why would one choose a variax acoustic over a normal acoustic?
- Thread starter dani
- Start date
aleclee
Major General GAS
Re: why would one choose a variax acoustic over a normal acoustic?
The Variax
The Variax
- won't feed back at higher volumes
- sounds waaaay better than piezos
- is much easier than miking
- can do altered tunings and virtual capo at the flip of a switch
- emulates a variety of instruments including 12 or 6 string guitar, banjo, resonator, ...
Last edited:
Re: why would one choose a variax acoustic over a normal acoustic?
I can see the pros of no feedback and being able to instantly change sound like that must really be useful for gigging or studio guitarists
I want line6 to start bringing out downloads for the variax range!
I want a nylon sound for my vari 500!:banana:
I can see the pros of no feedback and being able to instantly change sound like that must really be useful for gigging or studio guitarists
I want line6 to start bringing out downloads for the variax range!
I want a nylon sound for my vari 500!:banana:
Re: why would one choose a variax acoustic over a normal acoustic?
well, i am considering one because I need a comfortable, versatile acoustic for longer gigs. I have an Adams, which is an awesome sounding guitar, but uncomfortable for longer shows...it records very well. I thought of selling it, but heard it back on a recent recording and loved it. What I really need is another acoustic that can get in alternate tunings, provide different sounds and be updateable as new firmware is released. Add the Variax workbench software, and you can literally design your own guitars and tunings and upload them to the guitar. No, it won't replace any expensive acoustic, but it is really a different animal.
well, i am considering one because I need a comfortable, versatile acoustic for longer gigs. I have an Adams, which is an awesome sounding guitar, but uncomfortable for longer shows...it records very well. I thought of selling it, but heard it back on a recent recording and loved it. What I really need is another acoustic that can get in alternate tunings, provide different sounds and be updateable as new firmware is released. Add the Variax workbench software, and you can literally design your own guitars and tunings and upload them to the guitar. No, it won't replace any expensive acoustic, but it is really a different animal.
tone4days
Heel Whacker
Re: why would one choose a variax acoustic over a normal acoustic?
i'd dig one for the reasons given here ... if there was some way to get the acoustic variax sounds in an outpboard rackmount box that could be triggered by a piezo or roland GK, i'd be ALL over that
btw: mincer - i really dig 'business of ferrets'? ... very cool, friend .. best of luck with the collectives project ... when will they be for sale ?
i'd dig one for the reasons given here ... if there was some way to get the acoustic variax sounds in an outpboard rackmount box that could be triggered by a piezo or roland GK, i'd be ALL over that
btw: mincer - i really dig 'business of ferrets'? ... very cool, friend .. best of luck with the collectives project ... when will they be for sale ?
krankguitarist
Krankitupologist
Re: why would one choose a variax acoustic over a normal acoustic?
I think of a variax as being more of a "live" instrument. Easy, convenient, versatile, though not *quite* like the real thing. Depending on where you're playing though, the difference could be pretty negligible.
If I ever started playin shows where I had to strap on an acoustic though, I'd snag a variax acoustic in a minute. convenience wins
.
I think of a variax as being more of a "live" instrument. Easy, convenient, versatile, though not *quite* like the real thing. Depending on where you're playing though, the difference could be pretty negligible.
If I ever started playin shows where I had to strap on an acoustic though, I'd snag a variax acoustic in a minute. convenience wins
.
aleclee
Major General GAS
Re: why would one choose a variax acoustic over a normal acoustic?
I think of it more like an instrumental POD. I used a Variax 300 to record "acoustic" parts for a film score last summer. The results were great and definitely beat dealing with microphones or plinky piezos.
Re: why would one choose a variax acoustic over a normal acoustic?
oh many, if they came out with an outboard box, whew!!! I would *so* get that! I wonder if it is in the works, or if it would be too hard to implement.
Also thanks for the nice words- my opening will be on Nov 3 and if they don't all sell then, I will put them online. Got a radio appearance next week (an hour performance show) and the local NBC affiliate's Daytime show the week after...I also got a grant from the State of Florida for the whole thing- whew!
oh many, if they came out with an outboard box, whew!!! I would *so* get that! I wonder if it is in the works, or if it would be too hard to implement.
Also thanks for the nice words- my opening will be on Nov 3 and if they don't all sell then, I will put them online. Got a radio appearance next week (an hour performance show) and the local NBC affiliate's Daytime show the week after...I also got a grant from the State of Florida for the whole thing- whew!
CapoFirstFret
New member
Re: why would one choose a variax acoustic over a normal acoustic?
the way I figure it, they've got to sound better than most of the piezo's I've heard and have got to be way better sounding than those Boss Acoustic Simulator pedals! convenience wins. But I'm still gonna play my acoustic live ...got a feedback buster and a tube preamp, and that's all I could ask for
the way I figure it, they've got to sound better than most of the piezo's I've heard and have got to be way better sounding than those Boss Acoustic Simulator pedals! convenience wins. But I'm still gonna play my acoustic live ...got a feedback buster and a tube preamp, and that's all I could ask for
Simon_F
Super Moderator
Re: why would one choose a variax acoustic over a normal acoustic?
I wish I could convince my bass player of this! In our pub covers band we do several tunes where he plays acoustic and the keyboard player plays bass. He has a Variax acoustic but persists in using an acoustic with piezo. We spend at least ten minutes every time we set up EQing the acoustic and trying to eliminate feedback - we're not always successful. He thinks the acoustic sounds better than the Variax but I don't think anyone in the audience could tell the difference. :grumble:
I wish I could convince my bass player of this! In our pub covers band we do several tunes where he plays acoustic and the keyboard player plays bass. He has a Variax acoustic but persists in using an acoustic with piezo. We spend at least ten minutes every time we set up EQing the acoustic and trying to eliminate feedback - we're not always successful. He thinks the acoustic sounds better than the Variax but I don't think anyone in the audience could tell the difference. :grumble:
Arkitkt
Here's to what Ale's ya!
Re: why would one choose a variax acoustic over a normal acoustic?
That is probably one of the most requested upgrades on the Line6 message boards (along with them selling the variax "guts" alone without the guitar around it).
Technically, it's no problem, either. Adrian Belew used an outboard variax circuit before Parker built the Belew signature Fly with the vax circuitry inboard.
That is probably one of the most requested upgrades on the Line6 message boards (along with them selling the variax "guts" alone without the guitar around it).
Technically, it's no problem, either. Adrian Belew used an outboard variax circuit before Parker built the Belew signature Fly with the vax circuitry inboard.
tone4days
Heel Whacker
Re: why would one choose a variax acoustic over a normal acoustic?
i think the technology *could* be there, but i am guessing that it is not in their business plan .. the dsp of the guitar models needs the data from their pickup ... dunno how it would translate with a buffer .. latency might really be a problem ... DTAR mama bear (maybe with effects) in a rack spot would be just as good for me
i think your concept for collectives is very creative ... i know they are hour-long improvs, but is there any studio 'retouching' for clams, etc? ... or are you so good that you are a mollusk-free in execution?
... what is the collective for mollusks?
congrats on the grant and best of luck with the debut
t4d
i think the technology *could* be there, but i am guessing that it is not in their business plan .. the dsp of the guitar models needs the data from their pickup ... dunno how it would translate with a buffer .. latency might really be a problem ... DTAR mama bear (maybe with effects) in a rack spot would be just as good for me
i think your concept for collectives is very creative ... i know they are hour-long improvs, but is there any studio 'retouching' for clams, etc? ... or are you so good that you are a mollusk-free in execution?
... what is the collective for mollusks?congrats on the grant and best of luck with the debut
t4d
Re: why would one choose a variax acoustic over a normal acoustic?
Although Roland did it with their VG series, it is too bad they never made a rack version. I never A/Bd a VG setup and a Variax, although I owned a Variax 500 for awhile. I loved the sounds, but didn't like the guitar at all. I thought of doing a transplant (lots of people have done this), but if I had that kind of $ I would get a 700 model.
As far as the clams, I went with em...I honestly didn't have any problems anyone would notice...although, sometimes, if there was a storm outside or a power surge, I would get a 'click' in my loop- those I editied out. If it was really really bad and it reset the looper, I would start the whole thing over.
Although Roland did it with their VG series, it is too bad they never made a rack version. I never A/Bd a VG setup and a Variax, although I owned a Variax 500 for awhile. I loved the sounds, but didn't like the guitar at all. I thought of doing a transplant (lots of people have done this), but if I had that kind of $ I would get a 700 model.
As far as the clams, I went with em...I honestly didn't have any problems anyone would notice...although, sometimes, if there was a storm outside or a power surge, I would get a 'click' in my loop- those I editied out. If it was really really bad and it reset the looper, I would start the whole thing over.
SirJackdeFuzz
New member
Re: why would one choose a variax acoustic over a normal acoustic?
Not to fond of the digital age and all the variax-digi Ga-Ga, but . . .
. . . the Variax Acoustic is ONE GUITAR that i am looking into, to replace my $220.00 cheapo Cort acoustic !
Becuase of all the very good aspects mentioned by everyone else, and for the fact that i can then play a sitar thought my Big Muff in the Church Band, or a steel-body resonator in open E, capo'd (with out re-tuning or using an actual capo) running through my EHX Nano Muff & Pular, into my Classic 30 & Mesa F30 (in stereo with ZERO FeedBack)
There is a Variax Acoustic in my future, for sure !
:smokin:
Not to fond of the digital age and all the variax-digi Ga-Ga, but . . .
. . . the Variax Acoustic is ONE GUITAR that i am looking into, to replace my $220.00 cheapo Cort acoustic !
Becuase of all the very good aspects mentioned by everyone else, and for the fact that i can then play a sitar thought my Big Muff in the Church Band, or a steel-body resonator in open E, capo'd (with out re-tuning or using an actual capo) running through my EHX Nano Muff & Pular, into my Classic 30 & Mesa F30 (in stereo with ZERO FeedBack)
There is a Variax Acoustic in my future, for sure !
:smokin:
JOLLY
Super Simonologist
Re: why would one choose a variax acoustic over a normal acoustic?
There ya have it!! If I wrote alot of acoustic music or played acoustic gigs, I'd definitely have one.
There ya have it!! If I wrote alot of acoustic music or played acoustic gigs, I'd definitely have one.
aleclee
Major General GAS
Re: why would one choose a variax acoustic over a normal acoustic?
With the 300, you lose a number of the advantages listed above. Check the feature sheet to determine if it's adequate for your needs.
Rushfan2112
New member
Re: why would one choose a variax acoustic over a normal acoustic?
Aye, but the 700 looks about twice as good as the 300!
Aye, but the 700 looks about twice as good as the 300!
