Distortion when using alternate tunings in Workbench

[stanwentzel]

I have seen this issue reported in other threads, and I have just experienced this problem with Workbench and my Variax 700. I was simply trying to create a new version of one of the Lester models in a drop-D tuning. At first, when I changed the tuning on the low E string to D, I couldn't hear any result. Ah, I realized -- you have to click the Enable button above the tuning chart. That changed the pitch of the low E, but it also introduced a VERY noticeable distortion (like a "bark" at the beginning of the sound) into the A-string -- only the A string, and only when I hit it a little harder than usual with the pick. 

 

Note that this distortion only occurs when the "Enable" button is lit up -- if I click again to disable the alternate tuning feature, the A-string distortion goes away, regardless of how hard I hit the string with my pick. The distortion is clearly tied to the "Enable Alternate Tunings" feature. 

 

Has anyone figured out how to solve this problem??

[Palico]

Sorry I have not seen any solution to the oddness on the old variax of the tunings. I know I use them on occasion and while I don't hear a noticable distrotion, I do hear some odd ghost tones around the notes, they just don't sound quite right, if you catch what I'm saying. So far I only use them when it's really convient like for open tuning where it's a real pain to retune. For Drop D or 1/2 down etc... type of stuff I just spin the knobs the old way or carry another guitar if necassary.

[stanwentzel]

Thanks for your response. The odd thing is, the factory alternate tunings play just fine. But when I try to modify them I get this weird sound on the A-string. For sure, I can just drop the D myself -- but it's so much cooler just to be able to twist the dial and have it there!