EBMM JP6 piezo is crackling with wireless

[Acooljt]

OK, so I just bought an EBMM John Petrucci 6-string with the piezo. It's an amazing guitar and I love it to death. For some reason though, when I try to use my wireless(Nady UHF-10) with it it starts crackling when on the piezo. It sounds fine on the humbuckers though. And it works fine when used with a regular cable. Anyone know what's going on here? I got ahold of Music Man and they couldn't figure out what was going on and suggested to use another wireless(not really an option considering they're several hundred dollars). I called Nady and the first guy I talked to said the problem was with the guitar. The next guy I talked to said that maybe there was something possibly loose inside the guitar wiring because apparently wireless units are much more sensitive then cables so any loose wiring will be picked up. I think they're all wrong. I think it's more of an output problem. As long as I'm playing like single notes it's fine, but if I strike a chord or something it starts crackling and really breaking up.

So this is me last ditch effort to figure out what the hell is going on. Anyone got any ideas?

 

[Headstock]

Welcome to the forums!

 

[5Stringer]

We have heard of no inherent problems with the JP piezo system and wireless systems.

Think of how many times you have heard of crackling when you have been on a cell phone call, or something similar. Presuming the batteries are at full power, the fact that it works with a cable, and not the wireless is a sure sign it's the communication (at least) between the transmitter and receiver.

Is there a music store nearby that would allow you to try out your JP with a different wireless system? At least then you would know if it is some sort of compatibility issue.

Another thought ... has this been run "dry", that is with no other effects in the chain? just for process of elimination's sake ...

Dan

 

[Grand Wazoo]

I have a stupid question to ask the poster...

by any chance you don't have one of those digital casio watches that have the ability to self adjust their correct time via radio signal? Cause if you do or if you wear any other digital watch that might well be the cause.

If not, do as 5Stringer suggested, go to a shop and try a different wireless system.

 

[Acooljt]

My amp is a Marshall Valvestate 8080 1x12 combo w/ Celestion Vintage 30 and I use Monster cables. I have a Carvin X-100B head as well but I can't hook up to it because it's at home(I'm a college student). I did roll off the volume knob on the piezo but it still seems to crackle, just at a lower volume. I did run it directly into the amp without effects and it still crackles. Also, I do not wear a watch so that is not an issue.

The guy at Nady said that they sometimes recommend putting a 34pF capacitor across the hot and ground wires of the volume pots for UHF units and 270pF on VHF units for high-output instruments.

The only difference between the wireless and a cable besides the obvious lack of cable is that Nady puts a small capacitor in the actual 1/4" jack. I think it's supposed to stop the popping sound you get when you unplug your guitar.

And I probably could go to a local guitar shop to try and diagnose the problem, but I imagine they'd be pretty mad when they find out I'm not actually looking to buy anything.

 

[Big Poppa]

Welcome to the forum...

I need you to understand that everyone here means well but cannot help you.

WE can help you. Contact customer service.

The regulars should know better by now the standard response is "contact customer service"

 

[leftyguitarblue]

Welcome to the forum...

I need you to understand that everyone here means well but cannot help you.

WE can help you. Contact customer service.

The regulars should know better by now the standard response is "contact customer service"

I put it in my signature Sterling; trying to spread the word for you.

 

[Acooljt]

Well the problem is that I did contact customer service and they couldn't help me. So I was hoping that perhaps some of the guru's on here could help.

 

[bkrumme]

Well the problem is that I did contact customer service and they couldn't help me. So I was hoping that perhaps some of the guru's on here could help.

That's funny...5Stringer IS CUSTOMER SERVICE

Anyway, if the piezo is crackly...might try putting a new battery in the guitar...

 

[5Stringer]

Well the problem is that I did contact customer service and they couldn't help me. So I was hoping that perhaps some of the guru's on here could help.

If you recall the other day, you had called and told me of this problem. I mentioned that I would consult our engineering department and call you back, which I did, and left you a message with what I found out. As I mentioned in my post above, there is a limited amount of information we can ascertain with outside products. All we can know for sure at this point is that your guitar works as it is supposed to with a standard guitar cord. Beyond that we have to check for compatibility with aftermarket products such as a wireless system.

When I suggested to you that you might try checking a different wireless system, it was merely an attempt to isolate the problem, again of what is compatible with your guitar.

If we were to ask you to send your guitar to us, we would check and inspect the functions of your guitar the way we would before it leaves the first time. If all is as I suspect, we would find nothing wrong with your guitar, bringing us no closer to solving the problem. That is not to say that we won't check out your guitar at no charge to you (other than shipping), but it may well be redundant to do so given the facts listed above.

Again, a more prudent way would be to check your guitar with your wireless system and other wireless systems to see if there were compatibility issues with any or all of them. I know of no inherent characteristic in the design of the guitar to prevent it from working with the Nady or any other wireless system, but that doesn't mean that it will be compatible with them all, either.

please give me a call at 866-823-2255 or email me at [email protected] - thanks, Dan

 

[Acooljt]

Don't get me wrong, I don't think there is any flaw with the guitar. The reason I came to this board for help is that the problem seems to be isolated to this certain guitar. I think the problem is the interaction between the wireless and guitar. I wouldn't even think of shipping the guitar off to you guys because I know there is nothing wrong with it. And I want to make clear that I definitely wasn't dissatisfied with the level of customer service you gave me when I called. I couldn't be happier with the service given to me by EBMM and I understand that this problem is a random anomaly that is likely an isolated incident. My reason for coming here is that it seemed that EBMM customer service couldn't figure it out and neither could Nady(BTW, I would not recommend ever puchasing from Nady because while the product is great, their customer service reps are belligerent jerk-offs). I thought perhaps maybe there was a possibility that perhaps another JP6 owner had a similar problem to mine. Once again, I want to make it very clear that I am thoroughly pleased with the level of service given to me by EBMM.

 

[bkrumme]

I've NEVER had luck with Nady wireless systems. They've always sounded cheap as hell to me and SERIOUSLY COLORED my tone.

I know they're expensive, but get one of the Sennheiser G2 series wireless systems. EW172 G2 is the one I use and I've never had a problem with either the piezo or the magnetic pups on my JP7s. Tone is pure, too...sounds the same as with a cable.

 

[5Stringer]

Once again, I want to make it very clear that I am thoroughly pleased with the level of service given to me by EBMM.

thanks, much appreciated!

 

[Acooljt]

While we're on the topic, does anyone know of a wireless system that is stereo? That way I can make full use of this guitar(granted I could just use the mono input but then I can't go through a PA).

 

[bkrumme]

While we're on the topic, does anyone know of a wireless system that is stereo? That way I can make full use of this guitar(granted I could just use the mono input but then I can't go through a PA).

I've been looking for a stereo wireless system for a while. I haven't been able to find anything that doesn't require 2 transmitters/receivers.

It would be great if somone know of one.

 

[leftyguitarblue]

I don't know of a stereo wireless unit, the line 6 digital wireless is phenomenal. It retains every bit of your tone that normally gets lost a little due to the wireless. You can't tell the difference between being wireless or hard wired.

 

[beej]

Ditto. Tons of rave reviews about the Line 6 (formerly X2, they bought the company), it does sound great. Though I've heard it's worth investing in the rack version for the better range.

 

[Acooljt]

I'll never buy another Line 6 product. I owned the original Flextone and for all they hyped it up to be, it didn't come close to living up to the rave. The "Recto" setting sounded nothing like a Mesa Rectifier. It lacked so much distortion. I just can't buy into the whole "digital modelling" since then. I'll just stick with the real thing.

 

[beej]

Fair enough, but the wireless is a completely different thing. And they bought the company that had the best product- lots of guys using it on big tours these days.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Not a Line 6 forum I know- but I have to say that not all their products are bad.
Go to any exhibition and a lot of the pros use a line 6 product. I'm really happy with my Line 6 XT and my balls sound great through it, either in isolation or when using my XT through my Marshall/Mesa as a tube poweramp.

Digital sampling will not sound like the real thing - well not yet, but what they do provide is a good "second best".

Saw a band a few months ago - covers band - did loads of music genres. Being at the back of the venue I couldn't see what amp he was using, Had a drink with the guitarist at the bar later and I asked what he was using - "Line 6 xt into the desk with monitor wedge". Me and my mate's jaw dropped - couldn't believe the sound he had - and my mate was a sound engineer with John Henry, London for a long time.
So here's one fan of Line 6. - Wish they were British and cheaper.
A good USA product I say? - and sorry that this is not a reply to the initial theme of the thread