Tuned 69S to Eb, heard a pop, now can't use alternate tunings

[FlyingsCool]

Hi,

I was physically tuning my JTV-69S (W13XX... Serial #) down to Eb.  As I was tuning down the high E, I heard a loud pop! from the bridge.  I thought I had broken a string (which was weird to me since I was releasing tension, not adding it).  But I realized the strings were still all intact, but they were suddenly way out of tune, varying across from down more than a full step on the Low E to up a half step on the high E.  Also, the strings seemed to have less tension overall.  And that was completely subjective, and even expected since they were tuned down a half step (this is my first strat style guitar, so I'm still getting used to the feel).  I was able to tune it though.

 

I opened the rear spring compartment and saw a couple wood chips around the screw on the low E side... almost as if it had slipped a thread.  But perhaps they just weren't cleaned out when the bridge was installed.  The guitar is relatively new (I bought it used from Reverb, but it had all it's original packing and even still has the plastic on the rear covers (I had pulled off the front plastic on the pick guard). 

 

So, not knowing anything about setting up a floating bridge I tightened the screw some to even it up with the other.  Sadly, I didn't look at the position of the bridge before I tightened the screws.  Then read up a little on the subject and realized I tightened it a little too much as the bridge was no longer parallel with the body.  So I loosened both the screws till it was nearly parallel and went back and forth a few times till it was both parallel and in tune (down a half step).

 

Then I plugged it in, played a little, everything seemed ok.  The various models sounded fine to me.  Until I tried to use the alternate tunings dial.  The 1/2 Step Down has major pitch shifting in it.  I tried re-tuning to E and it is still totally unusable.  In Drop D tuning, all the strings except the low E sound fine.

 

Before the pop, I've used the alternate tunings and they were totally fine to me.

 

I've checked out the bridge top to bottom, all the strings are still seated properly, I don't see any disconnected wires (it's the new style that goes through the tremolo bar, not around it) either at the bar or under the bridge.  All parts look like they are properly in place.  I can't imagine what could be wrong.

 

Any thoughts on what's gone wrong and how to fix it?  Do I need to connect it to Workbench and somehow reboot/reset it?

I can post pictures if necessary.

 

Edit: I notice I also seem to have much more range of motion on the tremolo bar.  I could not dive as deep before as I can now.  I thought it was weird before, but having never owned a guitar with a tremolo installed, I assumed that was how this one worked.

 

Also, the strings register as the correct tuning per whatever alternate tuning preset when I use the tuner in the Helix to read the signal. 

 

Sadly, seems to me the only answer could be a problem with the board :(

[FlyingsCool]

Tried reinstalling the firmware... No Joy. :(

[snhirsch]

Any possibility that the acoustic sound of the guitar itself is now louder?  Perhaps the dissonance is due to the fact that you hear more of the original tone along with the amp output.  To rule this out, try recording the guitar output and listening to see if the artifacts are there when you play it back. I've been fooled by this effect more times than I can count.

[silverhead]

I think you should open a support ticket if you haven't done so already. Line 6 tech support should be able to help you determine whether there's any physical damage that would need a service centre repair.

[FlyingsCool]

I'm pretty sure that @snhirsch is correct.  I think because I was playing quieter than normal, my ear was getting confused by the acoustic sound of the guitar.  I'm feeling pretty stupid right now :wacko:

 

Still don't know what the loud pop was, but there doesn't seem to be any damage other than my ego at this point.  I have a friend who's a luthier, I'll be bringing it to him to get the guitar properly set up.

 

Case closed.

[psarkissian]

Physically tuning the strings off standard, AND using Alt Tune can create problems as

the pitch tracking of the strings and pitch shifting of the software have limits. Especially

if you tune a string down then use the Baritone Alt Tune, you skirt the edge of the tracking capabilities. 

 

snhirsch's point is also well taken, the dual tone effect is something to be aware of

when using Alt Tuning. Hearing the sound from the string while simultaneously getting

the Alt Tune through the amp, is something to be aware of. 

 

Best take it to a Line 6 authorized service center, as they will have service info that your

luthier friend might not have. Seen too many luthiers get in over their heads on these,

then the guitar ends up on my bench. And that's always a bummer for the end user,

because that means even more time on the bench. These aren't your everyday passive

electric guitars.

[Palico]

Physically tuning the strings off standard, AND using Alt Tune can create problems as

the pitch tracking of the strings and pitch shifting of the software have limits. Especially

if you tune a string down then use the Baritone Alt Tune, you skirt the edge of the tracking capabilities. 

 

I can second this! I use my JTV89F in 1/2 down tuning physically and the modelling and alternate tuning do not work as good as they do in standard. For me I just live with it as I really don't use Alternate tuning very much. 

[Charlie_Watt]

The Pop sounds mechanical with the floating bridge.  If your bridge is hosed up, the modeling will be too.

[FlyingsCool]

Yeah, problem was pretty much my fault with the chorussy sound, I'm pretty sure it was just me hearing my strings at the same time as the L2t and not realizing it.  No idea what the pop was.  I hadn't really set the guitar up, so it could have been anything, the bridge might have even been stuck on the threads of one of the supports, and my loosening the strings may have allowed it to pop into place where it belongs, (although I seem to remember it being correct, who knows).

 

As I said, this is my first guitar with a tremolo, so I'm still learning how it should be set up and what it should feel like.  I have a friend who is a luthier, I've been planning on bringing it over to him to set the whole guitar up correctly and hope to do that soon.

 

Here's a link to a recording I made tuned to standard...

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/90403703/Variax%20Test.mp3

[brue58ski]

Whew!!!! I was feeling your pain for awhile. Glad it's OK. And another +1 on keeping the guitar in standard tuning. Custom tunings work best with that.