I wonder if anyone can help with a question? I've just got a new jtv59 but the volume on the modelled outputs is very low: I have to turn my amp up quite a bit to get the same volume level as my other guitars. Also, the volume from each model seems to vary significantly, which would make switching models in a live situation quite tricky. I've gone into the workbench and increased the volume on each model by 6dD which seems to be the max it will allow, but the modelled outputs are still much lower than the output from the magnetic pickups. So, I have two questions: 1) is it possible to increase he overall volume level so that it can match standard magnetic pickups; and 2) is there some way the volume level from each model can be equalised? Unfortunately, if I can't get these issues sorted out I'll need to return the guitar because it is not really useable at a gig. Thanks for any help you can give.
FOLLOW UP: Many thanks for your suggestions. I have tried the following: a) reinstalling firmware v.2.1 - no change; B) I tried v.1.9 based on some suggestions, but no joy there either; c) installed v.2.1 again (just in case!) - still no improvement; d) checked settings in Workbench - nothing unusual. So it looks like I may have a dud. I think I'll return the guitar to see if a replacement improves things. I'll let you know how I get on.
FINAL COMMENT: I got a second JTV59 and had similar problems with it - volumes on modeled tones were slightly better than the first one, but still significantly lower in some cases than the magnetic pickups. Spank and Jazzbox models were particularly underpowered. Because of this, I returned to second guitar to the retailer too. I've now decided, with some regret, to abandon Variax and get something else instead. After having problems with two separate guitars, I don't think I'll ever get the "play me now" vibe from a variax. A few other points I might make in case anyone from the QA department of Line 6 reads this:
a) Setup: For a guitar costing well in excess of €1,000 the setup was poor - action at the nut on both guitars was very high. I normally play heavier gauge strings than the 10s the guitars came with, but fretting up to the third fret was much more difficult than it should have been. Basically, if you spend that amount of money on a guitar, it shouldn't be necessary to spend another €100+ on a guitar technician to get the setup adjusted.
b) Individual string volumes: In many of the models, the volume of the individual strings was not balanced, particularly the higher strings, but it also affected the A string on some of the models. There may be some guitarists who prefer to have the volume on the E and B strings lower than the other strings, but I'd imagine that they are in a minority. I think a basic test to make sure that each model has a balanced string volume should be done before the guitar leaves the factory.
Well, that's it from me. Thanks once again for the comments and suggestions.
