Variax impressions

[hippietim]

So I bit the bullet and ordered one of these things just because the simplicity and versatility of the thing vs. the VG-8/88 which has more features but is considerably more complicated and cumbersome.

I wasn't initially impressed with the Variax when they first came out. Mine came yesterday and I have to say I'm leaning the other direction now. Here are my first impressions now that I have one.

First, the guitar:

It's made in Korea. The neck shape is comfortable with a nice satin finish. Good tuners. Nice hardtail bridge made by LR Baggs (wish it had a whammy). I got a black one - the only choices are ugly black, uglier red, and really ugly tobacco burst. The guitar finish is nice and smooth. The pickguard was cut poorly - it has a couple indentations along the edge. The nut was not cut very well - a couple strings bound up while tuning. Two minor nits - it's a well made guitar.

Next, the models:
</font><ul type="square">[*]<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Teles: ok, it doesn't sound like the Tele I compared it to. however, it does sound like a Tele. There is no mistaking it.</font>[*]<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Strat: see Tele</font>[*]<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Les Pauls: these are pretty darn good - glad they included P-90 models as well</font>[*]<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Misc Gibsons: Firebird, LP Jr/Special - they sounded good - I don't know if they sound like what they're supposed to though since I don't have a reference instrument</font>[*]<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Gretsch 6120/Silver Jet - again I don't have a 6120 to compare to, I used to have a Silver Jet and this comes really close. You definitely can get some decent rockabilly tones here</font>[*]<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Semi hollows - they all sounded good and about what I figured they should</font>[*]<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Jazz boxes - a couple of these were really good - the others were fine as well</font>[*]<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Rics - eh. But then that is what I'd say about a real one too. The 12-string was weak.</font>[*]<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Acoustics - the 6-strings sounded very good, they wouldn't make you sell your Martin but it sounded as good as most piezo rigs. The 12-strings are really bad - the pitch tracking isn't very good.</font>[*]<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">resonators - they sounded cool to me. The sitar is fun. I don't think the banjo is fooling anyone.</font>[/list]<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">So far, I'm happy. I'm taking it to a jam gig tonight so we'll see how it holds its own.

[jgcable]

Re: Variax impressions

The VG-8 with the S-1 upgrade and some expansion cards is everything that a Variax should be. Regarding your cumbersome statement, it is actually a very simple setup. Only one cable from guitar to the VG-8 which is basically a large foot controller that plugs straight into your amp. You can also route the signal to the board or anywhere else. The expression pedal plugs right into the VG-8. Roland ready guitars are great but I opted to build my own strat using Allparts materials. My strat has an Invader in the bridge, a JBjr in the mid and a 1/4 pounder in the neck. Add that to the GK2-a module and I can get every sound on the planet. It is all controllable from the GK2 module on the guitar or from the foot controller. I use both and it is simple to use/operate and maintain. Oh yea.. on the VG-8 the Tele's sound like Tele's, the Strats sound like strats and so on and so on and so on. There are a few patches that sound questionable but just a few. It is the coolest. BTW...... You have mail!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ September 05, 2003, 03:04 PM: Message edited by: jgcable ]

[DeathIsMyJustice]

Re: Variax impressions

line 6... f*ck this moddin ****, if you want to sound like somthin... get the thing its trying so hard to copy, pods are ok but I would only ever use it for midnight jamming

RaR!

[~K~]

Re: Variax impressions

Originally posted by DeathIsMyJustice:
line 6... f*ck this moddin ****, if you want to sound like somthin... get the thing its trying so hard to copy, pods are ok but I would only ever use it for midnight jamming

RaR!

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">So what your saying is you got $50k to throw away on amps... This statement seems to always pop up around here under the assumption that every guitarist plays metal. Line6 product is great for pc recording, top 40 gigs where you need more than one sound etc...

Regarding the variax I bought one of these about 2 months back. It's a great guitar for what it does. Marry this guitar with a Vetta and you have a great gigging G.B.amp. My issue with the variax was that for me it wasn't a very comfortable neck and left me uninspired. Still I.M.O. a great piece of equipment.

This fall there's a new tube amp coming out called atomic reactor that uses a pod as its color. I'm dying to see how an amp with tubes that's designed for the modeler really sounds ...

Kev

[Boxcar Willie 84]

Re: Variax impressions

I wonder if you could have the electronic "guts" of the Variac put in a nicer guitar....I've heard lots of people say that while the technology is amazing, the guitar leaves a little to be desired.

[YetAnotherOne]

Re: Variax impressions

There's no reason you couldn't pull the guts out of a Variax and put them in another guitar. Problem is that it would be an expensive proposition to buy one of Line6's babies just to tear it apart.

Now if our friendly neighborhood FMIC reps happen across this thread they might note that some of us would consider it a *very* cool thing if FMIC were to license an OEM version of Line6's electronics and plant them in everyone's favorite line of high-quality USA-made axes. It'd probably do at least as much for Jackson's image as that Jenna Jameson photo shoot ... and it might even cost less. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ September 07, 2003, 06:32 PM: Message edited by: YetAnotherOne ]

[Accept2]

Re: Variax impressions

I went with a VG8 myself, based on the fact that I can use a good guitar to play all those emulations. The Variax guitar looks kinda like a toy. With the VG8, I can switch back out to Seymour Duncan pickups and a nice 24 fret shred neck, and whether I am in VG8 or regular mode, the Floyd is always there.......

[JacksonJuiceBox]

Re: Variax impressions

This is a pretty expensive option, but If line 6 offere the variax guts or digital equipment to actuall guitar maker... e.g. Fender, Gibson, whatever you want, and offer it in a production model as an option... I personally wouldn't buy it, I dont really care for trying to copy another sound, or trying to cover a song, just not me.

[ September 07, 2003, 09:21 PM: Message edited by: Jon ]

[Supercharged 350]

Re: Variax impressions

There is a guy on another forum who HAS put the electronics from a Variax into another guitar. There is also another Variax coming soon with a carved top and X-bridge style trem, it looks much cooler than the original.


M

[gemini8026]

Re: Variax impressions

I think it's great technology.

As well. I LOVE my PODxt, for someone with simple needs such as myself, its perfect and cheap. I cant afford to have a few bogner's, Mesa's Marshalls around the pad!


So is the Variax capable of any MIDI output?

When I heard the Midi demo's from Graphtech I thought it was SOOOO cool to hear horns/organs/strings coming from a guitar.

IS the Variax able to interface with the MIDI input on my Audiophile 2496 soundcard? OR do I need a different midi solution?

It's realy intruiging stuff. the roland stuff sounds cool too. Anyone know any Demo's?


AS well, anybody using WINmx..... Download the YOUNG GUITAR Alexi Leiho clip. SOOOO cool, the one guy has Midi on his Jackson RR. Sounds soo cool!!!!

[data187]

Re: Variax impressions

http://www.instituteofnoise.com/foru...?TOPIC_ID=7855

link to a guy that put his variax guts into a warmoth tele body...pretty cool stuff!!!

[DeathIsMyJustice]

Re: Variax impressions

maybe I just dont like that digital sound... oh well, Im sure one day when line 6 gets far to infront of itself we will wish for a normal guitar, a cable and a normal amp

Im just kinda hoping line6 dont end up having a microsoft type monopoly on guitar/amp manufacturing world...

"download the newest patch for your Line 6 supa dupa modling guitar today"

RaR!

[~K~]

Re: Variax impressions

I doubt it will ever come to that unless they nail the tones perfectly ... but there are a lot of great uses for the technology and I'd really love to know how many pro bands use the technology to make life easier and then credit boogie,bogner, etc to keep the musicians happy...

While I love the sound of a tube amp it just isn't practical at midnight to be cranking an amp to lay down ideas etc ...this is where the pods excel .. especially for the guy's who live in dorms,apartments etc ..

[Tekky]

Re: Variax impressions

Sorry, I'm a guitarist, I don't do impressions. [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Sorry guys... I couldn't resist that... [img]graemlins/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[~K~]

Re: Variax impressions

It doesn't do midi but if you marry it with the Vetta 2 and a footswitch it will ... the Vetta 2 was designed with the variax in mind ..you need to call up a fender tele and a coutry tone ..you hit the button and go ... then you need a boogie and a paul ...again hit the footswitch . ...