Line 6 Variax and modelling guitars

[Naillerz78]

Ive been out of the loop on tech for quite a while. Is there any updates in guitar digital modelling sphere these days ?
I.e. the L6 Variax/ all-guitars-in-one solution? Seems to be abandoned.

If they perfect it …I will surely buy.
They need a new original design for such an axe tho. It can’t be a strat.

[The Noodlist]

...

[morelia]

I sold my last Variax. Was handy on stage for the tunings. The tones were more of a gimmick. I stuck with one or 2 mostly.

[Naillerz78]

I sold my last Variax. Was handy on stage for the tunings. The tones were more of a gimmick. I stuck with one or 2 mostly.

Yeah I bought the first version. It felt so cheaply made. I brought to band rehearsal and it squealed like a mofo. And the tones were no good . I was ordered to return it immediately but the rest of the band.
There’s still a ways to go .. but it’ll get there same as amp modelling surely.

[donkey tugger]

I sold my last Variax. Was handy on stage for the tunings. The tones were more of a gimmick. I stuck with one or 2 mostly.

I'd agree on that for a lot of the stuff. The things like banjo and sitar are fun, but ultimately just that. Have used the resonator acoustic one on a few things, but not the other acoustic models (but see below) - for recording they're not up to scratch, though could be useful live. The 12 string emulation is the same.

The 'standard' type of stuff (LP, Strat, Tele etc) is good though, and as I despise both spending money and changing strings then it's been a real bonus for me.

The tuning stuff is useful too - I don't have a baritone guitar, and you can actually also get a pretty decent acoustic bass sound by dropping it an octave.

I think it does really depend on what you want out of it. If you're a 'purist' then I'd probably say you'd be better looking elsewhere. If like me, you cover a fair amount of ground style wise then it can be a good buy.

I'd also look at Blue Cat's 'Re-Guitar' if it's for recording, as it covers a lot of the same ground well in terms of pick-ups.

[Naillerz78]

I sold my last Variax. Was handy on stage for the tunings. The tones were more of a gimmick. I stuck with one or 2 mostly.

I'd agree on that for a lot of the stuff. The things like banjo and sitar are fun, but ultimately just that. Have used the resonator acoustic one on a few things, but not the other acoustic models (but see below) - for recording they're not up to scratch, though could be useful live. The 12 string emulation is the same.

The 'standard' type of stuff (LP, Strat, Tele etc) is good though, and as I despise both spending money and changing strings then it's been a real bonus for me.

The tuning stuff is useful too - I don't have a baritone guitar, and you can actually also get a pretty decent acoustic bass sound by dropping it an octave.

I think it does really depend on what you want out of it. If you're a 'purist' then I'd probably say you'd be better looking elsewhere. If like me, you cover a fair amount of ground style wise then it can be a good buy.

I'd also look at Blue Cat's 'Re-Guitar' if it's for recording, as it covers a lot of the same ground well in terms of pick-ups.

Good tip re Blue Cat I’d forgotten about that must give it another go.
Absolutely re the string changing.. plus the tweaking setups, swapping pickups, adjusting from one neck to another.. the buying selling and trading haha
So you thought the Ricky 12 sound was good? Can’t recall tbh. Hanging to own a real Ricky tho such a great sound. Oh and was it the new Tyler (?) Variax

Hope they’re still working on it over at Line6..

[donkey tugger]

I sold my last Variax. Was handy on stage for the tunings. The tones were more of a gimmick. I stuck with one or 2 mostly.

I'd agree on that for a lot of the stuff. The things like banjo and sitar are fun, but ultimately just that. Have used the resonator acoustic one on a few things, but not the other acoustic models (but see below) - for recording they're not up to scratch, though could be useful live. The 12 string emulation is the same.

The 'standard' type of stuff (LP, Strat, Tele etc) is good though, and as I despise both spending money and changing strings then it's been a real bonus for me.

The tuning stuff is useful too - I don't have a baritone guitar, and you can actually also get a pretty decent acoustic bass sound by dropping it an octave.

I think it does really depend on what you want out of it. If you're a 'purist' then I'd probably say you'd be better looking elsewhere. If like me, you cover a fair amount of ground style wise then it can be a good buy.

I'd also look at Blue Cat's 'Re-Guitar' if it's for recording, as it covers a lot of the same ground well in terms of pick-ups.

Good tip re Blue Cat I’d forgotten about that must give it another go.
Absolutely re the string changing.. plus the tweaking setups, swapping pickups, adjusting from one neck to another.. the buying selling and trading haha
So you thought the Ricky 12 sound was good? Can’t recall tbh. Hanging to own a real Ricky tho such a great sound. Oh and was it the new Tyler (?) Variax

Hope they’re still working on it over at Line6..

It's a standard I have.

Sorry, was a bit unclear, the Rickenbacker tone itself is fine (the 6 string is good), but the octave up pitchshifting on the lower 4 strings sounds a bit false. It'd be fine for using live, but for recording I always use either my Revelation or cheapy Gear4Music 12 strings, through the BC re-guitar toaster pickup emulation.

As and example this is my £120 G4M 'Shitenbacker' Knoxville 12 string using the above, through a healthy dose of compression then the 'pushed oldie' amp in Tonex;

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fUN-vb ... sp=sharing

Which may not be 100% authentic, but not bad at all, and cost me about £3000 less.

[morelia]

The 'standard' type of stuff (LP, Strat, Tele etc) is good though, and as I despise both spending money and changing strings then it's been a real bonus for me.

The tuning stuff is useful too - I don't have a baritone guitar, and you can actually also get a pretty decent acoustic bass sound by dropping it an octave.

That about says it.

[Naillerz78]

It's a standard I have.

Sorry, was a bit unclear, the Rickenbacker tone itself is fine (the 6 string is good), but the octave up pitchshifting on the lower 4 strings sounds a bit false. It'd be fine for using live, but for recording I always use either my Revelation or cheapy Gear4Music 12 strings, through the BC re-guitar toaster pickup emulation.

As and example this is my £120 G4M 'Shitenbacker' Knoxville 12 string using the above, through a healthy dose of compression then the 'pushed oldie' amp in Tonex;

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fUN-vb ... sp=sharing

Which may not be 100% authentic, but not bad at all, and cost me about £3000 less.

Woah.. that’s class
Sounds like a Ricky to me.
And also very like John Fahey that piece

Must pick me up one of those Knoxville 12’s

[donkey tugger]

It's a standard I have.

Sorry, was a bit unclear, the Rickenbacker tone itself is fine (the 6 string is good), but the octave up pitchshifting on the lower 4 strings sounds a bit false. It'd be fine for using live, but for recording I always use either my Revelation or cheapy Gear4Music 12 strings, through the BC re-guitar toaster pickup emulation.

As and example this is my £120 G4M 'Shitenbacker' Knoxville 12 string using the above, through a healthy dose of compression then the 'pushed oldie' amp in Tonex;

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fUN-vb ... sp=sharing

Which may not be 100% authentic, but not bad at all, and cost me about £3000 less.

Woah.. that’s class
Sounds like a Ricky to me.
And also very like John Fahey that piece

Must pick me up one of those Knoxville 12’s

Cheap and cheerful, but no real flaws to it. Never had a poorly set up guitar come from G4M (also got one of their acoustic 12 strings, which is actually really good, never mind for the price.. ).

Anyway, these are the Re-guitar settings I use as a starting point if it helps;

reguitar.jpg

[The Noodlist]

Boss and Roland also had some MIDI pickups.

Subtitles for a Scouse!

[donkey tugger]

Boss and Roland also had some MIDI pickups.

Subtitles for a Scouse!

For that price I'd want it to play the bastard things itself as well.

[Naillerz78]

Boss and Roland also had some MIDI pickups.

Subtitles for a Scouse!

He’s the Bosch Product-Shpeshishish !

Strand-beurghh guitahhs.

[Naillerz78]

Cheap and cheerful, but no real flaws to it. Never had a poorly set up guitar come from G4M (also got one of their acoustic 12 strings, which is actually really good, never mind for the price.. ).

Anyway, these are the Re-guitar settings I use as a starting point if it helps;


reguitar.jpg

bargain
C&C is my jam - sold off my expensive Gibson LP & Musicman guitars long ago. have been going cheaper and cheerful-er ever since

Great re the setup also. How’s the neck width etc it is easy-ish to play?
I’m in Australia - never heard of G4M.
must reinstall BlueCat again now and have a mess.

[Naillerz78]

It's a standard I have.

had the original v 1 .. back in mid 00’s maybe. Twas the cheapest of the cheap construction... L6 musta made a lotttta profit on those

Their new US Custom LP style in cherry red looks appealing. Smart move by L6 getting James Tyler in.

https://line6.com/variax-modeling-guitars/jtv-us/
https://line6.com/variax-modeling-guitars/variax-hd/

But ..seriously , if you’re a company developing a new 50-guitars-in-one solution.. ffs innovate a new guitar design to go with! Is it really that hard to create a new shape ?
And It doesn’t need pickups if it’s all digital! I knew something was NQR with the modelling when I saw they kept the magnetic pickups on as an ‘option’ …aka ‘ Plan B’

I recall Peavey had a crack at a similar idea about 5 years ago .. their “Autotune” guitar.
It died pretty quickly that one.