traphillman

Hi Matt, My problems continued after another reflashing. So I called the help desk. It turned out I had both the Workbench and the Monkey open when I was reflashing. The man I talked to was a great help. He said having anything else running on your computer, including your anti-virus protection, can cause problems when reflashing! So I closed the Workbench and reflashed again. This time I got the prompt that asked if I wanted to keep the current models and, as indicated to me, I clicked "no." When the reflashing was complete the guitar worked correctly for the first time since I got it. What a relief! I checked back and read the Line 6 directions on the Forum for reflashing. The last line of the directions says: "Close out any other application running on you computer before updating the Variax guitar." So I want to emphasize this to anyone reflashing because I am sure a lot of people have used their Workbench while working on their problems before resorting to reflashing! :) I have been considering buying an HD500X, Helix, or Helix Lt. But right now I am leaning toward getting a modeling amp like the Spider V. I think it would be good for practice, working on the music and even very small venue jobs. As a modeling guitar beginner this would probably be easier for me to use because the amp would have the modeling and effects presets in place rather than my having to spend hours learning what works best with what. What do you think? But I would like to get an amp that has an XLR voice input and TWO instrument/line inputs (one for my guitar one for my sound module). But I have not found such an amp. I have found a few with a voice and instrument input, but not a second line in for the sound module. Do you, or any of our friends reading this, have any information about such an amp? Thanks, Scott

Hi Matt, Thanks. I plug in the guitar. When it comes on it is a standard guitar (I think that is called the Standard Mode?). I press the model knob once (I do not hold it in?) and a white light comes on at the selected model (I think that is called the Variax Mode). The 1-3-5 models are accessible on the selector. If I then press the AT knob once the light on the model knob should turn blue and the 2-3-4 models become accessible. Have I got that all right? I read the Pilot's Handbook. It mentioned pushing the AT knob to access the 2-3-4 models but I stupidly thought it was a misprint! :( If I get all that right, then I can turn the AT knob to get an AT on all of the 2-3-4 models. Right? Now, if next I turn (just turn not press and turn?) the model knob to select another model, will the AT transfer to the new model too and will I have access to the 2-3-4 alternatives on the new model too? If so, do I have to push the AT knob again to get to the 1-3-5 selections on the new model? I have not had a chance to double check it but I think I pushed and held a knob or two before. And I think I heard in a video that pushing and holding one of the knobs puts you into the Virtual Capo. Does that sound right? I definitely want to avoid the Virtual Capo!! :) Are you in England, Matt? My wife and I visited England and Wales in 1997 while we were in Germany. Many of her ancestors are Welsh. Her maiden name is Yale. I wish we had had more time there. I really want to thank you for getting back to me again. I really appreciate it. Did you happen to read through the sequence of steps I listed for using the knobs in my last message above. If so, do I have them right? Like the other person essentially told me above, I have to learn to walk before I can learn to run, one step at a time. I mentioned the Custom selection on the AT knob in the above message too. I think now that must refer to Custom Tunings made up on the Workbench but I am not sure. I reflashed the JTV as advised. I was not offered an option to keep or not keep all the models. So I assume all the models and tunings I now have on the guitar are the standard ones. Does that make sense or do you think I messed up the reflashing, again? I know I got that choice when I reflashed once before. So I am still not sure I did it right. :( Long post. Sorry. But you are the first person I have had any kind of continuing conversation with about using the JTV, my first electric guitar! Boy, have I got a lot to learn! But I am looking forward to it!! Maybe my interest and efforts will keep me alive a little longer! :) Thanks, again! Scott

Thanks Matt, Power User and Crusinon2 for your help. I can see that even the 500X would probably be a bit beyond me -- at least while I am trying to learn the basics of using a modeling guitar for the first time. I have to admit I am having a bit of trouble walking now too. :) But that is too long a story. Your information makes me think I have enough on my plate for now just getting my material and voice back in shape, mastering a new sound module, and learning how to avoid sabotaging the JTV's tunings every time I use them. :) So I going to put off learning the 500X for the immediate future. But down the road I hope I will find the time to get one and begin learning by experimenting with it. I really appreciate the input. It has been very helpful and steered me in the right direction. My thanks and best wishes to each of you! Scott

That sounds like what has happened. I recall at least one of the times I reflashed I clicked save the existing models. So I will do it again today and cluck "no" at that point.. If I go to the Workbench and then save some AT's that I want on certain models the blue light will come on when the models selected have my alternate tuning -- and I will not have to, and should not, touch or move the alt tuning knob at all. Right? Then when I switch to a different model that does not have a saved tuning the white light should come on. If I want to change the standard tuning to one of the stock AT's on that one I turn the tuning knob which should also be displaying a white light? I hope it works! :) It says "model" in the first position on the tuning knob. I did not see any specific instruction or explanation about what it was used for. Should I just turn the tuning knob back to that setting whenever I finish with an AT? Does this "Custom" position have any other function? And, if I have a model with a white light selected and turn the model knob to a new model, also displaying a white light, should the alt tuning currently on the knob be applied to the new model? Or do I need to do something else when I change between models with a white when I want to use the same AT? I hope so. It seems like that is the way it should work! :) Finally, when I go to a different model also displaying a while light should I then be able to select a different alternate tuning anywhere on the knob? Again, I hope so. :) I will check You Tube as you suggested and any videos on the Line 6 site itself. Yes, your response has been very helpful and has gotten me started in the right direction. I am considering getting a 500X pod because I have read it can automatically greatly enhance the sounds of the various models. Do you use one? If so, does it produce a significant difference in the sounds? I have a small manual that came with the guitar. I will check to see if that is the only manual on line. Thank you very much for your help. I am afraid I need all I can get -- and I appreciate all I get!! Sorry for my long posts but I have to get this basic stuff right. :) Scott

I am 77. My JTV-59 is my first electric and first modeling guitar. I have a serious lack of basic JTV knowledge when it comes to changing models and tunings. I have had to reflash twice already because I keep messing up the tunings. I think I am getting into the Virtual Capo by mistake or something else. I have become concerned that there may be something wrong with the guitar but it most likely is just my ignorance. :( Sometimes I press a knob and get a blue light and sometimes I get a white light. And sometimes no light at all. I desperately need to learn the exact step by step procedure for turning on and selecting the models -- then the tunings -- then changing the models and/or the tunings -- then turning off the models and tunings without straying into the Virtual Capo or otherwise somehow messing up the tunings. I can't begin performing again until I am really confident with making these changes. If anyone has the time to lay the steps out for me or to point me to a detailed description or video of the complete process I would really appreciate it. :) Scott

Thank you both for your responses. I have been watching some 500X's on E-Bay. I am 77. This is my first electric and first modeling guitar. I have not played or performed for over five years but I am preparing to get back into it and I have spent more than I can afford on new equipment, including a JTV-59. It sounds like a 500X is best for my budget -- maybe next month after the retirement check comes in. :) Thanks, Matt! Can I easily follow manual instructions to set the 500X to apply the automatically selected best effects for the models and a desired tuning on any selected model without making any changes to the models on the JTV itself? I, of course, have no idea what effects or settings are best to reproduce the classic sounds on any of the models. :( That's why I hope the 500X will do it for me! bjnette, I assume I go into the Workbench to configure specific models to always come up with custom tunings when I select them? I guess I need to watch more of the videos. This is critical for me because I am a singer first and it was the AT capabilities that led me to buy a modeling guitar. I have a serious lack of basic JTV knowledge when it comes to changing models and tunings. I have had to reflash twice already because I keep messing up the tunings. I think I am getting into the Virtual Capo by mistake or something else. I have become concerned that there may be something wrong with the guitar but it most likely is just my ignorance. Sometimes I press a knob and get a blue light and sometimes I get a white light. And sometimes no light at all. I desperately need to learn the exact step by step procedure for turning on and selecting the models -- then the tunings -- then changing the models and/or the tunings -- then turning off the models and tunings without straying into the Virtual Capo or otherwise somehow messing up the tunings. I can't begin performing again until I am really confident with making these changes. If anyone has the time to lay the steps out for me or to point me to a detailed description of the process I would really appreciate it. Again, thank you both for getting me started in the right direction! Scott :)

What are the most economical POD units I should consider that will automatically sense what JTV model I am using and automatically apply the best sound enhancement effects, etc., for that model guitar? I simply can't afford a Helix. I am not even sure how many unit there are that can actually be set to sense a model change and react to it. Thanks, Scott