samsgs Posted December 5, 2015 Share Posted December 5, 2015 I purchased a JTV 69S last year. It is a really cool guitar. Play it exclusively for electric needs. Very versatile. Love to play acoustic and have a Alvarez Yairi. Really nice look, feel, sound. A friend bought a nice Alvarez but not a Yairi. Huge difference in playability and sound. Am hoping for a similar improvement in a US Custom version. Want a really nice guitar that is also cool. We'll see. I just ordered one. Call me stupid. Hope it works. May have a JTV 69S to sell. Or maybe keep for parts and just to have two. The US will be a HSS. What I have is a SSS, 3 tone burst. Anyone own a US version that could comment? Good or bad. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 I'll preface this by saying I've never seen any of the US Customs, so maybe they're the most wonderful guitars in the universe, I have no idea...and you'll know soon enough. What I do know is this...what is generally passed off as "custom", rarely is. Doesn't matter who's selling it. There are usually vague promises of more attention to detail, different/"better" cuts of wood, and a few more colors to choose from...and that's pretty much where it stops. And somehow this justifies charging 4x as much for an axe with the exact same specs as the "everyman" version. Having spent a significant amount of money on a boutique instrument a while back, I know what can be had for that amount of money...and when you find the right luthier, you won't be stuck with whatever specs they throw at you. You'll pick the wood, the neck profile, hardware, pickups...it will be exactly what you want, and it will be unique. When it's one guy who's livelihood depends on satisfying the customer in front of him, you'll get a superior product...no, it won't have the fancy electronics (unless you find a guy willing to do a transplant), but you've got that already anyway. Either way, good luck with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarrellM5 Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 The build quality on my Korean JTV69 is excellent, the setup is perfect and it has the same electronics as the U.S. version. I personally can't see any benefit, for me, in upgrading. But that's a personal decision. I'm definitely looking forward to hearing your opinion after you receive the new guitar though. I hope you find it to be incredible. Please post back with your results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeTah Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 I own both the JTV-59 (Koren) and JTV59 US and have played both extensively on the road and in the studio. The K is a great guitar, but the USA custom shop version is just at another level. The Variax electronics are identical in both guitars, and at a quick glance they look pretty much the same. However, they not the same. I was an early adopter on the JTV guitars and have been very happy with both (I waited nearly a year to receive my US after ordering it and it was worth the wait). If I had to sell every guitar I own and keep just one to make a living with, it would be the JTV59US. It is just that great a guitar. Assuming money isn't a problem in your purchase, I would bet that you will be blown away with your new USA JTV. I have been. Congrats!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_Watt Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 Since the electronics are the same, I would spend my $$ on upgrading the Korean version rather than buying the US for the crazy price it goes for. Buy the best custom neck and pay someone to set it up perfectly and you will have a better instrument for way less $$. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samsgs Posted December 6, 2015 Author Share Posted December 6, 2015 I struggled with this decision last year. I remember what Charlie above said and most other opinions were similar. While the Korean guitar is really nice I am not completely satisfied with the neck. I understand the US version has improved neck, frets, pickups, tuners. Maybe not much but was able to get a fairly good deal so bought what I wanted to start with. Am hoping for something along what Gee Tah said. If it feels really good then it could be worth it. I will share my thoughts whenever I receive the new guitar. Appreciate everyones comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 I struggled with this decision last year. I remember what Charlie above said and most other opinions were similar. While the Korean guitar is really nice I am not completely satisfied with the neck. I understand the US version has improved neck... Well that will depend on what it is that you didn't like about the neck...because here's the rub; On the US version, maybe the frets aren't just pressed in by some guy on an assembly line, and maybe they're leveled, crowned, and dressed properly, the nut cut perfectly, etc etc....but the neck itself is still the same specs as the Korean one. So if you didn't like it because the profile is too chunky, or because of the hilariously narrow nut width, then it won't matter if the frets are polished by vestal virgins...you probably won't like this one either. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samsgs Posted December 7, 2015 Author Share Posted December 7, 2015 I like the shape of the neck. Did not like fretboard and frets when I first received it. That has somewhat remedied itself. cruisinon2 you may have hit on my worst complaint. May be related to the nut. My high E, first string has always been chunky and seems to be too close to the edge of the fretboard. It has no sustain plugged in or not. Possible bc of the nut? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 I like the shape of the neck. Did not like fretboard and frets when I first received it. That has somewhat remedied itself. cruisinon2 you may have hit on my worst complaint. May be related to the nut. My high E, first string has always been chunky and seems to be too close to the edge of the fretboard. It has no sustain plugged in or not. Possible bc of the nut? There were lots of complaints early on about both E strings slipping off the fretboard. Imho, it's either an improperly cut nut, or an attempt to maintain a somewhat normal string spacing on the lower frets with what is a narrower nut width than on the majority of production guitars out there. I found it pretty close to unplayable for open position chords. It didn't last more than 2 months before I replaced it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samsgs Posted December 8, 2015 Author Share Posted December 8, 2015 Replaced the nut? That worked? Please share. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 The Hi-E slip was a neck spec thing, and the spec has long since been updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samsgs Posted December 8, 2015 Author Share Posted December 8, 2015 My current JTV is less than a year old. I hope my new order for a US custom has been long since updated. With respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 I work on JTV's all day, mostly the Korean ones, and I get my share of US ones. They are both nice in different ways, so I would have a hard time choosing between them. The guys who do the US builds know their stuff, and I know their work, pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samsgs Posted December 8, 2015 Author Share Posted December 8, 2015 Is it possible my current JTV needs a new nut, or other remedy, to prevent Hi-E slip? Any help is much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 Is it possible my current JTV needs a new nut, or other remedy, to prevent Hi-E slip? Any help is much appreciated. Sure...if it's slotted too close to the edge, the string can slip off. New nut couldn't hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 Replaced the nut? That worked? Please share. Thanks! No, no. I replaced the neck with a Warmoth. Stock one went to the toothpick factory. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 samsgs,... your JTV has the current spec neck, replacing the neck as suggested would not solve any hi-E slip,... in your case. String nut, and/or neck alignment, by a tech (preferably an authorized tech) would be the recommendation. They could also do general overall check outs while they are at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 samsgs,... your JTV has the current spec neck, replacing the neck as suggested would not solve any hi-E slip,... in your case. String nut, and/or neck alignment, by a tech (preferably an authorized tech) would be the recommendation. They could also do general overall check outs while they are at it. With all due respect, he never mentioned a serial number, only that it was less than a year old. Stock sometimes sits in warehouses, or forgotten on the wall of some out of the way music store for years...so who knows what specs it has? And even if it is from a production run with "current specs", that certainly doesn't preclude a nut that was not properly slotted, or shoddy fret dressing...just because something isn't "supposed" to happen, doesn't mean that it didn't. A new nut and/or a new neck might very well solve his problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_Watt Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 You can buy several real fancy necks for the price difference between a US and Korean JTV and pay a Luthier to do the job for you! That is the route I would recommend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 I get why crusinon2 would think that. I'm part of Line 6 repair, and the guy who services JTV's here, it's part of my job to know these things. So I know that samsgs' guitar has the current spec neck and any replacement 69 neck will have the same spec. It's part of my job to know these things. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 I get why crusinon2 would think that. I'm part of Line 6 repair, and the guy who services JTV's here, it's part of my job to know these things. So I know that samsgs' guitar has the current spec neck and any replacement 69 neck will have the same spec. It's part of my job to know these things. OK, you know what he has. I don't, and never claimed otherwise. For the record, neither myself, nor anyone else who participated in the discussion was suggesting the OP solve his problem by replacing the neck with another identical one...that would make absolutely no sense at all. He asked a question, said he wasn't terribly fond of the neck, and at least two of us offered the same viable alternative that many have managed without incident. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 Yeah, there are alternatives out there. Some work better than others. Be aware of what you are all getting into. Go to someone who has experience with JTV's. Like Charlie said, get a Luthier to do the job,... if you are going the modification route. There's maybe five people in the Americas and three or four in the UK, that I trust to do a custom mod on JTV,... and not mess it up. I've done my share of custom rebuilds on guitar over the last four decades (or more), so I get the desire to want to modify stuff. These JTV's are a different kind of cat, you have to cuddle it under the chin a little differently. And a reminder that, Line 6 doesn't support mods on our product. Just so you all have the heads up on that and are aware. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 Yeah, there are alternatives out there. Some work better than others. Be aware of what you are all getting into. Go to someone who has experience with JTV's. Like Charlie said, get a Luthier to do the job,... if you are going the modification route. There's maybe five people in the Americas and three or four in the UK, that I trust to do a custom mod on JTV,... and not mess it up. Everyone needs to learn the difference between a professional luthier with a love for their craft, and their friend who "likes to work on guitars". Would I leave the electronics in the hands of anybody within 6 feet of a workbench and tools? No. But installing a neck is well within the wheelhouse of any competent luthier..."competent" being the operative term. Lord knows there are guys out there who can't be trusted to tie their own shoes, let alone fix guitars properly. However, the guy who did mine is very good at what he does, yet had never been in the same room with a JTV before. It didn't bother me in the least, because I've seen his work...and nothing caught fire. Same guy did a g&p and set-up a year later, same result. Caveat emptor... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 Fortunately, the afore mentioned people I know are guitar geek colleagues. Get someone who's work you know and trust. I agree, "caveat emptor". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sulkbooth Posted December 14, 2015 Share Posted December 14, 2015 I have a US JTV69, and also had a Korean 69.(sold it since I only used the US) It's a difference. The US have another detail level, difficult to describe but its feels a lot more quality. To give a example: where my potmeters on the Korean had a looseness and felt light, the US feels heavy duty and firm. Like it is bolted to the darn guitar itself. It's difficult to be more specific, but the US (for me) do have that feel which you can't describe. The Korean also plays good, I'd probably go for a well set up Korean and change the neck tuners and some other things and it would be perfect. For me (I got the US second hand for a great price) I'm super happy for the US and would have serious problem with parting with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samsgs Posted March 18, 2016 Author Share Posted March 18, 2016 Got my US guys! Three months after ordering but better than some seem to have experienced. Out of the box - Wood looked nicer. High E (1st) string had better sustain, less clunkiness. Tuners were obviously upgraded. Was switching between both US and Korean unplugged looking for differences. (Cool to actually be able to do this!). I was not blown away at all. Can't say I was distraught bc I knew I was taking a chance. But I could hear everyone laughing (along with me) that I paid for just this. Had already entered my mind that it wouldn't last and I would replace the neck on my Korean and call it good. Get what I could for the US. Then I plugged it in. Holy cow what a difference. Fretted notes on all strings up and down the fretboard were much crisper. I did not expect the sound to be what I heard. All of the models sounded much better, more authentic. Upgraded pickups must be a huge part. Everyone says that the electronics are the same but man it sounds soooo much better. Agree totally with what GeeTah and doffe have said. And to make it even better, it plays well as an electric, but when in acoustic modeling you can actually play it like an acoustic. Play a little more aggressive and it comes through in the sound, and the feel. Very cool since I really love playing acoustic. The Korean would need more than a new neck. Pickups that would pair well with the modeling are needed to even come close to the US. It is much more than just the neck. Seems it is more than pickups as well. I think I got exactly what I was hoping for. Really better than I expected. It is just a different guitar. I have been blown away. Very happy. Now, anyone need a JTV 69S Korean? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarrellM5 Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 Right on! Glad it worked out that way and that you're happy with your purchase. Those pickups must be amazing because I've been completely satisfied with the pickups in my Korean model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sulkbooth Posted March 19, 2016 Share Posted March 19, 2016 Got my US guys! :D 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samsgs Posted March 19, 2016 Author Share Posted March 19, 2016 Photos do not do justice but here's a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sulkbooth Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Lovely :) I can tell you are a sunburst-kind-of guy :lol: Regarding the sound of the magnetic pickups - a lot of the sound would also be in the wood of the guitar not only the pickups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinistralx Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 In terms of hardware.. so its just the Magnetic PUPS and the Tuners that are upgraded with the US? or are the Saddle pups in the bridge upgraded as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tboneous Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 Picking this one up.Got it for a decent price. Will share my thoughts. I like the color and the maple. Fingers crossed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specracer986 Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 Picking this one up.Got it for a decent price. Will share my thoughts. I like the color and the maple. Fingers crossed! That's a nice looking Variax. I'm assuming that it's a U.S. version? Interested to hear how you like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tboneous Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 Yep! It's 'Merican! Looking forward to getting it. I wish Line 6 offered a gold bridge. That, with gold tuners?....Now we're talking Mary Kaye! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sulkbooth Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Ohhh! That's a beauty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tboneous Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Ohhh! That's a beauty! Thanx! How do you like your JTV-69US compared to the Korean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sulkbooth Posted January 31, 2017 Share Posted January 31, 2017 I think its great - for me it was a no-brainer (but I did not pay 4k$ for it) I would rather have a white one though, mine is red. But I can live with that :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tboneous Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 Yeah. I didn't pay $4K either! Nowhere near $4K! It was the color combo of this particular guitar and the maple neck that sold me! My guitar will be delivered sometime early next week. Cant wait! Question: What made your purchase a "no brainer" aside from the good deal you got on the price? Were you able to play it prior to purchase? I have NEVER in my life purchased a guitar without playing it first. My thought is that it should feel as good as my Korean but better. Is that too much to expect? I think its great - for me it was a no-brainer (but I did not pay 4k$ for it) I would rather have a white one though, mine is red. But I can live with that :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tboneous Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 I took delivery of my new JTV-69US. Its a pretty darn good guitar. I did a video of the differences I noticed between the two guitars. Hopefully it is helpful! Let me know if you have any questions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specracer986 Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Nice video. I really like the white and maple US that you bought. I put a really nice Warmouth neck on my Korean JTV69 and it's now my #1 for gigging. Since I set all of my Helix patches up for the Variax, I'm concerned that if something happens to mine, I'll be in a panic for the next gig. So, I'm thinking of getting a backup. But since I still only have about $1,200 in mine and have a neck with SS frets which I love, I'll probably go Korean again and change the neck. But for home use, I would consider a US version. I'm sure a lot of guys will find your video useful when trying to make that decision for themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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