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OT: Anyone here using a Variax 300 steel string? [message #76853] Thu, 07 December 2006 22:07 Go to next message
Aaron Allen is currently offline  Aaron Allen   UNITED STATES
Messages: 1988
Registered: May 2008
Senior Member
Wondering if these make the cool giggin' guitar they appear to be (looking
at starting a 2 man ac gtr act).

Anyone got one/use one/played one/heard one?


Mucho Gracias
AA
Re: Anyone here using a Variax 300 steel string? [message #76861 is a reply to message #76853] Fri, 08 December 2006 09:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Tony Benson is currently offline  Tony Benson   UNITED STATES
Messages: 453
Registered: June 2006
Senior Member
Aaron,

You can contact my keyboard/guitar player (doug at mindsearstudio dot com)
and he'll be glad to answer any questions. He plays one with our band
Standing Hampton (www.standinghampton.com). We play 60 plus gigs a year and
as far as I know, he's had no problems. As with all modeling systems, it
won't convert the die hard tone junkies, but for versatility, and rig
simplification, it's killer. I personally think it does a decent job of
emulating different guitars.

Tony



"Aaron Allen" <know-spam@not_here.dude> wrote in message
news:4578fe97@linux...
>
> Wondering if these make the cool giggin' guitar they appear to be (looking
> at starting a 2 man ac gtr act).
>
> Anyone got one/use one/played one/heard one?
>
>
> Mucho Gracias
> AA
>
Re: OT: Anyone here using a Variax 300 steel string? [message #76863 is a reply to message #76853] Fri, 08 December 2006 10:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jamie K is currently offline  Jamie K   UNITED STATES
Messages: 1115
Registered: July 2006
Senior Member
The Variax 700 acoustic (not to be confused with the 700 electric, Line
6 has a confusing model numbering system) has been great for solo gigs.
Sounds very good through the PA, better than the Ovation I previously
used for that. I've gotten good use out of the alternate tuning features
and multiple guitar models. Appreciate the on-board compressor. It's the
only Line 6 guitar with 24 frets, which it has for the upper strings. No
feedback problems. Can't tap on the body of the guitar for percussion
but otherwise a gem.

Haven't played the 300 acoustic (not to be confused with the 300
electric) but if it sounds anything like the 700 acoustic it's worth
checking out. No alt tuning and just a single (but variable) guitar
model, it would probably do fine for straight acoustic guitar stuff. Has
reverb and a tuner which are not available on the 700. They also have a
nylon string version of the 300 acoustic.

Cheers,
-Jamie
www.JamieKrutz.com


Aaron Allen wrote:
> Wondering if these make the cool giggin' guitar they appear to be (looking
> at starting a 2 man ac gtr act).
>
> Anyone got one/use one/played one/heard one?
>
>
> Mucho Gracias
> AA
>
>
Re: Anyone here using a Variax 300 steel string? [message #76864 is a reply to message #76853] Fri, 08 December 2006 10:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
ottawarocks is currently offline  ottawarocks   CANADA
Messages: 12
Registered: September 2005
Junior Member
"Aaron Allen" <know-spam@not_here.dude> wrote in message
news:4578fe97@linux...
>
> Wondering if these make the cool giggin' guitar they appear to be (looking
> at starting a 2 man ac gtr act).
>
> Anyone got one/use one/played one/heard one?
>
>
> Mucho Gracias
> AA

I don't own one, nor have I spent any significant time playing one, so my
opinion doesn't count ;-)

However, my first impressions of all Variax (electric) guitars I put my
hands on was that they felt cheap. I'd be willing to pay big bucks for the
Variax guts in a decent guitar, though.

For the record, I use their flagship modelling amp (Vetta II) and am
constantly amazed at all it can do. All I'm missing now is a Variax-like
input into it... but I just know that no matter how flexible the Variax
might be, if it feels like junk compared to my main axe, it won't get played
and will just gather dust.

Dan
Re: OT: Anyone here using a Variax 300 steel string? [message #76865 is a reply to message #76863] Fri, 08 December 2006 10:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Tony Benson is currently offline  Tony Benson   UNITED STATES
Messages: 453
Registered: June 2006
Senior Member
Ah, I thought Aaron was asking about the electric. My bad.

Tony


"Jamie K" <Meta@Dimensional.com> wrote in message news:4579a864$1@linux...
>
> The Variax 700 acoustic (not to be confused with the 700 electric, Line 6
> has a confusing model numbering system) has been great for solo gigs.
> Sounds very good through the PA, better than the Ovation I previously used
> for that. I've gotten good use out of the alternate tuning features and
> multiple guitar models. Appreciate the on-board compressor. It's the only
> Line 6 guitar with 24 frets, which it has for the upper strings. No
> feedback problems. Can't tap on the body of the guitar for percussion but
> otherwise a gem.
>
> Haven't played the 300 acoustic (not to be confused with the 300 electric)
> but if it sounds anything like the 700 acoustic it's worth checking out.
> No alt tuning and just a single (but variable) guitar model, it would
> probably do fine for straight acoustic guitar stuff. Has reverb and a
> tuner which are not available on the 700. They also have a nylon string
> version of the 300 acoustic.
>
> Cheers,
> -Jamie
> www.JamieKrutz.com
>
>
> Aaron Allen wrote:
>> Wondering if these make the cool giggin' guitar they appear to be
>> (looking at starting a 2 man ac gtr act).
>>
>> Anyone got one/use one/played one/heard one?
>>
>>
>> Mucho Gracias
>> AA
Re: Anyone here using a Variax 300 steel string? [message #76866 is a reply to message #76864] Fri, 08 December 2006 10:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jamie K is currently offline  Jamie K   UNITED STATES
Messages: 1115
Registered: July 2006
Senior Member
I know what you mean with the electrics, I've played the 300 and 700
electrics and they are not top-end instruments. Workable and decent
sounding, though, and amazingly flexible.

I went with the 700 electric for a better build, feel and look, but I'll
bet the 600 is OK for a more stratish setup. The 300s (electrics) I've
played have varied widely in fit and finish, some much better than others.

The 700 Acoustics I've played have had good feel, best of the bunch, and
the few I tried were pretty consistent. My first one had an immediate
electronic problem, the replacement has been dependable. You should try
that model. Haven't played the 300 Acoustics but if they're made in the
same place as the 700 acoustic they may be fine.

For the electrics, some people have been transplanting the guts,
especially the 300 electric's guts, into better guitars. That's tempting.

Cheers,
-Jamie
www.JamieKrutz.com


D.P. wrote:
> "Aaron Allen" <know-spam@not_here.dude> wrote in message
> news:4578fe97@linux...
>> Wondering if these make the cool giggin' guitar they appear to be (looking
>> at starting a 2 man ac gtr act).
>>
>> Anyone got one/use one/played one/heard one?
>>
>>
>> Mucho Gracias
>> AA
>
> I don't own one, nor have I spent any significant time playing one, so my
> opinion doesn't count ;-)
>
> However, my first impressions of all Variax (electric) guitars I put my
> hands on was that they felt cheap. I'd be willing to pay big bucks for the
> Variax guts in a decent guitar, though.
>
> For the record, I use their flagship modelling amp (Vetta II) and am
> constantly amazed at all it can do. All I'm missing now is a Variax-like
> input into it... but I just know that no matter how flexible the Variax
> might be, if it feels like junk compared to my main axe, it won't get played
> and will just gather dust.
>
> Dan
>
>
Re: Anyone here using a Variax 300 steel string? [message #76876 is a reply to message #76866] Sat, 09 December 2006 03:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bill Lorentzen is currently offline  Bill Lorentzen   UNITED STATES
Messages: 140
Registered: June 2005
Senior Member
I haven't spent much time with the electrics either but my first impressions
were, 1) cheap gtr and, 2) sort of a disconnect with the sound. It did not
feel immediate and inspiring to me.

I'm interested to hear about the acoustic nylon, if it plays well and sounds
good. I've been trying to get a real nylon sound live for a long time and
while pickups are better than nothing, they don'e ever sound like the real
thing.

Bill L


"Jamie K" <Meta@Dimensional.com> wrote in message news:4579b0fd@linux...
>
> I know what you mean with the electrics, I've played the 300 and 700
> electrics and they are not top-end instruments. Workable and decent
> sounding, though, and amazingly flexible.
>
> I went with the 700 electric for a better build, feel and look, but I'll
> bet the 600 is OK for a more stratish setup. The 300s (electrics) I've
> played have varied widely in fit and finish, some much better than others.
>
> The 700 Acoustics I've played have had good feel, best of the bunch, and
> the few I tried were pretty consistent. My first one had an immediate
> electronic problem, the replacement has been dependable. You should try
> that model. Haven't played the 300 Acoustics but if they're made in the
> same place as the 700 acoustic they may be fine.
>
> For the electrics, some people have been transplanting the guts,
> especially the 300 electric's guts, into better guitars. That's tempting.
>
> Cheers,
> -Jamie
> www.JamieKrutz.com
>
>
> D.P. wrote:
>> "Aaron Allen" <know-spam@not_here.dude> wrote in message
>> news:4578fe97@linux...
>>> Wondering if these make the cool giggin' guitar they appear to be
>>> (looking at starting a 2 man ac gtr act).
>>>
>>> Anyone got one/use one/played one/heard one?
>>>
>>>
>>> Mucho Gracias
>>> AA
>>
>> I don't own one, nor have I spent any significant time playing one, so my
>> opinion doesn't count ;-)
>>
>> However, my first impressions of all Variax (electric) guitars I put my
>> hands on was that they felt cheap. I'd be willing to pay big bucks for
>> the Variax guts in a decent guitar, though.
>>
>> For the record, I use their flagship modelling amp (Vetta II) and am
>> constantly amazed at all it can do. All I'm missing now is a Variax-like
>> input into it... but I just know that no matter how flexible the Variax
>> might be, if it feels like junk compared to my main axe, it won't get
>> played and will just gather dust.
>>
>> Dan
Re: Anyone here using a Variax 300 steel string? [message #76882 is a reply to message #76876] Sat, 09 December 2006 10:17 Go to previous message
Jamie K is currently offline  Jamie K   UNITED STATES
Messages: 1115
Registered: July 2006
Senior Member
Yeah, the nylon 300 acoustic is intriguing. The 700 acoustic (steel
string) has a nylon emulation that's semi-usable. But a version that's
actually strung with nylon should be better for that.

As far as immediacy goes, I can tell you that the sound on my 700
electric is immediate and inspiring. I am feeling no disconnect with the
sound.

For example it holds up well in comparison to my PRS. The playability of
the PRS is better but the 700 electric is certainly playable. The PRS is
more tonally flexible than a lot of other electrics, but the 700
electric is even more tonally flexible: It has decent models of a vast
range of electrics, plus acoustic sounds, along with alternate tunings
and customizable sounds via WorkBench software, very cool.

For example I can put a jazzy mellow neck humbucking sound next to
twangy middle/bridge single coil sound (no hum), next to an acoustic
sound, next to a screaming bridge humbucking sound, next to a single
coil neck sound, in any order, all on one 5 way pickup switch bank.

I can change tunings: go to drop D, an open tuning, a usable octave down
bass or drop an acoustic guitar down a half step, at the flick of the
switch. Keep in mind that the farther you tune a string electronically,
the more you can hear that transposition is electronically done, but
it's still a very useful and usable trick.

The biggest problem with my 700 electric is the whammy bar: it wobbles
in its socket and there are some setup issues with keeping in tune after
whammy use...I need to get that looked at. Also, the neck is only 22
frets and I like to have 24 like on the PRS.

Both do great at gigs. What I take to the gig depends on what's needed.

As far as the acoustic 700, it's great for solo acoustic gigs and
non-stereo recording. I thought about selling it when I got the electric
700 but they are both keepers. If I were buying one now I'd also check
out the acoustic 300 and then decide.

Cheers,
-Jamie
www.JamieKrutz.com


Bill Lorentzen wrote:
> I haven't spent much time with the electrics either but my first impressions
> were, 1) cheap gtr and, 2) sort of a disconnect with the sound. It did not
> feel immediate and inspiring to me.
>
> I'm interested to hear about the acoustic nylon, if it plays well and sounds
> good. I've been trying to get a real nylon sound live for a long time and
> while pickups are better than nothing, they don'e ever sound like the real
> thing.
>
> Bill L
>
>
> "Jamie K" <Meta@Dimensional.com> wrote in message news:4579b0fd@linux...
>> I know what you mean with the electrics, I've played the 300 and 700
>> electrics and they are not top-end instruments. Workable and decent
>> sounding, though, and amazingly flexible.
>>
>> I went with the 700 electric for a better build, feel and look, but I'll
>> bet the 600 is OK for a more stratish setup. The 300s (electrics) I've
>> played have varied widely in fit and finish, some much better than others.
>>
>> The 700 Acoustics I've played have had good feel, best of the bunch, and
>> the few I tried were pretty consistent. My first one had an immediate
>> electronic problem, the replacement has been dependable. You should try
>> that model. Haven't played the 300 Acoustics but if they're made in the
>> same place as the 700 acoustic they may be fine.
>>
>> For the electrics, some people have been transplanting the guts,
>> especially the 300 electric's guts, into better guitars. That's tempting.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> -Jamie
>> www.JamieKrutz.com
>>
>>
>> D.P. wrote:
>>> "Aaron Allen" <know-spam@not_here.dude> wrote in message
>>> news:4578fe97@linux...
>>>> Wondering if these make the cool giggin' guitar they appear to be
>>>> (looking at starting a 2 man ac gtr act).
>>>>
>>>> Anyone got one/use one/played one/heard one?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Mucho Gracias
>>>> AA
>>> I don't own one, nor have I spent any significant time playing one, so my
>>> opinion doesn't count ;-)
>>>
>>> However, my first impressions of all Variax (electric) guitars I put my
>>> hands on was that they felt cheap. I'd be willing to pay big bucks for
>>> the Variax guts in a decent guitar, though.
>>>
>>> For the record, I use their flagship modelling amp (Vetta II) and am
>>> constantly amazed at all it can do. All I'm missing now is a Variax-like
>>> input into it... but I just know that no matter how flexible the Variax
>>> might be, if it feels like junk compared to my main axe, it won't get
>>> played and will just gather dust.
>>>
>>> Dan
>
>
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