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4239 Views 14 Replies Latest reply: Oct 11, 2011 8:07 AM by stevekc RSS
GhengisKong Just Startin'
GhengisKong
68 posts since
Feb 7, 2009
Currently Being Moderated

Oct 30, 2010 6:55 PM

So how is the JTV69's tremolo? Good? Bad?

This is the model I want because I'm  pretty much a SuperStrat/Strat kinda guy. Hum/Sing/Hum is my favorite pickup design and the 69 comes the closest.

 

I've read about the tremolo having it's strings fed through the lower rear of the bridge. So, between the tuners and the bridge, how stable is the tuning, how responsive is the bar action, does it feel solid or have play in the bar, is it klunky and noisy, how easy is it to set up for string gauges, etc? In other words I'm looking for specifics and details. I've gone back to having Floyds after using the Parker vibrato and I have to tell ya, I sure miss that Parker bridge!

 

Thanks for your input, in advance!

 

Dean aka Ghengis

  • mbarberich Just Startin'
    mbarberich
    5 posts since
    Mar 2, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 4, 2010 10:41 PM (in response to GhengisKong)
    Re: So how is the JTV69's tremolo? Good? Bad?

    I'm playing a USA JTV69 and I have to tell you, the bar is excellent.  I also own a 600 trem and a 700 non-trem.  The 600 trem is totally usable and the JTV69 tremolo is a nice improvement. 

    Little to no play in the bar. 

    The bar stays where you put it and moves easily.

    I never dive bomb and rarely relax the strings more than a minor third and it stays in tune really well.

    This tremolo feels really smooth too.

    I haven't tried (or needed) to make any adjustments to the bridge.

     

    I'm picky about the feel of the bar and was really pleased with how the JTV69's system works.

  • BobbyDeVitoM9 Just Startin'
    BobbyDeVitoM9
    43 posts since
    Nov 6, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 14, 2010 6:02 PM (in response to GhengisKong)
    Re: So how is the JTV69's tremolo? Good? Bad?

    I have been playing a JTV-69US model for the last few weeks.

     

    The tremolo is VERY nice -- reminds me of a Wilkinson or Gotoh top of the line 2 point model. Have not had any issues with it so far, and it stays in tune pretty well.

     

    the neck is 100% like a Tyler "'59 backshape" neck. It's a bit bigger than most strats, but is still really comfortable. I was a huge fan of Tyler superstrats, and have owned 3 of those over the years.

     

    The Tyler Variax is like a dream come true for me personally. I have always liked the Variax electronics, but did not like the guitars they were put into.

     

    Now I have a guitar that is a KILLER player, and sounds fantastic without even turning the VAX electronics on. And even 15-20 years from now, if the VAX stuff goes bad or gets outdated, the guitar is still a killer player -- and, it's not very heavy at all..still around 8 pounds with the VAX stuff inside.

     

    My JTV-69US is one of the best superstrats I have ever owned, and I have had a few of them from most of the "boutique" builders over the years. I just got through cutting a bunch of guitar tracks in the studio with the JTV-69, and it sounded fantastic in the studio. I am using it for my live gigs as well, and it's freaking COOL to be able to dial up all the different guitar sounds AND alternate tunings live.....now I am waiting on an HD500

     

    The JTV-69 + the HD500 = one amazing rig

  • GhengisKong Just Startin'
    GhengisKong
    68 posts since
    Feb 7, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 11, 2011 5:43 PM (in response to GhengisKong)
    Re: So how is the JTV69's tremolo? Good? Bad?

    Thanks for all the info. I had forgotten I had asked that since my internet has been on a Droidphone. This puts great faith in the tremolo. Thanks again!

    Dean

  • RichRenken Iknowathingortwo
    RichRenken
    1,917 posts since
    Apr 19, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 12, 2011 2:13 AM (in response to GhengisKong)
    Re: So how is the JTV69's tremolo? Good? Bad?

    GhengisKong wrote:

     

    This is the model I want because I'm  pretty much a SuperStrat/Strat kinda guy. Hum/Sing/Hum is my favorite pickup design and the 69 comes the closest.

     

    I've read about the tremolo having it's strings fed through the lower rear of the bridge. So, between the tuners and the bridge, how stable is the tuning, how responsive is the bar action, does it feel solid or have play in the bar, is it klunky and noisy, how easy is it to set up for string gauges, etc? In other words I'm looking for specifics and details. I've gone back to having Floyds after using the Parker vibrato and I have to tell ya, I sure miss that Parker bridge!

     

    Thanks for your input, in advance!

     

    Dean aka Ghengis

    I know, I worked on the guitar, but let me tell you, you won't miss your P brigde. The tremolo has gotten killer marks from many who have tried it.

     

    It strings through the front of the bridge so you don't have to string through the back of the guitar, it has a super cool smooth feel.

     

    FYI, you guys should know that we set up the tremolo like Tyler sets his up. Slightly tilted forward for tuning stability and so you can pull back or tremolo up and down from the note.

  • lancefb Just Startin'
    lancefb
    19 posts since
    Dec 28, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 12, 2011 11:10 AM (in response to GhengisKong)
    Re: So how is the JTV69's tremolo? Good? Bad?

    I have the Korean 69 and I think the tremolo is great.  I've only had the opportunity to play it for a short time so far, and I must say I'm not experienced with tremolo bars, BUT, this thing feels good and sounds good.

     

    Hope that helps.

     

    Cheers,

     

    L.

    • stevekc Just Startin'
      stevekc
      114 posts since
      Feb 7, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Sep 26, 2011 12:42 PM (in response to lancefb)
      Re: So how is the JTV69's tremolo? Good? Bad?

      I find the JTV-69 Bridge to be excellent.

      Line 6  provides a tool bag of 6  allen wrenches - but none of the included wrenches are the proper size for the "wilkinson style" Tremolo bar tension set screw.  No worries as I have plenty of tools here.

       

      This is the first Variax that I can play Jeff Beck  Whammy harmonics and not have problems with notes falling out due to strings not making contact with the Piezo bridge midway thru the dive bomb.

       

      Only negative mark would be when raising the pitch with the bar, it may not always return to pitch (stays a tad sharp) because the internal bulky Piezo cables may come into contact with the internal feedthru hole to the DSP board. As the cables make contact with the feed thru hole, they may become "stuck".

       

      Luckilly a swift push down on the Tremolo Bar (to lower the pitch), and let go and everything comes back into tune.

       

      http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp208/elantric/JTV%20Variax/IMG_3111.jpg

      • RichRenken Iknowathingortwo
        RichRenken
        1,917 posts since
        Apr 19, 2008
        Currently Being Moderated
        Sep 28, 2011 4:49 PM (in response to stevekc)
        Re: So how is the JTV69's tremolo? Good? Bad?

        Some of these went out with the zip tie in your picture as shown. It is on the wrong side so that you can dive bomb the trem. It is easy to cut off carefully and put one on with the bulky part toward the neck.

        • BBarker Just Startin'
          BBarker
          106 posts since
          Feb 1, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Sep 29, 2011 6:46 AM (in response to RichRenken)
          Re: So how is the JTV69's tremolo? Good? Bad?

          Can you show us a picture of the "correct" way?

          • stevekc Just Startin'
            stevekc
            114 posts since
            Feb 7, 2007
            Currently Being Moderated
            Oct 11, 2011 8:07 AM (in response to BBarker)
            Re: So how is the JTV69's tremolo? Good? Bad?

            I have been playing the JTV-69 for 2 weeks, and played a few gigs.

             

            The verdict on my JTV-69 Tremolo?  Its definitly not as stable as the demo JTV-69 I played November 2010 at the NAB show. In fact mine refuses to return to pitch if I touch and then let go of the trem arm, or perform a palm mute - it all goes sharp.

            Then when I bend any  strings,  it all goes flat. About as stable as a Costco Starcaster (sadly)  - which means not stable at all!

            I used to believe my tremolo problem was the Piezo cables getting stuck in the trem route area, but after temporarily removing the piezo cables, I now see that the Tyler bridge knife edge fulcrum pivot points on the bridge are quite dull or possibly not drilled to the precise locations as the Bridge fulcrum points on my JTV-69 and this is creating friction on the 2 bridge pivot posts.

             

            I'm bummed! And makes the guitar unplayable - NOT HAPPY. How do i obtain a support ticket?

            (PS Navigating this site and forum is very difficult. I cant belive you want customer support inquiries to be posted straight to the user forum?)

             

            Here's a video of my JTV-69 Tremolo problem.

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