Skip navigation
Up to Discussions in James Tyler Variax Guitars
258 Views 10 Replies Latest reply: Feb 9, 2012 6:52 AM by Nick_Mattocks RSS
kk101 Just Startin'
kk101
15 posts since
Mar 15, 2011
Currently Being Moderated

Jan 25, 2012 5:05 PM

did i get a dud jtv 89?? issue all models sound the same!

just got my jtv 89 which i am far from happy with all the models sound very similar, espically when played through with distorion they all have that vox/gibtone distortion through it , my jtv89 sounds nothing like the demo guitars , am i doing something wrong?? ive got it connected via the lin6 link and variax input on my pod hd500 which is connected to my dt50 112. i love my pod hd 500 and dt50 sounds awesome with my jacksons king v with emg 81+85, i plug in the variax and the amp models sound disgusting!

 

what am i missing here?

  • Nick_Mattocks Best of the Best
    Nick_Mattocks
    9,065 posts since
    Mar 26, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 25, 2012 8:02 PM (in response to kk101)
    Re: did i get a dud jtv 89?? issue all models sound the same!

    Hi

     

    The best way to check if the guitar models all sound the same or not is to use a clean tone through which to test/play them from the HD500 and not using any kind of distortion (that can come later once we know the guitar is basically OK).

     

    If the guitar models do in fact sound the same, then re-flashing the guitar's Flash Memory might help.

     

    The latest Flash memory version is version 1.71.  It is possible that you have a guitar with the original factory Flash memory version (v 1.60) as both mine had when new.  Provided your guitar doesn't have any kind of hardware problem, you should notice a marked difference between Flash memory versions 1.60 and 1.71 although with that said v1.60 should sound basically OK and you should be able to tell the difference between models.

     

    Nick

    • ozbadman Gear Head
      ozbadman
      1,474 posts since
      Apr 17, 2008
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jan 25, 2012 8:53 PM (in response to Nick_Mattocks)
      Re: did i get a dud jtv 89?? issue all models sound the same!

      Also, while trying to diagnose this problem I would use the standard guitar 1/4" connector instead of the VDI connector, and not use the HD500 either. And, you when not using the HD500, you have to remember to turn the Modelling on, otherwise it will just use the Magnetic pickups no matter which model you select.

      • CACHERA Just Startin'
        CACHERA
        29 posts since
        Jan 16, 43449
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jan 26, 2012 12:25 AM (in response to ozbadman)
        Re: did i get a dud jtv 89?? issue all models sound the same!

        On the system settings of the Pod, choose the right input for the Variax > Variaxch1 to have the modelling sounds.

      • Nick_Mattocks Best of the Best
        Nick_Mattocks
        9,065 posts since
        Mar 26, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jan 26, 2012 1:02 AM (in response to ozbadman)
        Re: did i get a dud jtv 89?? issue all models sound the same!

        ozbadman wrote:

         

        Also, while trying to diagnose this problem I would use the standard guitar 1/4" connector instead of the VDI connector, and not use the HD500 either. And, you when not using the HD500, you have to remember to turn the Modelling on, otherwise it will just use the Magnetic pickups no matter which model you select.

        +1 Good point

        • kk101 Just Startin'
          kk101
          15 posts since
          Mar 15, 2011
          Currently Being Moderated
          Jan 26, 2012 1:05 AM (in response to Nick_Mattocks)
          Re: did i get a dud jtv 89?? issue all models sound the same!

          thanks for the input guys ill try it tonight and let you know how it goes. il try flashing it first to the latest software then ill try the pod setting, i tried to connect it just used the 1/4" jack but it was still thru the pod hd ill try just thru the dt50 using the 1/4"

           

          also with the pod hd setting how do i select variax input???

          • Nick_Mattocks Best of the Best
            Nick_Mattocks
            9,065 posts since
            Mar 26, 2007
            Currently Being Moderated
            Jan 26, 2012 1:46 AM (in response to kk101)
            Re: did i get a dud jtv 89?? issue all models sound the same!

            To select the inputs settings in your POD and assuming the latest POD firmware, go to the System Setup pages by holding down the VIEW button and then navigating to page 3.  use the encoder knobs 1 and 2 to set the input sources.  Variax Ch1 carries the modelled sounds signal and Variax Ch 2 carries the magnetic pickup signal.  You can set your selection to GLOBAL (i.e. locked to all presets) by using encoder knob 4.  The encoder knobs are the four knobs in front of the LCD screen and you can see the results of your turning the knobs in the LCD screen as shown by sections 1, 2,  3 and 4.  Option 3: GUITAR-IN-Z only applies to the 1/4" guitar input and not the VDI input.

             

            Nick

            • kk101 Just Startin'
              kk101
              15 posts since
              Mar 15, 2011
              Currently Being Moderated
              Jan 26, 2012 11:02 PM (in response to Nick_Mattocks)
              Re: did i get a dud jtv 89?? issue all models sound the same!

              ok tried the new flash on the variax, also changed the setting in the pod hd500 to variax ch1 and only the acoustic models sound actually ok, all the other models on clean/no amp or bypassed thru pod hd sound awesome and very very very similar, not to mension with distorion they just sound hollow raspy and terrible, is there a way to uplaod i clip il give you guys some samples.

               

              i saw some clips on youtube with the jtv89 in drop c with the lester in bridge position and it sounded great! not like mine

              • Nick_Mattocks Best of the Best
                Nick_Mattocks
                9,065 posts since
                Mar 26, 2007
                Currently Being Moderated
                Jan 27, 2012 9:31 AM (in response to kk101)
                Re: did i get a dud jtv 89?? issue all models sound the same!

                Some clips would be good but please post some notes for each clip about the patch being used in the HD500 - in fact post the preset.

                 

                To add files, you need to create a new post as a reply.  This doesn't show the Attach Files button during editing the first post for some reason.  click the Add Reply button and then go back into the post you just made and click Edit.  this time you will see there is a button to attach files.

                 

                Nick

More Like This

  • Retrieving data ...

Bookmarked By (0)