warcloudwells

I'm a longtime garage-band-quality Variax + 500X player just recently wanting to see a laptop display of the FX/AMPS/CONTROLLERS from a few feet away. W10 and 17-inch HP laptop. Wanna make minor tone tweaks during rehearsal and save them while playing thru PA. Dum question I guess but I have to put on glasses and scrunch down to see the smallish 500X display. Sorry if this is actually a Windows question, but I'd really like a fullscreen display. And while I am embarrassing myself, why can't 500X Edit toggle to a stereo signalpath waveform display, eg. freq vs amplitude on the very same laptop. That would be cool. Huh? warcloudwells

Yaay. Ditching the dongle worked. I had not read about that trick before. However, interesting that it took maybe four times longer thru the HD500X. I'm just glad my -59 did not get reset - I use all the customs, and probably could not rebuild them. Thanks Cruisinon.

Yikes, after about four years of routinely using workbench, just now, my 59 connected briefly, but had an upload error, then won't connect at all. Details: Got both green lights on the USB adapter as usual Tried launching workbench after guitar connected. Alternatively adding connection with workbench already running Battery freshly charged. Re-loaded Workbench with latest version Verified that all custom presets are still in the guitar by connecting to my HD500X. All normal thru headphones. What am I missing? warcloudwells

My garage band wants to do the Pitbull Fireball tune. I'm rookie/learning, and in Workbench, dialed in the Acoustic3 (O-18) model, added +3 half steps and put it into Custom2, position 1 on my JTV-59. And then plugged headphones into the 500X with my custom (no-amp) patch that normally creates lovely acoustic tones thru FRFR amp in our rehearsal space. Brittle crap I hear thru headphones just now. All latest firmware/software. How to get that nylonish parlor sound that rocks the badass Cuban groove of this tune? But it must have a soft acoustic guitar sound in fast-fast 1/16ths with lots of palm muting. warcloudwells

I'd weigh in with this advise - no expert. My -59 suffered "cable pull" damage months ago. I had random crackling noise thru the 500X, and worked thru the nasty issue until last week, when I screwed out the jack plate, quickly discovering that the VDI female connector was cracked/broken. I then applied a superglue repair and it is reliably holding in all the VDI (Ethernet-style) connections, although the metal VDI release tab was also glued firmly. So, on the -59, it is always a pain to release the VDI, and now it just slips out smoothly. So, no big deal to bring cable around your strap. Can play all nite, no noise. and to your specific problem, pull the plate. Possibly, all this colorful forum font will relax. Heh. Ordered a new -59 jackplate ($41) from a music Etailer "Full Compass" and playing a gig this weekend without it (they appear to be "slow boat anti-amazon"; really....two weeks to ship..?) Pull your -59 jackplate, you may discover the root cause of your problem. Hope helping, warcloudwells

So last nite I plug in thru VDI to 500X and out to FRFR room amp. Standing motionless, the JTV-59 erupts in a NASTY CRACKLE (previous string title) that is nicely (kidding) framed by the amp model's plate reverb. Really horrible. Switch to 1/4-1/4 and internal power and the rest of the rehearsal is OK. There is something really WRONG WITH THIS GUITAR. Just tried to open a ticket, and seemed to hit a firewall of resistance....How do you open a service ticket? Can one of those charming gurus please contact me? This JTV is going into the closet, and the LP standard and Acoustic are going to my next gig with me. Tired now. warcloudwells

OK reflashed firmware via Monkey (one time) and headed off to band practice last nite. BTW I'm using Windows10 without any issues with the L6 apps. Still having SAME noise problems with my now-more-annoying -59. Using the new heavy duty Bestronics VDI cable into the 500X, not forcing anything, and the crackle occurs randomly while playing, when it happens, I'm not changing models just playing or resting between tunes. I roll off the volume pedal for a moment flip the 3-way switch, touch the VDI connector, roll on volume and she's quiet again. I'm using custom 1 loaded with my five favorite models and the noise does not seem to be related to a model change It seems that I'm the only one with this random crackle issue and I guess I'll open a ticket. We have a gig on Labor Day and I need to hang on to her until then. UPDATING....I did not perform the reflash correctly, as I allowed Monkey to upgrade only the "USB Firmware" portion. Upon deeper reading the support pages, I learned that I had not reflashed the "Flash Memory" portion. The L6 support instructions are not totally clear (to us rookies) on what a "complete" reflash actually is - a minor quibble on my part. Now I know that I had never affected the "Flash Memory" since I got this guitar 15 months ago. It was sitting at V2.00 and now, finally, I've got it up to the current V2.21. My second minor quibble, although a bit more direct, is: ALTHOUGH I HAVE CONNECTECTED TO WORBENCH HD WITH MY -59 MANY TIMES, IT HAS NEVER INFORMED ME THAT MY FLASH MEMORY WAS NOT CURRENT. We are all supposed to be trained IT engineers? Why can't Workbench announce this? Hey, I admire all you guitar scientists that have it all figured out, but I'll also remind that some of us came out the groovy analog world after decades of playing. Whoa I'm moving from "quarter-quarter" to ethernet guitar cables...maybe too fast. Nah, just kidding. I love the sound of this guitar, and the "one-guitar" convenience. I am having occasional nasty crackle noise problems, And will report back after this Wed Nite rehearsal. Thanks all, warcloudwells specs following: [Monkey 1.7.1, JTV-59, USB Firmware 1.03, Flash Memory 2.21, Workbench 2.12, often confused]

I have been having a similar problem with -59 VDI'd into a 500X. Except when the "model resetting glitch" briefly occurs, the is a loud crackling occurring once or twice during a rehearsal session. I roll off volume, flip switches and knobs, jiggle the VDI, then resume playing as if nothing happened. I had posted the "Nasty Crackle" string a couple months ago, and thought I had repaired it with a new VDI cable. Well it's back, it seems. Running 2.12.0 firmware in the -59. And not forcing anything from the 500X. I change guitar models and amp models separately and independently. Nothing fancy. Im still learning. In fact I am not sure how to fore a reflash from the Workbench HD app. Is that via the "Trasnfer/upload all to Variax" pulldown? I have certainly read that reflash is a mystery "fix" Can someone enlighten me. I'll report back in a couple days after next rehearsal. I've not ruled out a hardware problem with the -59 either. Its 15 months old and can behave a little bitchy sometimes. Thanks all warcloudwells

OK, another update after last night's practice. Over the last week, I acquired a new VDI cable, which is also the subject of other current strings on this forum. I went with the Bestronics cable, which they will custom-make to your length spec. The 10-footer I acquired (about $25+$15 shipping) feels like a far better cable than Line6's 25-footer, great connectors, and of course the perfect length - I don't get very far from the 500X pedal. And the good news....no crackle, same playing experience as the 1/4-inch guitar cable, and no disapproving stares from bandmates following a noise tantrum with the Line6 25-footer. I still get a subtle snap with some model changes, I think I can live with that. The crackle sure seems fixed with the new cable. Now I can go back to working on amp models. The Bestronics VDI cable rocks. Try one.

Crackle update......Enjoyed band practice this week, and for first time, played only through the 1/4 cable. At first felt weird "running on internal power", but still had two greens on battery condition after about three running hours. Now, I've read forum some strings that suggest different model sounds thru 1/4 vs VDI. I did think it was different, but in a pretty subtle way. Lester was (maybe) fatter, and acoustics had (maybe) more presence. Probably close enough to same thru 500X and FR stereo room monitor. Didn't send to board, and not the subject of this string anyway... No crackle occurred. Perfect all nite. Well except for a subtle snap between models off the 3-way switch (-59). That snap, I thought, was fixed in the latest JTV upgrade - I am running the latest, and had been pleased the snap/click had gone away earlier this year - all VDI playing. In fact, thru 1/4 cable, I could fidget with the switch and promote more or less snap. Can you guys get a snap/click out of the switch on a -59 via 1/4? So I'm thinking maybe the switch is noisy. It is mechanical after all. Should I replace? The snap would be unacceptable for model changes during recording, but is probably OK for rehearsals. Thanks

I've been waiting a few weeks to post this issue because rehearing only once a week I was not sure where the occasional noise came from. Usually, the rig (-59K VDI'd thru 500X, then 1/4 inch out to stereo FR amp room monitor) performs well for about the first hour, then it has a fit of noise, then nice and quiet for the last two hours. Weird. All latest firmware and software. During the noise tantrum, I'd jiggle the VDI connectors, and kick the 500X around a bit without discovering the root cause, because it would resume noise-less behavior before I finished jiggling things around Just last nite, I switched to a plain Ethernet cable, from the OEM Line6 cable, and sure enough, the recurring snap/crackle returned about an hour into practice, then went away. This time at least I focused on the 3-way switch on the -59 and it seemed to be the culprit, most likely. So switch grounding or static buildup?? Anyone have this happen on a -59? I have not disassembled anything yet, but it would be nice if a switch changeout could fix this really annoying bad habit. Otherwise love the rig. And where to get best new switch? I'd like the change the delicate little thing anyway. I use it a lot....well I guess we all do. Heh. warcloudwells

A factory switch recall would be nice, because my 10-month old -59 has a flimsy feel, played weekly. I stroke the switch carefully, unlike my sturdy LP standard which has been languishing in the guitar closet. I miss the LP action (D'addario 10's both) because I've never been able to get the -59 to play as sweetly across the whole fretboard after a couple adjustments. I think the jumbo frets are the reason. But still, as with most of you Homers, I am so thrilled with the unbelievable tonal potential of the JTV, I'll grit it out a little while longer. Oops, slightly off topic.....dang flimsy switch annoying. Warcloudwells

Finally, a string that I can throw in some rook advise. I can suggest an entry level dream rig that will definitely rock a small rehersal space. I've been steadily expading my smack (playing mostly rhythm) with a semi-working band and have had my -59 for two months and the 500X for seven months. Previously switching between LP and acoustic for female-lead repertoire, mostly a hobby band, but really good musicians. I always wanted to sound tight, accurate and rich in the room, as well to the board. I also drag all my gear to Wed rehersals, and the "one guitar" Variax solution has become a big hit for me. So - relative to the subject - what single amp provides great presense in a modest rehersal space? Also, I demand a stereo image (like headphones) next to my ear, and of course tweeters that display those great models across the room. The solution that works for me is the -59 models (still learning, and up to 2.1 with no problems whatsoever), playing thru the 500X amps, in stereo, thru an Acoustic AG120S. Its; got adequate power for the sometimes loud room, and I assume will be fine along the back line next real gig. I can report to all you high-end players that the -59/500X/Acoustic AG120S amp are really really good to my still-good, but ageing ears. And I carry one guitar, one pedal board, and one amp to practice nites. It is my dream rig, I got your blue tooth amp right here. The amp weighs less than my previous Deville 410, but still a bit heavy - but it is actually two amps with great image when pointed up toward you ears in a hot room. Downside:The Acoustic AG120S is not pro gear, there can be some clipping and noise, But to my ears it has thrilled me each of the last few rehersal msessions with TWEETERS has changes my style a bit. Try the T-model twang....oh yeah. And Lester is better than ever. So, there it is - under 500 bones for a single-handle stereo guitar amp that has some balls. Maybe not FRFR, but works for me and reduces gear hoofing. Warcloudwells, rock on.

With three rehersal jams under my belt with new JTV-59 (HD fw 2.0), VDI'd to 500X, and LR 1/4'd to new Acoustic 120S "FRFR" stereo room monitor, and of course balanced LR to board, well, I've assembled my version of a Dream Rig. It sounds fabulous and my bandmates are very complementary about the range of guitar sounds and the crisp presense in the Acoustic amp - tweeters baby. But I am having serious trouble getting all the pieces to play together well on the fly - hence "Distracted Playing". Maybe just more time will fix this, but my ageing brain cell kinda longs for the old days - where you just plugged into your favorite amp. So I'd like to initially pose two questions, and then maybe this string will reveal you experts' shortcuts and advise. Question 1 - What level to leave the -59 volume knob? I'd like one less knob to turn between tunes. Changing guitar models, 500X amp models, and even room amp gains - well that's a big workload, I'm looking down at my gear, missing vocal cues, and generally being distracted by my gear. I've been workbenching the -59 model levels between rehersals (Spank up, Lester and Acoustics down), and going the right direction there, with more tweaking to go. But I was getting surprising thin guitar sounds this week when I realized the guitar volume knob was down to about 30%. Crap - too many knobs - I'd like to leave the volume knob alone at say 80% and tweak all the guitar models and Amp models I use in the 500X accordingly. I should say I play mostly rhythm and must switch deftly between electric and acoustic. Used to take maybe 10-12 seconds putting down the trusty Les Paul, picking up the acoustic stomping the Morley switcher, and switching 500X banks. Question 2 - How to get great acoustic tones by simply turning the model knob and switching user banks on the 500X pedal? That's two simple actions that should take 4-5 seconds and that first opening acoustic strum should just be perfect. Well that takes practice, practice, practice I guess. I switch 500X banks because I put acoustic voices together - all without amps, just pre's and various EQ and modulation effects. And I know the -59 custom 1 is a good short cut, but have not workbenched that yet. How would you guys make the switch without fumbling, keeping eye contact with bandmates and having the confidence that first strum would nail it? Love this gear, but sometimes feel I have created a monster.

Make sure you are using the correct powerbrick for the 500X. Do not assume (as I initially did) that an X3L brick would power the 500X. We it kinda did, but sometimes the Line6 logo would just flash repeatedly - as you noted. Also check the your 500x brick is providing 9VDC.

Guess I can weigh in on this issue with no issues at all with my month-old -59 and OEM FW 2.0, without any reflashes. All strings have proper relative levels and all I've done in Workbench is lower the Lester gains that I commonly use. I'll eventually fine-tune the acoustic models and that quirky banjo. I'm lovin' the -59 and 500X setup, and get really positive comments from bandmates. Wish the model knob had LARGER FONT though. Much to learn, however.

Thanks for reply. Sounds like we are similar musical situations, and we are also good customers of L6. For now, I'll focus a question regarding the acoustic voices from the -59, thru the 500X amp models and to the room. I've not played thru the DT amps, or any real full range PA for that matter. Some of our covers, like Bonnie Raitt and Cheryl Crow demand acoustic presense that my 4-10 probably fails to deliver in the room. I'd like to hear that faithfull presense in the room during rehearsals (that often include full drums and full percussion sets in a too-small room). I'm leaning into my amp to heart myself often - OK well maybe the ears are not what they used to be. So I'm asking if a DT25 would hold up to my room needs. Geez I dont want to lug any more gear (just carry one guitar now - yay!), but what full-range amp will meet my needs? Of course the question goes out to the whole community, but be specific, I'm not an experienced gear head, but may need an amp that better fits the amazing JTV acoustic models in a small live room. Then....more questions. Thanks.

I play in a semi (OK, rarely)-working band featuring female lead vocals and R&B slant. I play rhytm thru a HD500X and Fender 4-10 Deville for room, and balanced L/R to the board. I previously switched between real acoustic and LP standard, with four nice well-sorted voices for each guitar. After reading the forum for the last month, I bought the -59 a couple weeks ago and kinda got it figured out after hours of study - and thanks to all you forum posers. Previously, I'd switch guitars and had all the levels nicely balanced thru the 500. I'm running HD V2.0 in the -59 with ethernet cable, but have read the pro/con posts on previous JTV firmware versions. So, here are my very first impressions in a real studio (yeah, converted garage) playing environment, where my mates generally scoff at digital anarchy. And as mentioned, I'm pretty much a newbie at guitar models, but have loved the evolution of L6 pedalboards and amp models for years. Pretty sure that I've fine-tuned the warmth of the LP and presense of the acoustic, with only ocassional leads. Guitar models I am positively thrilled at the Lester model, it feels and sounds so familiar, I kept returning to it for our familiar tunes. I know it is louder than the other electric models, but loved it. I suspect that I'll workbench it back to the other electrics over time, but it was just an excellent model on each toggle - and on the -59 it felt like my favorite home axe. I dabbled with the spank and Tele voices and found them faithful in the room thru the 4-10. I'ver not had time to show off most of the other electric voices. Now, the acoustic voices were well-received by my mates - even thru the flat 4-10 room amp (with a bit of treble push). The trick to acoustic playing is well documented in the forum and really true....man, you have to pretty much switch to feather-lite pick and lighten up. But the rewards are worth it. This was my first time in a lively room and I quickly adapted, but will probably workbench the models UP in level. Hey- there was no body resonance or feedback in a loud room as with dreadnought acoustic - an unadvertised feature. I tried out the spanky 12-string models, and they were well received, but I don't quite know how to fit them into the setlist at this time; maybe some EQ will smooth out the over-brightness of those octave strings. Overall, I was very happy withe the -59 models, although I stayed in Lester land a lot of the time. And I did see how to toggle between the Lester and acoustic voices in the forum - will set that up in the future. This was the first jam/rehersal where 80% of the time you are working on the band's overall soundscape. A few unwanted noises What is up with the pop/snap when stroking the tuning knob? Is this a -59 3-way toggle issue that does not exist with other 5-way toggles? It seemed associated with acoustic models, and I recall something about taming it with a 5300hz notch, or will this be fixed with future L6 firmware? It was really audible, but I guess it was rare, or manageable, when you know where the setlist is going.... Other than that pop, all was deathly quiet thru the ethernet-connected 500X, 1/4'd to the Fender amp. Nice. Action I've lowered the bridge over a couple of steps, but maybe I shave the nut to get a more slinky action with the stock '10s. My fingers are ageing, I think I love this guitar. It'll take a few more rehearsals to know for sure.

Oooh. I bow to the expert. But re-fretting surgery? I'll measure my other guitars' frets tomorrow, but am surprised that the -59 fret dimensions are so jumbo-ish (possibly coining a new word), as you suggest. Did I buy the wong JTV for mostly-rhythn playing? Other opinions on -59 box action?

I suppose, over the years, I've set my LP standard (10's) and Ibanez S520EX (9's) to slinky low-actions, I am surprised by the -59 acrion out of the box. I'm a long-time player, but relatively new to all this modeling. First reaction was to lower the bridge about 1/4 turn on hex wrench. Helped, but still not happy, with delicate ageing fingers. I think the -59 is stringed with '10s, and features this fancy "Black Tusq" nut, but the action is high for my taste as a rhythm player. Of course some string buzz is acceptable (in my analog historic world), partly because I'll play barre chords for hours. So, how do I get the action lowered to the minimums? Being a brand new guitar, I'll take it to the local tech at Guitar Center for recommendations. But, I can't help but wonder if I'm a crybaby about the action. Lots of players have reported that they like the string action out of the box. Matters worse, I think I'll need to go to 11's and lighter finger picking for the sparkling acoustic models. Thanks to the forum folks, warcloudwells

OK, in the light of the new day I got it. Sure enough, the drag-n-drop works fine from download file into HDEDIT. Got everything trweaked up and level-balanced. Just have to wait for next band practice. Thanks guys.

If I drop it into user 5A, it is empty. nothing. And User 1A still still appears to be be overwritten.

Dang, the unnamed download just wrote over my userA voice. I want to put it into user5A. Reget maybe dumass, but this is still not working. Step-by-step is needed.

92 custom tone downloads are listed for HD500X, but none of the instructions seem to sucessfully install them. My EDIT and MONKEY software/firmware is current. I got the downloads over to my windows (vista) computer but can't seem to move them into my SETLIST. Never attempted this before, caus' I'm enjoying my tweaked presets for the Les Paul and my acoustic tones so far. Yet the "compatibility list" seems to exclude what I am trying to do. I've used HD500 edit a lot, but now MONKEY does nothing for me since I upgraded from the old X3L. Those custom tones look pretty cool....how to get them transfered? warcloudwells

Had first band practice with new 500X, and got good results playing thru my 4-10 Deville (clean room monitor) and XLRs direct to board. I roughly set up my electric and acoustic guitar tones using the sweet edit program thru headphones and was very pleased at our rehersal space when plugging in. Now I have to tweak levels, add a touch of reverb to a couple of the super-dry voices like blackface lux and Bassman. Easy with Edit software, including sweek drag-and-drop into custom setlist. Nice. And regarding acoustic voices, I found at least 4 or 5 presets that are very good. Especially......Dreadnaught. Wow, good out of the box. Buyers remourse vaporized, I'm happy, tweaking, and looking forward to years of service. Poor X3L is heading to the backup gear closet. Thanks warcloudwells