JP7 w/Piezo ?'s

[EVO169]

Hello all, I am new to the forum and have a couple of questions about my newly purchased JP7.

When I plug in a mono cable into the top jack (closest to strap button), when I use the magnetic pickups, they don't sound as good as when I plug into the lower jack. When I flip the switch to the piezo's it works, but when I flip it down the magnetic pups don't seem to have the same power. It is subtle, but I swear I can hear the difference. Is that normal??

The low e string in piezo mode is noticably more quiet than the other strings. Is there a way to adjust that? Tech support is going to mail me a new one, but they are currently out of stock, so I don't know how long it will be until I get one.

Also, when I opened up the trem cavity to make some adjustments, I noticed two small holes that look as though something had been screwed in below the trem springs. Is that normal??

With all that said, this is the most awesome guitar I own, and I have about 22 or 23 now and this baby is numero uno!! Please Help!! Thanks,

Mike

 

[eliot323]

Hi there
Congrats on your new addition to the family (where do you keep 'em all - he asked jealously?).

Just a few thoughts - apologies if you know this. Are you using a proper stereo cable with the combined magnetic/piezo jack and a mono cable with the magnetic only jack? This makes a lot of difference with mine (JP6 piezo). Planet Waves make a nice one.

You could experiment with the adjustable saddle height on the e string but if the piezo is faulty you will need a new one.

I don't know about the screw holes - I would suspect it's normal but some of the other guys will know.

 

[EVO169]

Thanks for the quick reply. I actually have this little room, about 12'x12', that is my alloted music space in the house. I have them mostly all hanging on the wall. It's tough because I only feel comftorable with putting the hanger on a stud, so the space is even more limited. I guess I have about 15 or so on the wall, some on stands and my Taylor is in its case. I have two half stacks in the same room also. I am going to be putting an addition on my house for a new studio. My wife is pretty cool about it, but this JP7 has irritated her a bit. I love this thing so much I am going to get a JP6 to go along with it, which I am sure will really get her pissed. Oh well.

No, I have been using a mono cable for both. Man, I feel like an idiot. So if I want to switch between the two pups on the fly with one cable I use a stereo cable in the top jack?? This is my first piezo equipped guitar and it sounds really great. I have heard they sound even better through the house pa, or an acoustic amp. The thing already sounds killer through a guitar amp, so I can't wait to play it though an acoustic amp or pa. JP's acoustic sound on that "Score" DVD is just freaking ridiculously good.

I'll try the saddle height thing. There is no adjustment inside the black box on the back for individual strings? Thanks again bro, I really appreciate it.

 

[mbgreene]

Based on prior posts, the two small holes in the cavity are used to mount the body during the finishing process - perfectly normal.

Welcome to the forum and please post pics or we won't believe it exists

 

[EVO169]

Thanks, I feel a bit better now. I was starting to wonder if it was sold to me new, when in fact maybe someone had already had it for a little while and then returned it. Whew!! I think I have some pics here at work. Do you want pics of just the JP. I suppose I can post some of the rest of the stuff if you like. Is this place cool with posting gear from other manufacturers?? Thanks again

 

[EVO169]

Here she is...


http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h183/archenemy22/smallerjp7andlegacy.jpg

 

[eliot323]

Hi again EVO

There are two ways you can use the piezo

1. Using a stereo cable in the stereo socket and switching between the combinations...I've just been playing "The Answer Lies Within" this evening and doing just that - my setup is currently clean +wet amp/dirty + dry amp and I use a Lehle amp switcher to use either amp or both on together - so its a little bit of tap-dance but its good for the co-ordination...

2. The other way is to use a mono cable in each socket and run them to separate amps - so if you want to use a dedicated acoustic amp for the piezo and your usual monster for the magnetic PUPs, this would be the way to go.

Sounds like you have a really sweet setup at home - and without wanting to increase your domestic strife, definitely get a JP6. I've got two and another (a Limited Edition 2006) on the way.

Sadly, JP will insist on using these drop tunings that really require a dedicated guitar (because of the setup of course). They are awesome guitars - I've just sold my Ibanez's as they are so good - my wife has a one guitar in/one out policy...

So I have my standard/Eb tuned guitar, D tuned guitar and the new one will be the C tuned one. I don't think I will go for the baritone

 

[EVO169]

I can't decide on the color, actually. I really like the Desert Gold, and also the Graphite Pearl. The DG really stands out, but the Graphite Pearl has a really cool understated beauty to it.

One in, one out... sounds fair I suppose. I hope my wife never reads this. I wouldn't want her getting any ideas. I am so addicted to gear it's nuts. I usually have been able to sell a few I didn't like, to get some others, but I am at a point now where I really love them all. I can't see selling a single one of them. Here's what I can think of at the moment:

JP7 w/Piezo
PRS Custom 24
Gibson Explorer
Gibson Faded V
Fender YJM Strat
Fender Strat Deluxe w/Floyd
Fender Highway 1 Strat
MIM Fender '72 Tele Custom
Axtra Custom I
Axtra Custom II (small company from Wisconsin)
Edwards Gold Top LP
Edwards LP Custom
Ibanez RG 550 (rosewood board)
Ibanez RG 550 (maple board)
Carvin Contour 66
Carvin CT6c (being built)
Warmoth Mutt
Homemade Frankenstrat ala EVH
USA Jackson Soloist
USA Jackson Dinky Snakeskin
Peavey Bass
Taylor 414 ce
VHT Ultralead w/ 4x12 cab
Carvin Legacy w/ 4x12 cab
Carvin Bel-Air 2x12
Line 6 Spider practice amp


whew!!!!

 

[darren]

If you plug a mono cable into the bottom jack, you get the magnetic and piezo signals blended together in the mono signal.

The reason your magnetics sounds a little "weaker" when you plug into the top jack is that you don't have any piezo signal blended with them. Even with a stereo cable plugged into the bottom jack, there's a tiny bit of crosstalk between the magnetic and piezo signals... there will be a slight bit of piezo bleeding through when you're in magnetic-only mode.