>Does anyone have any of the Line 6 guitars, either the Line 6 Variax
>700 Electric Guitar, or the 600, or the Acosutic 700 modeling guitar?
>Are they all they say they are? How's the quality of the modeling?
>Do they stack up for the price? Are the sounds authentic, or can you
>tell they are emulated?
>What's the real deal with these boxes -- (from anyone who owns one)?
Hello John,
I bought the original Variax (now called the Variax 500-no tremelo
bar) when it first came out. I got in used for the great price (then)
of $900 ( I think they listed around $1200) back then.
I used it as my main ax for weekly gigging for about 1 1/2 - 2 years.
Mostly top 40, latin, funk, with a little bit of jazz.
Early reviews were something like "a $100 guitar with $1,000 of electronics".
I still have the guitar and like it very much (although I now use a
strat for these types of gigs).
I think the guitar is GREAT.
Having 25 models at the flip of a knob is amazing. Within each model
you have 5 additional real variations. Check out the website for
details, including videos.
http://line6.com/variax/
Also check out YouTube for more examples.
So, how does it sound?
The emulations are not spot on. Some are better than others. An A/B
test with as Strat was very close. The Les Paul was OK but not as
close. I found the Super 400 model useless (however, I have never
played a Super 400 so can't really compare). I liked the ES 175
model. It is good enough to do jazz tunes with. I also liked the
telecaster model. It has that "twang". The acoustic models are the
worst. They are more "acoustic-like". However, in a live gig mix, you
can get an Acoustic Alchemy vibe. Bottom line: if you want instant
access to an amazing variety of "sounds", nothing beats this guitar.
If you expect cloned sounds and your ear is good enough to perceive
minute differences, then you will be disappointed.
There are several other variables. The amp you use makes a BIG
difference. If you are going to be using the acoustic models or you
are going to be using a variety of the other models, a PA or keyboard
amp is best to hear the maximum difference in the sounds of the
models. I used an 8-channel Carvin PA for gigging for the power and
clarity. If you are going to be using primarily Les Paul or Strat
models, go with a tube amp (I never tried a transister amp).
The other variable is the guitar itself. It has neck with a 9 1/2
fretboard radius. This is an odd shape that is very rounded. I not
aware of a guitar with a similar radius. The point is that you should
try before you buy if possible. I found it to be different in feel
but OK. The guitar uses a 25 1/2" scale. The fretboard has a nice
subtle curve with nice frets. At first it is a little weird playing a
Les Paul model, doing Gretch Rockabilly licks on neck that feels like
something else.
Actually, this is another point. The models are much more realistic
if you play licks associated with the model. Smoke on the Water will
sound terrible on the Banjo model. However, the banjo model will
sound pretty good if you can play Duelin Banjos.
Overall, the models work very well with stomp boxes like overdrive,
fuzz, chorus, etc.
Another big plus is that you can buy accessories to hook the guitar
to a computer and build and tweek your own models and send them back
to the guitar. If you like this sort of thing, you will love this
feature. However, it does take time. Sometimes I have to stop myself
from tweeking and do more playing. The only model I tweeked was the
ES175 model to give it more mid definition (for my PA). I got really
good results with not too much effort.
EBAY always has these guitars for sale at pretty good prices--much
less than I played. Also, later models were higher-end guitars
although I never have tried them. The one I have is good enough for
me. WARNING: if you buy used, make sure guitar comes with the power
box, power chord, stereo chord, etc. The guitar is useless without
these accessories. It can be powered by batteries, but this not
really practical.
I checked Guitar Center website and see they are selling the Variax
600 guitar (like mine but a later model with a tremelo bar) for
$799.99. I think this is still fantastic value, subject to comments
above.
Try one out. Keep an open mind/ear. Have fun playing/learning licks
that match the models.
Hope this helps.
Ron
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