Acoustic Variax - (or equivlant)

[ruebarb]

has anyone played with the acoustic version of this thing? - I've been listening to the sample tones but you know how that goes -

sometimes I'll be working on something and I'll want a banjo playing in the background, but rather then blow 300 on a banjo, maybe I could fake it and be on my way - by hook or by crook, as they say.

if anyone can suggest another digital instrument that models acoustic instruments, please point me that way as well - gratsi -

EDIT - I should clairify - I mean the Acoustic Variax 700 - the 300 looks like a no frills acoustic/electric stage guitar that looks REAL cool but I want some of that acoustic modeling flexability still -

pax
RB

 

[surfmaster]

ive tried it out at guitar center and it really blew me away. but i was also playing through one of those new-fangled pole speakers so who knows. i think the idea of having one guitar that sounds like a million others is perfect for a home studio environment. the sitar model is pretty sweet, and the banjo is cool too. it even tunes your strings to the way a banjo tunes!

 

[gusfinley]

ummm... no

personally I think its a retarded idea unless you are a preformer who switches guiatars 20 times a night. Its just an electric guitar.. you can't play it without and amp... acoustic, my eye!!

 

[jaykeMURD]

With a decent acoustic amp, the Variax Acoustic can sound very good.....to my ears anyway. I played one at a local shop and was amazed. It can do more than replicate many stringed instruments, it can also perform instant tunings, like drop-d, drop-c, tennesse tuning, 1-step, 1/2 step, even replicates a capo on any fret if I remeber correctly. Once I reach an extra grand, I'll pick one up.

 

[honedawg]

I tried one also. i liked the sounds of some of the different acoustics, the sitar and the banjo. I wasn't impressed with the 12 strings, mandolin or the nylon sounds though. I think it would be cool to have access to one in the studio or for a live set but not a main guitar. Oh, the different tunings were cool too.

 

[philboyd studge]

I've had one since they came out, several as a matter of fact. The first ones were problematic. For me it's an invaluable tool for live work and recording. Just last week we did a 12 song / two camera video shoot where we ran my Variax and headset vocals wireless to a digital recorder and my Bose PAS as a monitor and I'm adding tracks to the originals right now. No other instrument could have put something down so clean, and in hearing playback at home in the studio it's amazing to think this was recorded outside.

As to it's sounds there are some things it does well and some it doesn't but overall you have to bear in mind it's a miced sound and you have control over compression and mic placement, and that has a profound effect on weather it's realistic or not. I don't think much of the banjo. As far as I know Line 6 has yet to come out with their Workbench software for it....there's a lot of tweaking I'd like to do...especially volumes.

Overall quality is pretty good and support from Line 6 isn't bad. I put on some gold Shaller tuners (looks a lot better) and dressed the frets, and it play really well now.

 

[RezN8]

I've got one for sale if you're interested. Like-new condition. Used it on maybe 4 or 5 gigs, then I stopped playing out for a while. It's been in the case ever since.

Great action! Some of the acoustic sounds are "usable" on solo acoustic gigs, particulary if you fingerpick or have a light touch. It's really best suited for playing with a band. You can crank this puppy up super loud without ever having to worry about feedback!