In the late 90's, Line 6 made quite a stir in the guitar-gear world with the introduction of their POD guitar amp modeling device. While Line 6 didn't invent amp modeling, it's safe to say that they made it useful and affordable for most guitar players. Their recording gear and guitar amps have been used by a wide variety of amateurs and pros alike.
Though Line 6 won over skeptics with their amp-modeling, it's been harder for them to convince people that guitar modeling works just as well. We admit that we were among the skeptics. Modeling a guitar amp? Sure! We can buy that, but a guitar is so much personal than an amplifier. We have to admit, though, that the Line 6 Variax has turned us into true believers. Having both recorded and gigged with the Variax, we plan on making the Variax a permanent part of our guitar arsenal, but let's look at the details to see what makes the Variax so special.
As you start to explore the Variax, you'll likely want to play around with the various guitar models just to judge their accuracy. And with the Variax, it'll take some time for you to explore the various options. Line 6 has included, literally, dozens of different guitars available with the Variax.
Line 6 has paid homage to classic guitars from the past forty years, so you'll find plenty of models from Fender, Gibson, Rickenbacker, Martin, and Guild to suit your tastes. There are a variety of both acoustic and electric guitars here. The possibilities are near limitless. If you want to switch from a Gibson Les Paul Standard to a Martin flattop, you can do so near instantly, or from a banjo to a 12-string Rickenbacker. Pretty amazing.
But how does it really sound? Does it do what it claims? Can one guitar really sound like fifty?
It really depends upon your expectations. If you want one guitar that can sound 100% like fifty different guitars, then you'll probably need fifty different guitars. Rather, think of the Variax as a serious recording and gigging tool. The Variax accurately captures the sounds of the guitars it attempts to emulate, but it is emulation. It's sort of like an amp modeling device in this respect. Does a POD really sound like 100 different amps? No, but it comes really close, and it's extremely convenient. That's how you should look at the Variax.
The Les Paul chunkiness is there as is the Telecaster twang. The semi-hollow models certainly capture the essence of a big jazz guitar box, and the 12-string models will make people turn their heads in amazement.
The best test about whether or not you'll be impressed with the Variax is simple. If you think a POD does a good job in capturing the basic sounds of guitar amps, then you'll think the Variax does a similarly good job. Sure, it won't cost like a vintage Les Paul or vintage Strat, but you won't have to mortgage your house, either.
Having recorded and gigged with the Variax 600, it's safe to say that it stands to be a vary valuable resource for any guitarist. I wouldn't part with mine for anything, but it doesn't take the place of my Stratocasters or Les Pauls, either. However, that's not the point. It's a tool and a valuable, useful tool at that.
The sounds are definitely there, but what about the playability? The feel? Given the power of the Variax electronics, it won't probably won't shock anyone that when you buy a Variax, you're mostly paying for the electronics. The instrument itself is made in China, which had us concerned at first.
However, once we started putting the Variax through its paces, it actually played very well. We were really pleased with the fretboard, the action, and the playability. The 22 medium jumbo frets were very well polished and the basswood body quite resonant. The fit and finish overall are very well done. It most definitely doesn't feel, sound, or play like a cheap guitar.
That's not to say that it didn't need some improvements. It came with a cheap plastic nut and tuning machines from hell. Fortunately, I replaced the tuners with Planet Waves locking tuners, which are a direct replacement, no drilling required. That improved the tuning immensely.
We also had a guitar tech replace the cheap nut with a Graphtech graphite nut and the cheap string tree with a Graphtech string tree. It cost us about $100, and it was well worth it. We can honestly say that with these small modifications that my Variax 600 truly is a classy, solid instrument.
You simply won't find a more versatile guitar than the Line 6 Variax 600. It has earned a permanent spot in our collection. If you want a guitar that's inexpensive, versatile, and plays well, you'd be hard pressed to be the innovated Line 6 Variax.
Though Line 6 won over skeptics with their amp-modeling, it's been harder for them to convince people that guitar modeling works just as well. We admit that we were among the skeptics. Modeling a guitar amp? Sure! We can buy that, but a guitar is so much personal than an amplifier. We have to admit, though, that the Line 6 Variax has turned us into true believers. Having both recorded and gigged with the Variax, we plan on making the Variax a permanent part of our guitar arsenal, but let's look at the details to see what makes the Variax so special.
As you start to explore the Variax, you'll likely want to play around with the various guitar models just to judge their accuracy. And with the Variax, it'll take some time for you to explore the various options. Line 6 has included, literally, dozens of different guitars available with the Variax.
Line 6 has paid homage to classic guitars from the past forty years, so you'll find plenty of models from Fender, Gibson, Rickenbacker, Martin, and Guild to suit your tastes. There are a variety of both acoustic and electric guitars here. The possibilities are near limitless. If you want to switch from a Gibson Les Paul Standard to a Martin flattop, you can do so near instantly, or from a banjo to a 12-string Rickenbacker. Pretty amazing.
But how does it really sound? Does it do what it claims? Can one guitar really sound like fifty?
It really depends upon your expectations. If you want one guitar that can sound 100% like fifty different guitars, then you'll probably need fifty different guitars. Rather, think of the Variax as a serious recording and gigging tool. The Variax accurately captures the sounds of the guitars it attempts to emulate, but it is emulation. It's sort of like an amp modeling device in this respect. Does a POD really sound like 100 different amps? No, but it comes really close, and it's extremely convenient. That's how you should look at the Variax.
The Les Paul chunkiness is there as is the Telecaster twang. The semi-hollow models certainly capture the essence of a big jazz guitar box, and the 12-string models will make people turn their heads in amazement.
The best test about whether or not you'll be impressed with the Variax is simple. If you think a POD does a good job in capturing the basic sounds of guitar amps, then you'll think the Variax does a similarly good job. Sure, it won't cost like a vintage Les Paul or vintage Strat, but you won't have to mortgage your house, either.
Having recorded and gigged with the Variax 600, it's safe to say that it stands to be a vary valuable resource for any guitarist. I wouldn't part with mine for anything, but it doesn't take the place of my Stratocasters or Les Pauls, either. However, that's not the point. It's a tool and a valuable, useful tool at that.
The sounds are definitely there, but what about the playability? The feel? Given the power of the Variax electronics, it won't probably won't shock anyone that when you buy a Variax, you're mostly paying for the electronics. The instrument itself is made in China, which had us concerned at first.
However, once we started putting the Variax through its paces, it actually played very well. We were really pleased with the fretboard, the action, and the playability. The 22 medium jumbo frets were very well polished and the basswood body quite resonant. The fit and finish overall are very well done. It most definitely doesn't feel, sound, or play like a cheap guitar.
That's not to say that it didn't need some improvements. It came with a cheap plastic nut and tuning machines from hell. Fortunately, I replaced the tuners with Planet Waves locking tuners, which are a direct replacement, no drilling required. That improved the tuning immensely.
We also had a guitar tech replace the cheap nut with a Graphtech graphite nut and the cheap string tree with a Graphtech string tree. It cost us about $100, and it was well worth it. We can honestly say that with these small modifications that my Variax 600 truly is a classy, solid instrument.
You simply won't find a more versatile guitar than the Line 6 Variax 600. It has earned a permanent spot in our collection. If you want a guitar that's inexpensive, versatile, and plays well, you'd be hard pressed to be the innovated Line 6 Variax.
About the Author:
Looking for the absolute cheapest price on a used or new Line 6 Variax? Then you must visit Ray's Guitar Shop, which offers the best prices on all used and new guitars (both electric and acoustic). It doesn't matter if you're searching for a Fender, an Epiphone, or a Gibson, Ray's Guitar Shop has what you need!
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