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3061 Views 7 Replies Latest reply: Oct 30, 2009 3:10 PM by gkimble69 RSS
gkimble69 Just Startin'
gkimble69
6 posts since
Sep 25, 2009
Currently Being Moderated

Oct 19, 2009 2:28 PM

Why does my FBV express distort sound in each or the four presets?

Hello,

I have a Spider IV 15 watt amp. I just bought a FBV express. Setting it up to calabrate went not so well. No one at the store could get it to work after trying to calibrate.

Next, get a new one home and get it calibrated. Now, after using it for a few minutes I realize it distorts the sound it all modes, A, B, C, or D just varied amount of distortion. I can not get a clear, simple 6 string guitar sound out of the amp. I also get a feed back hum if I come close to the amp with the guitar.

 

If I unplug the FBV, the distortion is not present. What is the issue? Is this proper? If so, I will go back to the simple two button switch. I like the WAH, but I don't want the same sound out of each mode.

 

Or is there something I am doing incorrectly? I am not aware of any "saved" settings. But why would the setting change to a different sound when the pedal is attached?

 

Sincerely Puzzled,

 

Glenn

  • Line6Andy Line 6
    Line6Andy
    4,345 posts since
    Jun 5, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Oct 22, 2009 4:44 PM (in response to gkimble69)

    Hello,

        Please start with a "factory reset" of you amp, by holding the "clean" button down as you power the unit on.  Are you getting the same behavior from the pedal?  have you tried a different CAT5 cable to see if that makes a difference?  Dd the light on the pedal channels (A B C D) correspond to the amp models on the amp?  Please let us know if you need further assistance.

    • gkimble69 Just Startin'
      gkimble69
      6 posts since
      Sep 25, 2009
      Currently Being Moderated
      Oct 26, 2009 4:44 PM (in response to Line6Andy)
      Re: spider amp and footpedal tuner problem

      Thanks Andy,

      I called the tech line. He was without suggestions, except to reset the amp. I have reset the amp as suggested. The tuner is getting progressively worse. It hardly works at all. I detached the foot pedal. The tuner on the amp is not working either. 1st 2nd and 3rd strings are not recognized. I did not mention earlier that when I go into tuner mode on the footpedal the on board amp tuner starts simultaneously. Is that normal behavior? I tried switching to all my pickups on my guitar. NO DIFF> To answer your questions. 1. No, I have not tried a different cable. The fact that the amp on board tuner doesn't work either (with or without the footpedal attached) seems to answer that. Right?

      2. Yes, the lights on the stomp box do correspond to the lights on the amp.

      3. I don't know what you mean by am I getting the same behavior from the foot pedal..but maybe I jsut answered your question without knowing it??? above?

      More information: I have never owned an amp that had these options. Do I understand that the "clean" button should produce a clean sound? It never has. It has always had a rather mild tremolo, echo, reverb kind of sound. The "crunch" button has mostly given the cleanest just plain six string guitar sound. So has my amp been messed up from the beginning?

      Please clarify and tell me what we need to do to get this thing working or replaced.

      Thanks,

      G Kimble

      "We're on a mission from God."-Elwood.Blues

  • Line6Andy Line 6
    Line6Andy
    4,345 posts since
    Jun 5, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Oct 26, 2009 5:01 PM (in response to gkimble69)
    RE: Why does my FBV express distort sound in each or the four presets?

    Hello,

        Be aware that there is no "tuner" on the pedal, it only reads what the amplifier is doing.  If the tuner is working from the pedal, it would also be working from the amp.

       

      1) please try a different guitar and cable to see if this makes a difference.  If you do not have other guitars/cables to try, perhaps you can go to a a friend's house or perhaps your dealer to see if they can help?

       

      2) I was asking if the amp reacted the same way with the pedal connected as when it was not connected.

       

      3) the Clean button will produce a "clean" signal, but there are reverb, chorus, and other effects that are "pre-programmed" on each amp model.  If you turn the FX knobs up just a hair then all the way off does this give you the "clean" sound you are looking for?  If so, just hold the "clean" button for two seconds and the sound will be "stored". 

       

      See the manual for more information on amp settings and saving:

       

      http://line6.com/community/docs/DOC-1585

       

      We like both kinds of music - Country AND Western!

    • gkimble69 Just Startin'
      gkimble69
      6 posts since
      Sep 25, 2009
      Currently Being Moderated
      Oct 27, 2009 6:41 PM (in response to Line6Andy)
      Re: RE: Why does my FBV express distort sound in each or the four presets?

      Okay,

      Thanks again.

      I can't believe I'm saying this. This past week end the tuner is working again. I don't know if it is user error or not.

       

      To answer your previous question about the amp. Yes, it was doing the same thing as the foot pedals.

       

      I will go to the dealer here and see what we can find out. Where can someone get all this information? Is it in all those FAQ's on line? I did follow your link, but thte manual doesn't give that kind of information. Is there anything definitive?

       

      Next, I was able to go to the "clean" channel and turn the two  FX knobs up and down slightly to get the sound I wanted. That is what is preset on the crunch channel. Those just seem backwards to me. Well, thanks. I wrote it into my notes and files.

       

      We are going to let that all go for now. This may just be a learning curve for me, I work about 60 hrs a week or more and don't get to devote much time.

       

      Got a new one for you.

       

      Can I hook up a RP 50 stomp box made by Digitech? It is identical to their RP 55.

       

      The manual for the box says to put your amp on a "clean" channel and it should be good to go, but I wanted to check with you guys first. If it can be done, what do you recommend?

       

      Thanks again,

       

      Glenn K.

    • gkimble69 Just Startin'
      gkimble69
      6 posts since
      Sep 25, 2009
      Currently Being Moderated
      Oct 30, 2009 3:10 PM (in response to Line6Andy)
      Re: RE: Why does my FBV express distort sound in each or the four presets?

      Hey thanks for checking on me. I posted another question session yesterday, but didn't get a response. Maybe the email didn't go through.

       

      I have been to George's Music here in Orlando and Guitar Center. I have confirmed that my amp and foot pedal are working properly most of the time. I have one question yet that needs clearing up.

       

      I set to "crunch" and get a pretty clean sound. Then I switch to another model like "insane", for instance or "clean". Then I switch back to "crunch" and the sound is "grungier" than moments before. The only way I found to get the sound back to factory is to turn the amp off. Then my "crunch sounds as it normally does.

       

      Any clues on that one?

       

      Lastly, responding to point 3 below, why do I have to email you to find out how to set the "clean" sound. The trick you explained does get what I want. But why is this not given in the manual? Where do I find that info any where on your site. Sketchy as it is. The manula is even less info than the spider III manual. What do I have to do to get all this kind of info?

      IF it means going on-line and spending my time searching, I will be very disappointed in Line 6.

  • Line6Andy Line 6
    Line6Andy
    4,345 posts since
    Jun 5, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Oct 28, 2009 10:32 AM (in response to gkimble69)
    RE: Why does my FBV express distort sound in each or the four presets?

    Hello,

        There is no "manual" for the Express pedals, as the info is usually included in the amp/POD manual.  You can also check the FAQs for additional information.

        Yes, you can connect an external pedal to your amp, if there is a selection for "amp" or "Line" you will want to select "amp". You will most likely want to select the "cleanest" tone you can get from the amp so your effects processor can do the work.

       

      Please let us know if you need further assistance, or close out the ticket as “answered” if your situation has been resolved.

  • Line6Andy Line 6
    Line6Andy
    4,345 posts since
    Jun 5, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Oct 30, 2009 10:21 AM (in response to gkimble69)
    RE: Why does my FBV express distort sound in each or the four presets?

    It's been a couple of days since we've heard from you. We're going to assume your question has been answered and close this thread. If you still have questions please feel free to open a new question with us and we will answer your questions accordingly. Thanks!

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