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:16:08 GMT

Hello and welcome aboard!

JTV89F blood red owner here. Yes, it is a beautiful guitar and I believe that it looks even better than what it looks in pictures. It also has a beautiful sound to it and in my personal case, I am quite content with my model and glad that I've made the right choice. I'm not a shredder or a metal player too though I really like these styles, but I hope to get a hold of it one day. This guitar is very comfortable to play if you had any experience of playing RG series from Ibanez guitars. However, it is hard to even compare because it has a special feel to it that allows you reaching the high frets without any trouble.

Yes, you can have any possible alternate tuning. You can mix and match any tuning with any instrument and also create your own tunings on the fly with Virtual Capo. It’s easy to save your custom tunings, either to the open Model slot on the Alt Tune knob, or to one of the other alternate tuning slots. With the help of the Variax Workbench software, you can create any tuning you wish.

The difference is that in the various alt tunings included, but you can always save the one you need to the "Model" slot of the knob. Then come the native pickups. JTV89F has two high-output alnico humbucking pickups while JTV69 has alnico bridge humbucker and vintage-style neck and middle single-coil pickups. You can actually compare both models at: http://line6.com/jtv-69/specs and http://line6.com/jtv-89f/specs

I guess there are people who may own both models out there and they might give you more information about the differences on practice, but I hope that the specs of both instruments will be of some help. Double-locking tremolo is quite decent on JTV89F and in my particular case GraphTech bridge is responsive and so far I haven't noticed any problems (in my case).

If there is anything else I may help you with, feel free to ask .

Here is a picture of mine (but it looks much more beautiful in reality!):

With the best wishes,

Denis

Re: JTV 2.0 Firmware Update

support@line6.com — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 17:15:12 GMT

Linz, thank you so much for your message and for taking the time and the effort to look around on the progress of the Variax HD updates. I have read some rumours that the update would be in April, so we shall see if it is really so or not. I agree that it is strange that the representatives of Line 6 or people close to the company did not choose this place or at least did not double the message in here for all of us, - the primary audience and the users of Variax technology. I know that some people are just used to "the gear" community and that it feels more like home to them, but what about us...

The important part is that development is still taking place and I hope that it goes well and without barriers. It's a long and windy road, as they say, but from what we have seen so far - Line 6 guys have always nailed it perfectly, in my opinion! Thank you again for this update and let's hope that someone will drop a line or two in here as well.