Line 6 Variax

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cstockdale

cstockdale

supafly killa homey
anyone used one of these modelling guitars who has also used many of the real things it is modelling? I know from first hand experience that the amp modellers are a useful tool that don't really measure up to the real thing, but I was wondering if perhaps a decent approximation of a vintage Telecaster/Strat/LP etc would sound as good as a copy or cheap Tele/Strat/LP?

In other words, if all one could afford was a Korean made Telecaster, would a modelled version of a vintage american made tele sound as good as the cheapo?

This is the only reason I am saying "Hmmmm...maybe", is that I can't afford the really good guitars (I have a Korean Tele, and a Epiphone Wildkat), and would love to get more variety, but I don't want something that will disappoint.
 
Personally i wouldn't do it, modelling technology has it's good points but its not as good as the real thing.

Don't be knocked by your korean tele, i have a original usa custom tele and a korean tele, i swapped the pups in the korean for seymour duncan quarter pounders and now my korean sounds better than the usa, better sustain, warmer, fuller and more punchy, still sounds like a tele too, a very good one.

cheers
 
Well, if you want the nice-axe-low-price thing, the Variax already costs $999...

From what I've heard, they sound great, but my only issue with it would be the action and feel- it's hard to recreate that aspect of those axes.
 
my opinion is this: The Variax is a damned good idea for those who want a plethora of guitar tones (and other tones as well!) and don't want to/can't shell out the cash for each guitar. For the homerecordist, I think it's a godsend.

However... This is the first generation of modelling guitars. And if Line6 has proved anything in the past 5 years or so, it's that their first-generation products are either good (POD) or horrible (their early modelling amps before the Spider series), BUT, their next few attempts get increasingly better (the Flextone, Vetta amps, Pod Pro, etc etc).

I'm personally going to wait until either I can get a second or third generation modelling guitar, or score an original Variax for $300-$500.
 
tf5_bassist,

I went thru the same thought process. I've spent a couple of hours with the Variaxe (in a couple of stores - not the ideal place for critical listening) and I really liked this axe.

While I have not owned any of the guitars it models, the reviews I've read (by actual players) were all in all favorable - with some models sounding better than others.

Candidly, the banjo and the sitar may be worth the price alone.

However, I don't want to buy version 1.0 - and would rather wait to see what happens in the next year or two.

I do know that the Variax is built to be upgraded - so I suspect there will be an upgrade chip (assuming enough people buy this thing).

In any case in a year or two version 1.0 will be avaiable for less than $1,000.
 
Yes, I've been thinking along the same lines. Add in that there might be some competition. Roland was close, even before the Variax. I think it's worth waiting a year or two. But that decision didn't come easy - the moneys really burning in my pocket when I see a Variax.
 
Beltrom said:
A Behringer Chameleon anyone???
Click to expand...

Hahaha... If I were a violent person, i'd suggest a punch in the face for that one... But... I think i'll make an exception this time. :P

j/k, of course.
However... I do like the name "Chameleon" for a modelling guitar. I wouldn't doubt one to be named that.

And I hadn't heard that the variax was built to be upgraded. I like that idea. But i'd still wait until a second-gen axe came out, just because i'd hope it looked better. :P Seriously though, i think the second generation variax will be incredible, even more than what i've been hearing about the current one. I was REALLY surprised at all the great reviews it's been getting, so I'm completely stoked!

Edit: And since i'm totally in love with the sitar sound, and i've been wanting to learn banjo for a while now, yes, it'd be worth it for those tones alone until i get around to learning/buying the real things.

I still want a real banjo though. badly.
 
tf5_bassist said:
Hahaha... If I were a violent person, i'd suggest a punch in the face for that one... But... I think i'll make an exception this time. :P
Click to expand...

I'm grateful!
 
hmmm, if they're going to put a tremolo on it, it had better handle fairly well...
 
I agree. and also... Please, i hope to freaking GOD that they release a fixed-bridge version as well. I don't think I'd buy a tremolo model, or at least, as a first choice... Just a personal preference. :)

But I like that body WAY more than the Variax that's out currently. The finish was sick. :)
 
The current Variax isn't very photogenic, but I think it looks a bit better in real life than in pictures.
 
Beltrom said:
The current Variax isn't very photogenic, but I think it looks a bit better in real life than in pictures.
Click to expand...

I'll acknowledge that one. :)
 
Hi, I'm new in here, so please don't bust on me too much!
I've owned a sunburst Variax for about four months now, and am very pleased with it. I've used it on about a dozen band jobs, and the versatility it gives you is incredible. I own several of the guitars that the models are based on (Tele, '61 Strat, LP Custom, '61 ES355 (close to an ES335), Martin D-35 acoustic), and the Variax comes very close to the originals. I'm not too thrilled with the Rick 12 string models, but most of the others are great. The acoustic models don't sound too good through a regular combo amp, but played through an acoustic amp or direct into a PA, they sound fabulous. Since the guitar uses piezo pickups under the bridge and is not tracking like a synth pickup, you get all of the nuances of playing a regular guitar in real time, such as pick scrape, bends, palm muting, string buzz, etc.
If you don't like the looks of the current Variax, Line6 is coming out with two new models shortly, a hardtail and a tremolo model.
I know there are many players out there who will never accept the thought of using a modeling guitar, but if you'd like the freedom of having a busload of guitars in one gig bag, then give the Variax a try. I'd buy mine again in a heartbeat!

Disclaimer: I'm not trying to spam for Line6 here, I'm in no way associated with them, just very happy with their product.
 
So how well does this thing acually play. Not sound, but play; intonation and such? Does it neck feel smooth?
 
It plays fine, the neck is a little thicker than I'm used to, but I had no trouble adjusting to it, felt fine from the get-go. The frets are fitted well, and it was in tune with good intonation straight out of the box. The Variax is designed to accept after-market necks if you don't like the original, without voiding the warranty. Also, I must compliment Line6's customer service. I had a problem with the XLR input in the A/B box that came with my Variax, I called Line6 on a Tuesday, and had a new A/B box in time for a job Saturday. The rep even told me to keep the original one as a spare, it works fine with the 1/4" input.
 
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