donmr

So does anyone know definitively if one can replace the neck on the Variax Standard with a stock Fender neck without major woodwork? Thanks Don

Thanks for that insight Geech. Thankfully Line 6 are being good enough to indulge me by taking this investigation seriously. Pilot error is of course the first thing I suspected however, after having half a dozen other pro guitarists check it out, all of whom were able to get the guitar to distort in the same way using alt tunings without any effort, there is a half decent chance it's not just me.

For anyone interested in this thread, Line 6 are still working on figuring it out at this stage. My most recent JTV69 has gone back to the distributor and they are working with Line in the US. I really hope they can solve this one!

Yes, as gearfarm just stated, this problem has nothing at all to do with fret buzz or any other mechanical aspect of the guitar setup. It is most definitely something happening within the digital electronics of the instrument as IT ONLY HAPPENS IN ALT TUNINGS!! After listening to the audio example I uploaded a while back, perhaps you could try recording some examples where you compare the output of the alt tuning vs standard tuning of various modeled instruments. It seems the increased output of the alt tunings is overloading some part if the D/A chain. (Note: performance of the mag pickups has never been an issue, nor have the modeled instruments in standard tuning).

Yep, tried every available firmware and tried various orders of installation. As you experience problems on a different combination of strings (A,G) to me (E,A,D) it would appear to be a somewhat varying problem in different instruments. My latest jtv is going back to the distributor tomorrow and I will demonstrate the problem to them again.

As far as playing too hard is concerned, SRV's playing style would make me look like a limp wristed pansy, as would many other guitarists. Bad technique? Works fine in standard tunings so unfortunately it's not a problem of poor technique. Why is the output from the modelled instruments higher in Alt tunings than in standard tunings? It seems to be this extra level causing some kind of digital clipping. This problem has occurred in several instruments and was eminently repeatable and demonstrable in all of them. Three of these were from the Australian distributor so I had my friend get one out of storage in LA to see if he could reproduce the problem and he could. That makes it unlikely to be a "bad batch" sent to Australia (talking guitars here, not convicts! ;) Having said all that, I am very gratified with the way the local distributor has tried to help out and encouraged that the person handling my support ticket is investigating! I REALLY want this to work!! Don

the thread seems to have gone cold but the problem remains. As stated in my first post, i really want this to work but... Anyone else care to select a model guitar (say an acoustic model), select alternative tuning (say half tone down) pick or strum firmly... any distortion? Then try standard tuning...any change in output level between standard tuning and alternate tunings?

I would not be at all surprised if this problem is directly related to the one I'm having. Definitely in the same ballpark I'd say.

yep did that last night

Yes it looks very much like an internal problem alt tunings. The waveform would certainly suggest that after having a good look at it in RX.

Hi GearFarm, I've noticed this distortion on E, A, D and G strings but not the B and high E. Mostly on the E, A and D strings but on occasion the G as well. And yes your right that it has nothing to do with the HD500 but that is the only way I can test the VARIAX output of the guitar which exhibits the same problems as the analog jack output.

Thanks for your reply, I will have a tweak with those settings but that does not explain why it happens using the guitar jack output as well as the Variax output. If you like i can upload another wave file just using the Jack out and you can see the waveform of the mags, then the model in standard tuning then the model with alt tuning and you will notice the level increases with each setting. The model guitars are hotter when an Alt tuning is selected compared to standard tuning. I think it does sound like some kind of digital clipping however I don't think it is in the POD HD 500 as I have tested it with hotter guitars without issue. I think it's most likely happening within the guitar electronics somewhere considering it happens just using a DI without any POD/AMP/Pedal etc.

To be 100% transparent It definitely happened here in Sydney with Gold JTV 59p, White JTV 69s and the most recent Blue JTV 69, all supplied by the local Line 6 importer (who has been most accomodating) and my friend in Los Angeles tried out my Black JTV 69 (which was in storage there) and says he found the same issue however I have not had sound files uploaded from this particular guitar so probably 95% sure this one does it too. I agree that 4 is a LOT of guitars to have this problem that's why I (like yourself) suspect some kind of pilot error, but if it is I am stumped as to what I might be doing wrong. I really hope it IS something I'm doing but I'm beginning to doubt it.

Thanks for your reply, Well I would classify myself as definitely NOT a super hard picker or strummer in the scheme of things and, it appears I can play how I like in standard tuning, just not in Alt tunings! I am more than happy to upload more audio files illustratuing how this effects a couple of real world situations if anyone is interested.

Thanks for your reply! I'm playing the JTV 69 through a DI when using the jack output and a Pod HD 500 (new tone setting i.e. nothing in the chain) when using the Variax output Problem is the same using Jack or VARIAX outputs. ALL models seem to do this ALL alt tunings seem to do it, some to varying degrees but definitely audible. STANDARD tuning seems ok. I have re flashed the firmware on all instruments using the supplied USB JTV interface. I have tried reverting to all previous available firmware versions accessible via Line 6 Monkey. I AM a guitar tech (I used to build and repair guitars years ago) so I'm reasonably competent with setting up a guitar for standard D'Addario EXL 140 10-52 gauge strings which I've been using for decades (along with thousands of other guitarists)

sounds ok if I pick lightly but it sounds ok if I pick hard too but ONLY in standard tuning (as you can hear in the sound file I posted)

Yep, direct DI into Pro Tools. nothing in the chain.

Yep, they're sitting well on the saddles. Also, if that was the problem one would expect the problem to manifest in standard tunings as well. Thanks for the try though!! Best Don

Interesting, although none of these instruments has had any trauma since they've been in my possession. On the boat from Korea... who knows? Perhaps something weird happens to piezos when they cross the equator!? P.S. If you're using 11s then that puts an end to my string gauge theory!

Wondering if there might be a Line 6 person lurking here that might like to have a crack at this one? best Don

Thanks for your input. I have tried lowering the individual string volumes however all that happens is the same problem occurs only at a lower volume. I will have another tweak just for the hell of it. What string gauge do you use just just as a matter of interest?

Yep it's THAT bad! I've owned hundreds of guitars over the past 45 years and seriously doubt it's me (although I always suspect pilot error first and most!). As I mentioned in my original post, the local importers have been very eager to help and I have been in there to demonstrate this very obvious problem much to everyone's consternation. A bad batch of instruments perhaps? Am I to go on to a 5th JTV? Like I said first up, I REALLY want this to work as it is a fantastic solution to a complex live situation I'm playing in a present.

Hi again, Here is a WAV file of the distorted sound on a modelled acoustic played with half down alt tuning then switched to standard tuning. The problem is painfully obvious. Same deal with all modelled instruments and it has been consistent on 4 JTV Variax guitars. All normal attempts at problem solving have not worked. 4 bad guitars in a row must be some kind of record!! https://www.dropbox.com/s/ykqm30sbgynw4xb/JTV%20fault%20demo.wav JTV 69, V2.0 I have tried all available firmware versions. I have tweaked the string and patch volumes till I'm blue in the face (almost)

Yes, I have tried this. I have tried significantly lowering both the string volumes individually as well as the master patch volume, all to no avail. The strings distort when played hard at any volume, but I repeat it ONLY happens with ALTERNATE tuning! The standard tuning position works without distortion so this is obviously something to do with alt tunings. Perhaps I should put a sound file up on soundcloud to illustrate. You could easily check to see if your JTV is doing the same thing by simply selecting a modelled guitar, try perhaps an acoustic, then select the alt tuning for half a step down and get a pick and pic firmly each string. I'd be thrilled if someone who uses 10-52 string guage would try this for me! Best Don

I SO want this to work but it just won't. I'm on to my 4th Variax JTV69 but have had the following problem with all of them. With the modelled instruments in alt tuning modes the bottom E, A and sometimes the D strings will badly distort when playing with hard attack or vigorous strumming. This is particularly noticeable with the Acoustics models. I have replaced the strings with 10-52s but that is the only modification I have made. I have tried all the usual things like re-flashing firmware back to older versions then re-installing v2.0 many times. The problem is across all firmware versions and ALL the JTV variax guitars I have tried. This is NOT a subtle problem! The distortion when playing hard is very noticeable! On my current JTV69 this problem only effects the alt tunings while the standard tunings seem ok. I have tried using workbench to lower the levels of both individual strings as well as the preset overall with no effect on this problem. Could this be due to the higher string gauge causing overload of the piezos??? Are there any other JTV 69 owners out there using 10-52s? (As an aside I also note that the top B and E strings on the modelled instruments are lower in output than the E, A, D and G and again this was on all 4 JTV's. While this is annoying it can be adjusted in workbench with individual string volumes) The local (Australian) importer of Line 6 gear has been incredibly helpful and has tried everything they can to sort out this very illusive yet still unsolved problem. Any clues would be GREATLY appreciated!! Don