dkemusic

You can use Workbench to restore the model if you made a backup of the models prior to deleting. If you used Workbench HD backup's are automatic so you could restore from there. The old Workbench you had to do the back up yourself. Dan

I always download the firmware first and then update from file with monkey. I've never had much success using monkey for the whole update. Dan

I'd definitely have MF send another one. Dan

I'd be surprised to see any further updates on the software barring any a bad bug popping up. I'm just surprised how many people complain but can't make any effort in adjusting their amps/effects for the new models. I completely agree line6 blew it balance wise with some of the new models and it's not good of them expecting owners too have to fix it, but that doesn't make the models themselves bad. Dan

I believe the peizo's are soldered in so if you're comfortable with soldering shouldn't be too bad. As for balancing the volume just plug your guitar into the amp while you adjust the levels in workbench.

From what I can see in pic of it on the l6 site it uses the same bridge as the 59, if so you just use one of the allen wrenches to turn the support post(s) in/out to the desired height. Dan

Yeah, I like the new HD models for the most part and I like my JTV better than my 700, but the rick models just fall short. Dan

Yeah I rarely use Amplitube, GR, or Podfarm on the acoustic models unless I'm going for some kind of effect. I just treat it like it was a recorded acoustic. Dan

Yeah I had big hopes for the JTV and the Rick models figuring 10 years newer tech there would be substantial improvement, but the improvement was really little to none over the previous generation other than the ability to alt tune now. Dan

To my way of thinking there would be little purpose for an acoustic amp model since you are already playing thru full range studio speakers. Some EQ, Compression etc, should get you a great tone. I some times use Pod Farms pre-amp models with my JTV acoustics but usually just EQ, and compression. Dan

I just use a standard guitar stand like the one below. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/musicians-gear-tubular-guitar-stand Dan

No the pitch shifting is up to +/- one octave. Dan

My JTV59 works fine. It's was from one of the first few batches of 59's. I've only dealt with Line6 support once that I can think of and everything was handled well and too my satisfaction. Dan

I would like an SG, and possibly a nylon model, and maybe a bass guitar model or 2. I wouldn't be interested in paying for new models though. Dan

I wouldn't go so far as too say the v1.9 doesn't sound like a Strat. Whether you've been playing for 37 years, or 1 doesn't make it any less accurate a model than the 2.0 version (and I've been playing for 48+ years). As to which is better I think they're both good, just different from each other. Dan

I definitely like my JTV59 more than my V700 which I haven't touched since I bought the JTV. The V700 is a nice guitar but for me JTV is better in pretty much every way. Dan

I think most people are hearing the sounds of the actual strings, which are surprising loud for an electric guitar, but some are obviously having a genuine problem if it can still be heard in a direct recording. There have been times I'd swear I hear ghost notes with my JTV59 but I haven't bothered to record it, other times I'm sure it IS the acoustic sound of the strings. I will say my JTV59 seems way more resonate (I can hear the strings above the amp) than either my Gibson SG, or Variax 700. Dan

The overall volume of the various models doesn't really bother me, but like you I've found the balance between strings poor on many of the models. Dan

Personally I don't think the video is really making a fair comparison. It's common knowledge many of the 2.0 models are lower in volume, comparing them without compensating for the volume difference between the 2 is not a valid comparison IMO. You can't make comparisons just plugging the guitars in, you need to also set the amp up for the guitar. That said the more I use 2.0 the more I notice that particularly the G thru hi E strings are too low even compared to low E thru D and some models those strings don't even sound like they are on the same guitar. Overall I still think 2.0 is quite an improvement on the most of the models, but I do think the volume and balance need to be tweaked on quite a few of the models, the strats, semi's, and rbilly's in particular. I hope that is something that the next update covers, It's quite evident in the video as well that the top strings are lacking balance (at least to me). Dan

I've used the old workbench interface with my JTV, the one included with my JTV59 look identical to the old interface. Dan

I think the v2.0 version is a lot better than v1.x. If the octave sounds on the E & A string weren't so poor the Variax would finally have a very good Ric 12 string model, as is too me it's passable for solo work and pretty decent for rhythm. The Acoustic 12 strings I think sound very close to a real 12 string. Dan

I'd give my JTV59 a 4/5, I'd give it 5 but the 12 string electrics still aren't quite there. Finish, and playability are great. Dan

From a quick run thru the HD update does seem better on all models. The chime 12 string is quite a bit better with a lot less warble and pitch artifacts, the low E & A string still seem a bit dead compared a to real 12 string but overall the 12 string is much more usable. The rest of the models do seem livelier. To me the attack seems better, before the models always seemed a bit mushy for lack of a better word. Workbench is a lot nicer and easier to get around in, and less confusing. Haven't spent a lot of time with it but definitely as big improvement. Dan

Nice comparison's. I agree the JTV sounds alot better than the 500. It's been awhile since I've had my 700 out, but I don't remember the difference between it and my JTV 59 sounding that pronounced. The second vid to me show's that while the JTV's are good they are dead sounding compared to the real thing, they're just lacking the livelyness to me. I've even noticed on my JTV59 the mag p/u's sound quite a bit livelier to me vs the models. Maybe the coming HD models will get it sounding closer. Still I really like the JTV's they're just very versitile. Dan