JTV 89 1st and 2nd string (e-b) sounding almost sitar like when they shouldn't

[miurajef]

I like the strat  ('spank') sounds on my JTV 89, but the 1st and 2nd string sound a bit  like they're 'off the fretboard', almost like a sitar, and of course this gets accentuated when distortion or overdrive is added, other guitar models suffer from this as well, but it's very apparent with the strat models. Any idea's?

[cruisinon2]

Welcome to the wonderful world of piezo "plink". Set aside some time...a month or so...and enjoy a nice long read.

 

http://line6.com/support/topic/6764-do-you-have-the-same-problem-with-6th-string/?view=getnewpost

[Charlie_Watt]

I have not heard complaints about plink on the high E and B strings before.  It is usually the Low E and A.  Look for a setup problem - Fret Buzz, nut rattle are common causes of modeling artifacts.

[the29band]

I experience the same on my JTV with modeling on. I don't experience the same on magnetic pickups. I don't have any fret buzz or nut rattles.

[snhirsch]

High-E and B strings have always been a little anemic on my JTV-69.  Try rolling back the gain on the other four using Workbench and pick a bit softer on the upper two.

[miurajef]

High-E and B strings have always been a little anemic on my JTV-69.  Try rolling back the gain on the other four using Workbench and pick a bit softer on the upper two.

 

They don't  lack volume, they're not too silent. Have you ever bent  your high e string so far down it's literally off the fretboard? That sound, almost like a sitar is what I'm referring to ;)   It's not there when I use the humbuckers.

[snhirsch]

Do you hear excessive fret buzz when playing the guitar unamplified?  Piezo transducers (and the Variax modeling electronics) are more sensitive to buzz than conventional mag pickups.  Another possibility: From time to time I've noticed a bit of mechanical "sizzle" resulting from the upper strings bouncing in the transducer saddles on my '69.  It seems worse with brand new strings and fades away after a bit of breaking in.

[miurajef]

The strings I'm using are definitely broken in, and I don't hear any fret buzz when playing unamplified. I have even raised the action to a really uncomfortable level, and that doesn't change it. What puzzles me is that this seems to be a 'known issue' with the thickest strings, but not with the thinnest, whereas my 6th and 5th string sound great :).

[snhirsch]

The last thing to try is re-flashing the firmware on the guitar using Line6 Monkey.  If that doesn't correct the problem, make arrangements to return it to the factory for service. 

[clay-man]

Try pushing down behind the nut and see if it goes away. The string break angle might be a problem.

[miurajef]

I gave everything a good cleaning, put on new strings, raised the action somewhat...all of that seems to have helped a little. I'm now in the process of trying to EQ the problem away, with modest succes. I notice I'm playing differently on it too.  Oh well, it's a nice toy I guess.  Good thing I didn't sell any of my guitars :)

[clay-man]

I gave everything a good cleaning, put on new strings, raised the action somewhat...all of that seems to have helped a little. I'm now in the process of trying to EQ the problem away, with modest succes. I notice I'm playing differently on it too.  Oh well, it's a nice toy I guess.  Good thing I didn't sell any of my guitars :)

 

Did you purchase brand new? Try to get it swapped with a replacement JTV

[miurajef]

Did you purchase brand new? Try to get it swapped with a replacement JTV

Yeah I bought it brand new 2 months ago. I have been playing it quite a lot for the last couple of weeks, and that's when you start noticing the flaws, of course. Somehow i don't think the guitar suffers from a constrution error, but the store doesn't have another one in stock right now, so I can't compare for the time being.