Anybody here using the line 6 variax 700 acoustic?

[krankguitarist]

I played one in a store a few days ago, and got a bit of GAS. I have no patience for micing up acoustics, and from the sound clips I've heard this thing can get pretty convincing. In my hands, the 12 string and nylon models didn't sound *exactly* authentic, but the dreadnought and jumbo models are very impressive. The sitar is friggin cool. Looks great for live performance too, or in a band setting.

Anybody currently using one? What say ye?

 

[beandip]

Re: Anybody here using the line 6 variax 700 acoustic?

I've been looking at them for awhile. Actually, I've gassed over the Variax (all models) for years. Since I'm mainly an acoustic player, you would think that would be the best thing for me. In the end, I'm not worried about how convincing it sounds plugged in. I want feel. I want vibe. I'm not able to hear the differences between a D18 and a D28, but I want the feel.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Anybody here using the line 6 variax 700 acoustic?

I used one for 2 years, until i sold it to fix my transmission. i think it rocks. i hope they continue to develop it, because it really was a better idea than RoboTuners, or Fender's VG Strat. I thought the 12 string was wonderful, and the regular steel and nylon string models were great too.
I would love to get one again, actually.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Anybody here using the line 6 variax 700 acoustic?

i havent played one, but i do love the sounds from my DTAR mama bear as a way of getting different acoustic tonalities from one guitar ... doesnt do 12 string or sitar or altered tunings though, so not exactly the same .... but more than half the sounds for half the money

cheers
t4d

 

[ErikH]

Re: Anybody here using the line 6 variax 700 acoustic?

My bandmate/evil twin has one. It's really cool. I like the 12-string and dreadnaught sounds out of it. Being able to tweak the virtual mic placement is a really cool feature. He had a cutting out issue with it at a gig but we thing that was related to the DI box. It really doesn't need to go through a DI box though. Plenty hot of a signal to go right to the board. It's a cool idea and comes in real handy when there's not a lot of time to switch instruments around.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Anybody here using the line 6 variax 700 acoustic?

I have both V-700 models: acoustic and electric. Both are very useful tools.

One interesting tibdit is that the electric Variax models acoustic tones as well as the acoustic one. A few years ago I actually used a V300 electric to record "acoustic" parts for a film project and it worked great.

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: Anybody here using the line 6 variax 700 acoustic?

I just keep on getting more and more GAS for one of these things :X.

It just strikes me as being such a great songwriting tool...especially with the possibility of altered tunings at the push of a button. Plus the extra textures I could incorporate into my recordings with the different sounds...

The mama bear is something that's interested me for a while too, actually. I wonder what would happen if one was to mix the two :scratchch

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Anybody here using the line 6 variax 700 acoustic?

This might be the completely wrong question, but how does it sound unplugged?

 

[aleclee]

Re: Anybody here using the line 6 variax 700 acoustic?

This might be the completely wrong question, but how does it sound unplugged?

Like an electric guitar

 

[beandip]

Re: Anybody here using the line 6 variax 700 acoustic?

This might be the completely wrong question, but how does it sound unplugged?

I'd actually like to know myself. I'd figure by the body style that it would be somewhat prominent in mids and high end, with a good bass response but nothing like a drednaught. My only fear is that with an acoustic, most of the time and energy went into the modeling and not into the construction and fear. I'd love to find a place that has one in stock, but there's no where close. It seems my only way of getting one would to buy one on ebay or the like and hoping that it's something I would like.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Anybody here using the line 6 variax 700 acoustic?

its a solidbody. there is no acoustic sound. or, i'd say the same you'd get on an LP. The soundhole is fake. You don't want a loud acoustic sound on these, because part of the fun is the different tunings and different sounds. Imagine electronically tuning down a half step and hearing the loud acoustic voulme of the guitar in std tuning blaring.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Anybody here using the line 6 variax 700 acoustic?

Ok, Gotcha. Is there a reliability issue with these?

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: Anybody here using the line 6 variax 700 acoustic?

A couple of people have had problems with them, or so I've heard. Something about the electronics going bad. Regardless, it doesn't seem to be a real prevalent problem though.

I'm seriously looking into picking one of these up now...looks like loads of fun!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Anybody here using the line 6 variax 700 acoustic?

well, as far as reliability, on mine, I had to replace a small motherboard. i did get mine used, though, with early firmware- I went to update it and it froze- I was told it was a rare problem. Being that I had that problem, it still won't keep me from buying another one at some point.