jpmull

Sometimes, it's about the space between the notes, man, not what you play, but what you don't play. But the face is always important. Lol.

Feature request: GFG - Guitar Face Generator. A new feature available via Firehawk/Helix that can be added to any boost or stomp switch. When you stomp on it, the JTV will apply a random voltage directly to the strings causing awesome facial contortions.

Next version is just gonna shut everything off if you suck...it's tentatively called the "auditory mercy protocol". ;)

The 2.0 firmware for the JTV included a Blood Alcohol Sensor. When it senses that you are too wasted to sing in a key, it drops the tuning down. Since it only went down a half step, you probably weren't too drunk. ;-)

As soon as you buy the Helix, news of a Double Helix will leak, it will be bigger, better, faster, have more I/O, and remind you of your significant other's birthday.  Short teaser video's of the Double Helix will be seen on Facebook, and you will watch them over and over, late at night.  When you tire of those, you'll scour Google and YouTube for every available link to feed the Jones.....  You will come to realize that there really isn't anything good in search results on page 23 of a Google search, but you will do it anyway.

For me, there is plenty of good tone in my Firehawk and I'm still learning how to tweak it and streamline tone creation and curation.  Your results will likely vary.  

Good luck with the fever, none of us are immune!

JP

I've been kinda looking for an option for bringing my Firehawk to Jams since I don't have an amp right now.  This might be a fun and portable option to connect to the Firehawk.  Stereo, Full range, can be battery operated, app to control it.  Thoughts?

http://www.sonicstate.com/news/2015/06/26/mackie-freeplay-personal-pa-ships/

JP

With luck the FireHawk foot pedals transmit MIDI messages via the USB Class Compliant interface  - but not holding my breath.

I have not seen any documentation about this, but I could try it out.

You have to get one of the USB interfaces which will connect the JTV to the Macbook via USB - it looks like you have to get one with the Workshop Software:

http://www.nstuffmusic.com/p-2455-line-6-workbench15ac-acoustic-15-variax-work-bench.aspx?gclid=CPOnv97Pg8YCFcITHwod8V0ATg

But if I were you, I would put that money towards a POD HD500, HD500X, POD HD Pro or FireHawk.

Perhaps you could find a used one on eBay, but I just did a quick search and came up empty handed.

Good luck.

Live Edit's the other big news—You can now edit amp, cab, and effects parameters without a mobile device. You can even edit them while playing.

So, I'm assuming you mean from a mac or PC for Live Edit?  It would be really cool if I could save a riff or lick, then edit from the app without the Firehawk, the way the pod app works.  In other words, work on my tones without a guitar or my device - commuting to work!  Lol

I just updated the apps on my phone and saw the attached. Looks like we got an app update which also requires a firmware update on the FirehawkFX. Looks like it includes a looper. I'm on vacation, so I can't test it out. Go get it!

JP

Joe, 

+1 on this topic.  It would be fun to have a browse function on the tones as opposed to having to search specifically for something.  I have not tried the tone match function because I use a streaming service for music as opposed to having songs in iTunes.  Even searching for a broad genre would be nice or perhaps even a guitar model for us JTV owners, e.g. Rock , Acoustic, Spank, Lester.

JP

From the iPad, switch to the Firehawk to display all of the patches.  In the upper right hand corner, look for "Edit" and tap it.  Now, the right hand column shows three horizontal lines next to each patch.  If you tap and hold these, you can drag patches to the location of your choice.  This will re-order the other patches and not overwrite any of the patches.  You can then put the patches wherever you want.

You could switch to the Bank (1-32) where you want the 4 tones, select the A/B/C/D location you want, then load the tone from the iPad.  The patch will have a period in the patch name indicating it has not been saved.  Then tap and hold the A/B/C/D button for the patch you just loaded util it blinks, then tap and hold it again to store it in that location.  This will overwrite the patch that was in that location.

JP

Yesterday, I traded in my pod HD500X for a Firehawk unit.  Before anyone calls me crazy, I want to explain why.  I usually only play in my house.  I play music and jam to it. I practice.  Occasionally, I get together with a buddy.  I don't own an amp.  Part of the fun for me is to design patches that sound like the songs I like to play.  Using the HD 500X to edit patches was a pain in the neck. I didn't like to edit patches on the unit, and the HD 500 edit program wasn't really working for me either.  If I edited patches on the unit, I was stopping and bending over just to make a tweak. If I edited the patch on the computer, I would have to sit down and I would often get distracted from playing.

When I had an X3 live, I created a midi template that would allow me to make patch edits on my iPad.  However, when I upgraded to the HD500X, the midi implementation was completely different.

So, I realize I've lost some functionality, but gained a lot more in the process. I think it fits my needs better than the HD500X.  Your results may vary.

Here are a couple of issues that showed up right away:

1. Bluetooth connectivity was kind of flaky at first. The unit would frequently disconnect from my phone or my iPad.  This document helps me troubleshoot the connectivity issues.  Turning off Bluetooth on my iMac and moving my iPad away from my iMac and my router made a big difference in connectivity.  Basically, try to eliminate any sources of interference with the Bluetooth signal.
2. When you initially connect your iPad to the FH, it takes a 30 seconds or so to transfer the patches to your iPad. Sometimes, it doesn't preload all of them at the same time, so if you are trying to scroll down to bank 25, you have to wait as it retrieves each bank from the FH.
3. Loading patches from the iPad works fine, but does take a few seconds, it likely wouldn't work if you were playing live and trying to switch that way. That being said, you can organize your patches, storing them wherever you want in any of the ABCD locations in any of the 32 banks. Then you can use the ABCD buttons to switch between them. Switching patches that way is very quick.
4. I don't keep music on my iPad, I use Beats music instead.  So, I didn't get to try out the tone matching yet.  Playing music from Beats works fine.
5. When switching between the FH application and other music applications on my iPad, the FH disconnects from the iPad.  It does reconnect automatically, but that takes a few seconds.
6. Using tone search, you can usually find a patch that gets you close and edit from there. Loading the patch from the cloud is as simple as tapping on it.
7. Editing patches on the iPad is fun and intuitive. Once a patch has changed, the title of the patch turns red indicating that what you are hearing is different from what is stored on the FH. You can save the changes to the FH from the iPad using the"Save info" button.  However, I find it easier to use the FH.  On the FH, the patch will have a period next to it's location in the title.  For Example "30D.Cray Clean" in its name, indicating that changes have been made. You can save those changes by tapping and holding the patch button, the FH will show you the patch location, Tap and hold again to save to that location. (If this is unclear, there are instructions in the manual for saving patches.)  Once the patch has been saved, the period disappears - "30D Cray Clean"
8. Making small changes to patches while playing is really easy and  doesn't require you to bend over and mess with the FH or use your computer.
9. As with all POD units, volume leveling between patches will likely be necessary
10. One thing I REALLY like is that stomps are color-coded, And the LEDs change colors, so you always know what effect is where, Making it easy to turn them on and off, and you don't get confused between patches. For example, MOD effects will always be blue, reverb effects will always be orange, regardless of where you put them in the signal chain.  Much easier than the HD500X where the LED's were all red and I had to remember where each stomp was for each different patch.
11. The tuner is cool, it shows up on the iPad, on the display on the FH, and the LEDs around the large volume knob.
12. Accessing the Varian settings for the patch is easy and works great.  Guitar Model, pickup and tuning are all assignable by patch.   Love switching from a Lester to a Strat to an acoustic at the stomp of a switch.

As far as the sound is concerned, the FH sounds fantastic! It has all of the HD models the pod HD500X has out of the box.  I don't think that it has the new HD models that were just released as an add-on. I'm not sure if those will be available for the FH in the future firmware add-ons.  I found many of the preloaded patches to be very usable. Since I use the JTV, It would be nice to see more acoustic presets.  I don't think it does dual tone patches, but I didn't use any anyways.  Patches from older PODS are not compatible with the Firehawk....  So, if you have a library of POD patches, it doesn't seem like you can just port them to your Firehawk - that is a bummer.

The build is very solid.  Good weight to it, but not as heavy as the POD HD500X.  Metal case.  The buttons are the same as the HD500X, except for the color coded LEDS.    The Drive, Bass, Mid, Treb, etc knobs are not notched, they are nice and smooth.  When you turn one, the LED's around the volume show you where the initial setting for that parameter was with a red LED, and White LED's show up as you turn the knob.  Cool!

The large volume knob works as a volume and blend control - like a mixer between the guitar volume and the music you are playing to.  It feels solid, and is notched, meaning it clicks as you turn it.  LED's light up for either.  You can also adjust the volume and blend from the iPad etc.  I would have liked a little more control here, the volume jumps between the clicks a little too much for my liking.  But, it's easily fixed by using the volume on the iPad as well.

Expression pedal is a little cheaper then the HD500X, but is very solid still.  Works fine and is assignable like the other PODS.

Overall, I'm loving it.  Let me know if you have any questions.

JP

I typically play 10's, but I tried 9's on my 59 based on Sean Halley's recommendation I saw on YouTube.  

I had a lot of trouble with them.  I wouldn't consider my touch to be real heavy, but the 9's, combined with the jumbo frets was giving me real problems with chords and power chords being in tune.  I guess I was pushing the lighter strings all the way to the fretboard, far enough to throw the chord just slightly sharp.  Switching back to 10's fixed the issue.

I suppose if you are used to the frets and have a lighter touch, your results may vary.  If you have been playing an Ibanez with thinner frets and a flat neck like I was, you may have the same problem. 

But hey, it costs you less than $10 to try them out for yourself, that's the best way you'll find out.

I'm not spamming the forum, I just thought some of these were funny.

I came across these in looking at some of the NAMM coverage.

http://neckillusions.com

Surely not for everyone, but a simple way to change the look of your guitar.

JP

Thanks!  Sounds easy enough.

JP

Hi, 

Last night, while changing strings, the nut on my JTV-59 came unglued and fell off the guitar.

Does anybody know what type of glue I should use to secure it back in place?

Thanks, 

JP

Here is another sighting.  This is from a Truefire.com lesson series Jennifer Batten (Michael Jackson) just released.  There's lots of you tube vids of her playing this customized variax.

You might want to check that Logic doesn't have any sends set up with effects on the sends or effects on the master channel.  My JTV's models are all clean, meaning there are no effects included in the modeling.

I'm the same kind of player you are, I rock my bedroom/office!

I went with the HD500X for my JTV and then I run the output of my HD500X through some decent studio monitors (http://www.sweetwater.com/c405--Active_Monitors).  This is probably a similar solution to the FRFR deal, but takes up less space and is probably cheaper.  The studio monitors have a flat response compared to regular powered computer speakers.  I just connect them to the 1/4 output jacks and have stereo out from the POD.

When I connect the POD to my MAC, I can use WorkBench and HD edit to alter patches on the JTV or the POD.  The POD also serves as the audio input/output device for the MAC so I can cue up songs in a playlist using iTunes or Beats and jam away.  If I need to keep the noise level down, I disconnect the speakers and plug in headphones.

Don't get me wrong, I drool over the full dream rig, but I really don't need it.  The studio monitors are plenty loud enough for me.  If I ever get into a band, maybe that will change, but at this point, that's not really in the plans.

I was initially intrigued by the Amplify, but none of the patches I have made would work on the Amplifi.  Also, I'm a little suspect of the audio quality of Bluetooth streaming.  Since I play mostly in my bedroom/office, I'm close to my computer and don't mind running a USB cable to the POD.  The tone matching might be useful, but part of the fun for me is trying to recreate the tones I hear on the songs I play to.  I don't necessarily want to just download someone else's tone and jam.

Keep in mind that the tone patches are not compatible between the Amplifi and the POD.  As I understand it, any patches you create on one of them will need to be recreated if you want to switch later - I think this is a pain.

To make your decision, there is always this:  http://line6.com/fx100/   Looks like a POD footboard form factor with the iOS remote app.  I don't know much about it yet, but seems like that would be an option too.

Good luck with your decision.

I'm not trying to insult you, but try googling how to "string a guitar'. There are a couple of things I learned from doing that even though I had been playing for years. So, make sure you are stringing the guitar correctly and stretching the strings. Some people have also swapped out the tuners for locking tuners.

When I got my 59, I thought I was having tuning and intonation problems. It turns out, I needed to lighten my touch. I was used to playing an Ibanez with low action and low frets. I found that the JTV's frets were higher off the fretboard. So, when I was fretting a note, I was pushing the string all the way to the fretboard and causing the note/chord to drift slightly out of tune.

This got worse when I tried a set of nines for strings because they were so slinky.

If you swapped out the tens for nines, try to lighten your touch on your left hand and see what happens. It takes some time to change your technique, so I put tens back on and that helped.

Find these vids on you tube: Gibson Guitar Tutorial: Joe Walsh - Guitar Setup

Joe shows how he sets up his guitars and keeps them in tune. It's also a great tutorial for learning Joe's guitar face!

Okay, I had a chance to play with this a little and it works the way I would want it which is this: Let's say I save a high gain patch with Lester-1 selected (Lester with Bridge Pickup Selected).  I then save a clean sounding patch with the Spank-3 selected.  Now when I select my high gain patch on the HD500X, the Lester-1 patch is automatically selected for me. (regardless of the guitar's current model or toggle position.)  While on that patch, I can use the toggle to go between Lester pickups.  When I then switch to the clean sound, Spank-3 is selected and the toggle now changes between Spank pickups.  

This is how I prefer it, but your opinion may vary.

For this to work, make sure that in HD Edit, in the Mixer section, look for the Variax Section.  Make sure Local Control is "Unlocked", Variax Control is set to "Preset" and that the Model is the Model you want as the default guitar model for the patch.  Then make sure you send the patch to the HD500X.  You also have to be using a VDI cable.

It can be a little confusing when switching between patches, because the guitar may not always have it's toggle in the position you are hearing.  I quick flip up or down and then back on the toggle fixes that.

This works well when your POD patch plays well with all of the models assigned to one toggle bank, but for example, if you have a 12 string, then an acoustic, then a lead tone set up on your toggle, they all run through the same POD patch.

I hope that this is a behavior that can be switched on and off. I actually would prefer it this way since I like it when I set the model with a patch on the hd500x and then use the toggle to go between models of the same guitar.

But, I can see the other way being useful too. I tend to keep the model banks somewhat similar to the default for each guitar, but if you wanted to use the toggle to switch between electric and acoustic in a song for example, I can see that being useful too.

I'll have to check tonight to see if mine is doing the same thing.

Updated last night via the HD500X and it went smooth.  

I used Monkey to update everything on the computer first, then did the firmware on the JTV.

I was able to do it with the VDI cable alone and the HD500X which was cool.  I have always been suspect of the dongle....

Thanks for a smoother update!

Try this one:  StewMac  Its is for a Les Paul and is cheap enough so you could try it and if it doesn't work, toss it.  

There doesn't seem to be enough thread, so you may have to experiment with the nut on the toggle too.

I though I had heard of somebody using a poker chip for that too.

Good luck.