Line6 Variax 500 Modeling Guitar (With Gig Bag)
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zZounds Gear Experts Say...
Dozens of classic guitar sounds. Simple, instantly familiar controls.
Overview
Variax isn't just a guitar -- it's a revolution. With a single beautifully crafted instrument, you'll have instant access to a showroom full of the world's finest sounding guitars. Variax is the definitive combination of traditional guitar craftsmanship and Line 6's pioneering modeling technology. Imagine what you could do with a Variax.
Stage
For years, guitarists have struggled with the fear of losing their most prized guitars on the road. You could probably count on one hand the amount of players who actually drag their one-of-a-kind vintage Strats, Teles and Les Pauls* to every gig. It's even worse for acoustic players. Even if you decided to pull out your favorite old acoustic, getting a properly miked acoustic guitar sound at stage volume can be an absolute nightmare.
What if you could take one guitar and not only have all your electric needs covered, but have a pristinely miked acoustic sound at the touch of a 5-way toggle switch? Sound too good to be true?
Studio
Talk to any working studio guitarist and they'll tell you that traveling with a guitar trunk the size of a small car is the norm. When the red light is on, and you're expected to come up with "the right part," the last thing you want is an uninspiring guitar sound. Even if you have the right guitar in your road case, it's still going to take you few minutes to change, re-tune and get back into the vibe of the track. With Variax you'll be able to audition 25 different guitars all at the turn of a knob. Now… read more that's inspiration at the speed of creativity.
Of course, for the rest of us who just want to demo an acoustic-heavy song at home before the dog and kids start making the "sounds of war," Variax will become indispensable. You'll be able to record a dobro, sitar or 12-string all without having to worry about mics or the bleed from the TV in the next room. Variax will help you be as creative as humanly possible with the 20 minutes you have after work and before you have to drive the kids to football practice and ballet lessons.
Collection
There's something magical about playing a 50-year-old guitar. Even better is a guitar that's actually been "played" every day of that half-century. Those instruments have a sound to them that only comes from the passing of time, hundreds of sessions, thousands of gigs read less
Stage
For years, guitarists have struggled with the fear of losing their most prized guitars on the road. You could probably count on one hand the amount of players who actually drag their one-of-a-kind vintage Strats, Teles and Les Pauls* to every gig. It's even worse for acoustic players. Even if you decided to pull out your favorite old acoustic, getting a properly miked acoustic guitar sound at stage volume can be an absolute nightmare.
What if you could take one guitar and not only have all your electric needs covered, but have a pristinely miked acoustic sound at the touch of a 5-way toggle switch? Sound too good to be true?
Studio
Talk to any working studio guitarist and they'll tell you that traveling with a guitar trunk the size of a small car is the norm. When the red light is on, and you're expected to come up with "the right part," the last thing you want is an uninspiring guitar sound. Even if you have the right guitar in your road case, it's still going to take you few minutes to change, re-tune and get back into the vibe of the track. With Variax you'll be able to audition 25 different guitars all at the turn of a knob. Now… read more that's inspiration at the speed of creativity.
Of course, for the rest of us who just want to demo an acoustic-heavy song at home before the dog and kids start making the "sounds of war," Variax will become indispensable. You'll be able to record a dobro, sitar or 12-string all without having to worry about mics or the bleed from the TV in the next room. Variax will help you be as creative as humanly possible with the 20 minutes you have after work and before you have to drive the kids to football practice and ballet lessons.
Collection
There's something magical about playing a 50-year-old guitar. Even better is a guitar that's actually been "played" every day of that half-century. Those instruments have a sound to them that only comes from the passing of time, hundreds of sessions, thousands of gigs read less
Specs
Contoured basswood body
Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard and pearl dots
22 medium profile frets
25 1/2 in. scale length
10 in. fingerboard radius
Digital I/O jack for PODxt Live, Vetta II, and Workbench connectivity
Volume and tone controls respond faithfully for each model
Included XPS A/B footswitch selects between two outputs:
1/4 in. standard guitar output for connection to any guitar amp
XLR balanced output for sending acoustic sounds to a separate amp or PA
Powered by footswitch, on-board batteries, Vetta II or PODxt Live
Custom-fitted heavy-duty gig bag
Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard and pearl dots
22 medium profile frets
25 1/2 in. scale length
10 in. fingerboard radius
Digital I/O jack for PODxt Live, Vetta II, and Workbench connectivity
Volume and tone controls respond faithfully for each model
Included XPS A/B footswitch selects between two outputs:
1/4 in. standard guitar output for connection to any guitar amp
XLR balanced output for sending acoustic sounds to a separate amp or PA
Powered by footswitch, on-board batteries, Vetta II or PODxt Live
Custom-fitted heavy-duty gig bag
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
(70 ratings)
Submitted April 5, 2005 by a customer from gmail.com
"The Variax line of guitars prove that technology and playability can co-exist beautifully."
Without the wall wart the thing uses 8 AA batteries or a 9 volt by itself in an emergency. Can't say I care for that, but I know the engineers tried to make reasonable accomodation for power consumption - after all the thing is a guitar with a processor built inside the body. All of this can forgotten about should you choose to purchase one of the new Line 6 amps which use the proprietary variax cable to power the guitar. All in all, the way this thing plays with nothing plugged in was enough to make me buy it. Beautiful playing guitar.
Sound
Not only is the thing a technical marvel, it really is a sweet playing guitar. Great action, very "soft" and playable.
Features
This guitar is an achievement on a number of levels. Typically new technologies such as this go through countless models to reach a working solution, usually leaving the equipment buying masses to pay the tab. Line 6 did an outstanding job of keeping this under wraps until they could produce an instrument that really does everything it claims.
Quality
I've always had concerns about Asian manufactured guitars, but his Korean made guitar is top notch. Good wood, good cuts, good fittings. Well beyond anything I've seen from them in a while. Anybody remember Hondo guitars???
Value
I bought this guitar for $200 less than it is currently advertised here. I would definitely say the cost versus value… read more is well balanced.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't needed any service but questions can be answered quite readily via the Line 6 website.
The Wow Factor
This is a badass piece of equipment and it will definitely attact attention. It is a technical marvel and if thats not good enough, the fact that it has no pickups will definitely start a conversation. Very lust-worthy...
Musical Background:
Temporarily retired professional musician
Musical Style:
folk, rock, alternative whatever - anything with heart, soul and emotion. read less
Sound
Not only is the thing a technical marvel, it really is a sweet playing guitar. Great action, very "soft" and playable.
Features
This guitar is an achievement on a number of levels. Typically new technologies such as this go through countless models to reach a working solution, usually leaving the equipment buying masses to pay the tab. Line 6 did an outstanding job of keeping this under wraps until they could produce an instrument that really does everything it claims.
Quality
I've always had concerns about Asian manufactured guitars, but his Korean made guitar is top notch. Good wood, good cuts, good fittings. Well beyond anything I've seen from them in a while. Anybody remember Hondo guitars???
Value
I bought this guitar for $200 less than it is currently advertised here. I would definitely say the cost versus value… read more is well balanced.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't needed any service but questions can be answered quite readily via the Line 6 website.
The Wow Factor
This is a badass piece of equipment and it will definitely attact attention. It is a technical marvel and if thats not good enough, the fact that it has no pickups will definitely start a conversation. Very lust-worthy...
Musical Background:
Temporarily retired professional musician
Musical Style:
folk, rock, alternative whatever - anything with heart, soul and emotion. read less
6 of 6 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
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