2017 vs 2011 JTV59 Differences?

[markbarron416]

2017 vs 2011 JTV59 are there any Differences?  

 

Bought a 300 in 2008, died just as the electronics were no longer available.

Don't want to go down the same path and pickup a used 2011 JTV59  then can't be fixed because of changes.

 

Any insight?

[psarkissian]

The build date, the firmware that comes with it. 2017 will have a more up to date circuit board.

Parts are still available for the 59's.

 

[markbarron416]

Can a 2011’s firmware update to current?

Any published change to circuit board that favors a refurbished 2017?

Or enough change that 2011 vs 2017 parts are not interchangeable?

[Rewolf48]

I have a 2011 JTV 69 and that is running the latest firmware. Didn't know that there had been a circuit board update...

[psarkissian]

You can get the 2011 one and we can put a current board and firmware in it.

Or, get the 2017 one with with current board and firmware all in there already.

Either way is fine.

[markbarron416]

what does the new circuit board add to the guitar's ability. 

[psarkissian]

A few minor things that are circuit level, and can't into with an end user.

Proprietary stuff I'm afraid.

 

Getting functionality to work better and smoother.

 

[cruisinon2]

what does the new circuit board add to the guitar's ability.

In other words..."nothing that you'd notice if your life depended on it". 😂ðŸ‘

[markbarron416]

I like this answer...  

 

A few minor things that are circuit level, and can't into with an end user.

Proprietary stuff I'm afraid.

 

Getting functionality to work better and smoother.

 

In other words..."nothing that you'd notice if your life depended on it".  

 

 

[markbarron416]

In other words..."nothing that you'd notice if your life depended on it".

guess that degree in electrical engineering I have is useless then.

 

[cruisinon2]

guess that degree in electrical engineering I have is useless then.

I'm sure its worth plenty...it does seem to have robbed you of a sense of humor, however. Sorry to have ruffled your feathers.

 

And for what it's worth, I was really commenting on the answer you received, not criticising you for asking the question. "Secret stuff I can't discuss" and "getting functionality to work better and smoother" isn't really an answer, is it? It conveys no more information than the typical "new and improved" ad copy that adorns everything from TV's to dish soap.

 

Merry Festivus...

[markbarron416]

I'm sure its worth plenty...it does seem to have robbed you of a sense of humor, however. Sorry to have ruffled your feathers.

 

And for what it's worth, I was really commenting on the answer you received, not criticising you for asking the question. "Secret stuff I can't discuss" and "getting functionality to work better and smoother" isn't really an answer, is it? It conveys no more information than the typical "new and improved" ad copy that adorns everything from TV's to dish soap.

 

Merry Festivus...

 

 I saw the answer as a logic improvement, not a holly lollipop, the circuits are getting blown up answer.  didn't expect much as the "Proprietary stuff.."  but just had to ask anyway.  never ask, never know.   we see the world through are own history.   fought a 300's buggy circuit for years.  fool me once kinda thing and I'm a cheap lollipop, looking at a used JTV.  all good puzzles, like a good guitar riff. we're all in tune. 

[Smashcraaft]

I would not go for a 2011 JTV-59 except the price is very low (at max 500 USD).

 

I got 2 JTV-59 starting withe W1405… and the newer one (just 40 units later, as stated at the serial-no.) weights 7,7 pounds (3,5 kg) instead of the older ones 9,5 pounds (4,2 kg).

 

The intonation on the newer one is much better too, because of the bridge placed more backwards. It seems that Line6 had descided to take a first look at their manufactorers build quality, in the mids of 2014 :/

[VAX700]

Six years is a long time when it comes to electronic tech. Personally speaking, I'd get a 2017... budget permitting. It's not like you're after an older discontinued model.

 

As much as I like/respect L6 products...

 

A few minor things that are circuit level, and can't into with an end user.

Proprietary stuff I'm afraid.

 

Getting functionality to work better and smoother.

To me, that sounds like "We improved some circuits and fixed some quirks. But we really don't want to tell you exactly what... Cause if we did you'd notice for sure."😎

 

It's ok L6... I love my "59" quirks and all (kinda like my wife).ðŸ˜

[cruisinon2]

To me, that sounds like "We improved some circuits and fixed some quirks. But we really don't want to tell you what... Cause if we did you'd notice for sure."😎

 

"New and improved! It's awesome now, trust us..." ;)

[VAX700]

2017 vs 2011 JTV59 are there any Differences?

 

Bought a 300 in 2008, died just as the electronics were no longer available.

Don't want to go down the same path and pickup a used 2011 JTV59 then can't be fixed because of changes.

 

Any insight?

I own a 2016 JTV-59, but I also have a Variax 700 and a 700 acoustic... They still work perfectly, still sound amazing, and play like a dream. So I think you can trust a 2011 JTV-59... as long as it wasn't abused by the previous owner. It will accept the latest firmware update (that is if it hasn't been updated already). I'm running v2.21 and have no problems... Sounds fantastic. As for circuit board replacement... really not worth it. Like psarkissian said: It corrects "a few minor things" that you probably wouldn't even notice. Most important is the JTV-59 is still in production, so complete service is available should you need it. They're wonderful guitars whether 2011 or 2017.

[jerseyboy]

I think my 59 is 2012-13?  Over past several months daily service been a workhorse pleasure.  Couple little things but nothing I haven't been able to handle.  We're supposed to get a much newer model soon so it'll be fun/interesting to compare?  

 

Also have 2qty 2004-05 Vax 500's which remain rock steady solid since working for serious productions since 2006-07.  Korean, out of the box they needed fretwork, nut, better tuners and setup (I even shaved/sanded the neck on one of 'em down more to my liking) but as long as they're fed fresh Alkaline or XPS/VDI supply, the electronics have never coughed up.  

 

Oh btw, speaking of tuners 'recently installed Hipshot locking on the JTV59, big improvement and most any locking tuner makes it much much quicker/easier to change strings on the slotted 59 bridge! 

[cruisinon2]

We're supposed to get a much newer model soon...

We are? ;)

[jerseyboy]

Regularly playing both a new JTV59, 2017 and an older 2013 JTV59.  

Physically, even though the “knobs†may be slightly different (maybe they’re simply sitting in the body slightly different height?) the actual electronic taper for Volume/Tone seemed very similar to 2013 JTV59.  

Myself and our sound dept seem to prefer the active/model sound output of this newer JTV59?  I'm talking about the models only here not the passive magnetic pickup sound through the 1/4" audio output.  Same FW and models seem identical but something about the entire “active/model†audio output was seemingly nicer, silkier, smoother, clearer than the older 2013 audio output circuitry? 

There’s one small manufacturing issue on the newest 59 - the neck is kinda lumpy around the 10-12th fret to the joint.  Rub my hand and look for it, it’s definitely there.  Seems like a little more sanding/filler would’ve taken care of it before finishing.  But for the price and Korean construction, it’s not that big of a big deal.  Does make me kinda yearn for a USA version someday?  

Intonation and/or fret placement is very good.  Maybe slight nod here to the newer 2017 JTV59?  I never suffered the overall bridge misplacement on the 2013 JTV59 as some have reported but I’ve notice some “funny†notes/spots along the fretboard. Even with the best action/intonation setup.  Don’t notice any funny’s when playing the 2017 and in fact a couple places sounded slightly more in tune than what I’ve been accustomed to hearing for the last couple months in those passages on the older guitar. 

The neck is slightly narrower width on the 2017 JTV59.  Barely perceptible but this 2017 is not quite as wide as the 2013.  I'm sure it's more of a tolerance thing and not radical departure from neck shape/size.  Unlike my 2qty old 500's where one arrived super thin/narrow and the other with very fat/thick neck.  At least until I wood carved that neck into a nice shape to my preference.  

I'm probably gonna redo the nuts on both JTV59's.  Nothing against the black Graphtech and if this were a whammy guitar I would probably leave 'em be.  But I like well fitted bone or might try a ZerO Glide on one of these 59's?  

 

I also installed HipShot locking tuners on the older 59.  They're nice and smooth plus come with a unique mounting plate system which simplifies drill-less installation.  The stock Korean guitar tuners are just OK, IMO.  So any UG (upgrade) is probably a good UG.  But for JTV59, pinch locking tuners provide a major improvement because it helps make string changes so much easier.  The 59 Tyler bridge is NO fun to install new strings without a locking tuner to take up slack and hold the ball end into the bridge trough.  

 

Both awesome axes and great values, IMO.  This info seemed to be something worth sharing since I have the opportunity to report observations using a well controlled back-to-back comparison of older/newer JTV59.  

[brue58ski]

You can get the 2011 one and we can put a current board and firmware in it.

Or, get the 2017 one with with current board and firmware all in there already.

Either way is fine.

 

How much would it cost to do that (have you put the new one in) and can you say if you think it would be worth it? And is this also true with the JTV69 and JTV89?

[psarkissian]

Don't know the cost, that's something you'll have to contact support about.

Having the current firmware is worth it. You get to use Workbench HD with it's more up to date features.

After that, it's more of a personal preference thing,... which Models from a given firmware version and all.

 

[cyprussid]

I'm also thinking of buying jtv59 can anyone tell me neck width at 12th fret

[cbrillow]

3 hours ago, cyprussid said:

I'm also thinking of buying jtv59 can anyone tell me neck width at 12th fret

Mine measures just a hair over 2", or about 51mm, measured eyeball with a scale. If you want more accuracy, I'll break out the digital calipers...

[psarkissian]

My test unit at my bench measures 2.09 inches, or 53.3 mm, using my digital calipers.

[cyprussid]

Thanks for your help

[cyprussid]

On 12/18/2017 at 3:04 PM, VAX700 said:

On 12/12/2017 at 12:20 AM, markbarron416 said:

2017 vs 2011 JTV59 are there any Differences?

 

Bought a 300 in 2008, died just as the electronics were no longer available.

Don't want to go down the same path and pickup a used 2011 JTV59 then can't be fixed because of changes.

 

Any insight?

I own a 2016 JTV-59, but I also have a Variax 700 and a 700 acoustic... They still work perfectly, still sound amazing, and play like a dream. So I think you can trust a 2011 JTV-59... as long as it wasn't abused by the previous owner. It will accept the latest firmware update (that is if it hasn't been updated already). I'm running v2.21 and have no problems... Sounds fantastic. As for circuit board replacement... really not worth it. Like psarkissian said: It corrects "a few minor things" that you probably wouldn't even notice. Most important is the JTV-59 is still in production, so complete service is available should you need it. They're wonderful guitars whether 2011 or 2017.

 

[cyprussid]

here they're fazing them out now yamaha have taken over

[Rewolf48]

The actual story is the Line 6 have formed the core of Yamaha Guitar Group... and get Ampeg on board too. and Variax was being pushed at NAMM; see the Stevic demo video. The possible move is a new generation of Variax modelling tech as there are hints of two or three new products being launched 

[kitetrick]

When did the newer board get cut into the production?

[psarkissian]

2012.

 

[PierM]

I do have a 2011 (Bought in 2016 as new, from Thomann). Never had a single problem. Played a new one, didnt notice anything different. I dont think new board is doing something the average user could hear or feel. Probably just stuff that makes L6 happier, but not for the sound or for the performance, otherwise we would have seen a marketing lollipop back in 2012.

 

Nice anectode is that, within a collection of +30 guitars (most of them Custom Shop items), this JTV59 is the best companion for my Fishman Tripleplay. Incredible how well the FTP tracks this guitar. Coincidence maybe, maybe not. :)

[psarkissian]

 " I don't think new board is doing something the average user could hear or feel. " --- Correct. There was a minor parts update

to the board to dial-in a couple things.

 

"... this JTV59 is the best companion for my Fishman Tripleplay. Incredible how well the FTP tracks this guitar. " --- Yes, the JTV-59

seems to be a favourite mount for a Fishman Tripleplay. Had a few come across my service bench with those on them,... pretty good.