Just curious

pohorsky · November 28th, 2005, 07:51 PM

Anybody own and play or seen guitarists play any Line 6 Guitars. Maybe I'm just too old fashioned, but I don't trust the idea of modeling amps, much less modeling guitars.

jaybee001 · November 29th, 2005, 01:12 AM

a friend of mine has one, he uses it live in his cover band, leaves his expensive Gibsons, Fenders etc at home.

His guitars are safer, he doesn't have to carry as much gear AND has more (virtual) guitars available than he could ever take (own?) - maybe recording wouldn't be the best idea, but live I didn't hear the difference between the 'Mod Paul' and a Les Paul. Plus he can switch to 12 string for Byrds, Tele when needed, acoustic where appropiate and all without bothering with changing guitars

Ben Harmless · November 29th, 2005, 01:19 AM

I haven't run into anyone using one live yet, but I think they'll catch on once people get over the initial weirdness. In a live context, and when used through a traditional amp, I really doubt any inaccuracies or artifacts in the models would be very audible. I was present for an initial product demo by Line6 right before they were first released, and I have to say that the Variaxes are the coolest product made by that company, and truly stunning in their level of trickery. I'm sure eventually cover bands will eat 'em up, followed by original artists who want variety.

Not me, of course, I think they're the work of the devil, and should be purified by flame. :D

David Barnett · November 29th, 2005, 01:39 AM

I have not encountered one live yet. I'm kind of surprised. But then we don't usually do cover bands.

Skully · November 29th, 2005, 02:19 AM

I've had a Variax 600 for about a month and a half and I love it.

Here's a thread I started just after I purchased it: Variax 600: Porn, Review, Blasphemy.

TG · November 29th, 2005, 03:37 AM

I think they are are good idea and that they will become more popular with cover band guitarists.
But many of us are really into guitars and like owning and playing a real telecaster, strat, LP or whatever.
Variax' are cool but they don't have the same emotional attraction as our 'guitars of choice'.

Oskar · November 29th, 2005, 05:28 AM

Just wondering if there is a big quality, performance difference between these two models. I've been interested in one, but don't really want to spend the dough for a 600 if the 300 will be just as good.

Skully · November 29th, 2005, 12:04 PM

The construction, fit and finish of my 600 are excellent. The 300 has a reputation for being inconsistent in quality, if not downright shoddy. That said, the electronic guts are the same. Additionally, if you're a Fender guy, you'll prefer the 600 over other Variaxes, which are more in the Gibson/PRS mode.

BradKM · November 29th, 2005, 12:34 PM

I saw Al Green singing with a guitarist who was using one on some VH1 Classic show.

He was getting a great warm, jazzy neck pickup kind of tone out of it, and sounded really good, but I wouldn't judge the guitar on that one performance alone.

BradKM · November 29th, 2005, 01:15 PM

**hiccup**

FMA · November 29th, 2005, 01:46 PM

A pal has one. It's a neat toy and would pass muster live, I suspect. I goofed around with it and some of the models sound pretty cool. The Strat, Tele and LP tones were proabbly best. The acoustic, 12-string and resonator models sounded kind of plasticky.
Would be a pretty cool toy. But still, I'd rather drag my ASAT and LP Special around...I get all the sounds I need out of them.

The Actionman · November 29th, 2005, 02:21 PM

I haven't laid hands on one yet, but the newer 600 seems to get great reviews for it's fit and finish if not the variation of tones it creates. I'm a huge fan of my Nashville bender because of all the different tones I can get out without swapping wood. I don't gig out anymore, so the covers thing really isn't my angle here. I just like a great feeling and playing guitar that is versatile. I have a rack full of different guitars to pick up and use whenever playing and almost always go to the Nashville...
If I could only jam a P-90 in there somewhere I'd finally be able to sell off the whole stable full!

The surf green 600 really has my interest
...Oh Santa...I've been REAL good this year...really!

Paul in Colorado · November 29th, 2005, 03:03 PM

Jimmy Buffett's guitarist uses oned in a concert video, but I don't know of anyone else.

Skully · November 29th, 2005, 03:28 PM

Steve Howe plays a Variax. Apparently, The Edge and Paul McCartney's keyboard player Wix both play Variax acoustics.

Here's a list of artists on the Line 6 website. And here's a testimonial from Christian Nesmith, son of Monkee Mike Nesmith.

Skully · November 29th, 2005, 03:46 PM

James Burton with a Variax.

November 28th, 2005, 07:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
pohorsky Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bakersfield Age: 23 Posts: 722 48 Photos	Just curious Anybody own and play or seen guitarists play any Line 6 Guitars. Maybe I'm just too old fashioned, but I don't trust the idea of modeling amps, much less modeling guitars. __________________ Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday. John Wayne

November 29th, 2005, 01:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 3,153 6 Photos	I haven't run into anyone using one live yet, but I think they'll catch on once people get over the initial weirdness. In a live context, and when used through a traditional amp, I really doubt any inaccuracies or artifacts in the models would be very audible. I was present for an initial product demo by Line6 right before they were first released, and I have to say that the Variaxes are the coolest product made by that company, and truly stunning in their level of trickery. I'm sure eventually cover bands will eat 'em up, followed by original artists who want variety. Not me, of course, I think they're the work of the devil, and should be purified by flame. :D __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson

November 29th, 2005, 05:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
Oskar Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 3,116	600 vs 300 Just wondering if there is a big quality, performance difference between these two models. I've been interested in one, but don't really want to spend the dough for a 600 if the 300 will be just as good.

November 29th, 2005, 01:46 PM	#11 (permalink)
FMA Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1,080	Played one... A pal has one. It's a neat toy and would pass muster live, I suspect. I goofed around with it and some of the models sound pretty cool. The Strat, Tele and LP tones were proabbly best. The acoustic, 12-string and resonator models sounded kind of plasticky. Would be a pretty cool toy. But still, I'd rather drag my ASAT and LP Special around...I get all the sounds I need out of them.

November 29th, 2005, 02:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
The Actionman Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Beautiful North Georgia! Posts: 434	I am intrigued... I haven't laid hands on one yet, but the newer 600 seems to get great reviews for it's fit and finish if not the variation of tones it creates. I'm a huge fan of my Nashville bender because of all the different tones I can get out without swapping wood. I don't gig out anymore, so the covers thing really isn't my angle here. I just like a great feeling and playing guitar that is versatile. I have a rack full of different guitars to pick up and use whenever playing and almost always go to the Nashville... If I could only jam a P-90 in there somewhere I'd finally be able to sell off the whole stable full! The surf green 600 really has my interest ...Oh Santa...I've been REAL good this year...really! __________________ Twang on!

November 29th, 2005, 01:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
jaybee001 Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: here, until I leave again, that is... Age: 49 Posts: 531	a friend of mine has one, he uses it live in his cover band, leaves his expensive Gibsons, Fenders etc at home. His guitars are safer, he doesn't have to carry as much gear AND has more (virtual) guitars available than he could ever take (own?) - maybe recording wouldn't be the best idea, but live I didn't hear the difference between the 'Mod Paul' and a Les Paul. Plus he can switch to 12 string for Byrds, Tele when needed, acoustic where appropiate and all without bothering with changing guitars

November 29th, 2005, 01:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
David Barnett Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: LIttle Rock, AR Age: 52 Posts: 5,336	I have not encountered one live yet. I'm kind of surprised. But then we don't usually do cover bands.

November 29th, 2005, 02:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
Skully Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Glamorous NoHo Posts: 3,880	I've had a Variax 600 for about a month and a half and I love it. Here's a thread I started just after I purchased it: Variax 600: Porn, Review, Blasphemy.

November 29th, 2005, 03:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
TG Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Beside a bog in the west of Ireland Age: 46 Posts: 4,427 7 Photos	I think they are are good idea and that they will become more popular with cover band guitarists. But many of us are really into guitars and like owning and playing a real telecaster, strat, LP or whatever. Variax' are cool but they don't have the same emotional attraction as our 'guitars of choice'.

November 29th, 2005, 12:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
Skully Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Glamorous NoHo Posts: 3,880	The construction, fit and finish of my 600 are excellent. The 300 has a reputation for being inconsistent in quality, if not downright shoddy. That said, the electronic guts are the same. Additionally, if you're a Fender guy, you'll prefer the 600 over other Variaxes, which are more in the Gibson/PRS mode.

November 29th, 2005, 12:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
BradKM Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 412	I saw Al Green singing with a guitarist who was using one on some VH1 Classic show. He was getting a great warm, jazzy neck pickup kind of tone out of it, and sounded really good, but I wouldn't judge the guitar on that one performance alone.

November 29th, 2005, 01:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
BradKM Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 412	hiccup

November 29th, 2005, 03:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,213 3 Photos	Jimmy Buffett's guitarist uses oned in a concert video, but I don't know of anyone else.

November 29th, 2005, 03:28 PM	#14 (permalink)
Skully Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Glamorous NoHo Posts: 3,880	Steve Howe plays a Variax. Apparently, The Edge and Paul McCartney's keyboard player Wix both play Variax acoustics. Here's a list of artists on the Line 6 website. And here's a testimonial from Christian Nesmith, son of Monkee Mike Nesmith.

November 29th, 2005, 03:46 PM	#15 (permalink)
Skully Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Glamorous NoHo Posts: 3,880	James Burton with a Variax.