LINE 6 Variax

[dd842]

Hi all,

While I was in the guitar store yesterday I noticed a guitar called a LINE 6 Variax. I was not, and am not, in the market for one, but I thought I would share my thoughts in case anyone was interested.

The Variax is sort of an electronic guitar, able to produce a wide range of different sounds. I was intrigued by the whole concept and sat down to try it out.

I found that the guitar is more intriguing than satisfying.

First, it was intriguing because there are no traditional pickups visible. It has a volume knob, a selector knob with I'd say about ten choices (jazz, tele, acoustic, banjo, resonator, etc.), and a five way switch for pickup selection. Neat-o!

But when I played it, it did not sound very good. Oh ... wait ... I think I just solved that mystery ...

Seriously, I found that it did not sound very good - period. It was anywhere from poor to okay, generally kind of weak and muddy most of the time, and (at least on this one) there was a surprising amount of variation in the output level between strings. The high e was loud, then b was weak, then g was loud again. I thought maybe I was doing something to cause it ... muting a string with my shirt or something ... No.

I read a bit on these guitars afterwards on Harmony-Central, and the reviews are generally good. Although they do tend to indicate that they are impressed with the idea and the versatility, more than the actual sound quality.

Some of them also mention that there is a difference in sound quality depending on the type of cable and the type of amp. It seemed like those who played through digital equipment were happier with their results than those who played with a regular patch cord and an amp (as I did). Or maybe I just played a lemon?

All the best,

Dan

[ChrisK]

I've had the 500 model for a few years. It's ok. The WorkBench adds to the versatility.

I don't like the neck a great deal. but it's playable.

The body is GeGoofy, but it's playable.

It's a good cover band instrument.

It eats batteries so don't use them.


It's a $300 guitar with $300 of electronics in it.



The 300 model is a cheaper (and lower cost) model that I've seen on clearance for aboot $350 at many Guitar Centers. That would make it a $200 guitar with $150 of electronics.


One can upgrade either the 300 or 500 models electronics to Strat/Tele bodies and Fender footprint necks from Warmoth.com.

I'm currently considering doing such since a new Warmoth neck will cost me aboot $250. I already have a few wider Strat-drilled Warmoth necks, so $260 fer a Variax'ated Strat copy body is a wash.

And, I can add passive pickups to it as well - look out VG Strat. If I use the EMG DG-20 setup that I have (since power/batteries are already included, I can have active pickups and run both thru the EXG and SPC EMG active tone control module. (Now where's that dang shoehorn.)





Here's a Variax with a Roland 13 pin interface added within.

[UnklMickey]

i think i know why your guitar sounds different Chris.

you left that big cavity cover open, and someone's compooter fell in!

chrisk said:

(i know how to spell, i did that on purpose.)

[ChrisK]

And look at all of that extra room inside!

[UnklMickey]

spoken like a man who has thoughts of adding on.

whatever you do, just make sure the result doesn't look like that pic we saw last year. (you remember the one?)

[dd842]

hmm ... I hadn't seen the innards before.

Looks like this guitar does more than I first thought - I must have missed the INTERNET/EMAIL selection on the selector knob.

Dan

[ChrisK]

?This one?



No, it's just sum other gai.



Because,

[dd842]

I think that one is their top model - literally "bursting" with electronic features!

[UnklMickey]

chrisk said:

?This one? ...

yep, that's the one. (the cavity pic)

there should be one of those "don't try this at home" disclaimers attached to that pic.

scary............................real scary.

(either the cavity pic or the bag pic, take your pick.)

[vonFrenchie]

That picture actually makes me shed a tear.... and gives me an aneurysm

[RandomHero]

With all those wires and components jammed in there, I'm anxious to know what all that guitar is capable of.

[ChrisK]

Peel slowly and see.....

p102.ezboard.com/Title-image-for-this-section/funofficialwarmothfrm19.showMessage?topicID=35.topic

[vonFrenchie]

That guy is a true hero.

[sumgai]

vonfrenchie said:

That guy is a true hero.

That should be "he's a true Guitar Nut! ;D


sumgai

[blueseric]

To ALL commentators re:- VARIAX.....Thank God for democracy and Freedom of Speech.What do I think of Variax?..........I'm 56 (Playing for some 50 years ragtime, to Heavy Metal) and I and many,many others are Blown Away by this technology and usability.My Gibson Les Pauls and other classics are now well covered in dust, since I purchased a Variax 600 and Workbench.No more to say or add and I truly stand by this.Best Wishes to all 'traditionalists'.

[Ripper]

blueseric...

Ill take those nasty Les Pauls off your hands!....Ill even blow the dust off em"

Im sorry gents, that Variax guitar is just ugly....I know that has nothing to do with how it sounds....But is she aint pretty or at least cute, she doesnt come home with me.
Strats and LP's are the Jessica Albas of the guitar world. IMHO!

[ChrisK]

That's why we invented eyelids, so ya can close them!

[Ripper]

ChrisK....

True, but I can still smell um!

[jkemmery]

In a world where guitarists pay extra for cloth covered wiring to get that "vintage" tone, I'm surprised this sells. I'm with DeepBlue, but again, to each his own.

[ux4484]

jkemmery said:

In a world where guitarists pay extra for cloth covered wiring to get that "vintage" tone, I'm surprised this sells. I'm with DeepBlue, but again, to each his own.

Wow....I've got a couple spools of "vintage" cloth insulated wire in my basement I picked up at a garage sale years back for about 50 cents (the box also included about a dozen brand new tubes).
I needs to make some $$$ from this trove.

The Variax is ugly, but not far off from a '63 Silvertone.

[ChrisK]

In a world where guitarists pay extra for cloth covered wiring to get that "vintage" tone,

In a world where folks pay extra 'cuz they think (for whatever reasons and conveyed "motivation") that they're going to get some "vintage-vantage", "special" always sells.

Remember, most of that there extra special vintage stuff was the cheapest crap (well, components) available at the time. Most manufacturers did this because IT WAS A BUSINESS and not a hobby. (In business you gets to keep the difference.)

Artists care about their tone, for their satisfaction and out of concern about what other artists may think.

Most audience members can't tell the difference, nor care to.


The Variax is not as vintage accurate as the instruments that it models, but it's better than most audience members can care to care about. I have just about one of everything and find that the Variax is ok. Not great, not phenomenal, just ok. And it's real helpful in judging how similar my guitar wiring schemes can get in mimicking other guitars. (And I didn't have to actually buy one of everything.)

I have the Variax 500 (the original model) and paid about $650 for it new. It's about a $300 guitar with $300 of electronics in it. Did I mention that it's about a $300 guitar?

It ain't especially pretty. I sort of like mine (except for the body and neck), but I can "migrate" the innards into an aftermarket body and neck if'n I want to.


If one judiciously locates the knobs, adds magnetic pickups, and doesn't tell anyone, most won't know or notice the blasphemy afoot.

[crazymanandy]

Variax guitars don't HAVE to be ugly....

www.guitaristjeffmiller.com/guitars.htm

He is an awesome builder. Some drop dead gorgeous guitars...

CMA