Variax Guitars

[bigcountry7618]

Hi

As anyone got a Variax Guitar and if so what are they like.
Is it worth paying for the 600/700 or is the 300 just as good.
If you have a Line 6 POD XT LIVE as well do they work well together
and how about the workbench.

Cheers

[Harley]

Normally I'd be the last person you'd see complimenting on a piece of gear like this. I'm the type that would prefer a single-pickup guitar ran directly into a hand-wired tube amp. But I played a Variax a few weeks ago and finished with a "wow". Then, a few days later, I go check out an old friend's band that was playing in the area and he's using one of these damn things too. Previously a Tele-only, traditionalist type of player with 3 shows a week and opening up for national acts every month.

It's hard to believe all the GOOD sounds you can get with that one knob and 5-way selector switch. Let's say a person only likes 1/4 of the settings. That's still like...what...15 user-friendly settings.

I'd buy the 300 series. Only because custom order companies are now offering aftermarket bodies that accept the electronics assembly. You could have your dream guitar built this way, then install your variax package. Beats the hell out of pickup experimentation and other related process. They also offer bodies for the 500 series, but buying the 300 keeps the initial expense down.
Line 6 aftermarket bodies(link) (http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/line6/line6.cfm)

Variax 300 routing for Strat body-
http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/line6/variax_300_front.jpghttp://www.warmoth.com/guitar/line6/variax_strat_contours.jpghttp://www.warmoth.com/guitar/line6/variax_300_back.jpg

There really isn't anything wrong with the guitar as-is. I just don't like having something that others have. I like unique stuff. Also, they really are kinda plain looking.
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/02/digitalmusic_guitars/image/variax_line6.jpg
I'll probably never own one myself because I prefer the old passive electronics stuff. It'd be like Davy Crockett using a Star Wars light saber to hunt bear. But the 300 I played had some really great sounds. BTW-I was playing it clean into a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb. I never use distortion, only natural tube overdrive. It worked the tubes nicely.

[bigcountry7618]

Hi

Thanks for the reply and the link for the aftermarket bodies.
Did try a 300 but only for about 5 minutes thought the sounds where great but didn’t like the feel of the neck.I have a Fender and a Les Paul and I prefer the Les Paul.
I live in the UK and a 300 you can get for £250 a 600 £500 and a 700 for around £700,so the 300 would be a great deal.

Thanks