Community: Message List - JTV-59 reliability issues?

Re: JTV-59 reliability issues?

support@line6.com — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 21:21:06 GMT

Hi Mike,

I'll reach out to you via ticket and get to the bottom of what's going here...

Re: JTV-59 reliability issues?

support@line6.com — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 02:57:52 GMT

Sorry to hear about your issues. I preorderd a 69 but returned it when they first came out. I didn't really like the fretwire/neck and honestly sound of certain models but have often wondered if I would like a 59 style better and have been day dreaming lately about the 59 because of alternate tunings. I don't play out hardly ever these days and just have a home studio and a few jams here and there. So the versatility that would be nice for me is the alternate tunings for practicing a variety of songs with the backing tracks that streamline you to the original tunings. So sounding exactly like a specific lp or tele model isn't a big worry as long as it sounds like a lp or tele in general...But what does worry me is what you are talking about. It is essentially a computer and will screw up eventually. No one wants it to happen in a month or two years but it will someday and then what? I have to admit this weighs heavily on my mind when thinking of ordering one. Its also curious that the JTV has been out for over a year and there really isn't that much on it if you search for reviews. yes plenty of Line 6 adds and stuff from major online mags etc. but seems harder to find user reviews that are unaffiliated, or from users who seem to have continued to use the guitar for an extended period of time. I am sure there are jtv's being gigged relentlessly but still seems odd after this much time. Regardless I am heading to bed dreaming of the perfect practice guitar that would allow me not to retune every other song..

JTV-59 reliability issues?

support@line6.com — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 20:59:30 GMT

Well it’s just over a year by a few days since my last post - that was while waiting for the return of my JTV-59 which had been supplied with all the usual reported switching problems and suggesting that Line 6 should extend the warranty period on these instruments. However once I finally received a working guitar after all the delays and woes I have to say I really liked the instrument. I was a little sceptical at first about the reliability but over the period I've started to really make use of the functionality and sounds and have ended up introducing stuff to the set using a whole bunch of different altered tunings - something I would never have attempted live with a standard guitar rig - and even introducing banjo sounds.

All that is great in expanding your horizons - until the guitar craps out on you! As feared after the initial quality problems it seems the same faults have returned a year later - but having now come to rely on the benefits of the variax I find myself up the proverbial creek without a - well axe! I initially experienced a few strange oddities happening last week but than at rehearsal this weekend in preparation for a gig on Saturday the guitar started randomly switching tuning mid songs. Only seems to be happening on altered tunings or when using 'blue' sound settings (positions 2 & 4 with the tuning knob pushed in). So could be the tuning selector knob is playing up or I also found that wiggling the jack around could also induce tuning changes. Whatever the cause of the problem I cant live with kit that randomly changes tuning. Yes I have spare guitars but having now come to rely on 12 strings, banjos and at least 4 different tunings that is not really a practical option. I need to call Line 6 tomorrow to arrange repair but obviously that is not going to happen this week. So not sure what I do now. Certainly don’t feel inclined to buy a 2nd spare because the first one isn't reliable. Shame Line 6 don’t follow car repair industry and provide temporary replacements while your own is in for repair! Or a buy one get one free offer!

Anyway the moral of the story is beware of becoming too reliant on what is undoubtedly a versatile instrument - but one which my initial suspicions on poor reliability seem to have been proven right. I’d be interested to hear if other people who suffered initial problems which were fixed have had similar experiences later on?