Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Jump to content

JTV-59 Pickup Volume


Recommended Posts

Hi!

 

Ever since I've had my JTV-59, the magnetic pickups have always been a lot louder that the piezo pickup. Is this normal? Can I use Workbench to correct this?

 

Any advice greatly appreciated! :-)

 

You can adjust levels with workbench, yes. Another thing to consider is your pickup height of the magnetics.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks clay-man.

 

The magnetics are only just above the height of the casings, so I guess they are quite low already.

 

I presume I can't use Workbench to reduce the volume of the magnetics, so the only other option is to set the volume of each preset to max (6db) in Workbench.

 

Is that correct?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks clay-man.

 

The magnetics are only just above the height of the casings, so I guess they are quite low already.

 

I presume I can't use Workbench to reduce the volume of the magnetics, so the only other option is to set the volume of each preset to max (6db) in Workbench.

 

Is that correct?

 

Yeah. There's Levels for the presets, and there's levels for the individual modeled pickups.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have both the 59 & the 69S, and there is quite a bit of difference in level between their mag volumes. I replaced the 69S single coils with the DiMarzio noiseless Paul Gilbert set that are a bit hotter (higher output) than the 69S native and normal Strat single coils, but still not as much output as the 59's Humbuckers, or other normal HB's. The SC's & the HB's also have a basic tonal difference, though both are very bright with the tone control full up, the SC's are much more treble, and I tend to roll the 69S back past half, while leaving the 59 tone up full, then set the HD500(X) amp models to suit. So I had to split my gigging set lists with the same amp patches into one set for the 59 & one for the 69S -- adjust the volumes up on the inputs for the 69S compared to the 59 set list. I use one of the JTV's as a backup for broken strings and variety. When I switch guitars, I switch the set list.

 

I try to level the models to the general levels of the mags on the 2 guitars. I usually work with the 69S first. Using HD WB I raise the lower volume guitar models up and lower the high volume models to get me in the ball park with the 69S mags. I also set the tone controls to save their setting, so whatever tone I have set on the mags doesn't affect the models. That way I can flip on the models in a patch and not get blown off the stage or have to dime the volume of my amp model patches to hear the weaker ones... For the most part, I use the mags on the 59 & 69 the most, and use models for alternate tunings and special patches, plus the acoustics and reso's.

 

I then save the bundle from the 69S and load it into the 59, then adjust the models in the 59 to that one's mag levels. Most of the time, it turns out to be +5 to +6 db compared to the 69S model levels. You have the ability to raise levels up to +6db on the pickup models and another +6db with the overall model volume adjustment for total maximum increase of +12db. 

 

I also usually tweak the tone settings a bit, as I have the amp tone controls a bit different on the 59 HD500(X) setlist. It's a bit of messing around, I know... I futz around with it a long time. Right now, I know I have to adjust the tone settings again on the 69S -- I over did the roll-off of the guitar model tone controls and need to tweak them some more. Amazing how my opinion shifts when switching between the 2 guitars in the process... I go through several iterations, and when my changes become less and less, I know I'm there, and stop. It'd be fewer iterations if I was only dealing with one guitar and one set list, but the character of the 2 are quite different, so sometimes it feels like herding cats....

 

I also struggle with string levels and resonances - saw Clay-man had a way to maybe tame that down a bit with muting the string on the back side of the piezo's that I will be trying after this weekend's gigs. Some strings (the G string in a lot of cases) sometimes seem to stick out in some models like a sore thumb, and I try to tame them with string level adjustments - with varying success...

 

It would be nice to be able to trim the mag volumes, but don't really see that as a likely development, as the ability to use the mags with the battery dead would be lost. Not an issue in my case as I use the VDI interface that always powers the JTV's... It would also be nice to be able to have an input impedance adjustment on the VDI -- or at least a simulation of it for the VDI, as that is another way to adjust the tonality of a standard guitar on the 1/4" guitar input...

 

Dave

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

I have an opposite problem. Now that I have leveled the volumes on all the modeled guitars to be equivalent to the Les Paul setting (and my Les Paul Guitar)  the standard single coil pickups used in native mode require a significant volume boost from my MXR Micro Amp pedal to get them up to the same level. I could use the Global volume setting to bring everything down to the level of the normal pickups but then I would need to boost the entire guitar with the MXR Micro Amp to get the same level of volume I am getting out of my standard Les Paul. Are there a "hotter" set of single coil pickups that would solve the problem without voiding the warrantee (just got the guitar a few weeks ago).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have an opposite problem. Now that I have leveled the volumes on all the modeled guitars to be equivalent to the Les Paul setting (and my Les Paul Guitar)  the standard single coil pickups used in native mode require a significant volume boost from my MXR Micro Amp pedal to get them up to the same level. I could use the Global volume setting to bring everything down to the level of the normal pickups but then I would need to boost the entire guitar with the MXR Micro Amp to get the same level of volume I am getting out of my standard Les Paul. Are there a "hotter" set of single coil pickups that would solve the problem without voiding the warrantee (just got the guitar a few weeks ago). BTE, I am using a JTV 69 Star style Variax.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...