Charlie_Watt

I think they build the JTV's in batches since the sales volumes are very low. They may just have plenty on hand still from the last build in 2014.

With all that info you provided your guess is as good as mine. :-( Maybe you forgot to turn it on?

I don't use them because I mostly use a Pod HD500x which has a VDI input that powers the Variax. When using directly to my amps, I just use the battery. I get lots of playing time with the battery.

I just checked Sweetwater and they have plenty of JTV's. Several of almost every model. No mention of closeouts. The discounted red model may not be available anymore but I think it's too soon to say that JTV's are out of production.

This unit came with the original variax 500 and acoustic 700. I have two of them. Never use them. I use VDI or battery.

Check the diode at the power input. Even a momentary connection of the battery backwards (easy to do!) will blow that diode. Make sure your batteries are good. Measure the battery voltage. It needs to be > 7Volts.

I bet that 90% or more JTV owners bought online. This is mostly because very few dealers stock these guitars and if they do, they have very few to try and they are often not in good condition. I don't like buying a guitar online and the only ones I have bought that way are my Variax 500 and my JTV 69S. That being said, I got good ones both times. I can't find a thing wrong with either one and I have had the 500 for a long time.

The latest JTV FW is 2.21

Not sure what is going on there but it's fine to use the VDI cable with the battery inserted. I do it all the time.

Perfectly Normal.

Sorry but I strongly prefer an external power supply like the one that comes with the pod. It keeps heat out of the unit and it is lower noise that way too because the power transformer is far from the electronics. I don't miss the power switch either. I switch everything with a power strip. my power strip has the prongs such that the adapter is across the strip so it does not block the other outlets.

I would try no amp. Best sound is through a PA or Full Range system not a guitar amp.

I have two grandkids! I resemble that statement!

It really does sound like the mags are blended in with the models. You should check this with WB.

If you use a Mono cable, you don't want to power the XPS box! If you are using the XPS for a reason, use the power and the TRS cable. Otherwise, don't bother with the XPS and just go right into your amp with a 1/4 inch cable and use the battery for power. The optimum solution is the VDI but you need to have a pod for that and I assume that you don't own one.

As everyone here said, this is not normal for this guitar. That being said, you should raise each string individually with the two screws in the bridge behind each piezo pickup. You should not have to move the whole bridge. I would send it back for a replacement if it is new.

One further issue I forgot to mention is that you would have to invent a way to turn the power on and off to the pickups. Normally, it is done with a third connection on the 1/4 inch jack. The JTV already uses this to turn on it's own electronics. If I were tempted to try this, I would try to use the JTV power to run the pickups rather than a 9V.

I have done EMG's in two of my guitars but I would still advise against it in a JTV.

I use a power strip that also has a transient suppressor in it. It has a switch.

I would be very careful installing active pickups. You have to make sure that no DC will get on the output signal to the electronics in the JTV.

If you are getting no green lights, then the battery holder / circuit is not working even if the battery is charged. There is a circuit in the holder that checks that the battery is genuine. I suspect that this circuit was not getting the right info. That I believe is the third connection in the holder. The charger only uses two connections. Maybe that third connection was not working for some reason. (crap on it or something) Sounds like it is solid for now anyway. Keep an eye on it!

I like my JTV69S better than my 500 but my 500 still rocks. (and it's over 10 years old)

Yes - all Variax models work with the VDI connection even if Workbench does not work on some combinations of Pod and Variax.

I would not hold your breath for a Variax update. I do not see one on the horizon.

They have a good reputation. Get on the phone and talk to them. Maybe you can return the neck and get what you want.