Line 6 Variax VS Fender VS Gibson

[@TheMackyD]

Great demonstration but what people need to remember which this video doesn't show is within the software you can alter the pickups, their position, height, etc. So with some tweaking you could get it sounding even closer

[@stevedurrant8815]

The only trouble with a shootout like this is that ,you can take 3 different Teles ,or Strats or Les Pauls and they will all sound different .To say the Variax doesnt sound exactly the same as the Les Paul in the demonstration ,doesnt mean it doesnt sound the same as a 59 or another Les Paul .I'm fortunate enough to own a Variax JTV89F and absolutly love it ,but I also have 3 Les Pauls none of which sound the same ,2 Strats that sound different to each other ,and 3 Teles which have different pickup configerations so they vary a lot .I think to get as close as th Variax does is amazing and very versitile .I wont get rid of mine and if it stopped working or was stolen ,I would buy another without question.

[@Glicksman1]

What he said.

[@Colosphonium]

This is alsp valid for all classic gear tube amps that have aged. A 59 gibson modelled... surely dont sound as a 59 when it left the workshop in 59. Component aged. And unless we get micro quantic computer that can modelled how oxygen oxide component etc... and reverse it. We will never know how any of this classic gear really sound in reality beside on recording wich involve console...compreasor etc etc wich iant the same. That or maybe get a time machine.

[@lorenmorgan1931]

Man this comes back to the whole digital modeling thing, the Variax sounds extremely Lo-Fi. I would love to hear Line 6 redo this again with modern processors that can model 20x the resolution. Here's to hoping there is a whole new line of modeling!

[@TimothyBussMusic]

I have played a Variax on a few different records for folks and since I do it here in my own studio, nobody knows what guitar I use, but they are pleased with the result!!!

[@marcuscampos9508]

Yes, because the audience doesn't care about the mic or amp or guitar we are using, they care about music if is good or not.

[@KaiDown]

I quite like the Variax. A tele can only ever sound like a tele, a strat can only ever sound like a strat.. but if a Variax can do 80% of everything it tries to do, that's a win in my book.

[@Hardcaslte]

I feel like he needs to drop the bass tone on the Variax. It sounds super bass heavy but he leaves it cranked instead of backing it off to try and get it closer to the strat/tele. If he did back off the bass levels then maybe he should've mentioned it, because the entire time I'm listening to the strat/tele comparison it's clearly bass heavy on the Variax. Otherwise it sounds surprisingly close for real time electronic emulation.

[@rensback]

Agreed. He should have at least set the tone right on the Variax. I own one and I can testify this test does NOT reflect the quality of the tones you get out of it. I own several guitars including 2 strats and I am quite amazed how close I can get the Variax to my strats... is this a biased demo?

[@SpartanS117C]

@@rensback I'd say it's a bit biased as he didn't go through all the other settings to get it as close as he could get it, he treated it like comparing a fender strat to some custom strat with some different kit.

[@j.dietrich]

A Variax is clearly no substitute for the real deal, but it's an extremely useful tool. It's *close enough* for gigging purposes and infinitely more convenient than lugging around a vanload of guitars. The acoustic models are surprisingly convincing and often sound better than a real acoustic with a piezo pickup system, especially on loud stages. For £500, it's phenomenal value.

[@lorenmorgan1931]

It is a useful tool, in the right situation, but it has this midrange buildup that can't make any amp or even amp sim shine. This video really accentuates this theory. I have been watching blind and everything Variax sounds like a higly compressed in the midrange guitar, using some kind of sitar like cutoff synth to control it's eq section. Think if Line6 made a v2 of this now they could totally change the game, but they need a precisely mounted bridge pickup after the bridge itself. Piezo's in the metal bridge itself are never going to transfer overtones or useful nuances. Again end of day I agree, great cheap tool, but needs revamped with modern tech badly!

[@AdaptivePhenix]

@@lorenmorgan1931 With all respect, my JTV59 doesn't need _anything_ let alone "badly". I have no use for my expensive conventional guitars anymore. Flipping between tunings is wonderful and surprisingly, the acoustic emulation, in the context of playing live, is amazing when using appropriate amplification. It's a whole new experience for me and I'm liking how I stand out from my same-old, same-old buddies 😁👍

[@lorenmorgan1931]

@@AdaptivePhenix Sure i totally get what you are saying. Trust me I used one for a while, and used a Roland VG-88 live for many years. I started using the Roland as an all in one solution, then ended using it only to emulate guitar types, and controlled everything else from a second effects board. When I got tired of carrying all that around and being locked to that big huge hex cable, I bought one of the Line 6 guitars. While it was great, and the tuning flexibility is amazing, there is something about it that just never worked right for my ears. Honestly I wish I had tried one with a good EQ pedal, as I think this would solve most issues. The other complaint that I did have as well is there is a compressed plunky attack sound when picking. This I could never get rid of but I have heard of guys adjusting this out in the tool kit (I never had this) and another guy that tapes the balls of his strings. After taping the strings this issue seems to almost completely disappear. Im tempted to get another one and try it, just need to find a good enough deal that I can easily offload it if I don't like it. Thanks for not just attacking me, as my opinion is simply that, and if it works for you I'm honestly glad you have a something you value that much to work with. I will check it out again most likely and let you know what I think once I have my hands on it again. :)

[@AdaptivePhenix]

@@lorenmorgan1931 Oh...The guitar is a bit like when you buy a modeller and the factory presets are less than spectacular? The guitar is the same. One needs to work with the software and eventually you have this huge smile and you can't put the darned thing down. I also picked up a used 700 in blue for next to nothing and it's like brand new. The 700 was made in Japan and it shows...it just oozes quality. Good luck 👍😎

[@lorenmorgan1931]

@@AdaptivePhenix Thanks, hoping to find one sooner than later. That or I am buying a morpheus pedal to at least downtune, but would rather have that on board like I used to.

[@rowdymrb2358]

Love playing my Variax and run it through the Helix. Same model as in this example. There is so much more that it can do than shown here. Very convincing comparison. Thanks

[@garyleahy4537]

I've been playing a Variax 300 through a Line 6 Spider III/150 watt combo amp for 8-10 years and I love the different sounds I can get out of the kit. People call Line 6 gear gimmicky and well, maybe to the purest, it is, but for the money we spend on gear these days, it's worth giving it a try. One guitar and one amp vs 10 guitars and six amps = I WIN

[@peskypesky]

I think it got closer on some tones than others. And with some tweaking of eq, I think it could get even closer.

[@TheMusicalMedic]

I have the shuriken, and it's so close that after putting it in a mix and doing an A/B with the guitar I was modeling, I couldn't tell the difference.

[@faethe000]

Yah, he didn't really get into how you tweak the settings in the editor. For example, if you switch to a Masonite body and move the bridge pickup just a teeny bit further from the bridge while increasing the slant slightly, it nails the strat sound perfectly. It's not the guitar that's wrong, it's that the stock presets are a little wrong.

[@julianmorrisco]

The Pacifica headstock is the only Fender style ‘stock I actually prefer to the original. To my eyes, it looks more balanced and in tune with the guitar. Don’t get me wrong, I quite like the Fender shape. I just think Yamaha did an amazing job at updating/modifying the original and I really like what they did. Most attempts, even Leo Fender’s attempt on the G&Ls just remind me it’s not a Fender. I don’t get that feeling with the Pacificas. Not that it matters for usability and sound but how I feel about a guitar when I play it affects my playing. I’m a stupid human that way :D.

[@atrothe]

I own a Variax 600 and it is a fantastic sounding guitar and it has a great neck.

[@johnkennethsmith6414]

I have an old 300 and love it. Great bit of kit.

[@Nowhereman_guitars]

I’ve owned a shuriken now for a couple of years and use it for everything, sometimes sympathetic string noise gets a bit of a problem when tuning low, but nothing a wrap doesn’t fix, what I actually love about it is the feel and playability, it’s such I good instrument in it own right, brain aside.

[@MarkSchuster-ym3iy]

Love the orange strat. I have w Variax standards they have really come a long way with the modeling.

[@MrMjp58]

I've owned one of the older '700' series for years, but it soon developed various electronic faults. The battery compartment burned out within months and I have to use the power pack thing all the time which is a bit awkward. It now also fizzes and pops all the time, but for home use I don't care and still play it a lot. It is basically a very well built guitar, with some eccentricities [suits me!]. It reacts slightly differently to a normal instrument. The tones are often very bright and can be too cutting - or a little too dull, but it is very powerful, string volumes are perfectly balanced and it is extremely versatile. In an effort to update it, I tried one of these [Pacifica style] and found it to be rather inferior in terms of build and neck quality. I still think it's an incredible achievement. I also tried a Strat VG which was very interesting - but again not very well put together and had a cheap feel about it. The sounds were different to the line 6 ones, but held up well.

[@bentravers2560]

The Gibson model on the variax sounds pretty gosh darn solid

[@kittyhooch1]

For everyone saying the Variax doesn't sound the same I suggest you compare several of the same model guitars from different years. Put the Variax on Workbench and tweak it. Throw it into n a song with other instruments, add some effects. You might play an ES-175 fairly dry, but not likely a Strat or Les Paul. It's more fun to do it blind and guess. I can't do anywhere hear 100% and add to the signal chain and it gets very difficult. I have a JTV-69S with a Helix. That's a bodacious amount of gear and from one bar to the next I can go from an Acoustic 12 string to a Les Paul in DADGAD, then to a Firebird with a capo or a baritone Tele. Try that without a Variax. Some people just want an excuse for a dozen guitars.

[@jaykabel]

The switch settings on the 5-way for Variax "Strat" do not necessarily correspond to the same settings on a real strat. If you open up the Workbench or whatever it's called you can see what actual models and pickups are matched to the 5-way switch positions. So this may be misleading

[@misterknightowlandco]

Honestly, we make way too much of a big deal about gear. Truth is almost anything can sound good in the hands of a skilled player. The variac is a very nice sounding guitar and if I could get my hands on one, I'd play it. Wtf why not? Even if its not an exact sound alike, it gets you close enough. If i was in a cover band, id get this, a fender mustang head, a cheap 1x12 cab to point at myself on stage and run a line from the head to FOH and call it a day. If i was making money in the cover band id just run this axe into a kemper, go wireless with some in ears and call it a day. The only people who really need to buy the real thing are studio players but shit most of them use the tech these days and the bedroom guys have to have the real deal. Cant explain it. Lol

[@joetowers4804]

Weekend Warrior: " I need yet another Les Paul because this particular one has a nitrocellulose finish that is cracking in such a way that it lets the wood breathe like no other in my collection. This is another tool in my shed in my search for the ultimate tone which lets me express my innermost artistic endeavors. And of course, it must be paired with a boutique amp whose builder understands very well the tone I am after. Of course, no expense is excessive in my quest for tone." Real working musician: "I do this shit for a living and I have no roadies that help me carry this stuff from my car (no money for a van, yet) to the venue. I have to hook everything up by myself, and whatever tone I use it usually is not the same in FOH...hopefully I am not drowned away by the singer. I need gear that is reliable, cheap to replace/fix/mod in case it malfunctions or worse, is stolen. Hold on.... now I can have cheap pedals, amps and guitars that don't suck?! Oh, wait...you are saying that most of this gear actually sounds good, especially in loud venues where people couldn't care less what the logo on my guitar's headstock says? Tell me more!

[@bradleyclosson5042]

I totally agree. The people that are so obsessed with perfect tone are the ones that can't play a single lick to save their lives. Ironically these are the same people that can't hear the difference between tone woods. Makes no sense to me but it's an undeniable observation to anyone with musical talent. I can make any decent guitar and amp sound pretty good. Just give me an hour setting the guitar up and a new set of strings.

[@brookchivell]

Wow 3 actual gigging musicians (who knew they existed on the inter webs lol) I get so sick of the cork sniffery that goes on with guitars, particularly amongst people who have never and probably will never gig. If you think Dave GP in the back has a clue you’re playing a 59 burst or a behringer strat, you are sadly mistaken lol. Play great and it doesn’t matter what your playing. The Variax (particularly with the helix) is a great tool for a gigging muso (even better for a front person that can’t be stepping away from the mic every song to change guitars) to cover a lot of sounds in 1 package.

[@DrLoveShackIII]

brookchivellofficial this guitar and a HX stomp is all you need to gig. I had beer spilled on my guitar , people tripping in the cable and dropping my guitar from the stand, and shot glass threw at it. I would never take expensive gear to gig. I never heard drunk people say “oh for sure that is alder body”...

[@brookchivell]

@@DrLoveShackIII only the ‘jazz police’ corksniffer that comes to your gig (because he hasn’t got one) to try to look down on you. It’s hilarious. I feel the same. I leave my ‘good gear’ at home generally unless I’m playing a festival or something where I want to ‘feel cool’ playing an nice guitar and look good in pics 😂

[@derekf1111]

Super late comment - but I just bought an Epiphone Casino and I compared it to my Variax emulation and it was spot on! I actually prefer the sound as there's less noise - but the dynamics of physically playing are different of course, so I still enjoy the Casino for that! Thanks for this comparison!

[@FrankowwYT]

Variax strat sounds fuller and piezo definitely gives more clarity to the tone. For a touring musician this is the perfect tool.

[@theoldcompare1141]

It'astonishing, it sounds pretty close and with some proper eq I bet you couldn't tell the difference. It's a bit weak on emulating the les paul, mainly because you can't fake a hambucker with a single coil pickup, it just sounds more dirty.

[@AdaptivePhenix]

It isn't using the magnetics when modeling....it uses the piezo pickup in the bridge.

[@MarkSchuster-ym3iy]

The Variax hd edit software is excellent. You can adjust individual string volume etc. much much more it’s free too

[@fordmanfinis]

I have the Shuriken variant...but I also have 3 strats and 2 teles that don't sound too much alike with all but one having the same pickups.

[@ericbgordon1575]

Whether or not it succeeds where it should, I still like how it sounds.

[@ckatheman]

The models have more low end where it shouldn't be, which is much more noticeable on the clean tones - there's a video out there somewhere on how to correct that with some Helix settings. As a practical matter - in bar band or in a mix, no one other than the most discerning audiophiles would notice. Kinda like the difference between models of a grand piano in a mix...

[@charlesmerfeld2988]

As well tweaking some settings in the work bench program as well as with HD 500 or Helix you can really get some great sounds and added variax control via pedal board

[@Fromagreatheight]

last one you did middle pickup vs bridge pickup. Was wondering why it sounded so different

[@paulbochian2364]

I used to own a variax and I bet these new ones might be even better. Love them. Trouble is... That is one bad sounding amp ! Either I just hate oranges or all "six" guitars sounded terrible. That said... (after filtering the amp), I would say that the vari tele vas the closest to that particular tele and LP was almost spot on although the variax LP seemed to have less volume. Other than that it was just brill. I want that guitar !

[@2GoldensTosa]

A brilliant instrument. For recordings it's a great solution so you don't have to haul a dozen instruments to the studio. For live cover gigs, same thing. Nobody ever says "well, he's not REALLY playing a vintage (insert guitar brand and model here)." For acoustic parts onstage - fantastic because you have no feedback and can change tunings, capoing and models on the fly. I have a shitload of great guitars, but for fast setup, great sounds and price, these can't be beat. I own two of them and will hand onto and use them forever.

[@moritzprivat7325]

Well there definitely was a difference. I think it sounded a bit dark mostly. But it hits the ballpark close enough. It sure is usefull for a lot of purposes!

[@helmkin]

I've been playing the Variax 300 for several years. The variety of sounds is incredible. But I also think that it cannot replace the original guitars 100%. However, the sounds come very close to the originals. After a while I had some favorite sounds. For example, I think the acoustic guitar simulation is excellent. The Telecaster department is also superb. I don't find the Strat simulation convincing. The original simply sounds clearer than the simulation (with a clean sound, of course.) You should see the Variax as a separate, very innovative instrument. Playing and experimenting is a lot of fun. The optics are unusual because the pickups are missing. But that doesn't matter in the studio anyway.

[@Rrrrichy]

I have the Variax 500 and I got a great guitar for the price like 10 years ago. I don't care if it sounds always the same compared to some "original". It does it's job very well having so many sounds in one guitar. Some people complain about the muted sound because the pickups are behind the muting. But if you compare that it still sounds very good.

[@bradleyclosson5042]

Not even close

[@MarkSchuster-ym3iy]

Not just as good individually but I’ve enjoyed them since they came out, when I sit down and noodle I always grab the Variax . I have 4 Variax 700 basses one 705 bass I’ve lost count but I have several 300s/ 500/ one 600/ and one 700 which is a r00 without a tremolo. I’m a luthier and have built quite a few custom guitars with magnetic pickups long before line 6 but the catch is I’m no electrical engineered. I couldent get the pots ro share. The 5 way switches was easy I switched some to rotary like Les Paul uses. I’ve owned every pod and currently have the helix but am selling my pod hd pro x and pod hd 500 x just sold my amazing for the period line 6 x3 pro rack. Ofcoarse I had an X3 and several beans . All in all I’ve enjoyed and learned a lot from line 6 . It’s worth it. I am going to purchase an acoustic amp unless there’s a way to cheat with the amazing helix.

[@silentstormstudios]

Based on the demos of seen of the Variax, I think it does a pretty good job of capturing the vibe and character of the instruments that it emulates. Does it sound exactly the same as any other given guitar? No, and any given guitar can sound different than another of the same type. Some guitars have a certain mojo and some don't, or they have a different mojo. The point is, this is a convincing enough emulation of various instruments to be very useful for someone that doesn't want to invest in 10 different guitars. Hey, it's pretty nice to only have to change the strings on one guitar rather than ten, right? And it's also nice to be able to bond with the feel of one guitar rather than ten to optimize your playing. I'm seriously considering one of these as I think it would be a great studio tool.

[@joeking433]

Why is the date the video was uploaded not included anywhere now? Or am I missing something?

[@russellclinton2470]

Are the Variax models in this video the same models they are compared side by side with? I believe the variax is modeled after specific older classic model guitars. I’d really be interested to hear what they sounded like side by side.

[@BelmontGaming]

Falls short on the les paul side, but i can see the practical uses for this guitar on the road. nice

[@TheMusicalMedic]

It's like any modeler though, the factory presets are "close enough," You can tweak them or build your own to get them dead on the money.

[@AlchemyMusicConcept]

I'd take the Variax. You can do so much more with it. The software can let you tweek the hell out of every aspect of the guitar.

[@jjzuc]

Position 4 on the Strat model didn't do it for me but the guitar is basically a Strat so why model it?

[@MrBlackcaster]

The most important reason to buy this guitar is possibility to change tuning immediately (and that's GREAT), but if you want one to substitute your beloved Strat or LP you better save your money.

[@Cr16604]

The Les Paul sounded pretty close, but the fender models both sounded to thick. But if the variax software were put into each of those guitars, people would probably say they sound exactly alike. It’s a hard comparison to make because of the many different pick up options that are available. Modern and vintage. But anyway to me the less, Paul sounded pretty close

[@bobainsworth9571]

I have an old 300 and (allowing for the different amp and my speakers!) the sounds are ok but not as good as the new Variaxes. Also the amplifier used makes a big difference. Was tempted a while ago to get one of the new ones but the (roughly) LP looking version rather than the Str*t version. Still not decided.

[@sherimehmood]

What was your sound set up? amps , effects etc?

[@microsmart714]

isn’t Variax a Pacifica with line 6 electronics?

[@Mordecai06]

I used to own a JTV-89F but the model guitars sounded awful when doing palm muting with dostortion, this problem is well documented within the line 6 forums, if one day they fix this issue then it can be good option

[@Newnodrogbob]

It’s also well documented that you can fix this by palm muting closer to the bridge. The way you palm mute when the string vibration is being picked up by a magnetic pickup in the neck area is going to be different than when you’re using piezos in each saddle. If you mute hard in front of the bridge, there’s virtually no vibration happening at the piezos. If you rest your palm basically on the bridge, you can get a good sound. Admittedly, I’m just a bedroom noodler, and it’s not like I had super refined palm muting skill before I got a variax, but I really haven’t found it to be a problem.

[@omarsosa2219]

They have improved this considerably. But is still there. For Metal and Djent player I can see this being an issue but the Variax is geared towards other of styles of music. They have discontinued the 89 series probably for that reason but the 59, 69 and the Yamaha version are still there

[@AndrewBonicaRR]

Omar Sosa the JTV-89F is still in production. It has a Graph Tech Floyd-style bridge. It’s fixed bridge sibling, the JTV-89, was discontinued when it came out. You also forgot to mention the two Shuriken Variax models which came out over the past two years.

[@omarsosa2219]

Not sure how you eq’d the guitar but I have a JTV and my sounds are better less booming and lower end than yours... Variax is not the real deal but I have left a few people astonished on the sounds. I once had a guy asked me what pick did I put on my JTV 59 to make it chime like a Rickenbecker or growl like a Gretch... and I said is a Variax! The guitar is versatile and the sounds are very convincing.

[@JoeAmaral427]

I think it would be a great tool for say a studio musician. Has a lot of different sounds without carrying dozens of guitars.

[@AdaptivePhenix]

I wanna see you compare the ability of one of the big-name guitars, switching to an alternate tuning and back or to an acoustic...in mid song. This should be entertaining 👍😁

[@ericbgordon1575]

Doesn't Steve Howe do that?

[@BertGrink]

Strat-Variax: 0-1 Tele-Variax: 0-1 LesP-Variax: 1-0 The Variax has more 'oomph' in the low registers than the two Fenders, but the Les Paul wins in this respect. However, since the Variax can emulate so many types of guitars, i would say it's a clear winner - also based on other demonstrations i've heard in the past. It's certainly a lot cheaper to buy one of those than it is to buy one of each guitar it can emulate. ;)

[@tooljunkie46n2]

Also its not quite a side by side. They model after certain years models ect.

[@indianajohn5669]

Can you share the signal chain? Is Variax's modelling and/or alternate tuning effective when connected to any amplifier?

[@Rrrrichy]

Tunings work with any amp. Except for the real/magnetic pickups of course. With a Helix you can use both signals from magnetic and variax separately.

[@Glicksman1]

Given that no two guitars of any kind or type sound exactly alike and that with proper EQ and such a Variax can emulate its modeled guitars very closely, it is no wonder that players as stellar as Steve Howe are turning to the Variax instead of having to use multiple guitars to get essentially the same sound. Also, a comparison like this ought to be blind. First, one then the other, both unseen and then guess which was which. Lastly, played solo, slight differences always stand out. Played in a band and those differences mostly disappear.

[@MrMjp58]

When I saw Yes live a few years ago, IMO Steve's variax had the cleanest, brightest and most authentic sound of all the 'classics' he used on that gig.

[@lonnyhandwork422]

Been wanting to get one of these for some time to go with my Helix but have had little opportunity to audition one here. For my ear I'm a little surprised at how far from the "real" version the Variax sounds. Admittedly a different LP would sound different from this example etc but.. A show stopper for me I'm afraid - even at the reasonable price. Maybe for the acoustic models and alternate tunings?

[@Bobbelobben]

You should do a blind test

[@AndrewBonicaRR]

The default model presets match the original guitars that were modeled (including an expensive vintage Strat that may or may not be everyone’s cup of tea). You have so much more flexibility and tonal options with the free Workbench HD editor. Check out what user Chad Husky does with the editor on his channel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpjOnJWLdq5po9E

[@paramediccpo]

I prefer my variax to my 3 k strat, just the tuning stability is the only thing that lets it down

[@andrewbutcher3391]

I’m trying to decide whether to get one of these, the Ltd Edition but hate guitars with tuning stability issues. What’s causing it do you think, the bridge? They have Graphtech nuts.....

[@jean-paulschelkens6930]

The real deal sounds better or should I say, the Variax sounds different but definitvely not bad. However, within a cover-band context I think people hardly will notice the difference and as already said before, in combination with a Helix, this thing is like a Swiss knife, making your life on stage very easy.

[@charliepayne9248]

Impressive piece of kit...! Headstock looks nice, unlike a G&L...!

[@videomusic1381]

It really doesn't sound close to a strat or a Fender telecaster at all. There is a kind of similarity but it's very easy to tell which one is which. The problem with the Variax models I tried in stores is they really don't feel as good as the brands they're trying to emulate. So for the price you neither get a Fender nor a Gibson nor a great guitar in its own right. If you never owned or tried a good Fender or Gibson you might think oh yeah it sounds close but it;s really far from it not only in sound but most importantly in how it feels. I need to feel good when I pick up my guitar. You get a multitool that never really does it right. It's a good gadget not a good guitar.

[@kingstumble]

Close enough for jazz. ;-)

[@SuperGreenough]

The two Fender comparisons were pretty damn good, the rhythm on the LP was decent but the lead sounded way too thin

[@homelander7694]

Agree

[@pastorkev777]

@@homelander7694 with workbench you can control out put and get it closer sounding.

[@eddylomas7274]

I love this comparison video, it clearly shows that as good a guitar as the variax may be, it's never going to replace the originals. I think the jtv 89 for example is a better "built" guitar than anything Gibson or Fender could produce and handles and plays more like a Jackson with its 24 frets floyd rose and locking nut etc but can still sound like other guitars to. At the end of the day, no thanks. I'll keep my original Gibson Les Paul, Fender Strat, Jackson Randy Rhodes, and cheap 12 string accoustic. It's easier 😁

[@gregcoomer1775]

On occasion the Variax almost sounds like it has the sitar blended in, Especially on the tele!

[@samuelr.8347]

Tengo una variax y le falló el selector de voces y así no es tan buen artículo comparada con las otras, fue mucha inversión para que en menos de un año fallara

[@narco73]

Well that was disappointing. Still very usable, but in each case the original sounded better. Although the original strat almost sounded too strat-y, the variax was quite a nice more subtle strat sound. I don't know how these brian's work. Are you sure you weren't blending the standard magnetic pickups in? As the sound didn't change as substantially between settings as the demos on line6's website. I would have liked you to do a trick comparison, and actually show the wrong guitar being played, only to let us in on it in at the end. I wonder what I would have thought then.

[@bishopdebbarma9986]

Variax sounds is Abit thinner than the actual guitar of all sounds but it's good for the deal to have all in one.

[@larryjeffryes6168]

Two Telis or two starts may sound as different from each other as from the modeled version. Impressive.

[@VdamMusic]

I'm from The Netherlands and want to buy one.. How to get one :(

[@ind0kid500]

Er zijn best veel winkels waar je ze kan aanschaffen. Bax, thomann en musicstore zijn er al 3.

[@VdamMusic]

Isaac Djawa Welk type kun je bij thomann dan krijgen?

[@ind0kid500]

Excuus, ik zie nu pas dat die overal uit het assortiment gehaald is.

[@ind0kid500]

www.vangorp.nl/nl/elektrische-gitaar/Line-6-Line-6-Variax-Standard-Sunburst-Hybride-gitaar-131366.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw0vTtBRBREiwA3URt7seN6uPbalRy9OdeaGFE7pxzmt1CU89kTwmhFd0P1neRDLTbo5CpDBoCW7sQAvD_BwE Misschien is dit een optie.

[@jm6734]

I'd be very interested in a Variax if their design wasn't so hidious looking. Bring the Tele Pacifica back and I'm in!

[@Pierluca72]

Not even close. I can hear it even on my phone. Thanks for the video, I am very sure now about not getting the Variax

[@nodealbrexitnow7376]

Variax sounds better to me . I'm buying one, all the people saying they can tell the diff are pure frauds who would fail blind anyway!! Have some of that dossers!

[@supsiemens]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXqom4OYaqh6mq8 - you can hear the "sitar" sound there resonating, its annoying, damn!

[@PurpleLightning6was9]

I would only ever buy one cheap as a curiosity.

[@arifmiftachul8626]

Not really similar, but its not bad and still versatile

[@Glicksman1]

Actually, the Variax is remarkably similar to the guitars it is modeling. It is, however, not an exact clone of every guitar and it couldn’t be, nor could anything else. No two LPs or Strats, etc., sound alike, so, to what are we comparing the Variax? All of those subtle nuances that we perceive when playing the Variax (or anything else) in isolation disappear when it is in a mix or when playing with other instruments.

[@stewarttomkinson3356]

sounds great but has its own sound

[@byronp24]

Forgive me ladies and gentlemen put this Variax in the hands of Eric Gales, and you will here it's true capabilities. You all sound fantastic though, take care 👍🏻☺️

[@TheMusicalMedic]

Sorry man, Stevic from Twelve Foot Ninja is the front runner for the variax and it's capabilities. While Gales is a good guitarist, I don't see him playing the variax technology, just the guitar part.

[@popsfereal]

Thanks for the demo....now I don't need one.

[@MarkSchuster-ym3iy]

I meant to say I have 2 Variax standards.

[@DrRussPhd]

The real Strat just looks cooler and sounds better. The Tele model on the Variax almost sounded more like a sitar . . . Line 6 gear offers convenience at the expense of quality. Some of it is pretty decent but all of it has obsolescence built into it. But then again, some folks consider McDonalds hamburgers to be "food". Americans love mediocrity .

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

What I would like to know is - if the Line 6 R&D team has improved the virtual 12 string. The one time I held and played a Variax model when they first hit the market, the 12 string simulator was abysmal.

[@FabrizioPeretti]

I' m almost 100% sure they did improve it

[@Newnodrogbob]

ShreadTheWeapon I find it great. Works well for the intro to Dead or Alive. I feel like the default settings have the pitch offset just a little much, but that can be adjusted

[@Berryvisionpro]

Ooou!! Shit !!.. this variax is a Monster ... Shit .. shit ... Shit !!!.. awesome .... I' loved !!!

[@Whatsitallabaaat]

If you buy a variax you've got to take it to a luthier to get it set up right, out of the box the action is a mile high, the strings are the worst strings I've ever had the displeasure to use, the tuners are woeful. Are they even made of wood? Feels more like mdf. Anyway, once you've had the variax professionally set up it's a blindingly good guitar. The acoustic models are the most convincing, playing around with software open tuning is great and the electric models are pretty convincing Tbh. Line 6 just need to sort out their factory quality control. The 500 and 600s are their base (ish) models, and boy, do they let you know it. They weren't even given an attempt at a factory set up.

[@reinhettinga8789]

Might be setup this way on purpose; The designer recommends high action for this guitar because fret buzz can interfere with the modeling quite badly.

[@Guitar6ty]

For recording you cant beat a Variax

[@udhi_gn3893]

Analog purists be like... *This thing sounds robotic*

[@MajorTom106]

Tele sounded like crap. Others sounded good enough.

[@roiavrahamof9839]

not even close to any of them

[@bradleyclosson5042]

They all sound absolutely terrible. The amps aren't dialed in. The guitars are out of tune. The mic placement and or cab simulators are 😖. To make things even more ridiculous is the guy trying to play guitar. I think Line 6 markets it's equipment to entice nerdy, shy, intelligent computer programmer types that deep down inside are rocks star wannabes. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Many guitar noobs that are savvy with technology, electronics, etc usually become swiftly unmesmorized by the lack of ability any high-tech musical instrument claims to give. A good beginner guitar that PLAYS correctly with a PROPER PROFESSIONAL SETUP will take someone much further in learning guitar versus convincing someone that there all these nuanced tones to chase. That is a rabbit hole that will drain your bank account and never please. One decent, guitar one decent amp and a couple of pedals will do you right!

[@geoffsmith117]

Got to beg to differ. I've been playing Variaxes live as my go to guitars for at least 15 years! In a blind test with someone used to using one, and has taken the time to set up the amp used, you won't tell the difference. I'm not a nerd by the way, but I do earn my living playing the guitar!

[@jonathanvdb795]

Nothing realy sounds good in ur hands.big lesson.spend time playing and learning guitar.

[@GakCoUk]

awww...thats sweet of you. Thanks

[@user-vd8et2ow3d]

Wtf man it's a demonstration

[@jonathanvdb795]

Well it should be right?