Yo Bob of KangarOO land:
How's Steve Irwin doing with his crocs down there?
I use the 2816 and my unit has no guitar input. Are you talking about the Hi-Z plug on channel 8?
All I can think of is that you are using the wrong cable or a faulty cable.
Or, you do not have enough input? Or, you are not getting the channel in a record mode?
You might try running your guitar into a mic pre and then out to the recorder?
I don't believe the 2816 has a distortion plug built into the unit.
I run my drum machine into a mic pre and then to the unit--more ooppphh-sound.
I also,usually, run my synth into a mic pre and then into the recorder. The mic line inputs ON the 2816 are not very good--oh, they get the sound loud but not very mellow.
Last thing, and most horrible, is--check the manual and see whazzzzzup.
Cheers and don't step on any of those biting critters you have down your way.
Green Hornet