Jun 16, 2005 09:47 am I dunno for sure, but I should be getting one in the next month or two to check out and review.
I think they look really nice myself...besides, I don't buy a guitar cuz of how it looks...THAT'S retarded...
line 6
Posted on Jun 16, 2005 09:44 am
sticadokid
*sticado: short and LOUD!*
Member Since: Feb 25, 2005
how do those new guitars work? (im not going to get one cuz they look retarded)
is there a pickup inside the body or is it just something wierd that no body's ever heard of?
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Jun 16, 2005 09:47 am I dunno for sure, but I should be getting one in the next month or two to check out and review.
I think they look really nice myself...besides, I don't buy a guitar cuz of how it looks...THAT'S retarded...
Jun 16, 2005 11:31 am Quote:
check out and review
you're killin' me softly
Jun 16, 2005 11:43 am that said from the pre-amp baron =)
Jun 16, 2005 11:49 am I think that it's a peizo under-the-saddle pickup on those guitars...1 per string. Then the signal gets digitized, super-sized, funkified, laid on its side, painted a different color, and then it's subjected to double neutrino attack power for a couple of microseconds before it's turned into the pink gelatinous fluid that we all know comes out of the output jack of all guitars.
That's all that I know for sure.
Actually, Musician's Friend had a good review in one of their recent catalogs. I think that they keep their reviews posted on their website, and I think that they uncover the mystery of the missing pickup and the pink fluid.
Jun 16, 2005 11:57 am haha Tadpui, everyone knows it passes through the crunchonchoppulator before it turn into the pink gelatinous fluid!
I'm guessing that this is Line 6 answer to the Gibson Digital guitar.
www.gibsondigital.com/
Jun 16, 2005 01:56 pm I am looking forward to checkin out the Variax. A guitar to go along with their modeling gear would just be the bomb. One thing I do know is that Line 6 rarely does anything if they can't do it very, very well...so I expect high quality.
Jun 16, 2005 02:23 pm i look forward to that review, db.
as a former and sometimes-still skater, i was introduced to the idea of 'hey man, it's how it skates, not how it looks!' back at the tender age of twelve. slowly i came to realize that the feel of the board always had to be the number one consideration--if i actually cared about skating. i forget what my point is, but i wanted to say that translucent blue variax looks really cool. how much are these things, like 800 bucks?
www.line6.com/variax/photogallery.html
Jun 16, 2005 02:30 pm Yeah, they are pretty expensive...but considering the amount of sounds you can, in theory, get out of it, it's quite a deal...after the Variax, I am hoping I can get them to send me a Bass Variax too.
I love transluecent finishes, seeing the grain thru a paint job is the bomb...though non of my guitars currently have that finish...some have in the past.
I agree with you completely regarding the feel not the look. I have said it before, I'll sya it again, my current guitar is the ugliest thing known to man, but, when I put it in my hands those many years ago, I just knew it'd never leave...I had to buy it.
And ya know forty, just two years ago when my wife was selling tons of old kids clothes and junk...she finally talked me in to selling my skateboard... :-(
Jun 16, 2005 02:34 pm regarding people's opinions of the look of the variax: i was more than a little shocked that sound on sound - a magazine for recording musicians - marked the variax bass down on account of its "conservative design". understandable maybe for an average guitar magazine, but if its intended for use in a studio, i'd be more than happy with the tried and tested design rather than line 6 going off on a tangent trying to make it look different.
i got to try a variax 500 at the last music live expo and was impressed - it'd be a great tool for studio use. i can't see too many stage rockers taking a liking to it, but if you're willing to open your mind to modelling then it's worth looking into.
and yes, it works via piezo electric transducers under the saddles of the bridge.
Jun 16, 2005 02:36 pm but can it 'really' sound like a strat with the bridge and middle pickup gooin' through a tube amp???? hey deebs, when you do the review could you maybe post some audio clips with it? my curiousity is perked.
Jun 16, 2005 02:43 pm Yeah, I plan to post samples, but the bummer is they have to be mp3's...so it'll only be so much of a true sample.
I gotta say tho, so far, Line 6 does have the best modeling. I rarely judge modelling by "if it sound like [insert instrument]" but more, "if it sounds good". However, the way the variax is marketed, it'll have to be more of if it sounds like something in particular...
If anyone can pull that off, it'd be Line 6...The Behringer will rip it off and put out a half-assed version...the "Berryiax" or somethin...
Jun 16, 2005 02:47 pm There are 2 different Variax models...a cheapie that's about on par with a Mexi Strat as far as cost, and an upper model that's more around a grand.
I hear that the accuracy is very good, but of course not exactly like the guitars it models. But hey my Swiss Army knife is versatile, but any of its tools would be beaten by a single tool designed for that purpose...it just depends on what you need. I can imagine cover bands being very interested in the variax guitar, bass, and Line 6 amps.
Jun 16, 2005 02:53 pm The Variax also has a software app that allows you to design you own guitars by chosing body styles, pickup style, pickup placements, spinning the pickups straight or angled, and all sorts of other things...personally, that is the most intruiging part for me right now...
Jun 16, 2005 04:18 pm lol WYD...the BehriAxe from Behringer...for the low low price of only $99.99.
"why are you looking at us like that? we thought of it all by ourselves! honest!"
Yeah dB the software does look pretty darn cool.
Jun 16, 2005 06:11 pm I played the line 6 acoustic Monday afternoon at the local guitar shop.
It sounded pretty good but it didn't feel like an acoustic to me. I suppose it was to be expected but still, I was a bit bummed. I'd love to take one home for a week, do some recording and see how it sounds.
I was already looking for an acoustic but I wasn't thinking of spending as much money as this costs ($1700+ Cdn). I'm also probably leaning towards getting an actual acoustic guitar with piezos in it, I'd like to be able to play the thing unplugged once in a while and actually have some volume to it.
I'm not ruling out this guitar though, I am drooling at the thought of adding mandolin and banjo to a lot of my recordings.
Jun 16, 2005 06:43 pm I played the low end $499. one at guitar center last week and I really like it. It has a real smooth neck which has become a must for me these days. It feels and plays very well. I agree that they could use a little work in the looks department but they really are not all that bad. I'm going to pick one up after I get a little more money saved up. I already have the Pod XT Live so I'm looking forward to it.
Jun 16, 2005 06:46 pm Man, now I am curious, I GOTTA check this thing out soon...
Jun 16, 2005 06:53 pm I'm a little confused on one thing with this axe. Would it replace the need for a POD? I know that it is setup to be used with a POD by why would you need both? Can't you get these sounds from the POD by itself?
Jun 16, 2005 07:18 pm Well, the way I see it, Variax is a guitar modeler. POD's are amp/mic/cab modelers as well as effects processors, seems like a perfect marriage.
Jun 16, 2005 07:39 pm you guys ever mess with a parker fly?
i've always wanted to experament with those things...
Jun 16, 2005 07:41 pm I can see it now, an all synthesizer band using nothing but guitars! A real guitar army. Who was the guy that did the all keyboard band back when. (Notice, I didn't say *way* back?)
BarryAxe sounds like something you take to clear the insides out. Either that, or an implement with which to forcibly remove a berry-bearing tree from it's current location...
Jun 16, 2005 10:31 pm Even tho the variax is a little strange looking, I'd say that the Parker Fly is about the ugliest thing to happen to guitars since the flying V or that Steinberger headless/bodiless guitar...it'd have to play incredibly well for me to be caught dead gigging with one. as if I gig anymore, but you know...
Jun 16, 2005 10:32 pm BeerHunter, The way I understand it is without something like the pod it just acts like a normal guitar, the models do not open up until you plug into a pod.
Jun 16, 2005 10:33 pm Also I think it has to be a newer pod that supports the variax, like the live xt.
Jun 16, 2005 10:38 pm Actually, it looks like it comes with a footswitch that lets you control the modeling features.
Here's the MF.com review of the Variax:
www.musiciansfriend.com/s...nt/doc_id=91624
And the cheapie model:
www.musiciansfriend.com/s...nt/doc_id=98503
And the acoustic model:
www.musiciansfriend.com/s...nt/doc_id=93106
And the Variax / Vetta II combo:
www.musiciansfriend.com/s...nt/doc_id=91997
Hopefully that'll dispel the myths until dB gets his mitts on the thing for a good and honest review. Those MF reviews are always a bit sensationalist if you ask me.
oh, and wasn't the all-keyboard band Kraftwerk? They're all-laptop now. Of course they're all 60 now too hehe.
www.pitchforkmedia.com/fe...k/kraftwerk-05/
Jun 16, 2005 11:56 pm OK, I get it now, its remote access to your POD from the Variax. So really, all processing is in the POD and the Variax is only a remote switch?? More knobs to play with. Well, for the digital age I guess its fun, and like someone said, cover stuff, but I really don't see it as being anything but a novelty. If you want to go digital, then just use a multi-effects pedal and put your $1000 into a Gibson.
Jun 17, 2005 06:43 am noo, the variax is a modeller in itself!
Jun 17, 2005 08:13 am You do not need a POD or any other device to play these guitars.
And it is NOT a midi guitar (at least the acoustic model isn't and I don't believe the others are either).
Jun 17, 2005 01:51 pm We are using one in all of our recordings. The thing is F'ing amazing. Seriously. This the THE best guitar for the studio. I can't tell you how nice it is to setup for ONE guitar then crank out three of four tonal variations without getting up. It even has a semi decent sounding accoustic tone. VERY reccommended. any of the recent recordings I have posted here have used the Variax for all elextric guitars .
Jun 17, 2005 02:12 pm Hi philthyone,
Are you using it through a "bean" or straight through to your amp? Also, which model are you using?
Jun 17, 2005 02:22 pm If you mean "Bean" as in a Pod, then yes thats what we are doing. No real amps in site.
It is the first one they produced. Just called Variax modeler Guitar.
service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear
Jun 19, 2005 12:17 am For those interested in the internal workiing of these beast I found some shots here www.vettaville.com/homepage.htm
Jun 27, 2005 04:55 pm I just stopped in to the guitar shop and took another look at the acoustic variax, I'm not sure if it has dropped in price over the last couple of weeks or if I misread the tag the last time I was in, but it's about $300 Canadian cheaper than what I posted above.
They are going to let me take one home for the long weekend coming up so I can test drive her in a comfortable enviroment.
I'll post my thoughts when I'm done.
Jun 28, 2005 07:49 pm Well, be sure to post here immediately with your thoughts! :)
I did a quick demo of a Variax 500 at the guitar store today...good stuff, but i need to try it out more. I've got my choice for my imminent guitar purchase down between the Variax 300, the Tele semi-hollow thinline, and the 72 tele reissue.
Jun 30, 2005 05:31 pm First impression after playing the Variax acoustic 700 for about an hour now... thoroughly unimpressed.
This thing sounds pretty unnatural going into my Omni studio/delta 66. It almost sounds like it's clipping but all my levels seem fine. It could be the preamp on the Omni that makes it sound bad although I have a hard time believing that. There is a line level out also but you need an XLR for that and my line level inputs on the Omni are for 1/4 cables, so I can't hook it up that way.
I will try it again tonight hooked up through my PODxt and see if that helps any but right now I am majorly disapointed.
Jun 30, 2005 05:48 pm So you're playing it direct? Any electric guitar sounds terrible and unnatural going direct, I can't imagine the variax would be any different. Plug it into an amp, or at least that POD thingy and see how it sounds.
Jun 30, 2005 05:57 pm I don't have an acoustic amp but I will hook it up to the POD later. I was actually told the best way to use it was to go directly into my line level inputs but I can't do that with the 1/4 inputs on my Omni.
It's not even that the guitar models sound off or anything, it just sounds like it's clipping and it kind of sounds uneven if that makes any sense, like the attack is off.
Jun 30, 2005 07:24 pm git yo'self an adapter cable thingey (you might have to make it yourself). Is your Omni "balanced" 1/4"ers? How 'bout the Variax? Keep the cable short. No more than 6 ft., preferably shorter.
Jun 30, 2005 07:51 pm I don't get it. None of the guitars that a variax models would sound good running direct. Why would a variax sound good running direct? It's a guitar modeler, not an amp modeler. I'd reserve judgement until after hearing it through an amp or at least an amp modeler.
Jun 30, 2005 09:14 pm Tadpui, actually the guitars this thing models get mic'd they don't go to amps but I do see your point.
It sounds a bit better going into my POD but it still doesn't sound half as good as my beat up Seagull acoustic with a mic in front of it. I'll be taking it back but I am very intrigued to see how future iterations of this guitar work out.
I still think it's a great idea but it just doesn't work for my ears.
Jun 30, 2005 09:39 pm I should mention that I have not played a guitar with piezo pickups before, all my experience on the instrument has been with straight acoustics with mics in front of them.
Is this maybe a case of me expecting too much?
Jul 01, 2005 01:49 am Have not heard the acoustic model. I did hook up a variax electric directly to my system with no pre and it did sound wimpy. It is truly designed to be used with an amp or Probably best with a Line 6 Pod. (Big supprise) I personaly swear by the electric model. Can't get Jerod to use his other guitars for recording anymore.
Jul 01, 2005 11:08 am Oh, so it was the acoustic variax? I must've missed that. I'd be curious how it sounds going into an acoustic amp.
But yeah, the peizo sound is never any match for micing an acoustic guitar. I can't imagine a guitar being successful if all it models are the peizo outputs of other guitars :) Hopefully if it were plugged into a PA or an acoustic amp it'd shine a bit more than running direct into a computer.
Jul 01, 2005 12:43 pm Well then, I suppose I was expecting too much.
I wasn't running it directly into the computer but I guess my pre-amp isn't really designed for anything other than mics (even though M-Audio likes to claim it is). I would certainly never plug my strat into it without going through my POD and in that case I use the line level input and not the pre-amps, so I'm not sure why I thought this would be any different lol.
I'll say this, it is one sharp looking and feeling guitar. The neck is faster than most acoustics I've played and the body is nice and thin.
Line 6 won me over with the PODxt and I guess I was ready to believe that this thing would be the real deal.
Jul 01, 2005 12:47 pm I should be getting a few week trial of one in the next few days...given the up and down reviews in this thread, I look very forward to working it over and spewing my two cents into a review. Look for it in a couple months if you care at all what I think.
Jul 01, 2005 01:31 pm I'm looking forward to your review dB, and I'm still hearing mostly good things about the other models.
There is a lot of talk about the 300 model having bad pickups however, lots of complaints about one or two strings dying on people.
Jul 28, 2005 06:01 am dB . . . did your review on the variax guitars come out yet? . . . I'm really thinking about selling 2 of my guitars to get the 500 or maybe even the 300 . . . I here a lot of good things about variax, but i want to know the downside to them.
Jul 28, 2005 06:33 am No, it hasn't yet, I am looking at the 300 for the review, but I want to get to a store and try the 500 and 700 for playability before releasing it. The models and stuff are cool (most of them) but the 300 the playability is much like that of a mexican strat...not horrible, but not great. Tight action, thick neck...I am hoping the 500 and 700 are better.
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