JHS Punchline

[nixdad]

Ok so got it set up and first impressions are definitely very positive, immediately very easy to get great tones. I am noticing some pretty obvious noise that I will need to trouble shoot. Seems to be quiet until strings are touched, touching the control plate with my finger pretty much quiets it. I am hoping this is a me issue or a shielding issue possibly or maybe a wire or ambient electrical noise but it would not be good for recording, it is also going through my HX Stomp into my headphones & GK 112 MBII so I have some variables to go through. Would love any insight on troubleshooting the noise or if anyone else had a noise issue what they did. Otherwise just very excited to dig in this weekend, I’m immediately impressed with what it appears to be able to do.

Hi Joshua -
I'm not an electronics expert, but the only noise issue I've ever heard about with a Punchline was caused by a mismatch in the power supply (user error.) Other than that, you already know what to do with sourcing noise/hum issues.

Let us know what you find out!
Chris

 

[Lovep]

Yeah, I have not heard a noise issue out of the XLR.

 

[Joshua Gerry]

Hi Joshua -
I'm not an electronics expert, but the only noise issue I've ever heard about with a Punchline was caused by a mismatch in the power supply (user error.) Other than that, you already know what to do with sourcing noise/hum issues.

Let us know what you find out!
Chris

Thx Chris. That’s good to know. Currently it’s on a 1-spot that’s in a power strip so I’m going to hook up the Volt power supply directly to the wall and see if that resolves the issue. But man does this thing sound sweet!!

 

[nixdad]

Thx Chris. That’s good to know. Currently it’s on a 1-spot that’s in a power strip so I’m going to hook up the Volt power supply directly to the wall and see if that resolves the issue. But man does this thing sound sweet!!

You bet, Joshua.
BTW, I use a One Spot as well and have had zero issues. I agree that the Punchline is incredible!

The only thing I'm currently in the middle of solving is using a fuzz along with the Punchline. I'm going to change the pedal order today to see if that makes a difference. If it doesn't, I'll simply remove the fuzz and crank the Drive as needed, as the Punchline is critical to my sound and the fuzz is not.

 

[musicman556]

I just ordered another set of these knobs on Amazon. $8, will be here Saturday. Amazon.com

There are a ton of color options on Amazon, and most come in packs of 10. There are 14 knobs on this bad boy, so since you need to get at least two packs anyway, why not go for a cool color combo?

I have 4 silver and 2 blue knobs left over. For Punchline #2 that arrived yesterday, I'm going to go all blue except for using the 4 silver knobs for the Drive section, and that'll leave me with 2 spare blue knobs.

 

[Joshua Gerry]

Ok it just seems to have been a noisy jump plug between the Punchline & the HX Stomp. All systems are go Bass Station prepared for lift off!! Still only getting to dabble while I’m at work but it’s like steroids for your rig. Feels powerful and full, I find the need to pull back on my attack a little as the nuances are far more pronounced. Very fun to tweak & inutuitive. Currently the chain is 78’ P w/ Custom Shop ‘62 pickup under the hood, into the Punchline, Into the HX Stomp(using IMA Ultimate DI preset as a clean platform) into the GK 112 MBII set flat, or my headphones, or interface. So far I am super impressed! The combo with the stomp is really nice as I can play with music in headphones or through my amp. Endlessly satisfying! Very excited to take it out with the band If you have the means to drop $375 on something I’m not sure how you could go wrong. It is very large and taller than the stomp but it’s essentially 4 very useful pedals. Combined it’s the Stomp( Which I plan to extend and handles my tuning duties) it’s pretty much endless sonic avenues to explore and a very minimal board with very few connections. Still a little room on the board should I desire something special but really to me this is an ideal setup! Really appreciate everyone doing their part to spread the word on this. May have to snag one as a gift for a bass brother out there!

 

[nixdad]

Ok it just seems to have been a noisy jump plug between the Punchline & the HX Stomp. All systems are go Bass Station prepared for lift off!! Still only getting to dabble while I’m at work but it’s like steroids for your rig. Feels powerful and full, I find the need to pull back on my attack a little as the nuances are far more pronounced. Very fun to tweak & inutuitive. Currently the chain is 78’ P w/ Custom Shop ‘62 pickup under the hood, into the Punchline, Into the HX Stomp(using IMA Ultimate DI preset as a clean platform) into the GK 112 MBII set flat, or my headphones, or interface. So far I am super impressed! The combo with the stomp is really nice as I can play with music in headphones or through my amp. Endlessly satisfying! Very excited to take it out with the band If you have the means to drop $375 on something I’m not sure how you could go wrong. It is very large and taller than the stomp but it’s essentially 4 very useful pedals. Combined it’s the Stomp( Which I plan to extend and handles my tuning duties) it’s pretty much endless sonic avenues to explore and a very minimal board with very few connections. Still a little room on the board should I desire something special but really to me this is an ideal setup! Really appreciate everyone doing their part to spread the word on this. May have to snag one as a gift for a bass brother out there!

Glad you solved the noise issue!

You're gonna LOVE using this with your band, both in how you'll fit in the mix, as well as your sound on stage and through the FOH.

 

[Parzival]

The new Punchline came Thursday. Didn’t have time to test it out, but having had one before, wasn’t too worried. Took it to the gig last night and it took me less than a minute to dial it in and I never touched it again the whole night except to kick the drive on and off.

It was killer. Sounded better than ever. Not only is this thing a keeper and going nowhere, it’s going to be my main gig board. Sounds too good not to use.

 

[nixdad]

The new Punchline came Thursday. Didn’t have time to test it out, but having had one before, wasn’t too worried. Took it to the gig last night and it took me less than a minute to dial it in and I never touched it again the whole night except to kick the drive on and off.

It was killer. Sounded better than ever. Not only is this thing a keeper and going nowhere, it’s going to be my main gig board. Sounds too good not to use.


View attachment 7083955

Fantastic! Thank you for sharing, @Parzival.

 

[Parzival]

Fantastic! Thank you for sharing, @Parzival.

This pedal is the truth. My sound guy was high fiving me after the gig because it sounded so good.

Props to JHS. I’ve tried a bunch of preamps that claim all-in-one with compression, drive, etc, but this is the first that has absolutely delivered.

 

[kevinpmajka]

The new Punchline came Thursday. Didn’t have time to test it out, but having had one before, wasn’t too worried. Took it to the gig last night and it took me less than a minute to dial it in and I never touched it again the whole night except to kick the drive on and off.

It was killer. Sounded better than ever. Not only is this thing a keeper and going nowhere, it’s going to be my main gig board. Sounds too good not to use.


View attachment 7083955

What board and power supply are you using? And is that the HX One pedal next to it? How are you using it?

Thanks for sharing - I'm glad it was a good experience for you!

 

[Jaya W]

Fedex said that mine was supposed to be here last thursday but it looks like tomorrow (hopefully)

I’ve been waiting and waiting on FedEx to get mine here. It’s been just shy of a week already, and I don’t live terribly far from Sweetwater. I’m on here reading the thread to as a coping mechanism Maybe tomorrow???

 

[musicman556]

I’ve been waiting and waiting on FedEx to get mine here. It’s been just shy of a week already, and I don’t live terribly far from Sweetwater. I’m on here reading the thread to as a coping mechanism Maybe tomorrow???

Yikes! What does tracking show? I'd be worried about a lost package at a week.

I'm in Nashville and ordered one Monday, and it arrived Wednesday. Sweetwater orders usually get here in days, sometimes just one day if it gets out super early.

 

[Jaya W]

So, while I wait…

I’m in a 3-piece cover band playing mostly dad rock, w/some country, 90s, and party funk thrown in. (4-hour bar gigs, you know the drill.)

I’ve been running a Fender Compugilist compressor/distortion pedal (designed primarily for guitar) into the front of my Rumble 800, then going XLR (pre-) out of the amp to the mixer. It’s been OK, but I’ve not been satisfied with my overdriven tone, having also tried the OD channel on the Rumble. We do several songs by AC/DC, ZZ Top, etc. that could benefit from a good OD/distortion/fuzzy sound. Anyway , What I’m planning is that the Punchline will replace the Compugilist, and that I’ll use the amp sim and start going into the FX loop on my amp. I’ll go to the mixer from the Punchline, so the idea is I’ll have the same EQ, amp sim, etc. going both places with the Rumble acting as a big speaker more or less. (I know that part of the appeal for most people is to ditch the amp, which I could do, but I think our little band needs the added oomph on my side of the stage in most of the situations and venues we play.)

I also use an MXR Poly Blue Octave for the 3 funk songs, and from what I’m hearing on here, I guess it should go before the Punchline (?) It has a fuzz that I don’t actually use, but if I did, it apparently would also make it necessary to be ahead of the Punchline. So, it will hopefully be small tuner, octave, Punchline and two outs: XLR to mixer, 1/4” to amp.

My only frustration (besides FedEx being so darn slow) is that we’ve not got another gig scheduled for more than 30 days, so if something goes haywire, or I hate it in a live setting, it’s going to be past the return date for Sweetwater. They’ve worked with me before, though, and if I somehow just don’t get along with it, I think there will be an eager audience among the resell market .

From what y’all have said, I suppose (and hope) that none of that is going to be the case! I think it’s going to be pretty much perfect for my needs! (Fingers crossed )

 

[Jaya W]

Yikes! What does tracking show? I'd be worried about a lost package at a week.

I'm in Nashville and ordered one Monday, and it arrived Wednesday. Sweetwater orders usually get here in days, sometimes just one day if it gets out super early.

It’s just been really sluggish. It’s at our local distribution center as of earlier this evening, so I’m expecting that it will surely be out for delivery tomorrow morning.

 

[Parzival]

What board and power supply are you using? And is that the HX One pedal next to it? How are you using it?

Thanks for sharing - I'm glad it was a good experience for you!

It is on a Stritch (amazon) 15x5 board. The Punchline sticks over the edge about 1.5 inches, but its fine. Have me Cioks SOL underneath. HX One is solely used for 1/2 step and whole step down songs (Poly Capo), and chorus and phaser on a couple of songs.

Also had Regal (Nobel), Darkglass, and BDDI models as well as 2 EQs set up, but with the Punchline, no need at all.

 

[45cmckay105]

Mine lives on my D'Addario XPND at the moment running off a CIOKS DC7.
What size knobs have you guys found to fit the PunchLine? Need to lose these all black ones ASAP!!
Drop in dream rig thus far!!

 

[Jaya W]

Wow. The song “Punchline” is terrible. Like, REALLY bad. It makes me wonder why Josh would choose that name. It fits in terms of a punchy single-line signal chain, but that song!
Of course, with Josh’s sense of humor and irony, maybe it’s some kind of meta-joke, and the punchline is that the pedal (as great and popular as it is) is intentionally named after the worst and most obscure song.

Anyway, I continue to wait, knowing that mine is now about two miles down the road apparently sitting on a shelf or something, still not “out for delivery” – sort of FedEx’s own perverse version of a joke, with my ever-increasing impatience as the punchline.

 

[johnk_10]

What size knobs have you guys found to fit the PunchLine? Need to lose these all black ones ASAP!!

you can use any knobs that fit a 1/4" shaft with a set screw.

 

[nixdad]

Mine lives on my D'Addario XPND at the moment running off a CIOKS DC7.
What size knobs have you guys found to fit the PunchLine? Need to lose these all black ones ASAP!!
Drop in dream rig thus far!!

View attachment 7084692

Tayda Electronics has a great selection of knobs which are available in multiple colors:
Davies 1510 Clone White Knob

I also recommend affixing something like these glow dots so you can easily mark your favorite settings:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CXLZG5JK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Wow. The song “Punchline” is terrible. Like, REALLY bad. It makes me wonder why Josh would choose that name. It fits in terms of a punchy single-line signal chain, but that song!
Of course, with Josh’s sense of humor and irony, maybe it’s some kind of meta-joke, and the punchline is that the pedal (as great and popular as it is) is intentionally named after the worst and most obscure song.

Anyway, I continue to wait, knowing that mine is now about two miles down the road apparently sitting on a shelf or something, still not “out for delivery” – sort of FedEx’s own perverse version of a joke, with my ever-increasing impatience as the punchline.

I agree, "Punchline" is a goofy, unmemorable tune. However, for a song title even remotely bass related, Josh had already used "Good Vibrations" on another one of the pedals in this series.
I suppose he could have considered:
- Feel Flows
- Good Timin

I suppose if you REALLY want to get deep, a few other song titles that could have been considered:
- Forever (how long I'll keep this pedal)
- God Only Knows (how much I love this pedal)
- Here Today (celebrating the day my Punchline arrived from Sweetwater)
- It's About Time (a pedal like this was created)
- Til I Die (how long I'll use this thing)


In hindsight, "Punchline" is short and sweet and works just fine!

OK - back to reality!