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Just Got My Dream Rig Question Regarding Jtv69 Action


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Hi I'm pretty new here.  After doing tons of research and viewing nearly every video out there on the subject, I took the plunge and got the dream rig.  Initially I started with the DT25 head and 1x12 cab, HD500x, and a red JTV69.  I was able to get some great initial tones with it but obviously it was going to take some learning to really get the most out of the rig.  However, it became clear that my pre-purchase research was a bit incomplete because I wasn't prepared for the acoustic tones I was getting via the DT25.  Some quick reading and, duh, found the problem about trying to emulate acoustic sounds through an amp designed to give electric guitar tones.  So I ended up getting the L2T the next day...Best decision I could've made....awesome tones that are amazingly realistic.  So I'm planning on programming the HD500x into a few set lists depending on whether I'm using the whole rig live, going only into the L2T for acoustic and electric patches, or going direct to a PA with no on stage amplification.

 

Question about the JTV action.  According to Sweetwater, they did some kind of multi point inspection regarding things like action (or so I thought).  Anyway, it might just be a personal preference, but the action out of the box seemed a bit high.  Then again, I'm used to playing with low action on 9s.  So the 10s definitely gave me a bit of a workout the first few times.  I started to set it up more to my liking and so far so good.

 

Has anyone tried 9s on the JTV?  I'm thinking of trying it out just to see but figured I'd ask if anyone has done it before.

 

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Are you plaing mich slide?

 

I have not tried 9's but have replaced with the stock 10's and may go to 11's. Agree the action out of the box is a ittle high, for slide you may feel the action is low. I found the setup I got from AMS is higher than I wold normally be, and lower than I would normally be on a slide only guitar.

 

That said I found it to be a nice compromise. A  number of slide players that have tried it said it was too low, but I have adjusted. The ability to dial in diffeent tunings without needing an open G and open E guitar was the main reason I biught a Variiax.

 

Next thing I knew I had an HD500 and the DT25 wasn't far behind. Other than occasionally picking up an acoustic, or a resonator, all other guitars sit on the rack, until a friend stops by, Can't put the Variax down.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I have been using 009s and even had sweet water set it up with 009s but when it arrived it felt like it had 010s on it so I assumed they didn't change the strings. So I took the set it came with off and put a new set of 009 cobalts on and it still like it had tens on it. I have six other guitars w 009s on them and they all feel the same but for some reason the JTV69 feels like it has 10s on it. Does anyone know what give it this feeling. Maybe the tension of the springs on the whammy bay? It is a mystery . Has anyone else noticed this or is it just my specific JTV

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Are you plaing mich slide?

 

I have not tried 9's but have replaced with the stock 10's and may go to 11's. Agree the action out of the box is a ittle high, for slide you may feel the action is low. I found the setup I got from AMS is higher than I wold normally be, and lower than I would normally be on a slide only guitar.

 

That said I found it to be a nice compromise. A  number of slide players that have tried it said it was too low, but I have adjusted. The ability to dial in diffeent tunings without needing an open G and open E guitar was the main reason I biught a Variiax.

 

Next thing I knew I had an HD500 and the DT25 wasn't far behind. Other than occasionally picking up an acoustic, or a resonator, all other guitars sit on the rack, until a friend stops by, Can't put the Variax down.

I don't play much slide actually.  Still haven't tried 9s because I wanted to see what it was like after playing for a few more weeks.  I lowered the action quite a bit and put some new strings on today.  I only notice the 10s when I'm bending in the upper registers for solos and stuff.    Right now I'm working on setting up patches for either direct in PA gigs in one set list and getting the identical patches and sounds in a set list that is for when I'm playing through the DT25/L2T setup.  Its like setting up entirely different sounds but still doable.  I may need to use another setlist for the same sounds but without the JTV and more specific for some traditional guitars that I have and may want to use on occasion.  

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The only issue which may arise using 9s, is that your Acoustic sounds and also any jazzy style guitars in the JTV modeling may sound noticeably thinner. The reason for that is that these type of guitars are typically use 11-12s.

 

Line6 has done a kind of compromise by installing 10s as the standard to match the different guitars. And this applies to the action they have chosen as well. I also have lowered the action on the JTVs. But the flip side of the medal is you will hear more (unwanted) string buzzing when playing Acoustic parts. As a result of that I have increased the action later a bit.

 

Using 10s or even 11s will likely have the best impact and the JTV models, because they all will sound even more more authentic. The 11s may also lead to a slightly nut modification otherwise the strings will be stuck in the nut when bending or using the tremolo which can cause a bad intonation.   

 

Finally everyone needs to weigh the pros and cons on his own regarding string size and string action.

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Thanks for the tips.  I've kept the 10s on and with the lowered action things are going well.  The action may be a little too low because there is some loss of ringing/sustain in the upper registers.  It might just be a tradeoff for the improved performance.  Overall, I'm very satisfied with this rig.

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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 2 months later...

I don't play much slide - but... I just bought a very cool and cheap item from Elderly instuments that enables slide guitar action on a normal guitar.  

 

The website is elderly.com and the SKU to search on is EN02.   I installed it on my cheap ovation and the action is way high now.

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