tomcaster
Halfnote
Posts: 91
Formerly Known As: strat-hacker
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Variax
Feb 10, 2022 15:57:58 GMT -5
Post by tomcaster on Feb 10, 2022 15:57:58 GMT -5
Anyone have one and what do you think?
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hugo
Quarternote
Posts: 3
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Variax
Feb 10, 2022 17:15:01 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by hugo on Feb 10, 2022 17:15:01 GMT -5
Hi,
I have 1 from 2007 or so. It’s an OK guitar to play and it never let me down. I played it with a Line6 POD CT Live and got some nice tones from the combi. The acoustics sounded a bit ‘mwoah’ but overall I am happy with it. Best thing for me was the fact that I didn’t need to carry my amps and other guitars to a gig. Just the variax and the POD and plugged straight not the PA.
Hugo
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Post by ninworks on Feb 10, 2022 19:00:08 GMT -5
I played one when they first came out and was not impressed. It may 'sound' like a Les Paul, Strat, Tele etc., but the touch factor didn't react like one. The single coil guitars had the same touch response as the humbucker choices. To me, that's huge. I don't know about the newer models. They are still making them so they must not be a total turd or nobody would still be buying them and they would have been discontinued.
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Variax
Feb 10, 2022 19:56:14 GMT -5
Post by zenland on Feb 10, 2022 19:56:14 GMT -5
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Variax
Feb 10, 2022 21:32:14 GMT -5
Post by reverendrob on Feb 10, 2022 21:32:14 GMT -5
Played one, I didn't feel compelled to swap out my Roland GK-3 equipped things for it.
Being stuck with a particular guitar even if it sounded as good as the GR-55 (which it didn't)....was a dealbreaker.
I'm actually pretty happy with the base GR-55 instrument sounds even if the multi-fx section is dated by now (GT-10 based era of stuff, the GT-100 was a massive upgrade).
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Variax
Feb 10, 2022 21:37:44 GMT -5
Post by funkykikuchiyo on Feb 10, 2022 21:37:44 GMT -5
It is a tool. I'm sure for a busy guy in a cover band that needs more sounds than he wants to carry with him to a gig, it is amazing. Plus, having an acoustic sound for the rare acoustic line in a rock band setting when you don't want to deal with plugging in a real acoustic is pretty big. (That is sort of my take on piezo saddles in electrics, too)
As ninworks says, they never respond or feel like the instrument. If I hear someone else play it, it sounds more convincing. If I play it, it doesn't.
Since most of us buy more gear because it is fun to play with, it is not appealing much of the time. Some people absolutely love them, though.
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Post by reverendrob on Feb 10, 2022 23:40:57 GMT -5
My acoustic... Lighter and smaller than another instrument by far!  |
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Tom B.
Halfnote
Posts: 55
Formerly Known As: Tom B.
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Variax
Feb 11, 2022 13:15:23 GMT -5
Post by Tom B. on Feb 11, 2022 13:15:23 GMT -5
I bought a used Variax 300 several years ago, it's fun to doodle around on. Never could get used to the MIC neck with rosewood fretboard so I eventually swapped on an aftermarket maple tele neck -- playability is much better for me. I originally purchased it to use during musicals at church and it has been great for that -- no guitar switches required. Does a decent job replicating both electrics and acoustic 6s and 12s, lap steel/dobro, sitar (even a banjo) in a multi-instrument setting.
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Variax
Feb 12, 2022 7:29:09 GMT -5
Post by walshb 🦒 on Feb 12, 2022 7:29:09 GMT -5
After watching some of the videos on these, I kinda want one even though I don't really need one. I had no idea there were so many different models though. How to choose one?! Which one is right for you? |
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tomcaster
Halfnote
Posts: 91
Formerly Known As: strat-hacker
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Variax
Feb 15, 2022 13:26:54 GMT -5
Post by tomcaster on Feb 15, 2022 13:26:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies. Seems ideal for a performer with the versatility it has. But-it may play a strat "sound" or LP or Tele, but isn't any of those. I'm more intrigued by the tunings on the fly and things like the 12 string or Sitar. At the end of the day-how often will I use those-not so much. Maybe a used one at the right price.
What started this for me was seeing an Adrien Belew interview where he was going over his Parker Fly(now that's an interesting guitar) and he has variax installed on it. Unfortunately, Variax wants you to buy the whole guitar from them. That appears to be the only way to purchase it.
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Post by reverendrob on Feb 15, 2022 17:41:23 GMT -5
Everything you're describing can be had with a synth pickup and a GR-55.
Sitar, 12 string, fake bass of various stripes (I love the faux Rick on my Bass VI) alternate tunings on a per-patch, +/- 24 per string basis (and can also echo the original tuning using the magnetic outs, no less!).
Play the guitar you want as an added bonus.
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Variax
Feb 15, 2022 20:38:54 GMT -5
Post by zenland on Feb 15, 2022 20:38:54 GMT -5
Everything you're describing can be had with a synth pickup and a GR-55. Yes and I bought a Xaviere XV890 to use as my synth guitar because the price for the guitar and GR 55 together was great! Around 6/7 years ago? Having the GK3 pickup (on the guitar) for me though is not the best fit for switching between patches. And. I fully admit it works well but would prefer a Strat with a built in synth pick up. www.guitarworld.com/news/guitarfetishcom-introduces-xaviere-xv-890-line-electric-guitars(Just showing the XV890 I use in the link) |
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Variax
Feb 15, 2022 22:02:10 GMT -5
Post by reverendrob on Feb 15, 2022 22:02:10 GMT -5
Yea, I found out that the trem placement (moving the actual unit up a bit on the body) on the Classic Player Jaguars made it possible to use the bulb in the usual position (strap button) on one finally. It was as expensive as the GR-55 was, but...worth every penny. For my Bass VI, that's made out of some driftwoodburst body, I just drilled it in.  |
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Post by walshb 🦒 on Feb 16, 2022 11:42:10 GMT -5
Anyone have one and what do you think? I will have one tomorrow if there are no shipping delays. Fell in love with this top and just had to order it.  |
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Post by zenland on Feb 16, 2022 18:21:20 GMT -5
So looking forward to you plugging this into the Helix unit I have.
Hopefully you ARE getting a Variax cable with this unit??
Beautiful Guitar!
Congrats!
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Variax
Feb 17, 2022 7:46:26 GMT -5
Post by walshb 🦒 on Feb 17, 2022 7:46:26 GMT -5
So looking forward to you plugging this into the Helix unit I have. Hopefully you ARE getting a Variax cable with this unit?? No, it comes with a USB cable to connect to a computer, but no Variax cable. I don't think I would need it because it won't work with my HX FX. I'll still be able to do edits with the Workbench software though. |
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Variax
Feb 17, 2022 15:04:26 GMT -5
Post by zenland on Feb 17, 2022 15:04:26 GMT -5
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Variax
Feb 17, 2022 17:42:33 GMT -5
Post by zenland on Feb 17, 2022 17:42:33 GMT -5
tomcaster-I'll give a review once I can play it for a week.
Should be here by this Saturday? (just ordered today!)
I don't think that's realistic on the delivery date!!
But,
I'll be happy if it IS!!!
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tomcaster
Halfnote
Posts: 91
Formerly Known As: strat-hacker
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Variax
Feb 18, 2022 15:21:05 GMT -5
Post by tomcaster on Feb 18, 2022 15:21:05 GMT -5
Two purchases from one question! Looking forward to the reviews.
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Variax
Feb 18, 2022 17:07:07 GMT -5
Post by zenland on Feb 18, 2022 17:07:07 GMT -5
walshb came over today to play his Variax and help me on some Helix questions plus letting me play his Martin acoustic!
WOW!
First things First! His 59 Variax HAS ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THE MOST BEATIFUL TOPS I"VE EVER SEEN! yes i'm screaming lol!
The pic he posted does NOT do it justice!!
Thanks Bill! It Was A Blast!
All Good
I still gotta work on the 4 CM method though.
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Variax
Feb 18, 2022 17:44:05 GMT -5
Post by walshb 🦒 on Feb 18, 2022 17:44:05 GMT -5
Ken, mine arrived in two days so there shouldn't be a problem unless the weather turns....
We made a lot of progress with the 4CM today. I haven't had the issue that the one video described where you have to set the input (or was it an output?) to "instrument" but I'll be looking to see what mine is set at, and testing again.
Looking forward to your review after you've played it awhile. And thanks for the nice comments on my maple top. I try not to choose guitars by looks, but this one I just had to have, if I was going for a Variax, which of course I did.
I'm having trouble removing the battery from the back of the guitar, I have to pry it out with a tool. It comes out of the charger easily, so it's something with the guitar. So please let me know if you have any issue with yours. I'll be contacting Sweetwater about it, in case I break something! I hope they don't make me send it back for repair!
The alternate tunings are a big plus on these guitars. I was also getting a pretty convincing banjo tone today, better than what I've heard in videos. I wonder how often I'll use it though?!
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Variax
Feb 19, 2022 19:18:07 GMT -5
Post by walshb 🦒 on Feb 19, 2022 19:18:07 GMT -5
Update:
I emailed Sweetwater kind of late on Friday, so I was surprised to get a call from my sales rep. At his request, I sent him a pic of the back cavity on the guitar where the battery mounts, and he will forward it to their service team for suggestions.
However, today I was able to remove the battery, while still difficult, without using a "pry bar". So it seems to be loosening up, and hopefully this will become a non-issue soon. I really don't want to send the guitar back.
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Variax
Feb 20, 2022 13:35:54 GMT -5
Post by Stinger22 on Feb 20, 2022 13:35:54 GMT -5
John McFee of the Doobies swears by his..........
He starts at 14:00
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Variax
Feb 20, 2022 17:44:30 GMT -5
Post by walshb 🦒 on Feb 20, 2022 17:44:30 GMT -5
Wow, that's a great video and a great explanation of how he's using the Variax guitars, plus a Helix.
He said he uses it for banjo, and I happened to mess around with the banjo setting today, straight into my recorder with a little reverb plus an IR (no amp), and I was really impressed with the tone. Plus, one of the Reso tunings mimics a banjo tuning (without the 5th string). It was really fun to try to do some banjo stuff on an electric guitar. The acoustic guitars also sound really good when not being played through an amp. I'm impressed so far, but admit I'm still learning and experimenting. Combined with my HX FX, there is so much versatility that it's going to take awhile to get confident with my setup.
Thanks for posting the video!
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Variax
Feb 20, 2022 17:52:50 GMT -5
Post by reverendrob on Feb 20, 2022 17:52:50 GMT -5
Update: I emailed Sweetwater kind of late on Friday, so I was surprised to get a call from my sales rep. At his request, I sent him a pic of the back cavity on the guitar where the battery mounts, and he will forward it to their service team for suggestions. However, today I was able to remove the battery, while still difficult, without using a "pry bar". So it seems to be loosening up, and hopefully this will become a non-issue soon. I really don't want to send the guitar back. One suggestion I'd have is using a piece of ribbon under the battery - have it underneath (away from the contacts, of course), and pull both ends at once to move it from a snug cradle. |
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Variax
Feb 20, 2022 21:47:32 GMT -5
Post by walshb 🦒 on Feb 20, 2022 21:47:32 GMT -5
Update: I emailed Sweetwater kind of late on Friday, so I was surprised to get a call from my sales rep. At his request, I sent him a pic of the back cavity on the guitar where the battery mounts, and he will forward it to their service team for suggestions. However, today I was able to remove the battery, while still difficult, without using a "pry bar". So it seems to be loosening up, and hopefully this will become a non-issue soon. I really don't want to send the guitar back. One suggestion I'd have is using a piece of ribbon under the battery - have it underneath (away from the contacts, of course), and pull both ends at once to move it from a snug cradle. That really is a great suggestion! I didn't think of that, of course, and didn't see it until now. What I did do, is use a small screwdriver to slightly pry down on the plastic tabs on the battery, that slide under the tabs on the battery holder. Kind of difficult to describe without a pic. But it did make a big difference, and now the battery feels much more "normal" when installing and removing. So I let Sweetwater know that I believe the problem is resolved. |
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Post by zenland on Feb 25, 2022 15:51:24 GMT -5
I would give a revue (on the electronics side) if I had a battery (was MIA on delivery!!!) to power my Variax LOL!
No Big Deal! I'm going to order one and wait for the one I'm owed!
What I am Happy With is the 'play ability' of this JTV-69S Guitar!
This Absolutely ROCKS!
Fits my hand like a glove!
All good!
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Variax
Feb 25, 2022 18:01:18 GMT -5
Post by reverendrob on Feb 25, 2022 18:01:18 GMT -5
Well, that's the important part, and you're getting to know it as an instrument before the toys.
It's why I kept my weird Kaoss-Pad Ibanez - I like the guitar as a stripped down, bridge only, no tone knob monster.
Yea, I love the high gain dirt circuit built in, and use it a ton, but most of the time when I play it I don't even turn on the Kaoss Pad!
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Variax
Feb 26, 2022 19:41:02 GMT -5
Post by zenland on Feb 26, 2022 19:41:02 GMT -5
You're right reverendrob!
I know I'm going to have to fly blind even when I know the settings for a while!
It will all workout!
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