Odd Beast 
by Jona Vark from Los Angeles, August 2008
Music Background:  Composer

I found this guitar to be helpful and hurtful at the same time..

I only like one of the sounds for recording.. The jumbo.. I don't see much reason for a few of the included sounds. I would rather have had other acoustics rather than oddities.

I absolutely HATE the neck and the action. It makes me feel like I have been playing for 3 months rather than 30 years.

Mine's for sale.

  More plusses than minuses 
by C Breeze from Cape Cod, MA, May 2008
Music Background:  Pro musician 30 years

I've been using my acoustic Variax for solo gigs for 3 years now, and it has paid for itself many many times over; great investment for working musician, even a guy like me with a non-music day job! During an evening, I switch between tunes with tracks (bass/drums) which I programmed myself and straight acoustic tunes. The Variax shines in the former context (sounds great with bass/drums, especially when it comes time to do some lead work) but lags a bit on the latter straight acoustic venue (the richness just is not there, nor string sustain; brittle sounding to some degree). I hate to say it, but the only one who probably feels that way on one of my gigs is me; I'm sure the guy in the audience dooes not notice the difference the way I do; bottom line is the variax is very utilitarian and practical for live applications (done numersous 5-piece band gigs with this guitar successfully also, and it lets me compete volume wise).
I personally love both 12-string options, and enjoy getting the 12-string sound without the finger-hurt (I owned a Hagstrom 12-string back in the 70s, so I know the extra degree of difficulty playing a real 12). I am having a blast playing solo using about 8 different instruments in course of an evening and about 4 tunings; I am doing tunes now I would never have dreamed of doing live 4 years ago, especially a few alternate tuned songs. It has made me a much happier soloist, as I can cover so much ground now with one guitar.

However, I may start dragging my old Ovation out as a second guitar on gigs that require pure acoustic and less backing track tunes, but I have to have the stage space to do that. I must say that the richness of that Ovation can't be captured by any models of the Variax. But, despite that, two thumbs way up overall for this guitar as a live gig instrument.

  Lots of Inspiration & Ideas 
by bikesandguitars from Colorado, March 2008
Music Background:  Former pro guitarist turned recording enthusiast

I used to make a living doing solo acoustic shows. Over the years, I have had a host of nice guitars including higher end Taylor's, Larrivee's, Goodall's, Takamine's and a Gibson. When playing live, I was always in puruit of the best, truest, acoustic sound and in doing so I have tried every acoustic amplification device known to man - I believe I was one of the first to try dual sourcing back in the early 90's with a Rane AP-13 pre and a Donnell mini-mic on the gooseneck inside my guitar. About annually I regularly changed out my amplification rig to the latest-greatest. My current set up is a Taylor 914 with expression system > Taylor K4 Neve eq / preamp > A Designs REDDI tube direct box. To be honest, it sounds about as good as every other amplified acoustic solution I have tried - maybe a little more realistic at lower volumes - and as many already know, the expression system is probably not the best choice for high volume applications.

Anyway, one day I happened on to the Variax 700 when the local store owner said, "Wanna try this new modeling guitar? I can't decide if I like it."

After about an hour of playing with the settings and trying the different models, mic placements, compresson settings and tuning models, I declared, "You know, I really don't care that every sound isn't spot on - When I plug it in to the PA, it plays LOUD with no complaints and it sounds as much like an acoustic guitar as any of my other real acoustic guitars do, but what I like is that all of these tunings and sounds MAKE ME WANT TO PLAY!!!"

So, that's what I like most about the Variax. It's a different instrument, a new toy & a new challenge with every different setting. I have had quite a few song ideas bloom from screwing around with the Variax and it works great when I need a banjo or dobro sound or a quick acoustic guitar for a recording.

So, would I use it for a professional solo acoustic recording? Probably not. That application is still best left to a good condenser mic or two and a nice outboard preamp / compressor.

Would I use it for a solo acoustic demo or laying down a quick idea on my laptop? Yes, definitely.

Would I use it for an acoustic part to sit in the mix with drums, electric guitar, bass and keyboard? Yes, absolutely, in this app it's my first call - before the real thing.

So with that said, here are a few nitpicks:

I had some difficulty with the set up. I like 12-53 strings but this guitar wasn't really cooperating with the string tension and the nut wasn't cut correctly. I cut the nut a little myself and ended up using 11's - no big deal as it's a modeling guitar and string gauge has little effect on sound.

Also, the neck radius is very flat - I'm not sure what the exact radius is but the neck is not very familiar feeling. This is more observation than complaint.

Finally, my main complaint is with the volume. It's very inconsistent from instrument to instrument and tuning to tuning, especially. This is not a huge deal and can be overcome with a little practice to memorize settings, but don't expect to buy it and run out to your first gig that night unless you're content using one or two sounds.

In summation, if you have the cash and want to try some new ideas or need some more sonic paintbrushes for your recording or live rig - the Variax 700 is pretty cool.

  Great for recording and and live but you have to use it the right way 
by Christopher Wade Damerst from Los Angeles CA, March 2008
Music Background:  Pro Musician

I've had one for over a year.
Here is the deal with the Variax Acoustic.

When recording:
1. The action has to be set high like a Martin, you should refer to a Martin for a measurement, otherwise it buzzes funny and doesn't sustain properly.

2. Digital alternative tunings are not good enough for recording including the 12 string guitars, but digital tuning down from the original pitch can be a cool effect when recording. Physically tune and/or kaypo the guitar for alternate tunings.

3. Use air tight headphones, otherwise you can hear the instrument and it will mess you up.

4. Mess with the sliders to get the desired tone. I like the Mic Placement slider more towards the sound hole for the Acoustic guitars and more towards the neck for the resonators and others for a more boxy tone. Don't forget to try the compression too. All of these settings are a personal preference thing.

5. When mixing your track work with your EQ and compression to get desired tone, you always have to do this with any acoustic guitar.

When Performing Live:

1. To me anything goes.

2. Get the Workbench if you need that Piezo attack sound and to setup your presets (Volume Adjust, Mic Placement, Compression, and Digital Tunings, and to put your preset on the knob position desired). Most of these settings are hard or impossible to do on the guitar itself.

  Maybe 
by Big Cohoona from Great Falls, Montana, USA, February 2008
Music Background:  Active Musician and Studio Producer

Where to start,

I've been an acoustic player for 20 years now and have owned some great sounding guitars, but not necessarily the expensive ones. I usually buy what I hear as the best. I've had an alvarez Artwood series, Seagulls, Takamine's, etc. and have always bought them for their sound, as every guitar is a little different.

In a blind test of 20 guitars at a Guitar Center recently I picked as my favorite 2 times (without knowing what it was) the Taylor 310ce. I picked this, to my surprise, over Breedloves, Takamines, Martins, Fender's, you get the picture (in the past I've been a no-Taylor snob).

So what is the point to all this? Sound. I'm not a purist buy any means, I have an entire line 6 electric setup and a recording studio, but sound is very important to how I feel about an instrument, that is to me the test of true craftsmanship.

So my take so far on the 700ac is that it doesn't sound as good as a good, real guitar, not even than better my $500 Seagull with LR Baggs pickups. The only sound I really like is the Jumbo, most of the models don't give a great sound that I personally would use...who uses a Gypsy model? Line 6 should have modeled the Taylor 310ce or 314 in my humble opinion.

Also the guitar changes volume settings and guitar models on its own when plugged into my Pod XT Live. This does not happen when plugged in via the 1/4" jack only when using the Variax Digital input (which is why I bought the guitar).

Craftsmanship is nice but not near the standards of a $1200 Fender or Gibson electric or of a $1200 accoustic, but it is still a very nicely constructed guitar, the neck is a little thick but feels fine and fretboard and action are great.

I have not as of yet plugged it into that many amps or PA systems, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I've plugged it into a Spider III, and into my Studio's KRK VST's. I've also heard that plugging it into a LR Baggs Paracoustic DI makes it sound like a dream, so we'll see. Feedback of course is not an issue, but for studio's that is usually not a problem.

I havn't given up on this guitar yet, but was not as impressed as I was hoping to be. I think Line 6 did a much better job with the electric Variax's, which I love playing.

  up's and downs! 
by Adam. from UK, September 2007
Music Background:  Semi-pro musician/producer

I have owned this guitar for over a year now and it's proved to be a mixed blessing. If i walked into a venue and heard someone playing it and messing around with the amazing array of sounds and things then i'd be inclined to give 5*s.
However...I'm not the audience, i AM the artist, and there are a few problems with the guitar. Firstly, It is the weirdest experience to play. It doesnt have the feel of an electric or an acoustic guitar, it's a whole new kind of neck to have to get used to. The guitar doesn't sustain half as well as a good "real" acoustic, so you have to play perfectly or you'll produce a host of dead notes and fret buzz.
You should never use it to record in the studio unless you want to use one of its more exotic sounds like a sitar. The acoustic sounds are dead flat on tape.
Fantastic sounds live, and there's no substitute for the range of tunings at the tap of a button. It's proved an essential tool for live performance...But if you have the cash, and the van, buy 4 guitars to tune differently instead.

  good to go 
by Joe Mcdally from New York, August 2007
Music Background:  IN a band

I play in a band called 5 dog jump fence. and this guitar gets all the sounds we need we play country and disco and this guitar did the trick the only thing is at a gig I had to hit a man with it to stop a bar fight and it has not sounded the same since wont stay in tune any more over all good guitar

  A good deal...but not the know what to expect 
by Vander from Windsor, Ontario CANADA, February 2007
Music Background:  Pro Musician

I've been playing professionally for about 10 years now, and have been using a Taylor 314C and a Takamine Sante Fe to play live. I use several open tunings, and also love the idea of playing a mandola, banjo, sitar, 12string, etc. with one instrument. The problem I've found, is that after years of playing amplified acoustics, I'm used to that sound. The whole idea behind this guitar is to sound like all sorts of acoustic instruments. It may not be what some people are used.

Pros:
All kinds of flexibility.
Alternate tunings are cool.
Being able to play Banjo or Mandola without having to know how to play Banjo or Mandola.
Great sound when recording.

Cons:
Doesn't cut through a live mix the way some other Acoustic/Electrics do
Doesn't play like an acoustic. While it is a very comfortable guitar, the biggest difference I've found is that it doesn't sustain nearly as well as an acoustic guitar, and it is not as dynamic.
If you are playing it as a bass (because you can tune down an octave) there is a slight delay. Although, I'm pretty sure I notice this more than most of the people in the audience.

$1200 is a lot of money to spend on a guitar. I'm still happy I purchased this guitar. It is not an end-all solution, but is a very original idea, and it does what it says it does. It would be great if Line6 came out with a software upgrade to add more instruments. After all, I'm sure that the hardware is identical to other Variax products.

  What They Dont Tell You! 
by Dan Bennetto from UK, October 2006
Music Background:  Musician

Ive Been playing the guitar for quite a while and i have alot of acoustic guitars i regularly lug around. This seemed like a perfect alternative. And It Is!

The sound that comes from it is almost unbelievable. Ive made people who have played for 50 years on some of the worlds finest guitars want one of these things. What they say at Line6 is very true.
However the out put is very very hot and im afraid from experience id say its a no go on an Amp. Even the Acoustic amps are a problem for some of the effects. Its a PA only thing really, although the resonators and the exotics all go beautifully through my amplifiers. In truth its just the ones you'd use on PA anyway.

Heres what the reviews often miss out:

This guitar feels Very expensive. It has some tiny tiny little features that all come together to make it feel massively professional to play.

The case that comes with it is worth a fortune on its own. Its a soft case that makes my solid flight cases look unsafe to use! the padding is in places 2 inches thick! Lots of pocket space means no extra bags either.

The Cable that is supplied is usually a Planet Waves cable. These are indestructable! I towed my bros car home on one and it still works!!! (this will probably not go down well at the warranty office dont dont try it at home)

Comes with everything from the XLR A/B box to the allen keys for bridge and neck adjustment. Mine even shipped with a Line6 Plectrum lol

The fact is that im actually suprised its so cheep to buy. In the UK (where i am) its retail is considerably higher than this and i still bought one and i still think i got a steal at the price.

  Great Sounds, but plays like a $300 guitar 
by Big C from Chicago, IL, June 2006
Music Background:  Hobbyist

I saw the write up on this guitar in a magazine and I thought I found the answer to an easy acoustic sound playing live without the headaches.

So I tried it at the local music store. They had it hooked up to one of those new Bose systems. It sounded great! But the construction quality was terrible. It's not a guitar you'd ever pick up and play because it feels good. I think they're are a lot of better ways you can spend your money. I was disappointed.

  Up In the Air 
by Les from Gulfport, MS, June 2006
Music Background:  Long time hobbyist and former band member

Still getting use to this thing. Plays well and is practical when gigging, but I feel most of the reproductions are hollow and lifeless. The sitar is OK. A little over priced considering the sound quality. I own a Washburn that cost 1/3 of the Variax and it sounds much better. Sorry Line 6. Still love your amps.

Good for live. Be careful when recording. 
by Nathanael Davenport from Rexburg, ID USA, May 2006

This is a remarkable piece of equipment, and for live shows, you'll not get a better sound. This beats the pants off of any other acoustic rig and piezo pickup, no matter how good or pricey. But, for recording, you might want to think twice about using the dry sound coming out of this thing. When used for accompaniment, and with a little added ambience and dynamics control, it works fine as any other real acoustic guitar. But as a solo instrument, it doesn't quite measure up to the real thing. It still has a little bit of a piezo sound upon close inspection. For demos, no problem. But for professional recording, you'll get superior results with the real thing.

Also, though I've not tried it yet, I think tracking this thing with a microphone during recording might add a little realism to the sound, since the marvelous electronics in this rig can't reproduce the acoustic sound of your fingers or a pick going across the strings. That is important to a professional sound. Heck, you might want the unique sound that comes from this. Like the Clevinger upright-electric bass, which has electronics to model the sound of a real acoustic bass, it has a unique sound that is slowly becoming popular in some genres of jazz.

I would not discourage buying it. Just be advised that it is not quite there in reproducing the sound of a real acoustic guitar. And don't even thing of taking the model of a classical guitar seriously. It sounds nothing like a real classical guitar, and hands down is the worst model on this guitar. Just go buy the real thing if that is the sound you are after.

Very Nice... 
by starving musician from seattle, wa, February 2005

My friend has had one for a couple of months, so I have been playing it alot. It just keeps growing on me. A perfect guitar to record with, it sounds very full and natural. Obviously some of the sounds are beter than others and some I would really never use much but this is worth it for the quick access to alternate tunings and integration into the line 6 pods. Wish it was cheaper...

Line 6 Variax Acoustic 700 
by Bluescat from Baldwin, MD, February 2005

Anyone that ever had to lug along more than one guitar to a gig will definitely appreciate the extended range of this guitar. Need an open tuning without stopping the show? No sweat, hit one knob and you're done! If you want a truck full of great sounding acoustics on stage without all the logistics, soundchecks and feedback get this guitar.

Whoa! 
by Vic Peppler from Wachapreague, VA, February 2005

This guitar is a joy to own.
Except for the factory strings
which are HEAVY, this guitar is
one fine axe. DOESN'T FEEDBACK.

The modeled guitars are superb!

Variax Acoustic--nearly perfect! 
by Dan Goldberg from NY, NY, February 2005

I record music all day, every day for tv ads and promos and there's no room in this business for fake-sounding instruments. So, I was a bit skeptical when I first plugged in my Variax acoustic...WOW! It's really amazing sounding and since I engineer all my own stuff, setting up and recording multiple acoustics has never been so easy.

For the most part, the models are really close, but not exactly like the real things. With a little eq, a bit of reverb and maybe limiting though, it's nearly impossible for anybody to tell the difference between the Variax and the real thing.

The only shortcomings here are that the 12-string models sometimes sound obviously like they've been pitch-shifted (they have), but with a little tweaking of the high-string volume, that's not too much of an issue. The Shamisen is pretty useless and I'm sure there was some other guitar model with broader appeal Line 6 could have modelled. And if you slack the strings and play the sitar model a bit more like a sitar (with quarter-tone bends), even this model sounds pretty good.

Well worth it for the more standard acoustic sounds alone! However, I'm not selling my acoustic collection any time soon. I'd take the Variax to a gig though, as it's bound to be less trouble to set up and oddly closer to a good a acoustic sound than most venues can provide guitarists with soundhole or piezo pick-ups.

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