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Post subject: Strat VG Volume problem
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:29 pm
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I just bought a Strat VG - all the sounds sound fine, so far, but I got a problem concerning the volume:
Fender advertises the instrument with the argument, that you don't have to change anything at the amplifier, when you change your sounds.
My problem is, that all the virtual sounds are very very much lower in volume that the "real" strat. I have to push my little home amplifier to its outmost capabilities to hear a little itty bitty guitar - is that normal? (It doesn't have to do with the batteries, I checked that)
I'd be glad to hear about other people's experiences, or some official fender comment (since there is no fender contact address anywhere to find - sad thing, by the way).
Hoping for help:
Jakob (kapsperger)


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Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:45 am
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Hello,

You should NOT here a volume difference between the Alnico picks ups and the VG modeled sounds. This sounds like there s a legitimate problem with the VG. Have a local Fender dealer take a quick look at it. What type of batteries are you using?

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Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:40 am
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I agree with Matt here. First, exchange the batteries with new/newly-charged ones (yep, it uses batteries for the Roland synth/pickup). If that doesn't remedy the problem, time to see your local Fender dealer/shop.


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Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:12 pm
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I have to disagree with the Fender folks. I've played VGs several times in stores, and there is a noticeable difference in volume between the digital sounds and the real pups. All of the digital sounds were perfectly balanced however.

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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 12:53 pm
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Maybe the batteries were wearing in the store (ya know, people constantly fiddling with it). If the blue light is blinking - that isn't it working, that's it notifying you to replace the batteries. Otherwise the blue light should be solid.

The difference in volume between the straight setting and the sim sounds is slightly different but not by much. Nothing like what the OP seems to be experiencing for sure!


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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 3:48 pm
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Thank you all for your replies so far!

As I mentioned in the original posting, it doesn't have anything to do with the batteries, I doublechecked that.
I agree that the virtual sounds are perfectly balanced. They all are considerably lower than the "original" strat, though. Far far far from what Fender advertises.

Interesting, that the fender guys still claim that this should not be so, and the users (I heard of others meanwhile) all claim it to be so...

I will probably follow the advice of showing the instrument to some fender-store (none around the corner, here...). I'm pretty sure they will tell me, that "that's the way it is, so sorry..." though.

Two remarks to the webmaster by the way: a) it's not very friendly to let users only enter posts during working hours of Mountain standard time - I live in the mountains too, though in Switzerland. "Mountain weird time"?
b) why am I called a "hobbyist" in the forum when in my profile I stated to be professional musician? More weird things... ;-)


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:01 pm
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I agree that the 'open-for-business' hours setting for the forums here is a bit strange. No weekends either.

I specifically chose 'hobbyist'. You should be able to select this in your profile.

That is weird. I have a VG Strat sitting here to my right. I tested it before purchasing and before posting here. The volume difference between the straight and simulated tones is negligible. Obviously, you are going to get more bite with distorted/overdriven electric than clean acoustic sim (always something to hate). Maybe it is some electrical or setup discrepancy that others (including yourself) are experiencing.

Fender might need to do some more testing of the circuitry for more appropriate balance. I also should note that the Roland VG pickup is adjustable. Might it be that someone (some setup person ill-equipped) has drastically set the VG pickup incorrectly. Mine has a general 1/16th inch (2mm) gap between it and the strings.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:55 pm
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I didn't see a place in my profile where I could chose "Hobbiest" etc. I think that this changes depending on how long you've been online at the forum... but just a guess here.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:01 pm
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Looks like it is only available during signup ???

I'm certain that I selected the option then but the Profile doesn't provide editing of this. Something to ask the forum admins methinks.

On the guitar itself, I think that you should definitely have it checked out - even exchanged for another personally tested. I understand the frustation of ludicrous volume differences using Line6 equipment which tends to require master volume changes (or incidental volume changes) to get things evened out.

Robert


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:03 pm
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Yeah, the rating below your name is based on how many posts you've made. Hobbyist has nothing to do with your actual skill level or job.

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:05 pm
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cryingstrat wrote:
Yeah, the rating below your name is based on how many posts you've made. Hobbyist has nothing to do with your actual skill level or job.


Does one get credit for being on the internet for 15 years and playing for 25? ;)

I've probably owned more Fender Strats than most people here (including the now defunct versions with Floyd-Rose trem). Eat that you young punks! ;D

Enjoy your Spring weather!


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:13 pm
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Kuroyume wrote:
cryingstrat wrote:
Yeah, the rating below your name is based on how many posts you've made. Hobbyist has nothing to do with your actual skill level or job.


Does one get credit for being on the internet for 15 years and playing for 25? ;)

I've probably owned more Fender Strats than most people here (including the now defunct versions with Floyd-Rose trem). Eat that you young punks! ;D

Enjoy your Spring weather!


Like I said,l it's only tied to number of posts. I've been playing for 38 years, been using the net since the old phone modem bulletin board days. Back then there wasn't even Windows. LOL :lol: We all start at Hobbyist here.

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Is that a mexican poncho
Or is that a sears poncho?
Hmmm...no foolin ...." FZ


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 11:54 am
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I have exaclty the same problem with the lower volume from the Roland PU, the virtual sounds are indeed good balanced.
If you change however to the normal PU's the output is absolutely higher.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 12:44 pm
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As I mentioned in another related topic, it could be several things (only one of which might require having it examined by a technician):

1. Batteries. As the batteries drain, the output volume of the VG is going to decrease. I've only noticed this near the time that the blue light starts blinking. Use AA NiMH ~2500 mAh rechargeables to get the longest life and save on standard Alkaline AA batteries. Make sure that you are placing the batteries in the correct polarization (+/-) in the battery holder.

2. Pickup height settings. If the VG is not properly adjusted or the normal pickups are raised very high that might explain a volume discrepancy. Although setting the pickup height as close to the strings as possible (so that they don't vibrate into or stick to the magnetic pickup poles of course) gives higher volume it may not be optimal as the magnets can actually dampen the string vibration and introduce other anomalies into the sound.

3. Defective electronics/etc. This will require a technician to examine it or replacement.

The only setting which seems to show a noticeable (but not significant) drop in volume compared to the standard pickups is the A (acoustic) setting. That seems reasonable - much of the drive of the electric sound is probably being removed to get the smoother, fuller tone of an acoustic.

It is possible that some or a batch of these guitars left the shop in less-than optimal condition or that overzealous shop setup technicians fiddled with a good setup thus creating a bad setup for the VG. Hard to say.

It might also be that the VG doesn't 'pick up' certain string metals as well as others (?). I'd need to do more research on whether that could be a contributing factor (maybe nickel is better or worse than steel etc.). Again, hard to say.

Robert


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:15 pm
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If you state that the distance (once again, the batteries are "non coupable") of the pickups to the strings might be a reason, would it make sense to raise the Roland-pickup? Or rather lower the single-coils?


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