psarkissian

No worries, I'm not testy. I am sometimes in a hurry to get these responses out and though I'm good with guitars, my typing skills can use some augmenting. "That's all I meant..."--- I figured as much. Ah yes, the smiley face,... :) They thrust this upon me because I asked for it. They know how much I like working on these. There are also a number of Line 6 authorized service centers in America that are capable, so I get some help. And there's my counterparts in the UK taking care of the Euro Zone. :) I also own a 69 and two 59's. :) :)

Regarding the palm mute,.... which version firmware do you have loaded in? Version 2.00 program has a routine in it for palm muting.

Yes crusinon2,... I'm it. Would've thought the "US Service Technician & Moderator" was the dead giveaway. The crosstalk issue,... a combination of playing technique and/or set-up. It's usually good to have the set-up checked by a local guitar tech in your area, who is authorized Line 6, and knows JTV's. Local, because climate will affect the set-up. "I know the PCB was moved to the backside of the block, but anything else?"--- No. If there was anything else, they haven't told me yet. "Unless one really knows what they're doing, jury-rigging stuff that wasn't designed to work together is at the very least a pain in the arse"--- Right you are. Seen my share of Frankenstein'ed JTV's. Not always pretty, which is why they come across my bench in the first place.

Regarding string gauge,.... If you want to use 9's, that's okay,.... but you'll need to take it to a guitar tech to have the set-up adjusted for that gauge set. When you change gauges, you change the tension, when you change the tension, the set-up is off and needs to be adjusted. That info might not be in the brochures, because it's just a common aspect of all guitars. Change anything that alters the string tension, and you alter the set-up. It's like that on all guitars, not just JTV's. Also, climate of your location also affects the set-up. When you get a guitar back from a distant shop, the set-up should be done with your location in mind, so give it a couple days or more to settle in. If it is still a little off, take it to a local guitar tech for that final dial-in.

"Not sure a Line6 Service person would mess with my JTV now that I've swapped out the piezos"--- Being the JTV service guy at Line 6, yes,... I would,... but I don't know if it would be warrantied at this point. But I'd service it anyway. I'm here for when a teak goes wrong as well as the usual JTV servicing,... and unfortunately, I see plenty of those tweaks go wrong. Please tread with care, it's not our father's old hollow body archtop. A JTV is a whole other kind of beast, stroke and cuddle under the chin with care.

Take it to a Line 6 authorized service center that knows the JTV's. Piezos can be a touchy thing.

From what I've found, crosstalk would not be a correct terminology. The tests I've made points to sympathetic vibrations from other strings, especially if it's an open string. And that sounds thru its piezo and signal path, and gets process like everything else. Crosstalk, sympathetic vibrations, similar things the terminology tends to be used interchangeably. Hope I clarified a bit.

James Tyler Variax Update Checklist http://line6.com/support/page/kb/_/guitars/james-tyler-variax-guitars/james-tyler-variax-update-checklist-r102 ... is the name and link I was given. Happy hunting. -PBS

I've just been informed by our guitar/DSP person that there is a newer info document just posted, so I will remove this one, so as not to have info conflicts or redundancies. -PBS

Sometimes, it's just the network line, as it can be for me. In the building is fine, it's the rest of the network outside that creates problems for me. As far as CD/DVD,... updated info is easier this way. Creating and updating CD/DVD every few months is less immediate. This way, the info comes out immediately when it's been prepped and ready. Forums are good that way. -P. B. Sarkissian

It has to do with, what's in computer jargon as, error checks and handshaking during the update process. There have been instances of voltage sag on the USB line, which is another reason, so we have what's called the TRS/Battery engage,... helps keep the USB line up. So after an update, do a reinstall or two (or three) until you get the Successful Install message. It's in the PDF document. I'm pleased they let me do this too, helps Line6Hugo keep up with all the JTV queries, we work together on this stuff. I own three JTV's myself, so I hate to see users floundering with this stuff, so Hugo and do what we can with the JTV stuff. We want it to be a good music making experience for all of you. -P. B. Sarkissian

It would be good if you had an authorized Line 6 tech check over the set-up, a 69 spec is a smidge different than a Strat spec. I've come across a couple of people who wanted to treat a 69 like a Strat. An authorized Line 6 tech who does JTV's will have the set-up document to go by, so the specs will be spot on. JTV v2.0,... follow the pdf file, I've updated it for v2.00 Flash. After update, it may need a couple of re-installs for it to lock in all the patches. I wouldn't worry about it, and you can always roll it back to v1.90 if you want. Most of the glitches turned out to be not re-installing after update, or taking user saved patches from earlier versions and bringing into v2.00, which now has different data block formatting. "Any comments from Line 6 themselves?"--- ssssh,... don't let it get 'round,... I'm Line 6. I'm the guy who techs all the JTV's that come through here at the Repair Dept, here Line 6. My supervisor doesn't mind me trolling the forums regarding JTV problems, so long as it doesn't get in the way of my JTV repair work. A two cents here, a two cents there is okay. -P. B. Sarkissian

Using string gauge change to cure a problem with the set-up is typically not a good idea. When you change gauges, you change the set-up criteria. After changing gauges, it's a good idea to take it to a Line 6 authorized guitar tech in your area to check it and make any needed set-up adjustments. With the 69, there is the bridge adjustment and there is also the individual piezo saddle adjustment. That along with things like neck relief and intonation should be done at a Line 6 autorized service center. Can't go adjusting one without dealing with the other aspects of set-up. They all depend on one another to work together for a proper set-up and good playing capability. Just changing string gauge won't do it, now you need to have the rest of the set-up checked by a Line 6 authorized guitar tech with the proper set-up procedure info for JTV's. -P. B. Sarkissian

Microphonics in the tubes,... but since you've swapped them out, that's not the case. Digital clock bleeding into the audio from either the HD500 or the DT25 digital board. Are you using the Line6 Link? If so, are you using "Link 6 Link Cable" or a standard XLR mic cable?

No extra cut that I'm aware of. The Electro-Harmonix (EH) power tubes get extra scrutiny for Line 6, than what you would get from a store, as far as I'm aware. Had a chat with Mike Matthews (the founder/owner of EH) about their tubes at NAMM earlier this year. EH bought a tube factory in Russia, it's theirs, they scrutinize the tubes really well. From others there can be inconsistent batches of tubes. Some of these inconsistencies go to the characteristic curves on the data spec sheets. These differences can have an effect on performance or lifespan of the tube, as does correct biasing of the tube. And it's even more crucial when it comes to Matched Pairs. I know people like to use tubes versions from other tube companies in Line 6 amps. Not a good idea. I see too many come back for problems, with these other tubes inside. These other tubes are fine,... just don't put them in Line 6 tube amps. Bogner designed the tube stages of our amps to use what we use, biased to what they're biased to,.... and these amps are not forgiving of alterations, deviations or modifications. It's like trying to over hot rod a hot rod, give it too much and you throw a rod or blow an engine,... and that's never a pretty sight. We recommend coming to us for tubes for Line 6, Bogner designed Spider Valve, Alchemist and DT Series tube amps because, we can't vouch for other tube sources. Besides,... we have a 90 day warranty on our tubes when you go to an authorized service center for amp servicing our tube amps. Enjoy the tube sound. Rock-On!

I grok. :)

Shhh,... don't let get around. And I'm a forum moderator. Trolling the forums is okay with my bosses, so long as it doesn't take too much time away from me fixing stuff. A two cents here, a two cents there,... ... oh, and being a moderator, maybe c#%*p would be a more netiquette way of saying it, though it's probably okay here for now. I typically use "holy moly" or "mola mola". ;) Rock on!

Be sure that these tubes are Line 6 authorized Electro-Harmonix power tubes (and the pre-amp tubes as well), and that the power tubes are matched pairs. Have a Line 6 authorized service center install them, they will have to be properly biased and the unit signal tested. There is a proper biased and signal test that always has to be done on a tube amp, it's not a swap-n-play sort of thing. Incorrect bias leads to distortions, distortions lead to stressed tubes, stressed tubes lead to a failing amp and a trip to a service tech. The Electro-Harmonix power tubes are scrutinized more so for Line 6, than what you would get from a store. These are Bogner designed tube amp stages and not very forgiving with anything other than the specified tube brand, so don't try to hot rod these hot rods with Mesa or Groove Tube versions. The characteristic curves of the Mesa or Groove Tube versions are different enough to make a difference in performance and can stress the amp. After which, at that point, it might end up on my bench, or one of my lab mate's benches,... and we don't want that, we want it to run well for you. Depending on how much you play, a tube swap (the amp equivalent of a car tune-up and oil change) should be done every 12 to 18 months if you're a gigging musician,... every 24-months if you play less. Take good care of the amp and it will take care of you. Always take it to Line 6 authorized service center for checking out and servicing. In the meantime, lock-n-load the rock-n-roll!

Could be a slight ring,... do you use a high level of Reverb? Noise floor and a lot of Reverb, at high amplitude can do this. Could be a tube going microphonic at high gains. The tubes in the DT Series of amps are chosen to be "low microphonic", so that this won't happen. But maybe one is on the edge.

I figured, you sound like you know guitars,... I too have built and repaired many a guitar in the last (almost) four decades. The one thing I've found servicing and playing JTV's is that,.... these aren't our father's Gibson Arch-top Electric Guitars anymore (I know, I own Gibson Archtop and three JTV's). It's not the kitty-cat, it's a Tiger,... so it has to be stroked and cuddled a little differently than the usual cat. Maybe thousands of other guitarist use what they use,... you own a JTV, you've stepped up into another class of guitar and guitar playing. Even with my decades of experience working on and playing guitars,... even for me there was a slight learning curve, but only a slight curve. I've learned how to cuddle under the chin of this Tiger.

Does it sound like a fax machine over a phone line, or a whistling kind of whine?

Thanks, I remember this audio file. Hear what you mean, definitely odd. I'll have to see if I can reproduce it here.

Are these older patches saved from v1.71 to v1.90 from Workbench? There may be a patch format compatibility glitch. I'm told that a patch or two might have distortion from that. Haven't had one come across my bench yet. If it's Howling and whistling, the JTV probably needs it's intonation dialed in closer. If it's a warbling sort of buzz, the magnetic pick-up height may need adjusting. The Magnetic field can pull on the string causing buzz and warbly distortions. -psarkissian

Things to consider with fret buzz--- Set-up,... neck relief and string action are things that relate to fret buzz. Need a guitar tech for that. Also,... have him check the nut slots at the headstock, and make sure the slots have been de-burred, a burr in a slot will give the same sound like fret buzz. I see that all too often, and mistaken for fret buzz. Have the guitar tech check the retainer nuts on the tuning machines, that they're properly snug. Don't do this yourself, have a tech do it, over torquing is bad. As well as all the mechanicals from tail piece to tuning machines.

True,... with the more resonant Models and Alt Tunings,... good technique and good execution is part of it. Nice thing about some of these Models is that they don't let me getaway with anything. Especially with these delay and reverb patches on the X3 Live at my bench. It forces me to not be sloppy with my technique and execution, or I'll hear it in a big way.