raston Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 I had high hopes for the JTV-59 I just purchased but cannot get the guitar to connect. I've tried 4 different USB cables, 4 different Cat5 cables, 2 different USB interfaces (went back to store and swapped for another one), 2 different computers... all of this and multiple attempts to get it to work. But the LED on the guitar side would never go 'green'... just slow blinking 'red'. Have given up, and will return the the guitar to the store at my ealiest convenience unless someone here has any suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Make sure you are also using a guitar cord in the 1/4" jack of the JTV. That acts as the power switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raston Posted February 16, 2015 Author Share Posted February 16, 2015 I should have mentioned... battery was fully charged and I did have the guitar cord plugged in to turn on the power. Confirmed this by activating and deactivating the Variax electronics (led lit up so spower was on). Also had the volume control cranked up so electronics did not go into power saving / sleep mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Have you tried using different usb ports on the computer(s)? You need to use usb2.0 and avoid using any hubs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raston Posted February 16, 2015 Author Share Posted February 16, 2015 Yep... 3 different ports on one computer & 2 different ports on the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peewee678 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 I can add my 2 cents here. I just made an appointment to swap my JTV-89F (got it sunday) for the same problem (I can only hope the new guitar / interface will be OK). I can say this: via USB3 the interface won't connect at all (in my experience). Red LED flashing at guitar input port. I didn't read anything anywhere about this however.... Silverhead's reply ^^ is the first that mentions USB2 (but I already had my suspisions). Anyway: my experience with two other computers with USB2: tried different USB ports, tried a different VDI cable (standard Ethernet), tried all sorts of things actually. The guitar is sometimes detected (for a very short while) but when rescanning (in Workbench) is alternating between different models and "none" (mostly none, sometimes JTV-59 and sometimes the correct JTV-89F). And yes: guitar cable connected ofcourse (if not, the red LED will flash no matter what. Can't do anything in Workbench however, also not when the guitar is detected for the very short periods of time. Error upon error.... Can't flash in Monkey (also errors during flashing, nothing more). Really frustrating. Accoring to the shop owner this is not a know problem but I've read several topics here on this. I think this problem is only there when using the USB interface. Most people here use a Line 6 POD. Maybe it's a conspiracy to sell more POD's :ph34r: BTW: Do you have the black USB interface? Guitar packed, ready for takeoff... Bummer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raston Posted February 16, 2015 Author Share Posted February 16, 2015 Just for clarity... I don't have USB3 ports so that's not it either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peewee678 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 One thing I noticed: you write "tried different USB cables". That's weird because the cable is connected to the interface... You're not using any extension cables, do you? (and no USB hub I presume). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 @raston: I would return it and get a replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raston Posted February 16, 2015 Author Share Posted February 16, 2015 The interface has a detachable USB cable. I think the older version has a permanent / fixed cable... and no USB hub. Thx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peewee678 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 @silverhead: where can I find reliable info about USB2 vs. USB3? I mean: are you sure? (sorry for doubting, I want to be sure). Thanks. (tomorrow the whole circus starts again for me (after my replacement comes in) but I'd rather use my laptop with USB3. If it's really not possible I'm fine with using another PC). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raston Posted February 16, 2015 Author Share Posted February 16, 2015 Thanks for the replies and troubleshooting help folks. I will return it tomorrow (store is closed today for Family Day stat holiday here in Alberta). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peewee678 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 @raston: OK, I didn't know the cable was detachable (it didn't look like it and I think I have the newer type -not sure though-, I didn't really look at it closely hoewever). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raston Posted February 16, 2015 Author Share Posted February 16, 2015 @peewee: Honestly, I don't know which version is newer... but in all my reading I have learned that there are 2 versions... one fixed cable, & one detachable cable. Just FYI ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peewee678 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Thanks Raston. The thing is: I just packed the whole thing including the large box around the smaller one (and taped it)... I think I'll just wait for my replacement but my hopes are not very high to be honest. BTW: just read a PM from alan2803 who also tried to connect via a POD with no luck (after trying connection via the USB interface). I almost would say that means it's not the USB interface but the guitar which is faulty (hardware/firmware). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raston Posted February 16, 2015 Author Share Posted February 16, 2015 I like the concept, but haveing done a lot of reading it appears that the implementation is pretty flakey. So I'm undecided as to either getting a replacement or just get a refund and save my money. Guess I'll decide by tomorrow :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peewee678 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Yep, that's what I think although I dare not say it out loud here ;) IF it works it works fine is my impression... (although there's also an article about faulty selectors after a few months use: http://active-guitar.com/guitar-diy/fixing-a-faulty-variax-model-selector but hey: it's fixable :huh: For me personally it's solved: http://line6.com/support/topic/12137-jtv-89f-replacement-is-ok-usb-interface-seemed-to-be-faulty-as-expected/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_Brown Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 When you get the replacement can you get them to get it working in the shop? If you take your laptop and use a pod that should rule out a load of potential probs? I would persevere if you can add it's a great guitar. I've had a couple of years of fun and great tones with mine.. Hope it works out for you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peewee678 Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 @Matt_Brown: Not sure to whom your reply is directed but my problems are solved. I got my replacement and Workbench (and flashing) works flawlessly from the very start now. So @Raston I would say: ask for a replacement if you're sure it's not your fault. It certainly is worth it. Workbench is almost half of the fun (well more than just fun) for me. The guitar with it's built in presets is great in itself but being able to use Workbench HD is almost as valuable to me as the guitar itself. To summarize my problems: it most probably was a faulty USB interface... After connecting my replacement guitar+ replacement USB interface (couldn't get just a USB replacement), I immediately had it working! I have been troubleshooting for at least 5 hours or so the last couple of days all because of a faulty USB interface. It's a shame those devices are so unreliable but in the end the troubles were worth it! BTW: You have the OLD USB interface (probably) because the new one (at least my black one which is the new type) has a non-detachable cable. If you have the transparent(ish) USB interface, it's the old one but that's not neccesarily the problem; it seems some interfaces are just bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raston Posted February 17, 2015 Author Share Posted February 17, 2015 Thanks folks... returned the guitar this morning & got a refund. They did not have a replacement, nor did the Canadian supplier have stock. I wasn't prepared to wait. So I'm moving on. Enjoy your stuff and make great music... :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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