I Went With The Jtv-69!

[pinoy1]

Folks, 

I just ordered the 69 at GC today!  They price-match the sale price at Sweetwater and adjusted the price so I won't be paying any state's sales tax.  Out the door, I paid $899.00.  

 

So, any special recommendations I should know about this guitar (i.e. Firmware/software update, hardware set-up)?  

 

Thanks!

[simonbaker]

It's a great guitar. I've had one for a couple of months now and I love it.

[edstar1960]

Just the normal stuff to look out for from any new guitar with a trem that comes direct from an online dealer.

 

The factory setup is good but will not be to everyone's taste and you may need to let it acclimatise for a while in your house before you start trying to adjust action height and address buzzes and rattle - the wood can move depending on humidity etc.    Once it has acclimatised then decide if it needs to be adjusted to sort buzzes and to get the action you prefer - or if the truss rod needs adjusting - or if the trem tension needs adjusting etc

 

You may need to get a professional setup done to have the guitar set up to exactly your preferences if you have never set up a guitar with a trem before but you may find it is setup just to your liking.

[silverhead]

Regarding JTV firmware, the update from v1.9 to v2.0 was significant. It changed the modeling for all electric guitar models using what Line 6 calls HD technology. Some users prefer the v1.9 modeling, others prefer the v2.0 modeling. I suggest you experiment with both and come to your own conclusion about which version sounds better to you.

[GlennDeLaune]

That's a great deal. That's what I got mine for from Sweetwater. I am Extremely Happy with this guitar!! Since you're looking for recommendation here are mine.

 

1)  Get the guitar professionaly "set-up". If you don't know how to do it yourself try to find a guitar tech in your town that knows what he is doing and get him to adjust the guitar to it's optimal playing ability. This has to do with tremolo height, tilt, Pick-up height, bridge saddle height adjustent, intonnation and neck curvature.

 

2)  Check the edge of the frets. Run your hand up and down the neck while lightly grabbing the top & bottom edge. If you feel any "sharpness" from the frets don't worry. That's normal for most guitars that have not been professionally "set up" from the factory. It's a simple process of filing those sharp edges of the frets. The person that you get to do your set-up can fix that. Believe me you will not believe the difference in the way the guitar feels in your hands and after all that's what makes playing guitar enjoyable right?? A Great Feeling Instrument.

 

3)  Yes you should update the firmware as soon as you get it. I think 2.0 firmware is great and why wouldn't you want the latest & greatest. I have been using it live since January and no complaints here. It really has been my "go to" guitar since I got it.

 

So that's it. The fret thing is just a prefernece of mine but most guitar players will tell you a good feeling instrument makes all the difference in performance and playability.

 

Take all the Variax stuff away and you still have a really really good guitar. The magnetic pick-ups sound very good and I love the JTV-69 Bridge and the special locking tuners on the headstock which makes changing strings a breeze!!

 

I've developed some custom Variax models for my live shows. If you want them you can find them here. I'm giving them away for any one who wants to try them.

 

http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?PHPSESSID=33ab952a1e3a3e52e6d22e677fdd7a6e&topic=10694.0

 

 

[radatats]

good stuff Glenn! I like your LP models...

[pinoy1]

Regarding JTV firmware, the update from v1.9 to v2.0 was significant. It changed the modeling for all electric guitar models using what Line 6 calls HD technology. Some users prefer the v1.9 modeling, others prefer the v2.0 modeling. I suggest you experiment with both and come to your own conclusion about which version sounds better to you.

Thanks, silverhead!  

I think I'll go straight to v2.0.  I just play a few hours a week and really don't have time to experiment.  I'm sure I'll be fine with v2.0 :)

[pinoy1]

That's a great deal. That's what I got mine for from Sweetwater. I am Extremely Happy with this guitar!! Since you're looking for recommendation here are mine.

 

1)  Get the guitar professionaly "set-up". If you don't know how to do it yourself try to find a guitar tech in your town that knows what he is doing and get him to adjust the guitar to it's optimal playing ability. This has to do with tremolo height, tilt, Pick-up height, bridge saddle height adjustent, intonnation and neck curvature.

 

2)  Check the edge of the frets. Run your hand up and down the neck while lightly grabbing the top & bottom edge. If you feel any "sharpness" from the frets don't worry. That's normal for most guitars that have not been professionally "set up" from the factory. It's a simple process of filing those sharp edges of the frets. The person that you get to do your set-up can fix that. Believe me you will not believe the difference in the way the guitar feels in your hands and after all that's what makes playing guitar enjoyable right?? A Great Feeling Instrument.

 

3)  Yes you should update the firmware as soon as you get it. I think 2.0 firmware is great and why wouldn't you want the latest & greatest. I have been using it live since January and no complaints here. It really has been my "go to" guitar since I got it.

 

So that's it. The fret thing is just a prefernece of mine but most guitar players will tell you a good feeling instrument makes all the difference in performance and playability.

 

Take all the Variax stuff away and you still have a really really good guitar. The magnetic pick-ups sound very good and I love the JTV-69 Bridge and the special locking tuners on the headstock which makes changing strings a breeze!!

 

I've developed some custom Variax models for my live shows. If you want them you can find them here. I'm giving them away for any one who wants to try them.

 

http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?PHPSESSID=33ab952a1e3a3e52e6d22e677fdd7a6e&topic=10694.0

Thanks, gangsterusa for taking the time to write your recommendations!  

I will definitely consider getting my jtv-69 "professionally" set-up.  The challenge for me is finding the right person to do it.  I'm a casual guitar player and just play in the comfort of my home.  I never played in the band and don't know personally anybody who plays in a band.  So I might just check out the classified ads around my area.

[cruisinon2]

Thanks, gangsterusa for taking the time to write your recommendations!

I will definitely consider getting my jtv-69 "professionally" set-up. The challenge for me is finding the right person to do it. I'm a casual guitar player and just play in the comfort of my home. I never played in the band and don't know personally anybody who plays in a band. So I might just check out the classified ads...

Don't know that I've ever seen a classified ad for guitar set-ups. Just check out whatever local music stores are nearby. At least one of them will have somebody who knows what he's doing. Failing that, Google 'guitar repair' in your area and see what pops up. A lot of times you'll find some luthiers who not only build axes from the ground up, but who take on repair work as well. I'd stay away from the Big Chain music stores if I were you.

[pinoy1]

Don't know that I've ever seen a classified ad for guitar set-ups. Just check out whatever local music stores are nearby. At least one of them will have somebody who knows what he's doing. Failing that, Google 'guitar repair' in your area and see what pops up. A lot of times you'll find some luthiers who not only build axes from the ground up, but who take on repair work as well. I'd stay away from the Big Chain music stores if I were you.

Thanks for the advice, cruisinon2!