Community: Message List - supper sensativity to fretting pressure jtv 59

Re: supper sensativity to fretting pressure jtv 59

support@line6.com — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 04:36:00 GMT

I used to play a schecter C1+ before I got the JTV-59.
I remember having difficulty adjusting to the "extra jumbo" frets on that guitar.

Believe it or not, the variax actually has very low frets in comparison. I got used to only "pressing the string to the fret", and NOT squeezing all the way down to the fretboard.
The extra little "sharpness' I could get with additional pressure has actually become part of my vibrato technique. You just get the feel for it eventually...

Oh, not to mention, the taller frets give you more room to get your finger under the string when bending... so your finger doesnt slip off the top of the string when bending...

Re: supper sensativity to fretting pressure jtv 59

support@line6.com — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 23:11:37 GMT

Just want to provide an update on my JTV-59 frets....

I replaced the factory jumbo size frets with normal size frets. For me it is much smoother to play now - less like a railoroad track, and the strings no longer are out of tune when fully depressed.

One thing I noticed, though, is that I had to raise the action just a touch from my normal level. I find the JTV modeling is extremely sensitive to fret buzz. I find that if there is any noticeable fret buzz it really affects the tone of the string through the modeling. Makes sense, I guess, since the DSP is driven by the string vibration as sensed by the saddle-mounted pickups. Any distortion from the natural vibration (e.g. fret buzz) will affect the DSP. So I had to find a balance by tweaking the bridge height just enough to remove the buzzing without negatively affecting playability.

With that done, it plays and sounds like a dream. Happy camper!

Re: supper sensativity to fretting pressure jtv 59

support@line6.com — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:05:45 GMT

That is very very true. There can be several, and sometimes huge, physical differences between one guitar and another. It depens on the factory and the machine line used to build them. I do not know how the assembly line is for the JTV Korean models, but I expect those differences to be present between one and other guitar, unless an assembly line like the one used for the gibson custom models is used. Perhaps I've been a lucky guy!!!!.

Best Regards,

Daf

Re: supper sensativity to fretting pressure jtv 59

support@line6.com — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:52:35 GMT

Thanks Daf. I'm going to go ahead with the fret dressing as part of the setup. In my case the intonation problems are more than my playing technique can handle!

There may also be minor variations in fret height among JTV-59s from the factory. Maybe mine was just setup too high from the get-go.

Re: supper sensativity to fretting pressure jtv 59

support@line6.com — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:46:44 GMT

Hi Silverhead,

Personally I have not had intonation problems with my JTV 59, just a proper setup was all it needed. Although, when pressing hard open chords (i. e. 1 to 5 fret) you can get out of tune, it is something that the playing technique can afford, and I have had no intonation problems, really. That is why I have not tried the earvana nut on my JTV, as I have not felt it is necessary. The nut that came with the JTV is very nice as it is self-lubricated.

But I have used it in other guitars, and for me it has been like a night-to-day difference. For example, I had intonation problems at 1 to 5 fret mostly with a Washburn guitar I had, and the earvana nut did solve the problem.

However, a fret dressing could be needed to. It depends on everyone.

Best Regards,

Daf

Re: supper sensativity to fretting pressure jtv 59

support@line6.com — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:22:34 GMT

daferalo wrote:

.....
Or you can just go for an Earvana nut to solve this problem. See how they work at http://www.earvana.com/technology2.htm.

Best Regards,

Daf

I am familiar with Earvana nuts, and I have one installed on a couple of my guitars. They work great to handle normal and very minor de-tuning issues in a properly setup and intonated guitar.

However, the symptoms we are describing here are, I think, far beyond what an Earvana nut can compensate for. I would be suprised but happy if it could fix these symptoms. Have you already tried an Earvana nut on an JTV-59 and found it to be a good solution?

Re: supper sensativity to fretting pressure jtv 59

support@line6.com — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:13:34 GMT

wolbai escribió:

Silverhead,

I initially had the same problem with the JTV59. I generally agree that guitars sometimes needs a setup by a good luthier to make them work for professional usage.

I generally disagree on the JTV59. At least my frets were WAY too high (assuming that this is the standard setting for ALL JTV59s: you cannot play open chords without some noticeable intonation). If frets are so high that they lead into intonation problems by strongly pressing the frets than it is mo longer just a matter of taste. It is just wrong.

The intonation problem is very vital for players are who strongly pressing in open chord positions. An open D-chord was just OUT of tune on the initial JTV59 setup it was shipped. It was reduced when I pressed not that hard. And moving to higher frets the intonation more and more disappears.

I took the JTV59 to a good luthier. He reduced the frets height on the first 3-5 frets. The problem wasn't solved completly. But it is now very much reduced to a level I am comfortable with.

All in all: I recommend a fret dressing for all JTV59 players who has discovered the same intonation issues playing chords in a open position.

wolbai.

Or you can just go for an Earvana nut to solve this problem. See how they work at http://www.earvana.com/technology2.htm.

Best Regards,

Daf

Re: supper sensativity to fretting pressure jtv 59

support@line6.com — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 10:49:13 GMT

Silverhead,

I initially had the same problem with the JTV59. I generally agree that guitars sometimes needs a setup by a good luthier to make them work for professional usage.

I generally disagree on the JTV59. At least my frets were WAY too high (assuming that this is the standard setting for ALL JTV59s: you cannot play open chords without some noticeable intonation). If frets are so high that they lead into intonation problems by strongly pressing the frets than it is mo longer just a matter of taste. It is just wrong.

The intonation problem is very vital for players are who strongly pressing in open chord positions. An open D-chord was just OUT of tune on the initial JTV59 setup it was shipped. It was reduced when I pressed not that hard. And moving to higher frets the intonation more and more disappears.

I took the JTV59 to a good luthier. He reduced the frets height on the first 3-5 frets. The problem wasn't solved completly. But it is now very much reduced to a level I am comfortable with.

All in all: I recommend a fret dressing for all JTV59 players who has discovered the same intonation issues playing chords in a open position.

wolbai.

Re: supper sensativity to fretting pressure jtv 59

support@line6.com — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 19:48:45 GMT

I know this thread is almost 2 months old, but rather than start a new one on the same topic......

@afo45td (if you are still here) did you ever address your fret height? If so, what were the results?

Is anyone else experiencing this as a problem?

I have found the same problem keeping things in tune due to JTV-59 fret height and have not done anything about it yet, but lately I am finding it quite annoying. Individual strings go out of tune when depressed fully, making simple chording a bit of a sonic adventure sometimes. Also, when using a physical (rather than virtual) capo at, say, the 5th fret - the whole instrument goes sharp by nearly 20 cents - this can be noticeable when playing with others.

I think I am going to have my frets dressed down. Has anyone done this? Any specific advice for the JTV-59 (as opposed to a routine fret dressing on any guitar)?

Thanks.

Re: supper sensativity to fretting pressure jtv 59

support@line6.com — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 04:55:16 GMT

Oh, I forgot to mention, just check the actual height of the frets the full length of the neck just in case they put a different height fret wire in. Best to just make sure it's not a manufacturing defect.

Cheers,

Crusty