• From: Scotland
  • Registered: 2009-02-11
  • Posts: 453

Topic: Variax? or Not

hey guys, I'm probably going to get a some abuse for this post but I would like your opinions. What do you guys think of the Line 6 variax. I had one of the 600s for a while but I hated the neck and the trem got on my nerves. I got on quite well with the sounds and found it very useful. Does anyone here have a Variax?

I've seen a 500 on ebay that is not bad price wise and was maybe thinking of grabbing it. I have a few nice guitars, American Start, Fret King super 60 with the soap bar (great guitar). PRS SE custom semi hollow (amazing for the price).

I thought about the variax for baritone, 12 string sounds, Acoustic sounds, reso etc.

What you guys think.

2 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2009-05-13 23:31:28)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Variax? or Not

totally TOTALLY get one. But change it. Take the 'guts' out, and toss it into a Warmoth prefabricated body and neck made special for Variax guts. I heard the wood quality on a Line6 is no good, and Warmoth makes GREAT custom stuff. The shape of the variax is really funky, and warmoth makes strat and tele bodies that look "classic" where the variax guts will drop right in!

http://www.warmoth.com/Pages/Guitar.aspx

They have a new website, and unfortunately the link above only goes to the homepage, I don't have the time right now to dig for the variax stuff.

I've always wanted to do this. Plus I think more of the "life" of the guitar will show with all Warmoth wood and variax electronics. part of the negative aspects of the guitar is that it doesn't resonate or "feel" good when not plugged in. I'm thinking its because of the wood quality and perhaps some of the feel on the neck.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool

3 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2009-05-13 23:35:54)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Variax? or Not

Here ya go: cool big_smileroll cool

http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Line6/Line6.aspx

It ALSO appears that if you want a Gibson scale (24.75") or a Fender scale (25.5") you can specify that when you order a neck and a body! Thats cool.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Variax? or Not

For noodling and recording the Variax would be cool.  It makes a lot more sense then lugging around a 12-string and Baritone guitar that you won't use very often.  I don't have much experience with them but I have heard some good things about the Warmoth mod.  If it sounds good then don't worry about what tone snobs will think!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Scotland
  • Registered: 2009-02-11
  • Posts: 453

Re: Variax? or Not

The warmoth mod sounds like a great idea. I wish line 6 would just make an external box that did all the variax stuff. Obviously a piezo bridge would be needed but at least I could have my gyuitar and also a variax to boot in one instrument. Kind of like those boss external pickups that do all the modelling. The thing i did like about the variax thtough was that it was just like playing a real guitar the way the controls are set out. Like I said I had a 600 before that I may have been a little quick in selling. Trem problems and the sound cutting off. If I get the 500 I'll leave as is for a while then maybe mod later. Failing that I could grab myself a 300 and take the electronics out.

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2006-05-31
  • Posts: 489

Re: Variax? or Not

Sorry, but I have sold mine after 2 months. This guitar is a tool more than a real instrument. It's okay for recording and for cover band players. I figure I do best with the real stuff on stage.

Jimi75's Website

7 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2009-05-14 15:18:54)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Variax? or Not

Jimi75 wrote:

Sorry, but I have sold mine after 2 months. This guitar is a tool more than a real instrument. It's okay for recording and for cover band players. I figure I do best with the real stuff on stage.

It's funny you mention it as a tool. Jimmy Page refers to his LP's as tools too. That's why he let experts take apart his '59 for analysis without completely freaking out. Supposedly, he was really cool about it... he realizes it's a tool for music. Not art, or an instrument, but a tool of his trade. I really like the idea of all guitars being tools. Alas, I'm sort of a collector so a lot of the time I view them as art. From a fundamental standpoint, value aside, all instruments are essentially tools. But, I digress.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool