Questions For Those Who Own Or Have Owned Both 59 An 69 Jtvs

[pugdealer]

Hey guys

 

 

When I first bought my JTV a couple of years ago, I read a bunch of topics on the forum before I made my mind...specially regarding the issues people were having back then. 

 

The 69 had people complaining about the 1st string slipping off the fret board, and some about the tremolo, whereas the 59 had people complaining about the faulty 3-way switch...these were the most common complaints if my memory serves me well.

 

Well, I ended up buying a 59, which made me VERY happy...it was pretty, comfortable, well built, and it's been very reliable...no glitches or faults whatsoever. 

 

The thing is, I always had a thing for the 69...that's my kind of guitar! Lets just say I'm more of a fender guy that a gibson. So, I've been thinking about selling the 59 and getting a new 69. My wallet can't afford having the 2.

 

So, the questions are:

 

Am I making a mistake or not? Is the 59 a better guitar? let me know how you owners feel about them both!

[Charlie_Watt]

The 69 is a fine guitar.  I think they must have cured the neck problems long ago.  Mine is perfect.  String spacing is great and well centered on the neck side to side.  The 5 way switch is MUCH more solid - just like a regular Strat.  I really have no complaints with mine - except with my poor guitar playing talent. :)

[snhirsch]

If you have large fingers (like me) you may find the 69 to be a bit narrow at the nut.  But, the nice thing about it is that a strat replacement neck will bolt right on.  This is a fairly common mod on the instrument and a number of us on the forums have done it.

[chuskey]

I've had a 59 for about a year and just got a great deal on a floor model 69 at GC.  I had the same feelings as you, except I'm a Gibson guy as much as a Fender and couldn't bear to part with the 59  :D

 

I have to say I like the 69 more than I even thought I would.  It plays great and just feels nice to play.  The only issue I had was after playing it for about an hour the nut came loose.  Dab of Elmer's and a few hours to dry and that was fixed.  Definitely worth putting up with for the hundreds I saved!  I haven't noticed any problems with the 1st string slipping off.

 

I agree that the width at the nut is a little slender, and probably wouldn't have been my first choice, but I don't have problems playing it.

 

Also having the 5 way selector is a big plus.  I find with the 59 I pretty much ignore positions 2 and 4 because it's more awkward to get to.  It adds more flexibility, for me at least, as well as having the tremolo.

 

As far as the tremolo goes I've not had any problems with it.  I found a cool trick to setting up non locking trems that involves taking into account the difference in tension between the bottom and the top strings and adjusting the claw to compensate.  It has changed the way I use the trem on the 69, and my regular strat, because I don't have to worry about it going out of tune every time I touch it.  You can check out the method here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVQCaQxdSH0

 

I don't think you would be making a mistake to switch to the 69 over the 59.  They are both fantastic instruments and I wholeheartedly recommend either one of them to anyone who will listen  :)

[Charlie_Watt]

I have really small hands so the slim neck at the nut on the 69 is great for me.  It is slightly thinner then my Strat but the width is the same as my Strat.