It sounds to me like what you're hearing is the slight piezo plink that sometimes comes through. It for the most part has been eradicated, but it's still there depending on several variables - pick attack, the type of pick you use and string type, for example. I'd say there's nothing really abnormal about it, it's just an inherent issue with piezo pickups. Line 6 and L.R. Baggs have gone a long way to reduce it on the JTVs, but there's still going to some. To me, it's one of things that the audience won't notice, and something that I only rarely notice while playing my JTV (a JTV69US).

Hi guys,

I have the same issue - very annoying.  This is basically a show stopper for me as the poor sound quality negates the flexability.  Plugging straight into the amp works fine, the HD500 in the loop (hooked up via line 6 propreity connection - not 1/4") causes the grief.

I see the thread is marked as answered but I don't see any hard resolution except for going back to firmware 1.82

Sorry if I have missed something in the thread - is there another solution ?