davidb7170

Interesting point -- fullcompass.com is where I have ordered some JTV parts (including the pearloid faceplate I'm waiting on) is the Madison, Wisconsin Line6 Registered Service Center -- a couple-three hours from me... I just realized this when I was posting above -- couldn't remember which one was for purchasing customers only -- (Rockford, IL) so I looked it up on the L6 service center locator.... Anyway -- makes some sense (now) that they'd offer L6 parts on their on-line catalog store. Seems they're the only ones who do. Clay, if you bought the 300/500/600 coffin there and still want to pursue that, maybe you should contact that service center via phone -- work out a deal with them to flash it for you or tell you what the deal is. Maybe the one you got was boogered.... Again, just a thought. Dave

Not really wanting to wade into the spat here, but I prefer to have a luthier that I know and trust -- that is a big point for me -- do the regular guitar type of work. He did excellent work with 4 of my guitars last week -- 2 vintage guitars and my 2 JTV's -- the 59 and the 69S. I had a pretty good set up on the 59 from the factory and Sweetwater -- pretty good action, no buzzes. The 69S from the factory/Sweetwater needed to be tweaked by me, as I had some minor fret buzzing. I gave the neck a touch of relief and raised the bridges a touch to alleviate the buzzing, which we all know is vital to the modeling. It made the action on the 69 a bit high. It was not enough of a pain for me to box it up and send it to a service center. I went through agony with the 59 that I did have to ship back to L6 due to the 3-Way Switch malfunction (I was an early adopter -- ordered it Oct 2010, got it May 2011, sent it back right away). That whole process of shipping hassle, then waiting was excruciating. They did a quick turnaround on it, but it was about 2 weeks total. I looked for local Line 6 Authorized Service Centers -- the closest I found was Rockford, IL, BUT (at least at that time) they ONLY worked on them if you bought the guitar from them. Dunno why they were even listed in the L6's Service Center list. The rest are on the order of 3 to 6 hours away -- mostly in major metro's. My luthier set up the 2 JTV's PERFECTLY. He lowered the nut slots for better action than original in that part of the neck, He apparently reset the 69S's neck in the pocket to better line up the low and hi E strings, he got the neck in arrow straight shape, set up the bridges, set the pickups' heights so as not to mess with intonation, and provide a good tone and signal level. There is not a buzz to be found up and down either neck of the 59 or 69S. He was familiar with JTV's -- he's worked on them before. I discussed with him that I had to raise set up's on my guitars a touch after he had worked with them, as I apparently have a heavier pick attack that what he set up for me, and the strings would slap the finger board. He took that into account for my set up and it plays low and fast, but no slapping as well. Ok -- as far as I'm concerned all the above work he did was what I expect for the physical guitar mechanics. Would I take my guitars to somebody I don't trust to do the right thing -- including telling me what he isn't comfortable doing? Absolutely not -- regular prized guitar or Variax -- uh uh. Unfortunately, this guy's only in town a few times a year for his elderly parents. He lives in Texas, and works for a major music store down there. When he gets back here, he gets piled on by local guitarists who get wind of it like me. I had heard of him several years ago, but he had already move to TX by then. Anyway next time he's in town I'll take him a few more to get in shape. If I had a fried board or major component in my JTV. I would not have him work on that. I would also not box it up and send it off. I would probably find the and drive it to the closest L6 registered service center (won't be Rockford, IL) just so I could get a warranty on their work. My JTV's are both out of warranty now. I am comfortable with the innards, BUT I would want a warranty on the work from them. One reason I got 2 JTV's is for contingency backup situations, not just broken strings... I changed the pickups in my 69S to noiseless DiMarzio's within 3 months of having it. My preference, my choice. If it voided the warranty, that worry's behind me. Some folks don't have that comfort level, I do. It is also in what I consider to be normal electric guitar stuff. connect the new leads where the old ones were, boom -- done. Now if the switch and circuitry connected to the pickups would malfunction -- service center. Ya gotta know when to call in the pro's. Also should know where the normal guitar stuff ends and the higher tech stuff begins. The Line 6 Tech not handing out info for free is just protecting his turf, in MHO. If a set up is done wrong, the guitar may play and sound like crap, but it ain't gonna blow up.... My 2 cents. Talk amongst yourselves. Nothing to see here, move along, move along. These droids aren't the ones you're looking for.... Dave

I would recommend not having your pod connected via USB when playing live, as you run the risk of breaking the USB connector on the POD -- big hassle to fix... Just a suggestion.... Dave

I got my Country Gentleman back last year after selling it back to the original owner over 20 - 25 years... Long story... I've been playing in weekender bands since I was 16, and started with a band here over 30 years ago. The bass player, Gary in that band bought this CG he told me in 1966 or 67 from a local music store. He turned out to be a bass player, so some time in the late 70's sold it to Mike in the band. I bought it from Mike in the early 80's. I wanted a Strat for lead work in the band and couldn't justify keeping the CG too, at the time, so I sold it back to Gary, the original owner... so it went full circle, and I regretted it ever since. I'm in another band now, but the old band gets together to jam, and I finally convinced Gary to sell the CG back to me a year ago, so have it again. When I had it the first time, the tuning heads were not in great shape and wouldn't hold it in tune. The best I could do at the time were some gold Schallers, and I wasn't a big fan of the bar bridge, so got a gold arch top tune-omatic. I kept all the original parts, and included them with the guitar when I sold it back to him. In the 20+ years since then, he misplaced them somewhere, and I have little hope of getting them back, although he'll give them to me if he finds them. I bought replacement tuners and bridge specifically for the Gent. The bridge needed fitting to the arch top, so after seeing the process on line, I decided I'd better let a pro do it. I could have done the tuners, but I was having this work and the other 3 guitars worked on as well.... The reason I was going for the Strat back when I sold this one was that this Gent is not really your typical lead guitar and I'd been a Fender guy by that point for most of my gigging (the Tele Deluxe). I was early in my regular engineering career, so was not comfortable justifying to myself having many guitars.... I think I have 9 electrics and about as many acoustics, plus 2 banjo's, 3 or 4 mandolins, 3 or 4 fiddles, saxophones, etc.... Seems I've gotten over my justification issues.... ;) I don't have a resophonic guitar yet.... Dave

Ok -- I'll try. I don't have the best of luck attaching files on this site... My long story - short is -- I got this guitar back after about 25 years.... I got her all fixed over the past year.... Dave

Just got my 59 & 69S back from my luthier -- didn't see any lightning damage -- whew!! :rolleyes: My Tele Deluxe and Country Gent made it back unscathed as well.... This guy's got the touch with 'em, I gotta say. Both the 59 & 69S play a lot easier, now. I'm thinking my models sound a bit better as well. He lowered the action at the nut, and over-all, adjusted the PU heights (a tad lower on the 69S, and the bridge PU up a bit on the 59. No buzzes up & down both necks. Also looks like he got the 69S's strings more centered on the neck -- maybe he adjusted the neck seating. Did some fret work. Worth every penny. I've been wanting to get them in to him for a while. I have a new face-plate coming for my 69S, so I'm going to have to be very careful to note the PU heights when I change that out. It won't mess with the neck & intonation work he did, but will still have to be very careful. He won't be back in town for several months. Dave

I have and use both the 59 and the 69S. They are different animals both with the mags and with the models. For on thing, the 59's humbucker (HB) mags are about 6db louder than the output of the 69S's single coil (SC) pickups, and the tonal and physical differences are the same as between a Strat and LP. I've been a Fender guy for over 40 years, but when I got my first Variax -- the 300 in 2005, I started liking the HB models, so I picked up a EPI LP Classic -- good guitar, BTW. When the JTV's came out, I was not shot with the HSS or "super-strat" layout, so opted for the 59. Loved it -- I like the physical layout of the 59. and got the TSB version. As time went by, they came out with the 69S -- SSS -- all SC's and I bought the Shoreline Gold one. I soon realized the lower output of the pups, and that the SC hum that I had fought for years with my Strat was back.... I soon replaced its pups with noiseless DiMarzio's -- all is good now. As a result of the inherent output levels of the mag pups in the 2 units, I had to set up 2 equivalent Set Lists in my 500(X) -- adjusted for the 2 guitars' different levels and tones. I also adjust the JTV model patches differently between the 2 guitars partially to the matching set lists' amp tone differences and partially because their models do have somewhat different sound in the 2 guitars. I believe it has to do with the different construction and woods -- resonances in the physical makeup of the guitars. My LP-related models sound more like LP's in the 59, and the Fender-based models sound more "Fender-ish" in the 69S. Better or worse? Ummmm.... that's a very subjective thing. Which kid do you love most?.... ;) I am comfortable with both of them, and use one to back up the other at gigs. When I switch guitars, I change to the appropriate Set List in my 500X. I gotta say, though after all my years as a Fender guy, the 69S is in my hands the most at gigs. It's a comfort zone thing, probably. I just got 'em both back from my luthier -- for a set up, and they both sound and play a lot sweeter now... I also use the mags probably 80 - 90% of the time, and use the modeling for down-tunings, acoustics, reso's, etc. I don't have any recordings, at the moment, sorry. Dave

I use the Tube Compressor model on my clean country patches. I don't over do it -- don't like the sound of a compressor pumping, so keep it at or above the 50% in the default setting. I also use it to boost the signal level a bit on my 69S. On my 59, I turn down the Compressor gain - towards 3 or 4%, as it has a hotter output than the 69S. For country clean, I use the Fender amp models, mostly -- the Bassman, the Deluxe, and am really liking the new Black Panel Pete. I put the gain about half up, on he amp sim, with the Tube Compressor after the Noise Gate, then Volume Pedal to the amp. As I lean in on the volume pedal, the volume and "bite" or edge of the amp increases... Tone controls to suit your guitar, then any post-amp effects you need. Dave

Yeah, if you don't the need part in a hurry, they have some good stuff. I currently have 2 L6 items I'm waiting on. A pearloid 69S faceplate and a model knob - for spare. Ordered on May 8th, 12 days so far, but I am not in a bind for what I ordered. I waited over 6 months when I ordered my JTV-59 in 2010..... That wait was excruciating.... Whole other story :huh:. Dave

Topaz -- This is what FullCompass.com shows: http://www.fullcompass.com/product/474562.html Looks flat to me. Dave

It's a tone control that doesn't really interact with the tone pot chosen value in HD WB that much. The cap values and the tone pot (and the volume pot values) interact, changing output volumes and resonances. I'm an electrical engineer (not in electronics, but I have some knowledge with them). The filter just basically rolls off the high frequency with less effect from the pot values, from what I've messed with it. The pot position varies it from nothing (10) to muffled (0) I tried a few combo's with it and I don't much care for it. It's sort of like the tone switch on my Gretsch Country Gentleman. On the upper bout, there's 2 switches - a 3-way pickup selector and another 3 way tone switch -- middle - no filter cap, clean; down - muddy; up - muddier... Gretsch users actually call it the "mud switch".... That's my take on it. In prior Variax firmware (before the HD versions), they had a filter on one of the Tele model neck positions -- hated it, didn't understand why anybody would think it was good... Sounded like a sock was stuffed in it.... Dave

I went to that site -- saw that if you do the pull down, you see the black and the cherry burst models. If you choose one of those, then try the pull down, you see the gold top P90 version -- they claim usually ships 1 - 10 days, same for the cherry one (though they show a USA TSB picture), and have 2 black 59s in stock.... That being said, I have not seen the P90 versions on line for several months now on the music dealer sites I visit here in the US.... Dave

Steve -- That was not my experience with it.... Well not with the X3L, at least. My XTL was fried and replaced by my X3L in 2009 before I got my first JTV -- the 59 in 2011. I used (and still use) my mags probably 90% of the time, and the X3L handled them fine via the VDI. Thing that I really like about the 500(X) is that it remembers your model/mag status at the time of saving a patch, so if I save a 500(X) patch with the mags on, it turns the mags on when I hit that patch, or if I save a JTV model with the patch, it turns that one for that patch. That was a pleasant surprise when I made the move from the X3L to the 500. That and saving special tunings with the patch. Anyway, I would expect when he turns off the JTV model with the model knob, he'll get the mags via VDI. Won't be able to have a mix of mags & model with dual path (I don't use that), and probably won't be able to use HD Edit via the VDI/XTL, he will have to resort to using the USB interface that comes with the JTV for any JTV model tweaking. Things are definitely better using the 500(X), but he can do it with the XTL, just like using the 1/4" with models on or off, but he'll get guitar power and model switching. Dave

Still having problems try to use the "quote" function -- dunno what I'm doing wrong, but anyway... I'm just going to copy it the hard way... From ozbadman: It looks like these may be the parts you need: http://www.fullcompa...uct/450983.html Good catch OZ -- I was looking earlier, didn't find that one -- I might just pick that one up just to have on hand.... I ordered a pearloid pickguard for my 69S from there about 10 days ago -- still hasn't shipped. Not surprised, though. The last time I got some parts from full compass, it seemed to take forever for them to finally ship. If you need something in a hurry.... be prepared to hurry up and wait.... Dave

It means if you use the VDI cable to connect and power your JTV to the XTL, the XTL (or X3L) will be able to switch model patches on your JTV. It will not be able to set and remember alternate tunings on your JTV model patches, or be able to use your JTV knobs to control FX parameters on the XTL patches. Those abilities only come with the HD 500(X) and HD PRO(X) units with up to date firmware. If you just use 1/4" guitar cable between your JTV and XTL, X3L, HD500(X) or HD PRO(X) guitar input -- none of that works, and you need to use the battery in your JTV. VDI is very desirable, just for that.... no battery..... I don't use the guitar knobs set as FX controllers, but I do set up patches with alternate tunings. A work around for the XTL/X3L generation for that is to set up ALT tuned patches and store them in your CUSTOM banks on the JTV, then set the XTL patch to choose the appropriate CUSTOM bank patch -- I did that with my first Variax 300 and my XTL, then X3L. Dave

I've packed up my 59, 69S, and my 73 Tele Deluxe and 66 Gretsch Country Gent -- going to my luthier this afternoon. He's well respected in this area, and is only in town a few times a year to visit his folks, but does some work while he's here. Us locals get wind of it and book him up. Very nice guy, and he's worked on Variaxes before.... Hope lightning doesn't strike me. :huh: Ain't no magic to it, just need good skills and experience to do the physical work on the guitar. He's got 'em. Would I have him work on the processor end of the JTV's? -- no probably not, but other than that -- no qualms. My 59 is from 2011 (actually 2010 -- didn't get it for over 6 mo's after I ordered it) and my 69S is from 2012, so not worried about warranties anymore... I switched out my 69S PU's myself within 3 or 4 months to noiseless --- they work great, and I was not struck with lightning then... My "nearest" L6 warranty workshop is from 3 to 6 hours away -- Chicago, IL; Madison, WI; or St. Louis, MO, so it's not practical for "non-Variax" electronics work to send away. BTW, some of those "warranty" workshops clearly state they only work on them if you bought them there -- which, I believe, doesn't really mesh with the idea of a mfr-blessed warranty repair shop... I'm just sayin'.... With my 59, I had the 3-way switch glitch -- they had fixed and refit the 59's (which is why I and many others had the BIG WAIT with the first bunch). Unfortunately, their rush to get those done resulted in some bad soldering -- think mine was the first to come to their attention. I sent it back to them in California on their nickel, and they fixed it -- it's been fine ever since, but the hassle to box it up in the orig packing and go through the agony of waiting for the shipper to come get it -- not something I'd do lightly again... If Line 6 had a better-located set of authorized service centers -- not just in major metro's -- then I'd probably make more use of them. My 2 cents on the topic.... Dave

I've been weekend giggin' since I was 16 in '72... Been using POD's since 2005. Guess I'd say I'm satisfied with them. Turning 59 this month.... Dave

I get good clean patches with the Fender amps -- the Bassman, Deluxe, now with the model pack Black Panel Pete. One thing I always do with the clean patches is but my Volume pedal in front of the amp model, put my amp drive up to about 50% or so. The JC120 model is pretty clean from the get go, but has a different tonal sound, just like the Blackface Twin has a different voice from the other Fender models. When I roll up the volume pedal, it increases the "bite" of the amp. The JC120 is pretty clean all the way -- gotta be careful not to overdrive the JC input, it will distort digitally -- not pretty. I know -- not bitchin' about other people bitchin' -- got off topic here.... :huh: Dave

Lotsa Chiro's here!! :D I've gigged on the boats. They seem to be moving the casino's on land now. Yup winters can be brutal. I've been here since '78, for a job after college. Wow, that's 37 years, now.... Dave

It's in the notes on the firmware download location -- do a global reset, recalibrate your pedal and they show up right -- or rename them yourself. Dave

Tom -- I brought this up nearly a year ago, but didn't get much traction or find an answer -- see: http://line6.com/support/topic/8248-new-volume-contol-behavior-on-my-69s/ It's only with my mags on my 69S, and not with my 59. Doesn't do it on either guitar's models. Lately, it's been hit or miss -- sometimes yes, sometimes no. Last few days, I haven't had it do it. But within the last week it has... It's not bad, but does make me wonder, of course. I ride volume and always have the on-board pedal configured as a volume pedal. During breaks, I have always put the volume pedal to zero when I hang my guitars on the stand, so hasn't been a particular "problem". BTW, and off topic -- I bought the Quilter Tone Block 200 -- saw you recommend it once when someone asked about it on another thread. I do like it, and it's a bit more "musical" like a guitar amp. My Crown XLS1000 has become my backup, but now kind of sounds a bit "flat" not in a good way -- any recommendations on how to spruce it up with the Global EQ? Just wondering.... Anyway -- back to your regularly scheduled topic..... Dave

I have always updated my Variaxes (300, JTV-59, JTV-69S) via the XTL, X3L, HD500, and HD500X VDI interfaces and 25' VDI cable -- beginning in 2005 with the 300 & XTL, and have not ever had an issue with the ability to get a good Variax FW update with the combination. I have never used the USB interface for FW updates, and only used that a few times when working with HD Work Bench, before they finally got it going with the 500(X) & JTV's in the last year. Thank goodness for that -- tweaking guitar sounds monitoring it thru the 1/4" input, when you don't use it that way was very difficult and time consuming, because the 2 inputs do sound different with the JTV... To me, the VDI route is much more secure and reliable than the USB interface -- the connectors at both ends of the regular VDI cable are much more robust than the 3 foot cable - one end VDI connector (ruggedized Ethernet) the other end plain Ethernet, you don't have to have a charged up battery in the guitar and a 1/4" jack in the guitar, and make sure the volume is up, so the guitar doesn't go into "sleep mode" -- too many variables have to be just right for that to work -- too many potential pitfalls... Even when you couldn't use VDI and HD WB, you could STILL update the JTV firmware via the VDI connection of the 500(X). Never saw that "warning" before this... I have had FW updates not "take" on the first try. I disconnected ANYTHING but the VDI cable to the JTV and USB cable to the PC when that happened and retried the flash with success. I also disconnect ANYTHING but the USB to the PC when updating the POD's. I want all the device's attention in these operations. This is the most vulnerable time for them, with their pants down around their ankles.... The first thing is DON"T PANIC. Dave

I have both the 500 & 500X, plus the 69S & 59. I have no current problems with the latest FW on all units that I have run into. I start mine up with the JTV's attached. My 69S was purchased 2nd, about 2 years after the 59, and I did not have the 500X at that point, either. Early on with the 69S, when I first would start the 500 with the 69S attached via the VDI cable & input, the pod would start up, then in a few seconds, reboot. It did not do that with the 59 attached at startup. I was quite concerned at first, but did not find others on the forums at that time that had it happen, but after the reboot it would be fine, and I got to trust it would do that, then be fine from then on -- played many gigs with it. I don't remember what FW combos were in the 69S, 59, and 500 at this point, but in a few FW revisions later (again don't remember which) the behavior stopped. Haven't had it since, and not with the latest FW revisions, either. I got the 500X as a redundant backup -- now the 500 is my backup. I've said before that I'm an engineer, and think about contingencies, so when I could see my way clear to get a second unit, the 500X was the current model. I had been burned once at a gig with a power jack failure on my XTL, so always keep my old unit as a backup to my current one. I was dead in the water, and did not want that again.... I have since had un-explained reboots, but very rare, so don't know if I had some connector -- VDI or power with a less than solid connection at the time, but again I'd go through the rest of the gig with no repeat of it. At one point I thought it might be related to using the tuner, as it happened after tuning up, but again it did not repeat. That was before the latest FW revisions, BTW. Never really saw a pattern emerge for cause and effect. OK -- like just now, I posted, but could tell it wasn't taking the post -- I copied the text and just pasted it in on a second try -- so why did that happen? The randomness of a lot of things... Dave

I think jandrio nailed the likely sequence of events that csrMark did to wipe out his existing set lists & patches. It points out some good points to remember -- fire up and hookup your HD BEFORE firing up the HD Edit program -- that way it just loads the Pod HD's patches - no muss, no fuss.... I have never used the HD Edit software offline - never saw the point of editing something without being able to hear the changes' effect on the sound.... I guess it would somewhat useful if you load your backed-up set lists and/or patches to re-arrange new set lists to save for later loading... Dave

Fastest way to get the patches back is to re-flash the current FW -- you have that option from the Monkey interface..... In the process, opt to not keep your current patches. It'll re-populate the set lists with the default patches. Cycle the unit, do a global reset, recalibrate the expression pedal -- back in business.... Oh, and when you hook up to HD Edit program, don't send all to the pedal without any patches. Allow it time to read the existing patches from the HD to the pc.... The before anything else, save the bundle, favorite patches, and your existing set lists. It's saved me numerous times when I've made my own bone-headed slip ups... You just learned a hard lesson in why you need to back up your patches, set lists, and generally the whole bundle.... Hopefully your buddy knew this, too...The only way you're going to get your buddy's' patches back will be to see if he 1) backed them up to his pc, 2) still has them on his pc, and 3) if so, will copy and get them to you. Other than that -- they're gone... "If it hurts when you do that.... don't do that" Good luck. Dave