Line 6 Variax -- Do We Hate It?
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TheProphet
Guest
Re: Line 6 Variax -- Do We Hate It?
Interesting Idea ... but overpriced.
I'd get one purely for the sitar and banjo models, but as a guitar system? Nuh-uh ...
I like being able to swap pups in a guitar ... and I admit I'm a little bit of a traditionalist
Interesting Idea ... but overpriced.
I'd get one purely for the sitar and banjo models, but as a guitar system? Nuh-uh ...
I like being able to swap pups in a guitar ... and I admit I'm a little bit of a traditionalist
Re: Line 6 Variax -- Do We Hate It?
Why hate it because of what it is?
I am all for advances in guitar technology. I tried out both the elsectric and acoustic, and I gotta say, it is pretty amazing. Not exactly perfect on everything, but close enough for recording and for a gig that requires lots of tunings and sounds. In 2 or 3 years this technology will be quite unreal.
I like playing in different tunings on the acoustic model. Or the sitar on the electric model.
Why hate it because of what it is?
I am all for advances in guitar technology. I tried out both the elsectric and acoustic, and I gotta say, it is pretty amazing. Not exactly perfect on everything, but close enough for recording and for a gig that requires lots of tunings and sounds. In 2 or 3 years this technology will be quite unreal.
I like playing in different tunings on the acoustic model. Or the sitar on the electric model.
InstituteOfNoise
New member
Re: Line 6 Variax -- Do We Hate It?
I have one (The 500) and it works great! Sure you can get a bad guitar in any brand. But for what it gives you in flexibility live. I have 10 other guitars, but it's sure nice to take this to a gig and have a few dozen options. Not too mention if you need an acoustic for one part, you flip to that and right back into your electric. It records good,but I prefer the realdeal if I have it. In a pinch we needed a Gretsch and dialing in the 6120 was darn close enough, even for recording. Doubt any one would have known.
I have one (The 500) and it works great! Sure you can get a bad guitar in any brand. But for what it gives you in flexibility live. I have 10 other guitars, but it's sure nice to take this to a gig and have a few dozen options. Not too mention if you need an acoustic for one part, you flip to that and right back into your electric. It records good,but I prefer the realdeal if I have it. In a pinch we needed a Gretsch and dialing in the 6120 was darn close enough, even for recording. Doubt any one would have known.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Line 6 Variax -- Do We Hate It?
I think its a brilliant tool to for somebody who likes to do lots of home recording on a small budget.
I agree that it is overpriced, and remember reading that it's allegedly "$500 guitar/$500 processor", but it feels more like "$200 guitar/$500 processor."
Guitar Player had a great cover story on the Variax when it came out, and I remember somebody commented on how it was neat to ape tons of tones with one guitar, but that it was really uninspiring, that he played different with a strat than a paul, etc...
I think its a brilliant tool to for somebody who likes to do lots of home recording on a small budget.
I agree that it is overpriced, and remember reading that it's allegedly "$500 guitar/$500 processor", but it feels more like "$200 guitar/$500 processor."
Guitar Player had a great cover story on the Variax when it came out, and I remember somebody commented on how it was neat to ape tons of tones with one guitar, but that it was really uninspiring, that he played different with a strat than a paul, etc...
InstituteOfNoise
New member
Re: Line 6 Variax -- Do We Hate It?
You can find them for $600-$700 new in quite a few places for teh 500.The 700 is better construction and does cost more.
You can find them for $600-$700 new in quite a few places for teh 500.The 700 is better construction and does cost more.
BS123
New member
Re: Line 6 Variax -- Do We Hate It?
Like Andy, I have a 500 model. The Tele bridge pickup is modelled after a 1960 Tele Custom and I have yet to find a Tele bridge pickup to throw in my real Tele that sounds as good. It has 50 tone settings but probably use about 10. Here are the things I don't like about it.
1. Looks - I really don't like the body style. Warmoth makes replacement Strat and Tele bodis that are routed for Variax electronics.
2. Feel - Being a Korean-made guitar, it took a lot of setting up for it to feel good.
3. Tuning - The tuners are whack... A lot of Variax users have switched to the Planet Waves Locking tuners with great results. Some have also replaced the nut with an Earvana nut.
For me, it really is nice to go to a gig with the Variax and be able to have multiple guitars at my disposal that really do sound good. I posted a clip in the Tips and Clips area called "Laid Back". It was my Variax on the ES-335 bridge pickup setting.
With the advent of the Line 6 Workbench, we'll be able to really customize the Variax such as put a PAF in an ash body and angle it. Just stuff like that...
Like Andy said, there's a 700 model that's Japanese-made. It's a very nicely made guitar but it's also $600 more than the 500...
Like Andy, I have a 500 model. The Tele bridge pickup is modelled after a 1960 Tele Custom and I have yet to find a Tele bridge pickup to throw in my real Tele that sounds as good. It has 50 tone settings but probably use about 10. Here are the things I don't like about it.
1. Looks - I really don't like the body style. Warmoth makes replacement Strat and Tele bodis that are routed for Variax electronics.
2. Feel - Being a Korean-made guitar, it took a lot of setting up for it to feel good.
3. Tuning - The tuners are whack... A lot of Variax users have switched to the Planet Waves Locking tuners with great results. Some have also replaced the nut with an Earvana nut.
For me, it really is nice to go to a gig with the Variax and be able to have multiple guitars at my disposal that really do sound good. I posted a clip in the Tips and Clips area called "Laid Back". It was my Variax on the ES-335 bridge pickup setting.
With the advent of the Line 6 Workbench, we'll be able to really customize the Variax such as put a PAF in an ash body and angle it. Just stuff like that...
Like Andy said, there's a 700 model that's Japanese-made. It's a very nicely made guitar but it's also $600 more than the 500...
Closed Eye
New member
Re: Line 6 Variax -- Do We Hate It?
I'd like the idea better if Line 6, maybe by making similar bodies, could do this:
http://www.guitaristjeffmiller.com/mods2.htm
The technology is great...
I'd like the idea better if Line 6, maybe by making similar bodies, could do this:
http://www.guitaristjeffmiller.com/mods2.htm
The technology is great...
S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: Line 6 Variax -- Do We Hate It?
....I thought we agreed to hate anything that's different...
....I thought we agreed to hate anything that's different...
PUCKBOY99
Irish Flagologist
Re: Line 6 Variax -- Do We Hate It?
Are talking about the electric or the acoustic ???
I could care less about the electric, but I'd like to give the acoustic a try. Way more than I would pay, but I think it would be a fun guitar to have to play around with. The banjo, mandolin & even the sitar would be neat & I like the alternate tunings on the fly. Doesn't it do a resonator too???
As for advances & all that jazz, I guess it just brings ya' back to the "Great Tube vs. Modelling Debate".....to each his own. If it works for YOU, ROCK ON!!!
Are talking about the electric or the acoustic ???
I could care less about the electric, but I'd like to give the acoustic a try. Way more than I would pay, but I think it would be a fun guitar to have to play around with. The banjo, mandolin & even the sitar would be neat & I like the alternate tunings on the fly. Doesn't it do a resonator too???
As for advances & all that jazz, I guess it just brings ya' back to the "Great Tube vs. Modelling Debate".....to each his own. If it works for YOU, ROCK ON!!!
Closed Eye
New member
Re: Line 6 Variax -- Do We Hate It?
I actually sat down the with the Variax acoustic, unplugged w/out the "Variax" options engaged or plugged into anything, and it felt like a cheapy piece of plastic. Not to say that's a bad thing, but as a unplugged acoustic guitar it didn't sound or feel good in my hands. That being said, I'm not a huge acoustic guy...
:laugh2:
Classic.
PUCKBOY99 said:
I actually sat down the with the Variax acoustic, unplugged w/out the "Variax" options engaged or plugged into anything, and it felt like a cheapy piece of plastic. Not to say that's a bad thing, but as a unplugged acoustic guitar it didn't sound or feel good in my hands. That being said, I'm not a huge acoustic guy...
Skarekrough said:
:laugh2:
Classic.
PUCKBOY99
Irish Flagologist
Re: Line 6 Variax -- Do We Hate It?
That's exactly one of the questions I had.....What does it sound like unplugged? Does it sound like an unplugged acoustic guitar or only "plugged" in, does it sound like an acoustic guitar????
What did all the little what-nots sound like ie. banjo, mandolin, sitar.....????
Like the guy was saying about Mojave amps....they all sound good on the website sound clips!!!
That's exactly one of the questions I had.....What does it sound like unplugged? Does it sound like an unplugged acoustic guitar or only "plugged" in, does it sound like an acoustic guitar????
What did all the little what-nots sound like ie. banjo, mandolin, sitar.....????
Like the guy was saying about Mojave amps....they all sound good on the website sound clips!!!
Hoss
Joyfulnoiseologist
Re: Line 6 Variax -- Do We Hate It?
i think it would be neat to have one...but i can't bring myself to pay anywhere near for what they go for new or used right now...i've played several of them and on several different ocassions...it's fun, but like what has been said...it didn't "feel" right and it's just not the best looking thing either...i like the concept...but the louder you play it and the more distortion that you use, the more the different models start sounding the same...to me anyways, i could be wrong...i'd like to have one though.
i think it would be neat to have one...but i can't bring myself to pay anywhere near for what they go for new or used right now...i've played several of them and on several different ocassions...it's fun, but like what has been said...it didn't "feel" right and it's just not the best looking thing either...i like the concept...but the louder you play it and the more distortion that you use, the more the different models start sounding the same...to me anyways, i could be wrong...i'd like to have one though.
joelap
Red&Goldologist
Re: Line 6 Variax -- Do We Hate It?
That I like... it's got a traditional look, with the option of using traditional pickups while at the same time offering the advantages of the variax controls. You've even sparked a bit of GAS in me... I wonder how much that would cost?
Closed Eye said:
That I like... it's got a traditional look, with the option of using traditional pickups while at the same time offering the advantages of the variax controls. You've even sparked a bit of GAS in me... I wonder how much that would cost?
Closed Eye
New member
Re: Line 6 Variax -- Do We Hate It?
Well...you'd have to buy a Variax, which is $500, then factor in the costs of the pickups, which could be anywhere from $100 to $200 (depending on the type/number of pickups, unless you have them lying around), and either buy a new guitar to gut ( $100 - ? ) or gut an old guitar.
I'm just guessing...well over the price of a new, upper-level guitar?
However, he handmade the PRS copy from stratch w/ a premade paddle headstocked neck.
joelap said:
Well...you'd have to buy a Variax, which is $500, then factor in the costs of the pickups, which could be anywhere from $100 to $200 (depending on the type/number of pickups, unless you have them lying around), and either buy a new guitar to gut ( $100 - ? ) or gut an old guitar.
I'm just guessing...well over the price of a new, upper-level guitar?
However, he handmade the PRS copy from stratch w/ a premade paddle headstocked neck.
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