changing the strings on the 69

[boloulu]

several owners have complained that they damaged their 69's when doing string changes. There is no block in the cavity to prevent the bridge assembly from moving due to the release of spring tension and the piezos get damaged. Line6 does not have  a PDF or a video tutorial on how to safely perform this action. Anybody have advice. 

[stevekc]

I suggest read my JTV-69 Tremolo Setup Guide here;

http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=9371.msg67477#msg67477

 

Change strings one at a time  - or place a small shim ( a stack of Post-it Notes!) under the rear edge of the tremolo plate to support it when changing strings - 

 

 

The big issue with the JTV-69 is the tendency for stray String Ball Ends to migrate from the tremolo Block into the internal DSP cavity and end up touching and smoking the internal DSP PC Board  - which causes electrical problems! 

 

[ice9mike]

How in the world are ball ends making it into the PCB area? I guess if you cut the strings near the bridge, then it's possible. I have little kids around so I'm very careful to make sure the whole string gets recycled.

 

Also, I change strings one at a time as well and never had a problem. It makes tuning up to pitch quicker that way as well. 

[Charlie_Watt]

If you break a string at the bridge, the ball end can fall inside.  It's not from changing them.  I change mine one at a time so that the trem doesn't get way out of wack.  Its much easier to get back in tune this way. 

[cruisinon2]

several owners have complained that they damaged their 69's when doing string changes. There is no block in the cavity to prevent the bridge assembly from moving due to the release of spring tension and the piezos get damaged. Line6 does not have a PDF or a video tutorial on how to safely perform this action. Anybody have advice.

There's really nothing special about it. Changing strings on the 69 is exactly the same as any other guitar with a 2 point floating bridge. Either change one string at a time so there is minimal change in string tension, or use something like this to hold the bridge in it's "neutral" position:

 

http://www.shredneck.com/?p=1001

 

But honestly, just about anything that you can slip between the bridge and the body of the guitar to hold it in place will suffice, as long as it doesn't scratch the finish. A thick enough piece of cardboard will work...rather low-rent, but it works, lol.

[snhirsch]

The first time I removed all the strings at once from my '69, the upward force vector from the bridge plate lifted one of the pivot screw inserts out of the body.  Quality control on these instruments can be hit or miss.