Nov 12, 2009 9:25 AM
FBV shortboard malfunction
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Yesterday I used my new Spider IV 150 w/ MK II shortboard with the band for the first time. I moved it from home, plugged it in and hooked up the shortboard. The amp worked and the board lit up but the volume pedal was on full and would not shut off in the heel down position. I was able to switch pre -sets but still no volume pedal. I procceded to use the gear without the pedal and after a while it started to work. Then the wah wah quit working. With the wah turned on both the green volume and the red wah light were lit, but the wah wah didn't function. After playing for a while I tried it again and it worked! I've got it set up again at home and everything seem to be fine. What happened? I bought this rig to try and simplify my gear set up but so far it's been a real headache. I confess that I'm not a techie and I may have bungled something but it was working fine at home ,and it's not as complicated as my Pod X3 Live pedal, which works fine...so far.
Also the FBV calibration steps that come with the downloaded Advanced Guide for the Spider amp don't do anything. I followed the directions to "power off the board, press and hold the 'D' footswitch while powering on the board'. There's supposed to be an LCD readout :Calibrate Pedal" but there isn't any such display . So I don't know if this thing is even "Calibrated". It seems to work fine, when it's working. Is it actually necessary to calibrate it?
Thanx.....
Greg,
Please check out the following knowledge base document for information on updating your FBV Shortboard MkII to be able to calibrate the pedal:
http://line6.com/community/docs/DOC-1652
Regards,
Line6Hugo
Hello,
It's been a few 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 re-open this thread or create a new question with us and we will answer your questions accordingly. Thanks!
Regards,
Line6Hugo
This Shortboard MK II still won't work right. I don't understand why I have to plug the thing into my computer to "calibrate" it when it should work right out of the box. I used it again today and checked it before takeing it to the jam session. It works fine in the house but when set up in the garage with the door open the volume pedal still will not shut off. If I move around a bit while holding my guitar it will ramdomly work then not work. Interestingly when the garage door was closed the pedal began working. However, after playing for about four hours the foot switches required two taps to get them to switch channels. My band mate has an older model 150 amp and shortboard and his short board works fine in my amp. There seems to be some kind of signal leak or interferance generating from the shortboard or ???. This thing is going back to Guitar Center tomorrow!
I don't understand why I have to plug the thing into my computer to "calibrate" it
You don't have to connect it to your computer to calibrate it. You have to connect it to your computer to update the firmware. Support for calibration was added in version 1.1 of the firmware. If your shortboard has the older firmware (which yours almost certainly does), then you won't be able to calibrate it until you've first upgraded it.
It works fine in the house but when set up in the garage with the door open the volume pedal still will not shut off.
The pedal uses an optical sensor. If outside light is leaking into the sensor, then it's not surprising that the pedal would behave differently depending on the ambient light level.
This thing is going back to Guitar Center tomorrow!
That seems like the best plan to me, too.
THANX TO MIMUNGR FOR COMMING UP WITH PLAUSIBLE EXPLINATION. i RETURNED IT TO G.C. AND OF COURSE THEY'RE OUT OF STOCK. SHOULD HAVE A REPLACEMENT IN A FEW DAYS
CHEERS!
I just picked up another short board from G.C., after five days witing, and it's deja vu all over again. This POS has got the same issue as the first one I had. Light leaks into the optic sensor and screws up the volume pedal. If I block the light with my hand it'll work. I really shouldn't be suprised as these things are built with typical crappy Chinese components. It looks like Line6 should issue a recall. I'm giving them a call in the morning. I'm one dissatisfied customer today.
This is for Line6Andy's attention. I finally got a replacement older generation re-conditioned Shortboard in, it's been at least three weeks, and this one works fine so far. I put it in direct sunlight and there isn't any volume pedal failure. It looks like the optic sensor is shielded better than on the MK II model. I also have a Pod X3 Live and when that's in sunlight it screws up the pedal too. It's not as bad as on the MKII but when you shade it the problem goes away. Am I the only one that plays outside venues? This surley must be happening to all late model boards with openings that allow light in to the optic sensor. I'm surprised no one else has mentioned it. Also, I paid full price for the MKII Shortboard ($200) and ended up with a re-conditioned older model board that presumeably sells for less? Could you possibly see your way to sending me an amp cover for my Spider IV 150 to make up the difference? I also have a Spider IV 30 that could use one too but I'd really appreciate one for the 150. Thanx for your help!
hi, i just got the Line 6 FBV Shortboard mkii for christmas and i can't figure out how to switch the pedal from volume to wah. i heard theres a toe switch but when i press the pedal all the way down there is no switch. is it broken?
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