ricrum

Hi all. This is my first time posting on the Line 6 forums. Last week I replaced all of the piezos on the trem bridge of my JTV-69, and I just feel compelled to contribute to the conversation by sharing my results with everyone here (and there) who might be considering doing the same to their Variax. I have to say that I'm amazed with the results of this definite "upgrade", and while I'm at it, I also want to thank everyone for the various forum posts asking for, and generously giving information on how to (and whether to) go about this procedure. To explain further, my need to replace them was based solely on the fact that while replacing the stock neck with the most common one from Stu-Mac, I apparently (subconsciously) made upward saddle height adjustments while the strings were fully tensioned (in tune) - and this resulted in having slightly stripped saddle screw threads. Makes sense when you consider that those screws are stainless steel while the saddles themselves are made of aluminum. DOH!! So after performing with the guitar for a few months, I started having problems with fret-buzz that increased through the shows - and I soon realized that the saddles where creeping lower due to my hard rhythm strumming and the resulting vibrations at the point of contact with the piezos. With THAT revelation - I had to get creative quickly 'cause this is my one and only electric ax at this time, and having to raise the saddles again during every break was aggravating to say the least. Let the frustrations with Line 6 BEGIN!!! When I bought the guitar I knew from research before-hand that parts are available through Full Compass. Trouble is, their website only shows items that are the most commonly replaced by "do-it-yourselfers"...........piezos included. So I emailed them asking how to go about ordering new saddles. They replied that those are available by special-order only, and that's done only by phone. So I called and ordered a full set of them (forty seven dollars and change - including shipping), and waited........................and waited........................and waited, etc., etc., etc. They withdrew the funds from my checking account immediately and sent an email confirmation with order number and a statement that they will send another email as soon as shipping has occurred. A month later - no 2nd email, and still waiting......................and waiting. Called them at the end of the 5th week and was told that they still haven't received them from Line 6 and asking me to be patient. So I waited another 3 weeks and called again. The gentleman said that he will look into it and call back with whatever information that he can find out. Two days later I got an EMAIL (not a phone call) from this same associate telling me that "those items have been discontinued by the manufacturer". OK, that concludes my ranting of frustrations. Back to being further creative, and afraid to go the route of fixing the threads with LocTite or any other brand of "thread repair" because I had read plenty online about the need for an absolute need for the best path to ground from the piezos through the saddle casing and adjustment screws. I didn't want to risk compromising any of that by putting an epoxy between screw mating surfaces. So I got a hold of Graph Tech to find out what my options are there. They were not only quick to respond, but VERY informative about the best or most common solution for my needs. If anyone is interested - the Ghost Saddle set to get for the JTV-69 is (as stated by a few others in different forum threads) part or set # 6RH PN-8102-RO or simply PN-8102-RO, (with another variation showing RH at the end of the # string). I did find them at a lower cost ($106.21) on eBay than what Graph Tech is selling them at, so do some online shopping. Also, just as a side note. My original piezos are available to anyone who might be interested in taking them off my hands. They're in perfect working condition and I have them up for sale on eBay. And feel free to ask me any questions you might have about my process of doing this mod. I have a few helpful details and I'll be more than happy to give back by sharing them here.