Line6 Variax 500 Modeling Guitar (With Gig Bag)
Dozens of classic guitar sounds. Simple, instantly familiar controls.
Overall User Ratings (based on 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 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.
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Submitted April 24, 2004 by a customer from coolshoes.com
"Variax - why not have your next guitar be every guitar?"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Sound
Nothing else compares in any way to the sounds you can get out of this axe. Are each of the virtual guitars perfectly accurate with the "original" - no, but are they close enough to provide a professional sounding array of sounds and tones... absolutely.
Features
The stock neck... If you like playing huge fretwires (think railroad spikes) go for it. The neck exhausted me, so I replaced it. Now, I am a very happy camper.
Quality
This 500 series is ugly. The black and red models are atrocious. The sunburst I bought is tolerable. Nothing fancy in the guitar... if you want beauty, buy the 700. If you just want an amazing axe, the 500 will do. Plan on replacing the neck either way.
Value
Considering what you get, and what you can do with it, it is superb. I paid $850 for my 500; now you can get them cheaper.
The Wow Factor
Sound/tone: 10+ Body appearance: 7
Average: 9.5, only because the flexibility in tones/sounds/instruments is staggering.
Musical Style:
Praise Rock, Classic Rock, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, vocals.
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Submitted July 1, 2003 by a customer from hotmail.com
"Good start to a good idea, but not there yet."
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I'll keep it and probably replace the neck, which raises the price $150. Hopefully Line 6 will have a software upgrade.
Sound
Electric sounds are ok except for the 12-strings, they sound like a chorus effect. The acoustic sounds, including banjo & resonators, are not realistic at all. Fun to mess around.
Features
Can't ask for more
Quality
Neck is dove-tailed at 3rd fret and it looks crummy. Neck already warped and started to buzz after 1 month, had to adjust releif. Frets could have been finished better.
Value
It's more of an interesting toy than a really playable musical instrument. More money than an American Strat, not half as playable. Does offer a lot of interesting electric guitar sounds
Manufacturer Support
Have not needed it but their web-site could offer more information, be easier to navigate, and stress support (which it doesn't)
The Wow Factor
Have it, wish I hadn't spent the money
Musical Style:
Classic Rock
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