Community: Message List - JTV-59 switch issue when connected to X3L via VDI

Re: RE: JTV-59 switch issue when connected to X3L via VDI

support@line6.com — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:43:28 GMT

Yes - I am a patient customer - LOL - but also Line6 customer service in the UK have done all they can to get my problems resolved, so they deserve to be commended for that.

My replacement 59TSB is fine and does not have any of the issues reported in this thread.

The level of hiss from the mags via the VDI connection is now simply the expected level for any JTV and can easily be lived with although I understand Line6 are looking into it and we may be fortunate that they can address it with a future firmware release but it's too early to say yet.

IMO these are fantastic guitars. Yes - some of them have had issues but Line6 will resolve those issues under warranty even if it means replacing the guitar (as long as you are in the same country that you purchased it from). So IMO it is worth giving one a try just to see whether you like it - either in a store or via mail order with a trial period before you need to commit to the purchase.

Re: RE: JTV-59 switch issue when connected to X3L via VDI

support@line6.com — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:31:28 GMT

Wow, you are surely an extremely patient customer!

Re: RE: JTV-59 switch issue when connected to X3L via VDI

support@line6.com — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:11:53 GMT

The weird radio noises are definitely not meant to be there and therefore Line6 have replaced my 59TSB with another one - this one a W1108 - and this new one does not make those noises. I have yet to try it out fully but I am optimistic that this will be trouble free.

Thanks very much to Tim at Line6 UK for sorting this out - excellent customer service.

Re: RE: JTV-59 switch issue when connected to X3L via VDI

support@line6.com — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:54:36 GMT

Just so everyone can hear some of the problems that I have experienced, here are two MP3 files, one showing the noise from the mags using VDI in comparison to the mags via 1/4" and also the Lester Bridge model. It is the third sample in the recording that shows the noise from the mags via VDI. JTV-X3L-batt.vdi.mp3: Sample 1 - mags via 1/4" jack with battery Sample 2 - lester bridge model via 1/4" with battery Sample 3 - mags via VDI (noise!) Sample 4 - lester bridge model via VDI

And also a recording of the other weird noises (radio interference type sound), I get on the CHIME/ACOUSTIC/CUSTOM2 banks.

JTV-batt-model-noise.mp3 shows factory default models positions 1 to 5 for each CHIME/ACOUSTIC/RESO/CUSTOM2 banks in sequence. Noise is apparent on CHIME positions 2,4 and ACOUSTIC 2,4, and custom 2,3,4.

Both recordings made via X3L, each one using the same patch for each sampe (heavy for the mags issue, clean for the model noise issues) using USB cable to my PC and captured in Guitar Tracks pro without any subsequent editing.

Re: RE: JTV-59 switch issue when connected to X3L via VDI

support@line6.com — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:39:03 GMT

Also noted that while using battery powered JTV direct to combo amp via 1/4" jack that when I swapped from mags to modelling mode that the models produced just as much background noise, if not more, than the mags. I didn't expect that and it is not the case when using the JTV with the VDI into X3L or HD500 - in those instances the mags are noisy and the models are almost silent, apart from the ones I have identified that produce radio interference noise.

Re: RE: JTV-59 switch issue when connected to X3L via VDI

support@line6.com — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:19:14 GMT

Tested using battery to power guitar. 1/4" jack straight into combo amp. Earth buzz can be heard when amp on about half volume and I touch bridge. All radio interference noises can also be heard when switching into modelling mode, pressing alt tune for the alternative switch positions, and moving to CHIME/ACOUSTIC/RESO/CUSTOM2 banks and selecting the UP and DOWN (2 and 4) toggle switch positions. Custom2 position 4 is particularly lively and is audible when amp volume is only on about 2.

At normal playing volumes the earth buzz will not be an issue, but I don't believe it should be there.

The radio interference noises are particularly loud on the ACOUSTIC 12 Strings (pos 2 and 4) and the CUSTOM2 pos 2 and 4. And CUSTOM2 pos 4 particularly is very audible and not overlooked when playing, whereas the ACOUSTIC 12 string models, you need to be not playing to spot it.

Line6 UK have not been able to reproduce the reported errors on the JTVs they have available so they believe there is a problem with my specific guitar. A replacement is the likely option.

Re: RE: JTV-59 switch issue when connected to X3L via VDI

support@line6.com — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:42:46 GMT

More test results using a Guitar Amp and an active PA speaker with a variety of connections:

First testing the earth hum with the mag pu's:

1/4 inch jack direct to guitar amp - slight earth hum with JTV, can hear it grounding when touching strings or bridge, however, with standard guitar with humbuckers no noise whatsoever

1/4 inch jack to HD500 then XLR to active PA speaker - no noise with standard guitar, and no discernible noise from JTV
1/4 inch jack to HD500 then 1/4 inch jack to guitar amp - no noise with standard guitar, slight earth hum which you can hear being grounded when touching strings or bridge wwith JTV

JTV with VDI to HD500 and XLR to active PA speaker - no noise from mags on JTV
JTV with VDI to HD500 and 1/4 inch jack to guitar amp - no noise from mags on JTV
JTV via TRS cable to A/B box to HD500 and XLR to PA speaker - no noise from mags on JTV
JTV via TRS cable to A/B box to HD500 and 1/4 inch jack to guitar amp - no noise from mags on JTV

Next testing the radio interference noise from the specific model settings:

JTV via TRS cable to A/B box to HD500 and XLR to PA speaker - radio interference noise present on affected model presets
JTV via TRS cable to A/B box to HD500 and 1/4 inch jack to guitar amp - obvious radio interference noise present on affected model presets

JTV with VDI to HD500 and XLR to active PA speaker - radio interferenece noise present on affected model presets
JTV with VDI to HD500 and 1/4 inch jack to guitar amp - obvious radio interference noise present on affected model presets

Re: RE: JTV-59 switch issue when connected to X3L via VDI

support@line6.com — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:34:31 GMT

Update: When I tried recording the noises from the JTV59, I discovered that the bad earth sound disappeared when I connected the POD HD500 via the USB to my PC, and the radio interference noises were still there but only just audible.

I have managed to record the radio interference noise but not the bad earth sound using this method.

However, when I monitor JTV59 connected to the POD HD500 sound stand alone (ie: not connected to an amp or a PC) with just the headphones then I clearly hear the bad earth sound and the radio interference noises.

I need to try it connected to an amp and mixer both direct and via the POD HD500 to see what happens then.

Re: RE: JTV-59 switch issue when connected to X3L via VDI

support@line6.com — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:13:13 GMT

After two weeks and some great customer service from Line6 UK, finally got guitar back yesterday afternoon. (Mon 19 Sep).

Unfortunately, not good news. Issues:

1) TONE knob scratched

2) Small indentations in body work next to rim of VOLUME and TONE knobs

3) Bad earth still present when using mags - via VDI and via 1/4 inch jack

4) Bad noise (like radio interference with squeals and pops) when using CHIME/ACOUSTIC/CUSTOM2 models in the alternate switch positions (ie: when ALT TUNE knob is pressed) - this also occurs to a lesser extent for the RESO bank.

It's too early to say whether the switch issue has been fixed but it has been operating correctly so far.

Testing for the above carried out using X3L and HD500 using a new patch, with NO EFFECTs and NO AMPs selected, monitoring on HEADPHONES with MASTER VOLUME on MAX. First tried connecting with 1/4 inch jack only (no battery in guitar) - so could only hear mags - did not playbut just listened - obvious earth buzz - when I touched the strings it was reduced significantly but not removed. Tried the same test with Fender Telecaster Specal FMT HH (with Seymour Duncan humbuckers) and it was completely silent. Conclusion - JTV59 mags have bad earth! I then tried connecting via VDI through same patch with NO EFFECTs and NO AMPS and coulc clearly hear radio interfence noise when I engaged the alternate switch positions for CHIME/ACOUSTIC/CUSTOM2 banks and to a lesser extent RESO. Tried the same test with my V700 - no such noise. Conclusion - the JTV59 has some faulty electronic component that sounds like it is failing.

Called Line6 and discussed issues and they will be taking guitar back to look at again. They have asked if I can send them in a recording of the sounds, which I will do later today.

Not happy. But what can I do? I have to go down this road if I want a working JTV.

Re: RE: JTV-59 switch issue when connected to X3L via VDI

support@line6.com — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:07:23 GMT

Great news! Line6 called - the switch did arrive today and its been fitted and guitar tested and all works as expected with no noise. Gig bag has been replaced as mine did have faulty zip. Unfortunately they have missed courier today but it will be shipped back to me tomorrow which means I should get it on Monday 19 Sep.