JTV-69 Issues using VDI to HD500 to Workbench - Tuning, Pickup Swapping Issues

[aaronsoots]

Hello I just sold off my Variax 600 and got the JTV-69, had to sell to fund the purchase and now really feel like I made a bad move. I knew what I was getting into as far as the playability and small nut spacing but what I did not know is a few quirky things that I am experiencing that never happened in the 4 years I owned my 600.

 

1) When VDI is connected to HD500 and I try and tune it will not registar at all. Using HD500 Edit software I ensured Variax was selected as input but still no dice. When I plug in the 1/4" and either select Guitar or Guitar/Variax it works fine, through the 1/4".

 

2) When running Variax to HD500 to Workbench HD and decide to experiment with pickups I get a horrendous squealing digital noise as a result. I move the model selector knob and it loads up a different model, no more noise.

 

3) I downgraded to Firmware 1.9 and while I can tell that the models were similar to my old 600 it was able to highlight some really nice complexities in the sounds, plus the palm muting was handy(more processing power). I think the new 2.10 models are good but not really better. You don't hear much ghost tracking noise I use to get, these overtoned notes, hard to describe but always drove me nuts when playing. But the above issues were present on the old firmware as well.

 

4) It seems like you have to have the action pretty high in order to get the piezos to work right. The old Variax 600 I had was the lowest action I was ever able to get, great neck on those things.

 

So at this point I really miss my 600, dated as it may have been it was solid through and through. Anyone else have these issues?

[silverhead]

1) Make sure your Variax is selected for Input 1. The HD500 tuner only works with Input1.

 

2) Make sure all your products (HD500, Workbench HD, JTV) are running the latest firmware. When updating firmware for the HD500 and JTV, choose to replace (not keep) existing presets. That may mean you will want to save existing presets first. If so, make sure you test things with the factory presets before reinstalling your saved presets; you may have corrupt presets that are causing the problem.

 

3) Some users prefer the JTV v1.9 models and have chosen to remain on that firmware. Nothing wrong with that, although eventually they may get left behind in terms of new features. Workbench HD can do a great deal in tweaking your models in v2.1 if you're so inclined.

 

4) If you are not a professional guitar tech it might be worthwhile to have a professional setup done on your JTV-69.

[aaronsoots]

Thanks for the reply. I have been with Line 6 for years and have been using my old Variax with POD X3Live and then the HD500.

 

1)I put Variax on Input 1, I rarely if ever use the second input.

 

2) Plugged Variax into the included adapter to connect into PC, that fixed the issue. I expected to much from the updated compatibility with HD500 and didn't try that adapter. 

 

3)Yeah I think I will probably stick to 2.10 for now. 

 

4)I am not a pro at setups but I do set up all my guitars and did so on the Variax 600, it came "ok" but ended up being one of the better playing guitars I owned. I am planning on putting a new neck on if I keep it and should be a good start. The tremelo is sort of the same setup but a lot more sustain on the JTV, more mass.